Uche's childhood was not glamorous, he suffered a fair deal of physical and mental abuse growing up. It has been nearly a decade since he last spoke to his parents but it never bothered him because he was a broken toy.
Reactive attachment disorder and emotional detachment prevented him from forming a deep connection with anyone. Uche was a loner and frankly speaking, he was not a good person.
He didn't believe in good or bad; just perspectives. His goal of becoming Africa's greatest hunter was not for a noble reason; he simply wanted the fame and wealth that came along with it.
The moment he gained memories of Ikemba's shared moments and experiences with Dike, he knew this man was his only way out of this nasty situation.
'But I will have to get it right.' Uche opened his eyes after Ikemba walked out since he wouldn't respond.
He had down a seed that was bound to germinate. All he needed to do was wait.
By afternoon, Ikemba returned with some medicine, which he applied to Uche's wounds. He tried to pry some information out of the wounded general but Uche's lips were sealed tight. Eventually, he gave up and left with a sigh.
Food came in the evening hours in the form of three pieces of roasted yam and palm oil. He could see the bigger cell mates bullying the weaker ones into surrendering their portion but Uche didn't interfere.
As long as something did not directly affect him, he would never get involved. As long as they keep their distance, there won't be any problem.
By the end of the day, Uche felt much better compared to the previous night. The next few days followed a similar pattern, except that Ikemba's visits were fewer, which was understandable since Dike still had a lot of enemies. Visiting too often would send the wrong messages to the wrong ears.
His next visit came a week later to inform him that Okafor failed to find any evidence to support his innocence. This was the news that broke Dike's spirit and he died of depression.
Ikemba was saddened while sharing the news as he knew what this meant for his friend, but he wasn't; this was expected.
And then—another week passed by.
{Checkpoint Reached}
{1-star acquired}
A familiar sound rang in his head very late at night, interrupting his slumber. Uche's eyelids lazily flung open while his body tensed and he let out a sigh.
Prince Obiora was dead.
The number of checkpoints a player reaches depends on the quality of their choices and actions.
The better their decisions, the further the story advanced; gradually deviating from the future they had seen. That's where the real challenge began.
Without foresight, the trial became far more dangerous, but the risks came with greater rewards in the form of achievement points.
Achievement points are used to purchase abilities, magic gears, and other important items. Dillan Cage had completed his third trial out of the six floors of the World Tree and was currently on the fourth floor. He aced all his trials with a staggering 8-star result, the highest ever recorded since the gates appeared.
Other top hunters always scored between 6-7 stars per trial.
Uche understood why he gained the star. It wasn't because he had lived up till now; he was still going to get executed in a week. It's because he had gained a very important ally; Ikemba.
His most vivid memory of the battle of Ozu-Ani, after Ikemba had been struck, the army's formation crumbled. Dike tried to take charge, but it was too chaotic, and no one listened.
However, Ikemba saw his efforts and assisted him. He sang a song common amongst soldiers of this land as it had been passed down from generation to generation.
This moment was all Uche needed to understand the type of person Ikemba was. He was loyal to the kingdom and the kingdom alone.
He didn't help Dike because that would go against the interest of the kingdom. But now things were different.
Shuffling footsteps rang through the narrow halls of the prison; whoever was approaching was impatient.
Uche leaned back on the cold wall, shut his eyes, and began singing the way he remembered.
"Ọ bụrụ na ọnwụ na-abịa, ka ọ bia! (If death comes, let it come!)
Ala anyị agaghị ada!" (Our land will not fall!)"
Sure enough, Ikemba reached his cell seconds later, his face drenched in sweat. He froze at the entrance, his eyes trembling as memories flooded his vision with each verse Uche sang.
"Ị ga-eche m n'ogbo agha?" (Will you stand with me on the battlefield?)
Ọbara na-awụ, mana obi siri ike!" (Blood may spill, but the heart stays strong!)
Ọnwụ ka mma karịa ịlaghachi azụ!" (Better to die than to turn back!)
Nri-Oba dị ndụ! Igwe ga-adịgide!" (Nri-Oba lives! The King endures!)"
Uche raised his face, his eyes dazzling under the moonlight and the corners of his lips twisted into a bitter smile.
"How did you know?" He asked.
"Is that important?" Uche raised a brow.
Ikemba approached the rusted bars and held them tight with a deep frown. He glanced at the sleeping inmates before returning his gaze to Uche.
"Who did it?" he asked.
"The same person that put me here." Uche gave another vague response, frustrating Ikemba.
"Dike you know it's not possible. Azubike has no control in the palace." Ikemba argued.
Azubike replaced Dike as general but even he could not approach the palace without reason. The palace guards were loyal to the royal family alone.
Uche scuffed and beat his chest repeatedly; "Ikemba, do you think Azubike can bring down this lion?"
"If he didn't have chiefs supporting him, how can he touch me?"
Uche threw his hands apart and flexed his muscles and intimidating frame. He knew Ikemba already suspected this from the onset, just like many others.
Ikemba checked his sides to make sure no one had followed him there. He unlocked the cell door, tiptoed towards Uche, and crouched.
"Dike please, tell me what is going on?" He whispered.
Uche chuckled lightly and leaned in to speak.
"After Obiora, they will lure Ikemefuna to destroy the palace and kill him on his way to Ikenga's temple…" Uche whispered. "Ikemba, we did not bleed for this nation in Ozu-Ani five years ago just to let it fall like this."
Prince Obiora's death was proof that Dike knew the enemy's plans; Ikemba could not afford t
o doubt him again.
"Dike, what are you asking me to do?" Ikemba's voice was stern and sharp.