Chapter 17: Death and Salvation

Over ten years pass. One day as Sun Zikora dey drink tea, big noise outside. Over ten big demons show true form, attack Fangcun Mountain—Celestial Soldiers for pass vanish sharp sharp.

Sun Zikora shout, lead eight hundred Celestial Soldiers block pass.

"This place dey under Celestial Council. Why una attack? To kill Celestial Soldiers—wetin una want?"

Sun Zikora no wan dey here, but rules dey. To run without fight na death.

Some great demons, all get Celestial Immortal power, their eyes red.

One nine-tailed fox scream:

"My Umuagu Fox Clan don dey since forever. Why Celestial Council destroy us? Great Sage rebel, we no join—wetin we do?"

"Why dey talk with this soldier? Kill all! The prince reincarnation dey for Fangcun Mountain—make we rescue am go."

Another demon talk.

The great demons release power, everywhere change. Sun Zikora, just mid-stage True Elder, no fit match.

One blow, he fly tens of thousands miles, blood dey come out, meridians scatter, life or death nobody know.

The great demons finish all Celestial Soldiers, then rush mountain top.

Suddenly, big golden hand show for sky, wan catch demons.

From east, spear fly, break golden hand.

"Audu, you get mind!"

The person wey release golden hand na Baba Garba, 256th Battalion commander. Baba Garba vex shout.

Dragon roar, sharp, handsome general in silver armor rush Baba Garba.

"Small tiger dey make noise for my front? Na so West weak reach?"

Within seconds, Baba Garba die, soul scatter.

"Quickly carry them! Our Dragon Clan promise Great Sage, we go protect una."

No matter the fight above, e no concern Sun Zikora.

Sun Zikora lie inside crater, no move.

In fact, he wake as soon as he land—just no fit move.

He just dey feel him true spirit dey fade. The dust big, but nobody notice—same as before.

So tired. Just wan sleep.

As I lie there, face to sky, the sound of war distant, na only my breath and the beating of my heart remain. My blood seep into the rocky soil, making it hot and sticky. Na only moon see my pain, na only wind hear my silent prayer: if spirit ancestors dey, make dem carry my soul gently.

"Run, why you no run? You just ascend Spirit Elder, you get mind fight my Okoli family!"

For forest, some mid-stage Spirit Elder surround female cultivator, dey proud.

Female cultivator look angry, hair scatter, embroidered robe tear, leg show.

"I think say Immortal Realm na paradise, but e still full of wicked people. Heaven and earth scatter, Way no fair, why e no just destroy una?"

Her words sharp but voice calm.

The Spirit Elder see her leg, eye dey shine.

"How long since we see this kind fine woman? You wound our Okoli family boy, elder say you must die in pain. But we gentle—if you serve us some days, we go let you die quick. Hahahaha!"

Everywhere quiet except their laugh.

The woman no talk, plan to use treasure for ring die with them.

They come near with weapons.

She close eyes, bring Thunder Beads. Even though na Great Ascension treasure, plenty—if she no fit kill them, at least she go die, no shame.

"Immortal, this life I no fit pay you back. I hope next life I fit serve you, pay you back."

Swish, swish, swish.

Golden sword fly from far, string the Spirit Elder together, pin them to rock—even their soul vanish. Die sharp sharp.

In that moment, even the trees hush. The smell of burnt wood and ozone fill the air. The woman's tears mix with blood on her cheek, gratitude fighting with pain in her chest. She look for her saviour, heart pounding like bata drum.