A… Ade…"
His mother's voice barely rose above a whisper—fragile, almost lost to the wind. But Ade heard her. He dropped to his knees, desperate by her side.
"Mama! I'm here. I'm here!" He held her gaze as long as he could. Her eyelids fluttered. She looked so small, so broken by whatever the Night People had done.
"They… they used me…" she breathed, her voice trembling. "Don't… let them take you…"
He squeezed her hand like he could anchor her there. "I won't. I promise. I'm taking you home."
Behind him, that red-eyed thing let out a low, amused laugh. Ade's spine stiffened. He stood up, trying to shield his mother.
"You're not touching her again."
The shadow moved closer, its presence thick and cold. "You don't understand," it said.
"We're done with her now."
"What are you talking about?" Ade shook, fury and panic mixing in his chest.
The figure's words felt like frost. "She served her purpose. Now… we take what we truly want."
Its blood-red eyes landed on him.
"You."
Ade dug in his heels. "Over my dead body." The figure grinned. "That can be arranged."
Out of nowhere, the other cloaked figures started moving again—not toward Ade, but toward his mother. Ade's heart skipped a beat. "NO!" He lunged forward, but two figures jumped in his way. He blasted one aside with a flash of light, but the other grabbed his arm and held him back.
Behind them, a cloaked figure reached his mother, raising a blade. The moment seemed to stretch, everything slowing. Ade's eyes went wide.
"MAMA!"
The blade swung down, metal shrieked.
CLANG!
It stopped, hanging in midair—something invisible held it back. The cloaked figure fought against it but couldn't budge.
Ade just stood there, frozen. What's happening? His mother's body shook, barely—there was a soft glow wrapping around her. Weak, but it was there.
From behind, Baba Ikuomola called out. His voice was faint, but he was still alive.
"She's fighting back.Ade turned for a second. The hunter barely hung onto consciousness, but he was still watching. Her spirit's fighting them… Hope flickered again. The red-eyed figure's face twisted. Enough of this. It lifted its hands.
Dark energy crackled in the air, heavier and more dangerous than before. If she won't obey, she'll be destroyed. Ade's chest went tight.
"No…" He glanced at his mother.
Then at their enemy.
Then down at his own hands.
He remembered his father's words: You are the bridge. You have a choice.
Ade pulled in a shaky breath. He made up his mind.
He stepped forward and shouted, "STOP!"
Everything froze—even the red-eyed stranger. Ade raised his hands, slow and deliberate.
I'll go with you.
Baba Ikuomola's eyes went wide. "Ade, no!"
His mom's voice barely made it out, "Don't…" But Ade kept his focus on the enemy.
"You want me?" His voice sounded odd in his own ears. "Take me."
The red-eyed figure studied him for a long moment. "Wise…at last." Ade squared his shoulders. "But you leave them alone."
Silence dragged out. Then finally, the enemy nodded. "Agreed."
Baba Ikuomola tried to rise, his voice rough. "You can't trust them!"
Ade looked back once—I know—but turned again. I have no choice. The red-eyed figure opened its hand.
"Come."
Each step Ade took felt like it weighed a ton. He stopped in front of the figure. Their eyes locked—light meeting darkness.
The figure grabbed him. Darkness surged, shaking the ground. The portal at his feet opened—swirling, hungry.
"Mama!" He shouted.
She reached for him, desperate but weak. "Ade!"
Baba Ikuomola lunged forward but got knocked flat by the force in the air. The shadows swallowed Ade. The portal slammed shut.
The whole forest went quiet.
Baba Ikuomola dropped, gasping for breath. "No…"
He stared at the ground where Ade vanished. "They've taken him." Behind him, Ade's mother lay trembling, silent tears running down her face.
"My son…"
Wind shivered through the trees. Somewhere, far away in the deep shadows, Ade woke up. Shadows pressed in. He was alone. Or that's what he thought, until a cold, ancient voice echoed around him. Welcome to your home "Adegboyega"