Ilu Nla dawned in cold weather. The atmosphere was gloomy and uninviting. Six people had woken up early in the rebel camp. They made their way slowly to the wall. At one part of it, Akachi felt a cool breeze blowing across part of the wall. He hugged his abdomen and straightened his shoulders.
Spin Bomb smiled, nudged his friend and pointed to some holographic projectors fixed to the wall. That part had been broken to evacuate everyone in the event of an emergency. To avoid attracting attention, they had covered it with a hologram.
Akachi, Spin Bomb, Fadala, Feruzi and Mashal stood next to the hologram. Azekel stood in front of his grandson. There were a few seconds of complete silence, until the young medium and his grandfather ran towards each other and embraced fraternally. The ex-Sage of the Faith wanted very much to go with them and rescue his son Adisa, but he no longer had the strength of a medium.
Seeing the scene, Feruzi and Mashal laughed. Spin Bomb grew impatient with the drama. She rolled her eyes, and just as she was about to say something, her master gave her a look that froze her in place.
"Akachi, take care, bring your father back to us."
"It's okay, Grandpa. Our family won't be separated anymore."
The old man went over to his old companions and hugged them with a request:
"Mashal, take care of my grandson. Otherwise, I'd better not go back to camp."
"Whoever is with me is with Fante Obataiye."
Together with Feruzi, he wished the rescue party success.
"May your plan work, my friend, you're the most ingenious person I know."
"I hope so, my friend."
The others greeted Azekel and advanced along the false wall. They were heading south, away from the Burned Circuit Complex of slums to the Stone of Judgment.
⸎
Its construction dates back to the antiquity of Ilu Nla. The Stone of Judgment was built on a rocky mountain in the southeast of the kingdom. Around it, a long spiral staircase was carved from the base to the top.
When a subject of Ilu Nla committed a heinous crime, he was bound in shackles and forced to walk up the seven-story staircase to the top. The aim was to make the defendant reflect on the seven virtues he had transgressed. So that he wouldn't try to claim death before his trial or be attacked by the avenger of blood, he was escorted by four scouts. At the top, in front of an amphitheater packed with members of the community, he was judged by them.
If the community unanimously acquitted him, he was released, and there was no criminal stain on his honor. However, if a single member of the popular assembly wanted to punish him, he was executed.
The Judgement Stone was only used for a short time. The judicial system of Ilu Nla's reign was perfected. But the site was kept as a reminder, a heritage of the power of justice.
In the center of the amphitheatre, as in the days of the first justice, was Adisa, chained to two columns by his feet and hands with chains fashioned from Axé. He looked tired, his head hanging down.
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In the stands, facing the prisoner, was the Circle of Sages. The Sage of Justice, Ekundayo, was sitting, his body bent forward and his elbows on his knees. He was calm, with a thoughtful countenance. Next to him, lying down with his head supported by one hand, was Hakim. He was twisting a piece of straw in the corner of his mouth. He smiled, looking pleased with his advantage.
Jabir was standing a few seats up. His eyes were closed and his arms were crossed. He was trying to control his anxiety about the battle. He wanted another confrontation with Akachi. He felt humiliated that a medium like him had managed to land a blow on him.
Durojaiye, the Sage of the Generation was on Ekundayo's left. Cross-legged, she was filing her fingernails. They were well groomed for someone who lived in such anonymous conditions. She was too focused on her work to notice what was happening around her.
Nkechi, the Sage of Evolution was right behind Hakim. She was sitting with her legs open, the weight of her body resting on her elbows. Her head was thrown back. She gazed at the clouds-tinged pink by the sunlight. I had the feeling it was going to rain.
Ekundayo stood up straight. He put his hands together in the shape of a pyramid and raised his chin. All eyes turned to him.
"Ten people are approaching the Stone of Judgment."
Hakim jumped up. He clapped his hands happily. He was having fun with the situation.
"Ten? What an army, huh? Who did Mashal bring with him, the Salvation Army?"
"No, Hakim, you don't understand. There are ten people, all with a strong Axé emission. And they all possess the same Axé of the Spiritual Key of Faith."
All the sages surrounded the leader, but he said nothing more. At the same time, they held their chins with their clawed hands and pondered what this could be. Hakim thought that Akachi didn't have the skills to do such a thing. Sharing the Axé through a Pass was not easy. It required intense control.
"Assuming your analysis is right, Ekundayo…"
"It is, Sage Hakim. Remember that next to Adisa's son are three ancient sages. Feruzi is an old jackal."
"Okay. Assuming that Feruzi used his Scratched Dot Magic to make Akachi pass everyone in the group to share his Axé, the other five unexpected people must be copies created by Mashal's Ofó."
Jabir thought it was a clever tactic. A complex combination of different Ofó. He never imagined that Akachi would manage such a feat.
"They're looking for a numerical advantage…"
"No, Sage of Force, they knew we wouldn't attack in a one-on-one battle. They're creating confusion so that we don't capture Akachi."
From the columns, Adisa began to smile. He had a coughing fit and spat. Although he was proud of his son, he hadn't imagined that he would go so far as to deceive the Circle of Sages like that.
Ekundayo stood up and leapt close to Adisa. He gripped the scientist's chin tightly and asked:
"Won't it be funny when your son sees his father die."
"Coward! Let go of me."
"Hakim, we can fool them too. Nkechi, we'll need your plasma mist."
Nkechi confirmed with a nod and a smile. Hakim smoothed the back of his neck and grimaced.
"Ah, damn, see! Looks like the Sage of the Law will have to take action in the very first scene of the movie."
"Well done! Nkechi, Hakim and Durojaiye, Jabir will stay here with me."
The Force Sage protested as much as he could, but the leader was resolute in his decisions. While the others went off to fight, the old medium sulked in a corner. His veins were popping out of his temples.
⸎
An armored military vehicle was approaching Judgement Stone. When it reached a kilometer away, it switched off its engines. Inside was a team from the Ilu Nla Intelligence Sector, under the command of General Luena.
She stepped out of the cockpit and closed the door behind her. In front of her, standing at attention, were her Falangettes. They were all women. They were wearing ergonomically shaped tactical armor. They were similar to Luena's armor, but less aerodynamic than hers, with a lower level of armor and built-in weapons. However, they had the same noise suppression system and camouflage as the general.
It was almost impossible to tell one soldier from another. Their faces were hidden by helmets and dark visors. This was done on purpose to confuse the enemy. They didn't answer to their names, but to the codenames Nebula 1, 2, 3 and 4. Only Luena could tell one from the other by the subtleties.
"Permission to rest, sir."
"Permission granted, Ghost Troop. My Nebulas, today's mission will take place in two stages and in collaboration with General Gahiji and his men."
General Luena went over the plan. The Nebulas would enter the conflict zone between Akachi's group and the Circle of Sages. They had orders not to interfere. Their aim would be to kill the bearers of the Spiritual Keys after one of them had been defeated or had become vulnerable. After collecting the key and placing it in a special container, they would return. Under no circumstances should they fight their enemies and reveal themselves to them.
"Remember, Ghost Troop, you are the blades that hide in the shadow of Ilu Nla. Act quickly and effectively. Kill the sages and bring their Spiritual Keys to me."
"Yes, sir."
They gave a final, loud salute, clicking their heels. The back of the vehicle opened. The Nebulas lowered the emission level of their armor's Axé Cores to below capitation, activated their camouflages and flew off with their electromagnetic thrusters towards the Judgement Stone.