Ember's Shadow: A love that defies darkness

Chapter Eight; Part Three: Mother of Life & Death

Nneoma Solara stood tall, her regal presence commanding attention as she addressed the enigmatic figure before her.

"My first question," she declared, her voice ringing out clear and authoritative despite the eerie silence of the sun witches behind her, still entranced in a hypnotic stupor.

"Are you a witch or an actual...." Nneoma hesitated, her hands gesturing vaguely as if tracing the outline of an unseen presence. With a subtle wave of her fingers, she evoked the idea of dark, formless silhouettes, Ekwensu's presence was living proof of the darkness she spoke of, rendering her gesture redundant." Shadow? "

Ekwensu lounged on his throne, crafted from swirling shadows that seemed to writhe and twist like living darkness. He toyed with a lock of his raven-black hair, his eyebrow arching lazily as he regarded Nneoma with amusement.

"I would've thought your first question would be about Tenebrous and why I'm here," he drawled, his deep, velvety voice dripping with irony.

Nneoma's expression remained steadfast, her features chiseled from granite, but a flicker of irritation danced in her emerald eyes.

"You seem more concerned with my overall powers than actually getting me out of your kingdom," Ekwensu continued, his tone laced with mocking curiosity. "Your first day as ruler, and I could've easily decimated the rest of your tribe."

"I must keep my enemies close," Nneoma replied, her voice firm and resolute, refusing to betray any deficiency before this evasive figure, who pulsed with dark, unfathomable power.

"Besides," Nneoma added, a hint of scathing sarcasm curling her full lips. "The more I know about you, the quicker I can have my 'tribe' " she air-quoted with a disdainful smirk—"Obliterate you."

Ekwensu's smirk grew, and he raised his head, his eyes gleaming with intrigue. Tilting his head slightly in his chair, he unleashed a low, rugged chuckle, an unsettling sound that echoed through the main hall. The laughter was like a ragged caress, making Nneoma's skin prickle with unease, but she refused to yield, her face a mask of relentless composure.

Ekwensu's delight slowly faded, the low, rumbling laughter in his throat dissipating as he leaned back in his shadow-crafted throne. A sly smile still played on his lips.

"If you think you're capable, by all means, try," he said, his deep voice laced with skepticism. "I've had many witches attempt to eradicate me. Perhaps the great Sun Kingdom will be the one to finally succeed where others have failed." He paused, his eyes glinting with intrigue. "Who knows? Maybe you'll be the one to put an end to my... prolonged stay."

"Once and for all?" Nneoma's thoughts swirled. How old was this dreadful figure, exactly? Centuries? Millennia?

She was partially certain he wasn't talking about any witch in her coven. Everyone had looked so surprised when he entered. The only witch who could've perhaps known about him before time was Elyria, one of the elders. But Nneoma doubted she knew anything about him before she saw her vision, and she'd told Nneoma herself she hadn't told anyone else.

A million more questions began to appear in her mind. Who had tried to kill him? What motivated them? What did Ekwensu truly want from the Sun Kingdom? From her? And what secrets lay hidden in Elyria's visions she'd tried to warn her about?

Ekwensu's gaze settled on Nneoma, his eyes replenished with novelty as she lapsed into silence, lost in thought. The stillness was broken when he spoke again, his voice tinged with amusement.

"None from your coven have attempted to take my life," A cunning smirk crept onto Ekwensu's face, his eyes glinting with knowing, as he spoke. "I've had the pleasure of confronting all four covens now, including yours. And I must say, you're the first to greet me without immediate hostility."