Amara’s heart beat fast inside her chest. The River King’s voice was loud in every corner, sharp and dangerous. His glowing eyes were fixed on her. Even the water around them shook when he spoke.
“I can touch them,” he said, his voice hard. “Your mother… that boy by her side calling your name with fire in his chest… Even the old woman outside who thinks she can command the spíríts. With just one move of my hand, they will never see daylight again.”
Amara’s breath caught. “No! Leave them out of this!”
The River King moved closer, his face almost touching hers. His presence was heavy, pressing her down. “Then do not fight me again. Accept your place, and they will live. Refuse me… and the river will drink their blθθd.”
Amara’s knees almost gave way. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to stand. Her voice shook. “I… I can’t.”
The water around her rumbled loudly. The maidens gasped, some covering their mouths, others whispering quickly to each other. The River King’s face turned dark, his eyes harder and sharper.
“You dare?” his voice became deeper, almost like a growl. His skin moved strangely, like water changing into scales. “You dare reject me?”
●
Outside, Mama Ngozi held the ground with her shaking hands. Her wrapper was wet with tears, her face dirty with dust.
“What is this, Ifeoma?” she cried, shaking her head. “What sαcrífíce? Who are the gθds asking for?”
Mama Ifeoma’s face was strong, but her eyes showed fear. She held her staff tight. “Ngozi… the river has rules. A life must balance a life. If Amara will return, the river will not release her free.”
Chike shouted, his voice breaking. “Then let it take me! Let it take me instead of her!” He stood up, his eyes wild. “I am her friend! She is my blood even if we don’t share the same mother. My life is nothing if she is gone.”
“No!” Mama Ngozi screamed, beating her chest. “Chike, don’t try it! She’s all I have, but you are all she has too. If you go, who will stand with her?”
Mama Ifeoma hit her staff on the ground. The sound rang loud like a drum. The ground shook a little, dust rising. Even the air around them went quiet.
“The river chooses, boy,” she said, her voice strong. “You cannot just throw yourself. The sαcrífíce must be accepted. And sometimes… the gθds are cruel in who they take.”
The whole place went silent. No wind. No sound of crickets. Nothing.
●
Inside the water, Amara’s chains tightened again, pulling her closer to the River King. The iron cut into her skin. She shivered from the cold.
Then she heard it faintly. Chike’s cry. His voice passed through the water like an echo. “Let it take me instead of her!”
Amara’s chest filled with pain and love. Her eyes became wet. She remembered when they were children, playing together, when he always protected her. She shook her head at the River King and said, “You won’t touch him. You won’t touch any of them. Do you hear me?”
The River King smiled slowly. “You speak as if you have power here. Foolish child. Every tear they cry, every breath they take… belongs to me.”
He raised his hand. The water turned and formed a mirror in front of Amara. She gasped when she saw her mother and Chike kneeling at the riverbank, both of them crying. The water around them began to rise as if ready to drag them inside.
“Choose,” the River King said. “Stay and obey me, or watch me take one of them into the river.”
Amara’s body shook. Her throat was tight. The mirror showed Chike’s hand sinking into the water as if he was already drowning.
●
Back outside, Mama Ifeoma dropped to her knees. She shut her eyes and started to chant, her voice loud and heavy. The air grew wild, trees bent, wind blew hard, strange lights moved around the ground.
Mama Ngozi held her arm. “What are you doing? Tell me! What’s happening to my daughter?”
Mama Ifeoma’s voice thundered. “The river is waiting for her answer! If she refuses, one of them will be taken tonight!”
Mama Ngozi screamed, her voice tearing through the night. “Amara! Don’t leave us! Don’t let them take you!”
Chike pressed his head against the wet ground, his fists shaking. His voice cracked. “Amara, whatever happens… fight. Please fight!”
●
Inside the water, Amara shook from head to toe. Her mother’s scream, Chike’s plea, the River King’s eyes ... all pressed inside her chest. The chains pulled tighter, but she refused to bend.
Her lips trembled, but she forced her voice to stay firm. “If you want me… you will have to fight for me.”
The River King’s face turned hard. His eyes shone like fire. His body grew bigger, more frightening, his skin looking less human. The maidens gasped and stopped singing. Some ran back, fear all over their faces.
And then, the river exploded with movement. Waves rose, water splashed everywhere, and a loud roar came from the deep, like a beast had just woken up
Very interesting
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