The quiet chamber was dimly lit by a single oil lamp. Irene lay peacefully under a woven blanket, her chest rising and falling with the steady rhythm of sleep. Her small hand clutched a carved wooden figurine, a gift from her father. Nehizena's wife sat beside her, brushing her daughter's hair with tender care, humming a soft melody that filled the stillness of the room.
The door creaked open, and Nehizena stepped in, his strides measured. He paused at the threshold, his gaze lingering on Irene. For a moment, his hardened expression softened.
Nehizena (his voice low):
"She sleeps soundly. A rare blessing in times like these."
Nehizena's Wife (without turning, her voice steady yet carrying an edge):
"Children should know peace, at least while they dream."
Nehizena moved further into the room, his shadow flickering on the walls as he approached his wife.
Nehizena (reflective):
"If only the rest of us could dream so freely."
He stood over Irene for a moment, watching her grip the figurine tightly, as though it offered her protection even in sleep. He sighed and turned toward his wife.
Nehizena:
"The generals are restless. They press for more action, but their plans lack precision. I need your insight."
His wife rose, ensuring Irene remained undisturbed. She crossed the room with the grace of someone accustomed to carrying burdens others could not see.
Nehizena's Wife:
"Your generals plan for conquest. They think victory is won with numbers and brute force. But they don't understand the true cost."
Nehizena (studying her carefully, his tone probing):
"And you do? You speak as though you've seen more than they ever could."
She met his gaze, her expression unreadable.
Nehizena's Wife (coolly):
"I've seen what remains after the fires burn out—scorched earth, ashes, bodies, the silence of those who will never speak again. Memories that haunt those who survive. Shattered lives. Conquest is easy. Building something worth keeping… that is the challenge."
Nehizena leaned against the wall, the flickering light casting sharp lines across his face.
Nehizena (his voice sharpening):
"You've always had a way of challenging every move I make. Yet, you stay quiet when others speak of strategy. Why is that?"
Nehizena's Wife (a faint shadow crossing her face, her tone colder):
"Because most strategies are built on arrogance, not understanding. It's not about the next battle, Nehizena. It's about what comes after."
Nehizena folded his arms, his expression faltering for the briefest moment.
Nehizena (his tone softening slightly):
"And what would you suggest? That we stand idle while our enemies regroup?"
His wife turned toward the window, gazing out at the faint glow of torches in the distance. Her voice was distant but resolute.
Nehizena's Wife:
"I suggest you think beyond vengeance. Ask yourself what legacy you wish to leave behind. Will Irene inherit a kingdom built on bloodshed, or one that can endure the test of time?"
Nehizena's brow furrowed, the weight of her words settling heavily on his shoulders. He pushed himself off the wall, pacing slowly.
Nehizena:
"I fight for her. For us. For Erhahon. Everything I do is to secure the future."
His wife turned to face him, her eyes sharp, her voice dropping to a near whisper.
Nehizena's Wife:
"A future paid for in blood often demands more than we can give." (She stepped closer, her tone hardening.)
"Strength is knowing when to stop, Nehizena. Not when to strike."
Nehizena clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening into fists before relaxing again. He looked at her for a long moment, then exhaled deeply.
Nehizena (quietly):
"You speak as though you carry the weight of every war we've fought."
Nehizena's Wife (her voice steady, her gaze unwavering):
"Some weights are never lifted. They shape every choice we make."
Silence settled between them, heavy and unyielding. Nehizena turned toward the door, his movements slower, his mind clearly burdened by the conversation.
Nehizena (as he reached the door, without looking back):
"Your words always linger, even when I wish they wouldn't."
His wife watched him leave, her expression unreadable. As the door shut, she returned to Irene's side, brushing a stray lock of hair from her daughter's face. Her thoughts drifted to places she wished she could forget, shadows of battles long past and fears of what was still to come.
Nehizena's Wife (softly, almost to herself):
"Perhaps they linger because they need to."
The Breaking of the Lineage
The sky above darkened as evening descended, the last rays of sunlight fading into deep hues of purple and gold. King Sonni and Queen Nosaze led their armies toward King Nehizena's fortress, their forces moving like a shadow stretching across the land.
The Gao charioteers took the lead, their agile steeds cutting through the twilight, their movements sharp and deliberate. Behind them marched the warriors of Benin, Queen Nosaze's elite soldiers, their spears glinting faintly in the dim light.
King Sonni carried his sword in his hand, its blade catching the fleeting glow of the setting sun. His expression was one of unyielding resolve, his pace steady but deliberate. The evening breeze tugged at his battle-worn armor, but his focus never wavered.
Queen Nosaze followed closely, her red royal garment a striking contrast against the encroaching darkness. Her locks, decorated with small golden rings, swayed with every determined step. Her demeanor was as fierce as the warriors who marched behind her, each stride a declaration of her intent to reclaim what had been stolen.
As the sky shifted from dusk to night, the armies reached the outskirts of the fortress. The battering rams provided by the Garamantes were rolled into position, their sheer size an imposing sight even in the dim light. The air was tense, charged with anticipation.
The Gao charioteers adjusted their positions, readying themselves for swift maneuvers in the approaching assault. The warriors of Benin formed their ranks, their shields raised, their eyes fixed on the walls ahead. The sounds of preparation—the tightening of ropes, the clinking of weapons—echoed faintly through the night.
The fortress loomed In the distance, its towering walls bathed in the pale light of torches. It was an ominous sight, yet no fear lingered in the hearts of those gathered. The time for battle had come.
Under the veil of night, their assault would begin—a strike against oppression and tyranny.
The soldiers stood ready, their formations disciplined, yet still and silent as they awaited the signal to strike. The torches that flickered along the fortress walls in the distance cast faint shadows across the landscape.
Queen Nosaze sat astride her horse, her posture upright but her gaze distant. The cool night wind brushed against her locks, swaying them gently as she stared at her brother Nehizena's fortress. Her mind churned with the weight of the words spoken by the chief of Afunfun.
"The problem, my child, is not only in stopping King Nehizena. It lies in whether you can bring an end to your father's lineage for the sake of ending this war."
The words echoed in her thoughts, heavy and relentless. Could she truly do what was necessary if it came to that? Her father's blood ran through her veins, just as it did Nehizena's, but so did the memory of what that bloodline had wrought—glory, ruin, and countless lives lost.
The sound of hoofbeats brought her back to the present. She turned to see King Sonni riding his horse alongside her, his sword sheathed for the moment but ever within reach. His calm demeanor contrasted with the tension she carried.
Sonni spoke, his voice steady yet understanding:
"It is okay to hesitate, especially in such situations, but what matters is doing what is right."
Nosaze turned to him, her face shadowed by doubt and turmoil.
"He is my brother, and I just can't end my father's lineage," she said, her voice carrying both anguish and resolve. "I know his ways will kill him, but let his death not come from me."
Sonni looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable at first. When he spoke, his tone was measured but firm, a reassurance mingled with purpose.
"I know it's a very tough decision, speaking of putting an end to Nehizena. And that is why I said I would let you speak with him."
He gestured toward the towering fortress in the distance.
"During the attack, you and I will make our way up to his manor. That is where he will be. And then we will decide—through his actions."
Nosaze held his gaze, searching for certainty, for strength she feared she might not have. The distant sounds of preparation and the hum of the soldiers' murmurs filled the silence between them.
Finally, she gave a small nod, her grip tightening on the reins of her horse.
"Through his actions," she repeated softly, as though trying to steel herself for what was to come.
The wind carried her words away, leaving only the shared resolve between her and Sonni. As they turned their attention back to the fortress, the first drumbeat of war echoed faintly in the distance, signaling the beginning of the end.
As the soldiers of Sonni and Nosaze's army waited in the stillness of the night, their attention was drawn to an unexpected sight. One of the scouts, a seasoned warrior, noticed a narrow gap beneath the outer fence of Nehizena's fortress. The ground was disturbed there, almost hidden by overgrown grass, a potential path to infiltrate the fortress without being noticed.
The scout signaled to his comrades, and within moments, a small group of soldiers silently moved toward the gap. They carefully cleared the area, revealing an underground passage that led beneath the fortress' walls.
With swift precision, the soldiers crawled through the narrow tunnel, careful not to make a sound. Their mission was clear: to eliminate the watchmen and create an opening for the rest of the army. The entrance was hidden well, making it the perfect point of entry for the infiltrators.
Once inside, the soldiers moved quickly, taking out the few guards stationed near the tunnel's exit. Their actions were swift, calculated, and silent. They knew that every moment mattered. As the watchmen were dispatched one by one, the signal was given. The path was clear.
Outside, Sonni and Nosaze watched as their forces surged forward. The soldiers who had infiltrated the fortress now moved with purpose, ensuring that the entrance was fully secured. The rest of the army, waiting in the darkness, prepared to break through the fortress's defenses.
The sound of battle was quiet at first, but soon the clang of steel and the shouts of soldiers echoed in the night air as the main force advanced toward the fortress walls. With the outer defenses weakened, they stormed forward, knowing that the surprise attack had already given them the advantage.
The underground path had made the difference, allowing Sonni and Nosaze's forces to breach the fortress with less resistance than anticipated. As the main army pressed forward, the fortress began to fall to their might.
The battlefield stretched before them, bathed in the cold light of the moon, a grim witness to the fury of war. The night air was thick with the sound of clashing steel, the grunts of warriors, and the sharp cries of those caught in the chaos. The earth trembled as Sonni's forces, backed by the might of Queen Nosaze's army, collided with the forces of King Nehizena, who stood firm in his fortress, desperately holding onto what remained of his power.
The war was aggressive. There was no time for strategy, no time for elaborate tactics. It was an unforgiving, relentless clash of wills, with every soldier fighting with the ferocity of desperation. The ground was littered with the fallen, the cries of the wounded mixing with the clash of weapons.
Sonni rode with the front line, his sword a blur of silver, cutting through the enemy forces with calculated precision. His army, an elite force hardened by previous battles, fought with the same intensity, following their king's every command without hesitation. Their battle cries echoed through the air, driving them forward, pushing them into the heart of the chaos.
Queen Nosaze, mounted on her horse, was no less formidable. Dressed in her red royal garment, her locks flying behind her, she led her army with unmatched valor. Her warriors, a proud and disciplined force from the Benin Kingdom, followed her with unwavering loyalty, cutting down enemies in their path. Nosaze's eyes were set forward, not with the focus of vengeance, but with a sense of duty to end the bloodshed that had scarred her soul. She cut down any who dared cross her path, her sword sweeping through the air with lethal grace.
Their forces, working in perfect sync, swept through the battlefield like a storm. Battering rams and chariots rumbled in the distance, charging forward to break the walls of Nehizena's fortress. The clash between the two sides was brutal, with neither side willing to relent.
In the distance, King Nehizena watched from the safety of his stronghold, his face hard with determination. His army, once a symbol of strength, now seemed to falter under the onslaught of Sonni and Nosaze's combined might. The sounds of the battlefield—once familiar to him—were now alien, a reminder of the price of his ambition.
The war was raw, unforgiving. The soldiers who fell, who met their end in the struggle, were little more than nameless shadows on the ground. The battle raged on, neither side willing to give quarter. It was a fight not for land, but for legacy—who would survive to tell the tale.
But the end of this war was coming. The relentless fury of the armies was slowly turning the tide, with Nehizena's forces beginning to waver. The weight of their king's past decisions—his empire built on betrayal, conquest, and bloodshed—seemed to hang heavy over them, robbing them of the will to fight.
The clash continued as the hours passed, but it was clear now: the heart of Nehizena's kingdom was crumbling, the once invincible fortress of his reign now under siege from all sides. Sonni and Nosaze, united in their mission, had turned the tide of the war, and victory was within their reach.
Through the Storm
The clash of swords and the roar of the battle raged all around. Nosaze rode her horse through the chaos, her focus unwavering. She could see Sonni ahead, cutting his way through the battle toward Nehizena's manor. Her heart tightened at the thought of what they were about to face, but she had no time to dwell on it.
Her brother, Nehizena—her flesh and blood—was the one they had come to stop. But what would that mean for her? The question that had haunted her thoughts since the beginning of this war now loomed larger than ever. Could she truly bring herself to end the line of her father? The thought of such a decision was unbearable, yet it felt inescapable. For now, the only thing she could do was follow Sonni to the manor, with the intention to confront Nehizena, to stop him, but not to kill him.
As Nosaze closed the gap between her and Sonni, she noticed her general, Amadin, locked in fierce combat with Nehizena's soldiers. Nehizena's forces had managed to push him back, and Amadin was struggling to hold his ground.
With swift decisiveness, Nosaze spurred her horse forward, riding hard toward the fray. She spotted an axe on the ground, seized it with one hand, and swung it with deadly accuracy at the soldiers attacking Amadin. One by one, the enemies fell back, leaving Amadin a moment's respite. Nosaze's aim was sharp, and her determination was clear. She was going to reach her brother, and she would do so without letting her emotions cloud her mission.
"General Amadin, are you unharmed?" she shouted, as she cut down the last of the soldiers blocking their path.
Amadin, his breath labored but grateful, gave her a nod. "I'm fine, Your Majesty. Thank you for the timely intervention."
Nosaze didn't have time to linger. She had a goal: stop Nehizena's madness without succumbing to the violence that had defined so much of this war. She turned her horse back toward Sonni, who was still pushing forward toward the manor.
"I won't let him go too far," she muttered under her breath, urging her horse to a gallop.
With the battle still raging behind her, Nosaze's heart beat faster as she saw Sonni up ahead. They were so close to the manor now—so close to ending this war. She would stand by Sonni's side, make the tough decisions with him, and, together, they would face Nehizena.
Captured in the Depths
Nosaze and Sonni pushed through the dense onslaught of Nehizena's soldiers, their swords cutting through the chaos. The walls of the manor loomed high above them, a stark reminder of the stronghold they sought to breach. However, the tide of the battle shifted swiftly.
A surge of Nehizena's soldiers poured into the narrow hall, their sheer numbers overwhelming. Sonni fought valiantly, his movements calculated but strained against the relentless assault. Nosaze, not far from him, swung her sword with precision, her determination unyielding despite the odds.
"Sonni!" Nosaze called out, her voice sharp over the cacophony of clashing steel.
Sonni turned toward her, his path momentarily clear, and reached out. "I'm here!" he shouted. But before he could get close, a soldier slipped past his defenses. A sharp blow landed on Sonni's head, and his body collapsed with a heavy thud.
"Sonni!" Nosaze screamed, her voice filled with desperation. She tried to reach him, but the soldiers closed in.
Despite her best efforts, Nosaze was surrounded. She fought fiercely, her sword flashing as she deflected blow after blow. But even her skill couldn't hold back the relentless force of Nehizena's soldiers. With her brother's forces bearing down on her, her arms were pinned, and her sword was wrenched from her grasp.
Sonni, unconscious, was dragged toward her as ropes were bound around her wrists. The victorious soldiers tied both of them securely, ensuring there was no chance of escape.
Battered and bound, Nosaze and the unconscious Sonni were dragged through the dark corridors of the manor. The sounds of the battle raging outside echoed faintly in the distance, a cruel reminder that their armies were still fighting for them.
Finally, they were brought into a grand chamber lit by flickering torches. At the far end of the room sat Nehizena, his expression cold and calculating. His soldiers threw Nosaze and Sonni onto the floor before him, their bindings ensuring they were powerless to resist.
Nehizena's gaze lingered on Nosaze, a flicker of something—was it regret or disdain?—crossing his face. Then, his eyes shifted to Sonni's unconscious form, and a thin, cruel smile curled at the edges of his lips.
The room was silent for a moment, save for the muffled sounds of the battle outside. Nehizena leaned forward, his voice cutting through the stillness.
"So," he began, his tone low and laced with venom, "the mighty King Sonni and my dear sister, Queen Nosaze, thought they could storm my fortress. And now, here you are—at my mercy."
Nosaze glared up at him, her breathing heavy but her resolve unbroken. "This isn't over, Nehizena," she said through gritted teeth.
Nehizena chuckled darkly, rising to his feet. "Oh, but it is, sister. You and your so-called king will come to understand that soon enough."
The Veiled Woman and the Mysterious Girl
One of Nehizena's soldiers approached Sonni, carrying a decorated vase. Without hesitation, the soldier tipped it forward, letting the cold water cascade over Sonni's face. The sudden chill shocked him awake, forcing a sharp breath as his eyes shot open.
His head throbbed from the earlier blow, but as his vision adjusted, his focus was drawn to something far more unusual.
Nehizena stood tall before him, his expression calm but sharp, as if weighing every detail of the situation. Yet it wasn't Nehizena who captured Sonni's attention.
A veiled woman sat gracefully nearby, her face obscured by a black, transparent veil. A carefully tied hair tie held back her dark hair, complementing her poised appearance. Beside her sat a girl, about fourteen years old, her expression calm and curious. The girl's striking features bore a sharpness that suggested both intelligence and defiance.
The pair radiated an unsettling composure, a stark contrast to the chaos of battle raging outside the manor. Their calm demeanor made Sonni pause, his mind racing to understand their presence in this room.
The Confrontation
Sonni turned to Nehizena, his voice hoarse. "What's going on here?"
Nehizena ignored the question. Leaning close to his wife, he whispered instructions: "Take our daughter and go with Ekundayo through the underground route. Wait for me at the river's edge."
His wife stood, casting a cold, disdainful glance at Sonni and Nosaze. With a protective arm around her daughter, she exited the room.
As they departed, Nosaze whispered to Sonni, "Who is she?"
Sonni's brow furrowed. "Probably his wife, but she seems familiar to me."
Nehizena turned his attention back to them. "The noises outside mean nothing to me. Once you're dead, they will all submit to me."
Nosaze interrupted, her voice firm. "You're making a terrible mistake. I don't know what drives you to do it, but you need to remember where you come from."
Nehizena's eyes blazed. "I COME FROM A FAMILY OF WAR AND BLOOD!"
Nosaze's voice trembled with emotion. "Mama would never agree with what you've done!"
The room fell into a heavy silence.
She continued, her tone softer. "You felt mistreated, but you don't know what you did to us. I never had a chance to spend time with Mama because of you. Your disappearance broke her. She died hoping to see you again. But where were you?"
For a moment, Nehizena's anger seemed to waver, regret flickering in his eyes.
Nosaze's voice hardened. "Sometimes I think Papa was right to send you away. You were a demon all along."
Nehizena rose from his throne, his expression darkening. "A demon? Yes, I am a demon. And you think Papa was right? How about you join him where he is?"
He turned to Sonni, pointing his sword at him. "And you, you never learn, do you? Have you forgotten what happened to your kingdom?"
Sonni bowed his head, subtly examining the sharp pillars, considering a way to break free.
Nehizena approached Sonni, lifting his chin with the tip of his sword.
Nosaze moved to intervene, her voice pleading. "Please, no! Leave him alone. Nehikhare, please hear me out, I beg you."
But Nehizena's soldiers restrained her, holding her back.
Nehizena's gaze remained fixed on Sonni, his intentions unreadable.
The room was thick with tension, the sounds of battle outside a distant echo to the personal war waging within these walls.
The Breakout
Nehizena paced in front of Sonni, smirking with malicious intent. "What do I do with you?" he taunted, his voice cold and calculating.
Before he could say more, Nosaze suddenly twisted out of the soldiers' grasp, her determination overpowering their hold. With her hands tied behind her back, she charged at Nehizena, slamming into him with enough force to knock him off his feet. He hit the floor hard, his sword skidding across the room.
The soldiers moved to restrain her, but Nosaze fought fiercely. She kicked one soldier in the shin, making him stumble. As another grabbed at her, she ducked low, twisting out of his grasp. Her eyes caught the glint of a fallen dagger nearby. Dropping to her knees, she grasped it with her bound hands behind her back and began sawing at the ropes.
Nehizena staggered to his feet, his face twisted with fury. Grabbing a second blade from a nearby table, he advanced toward Sonni, aiming to deliver a killing blow.
Sonni, hands tied behind his back, shifted his stance. As Nehizena swung, Sonni reacted swiftly, lifting one leg to deliver a precise kick to Nehizena's chest. The impact sent Nehizena stumbling backward, crashing into the banquet table and scattering its contents.
A nearby soldier lunged at Sonni, but he sidestepped, using his shoulder to knock the man into another soldier. Spotting the sharp edges of a nearby pillar, Sonni began maneuvering toward it.
Meanwhile, Nosaze freed her hands with a swift slice of the dagger and immediately turned to block a soldier's strike. Spinning with precision, she drove the blade into the soldier's side, then grabbed his fallen weapon to defend herself further.
Sonni reached the pillar and pressed his back against it, sawing the ropes against the jagged surface. A soldier attempted to stop him, but Sonni struck out with his free leg, knocking the man off balance. The ropes finally snapped, and Sonni grabbed a fallen sword, rising to his full height.
Together, Sonni and Nosaze fought with relentless determination, cutting through the remaining soldiers in their path. The clamor of the ongoing battle outside seeped through the shattered windows, but inside the hall, they fought with one purpose: reclaiming their freedom and confronting Nehizena.
The Blood of Kin
Nehizena's eyes locked onto Sonni's with a cold, fierce intensity, a silent promise of violence in the air. Sonni's gaze was unwavering as they faced each other, both warriors standing at the ready. Without a word, they clashed, their swords ringing out with the force of the strike. The battle was raw and unforgiving, each blow aimed with precision, each parry executed with speed. Sonni's sword moved in quick arcs, but Nehizena was faster, his strikes cutting through the air like lightning.
The sound of steel on steel filled the room as Nehizena's blade met Sonni's time and time again. Sonni fought with all his might, using his agility to dodge Nehizena's attacks, but Nehizena's strength and skill began to overwhelm him. With a savage twist, Nehizena disarmed Sonni, sending his sword clattering across the floor. Before Sonni could react, Nehizena's fist slammed into his face, a blow that sent him staggering backward.
Sonni struggled to stay on his feet, but Nehizena was relentless. He followed up with a powerful kick to Sonni's chest, sending him crashing to the ground. Sonni gasped for air, his body weakened and exhausted from the battle. Nehizena stood over him, sword raised, ready to finish the fight and end Sonni's life.
" Nehizena, Enough!" Nosaze's voice cut through the chaos, her eyes filled with desperation. She threw her sword at him with all her strength, hoping to distract him long enough to give Sonni a chance to recover.
But Nehizena was too quick. He dodged the thrown blade with a graceful twist, turning to face Nosaze, his expression darkening further. His blade lunged toward her, but Nosaze was caught off guard, struggling to find anything to defend herself with. Her eyes frantically searched the battlefield, but the floor was bare.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a shield sailing through the air toward her. It was Sonni. With a swift motion, she caught the shield just as Nehizena's sword came crashing down on her. The shield collided with Nehizena's strike with a deafening clash. The sheer force of the blow sent a shockwave through her arms, and the shield slammed painfully into her face. Blood trickled from a wound on her forehead, but she didn't falter. She gritted her teeth, her determination burning brighter than the pain.
Nosaze staggered but remained standing, lifting the shield high to face Nehizena. Her eyes, once filled with sorrow and regret, now burned with the resolve of a warrior who would never back down. "I will stop you, brother," she whispered through gritted teeth, her voice a fierce challenge.
The fight raged on, each strike a testament to the depth of their conflict, but neither Sonni nor Nosaze would yield. Together, they would face Nehizena, no matter the cost.
Nosaze gritted her teeth, her movements a blur of rage and precision as she battled Nehizena. The clash of their blades echoed in the chamber, each strike carrying the weight of their conflicting emotions. Nehizena lunged with a powerful thrust, but Nosaze parried and countered with a calculated slash aimed at his side. Sparks flew as their weapons collided, their faces mere inches apart, both locked in a silent contest of wills.
Nehizena broke the stalemate with a savage kick to Nosaze's midsection, sending her staggering back. He pressed his advantage, his strikes growing faster, fiercer. Nosaze, though relentless, began to falter under the unyielding onslaught. For a fleeting moment, it seemed as though both were unarmed, their battle devolving into raw physicality—punches, grapples, and desperate maneuvers.
In a blur of motion, Nehizena drew a concealed dagger from his belt and drove it into Nosaze's shoulder. Her scream of pain pierced the air, a raw, visceral sound that brought Sonni back to his senses. His head snapped up, and with a roar of anguish, he bellowed, "No-o-o!"
Nehizena coldly yanked the dagger free and tossed Nosaze to the ground. Her body hit the floor with a sickening thud, but even in her pain, she tried to push herself up, her bloodied hands trembling.
Sonni, fueled by a surge of fury and desperation, forced himself to his feet. He charged at Nehizena with every ounce of strength he could muster. The impact of his assault was ferocious, but Nehizena, experienced and unyielding, sidestepped the attack and delivered a quick series of slashes to Sonni's stomach. The cuts, though not deep enough to kill, sent waves of searing pain through his body.
Sonni stumbled, clutching at the fresh wounds as Nehizena pressed forward. With a brutal swing of his arm, Nehizena smashed the hilt of his dagger into Sonni's temple, sending him crashing to the ground once more. Blood smeared the floor as Sonni groaned in pain, struggling to rise.
Nehizena loomed over them, his presence like an unyielding storm, his blade glinting ominously in the dim light. The battle outside raged on, but here, within the walls of the fortress, it was a clash of wills that carried the weight of kingdoms.
Nehizena turned to Nosaze, his malicious grin widening. Despite her exhaustion, Nosaze refused to give up. With a surge of determination, she charged at him, slamming her shoulder into his chest. Both of them tumbled over the balcony rail, falling hard onto the second-floor balcony below.
Sonni, still on the upper floor, crawled to the edge of the balcony, his heart racing as he peered down. What he saw stunned him: Nosaze and Nehizena were locked in a brutal fistfight. There were no weapons, just raw, unrelenting aggression. Nosaze's punches came fast and furious, her grit and defiance evident with every swing.
Nehizena, though initially thrown off by her ferocity, quickly regained his composure. His blows were calculated and punishing, aiming for her injuries to weaken her resolve. But Nosaze fought like someone with nothing to lose, countering every strike with sheer willpower.
Sonni's voice echoed through the chaos: "Nosaze! Hold on!"
Below, Nehizena's confidence began to falter. Despite his strength and skill, the courage and determination in Nosaze's eyes unsettled him. He clenched his fists, driving a powerful punch into her wounded shoulder. Nosaze cried out in pain but refused to back down. She retaliated with a blow to his ribs, forcing him to stumble.
The fight raged on as the manor trembled around them. Nehizena managed to grab Nosaze, lifting her off the ground and slamming her into the edge of the balcony. Pinning her down, he growled, "Look at the war you brought to my people. And you claim you came for peace?"
Nosaze's face twisted with a mix of pain and defiance. His words cut deep, but she refused to let him win. With a burst of strength, she pushed him away, creating just enough distance to stand her ground.
On the ground below, Yacouba Sissoko, Sonni's most trusted elite swordsman, saw the brutal struggle unfolding above. He noticed Sonni leaning over the balcony, shouting desperately to Nosaze, and knew he had to act fast. Scanning the area, his eyes landed on an incomplete wooden structure, tall and unstable.
"Bring that structure down!" Yacouba ordered his men.
Soldiers rushed to the base, hacking at the supports and setting fire to it. The structure groaned but didn't fall fast enough. Yacouba, gripping his mighty sword, identified the weakest point. With a powerful swing, he struck it cleanly, causing the structure to give way.
The towering framework tilted, crashing toward the second-floor balcony. Sonni, realizing what was happening, yelled, "NOSA, JUMP!"
Nosaze glanced up at the falling debris. With no time to think, she leapt toward Sonni, her hands reaching out. Sonni caught her just as the structure smashed into the balcony, reducing it to splinters. Nehizena, caught in the collapse, tried to grab onto something but was pulled down with the wreckage into the river below.
Sonni strained, pulling Nosaze up with all his remaining strength. Once she was safe, she collapsed beside him, gasping for air.
Through shallow breaths, Nosaze said, "He fell into the river—I saw him."
Sonni nodded, his voice firm despite his exhaustion. "Let's worry about getting out of here alive. This place is falling apart!"
The manor shook violently as the fallen structure's impact sent tremors throughout the building. Cracks spread along the walls, and the floor beneath them began to give way. Debris rained down as the entire manor threatened to collapse.
The Fall of Nehizena's Empire
The battlefield was a cacophony of shouts and the clash of weapons, but the fall of the Manor silenced all. The collapse sent tremors through Nehizena's empire, his soldiers faltering as they watched their symbol of power crumble. The enslaved, including the Afunfun people, were freed, and Sonni and Nosaze's armies regrouped, rallying their forces back to camp.
As the survivors gathered, a hush fell over the camp. Messengers arrived, urgency in their steps as they approached King Sonni.
"My king," one said breathlessly, "we spotted Nehizena. He's alive, running toward the bushes."
Sonni, still bandaged from his injuries, stood abruptly. His gaze turned cold and resolute as he grabbed his bow and arrows.
"This ends now," he said, mounting his horse without hesitation.
Nosaze, seeing his determination, ran to intercept him. "Sonni, what will you do to him?"
Sonni paused, his grip tightening on his bow. The weight of everything—losses, pain, and revenge—pressed on him like a storm. He didn't look at Nosaze, his voice cutting through the tension. "Whatever I do now is none of your business."
Nosaze flinched at his tone, but stepped closer, her voice trembling. "Sonni, listen to me. I made a mistake, I know that. I brought war to him instead of peace. But please, let me help you. Don't do this alone."
Sonni turned to her sharply, his eyes blazing with authority. "You don't understand, Nosaze. This has to end. And you are not coming with me. That's an order."
For a moment, they locked eyes. Hers were pleading, his unyielding. Then, without another word, he called for his guards and walked away, ignoring the sound of her desperate voice behind him.
Ignoring her protests, Sonni spurred his horse forward, riding toward the forest.
Into the Forest
Sonni rode with purpose, the determination to end Nehizena's reign burning in his chest. The path grew narrow as the dense forest loomed ahead. Spotting a figure darting into the trees, he pulled his horse to a halt.
Nehizena was just ahead, his movements frantic as he disappeared deeper into the foliage.
Sonni urged his horse forward, but the animal balked at the thick underbrush. Gritting his teeth, Sonni dismounted and continued on foot, his bow ready.
The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. As Sonni moved cautiously, he caught a faint sound—a branch snapping underfoot. He notched an arrow and aimed, his senses on high alert.
Juba's Betrayal
Deeper in the forest, Nehizena stumbled, clutching his side. Blood smeared his tunic, his breathing labored. His only thought was to reach his family, to see them one last time.
But his path was blocked by a shadowy figure.
"Juba," Nehizena rasped, recognizing the man who stepped into view.
Juba smirked, holding a bow loosely in his hands, an arrow already notched. "King Nehizena," he said mockingly, "how the mighty have fallen."
Nehizena straightened, his pride refusing to let him show weakness. "Out of my way, Juba."
Juba chuckled darkly. "Oh, I don't think so. You see, you've ruled with fear, crushed anyone who stood in your way. But now? You're just a man, running for his life."
"You sneak up on me to end me," Nehizena growled. "That is not man enough."
Juba raised his bow and pulled the string taut, the arrow aimed directly at Nehizena's chest. "I sneaked up on you, yes. But at least I'll stab you in the front."
He released the arrow. It flew true, burying itself deep into Nehizena's abdomen. The former king gasped, his knees buckling as he fell to the ground, clutching at the shaft of the poisoned arrow.
Juba lowered his bow, stepping closer. He leaned in, his voice dripping with malice. "You've lost everything, 'king.' And now, you die alone."
With a mocking laugh, he delivered a hard kick to Nehizena's chest, sending him sprawling onto the forest floor. Slinging his bow over his shoulder, Juba disappeared into the shadows, leaving Nehizena to succumb to the poison.
Sonni Finds Nehizena
Sonni emerged into the clearing, his steps cautious, bow at the ready. The scene before him gave him pause. Nehizena lay on the ground, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. Blood seeped from the arrow wound in his abdomen, staining the forest floor.
The once-mighty king looked up, his face pale and glistening with sweat. For a moment, their eyes met. There was no fear in Nehizena's gaze, only resignation.
"You," Nehizena rasped, his voice barely audible. "You've come… to finish me."
Sonni hesitated, lowering his bow. "I didn't do this," he said, his tone soft, almost reflective.
Nehizena gave a bitter chuckle, coughing up blood. "Does it… matter? The end is the same…"
Before Sonni could respond, he heard footsteps behind him. Nosaze burst into the clearing, the two guards who failed to stop her trailing behind. Her eyes widened in horror at the sight of her brother.
"Nehikhare!" she cried, dropping to her knees beside him. She cradled his head, her tears falling freely. "No, no, no. Stay with me. Please, stay with me."
Nehizena's gaze flickered to her, his voice a faint whisper. "Nosaze… you brought war to me… and you call that… peace?"
She shook her head desperately. "I didn't want this. I never wanted this. Please, don't leave me."
Nehizena coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips. His words came slowly, broken by gasps. "You… always had that fire… but you failed… to trust… your brother. My son… my son… forgive your father."
His body went still In her arms, his eyes staring unseeing into the forest canopy.
Nosaze's Fury
"No!" Nosaze screamed, her sobs echoing in the stillness. She turned to Sonni, her grief twisting into anger.
"Why, Sonni? Why?" she demanded, her voice breaking. "He was the last of my father's lineage, and you didn't listen to me. You killed my brother!"
Sonni held her gaze, his voice steady. "I didn't kill him, Nosaze. I found him like this. He was already dying. You have to believe me."
Nosaze's hands trembled as she picked up the bloodied arrow from the ground, staring at it as if it could answer her questions. Her voice broke as she turned to Sonni. "You told me… you were cold at archery. And now this? This is your doing, isn't it?"
Sonni's chest tightened at the accusation. "Nosaze, I swear to you, I found him like this. I didn't—"
"Don't!" she interrupted, her voice cracking under the weight of her grief. Tears streamed down her face as she held up the arrow. "Don't lie to me, Sonni. You said you were the best, and now you've used my brother as a test."
Her words sliced through the air, sharp and full of anguish. Sonni took a step forward, but she recoiled, clutching Nehizena's lifeless body.
But her tears blinded her to his truth. "You'll answer for this, Sonni," she whispered, her voice trembling with sorrow and fury. "One way or another."
The fearless King Sonni stood quiet, Knowing that the bond between him and Queen Nosaze now rested on a thin line—or perhaps had broken entirely. Both hid their truths from each other, their forces parting ways in silence. Sonni returned to Gao, weighed down by a guilt he dared not voice. Nosaze returned to Benin, refusing to speak to him, convinced that he had slain her brother, ending their father's lineage.
As Nosaze mourned the death of her brother Nehizena, she cremated his body with a heavy heart. While grief filled her soul, the people across the kingdoms once oppressed by Nehizena's tyranny rejoiced. The news of the ruthless king's demise spread like wildfire, igniting celebrations of freedom and hope.
But the end of one chapter often marks the beginning of another. The Kingdom of Nehizena still stood, its fortress battered but not destroyed. Somewhere in its shadows, a greater threat loomed—perhaps someone even more ruthless than Nehizena himself. Who they were, or when they would rise, no one could say. Perhaps they already knew the truth of Nehizena's death—or perhaps they didn't.
And so, the war ended, but its echoes remained, reverberating in the hearts of those who lived to tell the tale. The kingdoms celebrated their freedom, but in the silence that followed, the world braced itself for what might come next.
End of Volume 1 – A New Storm Looms