The eerie silence of the academy grounds was unnerving. Lumumba's heart pounded in his chest as he exchanged a glance with Amara. The air felt heavy, thick with an oppressive energy that hadn't been there when they left. The presence of Raven still lingered in his mind, but there was something else at play—something darker.
"This doesn't feel right," Amara whispered, her hand instinctively resting on the hilt of her sword. "Where is everyone?"
Koffi stepped forward cautiously, his eyes scanning the area. "The academy should be bustling at this time of day. Something's definitely wrong."
Mamadou, who had been unusually quiet, spoke up with a low growl. "Think it's another one of Raven's tricks? You know how much he loves playing with our heads."
Lumumba frowned, the tension in his body growing as he walked toward the main hall. "I don't know... but we're about to find out."
They moved in silence, their footsteps echoing through the empty courtyards. The academy, once alive with the sounds of training and laughter, felt like a ghost town. Windows were shut tight, doors locked, and not a single student in sight.
As they neared the entrance to the main building, the doors creaked open slowly. Lumumba motioned for the others to stay alert, drawing one of his swords as they entered.
The inside of the academy was just as deserted as the outside. The halls were dark, with only the faintest flicker of candlelight illuminating their path. Shadows danced across the walls, creating an unsettling atmosphere that set everyone on edge.
"This is too quiet," Koffi muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Amara nodded, her eyes narrowing. "It's like everyone just vanished."
Suddenly, a sound broke the silence—a faint, muffled noise from deeper within the academy. Lumumba held up a hand, signaling the group to stop. He tilted his head, listening carefully. It was a soft thumping sound, like something—or someone—was moving in the shadows.
"Someone's still here," Lumumba whispered, gripping his sword tighter. "Let's find out who."
Deeper into the Academy
As they ventured further into the heart of the academy, the muffled noises grew louder, more distinct. It wasn't just movement—they could hear voices now, hushed and frantic, as if people were trying not to be overheard.
They rounded a corner, and there it was: a small group of students and staff, huddled together in one of the larger training rooms. Their faces were pale with fear, their eyes wide as they whispered among themselves. When they saw Lumumba and the others enter, they jumped to their feet, startled.
"You're back!" one of the students, a young woman with dark curls, exclaimed, relief flooding her features. "We thought you were all dead!"
Lumumba stepped forward, sheathing his sword. "What happened here? Why is the academy so empty?"
The girl looked around nervously before speaking. "It was Jon. He... he called a meeting with some of the staff and students. Said it was time for a 'new direction' for the academy. Then he locked everyone else in their rooms and took control of the central building."
Amara's eyes widened in shock. "Jon? He's done what?"
The girl nodded, her voice trembling. "He's gathered the students who agree with him—those who want to push harder, take more power. They're saying the academy should be leading the rebellion, not just training soldiers. Jon's... he's talking about overthrowing the nobles and taking control of the kingdom."
Lumumba felt a cold knot tighten in his stomach. Jon had been spiraling for weeks, but he hadn't expected this. "Where is he now?"
"In the council chambers," one of the older staff members said, stepping forward. "He's holding a council with the students who are loyal to him. They're talking about taking action against the nobles, using the academy as their base of power."
Lumumba's jaw clenched. "This has gone too far."
The Confrontation
Lumumba led the way through the academy, his mind racing. Jon had always been ambitious, but this was a dangerous turn. If Jon was planning to use the academy to seize power, it could destroy everything they'd worked for. Worse, it could play right into the Sovereign's hands, destabilizing the region even further.
As they approached the council chambers, Lumumba could hear raised voices from inside. Jon's voice was unmistakable—calm, commanding, but laced with an edge of impatience.
Lumumba pushed open the doors, stepping into the room with Amara, Koffi, and Mamadou at his side.
Jon stood at the head of the room, flanked by a group of students and staff who had clearly aligned themselves with him. His eyes locked onto Lumumba the moment he entered, and a flicker of something—resentment, frustration, maybe even guilt—crossed his face.
"You're back," Jon said, his voice neutral but tense. "I was wondering when you'd show up."
Lumumba walked forward, his expression hard. "What the hell is going on here, Jon? I leave you in charge, and you pull this?"
Jon's face darkened. "This isn't just about you, Lumumba. It's about the academy. About what we can do. We've been on the defensive for too long. The Sovereign, the nobles—they're all playing us, and we're just reacting. It's time to take control. We need to act, not wait for the next attack."
"By staging a coup?" Lumumba shot back, his voice rising. "You've locked up half the academy! What, are you going to march on the nobles next? You're playing right into the Sovereign's hands!"
Jon's eyes flashed with anger. "Don't you get it? The Sovereign wants us weak and divided. If we don't take power, someone else will! We can't keep fighting like this—we need to own the kingdom."
Lumumba took a step closer, his fists clenched at his sides. "And what happens when you start a war with the nobles? You think they're just going to roll over and let you take control? This is bigger than just you and your ambition, Jon. People are going to die."
For a moment, the room was tense, the air thick with unspoken conflict. Jon's supporters shifted uncomfortably, clearly caught between their loyalty to Jon and the harsh reality Lumumba was laying out.
Finally, Jon spoke, his voice quieter but no less determined. "I'm doing this for all of us, Lumumba. For the academy. For the kingdom. If we don't take control, everything we've built will fall apart."
Lumumba shook his head, his heart heavy. "No, Jon. If you keep pushing like this, you're the one who's going to tear everything apart. This isn't the way."
The silence that followed was thick with tension. Lumumba could see the internal struggle in Jon's eyes, the war between his ambition and the loyalty he still felt for his friends.
Finally, Jon sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I've pushed too far." He turned away, his voice quieter now. "But I can't just sit back and do nothing."
Lumumba took a deep breath, his anger cooling. "We'll find another way, Jon. But this... this has to stop."
Jon didn't respond, his back still turned to Lumumba. The room remained silent, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on them all.
The Aftermath
Jon's rebellion was quelled, at least for now. The students and staff loyal to him reluctantly agreed to stand down, though the tension between them and the rest of the academy remained palpable. Lumumba knew this was far from over—Jon's ambition wasn't something that could be easily snuffed out.
As the academy slowly returned to normal, Lumumba found himself standing alone in the courtyard, staring up at the darkening sky. The fissures were growing stronger, the Sovereign's plan was still in motion, and now, with Jon's ambition threatening to divide them, the future seemed more uncertain than ever.
Amara joined him, her presence a steadying force as always. "We'll figure it out," she said quietly. "We always do."
Lumumba nodded, though his heart was heavy with doubt. "Yeah. But how many more fissures do we have to close before we can finally stop looking over our shoulders?"
Amara smiled softly. "That depends. How many more battles are you willing to fight?"
Lumumba smirked, his mood lightening just a little. "As many as it takes."