Chapter 6: Judgment Reckoning

As Káòṣù lay unconscious on the ground, his mind clouded by darkness and his body limp with exhaustion, the echoes of Ifádànà's final act of mercy reverberated through the air. The flames that had engulfed him moments before flickered and faded, leaving behind only the stillness of unconsciousness.

General Ọkwụlụọcha: "Bịa ebe a" (translation: come in)

With a solemn command from General Ọkwụlụọcha, the guards moved swiftly to lift Káòṣù's unconscious form from the ground. Despite the chaos that had unfolded, there was an air of reverence in their movements as they carried him away, their footsteps echoing through the corridor as they disappeared into the depths of the fortress, words were exchanged in hushed tones between the special ones, voices rising and falling like waves crashing against the shore. The weight of their decisions pressed upon them like a heavy burden, threatening to crush their spirits beneath its formidable weight.

Yoruba elder :( Very Furious) Ifádànà, you had the chance to finish that abomination off, why did you hesitate?

Ifádànà: (response dripped with sarcasm) hmmmmmmm why did I hesitate abi? Wait oooooo let me think about it ...… Oh, it's because the General asked me not to. Can't disobey orders now, abi?

General Ọkwụlụọcha: (Raising his eyebrows with a smile) And why did I ask you not to kill him? Ifádànà, at least you listened to me. Thank the gods

Yoruba elder: (His gaze bore into the General). Thank the gods? Do you think the gods are pleased with your decision right now? General

Ìsèlè (with a dissatisfying expression): Do you think the gods will allow us to kill someone who is just trying to fight for the people?

Ifádànà: (Replies confidently) well princess, according to what his profile is all about, yes,

General Ọkwụlụọcha: (expression turned stern as he addressed Ifádànà.) so tell me Ifádànà; Apart from him attacking us, what do you know about him that makes you determined he should die?

Ifádànà: (replies firmly) Firstly he did not try to attack us, he tried to kill us, you should remember the melting part; Secondly his name says it all.

Uwargíshìrì: (her voice cut through the tension) Are you trying to judge him by his name?

Ifádànà: Yes I can and I will; according to what I have read and understand about that name "Káòṣù" his full name is Káòṣùnífẹ̀rẹ̀ Which means.....

Nwè: (interjects with a hint of disdain) Lover of war, bringer of chaos

Ifádànà: (with a sharp retort) It seems you still read, Nwè. I never thought you could have the habit of reading.

Nwè: (replies rudely) I love to read but I do not make reading a habit, I am not a freak like you.

Ifádànà chuckles to this response and the three elders are murmuring between each other as they hear this

General Ọkwụlụọcha: (intervenes firmly) if his name is like that, you cannot judge him solely by his name.

Jinéré: (replies with a solemn response) Yes you can general. Have you forgotten the words of our forefathers, 'Orúkọ tí a bá sọ ajá ẹni lọmọ aráyé ńbá ni í pèé'?" (Translation: "Whatever name one calls one's dog, that is the name others call it as well.")

General Ọkwụlụọcha: (meeting her gaze) You too?

Jinéré: (Persisting) I'm only saying what I see and understand general. He is bad news.

Ìsèlè: (her voice erupts with fury) If he is bad news, why did you not kill him in the first place?

Jinéré :( responds swiftly) I wanted to kill him but you asked me not to; did you forget nii?

General Ọkwụlụọcha: (perplexed) So you went to the forest? Why did you go there?

Nwè :( cuts in firmly) enough before this becomes a family discussion; we have pressing issues to deal with.

Uwargíshìrì :( nods in agreement) Yes, we are still dealing with a war.

General Ọkwụlụọcha: Speaking of war, why did the guardian of the forest and nature allow this calamity to happen in the first place ehn? Because if you had killed him the moment he entered the realm we will not have this discussion.

Nwè: (response was chilling as he threw nine British men's heads on the floor) really

Uwargíshìrì: (eyebrows raised in disgust) So Nwè, you had this with you for hours?

Nwè: (replies confidently) yes

Uwargíshìrì: (eyebrows raised in surprise) So, they are nineteen?

Nwè: (corrected) No Twenty. (Pointing at Jinéré), She killed ten. I killed nine.

Uwargíshìrì (With a naughty smirk): 19 British soldiers cannot be pursuing that pretty thief without a leader among them. Káòṣùn must be a wonderful treasure.

Nwè: (disgusted): you are disgusting Uwar; I did not notice a leader among them so the leader might be in our city as we speak. (facing the general)My question is, why are there no soldiers protecting the civilians, General? He might have a gun, who knows?"

Before the General could respond, Uwargíshìrì intervened

Uwargíshìrì: (worried) ok no more argument, all of you. The British Empire has known about us. Like it or not, they sent twenty men to pursue someone who is like us. My poison is used by someone who is not in this realm. It is impossible to steal this poison from me. So, it is either our enemies are already contacting the people outside, which is not an advantage to us, or there is a spy in our midst, which is very doubtful. So, I will go for the first choice. We need to act fast and decide on this pretty thief.

General Ọkwụlụọcha :( facing Jinéré) Jinéré, also remember our forefather's wisdom: 'Onye ji mmadụ n'ani ji onwe ya.' (Translation: "He who will hold another down in the mud must stay in the mud to keep him down.") His name can be chaotic, but we can change his fate. Someone with his kind of powers can be a great advantage for us. He can be a great person, we must not judge him by his name.

Ifádànà :( rejected swiftly) It's no coincidence that one named 'Lover of War, Bringer of Chaos' arrives with the British army. His very essence reeks of the Crystal of Chaos. We all know its history, how it fades away. You're too quick to trust him, General. This dog will surely turn on us. I am not ready to pet a bush dog.

Finally, as the voices grew hoarse and the arguments reached a fever pitch, the debate came to an abrupt halt.

General Ọkwụlụọcha :( persistent) I am also not ready to give up on his fate either.

Igbo Elder :( confused) so what are you trying to say general?

General Ọkwụlụọcha :( determined) I say we vote; give him till after the tournament if he does not gain the trust of everyone in this place he is to be executed by how you see fit.

Ifádànà :(worried) I do not like this idea.

Hausa Elder :(worried) I also do not like this idea. Let us do it this way; the general proposal will be approved if the majority of us accept to this proposal. Is that better

With a solemn nod, the Special Ones cast their votes, each one a silent proclamation of their judgment.

And so, as the special ones grappled with their own doubts and fears, the fate of Káòṣùn hung in the balance, his unconscious form a silent testament to the struggles that lay ahead. In the face of uncertainty and adversity, they would be forced to confront their own demons and make choices that would shape the course of their destiny. But whether they would emerge victorious or succumb to the darkness that lurked within them remained to be seen.