UNKNOWN LAND - CHAPTER 4: THE PROMISE OF A BETTER TOMORROW

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Chapter 4: The Promise of a Better Tomorrow

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"Hope is a candle that refuses to die, even when surrounded by darkness."

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The news spread through Ajanaku village faster than harmattan fire.

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Tunde, Musa, and Emeka were leaving.

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Some villagers praised their courage.

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Others called them foolish dreamers.

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A few secretly envied them.

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Everyone had an opinion.

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But nobody truly understood what was happening inside the hearts of the three young men.

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The day of departure was drawing closer.

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And with each passing sunrise, excitement battled fear within them.

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Three days after their conversation beneath the iroko tree, they gathered at their usual meeting place.

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The giant tree stood silently above them like an old guardian watching over their lives.

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The evening breeze carried the scent of wood smoke from nearby homes.

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Children chased one another through the dusty streets.

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Goats wandered lazily.

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Life continued as though nothing was changing.

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But everything was changing.

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"We need a plan," Emeka said.

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The others nodded.

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For years they had dreamed about leaving.

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Now they needed to decide how.

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"We don't have much money," Musa admitted.

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Tunde laughed bitterly.

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"Much money? We barely have any money."

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The statement was true.

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Between the three of them, their savings were painfully small.

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Not enough for comfort.

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Not enough for security.

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Only enough for hope.

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Emeka opened his notebook.

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Inside were calculations and plans.

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"If we combine everything, we should have enough for transportation and a few days of food."

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"A few days?" Musa asked.

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Emeka nodded.

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"After that, we must find work."

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Silence followed.

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The reality of their situation became clearer.

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They were preparing to leave everything familiar behind.

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And they would arrive in a place where nobody knew them.

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No family.

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No friends.

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No guarantees.

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Only uncertainty.

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A Yoruba proverb says:

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"The man who sets out to hunt an elephant must not be afraid of entering the forest."

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Baba Ade often used that proverb when speaking about courage.

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Great rewards required great risks.

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The boys reminded themselves of this truth.

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If they wanted a better future, they would have to face the unknown.

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That night, Emeka returned home and found his mother sitting outside beneath the moonlight.

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She appeared thoughtful.

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Almost sad.

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He sat beside her.

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For a long moment neither spoke.

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Then she asked quietly,

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"Are you afraid?"

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The question surprised him.

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He considered lying.

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Pretending to be strong.

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Pretending to be fearless.

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But he couldn't.

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"Yes."

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His mother smiled gently.

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"Good."

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Emeka frowned.

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"Good?"

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She nodded.

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"A man who feels no fear often walks into danger with closed eyes."

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The words carried wisdom.

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His mother continued.

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"Fear is not your enemy."

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"What do you mean?"

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"Fear reminds you to be careful."

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She placed a hand on his shoulder.

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"Courage is not the absence of fear."

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She smiled softly.

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"Courage is moving forward despite fear."

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The words remained with him long after she went inside.

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Meanwhile, Tunde spent his days helping his father on the farm.

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Every moment felt precious.

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Every conversation felt important.

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The closer departure came, the more he noticed things he had always taken for granted.

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The sound of birds at dawn.

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The smell of fresh earth after rain.

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The sight of his father quietly working beneath the sun.

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One afternoon, while harvesting cassava, his father suddenly stopped.

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"Tunde."

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"Yes, Papa?"

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"If success finds you one day, don't let pride find you first."

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Tunde looked at him carefully.

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His father rarely spoke without purpose.

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The old man continued.

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"The fruit-laden tree bends low, while the empty tree stands proudly."

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Tunde recognized the proverb immediately.

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True greatness remains humble.

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People with real wisdom do not boast.

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Those who achieve success should never forget where they came from.

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The lesson settled deeply in his heart.

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Elsewhere, Musa was spending every spare moment with his younger siblings.

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They followed him everywhere.

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As if afraid he might disappear.

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One evening, his youngest sister climbed onto his lap.

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"Will the city make you rich?"

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The innocent question made him smile.

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"I hope so."

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She thought for a moment.

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Then asked,

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"If you become rich, will you buy me a bicycle?"

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Musa laughed.

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"Yes."

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"A pink one?"

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"Yes."

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"A very big one?"

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"Yes."

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The little girl hugged him tightly.

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"Then you must come back."

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The smile on Musa's face slowly faded.

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Because beneath her childish request was a deeper fear.

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She was afraid of losing him.

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And the truth was painful.

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Many people left villages like Ajanaku and never returned.

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Some found success elsewhere.

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Some got lost.

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Some died.

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And some simply forgot.

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That night, sleep escaped him.

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The responsibility felt enormous.

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Not only was he carrying his own dreams.

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He was carrying the hopes of those who loved him.

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A week later, the village gathered for a small celebration.

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Word of the boys' departure had reached every household.

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Families brought food.

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Elders shared advice.

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Children listened with wide eyes.

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For many villagers, the three friends represented possibility.

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Proof that dreams still existed.

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As darkness settled, Baba Ade slowly rose to his feet.

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The crowd immediately became silent.

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The old man leaned on his walking stick.

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His voice was calm but powerful.

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"When I look at these boys, I see myself many years ago."

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Everyone listened carefully.

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"The world beyond this village is both beautiful and dangerous."

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He paused.

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"It can make a man."

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Another pause.

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"It can also destroy him."

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The gathering grew silent.

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Then Baba Ade spoke a proverb that many would remember forever.

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"The river that forgets its source will eventually dry up."

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His eyes settled on the three friends.

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"No matter how far you travel."

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He pointed toward the village.

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"Remember this place."

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He pointed toward their families.

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"Remember these people."

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Then he pointed toward their hearts.

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"And remember who you are."

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Tears filled many eyes.

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Including the eyes of the three young men.

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For the first time, the weight of their journey felt real.

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This was not simply about finding money.

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It was about identity.

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Character.

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Purpose.

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The celebration ended late into the night.

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Families slowly returned home.

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The village became quiet once again.

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Only the stars remained awake.

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The following morning, the three friends met beneath the iroko tree.

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The road ahead was finally becoming clear.

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Within days, they would begin their journey.

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A journey toward an unknown future.

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A journey that would test their friendship.

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A journey that would challenge everything they believed.

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Tunde looked toward the horizon.

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"Do you think we'll succeed?"

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Musa shrugged.

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"I don't know."

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Emeka closed his notebook.

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Then he smiled.

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"I don't know either."

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The three laughed.

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Not because they were confident.

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But because uncertainty was now part of their story.

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A final breeze swept through the village.

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And somewhere deep inside their hearts, hope whispered its promise once again.

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A better tomorrow might exist.

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Not because life was fair.

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Not because success was guaranteed.

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But because they were willing to chase it.

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And sometimes, the first step toward a new destiny is simply believing that one exists.

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Far beyond the hills of Ajanaku, the Unknown Land waited patiently.

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And soon, the three friends would begin the journey that would change their lives forever.43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08ubxurVtL

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