CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Chapter 32: The Fall of the New Order

(Dawn breaks, but there is no hope in the air. Jace's head throbs as he regains consciousness. The sound of weeping, the scent of blood, and the weight of despair surround him. He lifts his head slowly and sees the entire New Order settlement on their knees—bound, bruised, and broken. Jane kneels beside him, her face covered in dirt and sweat. Kunle, Reed, and Colonel Wallace are nearby, their eyes scanning the chaos. And then, at the center of it all, stands their captor—the new Stalker leader, Magnus the Second.)

Magnus II: (Pacing in front of the captives, his black trench coat billowing behind him, his voice laced with venom) My father was a great man. A visionary. A warrior. And you—he points at Jace and Jane—you took him from me.

(He clenches his fist, his voice rising to a furious roar.)

Magnus II: But his legacy will not die! No, his death has only strengthened my resolve! You pathetic people of the New Order... you will serve us now, or you will perish.

(He turns and signals his men. Five high-ranking officials of the settlement, including the leader, are dragged forward. Their faces are pale, resigned to their fate.)

Settlement Leader: (Spitting blood, looking up defiantly) You will never break us. You think killing us will make you a king? You are nothing but a mad dog—

(A gunshot rings out. The leader's body collapses in a heap. Another shot. And another. Until all five officials are lifeless on the ground. Gasps of horror and cries of anguish fill the air. Jace clenches his fists, rage boiling inside him. Kunle grits his teeth, trying to break free from his bindings.)

Magnus II (Smirking, wiping the blood splatter off his face) Ahh, silence... music to my ears.

(He turns, walking toward Jace, pressing the cold muzzle of his pistol against Jace's forehead.)

Magnus II: I should kill you now... But where's the fun in that?

(He slowly moves the gun to Kunle, then to Reed. He grins wickedly, then suddenly fires—Reed's body jerks violently before falling lifeless to the ground.)

Jane: (Screaming) NOOO! YOU MONSTER!

(She thrashes against her captors, but they hold her down. Magnus II kneels, looking at her with amusement. He presses his gun against her cheek, then slowly drags it down, cutting her skin. Blood trickles down her face.)

Magnus II: That scar will remind you of what happens when you cross the Stalkers.

(Suddenly, a small voice shouts in defiance. Little Ikenna, no more than ten years old, runs forward and punches Magnus II in the leg.)

Ikenna: Don't touch my sister!

(The guards step forward, ready to strike the boy down, but Magnus II raises a hand to stop them. He chuckles.)

Magnus II: I like this boy. He's got fire. One day, he'll be one of us.

(Amaka rushes forward, grabbing Ikenna and pulling him close, whispering frantic words to calm him. Magnus II turns his gaze to Wallace.)

Magnus II: And as for you... Old man.

(A single gunshot echoes. Wallace crumples to the ground, his brains painting the dirt beneath him. The settlement weeps in horror. Magnus II laughs, his hunger for blood not yet satisfied. But his attention turns back to Jane.)

Magnus II: Oh, I've saved the best for last. I want to see the light leave your eyes...

(But before he can pull the trigger, he hesitates. A sinister grin spreads across his face.)

Magnus II: No. I have a better idea.

(He turns to Jace, signaling his men. Jace is yanked to his feet, bound with thick ropes.)

Magnus II: Let's see what you're made of.

(He drags Jace to his super cruise bike, tying a long rope around his waist and fastening it to the back of the bike.)

Jane: JACE! NOOO!

Mosun (Sobbing, clutching Ayanfe to her chest inside the hidden bunker) 

(Magnus II revs the engine, the roar drowning out the cries. He accelerates, dragging Jace across the rough terrain, his body scraping against rocks and debris. Blood stains the dirt as Jace struggles, pain searing through his entire being. But he grits his teeth, refusing to scream.)

(After what feels like an eternity, Magnus II halts. He gestures to his men, and they lift Jace's battered form and haul him toward the open pits—a deep trench filled with snarling, rotting walkers.)

Magnus II: (Leaning in close, whispering) Survive this... or don't. Either way, I win.

(He shoves Jace into the pit. Jace lands hard, pain exploding through his limbs. The walkers turn at the sound, their hungry moans filling the air. A machete lies a few feet away. Jace's mind races—this is no accident. This is a twisted game.)

(The first walker lunges. Jace rolls, narrowly dodging its snapping jaws. He grabs the machete and swings, severing its head. Another one grabs his leg—he stomps its skull in. Blood splatters his face as he moves with deadly precision, hacking, slicing, crushing. His fury fuels him, his body moving on pure instinct.)

(Above, Magnus II watches, enthralled. He claps slowly, a sadistic smile on his face.)

Magnus II: That's what I want to see...

(Jace stands amidst the pile of corpses, his chest heaving, blood dripping from his face. Magnus II nods approvingly. He signals his men to pull Jace out of the pit.)

Magnus II: (Patting Jace on the back) Good boy.

(Jace's body trembles with exhaustion and rage, but he remains silent. Magnus II shoves him toward the road leading back to the settlement.)

Magnus II: Run along now. Let them see what I've made of you.

(Jace stumbles forward, broken but not defeated. With every step, his resolve hardens. This war is far from over. And when he returns... Magnus II will pay.)

(The scene fades as Jace limps toward the horizon, his shadow long against the blood-stained ground.)