Chapter 69: victory Whispers of War: Lost in Shadows

As the first rays of morning light graced the land of Fadaka kingdom, an unsettling stillness prevailed. The aftermath of the battle left the grounds resembling a cemetery, littered with fallen soldiers, shattered equipment, and lifeless horses. Amidst this somber scene, a glimmer of hope emerged as Prince Rogba, thought to be fallen, stirred and stood back on his feet. His immediate concern was his brother.

"Niyi!" he exclaimed, spotting his brother among the fallen. With urgency, he shook him and called out again, "Niyi!" Coughing and disoriented, they embraced, a powerful reminder that blood indeed ran deeper than water.

The sense of brotherhood prevailed as the princes began to locate each other. Ojo, Akin, and others were soon accounted for. In this reunion, even the Ajé kingdom's crown prince was embraced as a new member of their alliance, welcomed as a brother-in-law. Soldiers rallied, assisting one another in finding their comrades. Amidst this, Prince Rogba's gaze locked onto Arun, attempting to escape. He chased him down, apprehended him, and commanded the army to secure the captured foe.

However, amidst the triumph, a disquieting realization struck—Prince Rogba's shadow armies were nowhere to be found. Concern etched on his face, he inquired about their whereabouts. The shadow guard, appearing battered but resolute, revealed that only eight hundred remained.

As they began the grim task of inspecting the enemy armies, it became apparent that the cost of victory was steep. The fourth, third, and fifth princes were grievously injured, and several commanders were receiving urgent medical attention. Almost everyone bore signs of battle, and Prince Rogba himself was no exception. In this challenging moment, Akin's worry for his father weighed heavily on his heart.

"Have you seen my father?" Akin asked one of the generals, desperation in his voice. Overhearing, Prince Rogba too felt the pang of anxiety. "The general has not yet been found," came the grim reply. Their search among the fallen was in vain, further plunging Akin into despair.

"The witch?" Prince Rogba muttered to himself, suspecting that the witches might have a role in the general's disappearance. However, his search yielded no signs of their presence. It seemed as if they had taken the general hostage, possibly to negotiate for the return of the ancient staff. This was another enigmatic episode, a twist that added to the complexity of their situation.

The generals, commanders, and remaining soldiers rallied their efforts, leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of finding their missing leader. Yet, as the minutes turned into hours, their sense of urgency intensified. The shadow of uncertainty loomed large, overshadowing the victory they had so dearly fought for.

In this moment of crisis, Prince Rogba's mind raced, strategizing the next move. The shadows of the past and present converged, casting doubts upon their path forward. The battle may have been won, but a war within the shadows had just begun. A battle for their beloved general, a battle to untangle the mysteries that had woven their fate, and a battle to reclaim the peace that had been disrupted by the Jagud invaders.