The path twisted tighter, and the air grew colder.
Every step Sade took felt heavier, as if the shadows themselves were trying to pull her down.
Then it came.
A sudden movement from the corner of her vision.
It lunged without warning.
Smoke-like tendrils wrapped around Sade, choking her, draining her light.
Her pulse faltered. Fear clawed at her mind.
"Tunde!" she screamed.
He leapt forward, glowing brighter, wrapping his light around her like armor.
"Hold on, Sade! Don't let it touch your heart!"
The shadow hissed, swirling with rage.
Its glowing eyes fixed on her, unrelenting.
Sade's hands trembled as she tried to push back.
Every time she focused on her inner light, the shadow recoiled slightly—but then struck harder.
"It's too strong!" Sade cried, fear threatening to consume her.
Tunde held her tighter.
"You are stronger than you know! Remember who you are! Ayè-Ọrun! The child of both realms!"
Sade closed her eyes, letting his words sink in.
She felt warmth spreading from Tunde's hands into her chest, pulsing with power.
Her light flared, brighter than before, repelling the shadow.
The shadow hissed again, its voice inside her mind:
"You cannot escape me. Your soul belongs to the darkness. You will belong to me!"
Sade clenched her fists.
"No! My spirit is mine!"
Tunde's aura blazed beside her.
"We fight together!"
The shadow shrieked, recoiling from their combined light.
For a moment, it seemed fragile, uncertain… almost afraid.
Sade realized something in that instant:
Her courage, her bond with Tunde, was more powerful than the shadow's hunger.
They stood together, glowing, hearts in sync, pushing the shadow back.
It hissed, shrieked, and then suddenly paused, circling them like a predator waiting for the right moment.
Tunde whispered:
"It won't give up easily. But you've taken the first step. The battle is just beginning."
Sade nodded, still trembling but stronger.
Her spirit was alive, her light unbroken.
The shadow retreated slightly into the mist, watching.
Patient. Waiting.
Hungry for the next chance.
And Sade knew one thing for certain:
She couldn't run from this fight.
She had to face the shadow…
or risk losing herself forever.