Chapter 134

The early morning sun cast long shadows over Abuja as Chinedu Eze's forces advanced. A wave of tension swept through the city, from the grand government buildings to the crowded streets. Chinedu had gathered his allies—men and women with unique abilities, many whom he had persuaded or subdued. Now, they walked beside him, ready to face the might of the Nigerian government, which had finally mobilized a counterattack.

Government forces lined the city outskirts, their soldiers armed with heavy weaponry, their vehicles bristling with guns and reinforced armor. Among them stood a select group—other "awakened" ability users who had chosen to defend the government's rule, or who had been recruited, reluctantly or otherwise. They formed the first line of resistance, each watching the horizon where Chinedu and his allies would soon appear.

Chinedu stopped just outside the main gates of Abuja, taking in the armed blockade before him. The ground pulsed beneath his feet, as if responding to his resolve. Musa, his most trusted ally, stood beside him, his gaze locked on the government forces.

"Think they're ready for us?" Musa muttered, his voice calm but tinged with excitement.

Chinedu smirked, stretching out his hand. "They have no idea."

With a simple gesture, the earth beneath the first line of government soldiers cracked open, forming a jagged rift that swallowed several of them and scattered the rest. Chinedu's followers surged forward, their abilities erupting in an intense display. Musa unleashed tremors that disrupted the formations, and Titi, the water manipulator, summoned a torrential wave that swept over a line of soldiers, disarming them.

"Hold your ground!" shouted one of the government's ability users—a woman with the power to project energy shields. She raised her hands, conjuring a shimmering barrier to block the advancing water, which clashed against it in a spray of droplets.

But Ayo, the wind-wielder, was quick to counter. With a sweeping motion, he sent a gust slicing through the air, dispersing the shield's energy and forcing the defenders to stagger back. The line was broken, and Chinedu's forces pressed through, capitalizing on the chaos.

As Chinedu moved forward, another of the government's ability users—a man with the power to create localized explosions—charged at him, aiming to disrupt his control over the earth. "You think you're unstoppable?" the man taunted, throwing an explosive blast toward Chinedu.

Chinedu dodged, rolling to the side as debris flew into the air. Rising with an almost casual air, he planted his hand on the ground, and a cluster of jagged stones shot up like spears, piercing the air toward his opponent. The man threw up an arm, triggering a series of controlled blasts to destroy the stones, but the distraction was all Chinedu needed. With a flick of his wrist, he collapsed the ground beneath the man, leaving him immobilized.

"You chose the wrong side," Chinedu said, stepping past him as the government's forces began to waver.

Musa joined him, panting from the exertion but grinning. "Seems like they're running out of options."

"Not yet," Chinedu replied, his eyes scanning the battlefield. He knew the government wouldn't give up so easily.

As if on cue, a rumbling sound filled the air, and an armored convoy rolled into view, flanked by helicopters that circled overhead, weapons poised. The soldiers on the ground regrouped, aiming their rifles as the helicopters fired down on Chinedu and his allies. Bullets whizzed through the air, and the ground erupted around them, sending clouds of dust skyward.

"Take cover!" shouted Titi, her voice barely audible over the gunfire.

Chinedu lifted his arms, and with a powerful motion, he raised a massive wall of stone from the earth, shielding his followers from the hail of bullets. As the helicopters bore down, he thrust his hands forward, sending a surge of rock shards into the air. They struck one of the helicopters, ripping through its rotor blades, and it spiraled out of control before crashing to the ground in a burst of flame.

Amid the chaos, another of the government's ability users appeared—a wiry man with the power to create illusions. As he weaved his hands, the battlefield seemed to shift, with doppelgangers of government soldiers appearing around Chinedu's group, their forms hazy but unsettlingly real.

"Stay focused!" Chinedu barked, recognizing the tactic. "It's a trick!"

Ayo narrowed his eyes, sweeping his hand through the illusions with a gust of wind, dispelling the mirages one by one. "These government types," he muttered. "They're getting desperate."

With the illusions shattered, Chinedu raised his hand once more, this time summoning a massive fissure that split the earth before him. The ground trembled violently, causing the remaining soldiers to stagger. Their guns fell silent as fear took hold; some dropped their weapons entirely, backing away as Chinedu's forces advanced unhindered.

The battle came to an abrupt halt as the government forces retreated, overwhelmed by the raw power displayed by Chinedu and his allies. The remaining soldiers looked to their commanding officers, who exchanged glances of despair before finally surrendering. Chinedu's followers cheered, their victory echoing across the battered landscape of Abuja.

Hours later, Chinedu stood on the steps of the government's headquarters, flanked by Musa and his closest allies. The streets below were filled with citizens who had gathered, some fearful, others hopeful, all watching to see what the Earth King would say.

Chinedu raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent. "Today marks the beginning of a new era," he declared, his voice carrying across the square. "No longer will we bow to corrupt leaders who care nothing for our people. I am Chinedu Eze, the Earth King, and I claim sovereignty over Nigeria."

A murmur swept through the crowd as his words sank in. Some nodded in agreement, while others remained silent, wary of what was to come. Chinedu could see the unease in their faces, but he remained resolute.

He turned to Musa, his voice low. "They'll react soon. If not the neighboring countries, then the world powers."

Musa nodded grimly. "And if they send… more than soldiers?"

"Then we show them the strength of our conviction," Chinedu replied. "Let them come.