Moments before Ikuku's menacing appearance at the palace, Ekene had made a daring decision. He sought refuge in meditation, hoping to tap into Agu's immense power and enlist his otherworldly partner to train him. As the familiar sensation enveloped him, Ekene felt himself being transported to a realm beyond the confines of reality.
When he opened his eyes, Ekene found himself standing in the same desert realm that had once been a formless, desolate void when he was swallowed by the snake at the Valley of No Return. But now, the landscape had undergone a breathtaking transformation. Vibrant colors painted the horizon, and the air crackled with energy, as if the very essence of magic had seeped into the fabric of existence.
The desert sands swirled with hues of emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red, forming structures and patterns that defied logic and reason. Ekene's eyes widened in awe as he surveyed the surreal scenery, his solitude in this enigmatic realm only heightening the sense of wonder that enveloped him.
Agu's voice resonated through the emptiness, "The time has come for you to unlock your true power, Ekene. Are you ready to begin your training?"
"Agu! Where are you?!" Ekene called out, his voice echoing across the vast expanse.
"I'm right here," Agu replied, his voice descending from the sky above.
Ekene looked up, his gaze falling upon Agu, his otherworldly doppelganger, as he floated effortlessly in the air.
"You can fly?" Ekene asked, his voice filled with wonder.
"Yes, and so can you," Agu responded, his expression a blend of serenity and seriousness.
Ekene scoffed, his disbelief palpable. "Stop joking around, please."
Agu's gaze remained steady, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Am I?"
As Ekene took in the breathtaking landscape, he couldn't help but express his admiration. "You know, compared to the last time, this place isn't formless and desolate anymore. It's beautiful."
Agu nodded, acknowledging Ekene's appreciation. "I can see you like it."
"Are you kidding? I love it," Ekene replied, his eyes sparkling with wonder.
"It's good to hear that," Agu said, a smile playing on his lips. "So, let's begin your training."
Ekene's excitement was palpable as he asked, "Alright, what technique will you be teaching first? How to slice a mountain? An ocean? Flames? I'm ready for anything."
Agu stared at Ekene, a moment of silence hanging between them.
"What?" Ekene asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"None," Agu replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Ekene's face fell, his disappointment evident. "Great. So what will you be teaching me then?"
"First of all, you'll be learning how to fly," Agu replied.
Ekene scoffed, his disbelief evident. "I thought I said you shouldn't joke around"
In an instant, Ekene's new sword, Agu, left his hand, somersaulting gracefully in the air before landing in the hands of his lookalike, Agu. With a powerful leap, Agu soared 10,000 kilometers into the sky, placing the sword gently on a cloud. Ekene could only watch in irritation as his weapon was carried far beyond his reach.
Having completed his task, Agu descended back to the ground, his expression calm and collected.
"What did you do that for?" Ekene asked, anger creeping into his voice.
Agu's response was simple yet profound. "If you want the sword back, take it yourself. It's only 10,000 kilometers away."
Ekene shook his head, frustration mounting. "What are you saying? There's no way a human can fly!"
Agu's gaze remained steady as he imparted his wisdom. "There's no way? What a joke. Humans can do anything and everything. You just need to believe, and it will be alright."
Ekene clicked his tongue in frustration, his disbelief palpable. "Huh? I told you to stop joking around! Get real!"
"I'm serious," Agu insisted, his voice firm and resolute.
"Tsk," Ekene said, his frustration mounting.
"You promised to protect the people of Amosu, didn't you?" Agu questioned, reminding Ekene of his noble vow.
"What does that have to do with this?" Ekene asked, confusion etched on his face.
Agu's gaze pierced through Ekene, driving home the gravity of the situation. "How do you intend to fight Ikuku if you can't fly?"
Ekene's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh? Ikuku can fly?"
Agu nodded solemnly. "Yes, he can. And until you retrieve your sword, you won't be leaving here."
With those words, Agu left Ekene alone to contemplate the daunting task before him. The realization that Ikuku possessed the ability to fly hit Ekene hard, igniting a newfound surge of determination within him. He began to jump around, desperately attempting to defy gravity.
"You're supposed to be flying, not jumping around!" Agu called out, his voice tinged with amusement.
"Shut up! That's what I'm trying to do!" Ekene shot back, his frustration mounting.
Five grueling hours passed, and Ekene still couldn't manage to fly. Exhausted, he squatted down, gasping for breath. "Huff! Huff! Huff! This is impossible. How can a human fly?"
Agu's voice echoed in the distance, "Like I said, impossible is nothing!"
In that moment, a spark of inspiration struck Ekene. He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing and the energy coursing through his body.
Agu watched from a distance, curiosity piqued. "Seems like he has something up his sleeve," he muttered.
Ekene's legs coiled with power as he launched himself into the air, soaring to an astonishing height of 1,000 kilometers. But as gravity took hold, he began to plummet back to the earth. In a flash, Agu flew to Ekene's side, catching him before he could crash into the ground.
Agu gazed at Ekene with pride, the newfound power of flight now within his grasp. "You've figured it out, Ekene," Agu said. "Now, try going higher, and remember to maintain your balance in the air. That way, you won't fal-"
Before Agu could finish his explanation, Ekene leaped high into the air, only to fall once more, forcing Agu to catch him before he hit the ground. Agu's frustration bubbled to the surface. "Hey! Listen when others are talking!"
Ekene, undeterred by Agu's reprimand, displayed his quick understanding of the lesson. "I know what you were trying to say. It's all about balance and control. All things have weight. However, when falling or descending from the air, the human body part where most of the weight is leaning on will be the body part you would land on. So if you can control your weight at will, you can make yourself float in the air. Am I wrong?"
Agu couldn't help but smile, impressed by Ekene's intelligence and adaptability. "I see you're catching on quickly."
Ekene continued to leap into the air, but despite his best efforts, he struggled to surpass 1,000 kilometers or maintain his balance to float. Sensing Ekene's frustration, Agu shared a story from human history.
"You see, long ago, at a time when humans spoke just one language, a group of people decided to build a tower that would connect the earth to the heavens. They would have accomplished it if it hadn't been for a supreme being who stopped them by making them speak different languages. That was when and how humans began to speak in different tongues. That story proves that 'impossible' is just a word. It doesn't exist. Humans can do anything and everything they set their minds and hearts on. All they need to do is believe."
As Agu's words hung in the air, Ekene prepared himself for another attempt. With a powerful leap, he propelled himself skyward, ascending higher and higher through the clouds. Shockingly, he kept climbing, surpassing 2,000 kilometers, 3,000 kilometers, 4,000 kilometers, 5,000 kilometers, 6,000 kilometers, 7,000 kilometers, 8,000 kilometers, and 9,000 kilometers. He even ascended beyond 10,000 kilometers. Suddenly, he noticed he could float.
"I can fly!" Ekene cried out jubilantly, his voice filled with excitement as he began to soar through the sky, gracefully navigating the winds with his newfound ability.
Agu watched from below, a proud smile gracing his lips. "Well done," he muttered,
With his sword firmly in his grasp, Ekene began his descent from the skies. Just as he felt the weight of his accomplishment lift from his shoulders, a sharp pain seared through his head. "Ouch," he winced, losing control of his newfound flight ability. He started to plummet towards the ground. In the nick of time, Agu swooped in to save him.
"Are you alright?" Agu asked, concern etched on his face.
"I just felt a slight headache, that's all," Ekene explained, his hand rubbing the spot where the pain had struck.
Agu's eyes widened with alarm. "What? That's not possible! You shouldn't feel a headache here!"
His guard raised, Agu grew increasingly wary. "He's here," he muttered, his voice laced with dread.
"Who?" Ekene inquired, confusion mixing with the fading remnants of pain.
"Ikuku!" Agu replied, his eyes darting around
"Where? Can you pinpoint his location?" Ekene asked, his grip on his sword tightening.
Agu's brow furrowed in concentration. "I'm not sure. It seems... Damn it. The palace!" Agu screamed in fear, realizing the dire situation unfolding before them.
"Alright, thanks," Ekene said, gratitude mixing with steely determination as he prepared to confront the threat head-on.
"Where are you going?" Agu asked, apprehension evident in his tone.
"To the palace," Ekene replied, his resolve unshakable in the face of danger.
"What are you going to do when you get to the palace? The way you are now, you're no match for him. If you go, he'd kill you!" Agu warned, hoping to dissuade Ekene from placing himself in harm's way.
Ekene's eyes hardened with determination. "It's still better than letting my friends die."
Without another word, Ekene awoke in reality, his sword on his lap. He sheathed it and sprang into action, his heart pounding with the knowledge that every moment counted in the battle to save Amosu Village from Ikuku's malevolent grasp.
"Bro, where are you going?" Samuel asked, his voice a mix of confusion and curiosity as he paused his kung fu lesson with Grace and Cynthia
"The palace is under attack. Ikuku is in the village! He's attacking the palace as we speak! I'm heading there right now!" Ekene replied, his eyes burning with newfound resolve
Samuel, Grace, and Cynthia prepared to join the fray. "I'm coming with y-" Samuel's words were cut off as Ekene took flight, leaving them in awe of his newfound abilities.
"He can fly?" Cynthia exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.
Shaking off their amazement, Samuel gathered the group. "Guys, get ready! We are heading to the palace immediately!"
"Right!" Cynthia and Grace replied in unison, steeling themselves for the battle ahead.
Ekene soared through the skies, the world below shrinking as he pushed his newfound abilities to their limits.
Upon reaching the palace, Ekene was met with a horrifying sight: Princess Adaeze was ensnared by a massive snake, its grip tightening as Ikuku loomed over her.
"Queen mother, it seems Eze Mmuo did a shoddy job if you still retain control even in that form," Ikuku taunted, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Now, tell me where Ekene is, or the Princess dies!"
The Queen's voice trembled as she pleaded, "I'll tell you, but please don't hurt my daughter."
"Mum, no!" Princess Adaeze cried out, her face streaked with tears.
Suddenly, Ekene's voice rang out, cutting through the tension. "The blade that bears the same name as that of the king of the jungle's, Agu! Lend me your strength!" In a flash, he sliced through the snake holding Princess Adaeze captive, setting her free.
"Why did you come here?" Princess Adaeze exclaimed, her eyes wide with fear. "You should have stayed hidden!"
Ekene paid no heed to her words, his attention focused solely on Ikuku. "Hey, I hear you've been looking for me, huh?" he said, "Ikuku."
The mention of Ikuku's name seemed to freeze time itself, as everyone present held their breath.