Chapter 10: A Bargain for Survival

"Drop the staff and you fit live."

Black Masquerade Mother hiss. Which kind talk be that?

If I give una, no be my life dey una hand?

But weapon na just weapon, na who dey use am matter.

Last last, black Masquerade Mother trap for canyon, surround by Spirit Heart cultivators.

"Come, kill me, take my staff."

She shout with cracked voice:

"This staff, na my husband bring from upper realm for my last life. Come, kill me. When my husband return, any clan wey get this staff go finish."

Spirit Heart cultivators quiet.

Na only explanation be that. Black Masquerade Mother still fine. If no be her last life husband, na somebody close give her.

Nobody gree move.

"Hahahaha, una dey fear? Which kind five great clans, which kind big Spirit Heart cultivators—na just bullies."

She dey shout anyhow. If you no fear death, wetin remain?

"How long you fit live? Foundation? Two hundred years? We go just wait make you die. From today, you no go see one pill or spirit stone for Umuola Realm. How you wan take cultivate?"

Black Masquerade Mother quiet, vex full her body.

Why some people dey born above others?

Why disciples from big clans dey get easy road?

When all these go end?

Her eyes shine, voice crack like old calabash, eyes shine with tears she no gree let fall: "If I drop the staff by myself, and leave memory sphere before I die to show say una no force me or kill me, una fit give me resources from Elder's Obi to Spirit Heart?"

As she speak, the air thick with tension, her words ring true for anybody wey ever suffer. The elders exchange silent looks, weighing her offer. For small moment, even the wind hush, carrying her defiance to the corners of the realm. The moonlight highlight the scar on her cheek—a mark from battle, from pride, from refusing to bow.