The storm had passed, but Tark Island still trembled. Smoke curled from broken beams, the lagoon steamed where fire had kissed water, and the serpent murals glowed faintly—half in flame, half in tide.
Warriors lay scattered, wounded but alive. The Resistance moved among them, binding wounds, whispering prayers. The air was heavy with ash and salt, yet beneath it all was silence—a silence that felt like the world holding its breath.
Kafé stood, chest heaving, wrist still glowing faintly. His waves had calmed, but the weight of prophecy pressed on him like stone.
Taye knelt nearby, flames reduced to embers flickering across his skin. His eyes were hollow, haunted. "I nearly burn everything," he whispered.
Imade crouched beside him, gripping his shoulder. "But you no burn us. You fight for us. That na difference."
The elder rose slowly, staff trembling in his hand. His voice carried across the cavern."Tonight, dawn and dusk clash. But una no scatter. Una stand together. That na new path."
He pointed to the serpent mural. Its twin heads no longer snapped at each other—they glowed side by side, wary but balanced."The prophecy twist, but it never break. Balance dey fragile, but choice dey strong. Una don show say destiny fit bend."
The warriors dipped their blades into the lagoon, murmuring vows. "We go fight not only against shadow, but for dawn of choice." Their voices rose like thunder, binding them together in unison.
The elder stepped toward Imade, pressing a serpent charm into her hand. "You no be marked by prophecy, but you dey carry its strength. Protector of dawn and dusk."
Imade's eyes burned with pride. For the first time, she felt seen—not as a fighter in the shadows, but as a guardian of balance.
Zoba lifted her pendant, its glow softer now. "This pendant no be charm alone. Na key wey my ancestors forge to guard balance. Na my blood oath to protect una. Tonight, it shine because una choose unity."
Her words lit sparks of hope among the warriors. For the first time, they saw not just prophecy, but possibility.
Kafé turned to Taye, voice steady. "Brother, dawn or dusk no matter. We go walk this path together."Taye's lips trembled, but he nodded. "Together. Even if world wan burn, we go hold am."
Their marks pulsed in rhythm, no longer clashing but beating as one.
From the mist beyond the lagoon, a faint laugh echoed. Red Shadow had retreated, but his presence lingered like smoke. The Resistance shivered, knowing the battle was far from over.
Outside, dawn broke fully. The sun struck the lagoon, turning steam into golden mist. Birds returned cautiously, their cries breaking the silence.The serpent mural glowed in harmony—fire and water side by side. For the first time, Tark Island did not feel like a graveyard. It felt like a beginning.