The Old Kings' Hall loomed, its colonial-era façade a testament to Lagos's layered history .
Kemi, Juwon, Naomi, Elara, and Makoko elders entered, their footsteps echoing off _Ọ̀nà_ carvings. Chief Oluwasegun, doyen of the Council of Chiefs, watched from a throne-like chair .
"Kemi Adebayo, you've disrupted the order ."
Kemi bowed, _Adire_ cloth rustling. "We seek the _Iwọ̀n_'s voice, _Oloye_. Lagos's voice ."
Chief Oluwasegun's gaze lingered on Elara. "You've allied with... outsiders ."
Elara stepped forward. "I represent a faction seeking change, sir. Consortium's grip—"
A younger chief, Ajayi, cut in, "Grapes are sour, Elara . What makes you think _you_ control the tide?
Kemi intervened. "_We_ control the narrative, _Oloye_. The people, the _Iwọ̀n_, the streets ."
The council conferred—a whispered storm 🌬️. Finally, Oluwasegun spoke:
"Lagos is a drum . You play its beat. But remember: power has strings ."
Kemi smiled, _gẹ̀gẹ̀_ thrumming. "We make the music .
The chiefs nodded, a subtle nod . "Then let the _Agbára_ begin . Prove Lagos listens."
As they exited, Lagos unfolded—a tapestry of steel, water, and fire . The _Iwọ̀n_'s voice boomed, like the city itself spoke .
*Part 1: The Agbára Games
Lagos buzzed—alleyway screens flickered, vendors sold _#Iwọ̀n_ flags , Makoko youth honed makeshift _gẹ̀gẹ̀_ drums . The Council announced the _Agbára_ Games—a series of challenges testing Lagos's strength, wit, and spirit .
- *Arena 1: Surulere Showdown*—debate on Lagos's future (Kemi vs. Consortium rep)
- *Arena 2: Makoko Maze*—navigation + tech puzzle (Juwon's team)
- *Arena 3: Cyber Clash*—hack Consortium servers (Naomi + Tade)
- *Arena 4: Eko Idol*—_gẹ̀gẹ̀_ drum-off (street talent showdown)
Kemi faced Consortium's polished orator, Amara Rao, at Surulere Stadium . The crowd roared as Kemi unfurled her _Adire_ cloth:
"Lagos isn't a business .
It's a heartbeat ."
Amara scoffed. "Without Consortium, Lagos crumbles ."
Rebuttals flew. The crowd voted—_Iwọ̀n_-linked screens flashing results: Kemi, 78% .
*Part 2: Shadows in Makoko*
Meanwhile, whispers spread: Consortium operatives, infiltrating _Agbára_ teams . Juwon's Makoko Maze team dodged traps, guided by local kids . Naomi and Tade brewed code, hijacking Consortium drones .
Elara hovered on the edge, Consortium phone pinging with threats . Kemi noticed .
"Elara?"
Elara's eyes flicked. "I...I don't want Lagos to burn ."
Kemi squeezed her hand. "We won't let it .
_Agbára_ Games peaked—Naomi's hack sparked citywide glitches . Consortium HQ's screens flickered: _"Access denied.
The _Iwọ̀n_ surged . Makoko's _gẹ̀gẹ̀_ drums peaked . Eko Idol winner—a street artist—projected _Ọ̀nà_ patterns onto skyscrapers .
Consortium pulled its cards . Elara vanished
Kemi stood at Makoko Bridge, _Iwọ̀n_ winds whirling her _Adire_ .
"The threads are loose . Now what?"
Naomi joined. "Council wants a meet. Formalize...whatever we've won
Kemi smiled, _gẹ̀gẹ̀_ thrumming. "The music's playing