Chapter 19: Challenge

I wore a slight smile as we walked towards the largest square in Akutara. Akutara was made up of four villages, each with its distinct identity and culture, but all bound by a shared history and common goal; Strength above all.

I wasn't under the illusion that I would come out of this place unscathed, but one thing I know for sure is that I would never know until I tried.

I hailed from the Ndiagbo clan. A clan known for its strongest fighters. Trained from childhood in the art of wrestling and war. Perhaps trained isn't the right word, but it was definitely our pastime activity.

While I wasn't at the top in terms of strength, I was still strong. Now coupled with the system as well as the 'insight' on fighting accumulated in my head, I at least stood a fighting chance.

Well, that's only if my body would be able to imitate what I've seen those WWE wrestlers and animated characters do.

Perhaps its a result of my various stats but even Ikenna whom I would've sworn could beat me seven out of ten times in a match didn't seem like that much of a threat.

"We've arrived." Nnamdi's voice broke through my thoughts.

Standing in front of us were other young men ranging from their early twenties to late thirties, all buffed up and looking all macho.

Damn, and I thought I was buffed. Now that I stand here, I could only be described as slender.

I stood there, taking in the sight of the men surrounding us. Some were leaning against the mud walls that bordered the square, others stood tall, hands crossed over their chests, watching us with the kind of gaze that could make a lesser man falter.

"Obinna, you're back," came a familiar voice from my left.

I turned to see Okoro, a fellow Ndiagbo youth who had always been a few years older than me.

His casual smile didn't hide the sharpness in his eyes as he looked me over, sizing me up just like everyone else was doing.

I didn't blame him though. The changes in me weren't just physical, but also in the way I carried myself. It was subtle, and I could feel it, and I was sure they could, too.

"Good to see you, Okoro," I said, my voice steady, despite the curiosity buzzing in the air around me.

"Didn't expect to see you back so soon after, you know..." He trailed off, not needing to finish the sentence.

The reference to my supposed death was more of an unspoken understanding, something that had lingered in the minds of many.

"Death has a way of keeping you down for a while," I replied with a grin that didn't quite reach my eyes. "But I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere."

I could feel Ikenna and Ekene exchange looks behind me, no doubt sensing the shift in energy.

Okoro nodded, his eyes briefly flicking to Ikenna and Ekene before returning to me. "It's good, man. But I hope you're not here for the same reason you were before... you know, the way you always hesitated. We're all still strong, and we've all learned a lot since then. You're gonna have to prove yourself all over again."

I recognized the challenge in his voice. No one ever held back when it came to matters of strength in Akutara. Okoro wasn't trying to be rude; it was just how things were.

I gave him a firm nod. "I'm not here for that, Okoro. I'm here to prove something more than just strength."

The other young men had quieted a little, but the energy in the square was still charged.

The older men, who usually sat in the shade near the side of the square, continued their conversations, though I noticed a few glances sent my way, some curious, others assessing.

Then, a voice broke through the murmurings, a bit deeper, older, commanding more attention. "Obinna, is that you?"

I looked toward the source of the voice. It was Nze Amaechi, a man whose face I had known all my life.

He wasn't too old, but his years of experience and his unwavering reputation as one of the strongest men in Akutara gave him an air of authority that couldn't be ignored.

He stood a little apart from the others, leaning against one of the large wooden pillars that supported the surrounding structures of the square.

His stance was relaxed, but his eyes held a sharpness that made it clear he was watching everything.

"I've heard the rumors, but seeing you here like this..." His eyes narrowed slightly, as though he was trying to figure out what I had become. "You've returned, but what exactly is your purpose now, Obinna?"

I didn't hesitate to meet his gaze. "I've come to do what I should have done before," I said. "I'm here to unite Akutara. Not just as an individual, but as a whole. I'll prove my strength, but I've also learned that it takes more than just brawn to lead."

The air around us seemed to thicken, and for a moment, even the younger men seemed to hold their breath.

It wasn't often that someone made such a bold declaration in front of Nze Amaechi, but I had no intentions of backing down now.

Okoro glanced at the older man, then back at me, a smirk tugging at his lips. "We'll see, Obinna. We'll see."

The challenge was clear, but so was the respect in his voice. In Akutara, strength was the common language, and I had just thrown my hat into the ring.

"That you will." I said as I shot a smirk at him. "How about it? Want to have the honour of being the first witness?"

The crowd stirred as the question left my mouth with whispers quickly spreading from one person to the next.

Some looked at Okoro, clearly respecting him, while others turned to watch me, trying to figure out if I was serious. I could hear people talking in low voices, mentioning both our names—"Obinna" and "Okoro."

The older men looked at each other, their eyes glinting in excitement, waiting for something to happen.

Okoro's smirk grew, but now there was a fire in his eyes.

He wasn't going to back down, not in front of everyone. That was not the Akutara way. His strength had earned him respect, and giving up would cost him more than just a fight.

He briefly glanced at Nze Amaechi, but the older man didn't react, his face still. Okoro turned back to me and spoke with a bold tone.

"Alright, Obinna. I'll take you on," he said, and the crowd seemed to buzz with excitement. This was no longer just about strength. It was about showing I was the strong enough to bring them together.

The crowd shifted, and I felt their eyes on both of us as we stepped forward, ready to face off.

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A/N: Very short chapter. Had to do a bit of research on my people's culture and geographical position before continuing. I also need to make a clarification going forward since I won't be going back to edit what I've written.

Aku is or was a single individual who had three children; Akaibute, Akutara and Ejuona.

In this context, Aku can be thought of as a larger region or territory made up of three towns, each with its own distinct characteristics, culture, and people.

Akaibute, Akutara, and Ejuona are towns within Aku, each holding a unique identity.

Within each of these towns, there are smaller villages or communities. These villages are subdivisions of the towns, making them more localized areas where specific families, clans, or groups live and interact.

For example, within Akutara, there could be several villages which are part of the larger Akutara town.

These villages are where the families or specific clans reside, and their names often reflect the different communities within that particular town.

To make it clearer; Aku is the overall region, and towns like Akaibute, Akutara, and Ejuona are the main towns in Aku. Within those towns, there are smaller villages or settlements that represent even more specific areas of society.

So, if someone is from Akutara, for example, they may belong to a specific village within that town, like Ndiagbo, which makes it a part of the bigger Akutara town but still with its own identity.

Igbo communities weren't like we know them now due to the system of government imposed on them by the British government so while it may be confusing, I hope you all bear with it till you're able to tell.