WELCOME TO LAGOS

The plane descended through a blanket of clouds, and soon, the sprawling city of Lagos came into view—scattered rooftops, endless traffic, and the sun bouncing off tin buildings like a spotlight on stage. As the wheels touched the tarmac at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, a faint jolt ran through the cabin, and the cabin crew’s Nigerian-accented welcome rang through the speakers: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Lagos…”

Outside the terminal, bold white letters screamed from atop the airport building: Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Below it, massive billboards advertised everything from local telecoms to skin-lightening creams and Afrobeat concerts. One of them had Rema’s face towering over the parking lot, his eyes half-lidded behind sunglasses.

Inside, the airport buzzed with life. The walls carried green-and-white banners that read “Welcome to Nigeria” and “Eko Welcomes You”, a nod to Lagos’ local name. At Immigration, stern-faced officers in dark uniforms studied passports like detectives, stamping arrivals with practiced motions.

When it was Jaita’s turn, a tall, light-skinned officer —no older than his early thirties— approached the one about to attend to her. He leaned in, whispered something in the man’s ear, and after a brief exchange of nods between them, he took Jaita by the arm and led her out of the precinct.

The air smelled of airplane fuel, with hints of jollof rice wafting from a nearby food stand. A mass of people waited just outside the arrival gates, their eyes scanning for loved ones. Some held up cardboard signs with names scrawled in black marker. Hawkers lingered near the car park, trying to sell SIM cards or help with luggage for a small tip.

Amidst the heat, noise, and organised chaos, it hit her —she was finally in Lagos. A taxi waited for her and the officer near the corner of the main road just outside the airport gate. After a quiet exchange with the driver, the officer nodded a farewell and turned back toward the airport, leaving Jaita alone.

“Uh, do you have any idea where I’m going?” Jaita asked the driver, who had taken off without so much as a greeting—let alone asking where she was headed.

“Yes. Why?” the driver replied curtly.

“Well, you could have at least asked for my destination,” she said, more rhetorically than anything else.

“And I suppose you know where you're headed?” he shot back, causing Jaita to fall into a stunned silence.

“Mhm. That’s what I thought.” He rolled his eyes and continued driving without another word.

“So... where are you taking me?”

“A little patience, and you’ll be there in no time,” he said—short, simple, and clearly not in the mood for conversation.

“At least I should.....”

“Okay, listen up, Jaita. I’ve been told you talk a tad too much—and that I do not enjoy,” the driver snapped, throwing a quick, stern glance her way before turning his eyes back to the road.

"Okay, rude," Jaita hissed inwardly.

"Heard ya!"

"Definitely, I didn’t say that out loud," she chuckled nervously and buried her face in her phone.

After about forty minutes of silence, the taxi approached the towering silhouette of a building. From the shimmer of glass panels and the eye-catching decorative lights, it was clear that this wasn’t just any apartment building —it was a hotel.

As they drew closer, the sleek, calligraphed LAGOS CONTINENTAL HOTEL sign glowed brightly ahead of them.

"We're here," the driver announced and parked the taxi carefully.

Jaita nodded quickly and stepped out of the car. She only managed to shut the door before the car zoomed off, leaving her all by herself in front of the gate of the gigantic hotel.

"He didn't even wait for me to pay him!" She yelled at the already gone driver; "except that Yuki has settled everything as always," she sighed and turned to the gate.

She stood there glued to the floor, contemplating whether to knock on the gate or just step in. As she was battling with which option to go by, a tall slender officer opened the gate. Judging from his uniform, he was definitely a security officer.

"Hello, good evening! Please come in," he invited her with a warm smile.

Fairly intimidated by the luxury emanating from the hotel, she nodded shyly and walked into the compound.

"Thank you," she greeted back in a whisper.

"It's quite obvious that this is your first time here. By any chance are you looking for someone or are you here to book a room?"

Jaita paused, still overwhelmed and oblivious of her part to play in her secret mission.

"I'm here to book a..."

"Ah! Tega!" Another staff of the hotel hailed from the lobby and hurried towards Jaita and the security officer, his eyes darting cheerfully between the both of them.

"Found you!" He patted Tega on the back and turned to Jaita. "Hello ms. Jaita, our long awaited guest, trust your journey all the way here was splendid!"

"Hmm? You...you know me?" Jaita stammered.

"Uh, not really. Well, not until your sister became our biggest shareholder."

"My sister?" Jaita repeated, a very confused look written on her face.

"Mmm....yeah? Ms. Taikiru? The legendary Yuki Taikiru! She's greatly loved. I'm a big fan of hers and her novels as well!" He blabbered merrily.

Jaita nodded knowingly, "Ah, Yuki is the sister," she whispered incoherently.

"Sorry what did you say?" the staff asked.

"Oh, nothing, nothing of great importance at all," she waved her hand in dismissal.

But all of a sudden, something occured to her; if Yuki was the hotel's biggest shareholder.....

"Sorry excuse me, did you say that Yuki is the biggest shareholder of this hotel?" Jaita questioned the staff.

"Mhm...why?"

"So she has been the owner of this place this whole time?!" Jaita flared.

"Well...that's not how it works," he explained.

"She's still not the owner per sey, she just bought the largest shares of this place and that was even few hours ago."

"Oh, right," she nodded. 'That explains why she didn't know where I could stay before,' she thought inwardly.

"So, can we go in now?" He gestured towards the lobby.

"Yes, yes, of course," Jaita nodded and followed behind him.

They marched quietly and briskly towards the glass revolving door and into the lobby and in no time they were at the reception desk.

"Jaita," the staff nodded towards Jaita, introducing her to the courteous receptionist who had just noticed their presence.

Her eyebrows shot up in recognition. "Oh, good evening Ms. Jaita," she greeted.

"Evening. It seems you've been expecting me just like..." she turned to the staff that had brought her in, only to notice that he was no longer beside her.

"Bassey. That's his name."

"Yeah," she nodded.

"Well we're not the only ones expecting you, the whole staff members are. Your sister was here today and she informed us on your arrival so, here we are."

"Wait, my sis...Yuki was here?" Jaita's voice spiraled a notch louder.

"Yes, she was."

"When was that please?"

"Some hours ago. She came for a business deal, and then introduced you to us in advance before leaving."

"Time?"

"Some hours ago...." she stressed. "Well you can ask her for the rest of the details later," she suggested.

"Yeah, I guess I could."

"Ok, so here is the key to your room," the receptionist handed her a key card –"Room 355, the 23rd floor."

She responded with a nod and took the key from the lady. "Thanks. How much is the pay per day?"

"It seems you didn't speak much with your sister before coming," she remarked.

"Huh?" Jaita asked, looking confused.

"Your sister has taken care of all your expenses here in this hotel."

"She has? Yeah, we haven't been able to speak with each other for sometime now," Jaita chuckled nervously.

"Well, you must be tired after such a long journey. Why don't you take a rest?" She recommended sensing the lack of proper information Jaita was given.

"Yeah, that's a great idea. Thank you once again for your hospitality."

"You're welcome! Do have a great evening and do not hesitate to call the room service if you need any assistance."

"Will do!" Jaita nodded and strolled towards the elevator.

7:18 AM, MYSTIKA

"Yuki!!!!"

"Shina!!!!" Yuki threw her arms open for Shina who was running at great speed towards her. "How are you?"

"I'm fine!" Shina giggled adorably.

"This is the Southern clan. What are you doing here all the way from your clan? And where's your mum?"

"My mum's at home," she began; "but....I'm not alone. Today's the start of the patrole of the children warriors of the Eastern clan," she added when she saw that Yuki was about to protest her lone wandering about.

"I'm here with seven others and our master. The rest are divided in the other clans," she further explained.

"Still, shouldn't you be with your master, instead of running off from the troop?" Jaita protested.

"Master is talking to an old friend, so I used that opportunity to slip through. Besides, I'm not the only one, my friends are also elsewhere chatting with their friends from this clan too."

"Elsewhere? What are you children of nowadays up to?"

"Relax, we're not far from Master. We're within sight. All we need to do is make sure Master doesn't notice our absence and we're....."

"Shina!" A loud resounding deep voice echoed.

"Well, it seems you couldn't keep your end of the bargain."

Shina chuckled nervously. "I'm doomed!"

"You are!" Yuki laughed and nodded in agreement. "Very well then, run along."