Chapter 5 The

Chapter 5: The Betrayer

Ayo didn't run.

He should have. Every part of his body screamed at him to move, to run blindly through the alleys, to forget what he saw. But he couldn't-not when Malakai stood so still, so tense, between him and the man with fire in his eyes.

The stranger-Rami-smiled with the slow, sharp confidence of someone who didn't need to chase. He stepped further into the courtyard, polished shoes clicking against the damp concrete.

"I didn't believe it at first," he said, eyes locked on Ayo. "But here you are. Same soul. New shell."

Malakai's voice was ice. "Leave him out of this."

"You said the same thing last time. Remember how that ended?"

A flicker of pain crossed Malakai's face, but he didn't move.

Ayo found his voice. "Who the hell are you?"

Rami looked at him like he was something rare and glittering. "I'm the man who broke your heart, child. In another life, anyway."

Ayo's fists clenched. "You're the one who killed Elijah."

Rami tilted his head. "Not killed. Freed. You should thank me, in fact. This version of you is... much prettier."

Malakai moved before Rami could blink, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. A fist connected with Rami's face, and the courtyard rang with the sound of bone striking bone.

Rami staggered half a step, then smiled through bloodied teeth. "There he is."

In the next instant, they collided.

It wasn't a fight like Ayo had ever seen-this wasn't bar brawling or the sloppy swings of street kids. This was something else. Faster. Older. Bodies flickered between blurs and sharp, vicious impact. Dust kicked up around them, the air humming with power.

Ayo backed away, heart racing, unsure whether to run or try to help. But what could he do?

Malakai slammed Rami into the wall. "You don't get to come back," he growled. "Not now. Not to him."

Rami laughed, blood trickling down his chin. "You always were selfish, brother."

"I warned you."

"Yes," Rami said, and drove his knee into Malakai's ribs. "But you never listened."

They crashed into the gate, the metal groaning under the impact. Ayo finally moved, grabbing a rusted piece of pipe from the side of the courtyard.

"I said-" he yelled, swinging at Rami, "-get away from him!"

The pipe cracked against Rami's shoulder.

He didn't flinch.

He turned to Ayo, smiling wider. "There's the fire I remember."

He moved toward him, and suddenly Malakai was between them again, eyes glowing red. "Touch him," Malakai said, voice low, "and I will burn the earth to find what remains of you."

Rami stepped back, hands raised. "Peace, Malakai. I didn't come to kill him. Not today."

Ayo scoffed. "Oh, great. You just came for tea and trauma?"

Rami chuckled. "You've got a mouth on you. Elijah was always kinder."

"I'm not him."

"Maybe not. But his soul lives in your chest-and that soul is the key. To the relic. To everything."

Ayo frowned. "Why does everyone keep saying that? What does the relic actually do?"

Rami's smile twisted. "Depends who you ask. The stories say it was carved from the heart of a god, soaked in sacred blood, and hidden beneath earth and silence. They say it can make a soul whole again-or shatter it across a thousand lives."

"Which is it for you?" Malakai asked.

"Redemption," Rami said simply. "Power. And, maybe, forgiveness."

"You'll get none from me."

Rami's eyes lingered on Ayo. "You'll dream more now. The soul remembers when it's threatened. And when it remembers, it reveals. I'll see you again, Elijah."

Then he was gone-just gone-leaving only a rush of wind and the scent of crushed flowers.

Silence fell.

Malakai staggered, catching himself against the wall.

Ayo moved to him. "Are you okay?"

Malakai gave a single nod, though his lip was split and blood streaked his collar.

Ayo touched his arm. "What the hell was that?"

"My brother."

"You never mentioned him."

"I don't speak of ghosts unless I have to."

Ayo swallowed hard, adrenaline ebbing now. "He was strong."

"We used to be equals," Malakai said, his voice heavy. "Before he let the hunger make him cruel."

Ayo sat down on the steps, shaking. "Okay. I need a second. This is too much."

Malakai sat beside him. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Just... explain."

Malakai was quiet for a moment, then said, "The relic is real. I've seen it once. It's not just a myth-it's a vessel, tied to Elijah's soul. To your soul. When he died, a part of him was bound to it. I've been searching for it ever since."

"Why?"

"Because if I can reunite you with it... maybe your memories will come back fully. Maybe you'll remember what we were. What we lost. And maybe, I can finally give you the peace I stole from you."

Ayo looked at him.

"I don't know what's real anymore," he said. "My whole life, I thought I was just some guy. Now I've got centuries of baggage and two immortal stalkers."

"You're more than just a guy," Malakai said gently. "You always were."

Ayo gave a dry laugh. "Yeah, well. I'm still terrified."

"That's human. You're still that, too."

Ayo looked down at his hands. "So what now?"

"We move. Stay off the radar. I know a place we can lay low. And we find the relic before Rami does."

"And if he gets to it first?"

Malakai's eyes darkened. "Then we all lose."

They left that night. Malakai led them through Nairobi's quieter backroads, avoiding light and sound, until they reached a narrow compound tucked behind an abandoned church.

Inside was a single room-bare but clean, with heavy curtains and a flickering oil lamp.

Ayo collapsed onto a thin mattress, exhausted beyond words.

Malakai stood by the window, listening.

"Do you think he'll come back?" Ayo asked.

"Yes."

"Good," Ayo muttered, curling under the blanket. "Because next time, I'm not going easy."

Malakai turned. "You hit him with a pipe."

"And I'll upgrade to a crowbar."

Malakai smiled faintly, then turned down the lamp.

As the room dimmed, Ayo whispered, "If I remember everything... what happens to me?"

Malakai didn't lie.

"I don't know."