Chapter 16: Aftermath and Wounds

Clang, clang, clang—sound of ogene.

Sun Zikora kill one small demon wey never reach immortal, lead remaining ten Celestial Soldiers leave battlefield.

For sky, no formation, just wait for all 118th Battalion survivors, then follow deputy commander back Celestial Council, no talk.

Commander die for battle, even soul scatter.

118th Battalion scatter.

When I hear am, my mind blank.

I serve 118th Battalion forty, fifty thousand years, sabi every immortal herb and cloud here.

Na only place for Immortal Realm wey I, Sun Zikora, fit call home.

Just because Musa Lawal lose, Eastern Heaven War Zone no get support, over forty numbers cancel at once.

The herald wey talk the battalion scatter also bring new appointments.

"Sun Zikora, mid-stage True Elder, company commander, do well for Okeji Mountain battle, move to 256th Battalion of Western Heaven War Zone as battalion commander for Independent Regiment."

I get promotion.

I suppose happy?

Cultivate tens of thousands of years, na just brick I be for Celestial Council, anywhere dem need, dem move me.

Two hundred years don pass since Okeji Mountain battle. For immortals, two hundred years na just one meditation.

But for Sun Zikora, these two hundred years long pass twenty thousand.

Since I reach Western Heaven War Zone, no rest. Everyday, dem dey change people.

Every change na meeting, appointment report, write reflection.

Tire person.

Last report never finish, Sun Zikora get meeting message. He squeeze immortal paper for table, vex, throw am out window.

He curse, leave barracks, go battalion headquarters.

As he near, arrange face, enter hall serious.

Find seat middle-front, sit quiet, no talk.

Soon, old Elder in rough robe enter.

The old Elder face strong; Sun Zikora think say him look like bad person.

Sun Zikora wan stand salute, but discipline officer for front no move, like say him forget.

Old Elder no send, just waka go center.

Suddenly release Golden Immortal power.

The force make over thousand officers fear.

Then hoarse voice sound.

"I be Baba Garba. Dem send me to command 256th Battalion."

He pause, look round, talk:

"I no want am, but no choice. Today just for una to see me, so una go sabi me for battlefield."

Nobody show wetin dey their mind.

New commander no send, waka go.

Then battalion and regiment leaders for front waka one by one.

Small officers get up, waka in groups.

Sun Zikora look round, dey wonder why Western Heaven War Zone dey so loose, him suspicion dey grow.

He follow crowd go out.

Before he reach barracks, he get order.

256th Battalion Independent Regiment must guard Fangcun Mountain for Okpoko Hills.

Sun Zikora collect order, return barracks, gather him thousand men, take equipment, waka go Fangcun Mountain.

Even though promotion, his soldiers no reach before.

Before, Celestial Soldier selection tight—only good family and orthodox Way dey enter. Now, anybody—some even dark path cultivators. Their power low, but their ways wicked.

As dem reach Fangcun Mountain, Sun Zikora pick key pass to camp, dey check who pass, say na to guard against demon attack.

Life soft.

For once, the camp dey noisy—different accents, even some dey speak pidgin mixed with Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. I look my men, some with rough faces, eyes sharp from street life, others silent, planning their next move. The watchtower bell ring, dry wind blow, and I sigh, remembering old days of real discipline.