THE DUEL OF LOYALTY

EXT. AJILOMI VILLAGE – NIGHT

The fires of celebration burn bright. The warriors of Ajilomi revel in their victory, drinking, singing, and embracing one another. The battle of Ileso is won, and the village has survived yet another storm.

But amidst the cheers, Akin stands apart. His hands rest on the hilt of his sword, his mind clouded with unease. He watches the warriors feast, but his thoughts are elsewhere.

IWA

(softly)

"You should be celebrating too."

Akin doesn't turn to her. His eyes remain fixed on the horizon, where the last traces of twilight fade into the night.

AKIN

"Something isn't right, Iwa."

Iwa frowns, stepping closer.

IWA

"What do you mean?"

AKIN

"The Ileso army was powerful… but not as strong as I expected. Their strategy was reckless. And their warlord—"

Akin clenches his fist.

AKIN

"He wasn't the real threat."

Iwa follows his gaze, confusion on her face.

IWA

"Then who is?"

Akin exhales slowly.

AKIN

"I don't know yet. But I intend to find out."

INT. OBA OGUNLAJA'S CHAMBER – MIDNIGHT

The king's chamber is dimly lit by oil lamps. Oba Ogunlaja sits on his throne, his face lined with exhaustion. Chief Oludare, one of the elder council members, stands before him, a deep frown on his face.

CHIEF OLUDARE

"This victory was too easy, my king."

Oba Ogunlaja nods slowly.

OBA OGUNLAJA

"Akin said the same thing."

Chief Oludare strokes his beard.

CHIEF OLUDARE

"And he is right to be concerned. Ileso is ruthless, but they are not foolish. What if… this battle was never meant to be their true attack?"

Oba Ogunlaja's grip tightens on the armrest of his throne.

OBA OGUNLAJA

"You believe they have another plan?"

Chief Oludare meets the king's gaze, his voice grim.

CHIEF OLUDARE

"I believe the real war has not yet begun."

EXT. AJILOMI VILLAGE – DAWN

The first rays of sunlight creep over the village, casting long shadows. The warriors stir from their rest, some still recovering from the night's celebration.

Akin, however, has not slept. He moves through the village, his instincts sharpening with each passing moment.

Then—

A scream pierces the air.

Akin's head snaps toward the sound. He sprints toward the source.

In the village square, a warrior lies on the ground, blood pooling beneath him. A dagger protrudes from his chest, its hilt wrapped in black cloth.

The markings on the cloth—Akin recognizes them instantly.

The symbol of Ileso.

Gasps ripple through the gathering crowd. Whispers of fear and anger spread.

VILLAGER 1

"They have come for revenge!"

VILLAGER 2

"They were never truly defeated!"

VILLAGER 3

"How did an enemy enter our village unnoticed?"

Oba Ogunlaja arrives, his face dark with fury. He kneels beside the fallen warrior, examining the blade.

OBA OGUNLAJA

"This is not an ordinary attack."

Akin steps forward.

AKIN

"No. This was a message."

He pulls the dagger free, holding it up for all to see.

AKIN

"They want us to know they are still watching."

Silence falls over the crowd.

Then, from the back—

A VOICE.

Cold. Deceptive.

"Or perhaps… the true enemy is already within our walls."

The crowd parts as a tall figure emerges.

OLOFIN.

Commander of the western guards. One of Ajilomi's most trusted warriors.

OLOFIN

"How did an assassin slip into the village? How did they strike without being seen?"

His gaze locks onto Akin.

OLOFIN

"Unless they had help."

The words strike like a blade.

A murmur ripples through the warriors. Suspicious glances turn toward Akin.

Akin stiffens.

AKIN

"You think I had something to do with this?"

Olofin takes a step closer, his expression unreadable.

OLOFIN

"You arrived in Ajilomi not long ago. Since then, war has followed. Death has followed. And now, even after victory, the enemy still lingers in the shadows."

Akin's jaw clenches.

AKIN

"I have fought for this village. I have bled for it. I would never betray it."

Olofin crosses his arms.

OLOFIN

"Then prove it."

INT. AJILOMI COUNCIL HALL – LATER

The council is gathered. The room is tense.

Akin stands in the center, his face impassive. Across from him, Olofin paces.

Oba Ogunlaja watches from his throne, silent.

OLOFIN

"Akin's power is unlike anything we have seen. His strength, his speed… they are unnatural. And now, a dagger of Ileso appears in our village—mere hours after the battle."

He stops, turning to the council.

OLOFIN

"We must ask ourselves: is Akin truly one of us? Or has he been a spy all along?"

A wave of murmurs spreads.

COUNCIL MEMBER 1

"Olofin raises a fair point."

COUNCIL MEMBER 2

"But Akin has fought for Ajilomi!"

COUNCIL MEMBER 3

"Perhaps that was part of his plan."

Oba Ogunlaja raises a hand. The room falls silent.

He looks at Akin.

OBA OGUNLAJA

"Akin. Speak."

Akin lifts his head, his gaze unwavering.

AKIN

"I have fought beside you. I have risked my life for this village. I have asked for nothing in return."

He steps forward, his voice calm but powerful.

AKIN

"But if you doubt me, then let me prove my loyalty the only way warriors of Ajilomi understand."

He turns to Olofin.

AKIN

"By combat."

Gasps ripple through the hall.

Olofin smirks.

OLOFIN

"You challenge me?"

Akin's eyes burn with determination.

AKIN

"I challenge you. Here. Now."

Oba Ogunlaja's expression is unreadable. Then, after a long pause, he nods.

OBA OGUNLAJA

"Then let the truth be revealed through battle."

EXT. AJILOMI TRAINING GROUNDS – DUSK

A wide circle is drawn. The village gathers around, anticipation thick in the air.

Akin and Olofin face each other, weapons drawn.

Olofin smirks, rolling his shoulders.

OLOFIN

"You should have left well enough alone, boy."

Akin tightens his grip on his blade.

AKIN

"I don't run from the truth."

A moment of stillness.

Then—

The battle begins.

EXT. AJILOMI TRAINING GROUNDS – DUSK

The air is thick with tension.

Akin and Olofin stand in the center of the training grounds, surrounded by warriors and villagers. The circle of onlookers hums with whispers.

This is not just a fight.

It is a battle to determine truth.

Akin grips his sword tightly. Olofin twirls his blade with ease, confidence etched across his face.

Oba Ogunlaja, seated on a high wooden platform, raises his staff.

OBA OGUNLAJA

"This duel will decide Akin's fate. No tricks. No interference. Fight with honor."

Akin's eyes flicker to the king. For the first time, his father is watching him not as a stranger—but as a warrior of Ajilomi.

Olofin smirks.

OLOFIN

"You should have left when you had the chance, boy."

Akin tightens his grip.

AKIN

"I'm exactly where I need to be."

A beat of silence.

Then—

OBA OGUNLAJA

"Begin!"

EXT. AJILOMI TRAINING GROUNDS – MOMENTS LATER

Olofin lunges.

His blade slashes through the air with terrifying speed.

Akin sidesteps, barely dodging. The wind from the strike grazes his skin.

Olofin moves like a shadow—fast, precise, deadly. His attacks flow like water, one after another.

Akin blocks. Parries. Ducks.

The crowd gasps as Olofin's sword barely misses his throat.

But Akin is learning.

Every attack reveals something.

Olofin's pattern. His timing. His footwork.

Then—Akin strikes back.

A swift kick to Olofin's ribs.

The warrior stumbles.

Gasps ripple through the crowd.

VILLAGER 1

"Akin is holding his ground!"

Olofin glares.

Then he laughs.

OLOFIN

"Not bad. But I'm not done."

He charges.

Akin meets him head-on.

Swords clash in a storm of steel.

Every movement is precise. Every swing calculated.

They are evenly matched.

Until—

Olofin fakes a strike high—then sweeps low.

Akin slips.

His balance breaks.

Olofin pounces.

A fist slams into Akin's chest.

Pain explodes through his ribs.

The crowd gasps as Akin crashes to the ground.

Olofin presses his blade to Akin's throat.

The duel is over.

Or is it?

EXT. AJILOMI TRAINING GROUNDS – CONTINUOUS

Olofin smiles, breathing hard.

OLOFIN

"You put up a good fight. But you're not good enough."

Akin grits his teeth.

Something inside him awakens.

A whisper in his mind.

Not words.

Power.

His blood burns. His muscles ignite.

Olofin lifts his sword to deliver the final strike.

Akin moves.

Faster than before.

His hand shoots up—gripping Olofin's wrist mid-swing.

Gasps ripple through the crowd.

Akin's eyes glow faintly.

For a single second, Olofin's confidence shatters.

OLOFIN

"What…?"

Akin twists.

Olofin's blade flies from his hand.

Akin rolls to his feet.

His movements are unnatural.

Faster. Smoother.

The power inside him is changing.

Olofin lunges.

Akin sidesteps effortlessly.

Then—one single strike.

Akin's punch lands directly on Olofin's chest.

BOOM.

Olofin flies backward.

He crashes to the ground, coughing hard.

Silence.

Pure, stunned silence.

Akin stands tall, his breath steady. His hands tremble—not from fear, but from the power coursing through his veins.

The village stares.

Then—

OBA OGUNLAJA

"The fight is over."

Akin lowers his fists.

Olofin struggles to his feet. His face is filled with disbelief—and something else.

Fear.

The whispers begin.

VILLAGER 1

"Akin won."

VILLAGER 2

"He defeated Olofin!"

VILLAGER 3

"But… what was that speed?"

Akin closes his eyes. He already knows.

Something inside him is changing.

Something he cannot yet explain.

INT. OBA OGUNLAJA'S CHAMBER – NIGHT

Akin stands before the king once again.

Oba Ogunlaja is silent for a long moment. Then, he speaks.

OBA OGUNLAJA

"You have proven your loyalty today, Akin."

Akin bows slightly.

AKIN

"I did only what was necessary."

The king studies him carefully.

OBA OGUNLAJA

"And yet… there is something within you. Something you do not yet understand."

Akin clenches his fists.

AKIN

"I can feel it. It's growing stronger."

The king nods.

OBA OGUNLAJA

"Then it is time you learned the truth."

Akin's breath catches.

OBA OGUNLAJA

"Meet me at the shrine at dawn. There are things you must know."

Akin nods.

As he turns to leave, his mind is already racing.

For the first time in his life, his father is finally acknowledging him.

And tomorrow—

The truth will be revealed.

The