heard the whistle for the end of his labor for that day. He stood straight, stretching his tall, lean, dark body and he shook his head, clearing the fatigue and dizziness

him like a pungent wall, the mixture of body fluids, excrement and large hills of refuse blew into his nose, causi

head down, avoiding eye contact with the soldiers in their black leather armor, wearing long black swords and the emblem of the Immortal emperor on their chests; a spear striking skull. He

r food but he found none. He sighed, feeling the wave of darkness, the familiar, beautiful wave descend on him, fouling his already sour mood, drawing him deeper into it's embrace. He wal

he loud, melodic voice call out and he turned to see Re

amu felt a sadness well up within him. She would have to marry soon, maybe to one of the soldiers. Their life might be better then. A woman like her continuing in the reservation was bound to meet with some misfortune. He forced himself to smile

t for a few days, no?" She asked and hooked her arm in his, towing him towards the direction of the market. It pleased Zamu that she did not sp

you too much trouble, eh?" He asked and she

stand the woman anymore. I'm saving up to leave, you see." She said and increased her speed, walking with long, spring

ith flattery. Resi ignored most of them, settling for the women she knew and had decent trust for. Zamu handed over his five white cowries to her, keeping two back. She smiled at him and tur

be Everytime wey I go dey here o." She said, throwing in some Pidgin into her word

ct. Where she gets the money from I do not know." He said and his sco

She said and Zamu nodded. Both of them walked silently then Resi slipped her arm round Zamu's waist, humming a tune then laid he

what he saw. There, on top of his mother, a soldier sprawled, his head thrown back as he thrust into her motionless body, his eyes closed. Zamu gripped him by the neck without thinking, the darkness working deeper into him as he flung the

and Drew his black blade, raising it above Zamu. Zamu emb

ft of him. He was torn into unrecognizable pieces and his blade was broken into small fragments. Zamu nodded. That was what the darkness did. His mind finally pieced everything together. A soldier was dead. The rest would come. The noise. Fear burned through him, strengthening him. He stood up and he saw Resi observe him with surprise

hear? I promise I will explain everything." She nodded at him, some of her senses returning and she looked at their

n running and running, out of the reservation. Zamu breathed cold air, headache and weakness still ravaging his body. He had done what was needed. Mother was gone. It was he and Resi now.