Tunde exhaled slowly. Rushing in blindly would be a mistake. If the Shadow King's forces were already inside, he couldn't afford to walk into an ambush.
He turned to Adanna. "We need to scout first."
She nodded approvingly. "Smart choice. The tomb is a maze. If we don't find the right entrance, we may never come out."
Tunde's stomach tightened at the thought, but he pushed his fear aside. He had come too far to turn back.
Approaching the Tomb
At dawn, they moved silently through the rocky terrain, keeping to the shadows. The entrance to Odogwu's Tomb was carved into the mountain a massive stone arch covered in ancient Nsibidi markings.
But something was wrong.
The tomb's doors were already open.
Adanna cursed under her breath. "They're inside."
Tunde clenched his fists. "Then we need another way in."
Adanna gestured for him to follow. "This way."
She led him along a narrow cliffside trail, towards a hidden crevice in the rock face.
"The secret entrance," she explained. "Legends say only those worthy of Omenka's Mask can pass."
Tunde swallowed. "And if we're not worthy?"
She gave him a sharp look. "Then the tomb will bury us alive."
Tunde nodded, steeling himself. "Let's go."
The Hidden Path
The crevice was just wide enough for them to slip through. They moved carefully, the air growing colder with each step.
Nsibidi symbols glowed faintly on the walls, illuminating the path. Whispers echoed through the tunnel.
Tunde's breath hitched. "Did you hear that?"
Adanna nodded. "The spirits of the tomb."
Tunde shivered. They weren't alone.
The Test of Worthiness
The tunnel opened into a massive underground chamber. At the center stood an ancient stone pedestal and on it, the Mask of Omenka.
But something was wrong.
A warrior in dark armor stood beside the pedestal, hand reaching for the mask.
Tunde's heart pounded. The Shadow King's forces were here.
Before Tunde could react, the chamber shook violently.
The walls rumbled. The Nsibidi symbols flared with golden light.
A deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"Only the true Guardian may claim the mask."
Stone warriors emerged from the walls, eyes glowing.
The dark-armored warrior whirled, drawing his sword.
Tunde gripped his staff. It was time to prove he was worthy.
The Trial of Omenka
Tunde had no choice. The stone warriors were closing in, their glowing eyes locked onto him. The dark-armored warrior, a lieutenant of the Shadow King, was already raising his sword, preparing to strike.
Tunde gritted his teeth. He had to prove he was worthy.
He spun his staff, stepping forward to meet the challenge.
Battle in the Tomb
The first stone warrior lunged, its massive arms swinging toward him. Tunde ducked, rolling to the side just in time. The impact of the strike shattered the ground where he had stood moments ago.
Adanna loosed an arrow, but it barely scratched the warrior's stone skin.
Tunde knew he couldn't fight them with brute strength. He needed to use his wits.
He took a deep breath, focusing on the Nsibidi markings glowing along the chamber walls.
The warriors were connected to the tomb's magic.
If he could tap into it…
Tunde raised his staff and traced a symbol in the air one he had seen etched onto the walls of the cave.
The symbol glowed, and suddenly, the nearest stone warrior froze.
Adanna's eyes widened. "What did you do?!"
Tunde didn't answer. He moved quickly, drawing more symbols in the air.
One by one, the warriors stiffened and crumbled into dust.
But before Tunde could react, a sharp pain tore through his shoulder.
The Shadow King's lieutenant had struck.
Tunde stumbled back, gripping his shoulder. Blood trickled down his arm.
The dark-armored warrior smirked. "You are strong, but not strong enough."
Tunde gritted his teeth. He couldn't let the mask fall into enemy hands.
The Final Duel
Tunde charged forward, staff meeting sword.
Sparks flew as their weapons clashed. The warrior was fast too fast. But Tunde had something he didn't.
Magic.
With a whispered word, Tunde slammed his staff into the ground. A pulse of energy erupted outward, knocking the warrior off his feet.
Tunde didn't hesitate. He lunged, slamming his staff into the warrior's chest.
The warrior gasped then fell still.
Tunde staggered back, panting. It was over.
Behind him, the chamber trembled once more.
The voice of the tomb echoed through the air.
"You have proven your worth. The Mask of Omenka is yours."
The golden mask floated from its pedestal, settling into Tunde's hands.
Adanna exhaled. "You did it."
Tunde nodded, but his victory was short-lived.
A distant roar echoed through the tomb.
The Shadow King had felt the mask's awakening.
And now, he was coming.
The Awakening of the Mask
Tunde's fingers tightened around the Mask of Omenka. It was warm almost alive. Power thrummed beneath its golden surface, pulsing with an ancient energy.
Adanna grabbed his arm. "We need to go! Now!"
But Tunde hesitated. If they fled, the Shadow King's forces would chase them down. If they stayed, they would have to fight.
A deep, unnatural roar shook the chamber. The Shadow King's presence was growing stronger.
Tunde made his decision. He had to use the mask.
The First Vision
Tunde raised the mask to his face.
The moment it touched his skin, the world vanished.
He was no longer in the tomb. He stood in a vast, endless desert. The sky above him swirled with black and gold storms.
A voice whispered in his mind.
"You seek power, but power demands a price."
Before him, a figure emerged a warrior in ancient Igbo armor, his face hidden behind a mask identical to Tunde's.
"Who are you?" Tunde asked.
The warrior stepped closer. "I am Omenka, Guardian of the Mask. The last to wield its power."
Tunde's throat tightened. "Then tell me how do I stop the Shadow King?"
Omenka studied him. "By embracing the mask, you will gain its strength. But be warned, its power will change you."
Tunde felt the weight of those words. Change him how?
Before he could ask, the vision shattered.
Back in the Tomb
Tunde gasped, stumbling back into reality. His body tingled, his blood felt like fire.
Adanna's eyes widened. "Tunde… your eyes."
Tunde turned to the reflective surface of the golden pedestal.
His irises were glowing.
The power of the mask had awakened inside him.
And just in time.
The entrance to the tomb exploded in a wave of dark energy.
The Shadow King's warriors poured in, blades drawn.
Tunde gripped his staff, feeling power surge through him.
It was time to fight.
The Battle Begins
The first warrior lunged Tunde barely moved before his body reacted on its own.
Lightning crackled from his fingertips.
The bolt struck the warrior, sending him crashing into the wall. Dust and debris filled the air.
Tunde stared at his hands. "What… was that?"
Adanna didn't wait for an answer. She fired an arrow at another attacker, taking them down.
But more were coming.
And then a shadow fell over them.
The Shadow King himself stepped into the tomb.
His presence sucked the warmth from the air. His robes flowed like living darkness.
Tunde felt his heart pound. The real fight was about to begin.