The spirits attacked at midnight.
They came through roads, mirrors, rivers and dreams.
Lagos became the centre of the war.
Amara stood inside the chapter house, guiding rescue teams through visions.
Babycat filled the operations room.
Whenever a vision came, the vanilla disappeared beneath pepper, smoke and hot suede.
“Two spirits moving toward Marina,” she said.
Kofi marked the location on a map.
“Send the second team.”
A young officer hesitated. “The second team has not returned from Broad Street.”
Kofi looked at him.
“Then send mine.”
“You are leading central command.”
“I am also still useful.”
Dr. Obi opened the archives and used old prayers the Covenant had hidden.
Across the city, Adisa held part of Third Mainland Bridge when it began to fall.
Gris Charnel pushed through smoke, lagoon air and burning metal.
Cars hung above the water.
Drivers screamed inside them.
“Get them out!” Adisa shouted to the rescue workers.
A rescue officer stared at the bridge suspended beneath Adisa’s power.
“How long can you hold it?”
Adisa’s nose began to bleed.
“Not long enough for this conversation!”
Zara moved across Lagos, restoring stolen names.
Portrait of a Lady called people back.
Guidance kept the spirits from reaching her.
She reached a school where children were trapped inside.
A dark spirit had sealed every exit.
Parents gathered outside, shouting their children’s names.
A police officer tried to block Zara.
“You cannot go inside.”
“My people are already in there.”
“No one is inside.”
Zara looked through the locked doors.
Portrait of a Lady rose around her.
“I am.”
She entered alone.
The spirit wore Folake’s face.
Amouage Guidance filled the dark corridor.
“My love,” it said.
Zara stopped.
For one second, grief almost pulled her under.
The voice was right.
The face was right.
The fragrance was nearly right.
Then Zara smelled the difference.
The spirit wore Guidance like clothing.
Zara carried it like blood.
“You are not her.”
The false Folake smiled.
“Then why do you want me to be?”
Zara’s eyes filled with tears.
“Because I miss her.”
Portrait of a Lady rose.
Guidance moved beneath it.
“But missing her does not make you real.”
She broke the seal!
The spirit screamed and disappeared.
Children ran through the doors into the arms of their parents.
Across the world, the other Gates began to close.
Dr. Obi’s voice came through Zara’s phone.
“London is closed.”
Kofi spoke next.
“Abuja is closed.”
Babycat flared through the communication stone.
Amara gasped.
“Accra is closed too.”
All except Lagos.
Taiwo stood at the centre of the final Gate.
The Hollow One rose behind him.
Adisa reached Zara.
His shirt was torn. Blood ran down one side of his face.
Gris Charnel was faint but present.
Kofi and Dr. Obi joined them moments later.
Amara remained connected through the communication stone.
Babycat moved through it like a warning.
They looked at the creature that could swallow every human destiny.
“The world rests on this,” Adisa said.
Zara took his hand.
Portrait of a Lady and Gris Charnel joined.
Guidance rose beneath them both.
“Then we do not fail.”