Chapter 98: The Unexpected Visitor
The morning, three days after the battle, Lagos buzzed with the events of that day when a earthquake hit Nigeria who had always been proud that they don't get natural disasters except flooding
In the heart of Victoria Island, Philip's skyscraper tower gleamed in the rising sun.. Philip stood in his office sharp suit, crimson tie, aura perfectly restrained.
Today was meant to be simple.
He had a long-overdue meeting with Dr. Remi, one of the best alchemists in Nigeria. After everything with the Abyss, Philip had learned the hard way that even his power had limits and that a few well-made potions at the right time could tip life and death.
He straightened his cuffs and was about to leave when a soft chime echoed through the air a ward alert.
A visitor had arrived.
Sensing no hostile intent, Philip gestured, allowing his assistant's voice to filter through the office comms.
"Sir… we have representatives from the… Catholic Church of Nigeria. They're requesting an audience."
Philip frowned slightly. The Catholic Church? That was unexpected.
He hadn't publicly spoken about what had happened in Ibadan or the battle beneath the Maw. If they knew anything, they were either very well-connected, or... involved.
"Send them up."
Minutes later, the double doors opened.
Three figures entered two priests in pristine white robes edged with crimson, and an older bishop wearing an ornate cross of pure platinum. All three radiated controlled holy energy calm, disciplined.
Philip rose from behind his obsidian desk, posture relaxed but alert.
The bishop offered a deep nod. "Mr. Philip. I am Bishop Emmanuel. We thank you for granting this audience."
Philip gestured to the seats across from him. "You came unannounced. What is this about?"
The older man smiled faintly but his eyes gleamed with seriousness. "We will speak plainly. We are aware of the destruction of the Nigerian branch of the Church of Darkness."
Philip's eyes narrowed slightly.
The bishop continued, "Your actions though not public were… felt. Across the entire country."
He did not exaggerate.
What Philip didn't know was that his battle with the Abyssal-possessed Odii had torn through the spiritual fabric of western Nigeria. The quake had disrupted dozens of rituals. The Abyss cult's network of low-level pawns many hiding in plain sight among politicians, celebrities, and foreign dignitaries had collapsed almost overnight.
During Odii's desperate bid for power, the dark one had drained his followers' life force drawing on their faith, their souls. The backlash had killed many outright heart failure, brain hemorrhages and left dozens more in coma.
Across Lagos and Abuja, hospitals were now quietly treating high-profile "patients" men and women once thought untouchable, now broken husks. Most of the world were not spared many world leaders had already dead or in vegetative state, the church of darkness had already put themselves in many key positions and this fight had revealed most of them.
The Catholic Church, though wary of Philip's power, had welcomed this shift. For decades, they had fought the Church of Darkness from the shadows unable to root them out completely.
Now, thanks to Philip, the cult's Nigerian power was shattered and globally, their higher ranks were crippled.
Of course, Philip knew none of this.
He remained silent, gaze unreadable.
The bishop pressed on. "We… also came to speak of your sister. Amaka."
Philip's brow rose slightly.
"Her light," the bishop said softly, "was… unmistakable. Even among our own order, there are few Saints left who can command such pure light mana."
One of the younger priests leaned forward. "We sensed her during her awakening. Many of our seers believe she carries a gift a lineage that should not be wasted."
Philip's expression remained neutral, but a spark of protectiveness flickered behind his eyes.
"I am aware of her potential," he replied flatly.
The bishop smiled gently. "We mean no offense. In truth, we came not to claim her but to thank you. And to offer... cooperation." They had already planned to take her by force and indoctranite he in the ways of the church but with a brother this powerful they decided to leave her be and cooperate.
Philip tilted his head. "Cooperation?"
The older man nodded. "Your actions destabilized one of our greatest enemies. Our order has already begun purging what remains of their cells those that survived the backlash."
The priest beside him added, "You may not have an intelligence network… but we do. Across Africa. Across Europe. America."
The bishop's tone turned more solemn. "We believe others will come, Mr. Egboluche . The Abyss is not yet gone. Philip absorbed this silently.
It made sense.
He had destroyed one branch but from the memories he'd seen, the Church of Darkness had roots in many nations. Worse still, the Abyss God itself had not been destroyed only pushed back.
A faint tension hummed behind Philip's calm demeanor. Another fight is coming.
The bishop smiled again. "We are not your enemy. And we believe your sister's light will soon draw many eyes some friendly, some… not."
He rose slowly. "We came today to thank you. And to offer this."
From his robe, he produced a single platinum token etched with a sigil of wings and a sword.
"Should you need aid," the bishop said quietly, "show this to any of our order. We will answer."
Philip accepted the token but said nothing.
They rose to leave but as they reached the door, Bishop Emmanuel turned once more.
"And one last thing, Mr. Egboluche ."
Philip met his gaze.
"Whether you like it or not… the world is beginning to notice you."
The bishop's smile faded. "And soon, they will notice your sister too. With that, they departed, leaving Philip standing alone.
A few moments passed in silence.
Philip slowly turned the token over in his palm. He could feel the trace of holy mana within it calm, disciplined, strong.
His mind churned.
Prepare, he had never been an advocate of power but to protect his loved ones that would change
And first meet with Dr. Remi.
The meeting took longer than he expected since he missed the appointment he would reschedule for tomorrow and meet the adebodes today