The forest shuddered, and a wild wind whipped around Ade as he stood in the middle of the shattered ritual ground. The air snapped and fizzled—not the dark power the Night People used, but not exactly human either.
It felt new. And honestly, it was dangerous.
Baba Ikuomola just stared, eyes wide. "Ade… this power…"
Ade looked down at his hands. There was a faint glow, pulsing under his skin, almost like something alive had finally woken up after being trapped for years. "I feel it," he said, slow and careful. "It's inside me."
The red-eyed figure stepped forward, but this time it moved like it wasn't sure, practically tip-toeing. "Yes," it said, the voice quieter, heavy. "The blood has awakened."
Ade's look hardened. "Don't come near me."
The figure cocked its head, as if studying him. "You can't run from what you are. You're not human… but you're not one of us either."
Ade's fingers curled into fists. "I'm nothing like you."
That drew out a deep, mocking laugh from the figure. "We all say that," it replied.
The other cloaked figures started to close in again, moving around them in a slow circle. Baba Ikuomola pulled another arrow, voice barely a whisper. "Ade, we can't fight them all."
Ade just stared at his mother's body. He didn't hear anything around him—she was all he could see. She wasn't moving. He could barely breathe from the ache in his chest. "Mama…"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the red-eyed figure watching. Its smile was mocking. "You're still holding on to her," it said. "Even now."
Ade's voice was rough. "Give her back."
"That's not possible anymore."
Something inside him snapped. "GIVE HER BACK!" His shout ripped through the air.
The ground shuddered, quaking so hard that trees rattled and several cloaked attackers were thrown into the brush. Even BabaIkuomola staggered back, stunned.
The red-eyed figure wobbled but managed a smirk. "Impressive," it drawled. "You're stronger than we thought."
Ade marched forward, eyes shining bright. "I'm not leaving without her."
The figure's voice grew sharp. "Then you die with her."
Its hand shot up. The last cloaked figures rushed in, all at once. "Behind me!" Baba Ikuomola yelled.
But Ade didn't hide. He took a step forward, straight at them.
One of them lunged. Ade threw up his hand without thinking. Light burst out—a flash, and the figure flew back, turning to ash before it even hit the ground.
Ade just stared for a split second, stunned. "I… did that?"
No time to wonder. Another one came at him from the side. Ade turned, lashed out again—this one didn't turn to ash. It screamed. A real, human scream.
The hood slipped off. Ade's stomach dropped. It was someone from the village. Someone he knew. "Wait—" His voice trembled as he stumbled back.
"They're not all spirits!" Baba Ikuomola shouted over the chaos. "Some are villagers—controlled!"
Ade froze. That split-second pause was all the red-eyed figure needed.
It darted forward—so fast it was a blur—and slammed into Ade's chest. Ade flew back, slammed into a tree, pain exploding everywhere. He gasped, trying to catch his breath.
"You see?" The red-eyed figure's voice was ice. "You're weak, because you hesitate."
Groaning, Ade forced himself up. "They're innocent!"
"They're vessels," the figure said. "Sacrifices. That's all."
Ade wiped blood from his mouth. "I won't hurt them."
"Then you'll lose."
The figure lifted its hand again. Shadows twisted, pooling into a swirling mass. "This ends now."
Baba Ikuomola's voice cut through the tension. "ADE, MOVE!"
But Ade stayed put. He remembered his father's voice: You have a choice.
He drew in a shaky breath. Closed his eyes. Found some focus. "I won't fight like you," he whispered.
The shadow attack rocketed toward him. "…I'll fight my own way."
At the last second, Ade lifted both hands. Light burst out to meet the darkness. The two forces collided—there was an explosion so loud the forest shook. The ground cracked. Trees nearly toppled. Then, just… silence.
When the dust finally cleared, Ade stood panting. The red-eyed figure faced him, somehow unharmed. And furious.
"You're learning," it said, voice low, "but you're still not enough."
Ade felt his strength draining away, each breath heavier than the last. His mother was still motionless behind him. He was running out of time.
The figure started toward him. "We'll take you. We'll finish the ritual somewhere else."
Baba Ikuomola stepped in front of Ade, bow drawn. "Then you'll have to get through me."
The figure didn't bother with him. One casual flick, and Baba Ikuomola crashed to the ground, hard.
"Baba!" Ade yelled.
Nothing. The hunter didn't move. Ade's heart beat wildly. Alone again, and nearly spent.
The red-eyed figure reached out. "Come willingly," it said, "or be taken."
Ade's fists clenched. He trembled, but his eyes burned. "I will never join you."
The figure's voice dropped, colder than ever. "Then you'll watch everything you love vanish."
Then, behind Ade—a tiny gasp. He froze. Turned, barely daring to hope.
His mother's fingers twitched. Just a small movement.
"Mama…?"
Her eyes fluttered open. They were normal now—tired, but alive. "A… Ade…" she breathed.
Hope flared in Ade's chest. The red-eyed figure noticed, and a slow smile crept across its face.
"Perfect," it said. "Now the real suffering begins."