Nia's heart froze as the cult man dragged Temi back toward the iroko tree, her friend's scream tearing through the dark. They'd barely escaped the shed, and now Temi was slipping away. "We get her back!" Nia shouted, her voice rough with panic. Dami grabbed her arm, his face tight. "We will," he said, but his grip felt shaky, like he wasn't sure. Zainab wiped sweat from her face, knife in hand. "No time to think—move!" she snapped. The scout, still trembling from his switch, nodded. "Follow me, I know a shortcut," he said, voice low.
Kofi was still out there, hurt, and now Temi was in the cult's grip. Anger burned in Nia's chest. They ran after the scout, dodging twisted trees and slick mud. The iroko tree loomed ahead, its fire casting wild shadows. Temi fought, kicking at the cult man holding her. Nia's legs shook, but she pushed harder. The scout led them to a side path, whispering, "They're weak here—two guards." Zainab peeked, nodding. "Take them down," she said.
Dami moved fast, swinging a stick hard. It cracked against a guard's head, and he dropped with a groan. Nia grabbed a rock, hurling it at the second guy. It hit his cheek, and he stumbled, blood trickling. Zainab finished him with a quick stab, her knife glinting. "Nice aim," she said to Nia, a rare grin. But more cult men turned, shouting loud. "Run!" the scout yelled. They darted toward the tree, hearts slamming.
Nia flipped the journal open, Fire and choice together break the hold, it said. "We need fire and a choice," she told Dami, her hands sweaty. He lit a branch with the lighter, the flame small but steady. "What's the choice?" he asked, eyes locked on her. She paused—trust him after his cult past? The push-pull hit hard. "We choose to save Temi," she said. He nodded, but she saw the flicker of doubt in his face.
They reached Temi, the cult man raising a knife to her throat. Nia threw the flaming branch, hitting his arm. He yelled, dropping the blade. Dami tackled him, fists pounding fast. Zainab cut Temi's ropes, pulling her free. "Go!" Temi gasped, her voice weak but alive. But the shadowy figure loomed, red eyes glaring. The leader's chant grew louder, the ritual fire flaring high. "You can't stop this!" he yelled, his voice cold.
Nia held the journal, reading quick. Speak the name to break the spell, it said. Her dad's name? She swallowed hard. "Jide!" she shouted, her voice breaking. The shadowy figure flinched, its glow dimming. The cult men froze, looking lost. "It worked!" Temi whispered, leaning on her. But the leader snarled, raising a horn. "Stupid girl!" he said. The shadow snapped back, bigger and meaner.
They fought to get out. Dami swung at a cult man, knocking him down hard. Zainab kicked another, her boot connecting with a thud. The scout threw rocks, helping Temi limp away. Nia lit another branch, waving it at the shadow. It hissed, clawing the ground. The leader blew the horn, and more cult men charged from the trees, knives up. "Keep moving!" Dami yelled, pulling Nia along.
They ran, the cult close behind. Nia tripped over a root, Dami catching her just as a cult man swung a knife. He blocked it with his stick, shoving the guy back. Zainab threw a rock, hitting another attacker square. Temi limped but kept up, her face set with grit. They ducked into a narrow alley, the cult's shouts echoing off the walls. Nia's mind raced—Temi was safe, but Kofi was still out there.
The scout led them to a hidden shed, its door creaking open. "Safe here," he said, his voice shaky. Nia eyed him, his cult tattoo faint but there. "Why help us?" she asked, suspicious. He looked down. "I'm done with them—your dad saved me once." Her heart jumped—her dad again? Before she could ask, a cult horn blew loud, shaking the shed. Footsteps thumped outside. Zainab barred the door, breathing hard. "We're stuck," she said.
Nia flipped the journal again, Fire and choice together break the hold, it confirmed. She lit a small fire with the lighter, holding it up. "We fight with this," she said. Dami nodded, grabbing a board to swing. The door rattled, cult men banging hard. Temi stacked crates for cover, her hands trembling. The scout grabbed a stick, joining in. "For your dad," he muttered. Nia's chest tightened—hope and doubt clashing.
The door burst open, cult men pouring in. Nia threw the fire at their feet, flames spreading fast. They yelled, stumbling back. Dami swung the board, cracking it against one guy's head. Zainab kicked another, sending him sprawling. The scout fought with his stick, blocking a knife. Temi threw rocks, her aim true despite her leg. The shed filled with smoke, the fight a mess of grunts and crashes. But the leader's voice cut through, "Nia, surrender!" The shadowy figure loomed outside, its red eyes piercing the haze.
Nia clutched the journal, her choice clear. "We don't give up!" she shouted. The scout pushed a back window open. "Go!" he yelled. They climbed out, the cult close behind. They ran into the night, the iroko tree's fire still burning in the distance. The leader's chant followed, the shadowy figure chasing. Nia tripped again, Dami pulling her up. "Stay with me," he said, his voice soft but firm. Her heart flipped—trust or run?
They reached a small hill, hiding behind rocks. Temi coughed, her face pale. "They're too many," she said. Nia opened the journal, The bond breaks with blood, it read. Her blood? Kofi's? She stared at a cut on her hand, blood beading. The cult caught up, surrounding them. The leader stepped forward, knife dripping. "Your blood ends this," he said, eyeing Nia. She backed up, Dami blocking her. Zainab raised her knife, the scout trembling. Temi clung to Nia, scared stiff.
Nia pressed her cut hand to the journal, whispering, "Break it." The page glowed faint, and the shadow screamed, shrinking a bit. The cult men hesitated. But the leader laughed. "Not enough!" he shouted. He slashed his own hand, blood hitting the ground. The shadow grew huge, its eyes blazing. The cult cheered, starting a new chant. Nia's stomach dropped. "What now?" she asked. Dami held her tight. "We fight together," he said.
The scout stepped up. "I know their weakness—fire in the circle." Nia nodded, lighting a branch. They charged, but the leader raised a hand. A twist hit—Kofi stumbled out, free but bleeding bad. "Nia, stop!" he yelled. The cult froze, the leader turning. "Traitor!" he snarled. Kofi fell, the shadow lunging at him. Nia screamed, running forward. Dami grabbed her, but the shadow's claws hovered over Kofi. The leader grinned, the chant peaking—cliffhanger locked.
But the fight wasn't done. More cult men rushed in, knives flashing. Nia ducked, Dami swinging his board. Zainab kicked one down, the scout blocking another. Temi threw a rock, hitting a guy's leg. The shadow roared, its claws slashing air. Nia lit another branch, tossing it at the circle. Flames spread, the cult yelling. The leader stepped back, but the shadow grew stronger. "Your blood!" he demanded. Nia cut her hand deeper, pressing it to the journal. It glowed brighter, the shadow screaming again.
Kofi groaned, crawling toward them. "The name—again!" he rasped. Nia shouted, "Jide!" The shadow shook, its form breaking. The cult men backed off, confused. But the leader pulled a dagger, aiming at Kofi. "Die, traitor!" he yelled. Nia lunged, the dagger grazing her arm. Dami tackled the leader, wrestling him down. The chapter ended with the shadow fading, the leader pinned, and a new cult figure stepping from the trees—twist hanging.