Chapter 13: A New Path and Elemental Awakening

13. A New Path and Elemental Awakening

After the call, Philip asked Frank where and how he had changed the gold without getting caught.

Frank chuckled. “Simple. Just go to one of those gold exchangers—people call them Malams here. But don’t be stupid about it. Change only small pieces at a time, and don’t keep going to the same one.”

“Got it,” Philip said.

“Also,” Frank added, “transfer the money into different accounts. If you don’t have many, open new ones. You don’t want your account getting flagged by the government. That’s what I did.”

Philip thanked him and spent the entire next day putting the plan into motion. He moved silently through the city, exchanging a little gold here, a little there. Nobody suspected a thing.

The next morning, he called the office.

His boss was worried and furious.

“Philip! Three days? Three whole days and not a word from you? I called the Abuja office, and they said you never even showed up to the conference!” I thought u had an accident or had been kidnapped.

Stolen novel; please report.

Philip tried to explain. “Sir, something came up. I had to—”

“I don’t care what came up!” the man snapped. “You’ve put our whole department in a bad light—” but thank God you are ok

“I’m calling to resign, sir,” Philip cut in calmly.

There was a stunned silence.

“What?”

I had a brush with death and I have come to that realization

“It’s time for me to be free. I’ve enjoyed working with the company—truly—but it’s time I spread my wings. I’m going to start something of my own.”

The boss didn’t speak for a few seconds. Then, with a sigh, he said, “You were one of our best, Philip. Impeccable worker. I wish you all the best.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Philip hung up and took a deep breath. He was finally free.

Later that night, he remembered Frank’s question from their last call.

“Do you think we can control elements?”

Philip had laughed it off, but now… he wanted to try.

He started small, holding a cup of water and focusing.

It trembled.

Then it rose.

What?!

He reached out to a potted plant. The vines twitched, then slowly curled toward his hand.

He stared at a candle and imagined the flame dancing higher.

It obeyed.

Then he tried air. Earth. Electricity.

Each one responded, though some took more effort than others.

But it didn’t stop there. Philip remembered old martial arts stories and Chinese fantasy novels. He tried things he’d only read about—poison, metal, even light and darkness.

One by one, they answered his call.

Not all easily, but they answered.

Philip leaned back, overwhelmed. What was he becoming?

And more importantly… why him?