Chapter 6: Betrayal and Blood

Three years ago, for the story, the final act dey near. Both me and the system don tire.

Even the air for palace dey hot that time, as if everybody dey wait for thunder to strike.

With my plans, Femi don get power, main woman love don full ground, Musa don turn big man for council.

Everybody get their own position, only me dey waka alone like tortoise wey lose shell.

My people for palace dey disappear, my power dey go, even workers for palace no dey answer me again.

If I cough, dem go act like say dem no hear. Even dog for palace dey ignore me.

Night time, palace empty—no guard, nobody to add charcoal for fire.

Even my own room cold, shadow plenty, only rat fit keep me company.

Na real “person don go, soup don cold.”

If you see the kitchen that time, nothing dey for pot, na only empty plates remain.

Maybe as I dey complain for mind, system hear me, e come talk: “You never sleep?”

Na only that system sabi when person dey vex pass. I just hiss, roll for bed.

I wrap myself for bed, dey look ceiling, answer for my mind,

“After I work like donkey for over ten years, now retirement reach—if na you, you go fit sleep?”

For Lagos, retirement no dey easy. I dey plan how I go start selling small chops for side, just to keep busy.

System laugh: “Once your world finish, I go take long holiday.”

Lazy thing. If to say e get face, I for throw pillow give am.

I begin worry: “When final act dey come? Wetin if I mistakenly kill Femi?”

Palace blood no dey dry fast. I dey fear say wahala go reach my own head.

“Relax, stab am. Even if you die, main man no go die.”

So if I like, make I do anyhow? System no send.

I hiss, wan talk more, system just cut me.

“E dey come, e dey come.”

If system talk that kind thing, better hold your wrapper tight.

“Wetin?”

“Main man dey come.”

I understand—the final act na tonight.

As I dey look mirror, I dey tell myself, "No run, no beg. Whatever go happen, make e happen."

Femi just hear from maid say na my mama kill him mama, so e dey come for revenge.

That kain palace secret fit scatter generation—no wonder Femi eye dey red.