Survival Of The Cursed

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 5᯾ 𝕰𝖘𝖈𝖆𝖕𝖊 𝕻𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖘

"I think you have some explaining to do!" Yotifa faced the chief with his sharp sword and pointed out to his wrinkled, stiff neck. Out of a thousand men, he was the last chief alive.

"Wa... Wait! You have to stop attacking right now, else? If you kill me! You'll never see your families again!" his shaky voice threatened.

"They are all dead. This is what is left of us. You killed and wiped out our lineage. Destroyed a whole city! You are monsters!!"

"Your family may be dead, but if you kill the rest of us. Our wives would also come for vengeance!" The old chief said as if he had a backup plan.

"Was that why you restricted them from attending parties? Aren't they in your homes with your kids? You old fools, you all deserve death!"

"Kill me now, and your spirit will never find rest! Never!" He grunted the words at Prince Yotifa. "Live with that if you can! Prince... " He hissed in sarcasm as if  Yotifa meant nothing. Well, he felt nothing.

"We should let him speak," Lanre suggested.

"Just give him a chance," Ajoke muttered.

"No! He's lying! He must die!"

"I think we should let him speak," Lanre begged again.

"He's lying! He is the last of them. He must die!" Prince Yotifa swung his sword against the old man's neck, but luckily, he ducked. Only his grey hair slashed through the silvery edge of his sword. The old man's flaky dry mouth fell apart in shock while he swallowed down his pride.

Annoyed, Yotifa walked away from the old chief, concluding that his worthless life should be spared. Asa, who was back from the dungeon because it was locked, walked towards him. Noticing the golden ring on his little finger, she started at it as if it were familiar.

"That ring... Where did you get it?" she queried, with her eyes focused. And her voice, firm like a man's.

The old man looked at it. "Ten years ago while we attacked Odo-Ara. There was this old woman I found quivering. She hid herself by the well side, and an arrow was struck in her chest. I swear, I didn't shoot her. Although I was a soldier under the rule of King Otun, something about her felt strange. Walking closer, I realized that she was blind. I could have protected her, but it was too late. Her death was sudden, so I took the only thing valuable I could find on her. This ring. "

About to kill him, the old man quivered in fear like a cold child.

" Please... Don't kill me. There's something more."

"What is it?"

"A ship is arriving from the North. They call them Hausa's. These people pay us heavily for the slaves and treasures. We would be joining forces to attack Ondo."

"What?! You planned to attack my land... My city!" Prince Awade growled.

"Yes, it won't be any longer. If King Otun willed it, it must be from the gods!"

"Which gods! You know I don't believe those giants you serve. We don't believe in your gods!"

"That's why we are planning to take you down and take over! Ijebu has joined forces with us, and so are the northerners. We plan to rip off all the treasures and share their land."

"If you love a god, worship it directly without any associates." Awade fired. "Are the giants your gods or the deities?"

"The giants are our deities, Prince Awade! They're the same!"

"Do you speak their language?" Asa interfered.

"We had an interpreter. H... He had traveled vast. Aremu." The chief pointed with his eyes.