Ipao, Ekiti – Dusk
The sky burned crimson, the dying sun casting long shadows as Ogun knelt beside Makx, rifle braced and steady. Below, Falaye’s men prowled restlessly like predators circling the isolated farm compound.
Makx growled softly, fur bristling, muscles poised.
“It ends tonight,” Ogun murmured.
⸻
Approach
They moved fluidly through thick foliage, every step silent, synchronized. Ogun was a wraith, eyes locked on each guard’s movement. Makx flowed beside him, hunting instinct sharp.
A sentry spun suddenly, sensing danger too late. Ogun’s blade flashed silver, slitting his throat in one seamless, silent motion. The man crumpled, eyes wide with shock.
Ogun continued swiftly, heart beating calm and lethal.
⸻
Farm Compound – Outer Perimeter
Ogun pressed against the rough clay wall, hearing Efe’s strained breaths inside. Footsteps circled her slowly, taunting her. Ekun’s voice carried clearly, cold, mocking.
“Hadji is gone,” Ekun hissed. “He gave you up for his daughter.”
“Please,” Efe whispered, voice cracked with despair.
A slap echoed sharply. Ogun’s jaw tightened, knuckles whitening around his rifle. He signaled Makx to flank. She vanished silently, circling behind.
Seconds ticked agonizingly, then a faint growl cut through the dusk, Ogun’s cue.
⸻
Compound Assault
The first shot came quite sudden. The guard by the lead car fell instantly, the back of his head missing. The others scattered at the crack of gunfire, firing back in wild panic.
Ogun moved like a phantom, sending a precise burst toward the third guard. He dropped before he could level his iron-sight at Ogun.
Makx lunged from shadows, locking powerful jaws on the fourth guard’s arm, ripping him to the ground. His scream died mid-throat.
But Makx’s victory was short-lived.
Ekun, standing in the doorway of Efe’s hut, tracked the dog with eerie calm. He fired a tight salvo, one round slammed into Makx’s haunch, dropping him mid-lunge.
Ogun’s heart seized. “Makx!”
Fury ignited.
Ogun pivoted with a swift roll. He advanced fiercely, sending a controlled hail at the fifth guard as he backtracked towards Ekun. A round grazed Ekun’s shoulder just as he retreated back inside the hut.
Ogun dropped beside Makx, alive, breathing. Her eyes locked on him with loyalty and pain.
“Stay,” Ogun whispered. Then he turned towards the hut, death in his gaze.
⸻
Final Showdown – Inside the Hut
A single bulb flickered in the hut, casting ghastly shadows. Efe curled defenseless in the corner, battered and terrified. Her eyes widened with shock as Ogun appeared.
“Ogunwale?!” she gasped in disbelief.
He didn’t answer. He peeked in, rifle raised.
Ekun’s weapon pressed to Efe’s temple, eyes filled with cold menace. “Drop it OW-T, or she dies.”
Ogun’s grip tightened. “Falaye needs her alive. Can you risk that?”
Ekun’s lip curled. Gunfire exploded suddenly towards Ogun, bullets ripping through walls as Ogun ducked and moved. He returned fire, short thunderous bursts. Then, ‘click!’ – ‘click!!’. Both clips empty.
Ogun charged forward.
They met in a brutal clash. Ekun drew his knife, slashing low. Ogun felt cold steel kiss his ribs. Hot, wet pain. But he didn’t falter.
He caught Ekun’s wrist, twisting and slamming it on to the wall. A loud crack, and the knife dropped.
Ekun snarled, headbutting Ogun, forcing him back. Ogun staggered to the floor, blood dripping from his nose, his gaze hazy.
Ekun smiled through his teeth, reaching swiftly for his ankle holster. “I always come back, OW-T. You can’t kill what’s already dead.”
“Resurrect from this.”
Ekun’s eyes widened in shock.
Ogun had drawn the Baby Eagle from his back holster.
A loud double-tap. Center mass. Ekun pirouetted backwards.
Ogun fired a hollow-point through the back of his head.
The front of Ekun’s face exploded. He dropped like a stone.
Dead. No return.
Efe screamed, covering her face in horror.
⸻
Reunion
Ogun turned, breath ragged, heart hammering painfully. Efe pressed into the corner, trembling. Her eyes traced the carnage, the bodies, the weapon in his hand.
“Ogunwale?!” she gasped. “They told me you were dead. You—how—what are you?”
Holstering his weapon, Ogun crossed the room in two strides. Gently, he took her face in his hands, wiping away grime and tears.
“I’m alive,” he said. “I’m here. And I’m taking you home.”
Efe shuddered. “What you did… the way you moved… you’re not just—”
Her trembling hand reached out tentatively, fingertips brushing his bruised cheek, disbelief and fear slowly melting into raw, overwhelming emotion. Tears welled, spilling down her face.
“Oh God,” she choked, suddenly throwing herself into his arms, holding tightly, sobbing uncontrollably. “You’re here, you’re really here…”
Ogun embraced her fiercely, protective, relief flooding him.
Outside, shouts pierced the night, Falaye’s reinforcements closing rapidly. Ogun met Makx’s loyal gaze; wounded yet determined, the dog waited resolutely.
“It’s not over yet,” Ogun whispered. But in this precious moment, reunited, he had all he needed, his family.
The Lagos Directive 
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