BACK AT THE MANSION – 5:59 A.M.
A rooster crowed—but it was mechanical, projected from Chika's staff outside David's door.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
"DAVID! 6 A.M.! RISE AND SHINE!"
David shot up, hair wild, pendant swinging.
"AH! I JUST SLEEP!"
Chika's voice boomed:
"Water won't bend itself! Courtyard. Now. Bring the scroll. And your fighting spirit."
David groaned, rolled out of bed, and landed on the cool floor.
He opened the wardrobe. A black training gi with a silver scorpion on the back hung ready.
He slipped it on.
The fabric hummed against his skin—like it was alive.
David grinned despite himself.
"Okay, Wizard Man. Let's do this."
He grabbed the water-bending scroll and marched out.
The mansion was already shifting—walls unfolding into training arenas, the fountain now a crashing waterfall, the courtyard expanding into a mini-arena with floating water orbs.
Chika stood in the center, staff planted, agbada replaced with a sleek black combat robe.
"Lesson One: Water is not your friend. It is your weapon. Respect it. Command it. Or it go drown you."
David cracked his knuckles.
"Okay let's do this am a .... Zodiac warrior after all"
6:10 AM
The courtyard had transformed overnight. The fountain was now a ring of levitating water spheres, each the size of a football, orbiting a central stone dais. Mist hung in the air like incense.
David stood barefoot on the dais, water-bending scroll spread before him. His black gi clung to his skin, damp from failed attempts.
He traced a hand sign—index and middle fingers extended, ring and pinky curled, thumb pressing the palm. A single droplet lifted from the nearest sphere, wobbled, then splat—fell.
Chika lounged on a floating sofa just outside the ring, sipping tea from a porcelain cup. His combat robe shimmered with faint starlight.
"Water is calm, David. Smooth. It is the element of change. You must flow with it."
David's arms trembled. Another droplet rose—higher this time—then crashed.
"Again."
David groaned. "Again? I've been at this since 6!"
"Again. Again. Again. Again. Again."
Chika's voice was steady, almost meditative.
David wiped sweat from his brow. "Wait—am I the only one stuck with water?"
Chika set his cup down.
"No. Cancer, Pisces, and Scorpio all share water. Cancer and pisces are already in the North—holding the line against the demons. You're late to the party."
David's shoulders slumped. "Arrgh!"
He reset his stance. This time, he breathed. In through the nose, out through the mouth. The pendant pulsed.
Three droplets rose in unison, forming a perfect sphere. They spun, then merged into a single giant sphere of water.
Chika's eyes narrowed—approval.
"Good. Now hold it."
David's brow furrowed. The giant sphere vibrated, then expanded into a scorpion silhouette made of water—tail curled, claws raised.
Chika sat up. "Latent potential. With discipline, you'll unlock Zodiac Tattoos—runes that etch across your skin when you sync fully with Scorpio. I've seen only three warriors reach that form. You could be the fourth."
The scorpion silhouette made of water dissolved. David exhaled, exhausted but grinning.
"So I'm not useless?"
Chika stood. "Far from it. But mastery isn't a sprint. Again."
IDC ABUJA – 7:03 A.M.
Prince Awoyemi sat cross-legged on the bunk, empty tray pushed aside. The rice and stew had been surprisingly good—spicy, with real chicken. The water bottle was half-drunk.
The food slot slid shut with a click.
The main door hiss-opened.
Two agents in black tactical gear entered. No insignia. Just IDC stitched in silver.
"Prince Awoyemi. Element sync"
Prince stood slowly. "Element sync? My dad—he must've called. He'll be worried sick. Where's my phone?"
The agents exchanged a glance.
"No personal devices in Containment. Come."
Prince followed, barefoot on cold metal. They entered a glass elevator. It shot upward, floors blurring—10, 20, 30.
The doors opened into a circular chamber. Three holographic thrones floated above the floor. The Superiors sat within:
Superior One – elderly woman, eyes like polished obsidian.
Superior Two – young man, face half-covered in circuit tattoos.
Superior Three – androgynous figure, voice modulated.
Prince stepped forward. "Where are you taking me?"
Superior One spoke first.
"To the north. You extinguished a fire with a gesture. That was Leo's Flame. Raw. controlled. But we will refine it better."
Prince clenched his fists. "And if I refuse?"
Superior Two's circuits glowed.
"Then the North falls. Demons don't negotiate."
Superior Three projected a live feed:
KANO – DAWN
A colossal battle.
Ojo Emmanuel (Aries) — dual flame blades, carving through shadow demons like paper.
Ajibola Favour (Cancer) — tidal fists and claws crushing skulls with liquid force.
Peter and Paul (The Twin Geminis) — mirror illusions, doubling their numbers, striking from all angles.
Tijani (Sagittarius) — fire storm arrows, pinning demons to the ground.
Ojo Gabriel (Taurus) — earth spikes, impaling from below, Charging horns that destroy enemies.
Emmanuella (Pisces) — healing waters, reviving fallen civilians.
Every move was perfect choreography—elements weaving like a symphony.
Prince's breath caught.
Superior One: "Six warriors. Holding a rift. They need eight more. You are one."
Prince looked at his hands. The lion tattoo pulsed.
"Fine. But I want to talk to my father"
Superior Three smiled. "Hmmph! Deal."
KANO – 7:15 a.m
The battlefield was a ruined market. Stalls smoldered. The air stank of sulfur and blood.
Ojo Emmanuel flipped through the air, flame blades igniting a demon's core. It exploded into ash.
He landed beside Ajibola Favour, who was punching with her tidal fists to protect a child.
"Favour—date after this?" Ojo grinned, wiping ash from his face.
Favour's eyes flashed. "Never. I'd rather date a demon."
Ojo laughed. "You'll fall for me. Watch."
Favour rolled her eyes, then unleashed a water whip that bisected three demons in one stroke.
"Focus, Aries. Or I'll drown you myself."
Behind them, Sagittarius loosed a storm arrow that pinned a demon mid-leap.
Taurus stomped— and charged with his horns earth spikes erupted, impaling a swarm.
The Geminis flickered—four became eight, surrounding a Class-4 demon.
Pisces knelt over a wounded civilian, healing waters knitting flesh.
The rift pulsed—wider.
A new wave of demons poured through.
Ojo cracked his neck.
"Round two. Let's dance."