SETTING: VILLAGE OF AJILOMI – NIGHT
The moon looms large over Ajilomi, a warrior village where every child dreams of becoming an Omo-Ogun—a son of war, blessed by the spirits of their ancestors.
Tonight is the Blessing Ceremony, the sacred rite where the village's young warriors receive their spiritual gifts. The air is thick with drumbeats and chanting, the scent of burning herbs and palm oil filling the village square.
This night will determine who will become true warriors—and who will be left behind.
EXT. AJILOMI VILLAGE SQUARE – NIGHT
A massive bonfire blazes at the center of the village square, casting flickering shadows on the gathered crowd. Warriors stand in their finest battle regalia, elders sit in woven chairs, and mothers clutch their younger children, whispering prayers to the spirits.
At the front, twelve boys kneel, bare-chested, their eyes shining with a mix of fear and excitement.
Among them is Akin, a 16-year-old boy, lean and slightly smaller than the others. His fists clench tightly on his knees, his heart hammering in his chest.
This is the moment he has waited for his entire life.
THE RITE BEGINS
The High Priest, an elderly man wrapped in a red ceremonial robe, steps forward. His eyes are milky white from years of spiritual visions. He raises his staff, and the entire village falls silent.
HIGH PRIEST
(voice booming)
"On this sacred night, let the spirits of our ancestors awaken! Let them grant their warriors strength, speed, and wisdom for battle!"
The villagers respond in unison:
VILLAGERS
"Ase!!!" (So be it!)
The priest steps forward to the first boy. He places a hand on his head, his eyes glowing white as he chants. Suddenly, the boy's body shudders. A fiery golden mark appears on his chest, veins glowing with power.
The crowd erupts in cheers.
VILLAGERS
"Omo-Ogun! Omo-Ogun!!" (Son of War! Son of War!)
The second boy kneels. The priest repeats the process, and this time, a blue aura shimmers around him. His muscles flex, charged with unseen energy.
More cheers. Another warrior is born.
One by one, the boys receive their blessings.
Until only one remains.
CLOSE-UP: AKIN
Akin's breath is unsteady as the priest steps toward him.
This is it.
He feels the village's eyes on him—some watching with anticipation, others with doubt.
His father, Oba Ogunlaja, stands among the warriors, his massive arms crossed. He has never smiled at Akin, never acknowledged him as strong enough.
Tonight, Akin will prove him wrong.
The priest places a firm hand on Akin's head. His voice, thick with authority, echoes through the square:
HIGH PRIEST
"Oh great spirits, hear me! If this child is worthy, grant him your strength!"
A heavy silence falls.
Akin squeezes his eyes shut. He prays, his whole being begs for the blessing to come.
The priest's eyes glow. His staff trembles. The flames of the bonfire flicker.
And then—
Nothing.
The silence stretches.
The priest's glowing eyes fade. His grip on Akin loosens. A confused murmur spreads through the crowd.
VILLAGER 1
(frowning)
"Why is the boy not blessed?"
The priest tries again. His chanting grows louder, more desperate.
Still, nothing happens.
The High Priest steps back. His face, once serene, is now shadowed with disappointment.
HIGH PRIEST
(slowly)
"The spirits… have rejected him."
Akin's blood runs cold.
The murmurs turn into whispers.
His father's expression hardens. His mother turns her face away.
Then come the mocking voices:
VILLAGER 2
(smirking)
"A hunter without a spear!"
VILLAGER 3
(laughing)
"A warrior without a sword!"
The boys who were blessed look at Akin with pity—some with outright scorn.
His heart pounds, his ears ring. He wants to scream, to beg the gods to reconsider. But he knows—once the spirits have spoken, their decision is final.
The Chief Elder steps forward, his face grim.
CHIEF ELDER
"A boy without a blessing is no warrior. He has no place among us."
The words hit like a physical blow.
Akin's knees feel weak.
His father, a warrior feared across the kingdom, turns his back and walks away. He does not say a single word.
Akin knows what this means.
He is no longer his son.
EXT. AJILOMI VILLAGE OUTSKIRTS – NIGHT
Akin wanders alone, his feet dragging over the dusty path leading away from the village.
He is no longer one of them.
He looks at the warriors' marks glowing in the distance. They stand proud, ready to begin their new lives as Omo-Ogun.
Akin clenches his fists.
Why?
Why had the spirits rejected him?
Tears sting his eyes, but he refuses to cry.
I will not accept this fate.
He looks to the dark forest beyond the village—a place no one dares to go.
"If the gods won't bless me, I will carve my own fate."
EXT. AJILOMI VILLAGE OUTSKIRTS – NIGHT
The village drums fade into silence behind Akin as he steps into the unknown.
Before him, the wilderness stretches wide—thick forests, deep shadows, and the distant calls of nocturnal beasts.
For the first time in his life, he is completely alone.
A sharp wind rushes through the trees, making the leaves whisper like spirits mocking him.
He clenches his fists.
"I am not weak."
But the words sound hollow, even to him.
His stomach growls. His body trembles—not just from the cold, but from the weight of rejection.
The village fire is now just a faint glow in the distance, growing smaller with each step he takes.
Should I turn back?
The thought shames him.
"No."
He has no home there anymore.
So he walks deeper into the forest, his heart pounding in his chest.
EXT. DARK FOREST – NIGHT
The trees here are tall and ancient, their branches twisting like the fingers of forgotten gods.
Akin has never dared venture this far before—no one has. The elders say dark things live in these woods, spirits that prey on the weak.
The air is thick with the scent of wet earth and decay.
Somewhere in the distance, something howls.
Akin freezes.
His hands tighten into fists, but he has no weapon. No blessing.
If something attacks me… I am finished.
He presses forward, his footsteps silent, just like his father taught him during hunting lessons.
A rustling sound comes from the bushes ahead.
Akin's heart jumps.
He crouches, his breath shallow, eyes locked on the movement.
Then—
A small antelope bursts out, its large eyes wide with fear.
Akin exhales.
"Food."
His stomach tightens at the thought. But how can he hunt without a spear or a blade?
He remembers his father's words.
"The strongest hunters use more than just weapons. They use their minds."
Akin looks around. A few large stones lie scattered nearby. He picks up one, feeling its rough surface against his palm.
The antelope is still panting, watching him cautiously.
"One shot."
Akin takes a deep breath. He throws.
The stone flies through the air—but the antelope jumps away, disappearing into the trees.
Akin stares at the empty space.
Hunger gnaws at his insides. His limbs feel weak, exhaustion creeping in.
A wave of helplessness washes over him.
"Is this how I will die? Powerless and alone?"
EXT. FOREST CLEARING – NIGHT
Hours later, Akin stumbles into a clearing, barely able to stand.
The moonlight spills over him, revealing his tired, bruised body.
His legs give out, and he collapses to the ground.
He cannot go on.
Above him, the sky stretches endlessly, the stars cold and distant.
"Why did you abandon me?" he whispers, not knowing if he is asking the spirits, his father, or himself.
No answer comes.
His eyes grow heavy.
As sleep takes him, his last thought is a bitter one:
"Maybe the villagers were right. Maybe I am nothing."
EXT. FOREST CLEARING – DAWN
Akin wakes to the feeling of something watching him.
His eyes snap open.
A figure stands at the edge of the clearing, shrouded in mist.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Not human.
Akin's breath catches in his throat.
The figure takes a step forward, the mist swirling around its feet.
The first rays of sunlight catch its form—a warrior clad in ancient armor, his face hidden beneath a horned helmet.
Akin's body freezes.
This is no ordinary man.
This is something else.
Something powerful.
And it is looking directly at him.