The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and the sound of chaos filled the air. Buildings burned, their flames licking the sky like ravenous beasts. People ran for their lives, their screams and cries echoing through the streets. Armed bandits, their faces twisted with cruelty, terrorized the place, their guns and machetes raised high.
Osas, Vode's friend, rushed into the compound, his eyes wide with fear. He slammed the gate shut behind him, the sound of the lock clicking into place a meager reassurance. Vode's mother emerged from the house, her face etched with worry. "Osas, what's happening?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Osas grabbed her arm, his grip tight. "Mama, we need to run. It's not safe here." But Vode's mother hesitated, her mind heavy with worry. "Where do you want me to run to? My waist won't even allow me to move".
As they spoke, bullets flew crashing at the gate, the sound of the impact making them both jump. Osas pulled Vode's mother inside, his face set in a determined expression. "It's already too late," he whispered, his voice laced with fear "they are here".
Vode's mother grabbed her phone, her hands shaking as she dialed her son's number. Osas tried to stop her, but she insisted, tears streaming down her face. "I need to call my son," she said, her voice cracking.
The gate burst open, and an eerie silence fell over the compound. Vode's mother dialed her phone, and Vode answered, his voice laced with worry. "Mum, are you okay?" he asked.
A loud crash echoed through the phone, and Vode's mother reassured him, "I'm fine, I just wanted to hear your voice." But Vode sensed something was off. He could hear the fear in his mother's voice, the tremble in her words.
As they spoke, darkness encircled Vode, and he started to pictured his home. He tried to harness his power, to focus on the familiar surroundings. Idara opening her eyes "what are you doing?", "I'd be back" he replied.
But before he could, a figure emerged from the mirror at their lodge, its presence making the air feel thick and heavy. Roots burst forth from the ground, their tendrils snaking right towards Idara.
Vode on seeing their situation warped Idara to safety, his heart racing. He turned to face the figure, his eyes wide with shock. "How did he know where we were?" he thought, his mind reeling.
Prince Ewuare thundered, "You have done enough!" His voice was like a crack of thunder, making Vode jump. He released a white powdered substance, the particles filling the room like a mist. Vode retaliated with a dark void, but Prince Ewuare vanished, his presence gone in an instant.
When Vode turned to Idara, she was gone too. He frantically searched the room, and his heart sank.
Meanwhile The gunmen closed in on Vode's mother, their guns pointed at her.
Fear gripped Vode's heart as he realized his loved ones were in grave danger. The terror and heartbreak threatened to consume him, and he knew he had to act fast to save them.