The guards helped him up to his feet while he dusted off his body.

“Why wasn’t I invited to this party? Huh? And where are the dancers? Someone play me a song, please!” A charmer with a v-shaped physique bounced in, like a knight of the night.

“Who’s that?” Asa whispered to Yotifa.

“That’s Prince Awade from Ondo. He and the king are best friends and allies. He’s worse than our prince so, let’s just watch him for now.”

“Chicken! I want chicken! Wine! Boiled yams! Bush meat! The girls and all have you! Drummers, please... Play me something!” Prince Awade ordered.

Their startled eyes blinked twice at him.

Some servants obeyed without second thoughts, while the rest gave him a weird look.

“Slaves, dance for me!” He clamored with his veins, sticking out of his neck. “Party on, please!”

Prince Awade and his two younger brothers, who were firm and taller, walked beside him. One would think they were his bodyguards. Disappointment plastered their faces as they noticed that most of the men were way drunk. Especially Segun, who hardly smiles. He managed to greet the first chief he met at the door with a single nod, but his brittle smile made it obvious that he wasn’t holding up very much.

Asa wore a worrisome look while the men found their way to sit among the chiefs and prince.

“Are you staying the night?” Title questioned.

“Probably...” He threw a kola nut into his mouth and chewed on it vividly. “Our purpose for being here does not concern the gods, so don't assume otherwise. And we had just emerged from a hazardous battle in Ijebu. We’d lost most of our warriors, and we thank the gods for keeping our lives. We decided to stop by and visit the king!”

“We can’t call that victorious now, would we?” a chief with a white full beard asked.

“Whatever you call it, we are survivors!” He tore the lap of chicken with his teeth and chewed on it hungrily.

Just then, the king’s informant whispered some words into the king’s ears.

“Well, well, well... Welcome to Oyo-Ile. You all are humble guests!” The king muttered. “So tell me, what brings you here?”

“All is being cleared, King Otun. As you can see, we’ve suffered a significant loss. They are not dead, they live in the hearts they leave behind. This war isn’t over yet. We would surely win only if we join the alliance.”

“My god! Is this all that’s left of you? I never thought that the threat of Ijebu was so serious.” He snickered while his chiefs joined him in laughter.

Segun and the other brother felt disgusted by their reactions. Prince Awade felt no shame. He had pride and honor to protect, but he hardly showed it, unlike others.

“They heavily outnumbered us. All we need is some food and a place to rest,” Prince Awade defended while still concentrating on the food.

“Do not be troubled. We shall be gone by first light.” Segun, his tough brother muttered.

“Well then, my doors are open to you.” The king smacked his lips and smiled. “Good thing you’re just on time for the giant gods’ celebration. Welcome! Eat, drink, and rejoice with us!”

Ajoke strolled into the grand hall where those present were feasting and celebrating. Instantly, the leaders burst out into a wild laughter. Feeling disgusted, Ajoke rolled her eyes and caught Prince Awade and his brothers seated on the royal chairs. Asa went to meet her before anyone would find out the bloodstain on her body.

“What’s wrong? Where have you been?”

“I’ve killed two chiefs already,” Ajoke whispered. Startled, Asa grabbed her hand and pulled her to a dark corner.

Noticing the girls, Prince Awade looked around in curiosity. “Did anyone see my friend, Chief Akerele?”

The people sitting around stared at him vacantly. “Who knows? He was here just now.” One chief replied and continued his drinking.

Meanwhile, Asa was at the corner with Yotifa and his sister, Ajoke. She pondered on her consequence for a moment and then chewed on the conclusion.

“We might kill a few chiefs, but with Prince Awade and his brothers here, it has changed everything.”

“What do you mean by that, Asa? It’s almost midnight and somehow, these men will leave. Look, I’m going to carry on with my plans if you aren’t bold enough to face any of them!” Ajoke hissed.

“I don’t think you’re listening! Just hide yourself for now!” Asa quietly warned, not to be heard.

As Yotifa watched, the two girls, who were very close friends, had a moment of mutual eye contact.

“I didn’t plan for this to happen, but right now, let me think.”

Asa rolled her eyes at the both of them and walked away to the main hall. Yotifa, still pissed about Ajoke’s sudden plan, grabbed her hand.

“You’re going to put all of us in danger if you take another foolish step!” He jerked off her and walked away, still pissed.

Noted for his wisdom and courage, Segun, Awade’s brother, circumnavigated while inspecting the people. He felt a strange atmosphere and noticed something off about the chiefs’ laughter and behavior. It wasn’t normal. As if something strong intoxicated them. He walked around and sniffled the cups from which they drank from. He squinted his eyes and nose in reaction to its odd smell.

“Get me more food!” Prince Awade ordered a girl.

His gaze settled on another girl who stood behind him. All she did was roll her eyes and wander away.

“What’s happening here? Where did you get these girls from?” He inquired.

“That’s how they are. So... How was the trip? Any good story to tell?” Itile asked.

“Nothing good, but we saw this huge fire biting from a distance. I’m not sure what it is.”

“What? Fire?” The men seated around the table queried in calm tones.

“You have eyes. Go outside to see for yourself. It’s been a long ride. My brother and I had spent days journeying. I need to bed. I’m stupidly tired.” Awade stuffed the meat into his mouth and gulped down the wine hungrily.

The prince of Oyo-Ile, Jade, and his bodyguard, Itile opened the door to check. Looking outside, about a myriad of meters away, looked like hell surrounded the town.

“Goodness, gracious! What’s that?” Jade gasped in fear.

“It’s the end time,” Itile whispered and let out sarcastic laughter.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Jade raised an eyebrow and watched his friend as if an evil spirit had suddenly possessed his body.

“The giants... Where are the Giants?” Jade raised his voice and closed the door. “They’ll help us.”

Meanwhile, somewhere not far away. A couple of men whom they had been journeying to Oyo-Ile caught the view of the giant’s shrine. The men were about 30 centimeters tall and had a wide nose and full, thick beards. From the distance, they could hear the nice coming from the sacred hall, but they were only twelve. Their low stature, like pygmies, moved swiftly in the space. Their legs looked curvy and their bodies, were too heavy to move too fast, but they stopped abruptly to the black cloud that hovered from the burning sky.

“Are we sure to meet the giants there?” The shortest dwarf who was, the leader questioned.

“Yes. We’ve crossed through seven oceans and valleys to get here. We must hide the golden twin eggs and save the earth from perishing. Ninki-Nanka are dangerous monsters.”

“Of course, we would. Don’t tell us what to do!” One dwarf with a plaited beard argued.

A loud monstrous growl grumbled from the back. The seven dwarfs turned and wondered if the creatures were closer.

“They’re coming closer! We need to run faster. Probably we’d get a boat and leave after all is settled.”

Just then, a terrifying, bizarre, whimsical creature with a crocodile, green body, and long giraffe neck raised from the blazing fire. Its head held three sharp, pointy horns that could make anyone pass out on the spot. Fifteen feet tall and wide, it emitted a sound that could drive one mad. Additionally, it breathed fire and had poisonous claws.

The Ninki-Nanka’s gruesome rumble stuck to the earth like a thunderstorm, while others followed. Nobody knew how many they were exactly, but one thing was clear. These devilish creatures caused the fire, and they were coming.

Back in the giant’s hall, merriment was still going as planned. Ajoke couldn’t help but lure herself with the thought that she’s already taken revenge. Too bad, the unexpected guests interrupted, but she wasn’t done, anyway.

‘Eventually, they’d realized something was amiss, but first. I need to wash this blood off my body.’ she thought.

Walking towards the other side of the room to get water, Segun stepped in front of her with a spiteful stare. Not even a smile has crossed his face since he walked into the hall.

Ajoke walked out of his way, but he stepped closer to her again, blocking her from leaving.

Anxiety clouded her eyes as she turned away. Knowing that he might have noticed something odd or perhaps, he’s yet to notice.

“Wait!” His masculine voice commanded.

She swallowed her anger and turned to him at once. Studying Segun, Ajoke realized that apart from his built body, his full beard and shaved head made him look fierce rather than charming.

“What are you hiding? What is this?” His eyes met the red stain between her breast and arm.

“Wine.” Ajoke’s eye shifted from his devil stare. She guessed he now thinks of himself high and mighty to have caught her.

She turned away again, but he held her back, full fist. Close enough to read the anger in his eyes, Ajoke fought with the temptation of not using her knives.

“That is not wine.” He replied to her, and she felt the splash of wine against her face. “This is wine.”

Feeling exposed and trying to fight down the anxiety, Segun hit the cup against her face and it gave a bang sound.

A soft groan escaped her lips as Ajoke held her face in pain. Looking back at him, blood dripped from each of her nostrils down to her mouth. She tried not to show remorse or shed a tear. Even though she was the youngest, Ajoke was one of the bravest.

Segun’s lips curved into a wicked smirk while he held her closely. His fingers gave a soft touch to the stream of blood dripping from her nose. He placed the tip of his finger on his tongue, tasting it. “This is blood.”

The royal men glared at her with suspicious faces as Prince Jade walked closer to Segun. “This is the one. I saw her go downstairs with Chief Akerele and Darin followed. They never came back.”

Itise inspected her. “It is blood on her garment, my prince.”

“Whose blood is this? I am very sensitive about being lied to.” He warned.

Ajoke jerked off his hand, but he held her tighter. She struggled to let go. The next thing she noticed was a thunderous slap against her cheek.

Pissed, she took out her knife at once. About to stab him in the neck, Segun held her second hand and grabbed it tighter. With all the strength in him, he twisted her hand backward and her face slapped on one of the artistic stands. A frightened gasp escaped her lips as she struggled, but failed. Ajoke gave up on fighting with him as the knife dropped from her hand to the ground.

“This is indeed blood and one of our knives.” An elderly chief confirmed.

There’s more to this!” Itile “hissed with bile in his voice. “Spill the truth, whore! Who are your accomplices?”

As if the disgrace wasn’t enough, they gave a painful punishment. With the burning fire in the middle of the hall, the men tightened her hands and legs apart with a fire burning in the middle of her.

“Where are the others?” Segun forced her to mention names but Ajoke endured. His blazing eyes made sweat trickle down her black, shiny skin. The more she felt the pain, the more she endured.

“Let’s see how beautiful you will be in an hour!” Title snickered while Prince Jade watched.

Out of the blue, blood spilled on their puzzled faces. As the royal men turned to check who it was, Segun’s head dropped like a ball and he threw it into the fire.

It was Prince Yotifa.