When Armad realized Ikenga was serious, his face changed into a frown. He looked at him and said, "If I remember correctly, the first time I saw you were on that island. You were fighting with some people. And I lost my miyura and a part of my soul because of your actions.
"The second time I saw you were in the jinzidal. Nusi found a way to get Triple Factor and save my mother but I needed to win the jinzidal competition for everything to work. You made sure I fail and fall into the hands of Ururu. I lost Nusi because of you.
"And now we meet for the third time. But this time around, you come up with a new style asking for allegiance. You know, I don't care what you're up to, I don't care how you came to this prison and I don't care if you have a way out of it or not. I don't care why you are collecting followers, I don't care about your predictions of something bad happening to me, and I don't care if you know where my soul fragment is. But I can tell you one thing, I, Armad Wilberforce, will destroy the jinzidal and get my mother healthy again. If you think you can stop me then I welcome you to try. This is my first and last warning to you."
Armad finished his drink and stood. Ikenga also looked serious and addressed him properly.
"I, Ikenga O. Bayajidda, will rule this world even if men, djinns, and Ururu unite against me. Let me tell you a story.
"Before the arrival of Ururu, before the arrival of Wilberforce, before the arrival of Bayajidda, there were stars in the sky. These stars shaped the course of time and nature as we know them. After Ururu ousted Wilberforce, these stars went dark and remained hidden until the day I was born when they shone brightly again. It has been written ever since that day that I'll rule the seven worlds.
"Ever since I was a child, I have been able to read the movements of stars and find out what is going to happen before it happens. I was seven years old when I started using the stars to control time so I can age anything I touch. It was the same technique I used to escape from Ururu during the war of the rebellion that destroyed my country.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
"My first encounter with you was a coincidence. I didn't know you before that day. During our second encounter in the jinzidal, I discovered the power in your bloodline and with it a shadow of death that looms over you. If you were to escape the shadow, you will be an undisputed Heir of Wilberforce. I intended to kill you in the jinzidal so you don't pose threat to me later but I spared your life.
"I thought if you kneel before me and pledge allegiance to me, we would overthrow Ururu and the jinzidal kings. We would build our kingdom.
"So after Uznu decided to destroy you, I want decided to save you. I even left my will behind to save you from certain death if it comes to that. But then the stars told me Uznu was looking for the book-sword and had no intention of killing you there. So I returned to the arena to change the incantation and reshape the talisman I left behind, but even though I used the light of the stars to hide, the eyes of Uznu Ururu saw me and it caused a problem while I was restructuring the talisman. Consequently, it didn't work as intended.
"After the jinzidal, I looked into you and found out your soul was fragmented into two. The stars told me you will appear in this prison but the exact time wasn't clear to me. This is the place where Ururu slew your people and mine. So I decided it's the best place for you to pledge allegiance to me and start planning how to rule the world.
"That's why I came to this prison last year and waited for you but you didn't come until now. I even found out that Uznu made a mistake: instead of throwing Nusi into this prison as he intended, he sent her to the equatora region. I don't know how he made that mistake but I suspected my talisman had something to do with it. Her star still produces a healthy glow and I assume she's not in any trouble.
"I was bored when I first came here, so I took the opportunity and united the prisoners under one banner. I don't need them, of course. You are the only reason I'm here and I can leave whenever I want. The four blessings I promise to give you are still on the table. All you have to do is kneel before me and swear to serve me."
As Armad silently listened to him, several things caught his attention. The fact that Nusi could be well made him smile. Though Ikenga could be lying about it all. After thinking about it, he smiled and gave Ikenga his reply.
"Your goal is to rule, mine is to save the weak from the slave trade. Our goal is not the same. And even if our goal is the same, you are the one who has to pledge allegiance to me, not I to you. My grandfather Eyrion was the King of the seven worlds. I have his ability now. I do not need to eat or drink; my body will never perish. I will not kneel to you or anyone else. If you feel you can hinder me then give it a try."
Armad turned around and left.