Jhuni hid the amulet somewhere safe before kneeling down to hug his mother. Aiko walked forward, kneeled and hugged him too. At that moment, she had truly forgiven him. Deep down, she was scared he wouldn't return, so she held him tight, longer than she expected.
"Go and bring our daughter back safely," she whispered.
Jhuni nodded and stepped out of the hut.
The moment he got out, a strong arm slammed him to the ground.
"Give me the amulet if you want to live to see the death of your mother," Assey's deep voice growled.
His tone was thick with rage, and his hands gripped Jhuni's neck tightly. Jhuni's eyes turned red as he struggled to breathe. But instead of panicking, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black weapon—the Black Diffuser. In one fast move, he slammed it on Assey's head.
Instantly, the whole place turned dark and foggy. Jhuni took the chance, kneed Assey in the stomach, and ran as fast as he could. His body moved with the speed and skill of someone trained for this moment all his life—because he was.
Assey covered his eyes and let out a loud roar behind him.
"Jhuni! How dare you use my own weapon against me?!" he shouted in disbelief.
Inside the hut, Aiko and Jhuni's mother held each other tightly. They could hear everything happening outside, and they both knew one thing—Assey would come for them if he couldn't get to Jhuni. That alone made their hearts drop. If only they could disappear.
Meanwhile, Jhuni ran deep into the forest. Even though he couldn't see clearly, he knew the path by heart.
Then Assey's voice echoed through the woods, loud and threatening.
"Jhuni! Remember who you are. You were nothing when I picked you up!
I'm standing right in front of your mother's hiding place.
Bring me the amulet or forget about seeing your mother again!
You had the guts to get my sister pregnant and disobey my orders.
Today is your last day!"
Jhuni stopped in his tracks. His breathing was heavy.
His mother's voice came back to him:
"Her end is near."
He closed his eyes. Could she really die today? Assey was capable of anything.
But then, Aiko's voice broke through:
"Go and bring our daughter back safely."
Now, he was torn. He had never been this confused in his life. If he turned back, he would be walking into a trap. Assey would kill him, Aiko, and his mother… and take the amulet. But if he kept running, there was still a chance. A small one, but a chance.
He had to choose.
This wasn't just about him anymore. It was about saving Ruth and Anaya , stopping Assey, and protecting the prophecy.
He clenched his fists.
He was going to Barbados.
Jhuni wiped the tears from his eyes. He was never the type to cry, no matter what—but today, the pain was too deep. This decision… it hurt. Knowing his mother and Aiko were in danger tore him apart, but he had no choice.
He ran faster, his body shaking, but his heart burning with purpose.