12: THE WINGS UNFOLD

Chapter 12: The Wings Unfold

The moment I decrypted that message—"Keep digging. We see you."—I knew the game had changed.

I wasn't just gathering power in the shadows anymore.

Someone—or something—was watching.

And if I had any doubts about the apocalypse before, they were gone now.

Recollection

I sit in my office, fingers drumming against the mahogany desk, eyes locked on the city skyline. The neon lights of Lagos stretch endlessly, but I can't appreciate their beauty. My mind is stuck in the past.

Or rather, the future I came from.

I close my eyes, focusing.

I remember HIM—the being that sent me back. A voice without form. A presence that radiated overwhelming power.

"I am not the only one interested in Earth's fate," He had said.

At the time, I had been so desperate to live that I barely registered those words. I had one goal—survive.

Now, I understand what He meant.

There are others.

Other beings, other forces—some who want Earth to live, others who want it to burn.

And in my pursuit of power, I had almost forgotten that crucial truth.

I open my eyes, exhaling slowly.

"I have to move faster."

The Hidden Function

I turn my focus back to the system shop. Ava's blue holographic interface appears, floating before me.

I navigate through the store, scrolling past weapons, armor, and tools. But something is bothering me.

There has to be more.

The system—Ava—was given to me to assist in the preparation for the apocalypse. And I know I haven't been able to explore it in-depth .

"Ava"

'Yes host'

"Am I missing something about the shop"

A moment of silence. Then, Ava's voice responds:

> "Certain functions remain locked until specific conditions are met."

I narrow my eyes. "And what are those conditions?"

> "Discovery of an alternative energy source, tradeable commodities, or proof of major external threats."

My mind races.

Tradeable commodities?

I glance at the corner of my office, where an old chest sits—one I acquired through one of my early investments. Inside are gold bars, antique coins, and rare gemstones.

"Ava, define 'tradeable commodities.'"

> "Rare metals, artifacts, and objects of significant historical or mystical value. These can be converted into system credits if processed correctly."

A slow smile spreads across my face.

"So, that's the trick."

I stand, moving to the chest. Unlocking it, I run my fingers over the cool metal of the gold bars. In a world where paper money could become worthless overnight, gold would always hold value.

"Ava, process these."

> "Processing… Converting into system credits."

The gold bars vanish into thin air, absorbed into the system. A new notification pings.

> [System Shop Unlocked: Black Market Exchange]

Trade wealth for weapons, technology, and classified intelligence.

My breath catches.

I just unlocked a hidden economy inside the system.

And now, I have a direct path to limitless power.

Arming for War

The shop updates instantly, revealing a new category.

> [Black Market Exchange]

Weapons, rare artifacts, and off-world technology now available.

Rows of futuristic firearms, explosives, and combat gear appear before my eyes.

I scroll through the options, selecting the best of the best.

Modified Assault Rifles – Bulletproof, jamming-proof, and capable of firing plasma rounds if needed.

Nano-Blade Combat Knives – Sharp enough to cut through steel.

High-Tier Body Armor – Lightweight, but tougher than military-grade Kevlar.

EMP Grenades – Disables all electronics in a 50-meter radius.

I buy them in bulk, even though I think the emp might not be necessary

But one item catches my attention.

> "Void Reaver" – A prototype energy weapon capable of disintegrating organic matter upon impact. Requires telekinetic focus to use properly.

I hesitate.

Then, I buy it.

The Birth of The Wings

Surviving is no longer enough.

If I want to win, I need an army.

No, more than that.

I need absolute loyalty. A network of people who will follow me without question, who will obey my every word as law. A secret organization, one that moves unseen but shapes the world from the shadows.

The Wings.

The name comes to me instinctively. Wings symbolize flight, speed, dominance. But they also represent protection.

I will be the unseen force guiding humanity through the apocalypse.

Not the government.

Not world leaders.

Me.

But first, I need to start recruiting.

The First Followers

I need people who are:

Loyal—Betrayal is not an option.

Skilled—Powerful, resourceful, or intelligent.

Invisible—Not already on the radar of major powers.

That rules out businessmen like Dangote—too public. It also rules out celebrities, politicians, and anyone who already has influence in the traditional sense.

I need outcasts.

Mercenaries. Hackers. Scientists who have been blacklisted. Government operatives who feel abandoned.

People with nothing to lose.

I pull out my phone and make a call.

It rings twice before a voice answers.

"How far nah big man

You finally decided to call?"

I smirk. "I told you I'd have work for you."

A chuckle. "I was starting to think you forgot about me."

"I don't forget valuable assets, Kabir."

Kabir is a former intelligence officer. Nigerian by birth, but trained by multiple agencies across Africa and the Middle East. He went dark after a mission went south, branded a rogue agent.

I recruited him weeks ago, paying him to find me information. Now, I have a bigger job for him.

"I need loyal men. Skilled. No political ties. People who won't hesitate to kill."

A pause. Then: "How many?"

"As many as you can find. And Kabir?"

"Yeah?"

"Make sure they understand something—once they join me, there's no turning back."

Silence. Then, a low chuckle. "I like the sound of that."

I end the call.

One step closer.

The Unfolding Apocalypse

As I finalize my purchases, Ava's voice interrupts.

> "New anomaly detected."

I tense. "Where?"

> "Northern Nigeria. Reports of unnatural storms and civilians disappearing without a trace."

My heart pounds. "Any eyewitnesses?"

> "A viral video surfaced online before being taken down. Would you like to see it?"

"Show me."

A screen appears before me.

It's shaky footage, filmed on a phone. A village, its streets flooded with black mist. Then—something moves. A shadow, shifting unnaturally against the light.

A terrified voice in the video screams in Hausa:

"It's not human! It's not human!"

The screen glitches. The video cuts off.

I exhale slowly.

This isn't just an anomaly.

This is a test.

Something is leaking into our world.

Something not human.

And it's happening faster than I expected.

I clench my fists.

No more waiting.

No more hesitating.

The world doesn't know it yet, but a new force has entered the game.

A force that will not bow to anyone.

The Wings have begun to take flight.

And when the apocalypse comes…

We will not kneel.

We shall thrive

We shall RULE.