Chapter 21: Gathering the Storm
The night was eerily silent, as if the world itself was holding its breath. The battle with the demon had left them bruised and exhausted, but there was no time to rest. Olumide would know by now. He would know that one of his strongest allies had fallen, and his response would be swift and merciless.
Tolu stood at the edge of their makeshift camp, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon. The moon cast a silver glow over the land, illuminating the path ahead. His mind was racing. They had won a battle, but the war had only just begun.
Kemi approached him quietly, her face still bearing the remnants of the fight. A streak of dried blood ran along her arm, and her eyes were heavy with fatigue, but her spirit remained unbroken.
"You're thinking too much," she said softly.
Tolu let out a deep breath. "I don't have a choice. Olumide won't stop until he's crushed everything in his path. If we don't strike first, we'll be the ones who get crushed."
Kemi nodded. "Then we strike first. But we can't do it alone. We need allies, real ones. The Palam Pack helped, but they won't go to war for us unless we prove we can win this fight."
Tolu clenched his fists. She was right. The Palam Pack had provided them with warriors, but it wasn't enough. They needed more.
"Who else can we trust?" Jide asked, stepping forward. He was still holding his side, where the demon had landed a powerful blow, but he was determined as ever. "We're strong, but Olumide has numbers. We need an army."
Ope joined them, arms crossed. "There are rogue packs out there. Packs that don't swear allegiance to anyone. If we can convince them that Olumide is a threat to everyone, we might be able to gain their support."
Tolu considered it. Rogues were unpredictable. Some were honorable warriors, others were little better than mercenaries. But they had no choice.
"Then that's our next move," Tolu decided. "We find the rogues. We show them that fighting with us is the only way they survive."
Kemi smirked. "You really think they'll just join us out of the kindness of their hearts?"
Tolu's expression hardened. "No. But they will join us when we show them that the alternative is death."
---
The Road to the Rogues
Dawn broke over the landscape as Tolu and his pack set out. The rogue packs were known to move frequently, never staying in one place for long. But Ope had a lead—rumors spoke of a rogue gathering deep in the forest beyond the river, a place where lone wolves and exiled warriors met in secrecy.
The journey was grueling. The terrain was rough, the air thick with the scent of wet earth and decaying leaves. They moved cautiously, always alert for ambushes.
It was nearly midday when they reached the outskirts of the rogue camp. It was hidden well, nestled between the cliffs and the trees, where the world seemed to vanish into shadow. The scent of wolves filled the air, but there was something else—something wild and untamed.
"Stay close," Tolu warned. "We don't know how they'll react to us."
As they stepped into the camp, all movement ceased. Dozens of eyes turned to them—some curious, others hostile. The rogues were a mix of different packs, their appearances as varied as their pasts. Some bore scars of old battles, others wore expressions that spoke of a life spent in the shadows.
A large man stepped forward. He was taller than Tolu, broad-shouldered and covered in faded tribal markings. His golden eyes burned with a fierce intensity.
"You're bold to walk into our camp uninvited," the man said, his voice deep and commanding.
Tolu met his gaze, unflinching. "I'm not here to fight. I'm here to offer something better."
The rogue leader studied him for a moment before letting out a short laugh. "Better? That's a dangerous word in a place like this. What could you possibly offer us?"
Jide stepped forward. "War."
A murmur ran through the gathered rogues. Some smirked, others tensed. The rogue leader's expression remained unreadable.
"And why would we fight your war?" he asked.
Tolu took a step closer. "Because it's not just our war. Olumide isn't content with ruling one pack. He won't stop until he's the only Alpha left. You think you're safe because you're rogues? You think you can hide forever?"
Silence.
Then, one of the rogues, a scarred woman with piercing green eyes, spoke. "And if we say no?"
Tolu's gaze darkened. "Then you die alone when he comes for you."
The rogue leader chuckled. "You're a bold one, I'll give you that. But words aren't enough in our world. You want our loyalty? Then prove you're strong enough to lead us."
Tolu's jaw tightened. "What do you want?"
The rogue leader grinned. "A duel. You, against one of our best. You win, we listen. You lose… well, let's just say you won't be leaving."
Kemi tensed beside him. "Tolu, this could be a trap."
"I know," Tolu said, his eyes never leaving the rogue leader. "But we don't have a choice."
The rogue leader clapped his hands. "Good. Then let's begin."
---
The Duel
The camp formed a wide circle, creating an impromptu arena. Tolu stood in the center, his muscles coiled like a spring, ready for whatever came next.
His opponent stepped forward. A massive rogue, nearly as large as Olumide himself. His dark fur bristled as he cracked his knuckles, a smirk playing on his lips.
"You should've run while you had the chance," the rogue sneered.
Tolu didn't respond. He simply lowered his stance, his golden eyes locking onto his opponent's movements.
The rogue attacked first, moving like a charging bull. Tolu sidestepped just in time, but the sheer force of the attack sent dust flying. The rogue was fast, but Tolu was faster.
He countered with a swift kick to the ribs, but his opponent barely flinched. Instead, the rogue spun, swinging a heavy fist toward Tolu's head. Tolu ducked, feeling the wind of the blow rush past him.
The rogue lunged again, aiming to pin him down. This time, Tolu didn't dodge. Instead, he met the charge head-on, twisting at the last second and using his opponent's momentum against him. The rogue stumbled forward, momentarily off-balance.
That was all Tolu needed.
With a fierce snarl, he struck—his claws raking across the rogue's chest, sending him crashing to the ground.
Silence filled the camp.
Then, the rogue leader smirked. "Not bad."
Tolu stepped forward, his voice firm. "Now, do you believe me?"
The rogue leader studied him for a long moment. Then, finally, he nodded.
"We fight with you."
Tolu exhaled, his heart pounding. They had their first real army.
But the war was just beginning.