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Chapter 9 – Fire in the Blood
POV: Adeola, Yemi, Bayo, Moremi, Wale
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Plans in the Dust
POV: Yemi
The underground war hall was dim, lit only by oil lamps and the flickering shadow of a rebel map stretched across the stone wall.
Yemi stood at the head of the table, hands behind his back, eyes sharp.
Behind him, the room buzzed with quiet debate — Ayomide, Bayo, Moremi, Adeola, Damilola, and Chief Alade all gathered around the circular table.
"We strike Ayo in six days," Yemi announced, cutting through the murmurs. "Our objective is to sabotage the weapons vault beneath the garrison and rescue key prisoners being held in the old palace cellars."
He paused.
"The success of this mission will depend on timing, stealth… and trust."
Bayo scoffed from the other end of the table. "Trust is what got us a traitor feeding our names to the empire."
"Which is why we move in squads, isolated cells," Yemi countered. "If one squad falls, the others still move."
Adeola exchanged a glance with Moremi. Bayo's tension had grown — sharp and short-tempered.
Chief Alade cleared his throat. "No matter how we feel about it… Ayo is the key to the Ojora's weapon supply. If we can weaken their foothold there, we give the southern kingdoms a chance to rise."
"And we bring the war back to them," Bayo muttered.
"To end it," Yemi said, locking eyes with him.
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Truth Beneath the Stone
POV: Wale
Miles away, beneath the ruins of a burnt village north of Ayo, Wale knelt beside an old well.
Adedayo stood nearby, watching the skies.
"We'll guide them in from the inside," Wale said calmly. "The guards are being rotated every three hours — we'll slip the rebel team through the abandoned water tunnels."
Adedayo nodded. "But if Tunde learns—"
"He won't," Wale cut in. "He's too busy burying the man he murdered in a drunken rage."
They both fell silent.
Adedayo broke it first. "You saw the girl. At the last mission."
Wale's jaw clenched. "Yes."
"She's grown."
"She's still my sister."
Adedayo eyed him. "You still planning to keep it from her?"
Wale didn't respond.
Because he didn't know how to.
---
An Old Name and a New War
POV: Adeola
As the sun dipped below the jungle horizon, Adeola sat with Chief Alade beneath the large baobab tree that marked the edge of Akinwumi.
"This mission," Adeola said quietly, "It's Ayo, isn't it?"
Alade nodded.
"I was raised to believe I was nothing — a nameless boy in a nameless village. But something in me…" he paused, "feels like I'm going home."
Alade looked at him then. The firelight reflected in his eyes like memory.
"I don't think your past is lost," the old man said. "It's waiting to be reclaimed."
Adeola swallowed hard. "What if what I find… breaks me?"
Alade smiled faintly. "Then rebuild yourself stronger."
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Steel Between Brothers
POV: Yemi
Later that night, in the barracks, Bayo confronted Yemi in the torchlit corridor.
"You always think you know what's best," Bayo spat. "But your hesitation is what got people killed before."
Yemi stood tall. "And your recklessness will get more of us killed."
They were inches apart now — warriors, leaders, enemies, and allies.
"You still don't trust me," Bayo said lowly.
Yemi didn't blink. "Not with people's lives. Not until you learn to control your grief."
Bayo's knuckles clenched… but he turned and walked away.
For now.
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Threads of Memory
POV: Moremi
In her hut, Moremi stared at a small wooden carving — the same carving her brother used to make birds from as a child.
A memory surfaced.
Laughter. A smaller hand holding hers. His voice saying: "You be the fire, I'll be the shield."
Now he was gone.
Or maybe… still out there.
She didn't know why, but the thought of Wale — the empire's new general — gave her chills. There was something in his eyes during the last battle… something familiar.
She pressed the carving to her chest and whispered, "If you're out there… I'll find you."
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Setting the Match
POV: Yemi
By dawn, the rebel squad prepared to move.
Yemi led the front, Ayomide at his side. Adeola, Bayo, Moremi, Damilola, and Femi followed in formation, cloaked and armed.
Chief Alade watched them disappear into the jungle.
"I hope your fire doesn't burn too bright," he murmured to himself.
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Final Scene – The General's Warning
POV: Wale
At the palace, Wale stood before Emperor Adekunle.
"You leave tonight?" the emperor asked.
Wale nodded. "To finish the rebellion."
Adekunle rose from his throne, his voice cold. "See to it that you do. Or I'll give your command to someone who will."
Wale bowed… and turned.
Outside the throne hall, Adedayo joined him.
"Still playing both sides," he said.
"I'm not playing," Wale whispered. "I'm deciding which one to die for."
> The Lost King © 2025 by (Idris Bilal Adavize).
This is an original work protected by copyright. No part of this story may be reproduced or used in any form without the author's written permission.