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Chapter 277: 277
He stepped closer, his voice barely above a whisper now, but filled with conviction. "We have a chance to change everything, to break free from the chains that bind us, to create a future where humanity is not just surviving, but thriving. A future where we are not merely the subjects of gods, but the masters of our own destiny. But to do that, we must be willing to embrace the struggle, to face the chaos head-on, and to risk everything for the sake of our evolution."
Nwadiebube’s gaze never wavered as he finished, "I do not expect you to agree with me, sister, but I need you to understand why I am willing to take this risk. Because if we do not, if we allow the children of gods to dictate our fate, then we will never know what we could have become. And that, to me, is a fate far worse than any war, any madness, any struggle."
The princess stood silently for a moment, absorbing her brother’s words, her heart heavy with the weight of his convictions. The room was filled with a tense silence, as if the very walls were holding their breath, waiting for her response. Finally, she met Nwadiebube’s intense gaze, her own eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and resolve.
"Nwadiebube," she began softly, her voice steady but tinged with sadness, "I hear your fears, and I understand the depth of your concern. You see a future where humanity is chained, stifled by the very beings who once protected us. You fear that the children of gods have become our oppressors, and that their peace has become our prison."
She paused, searching for the right words, her expression thoughtful. "But brother, I cannot share in your desire for chaos and destruction, even if it is for the sake of our evolution. Yes, the children of gods may have withdrawn, but I do not believe it is out of fear of our potential. I believe it is because they want us to choose our own path, to determine our own destiny without their interference. Perhaps they see that we have grown, that we are no longer the fragile beings they once guided, and they are giving us the space to prove ourselves."
She took a step closer to him, her voice growing more earnest. "You speak of embracing Björn’s religion, of using chaos and war as a means to break free from the influence of the gods. But Nwadiebube, at what cost? War may bring evolution, but it also brings suffering, death, and destruction. Is that truly the legacy we want to leave behind? A world torn apart by conflict, where humanity survives, but at the price of its soul?"
The princess suddenly stopped as she took a deep breath "That is what I would like to believe but as you said brother, the reality of our situation isn’t so"
"Especially considering the fact they are long lived, who is to guarantee that the next generation after us will keep the kingdom we built strong, in the current peace, a lot of our trained nobles and soldiers have grown complacent, weak minded"
"And what stops the next generation after them to take after. It pains me to say this after my denunciation for the path you have taken but you are right brother, they can afford to wait but we can’t"
The princess’s voice faltered, a tremor of realization shaking her resolve as she continued. "Right now, we have a lifespan of a thousand years because we’ve reached the fifth stage in strength, a feat that took generations to achieve. But even with our extended lives, our time is still finite. The children of gods—they don’t age as we do, they don’t face the relentless march of time. They can afford to wait, to watch as we grow old and fade, while they remain unchanged. "
"The drive from the past gave our kingdom, five fifth stage power houses but lately that drive is gone replaced with safety so for some years now we have had no breakthroughs"
She stepped even closer to her brother, her eyes now filled with a mix of fear and reluctant acceptance. "You’re right, Nwadiebube. The future of our people is not guaranteed, not in the peace we’ve come to know. Our soldiers, our nobles, even our scholars—they’ve grown soft, content with the world the children of gods have allowed us to build. But this world, this peace, is a fragile thing, built on the foundation of their mercy, their will. And when we are gone, who will be left to protect it? Who will have the strength, the resolve, to defend what we’ve worked so hard to achieve?"
She paused, the weight of her thoughts bearing down on her. "I wanted to believe that we could find a way forward without resorting to chaos—that we could preserve our humanity and still thrive. But perhaps that is a luxury we no longer have. Perhaps the only way to ensure our future and protect what we’ve built is to challenge the gods and their children now, while we still have the strength to do so."
Her gaze softened as she looked at her brother, the love she held for him clear in her eyes. "But even if we must walk this path, brother, I beg you—let us not lose sight of who we are. Let us not forget the values our father instilled in us, the principles that have guided our people for generations. If we must fight, let it be with honor and a clear purpose, not out of a thirst for power or a desire for destruction. Let our legacy be one of strength and wisdom, not just of war and conquest."
The princess took his hand, squeezing it gently. "We are on the brink of something monumental, Nwadiebube—something that could change the course of history. If we choose to fight, we must do so with the understanding that we are not just fighting for ourselves, but for the future of all humanity. And in that fight, we must hold on to our humanity, our sense of right and wrong. Because if we lose that, then no matter what we achieve, we will have already lost."
She looked up at him, her voice filled with quiet determination. "I will stand by your side, brother, as we face whatever comes. You have my support, Nwadiebube. But I ask you to remember this: power alone does not make us great. It is how we wield it, how we carry ourselves in the face of adversity, that will define our legacy. If we must walk the path of war, then let us do so not as conquerors, but as protectors—protectors of our people, our future, and the humanity that makes us who we are."
Hearing his sister’s support and promise, Nwadiebube cracked a smile and nodded before pressing a button on the statue of Ikenga. After the button was pressed, a slight rumbling sound followed as the statue divided in two and opened up to reveal a staircase extending into the darkness.
Gesturing to the wall, the king said, "Right after you, sister." The princess nodded and walked down the stairs, her eyes glowing faintly as they adjusted to the darkness.
Soon, both the king and princess entered an underground space so vast that its size was not visible from where they stood. This cavern, illuminated by glowing crystals embedded in the rock walls, exuded a warm, golden light, casting intricate patterns across the ceiling and floor. The walls were adorned with ancient carvings and intricate murals depicting local legends, gods, and natural motifs, giving the space a rich cultural tapestry.
The cavern was a lush, verdant oasis. Massive trees with wide canopies, their leaves shimmering with bioluminescence, rose from the ground, their roots intertwining with the stone. Below, a network of waterways, fed by hidden springs, meandered through the space, their waters clear and sparkling, home to iridescent fish and vibrant water plants.
The pathways were lined with stones polished by centuries of use and interspersed with luminous fungi that glowed softly in various colors. Traditional woven mats and tapestries, hand-crafted by local artisans, decorated the paths, adding warmth and color to the environment.
Residential areas were built into the cavern walls, with homes constructed from local materials such as clay, stone, and woven reeds. A closer look revealed that all this had been artificially created to make the environment safe for living.
Sensing the presence of the king and princess, an old woman dressed as a shaman, with markings on her face, walked slowly up to them, surprise laced in her voice as she said, "I was not informed of your visit, Your Grace," she said to Nwadiebube, then turned to the princess and bowed. "And you too, Princess."
The princess smiled and hugged the old woman. "It’s nice seeing you again, Ezinne."
Patting the princess’s back, Ezinne looked at both the princess and the king with concern. "I hope everything is well."
