The Phoenix of Winter

The sun rose slowly over Ilodé, casting warm light on the red roofs of the quiet town nestled between old hills and whispering forests. To outsiders, Ilodé was just another sleepy Yoruba village in Oyo State. But for those who knew the hidden truths of the land, Ilodé held the secret flame of an ancient tribe - the Eyan Inu Ina, the People of the Inner Fire.

In the heart of this forgotten town lived Adura Adebayo, a 22-year-old orphan who never quite fit in. Raised by her grandmother until she died, Adura grew up with strange dreams - visions of flames dancing in her palms and voices calling her "Ọmọ Ina" - child of fire. She never told anyone. Not even Tolani, her best friend since childhood.

Adura and Tolani were inseparable. They laughed together, hustled together, and suffered together. After WAEC, when university admission failed to show, they took their destinies into their own hands - learning fashion design from old tailors and working late into the night under candlelight.

But Adura was different. While Tolani sewed with talent, Adura sewed with something else... something extra. Her fingers moved faster, her thread never tangled, and sometimes - just sometimes - the fabric seemed to warm under her touch. She chalked it up to imagination. Magic didn't exist. At least, not anymore.

Still, their bond was strong. They pooled their savings, borrowed from a local cooperative, and finally opened their small fashion studio: T&A Styles. Business was slow at first, but Adura's designs began to draw attention - especially her fire-themed collection: red silks with glowing seams, golden embroidery that shimmered like embers.