Novels by Nwigwe Kingsley

Kira groaned weakly in his arms. Her body was burning hot, the poison from the Viper blade spreading fast."We're out of time," Leo said.Shen stood near the temple wall, shoulders heavy, eyes full of guilt."You lied to me," Leo said, his voice quiet but shaking. "You knew what happened to the Tian Clan. You knew about my parents. Why didn't you tell me?"Shen stepped forward slowly. "Because I was afraid you'd look for the Heart too early. And I was right. You're not ready.""I don't care," Leo snapped. "Kira's dying. You want me to watch her die when I can save her?"Shen stayed quiet."Then tell me the truth now," Leo demanded, stepping between Shen and the Heart. "No riddles. No more secrets."The old master took a long breath. "The Tian Clan didn't fall because of enemies. It fell because of one of our own. One of our elders - Master Haoran - became obsessed with the Heart. He believed he could use it to change the world, make it do what he wanted."Leo's hands made fists. "So h

Leo's boots splashed through water as he walked into the cave, carrying Kira on his back. The pendant on his chest burned hot and pulsed like his heartbeat. Behind him, Shen lit a lantern and stepped inside. The flame danced against wet stone walls with old Tian Clan symbols carved into them.The Temple of Still Waters.Hidden deep under Iron-vale's old sewers, this sacred place had once been the center of the Tian Clan's power. No outsider had been here for many years. When they stepped inside, the air felt different. It was heavier, colder, and hummed with old energy.Kira moved weakly on his back, whispering, "Don't... trust..."Leo stopped. "Kira?""Someone... close... not who they seem," she mumbled, then passed out again.He looked at Shen. "What does she mean? Who's the traitor?"Shen's face got dark. "This temple will test more than your strength, Leo. It will test your heart. Your truth. Be ready for anything."They walked deeper and came to a big hall where broken pillars ro

Leo woke up smelling herbs and burning incense. His body hurt all over, but the hot burning feeling in his chest was calmer now. The Battle Core wasn't fighting him as much.The room was dark except for candles sitting in small bowls of water. Pictures of dragons and flowers were carved into the wooden walls. It was quiet except for water dripping somewhere and someone humming softly.He turned his head and saw him.Shen.The old man sat by the door with his legs crossed. His eyes were closed like he was thinking deeply. A cup of hot tea sat next to him."You're awake," Shen said without opening his eyes.Leo groaned as he sat up. "Barely.""You used up too much Core power. Again.""I didn't have a choice," Leo said. "There was a Viper Clan killer, and my pendant got really hot."Shen opened his eyes. "What did you see?"Leo waited before answering. "A big field with lots of stars in the sky. And the Tian Heart. It was a glowing ball of light."Shen nodded slowly. "Then the Heart is c

"No," she said angrily. "I'm trying to keep you alive! But we won't be alive if we're still here in ten seconds!"Leo stared at her. He didn't know what to do.Then, more blades came through the walls. They were warning shots from the reinforcements coming."Fine. But after this, you're going to start telling me the truth." He said."Deal." kira replied.The wind blew hard. Leo and Kira ran fast across the rooftops, jumping from one building to another. They could still hear the Wolf Fang Clan behind them, but the sounds were getting quieter. Leo knew they weren't safe yet."I need to stop," Leo said, breathing hard. A sharp pain hit his chest."We can't stop now," Kira said, pulling him along. "They're still after us."They saw an old bell tower ahead. It stood tall in the empty part of the city where old factories used to be. The metal door made a loud creak when they opened it and went inside. Leo locked the door behind them.The air inside was thick with dust, but at least they we

Leo didn't have time to think. He just had to move."Let's go now," he said quickly.Kira didn't smile or say thank you. She just nodded and pulled him through a narrow side tunnel. The Fang Clan was shouting behind them, getting closer. She held his hand tight, and her face showed she was completely focused. No waiting. No doubt.They ran past the old subway station. Leo's feet hit the wet concrete hard. Every breath he took hurt his lungs. They turned corners fast, jumped over broken pipes, and disappeared into the underground parts of Iron-vale. It was like a twisted maze down there, full of tunnels, old sewer lines, and forgotten escape paths.Leo's heart pounded hard. His body was still tired from everything that had happened in the last few days."So," he said while trying to catch his breath, "this is what it feels like to team up with the enemy?"Kira looked back at him while still running. "Talk less, move more."Even though everything was crazy, Leo almost smiled.They came

Leo and Kira didn't talk as they walked. The quiet felt heavy between them.After the fight at the dojo, Leo did something he never thought he would. He followed Kira. He didn't trust her completely, but something told him she wasn't just another killer from the Fang Clan. Maybe it was how she looked at Shen, or how she fought Talon instead of him.She walked fast in front of him through the back streets of Iron-vale. Her black armor caught the light from broken street lamps. Leo stayed behind her but not too close.They stopped at an old subway entrance. Rusty gates blocked it, and a sign said "Danger - Line Closed."Kira looked back at him. "We're here.""Your clan hides in a subway?" Leo asked.She smiled, but she looked tired. "Even monsters need somewhere to live."She opened the gate easily and led him down old stairs. Paint and green moss covered the walls. The air smelled like old metal and dampness.At the bottom, Kira knocked three times on a metal door.It slid open.Inside