Olalude Daniel

In Ile-Oro, peace reigns, but King Adeyemi grows old and frail. Before his death, he dreams of his son, Prince Adetunji, shining by the river. Queen Olufunke confirms that their son’s spirit lives on as the guardian of the river. Comforted, the king asks her to build a shrine so the people will never forget him. After the king’s passing, Queen Olufunke fulfills his wish, and a temple of white stone is built beside the river. Adetunji and Aramide, watching from the spirit realm, bless the shrine with golden light, assuring the people of their eternal protection. Years later, Queen Olufunke feels her time near and speaks to her son by the river. His gentle spirit welcomes her home. The next morning, she is found peacefully by the riverbank. That night, the spirits of the king and queen rise together into the heavens as Babatunde and the people witness the glowing river — a symbol of eternal peace and divine guardianship.

In the kingdom of Ile-Oro, peace has vanished — the rivers rage, the skies darken, and the crops wither. The people whisper that the gods are angry. But Prince Adetunji knows the truth: the chaos began after he made a promise to the river spirit Aramide, who is bound by an ancient curse. A glowing blue mark on Adetunji’s arm links him to the spirit world, and though King Adeyemi forbids him to leave the palace, Adetunji cannot ignore Aramide’s call. At night, her voice reaches him — soft but urgent — telling him that only the Heart of Òsun, a golden stone hidden deep in the forest, can end the curse. Determined to save his people, Adetunji secretly prepares for a dangerous journey. His loyal companion Babatunde refuses to let him go alone. Together, they sneak out of the palace and enter the dark, misty forest, where unseen spirits whisper in the shadows. When they reach the sacred river, Aramide appears — beautiful and sorrowful. She warns them that the path to the Heart of Òsun is guarded by the spirits of the past and that failure means death. Before they can act, the monstrous guardian Eru Oba awakens once again. As fire bursts through the mist and the earth trembles, Adetunji and Babatunde flee into the forest, guided only by the glowing light of the prince’s divine mark. The forbidden journey has begun, and their courage will determine the fate of both the mortal and spirit worlds.