Chapter Ten: The River of Choices
The new path curved downward, disappearing into a thick mist that glowed faintly under the moons.
Nina and Chris moved cautiously, the echoes of the first trial still fresh in their minds.
But this place… felt different.
Quieter.
Heavier.
After what felt like hours of walking, they emerged at the edge of a wide, shimmering river.
The water was so clear it looked like glass, and underneath, they could see visions swirling — people, places, memories — as if the river itself was alive.
A small wooden boat waited by the bank, tied loosely to a crooked post.
Beside the boat, an old sign stood half-buried in the dirt:
"To reach the Heart, you must choose your path.
Each crossing demands a price.
Choose wisely."
Chris frowned. "Another test."
Nina eyed the boat warily. "We go cross… but what dem mean by price?"
As they hesitated, a soft splash made them turn.
From the mist, three different figures emerged —
each cloaked in shadow, each standing on a separate narrow bridge made of stone, wood, and light.
Each bridge stretched across the river — but each looked unstable and dangerous in its own way.
A soft, musical voice floated toward them:
"One bridge offers speed but great danger.
One offers safety but will test your patience.
One offers secrets… but demands a memory."
Nina bit her lip.
"Secrets?" she whispered.
Chris scratched his head. "Or danger… or patience. Eyy, Trouble."
Nina stepped closer to the bridges, heart pounding.
The stone bridge was cracked and shaky — rocks crumbling into the river below.
The wooden bridge swung wildly with every breeze — but looked sturdy enough if you moved carefully.
The bridge of light shimmered and twisted, almost invisible — beautiful but completely unstable-looking.
Chris glanced at her.
"Na which one we go choose?"
Nina thought hard.
The light bridge was tempting — fast and mysterious.
The stone bridge was terrifying — every step could be the last.
The wooden bridge… slow, steady.
She remembered something Mother Akua said:
"Nothing precious come easy."
She took a deep breath.
"We no dey rush," Nina said. "We choose the wooden bridge. We move slow but sure."
Chris smiled slightly. "I dey trust your sense pass my own."
Together, they stepped onto the wooden bridge.
The first few steps were easy.
Then — the bridge began to shake violently.
The river below glowed brighter, showing terrible visions: burning cities, screaming faces, the world falling apart.
Whispers rose from the water, trying to make them panic.
"Hurry!
Run!
You dey waste time!
Everything dey fall apart!"
Nina's palms were sweaty, but she gritted her teeth.
"Slow and steady," she muttered. "No mind dem."
Chris followed closely, his eyes locked on the far side.
Halfway across, a plank snapped under Chris's foot.
He stumbled — but Nina grabbed him, steadying him before he could fall.
Step by painful step, they made it across.
As their feet touched the other side, the mist lifted slightly, and the three shadowed figures bowed their heads.
"You have chosen wisely," the musical voice said.
"Sometimes, wisdom be patience."
At the river's edge, a small golden box appeared.
Inside it, wrapped in silk, was a smooth stone — deep blue, swirling with inner light.
Chris picked it up carefully.
"This be de Key of Wisdom," he said in awe.
They exchanged a look — a mixture of pride and growing fear.
Two trials done.
One left.
The hardest one: Sacrifice.
As they moved forward into the unknown, Nina felt a chill deep inside her bones.
What would they be asked to give up next?