The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd's anger and the present king's fear hanging in the air. The former king stood tall, his eyes fixed on his former friend, as he considered his fate.
But the former king, despite the anger and hurt he felt, looked at his friend with a mixture of sadness and compassion. His expression was a complex mix of emotions, his eyes filled with a deep sorrow.
He thought for a moment, weighing his options, before speaking. "I will not take your life, but you will pay for your betrayal," he said finally. "For your betrayal, I sentence you to isolation on the remote planet of Solitude," he declared. "You will be taken there immediately and will remain in solitude, reflecting on your actions and seeking redemption."
The former friend's eyes widened in despair as he realized the gravity of his punishment. He would be cut off from the world he knew, forced to confront the consequences of his own actions on a desolate, distant planet.
The crowd murmured in discontent, their faces falling in disappointment. Some of them shouted, "No! He deserves to die!" But the former king stood firm, his decision made out of kindness and a desire for justice, rather than revenge. His expression was resolute, his jaw set in determination.
The group watched, some of them nodding in agreement, while others looked on with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. Mike's face was a picture of admiration for the former king's mercy, while Gidado's expression was more stoic, his eyes narrowed in thought. TJ and the others looked on, their faces filled with a mix of emotions, as they tried to process the complexity of the situation.
The former king, now the king, words hung in the air, a solemn reminder of the price of treachery. His expression was resolute, yet tinged with a hint of sorrow, as he gazed at the former friend being led away by the guards. The crowd's faces were a mix of sternness and satisfaction, their eyes fixed on the departing figure with a sense of justice being served. In contrast, the group stood tall, their faces filled with a sense of pride and gratitude, as they awaited the king's words of appreciation.
As the king turned to the group, his eyes sparkled with genuine gratitude. He extended his hand towards them, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity. "And to my dear friends right here, I extend my deepest gratitude. Thank you all for your unwavering support and bravery." The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd's anticipation building as they awaited the king's next words.
He then turned to the crowd, his voice ringing out across the gathering. "My return, the return of Ile-Ife, and the joy that fills the air today wouldn't have been possible without their selfless efforts." The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, their faces alight with admiration and appreciation for the group. The group's smiles grew wider, their eyes shining with pride, as they basked in the praise.
As the king paused, his eyes shining with appreciation, the atmosphere was filled with a sense of wonder and gratitude. He continued, turning to the group once more, "Thank you is but a meager expression of my gratitude. Nothing can ever fully repay the debt of gratitude I owe you for the help you rendered to my people and me. Nevertheless, as a token of my appreciation, I invite you all to stay with us for as long as you can, and we will prepare a treasure worthy of your valor."
The group beamed with delight, their faces aglow with pleasure, as the crowd's cheers and applause persisted. Mike leaned forward, his voice filled with sincerity, "On behalf of myself and the rest, we say thank you too, Your Majesty, for saving us. If you hadn't, we wouldn't be standing here today. So, we say thank you once again, from the bottom of our hearts." The atmosphere was filled with warmth and camaraderie, as the king and the group shared a moment of mutual appreciation and respect.
With that, Mike handed over the two artifacts to the king, saying, "And here are your artifacts, returned to their rightful owner." The king's eyes lit up with joy, as he accepted the artifacts, his face filled with a sense of closure and completion. The crowd cheered once more, their applause echoing through the gathering, as the group smiled, their faces filled with a sense of satisfaction and gratitude.
The former king smiled, his face filled with hope and determination. The future looked bright, and Ile-Ife was finally free. The group's faces reflected their joy and relief, and they all shared a sense of pride and accomplishment. They had done it – they had freed the king and restored hope to the people of Ile-Ife. As they celebrated, the noise outside continued to grow, a testament to the joy and freedom that filled the planet.