Iyanu: The w*r of Twin Princes (2026)

[bunniefuu]

You're late, Chosen.

You're early...

The Queen.

(SIGHS)

Good to see you again.

Um, perhaps

we're not quite there yet.

Perhaps.

Maybe this will help.

Huh?

What... What's this?

A peace offering.

I took your advice, and I've spent

the last few weeks trying

to make amends with

all the settlements of Yorubaland.

However, I realised I never did

that with you.

Look, we all know the best

jollof rice is from the Deep.

What?

You take that back right now.

Everybody knows Elu

has the best jollof rice.

Wrong. The Deep does.

That's it.

Now we have to fight.

Let's go. I'm going to...

What do you mean, "Just try it"?

It's... It's so good!

It's actually...

Better?

Please don't tell Olori

I said that.

By the way,

I found it.

You're welcome.

Is that Boju's diary?

Yes. Everything you think you know

about our history is false.

I hope you're ready to have your

entire world turned upside down.

Tell me, Chosen.

What do you know about

the w*r of the Twin Princes?

I...

I, um...

About a hundred years ago,

Prince Debo,

your people's great ancestor

was exiled from Elu by his

twin brother, Prince Laja

because Debo

was obsessed with false wonders.

Funny.

In the Deep, we were told that Debo

fought to reclaim his birthright

before he ended up being exiled by

the trickster and usurper Laja.

Elu's great ancestor.

So which is it, then?

The truth in this instance

is somewhere in the middle.

Is the truth in there?

It is time you heard the true story

about the people of the Deep.

In the words of

the Prince of Darkness himself.

Boju.

Division is a funny thing.

So often,

a w*r of a thousand begins with

the disagreement of a few.

Why did I win?

Um, because you're better?

Well, I am.

But let me rephrase.

Why did you lose?

Prince Laja,

you are very intelligent,

but you overthink

and you are too passive.

In a fight, it makes you weak.

There's a reason why our technique is

called the Way of the Golden leaf.

The Tree of Freedom was said

to have been planted by

the first father himself

ages ago.

And thus we believe

that each leaf embodies

one of its greatest traits.

Tranquillity.

As it falls from

the towering branch,

the golden leaf doesn't fret,

but remains at peace.

It doesn't think, it feels.

It flows and uses the wind's power

as its own.

The golden leaf doesn't contemplate.

It adapts.

Be like the golden leaf.

Well said, Oloye.

But I thought the purpose of

the leaves

was to be crushed

to purify the corrupted animals.

Are you saying my brother

resembles something

that is so easily crushed?

Because you would be correct.

Shut up, Debo.

-It's good to see you, brother.

-You too, brother.

Wait, wait, wait.

They loved each other?

Of course they did.

They were twins.

So how come they ended up

fighting each other?

-If you allow me to finish...

-Skip to the end!

I can't. I need you to hear

the entire story.

Now shush.

(SIGHS)

Fine.

Where was I?

Why are you here, Debo?

Why else?

To rescue you from the boring Agoni

Who preach and do nothing all day,

every day.

I assure you, my young prince.

Ours is a higher calling

to protect all of Yorubaland,

not just Elu.

Protect? My mother would disagree.

Or did you forget

the role you played in her exile?

Tell us, Prince Debo,

how would you advance our people?

These fire ants have a fortress

beneath the earth,

yet they are still bold enough

to go out and take territory,

no matter what stands in their way.

My mother used to say that,

to thrive,

our people must go out

and take territory

by swarming our enemies,

the corrupt, together.

Brother, you know it is forbidden.

Only the select are allowed

outside the walls.

Mother knew that, yet she disobeyed.

We can't change that.

"Forbidden" is a word I know not.

And when I am King,

everything changes.

But you are not King.

Not yet.

No one knows why my father

is here to pick an heir.

What we do know is

Laja cannot be King.

He's too timid.

He doesn't even want it.

We shall see.

In the meantime, I would urge you

to respect our way of life.

We, the Agoni, have done more

for Yorubaland

than you can possibly imagine.

Perhaps we put our philosophies to

the test.

An exhibition.

The Way of the Tortoise versus

the Way of the Golden Leaf.

Oba Adedeji.

It's not just the nobles any more.

The city is becoming uneasy.

You need to pick an heir.

My King, have you been visiting

the temple again?

Have the visions returned?

Oba, Oloye said...

I know what the Agoni said.

It changes nothing.

I needed to go, lest I run mad

with these dark premonitions

of our future.

Oba, Elu is a thriving city.

What could possibly go wrong?

Ever since I exiled their mother,

my wife,

I have been cursed.

Destined to relive the nightmare of

the future she predicted.

My King, she broke a sacred law.

What other choice did you have?

Mercy.

Nevertheless, I cannot afford

to make the wrong decision

about my heir.

Else all of Elu will be destroyed.

And the only way I can be sure

is by getting answers from

the temple, no matter the cost.

-But, Oba...

-Bring my sons to me at once.

Begin!

Great work, Prince Laja.

Keep your distance. Draw him in.

Prince Debo, ignore the theatrics.

He's masking his weaknesses.

Let's see how you handle this, Laja.

Yes! Finish him.

That is not the Way of the Tortoise.

Where did he learn such...

Kicking sand in my eyes?

Where did you learn to do all that?

I know the Isha don't teach

such dish on our able tactics.

Debo, Prince Laja, apologies

but Chancellor Simi

and the Oba request your presence

at once.

-Are you alright, Laja?

-Of course I am.

I'm 20 seconds older than you, remember.

I'm pretty much obligated

to let you win.

Sore loser.

Be careful with that one.

My sons, it is good to see you

in good health.

My princes.

Months ago, as potential heirs,

you were each tasked with venturing

into the districts to see

what could be done to improve

the lives of our people.

The Oba would like to know

what you have learned thus far.

Thank you, Chancellor Simi.

Oba, over the last few months,

I've spent extensive time with

the Agoni.

With the help of their teachings,

I've been able

to pass on relevant information

about our ancestry to the masses.

After all, for us to truly know

where we are going,

we must know from whence we came.

Good work, my son.

Debo, your report.

Oba, I spent my time

as an apprentice of the Isha,

learning about military strategy

and more importantly,

how the wanderers beyond

the walls managed to stay alive.

-It is of...

-Are you still on this matter

of venturing beyond the walls?

Yes, father.

Like mother always said.

You will not mention her name

in these chambers!

Or do you plan to defy me

as she did?

You truly are your mother's son.

How much are you willing to risk

to make her dream

of expanding beyond the walls

a reality?

With all due respect, father,

if you and your lackeys

continue to ignore

the looming overpopulation issue,

it will spell the end

of our thriving city.

How much am I willing to risk

for my mother's dream?

Everything!

If not, Elu will burn!

-Father, are you alright?

-Leave me at once! All of you.

Not you, Laja.

Well done, Prince Laja.

Father, please be patient with Debo.

He means well.

I hear you've been telling everyone

that you plan to renounce your right

as heir to the throne.

-Yes, father.

-Leaving me no choice

but to pick Debo as my heir.

I can do more for our people,

for Yorubaland,

without the burdens of the Crown.

And besides, Debo was right.

We cannot ignore the looming

overpopulation crisis any longer.

With the wisdom of the Agoni,

I can finally make a difference

in our people's lives.

By...

Son, is this really

about helping our people,

or are you seeking absolution

for what happened to your mother?

Why can't it be both?

Laja, you did nothing wrong.

Never forget that.

Do you understand me?

If I did nothing wrong,

then why do I feel this way?

Son.

There's something important

I must tell you.

Promise me, son.

I need your word.

Everything alright?

Laja, is everything alright?

Yes, brother.

You scared me, that's all.

Whatever it is, Laja,

just remember I'm with you always.

Come. I know something

that will definitely cheer you up.

Come here.

-I love you, brother.

-I love you too

my dear brother.

Ha! No hits. I win, as always.

You mean you cheated?

As always.

After all these years,

neither of us comes close

to mother's ability.

I never told you this,

but before she was exiled

Mother made me promise to find her

when I became King.

She hoped that together we could

fulfil her dream

of exploring beyond the walls.

I'm not surprised she said

that to you.

Ow. My arm.

Laja, why would you do that?

Because Debo cheated.

He always cheats. It's not fair.

He cheated

because you allowed him to.

You truly are your father's son.

Stop being weak and emotional.

Life is not fair.

Be more like your brother.

Win no matter the cost.

Dominate or be dominated.

I had nothing in common with her.

She thought I was weak.

You were always her favourite.

As you were father's.

I understand why you did it.

Why you told father

Mother had been secretly

venturing beyond the walls.

I never thought for a second

he would exile her.

And since then you've

blamed yourself,

even though you shouldn't.

And why shouldn't I?

Because mother's mistake was hiding

her true intentions from father.

I won't make that same error.

What do you mean?

What is that, Debo?

Mother left this behind for me

as a guide.

It's a mask that belonged

to the first exile of Elu.

Promise me, son.

I need your word.

The first exile?

The same person who was banished

for using false wonders?

Brother, this is too dangerous!

Relax, Laja.

That is not important. Look at this.

"A free mind attracts many,

but the many comes great strength.

"From great strength,

power is derived."

"Through power,

the domination is attained."

"And the dominant and powerful

shall rule the earth."

Laja, this is the key to true,

lasting prosperity for our people.

But it all starts with finding

and bringing mother back home.

I've learned to make

these intentions clear to father

when I'm chosen as heir.

Are you with me, brother?

Yes, brother.

Always.

After all these years,

you still haven't learned

to think for yourself.

You are no son of mine.

You are weak.

Know this.

There is nothing you can do

to make up for what you did to me.

Oba, I fear this place

has a hold over you.

No. I must understand these visions

in order to pick the right heir

and thus prevent the doom of Elu.

To do so, I must go

deeper into the temple.

To a place only Adedi

himself has ever set foot.

Look, that place is completely

off limits, even for you.

Only the Agoni can go there.

Iron key.

Blood key.

Make it stop!

Please make it stop!

Stop! Stop!

Oh, God.

Oba!

I'm sorry.

I love...

And so, Oba Adedeji,

having entered the Forbidden Temple,

died without naming an heir.

A terrible mistake

that would set the stage

for centuries of turmoil

for the people of...

Are you listening?

Yes, I am.

Sorry, but this stuff

is just so good.

(GROANS)

Continue.

How are you even the chosen?

(MUMBLES) I don't know.

Pay attention.

This next part is crucial.

After his death,

the leadership of Elu had to decide

what happened next.

Debo assumed it would be

a straightforward process.

He was wrong.

Did he name an heir?

No, he did not.

It is settled then.

Laja will renounce his rights

and I will be the next King of Elu.

In the presence of this council,

we can finalise my coronation...

Laja!

Are you officially giving up

your rights as heir?

Promise me, son. I need your word.

No.

I claim my rights

as heir to the throne.

You do this to me, brother?

Betray me like you did our mother?

It is settled then.

We must vote.

My vote is for Prince Laja.

My vote is for Prince Debo.

My vote is for...

Prince Laja.

My King, we must prepare

for your court.

Leave me, all of you.

So you do have a backbone.

Or perhaps you are still just obeying

your father and Oloye's commands.

I thought as much.

You didn't even have the courage

to betray your brother

because you wanted to.

You did it because you were told to.

Just as you did with me.

Like I said.

Weakness.

You may be right, Mother,

but you poisoned Debo's mind.

And because of that,

I will do whatever is necessary

to prevent the doom of Elu.

Even though Laja

was now officially King,

Prince Debo refused to let go

of his birthright

and more importantly,

the promise he made to his mother,

without a fight.

With General Akin's help,

Debo got a good portion of

Elu to back his claim.

Together, they turned the forest

region of Elu into their fortress.

Even though we have the most elite

of the Isha,

Laja's inexperienced forces

still outnumber us 3 to 1.

Attacking them now would result

in a bloodbath for both sides.

He's right.

We should rally more support

before we...

Wrong!

The time to strike is now.

Oba!

Whoa!

Ah, my leg.

(LAUGHTER)

There's a man here that claims

he has what you need to...

(COUGHS)

Win.

Well, send him in.

It is truly an honour to meet you.

Who are you and why are you here, stranger?

My name is Eletan.

I am a wanderer who has journeyed

to the far reaches of Yorubaland.

Many things I have seen.

But perhaps the most important moment

in my travels

was when I met

Of a the Great One.

You knew my...

You knew my mother?

Yes, Great King.

Her wisdom guided me to

an ancient power

from the age of wonders.

A power I have brought to you,

so that you may reclaim

what is rightfully yours.

Show me this power.

Oba, these are the areas of the most

recent uprisings

in support of Prince Debo.

He has used our impending

overpopulation crisis

as a rallying cry,

telling citizens that,

like your father,

you refuse to do

what is necessary to save Elu.

This is getting out of hand.

Each day we inch closer

to civil w*r.

Yes, but we must find a path

toward peace without bloodshed.

I agree.

Oloye, is everything alright?

You've barely said a word.

I am not sure.

I sense a dark cloud over Elu.

Um, in case you forgot,

we are on the brink of a w*r.

It would be more helpful

if the Agoni did more than advise.

This darkness is something else, general.

And if you must know, for us,

violence is a last resort.

What do you think a w*r is?

Oloye, Tunde speaks the truth.

Oba, the Agoni are forbidden to

take sides in royal disputes.

But our creed does not prevent us

from being peacemakers.

-I'm not sure...

-She's offering to be an envoy.

It has been weeks

since your father's passing.

Perhaps time has allowed

Prince Debo to rethink his position.

We, the Agoni, have not pledged

our forces to either side.

That could prove useful.

It could work,

but only if I accompany them.

It's the only way Debo

would take it seriously.

I don't like it, it's too dangerous.

I will be fine.

Trust me.

Alright.

Oloye, a word.

May I?

Oba, these are false wonders.

Even if they allow us to win,

it is forbidden.

How many times must

I tell you people?

Forbidden is a word I know not.

Oba, please,

I beg you to reconsider.

Relax, Akin.

Besides, all the wanderer wanted

in return was access.

-Access to what?

-The Forbidden temple.

-What? My King, you cannot be...

-Did I not make myself clear?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing

is too much to give up for victory.

My victory.

My birthright. My mother.

You worry too much, my friend.

The fool will be dead within minutes

of stepping foot into the temple.

It's a win-win all around.

Oba, what you've done...

-I cannot...

-Oba.

I bring news from the south gate.

A delegation from Laja

requests your audience.

You are more of a brother to me

than Laja ever was.

I need you by my side

now more than ever.

Are you with me?

-Prince Debo, on behalf...

-Oba Debo!

On behalf of Oba Laja,

I, along with the Agoni,

-are here to peacefully disperse...

-Noble Chancellor Simi.

You always claimed to love me

and my brother as your own.

But in truth, all you ever wanted

was my mother out of the picture

so you could be close to my father.

Yes.

My mother told me all about you.

Snake.

Debo, if there is one thing

we can all agree upon,

it is that we all

love this great city.

I urge you to put aside your

imagined slights

and work with us to find

a peaceful resolution.

We, the Agoni,

are forbidden to take...

Forbidden? There's that word again.

The same word that got my mother,

the Queen of Elu, exiled.

Cast away like a stray dog

to fend for herself in the wild.

Your mother chose her path.

No one forced her to break the law.

-Chancellor...

-Because of that,

she got what was coming to her.

-How dare you?

-Prince Debo, calm yourself.

We're here for peace.

Just like you will get

what is coming to you

should you refuse

to look toward peace.

False wonders. It can't be.

What have you done, Debo?

Now that they have seen your power,

they will tell all who care

to listen

that you are the villain

of this story.

They came here for peace talks.

We cannot attack them.

You must stop them here and now

if you ever want to be King.

If you ever want a chance

at finding your mother.

Otherwise,

the whole city will turn on you

before you can

show them the way

your mother intended.

To show the people what the Agoni

label as false wonders

is just power

they are yet to understand.

Oba, Debo, please don't do this.

Seize them.

Agoni! Prepare for battle.

Steady, my priestesses.

Don't do anything rash.

How can we fight him?

False wonders...

No, wait!

The Agoni are finished!

Agoni, now is our chance. Retreat!

No, you don't. I'll block your exit.

No!

No!

I didn't... I didn't mean to.

The gate...

I was trying to...

No!

Stop!

Let them go!

With Chancellor Simi gone,

there would be no turning back.

w*r was inevitable.

But with false wonders in play

everyone began to fear the worst.

Debo must pay for this!

I agree.

We, the Agoni, will stand and fight

with you, my King.

Why the change of heart?

We cannot allow false wonders to cast

a dark shadow over Yorubaland,

as it did during the era of

the first exile.

I agree, but the Agoni joined

in the fight will not be enough.

What then?

We fight fire with ice.

My King, you cannot.

It is too dangerous.

We can't afford to lose...

This is the only way, Oloye.

It is just as you said.

We cannot...

We will not allow false wonders

to cast a dark shadow

over Yorubaland.

Very well.

Now tell me the rest of the story

about the staff.

There have been no wonders

since the disappearance of

the Divine Ones centuries ago,

and there will be no wonders

until the time of the Chosen.

Thus, anything that appears between

now and then are false wonders,

powered by the Dark One

and his acolytes.

However,

there is one divine artefact

that remains

which embodies pure divine power.

The staff of the first father, Joba.

How come no one has ever tried

to retrieve it?

Many have.

They all died, either on their way

to retrieve it

or instantly when

they tried to claim it.

But no one with Adedi's blood,

royal blood, has ever tried.

Should I somehow make it to the top,

what are the chances I will survive?

Very slim.

May Eleda protect your path.

Give it up, Laja.

You will never make it to the top.

You will always be a weak,

backstabbing coward.

Give up, traitor!

You will never be

as strong as your brother.

You are nothing but a weak...

Enough!

Whether it was right or wrong,

I made a choice.

I will no longer live in the past

and I am done seeking your approval.

I am done seeking your forgiveness.

Goodbye, mother.

What?

Oh, no.

So wonders did exist before me.

Your conduit.

The source and the summit.

They all share something in common.

They are all massive sources

of divine energy

connected by and to one thing.

You.

The Tree of freedom.

The root system my mother built.

It connected them all to me.

Oba.

Yes, Akin? What is it?

Well?

The Agoni shield is about to fall.

Soon we'll be able to mount

an offensive on Elu.

And with your gift,

we can finally retake the throne

before sundown.

About time.

Soon their shield will fall.

I have done my part.

Now I humbly ask

that you honour our agreement.

Thank you, your Grace.

This will be the end of Elu

as we know it.

Now more than ever,

we need our King to return.

I wonder if he made it to the summit.

No one who journeyed to the summit

has ever made it back.

So for all we know,

our King could be dead already.

And in a matter of minutes,

so could we.

After the shield fails.

How are you so calm then?

Faith.

The shield,

no one really knows for a fact

how we're able to erect it.

We know that we draw power

from the Tree of Freedom.

How exactly? We don't know.

That is where faith comes in.

We choose to believe that,

through the tree,

Eleda himself grants us power.

Is it the same for Laja's,

and by extension,

our fates.

I do not know how he will make it

to the summit and back.

But I choose to believe

that somehow Eleda will guide him

because he has a good heart.

That is the difference between

true and false wonders.

The source of your faith

and the posture of your heart.

Signal the reinforcements

and bring me his corpse!

Any sign of him?

No, captain. We looked everywhere.

My back!

Surrender, Tunde.

I taught you all you know.

You can't win this battle.

Surrender to you?

After all the shame you

brought on the Isha?

Over my dead body.

As you wish.

I am sorry.

What?

Destroy them!

For Elu!

What? Why won't this open?

It won't open for you,

spawn of darkness.

Or did your master not tell you

the full story?

And what would that be?

So, you are responsible

for twisting Prince Debo's mind,

exposing him to false wonders.

There is nothing I exposed him to

that wasn't already in his heart.

Be that as it may,

I will ensure that I am

the last thing you see, fiend.

And I will ensure

that you show me how

to get past this door.

My people, my home.

At this rate all of Elu will burn.

This... This is too much.

This... This is wrong.

First father, Eleda,

Chosen, I'm not sure

if any of you are real,

but if you are, I beg you,

grant me the strength

to end this w*r quickly.

(CHEERING)

What's the matter, fiend?

Are you tired?

What is happening to me?

What? I can't see. Why can't I see?

I told you I would ensure

that I was the last thing you saw,

spawn of darkness.

What did you do to me, witch?

It is called the Forbidden Temple

for a reason.

Without King's blood,

anyone who comes in here

with ill intentions

will have their sights taken

from them.

No, no, this can't be.

Now, let us end this, shall we?

It's over, brother.

Surrender.

Debo! It is over.

Surrender!

Never!

You think you've won?

You know nothing.

You are nothing except a liar,

a thief and a backstabbing,

spineless coward.

You are no brother of mine.

You are a complete waste

of human matter.

Mother was right.

You are nothing but

weakness personified.

Just like father.

The golden leaf doesn't fret,

but remains at peace.

It doesn't think, it feels.

Be like the golden leaf.

You've won.

Now grant me and my warriors

an honourable death.

With your mother,

I had no choice.

And neither did you.

You did the right thing.

You know why?

Because your mother didn't just

break a sacred law

by venturing outside the walls.

She was what we call an acolyte.

A spawn of the Dark One.

And I fear she has

corrupted your brother.

If I am right,

if the visions are true,

Debo cannot be allowed to rule.

He cannot be allowed to...

To live.

I am sorry to place

this burden on you,

but please promise me, son.

I need your word that if I'm right,

you will end this vicious cycle

once and for all.

I'm sorry, father, I cannot.

I will not k*ll you, brother.

Instead, I will give you

what you've always wanted.

You, your followers

and their offspring

are hereby banished

to roam the lands for eternity.

Smart.

You punish me and get rid of half

the population simultaneously.

Putting an end

to the overpopulation crisis.

Perhaps mother was wrong.

You do know that this

is a death sentence, right?

Without adequate resources,

we would be lucky

if half of us survived.

Then I pray that Eleda

will protect your path.

k*ll me now, brother.

Or else this w*r will never end.

Do it! k*ll me!

No.

Enough blood has been spilled

in this w*r.

Should you find mother...

Tell her I'm sorry.

And so the w*r of

the twin princes ended

with Debo and his men

exiled from Elu.

But Debo was right.

Banishment was indeed

a death sentence,

as he would have to watch

more than half of his supporters

devoured by the corrupt

as they journeyed towards

their new home,

the Deep.

And with his dying wish,

Debo commanded his people,

now the people of the Deep,

to vow to one day retake the land

that was rightfully theirs,

and make the people of Elu suffer.

The dominant and the powerful

shall rule the earth.

Take back Elu, my children.

No matter the cost.

Now, I understand what you meant

when you said the truth is somewhere

in the middle.

And now you understand why my people

are the way they are.

I do.

Adura, I'm so sorry.

This must be a lot to deal with.

It's fine.

I'm not crying

because of my people's history,

however sad it may be.

Why are you crying then?

Eletan the deceiver.

Oh, yes. What happened to him?

It's on the last page.

After healing as best I could from

what the temple did to me,

I sought out Debo's descendants

to finish the mission

I had set to accomplish

at the temple many years ago.

Ooh.

Ah!

Come with us. The King will see you.

Wait. What should we call you?

I am a wanderer.

I have no name.

Then we will give you one.

Let's see...

Ah, you're blind.

We shall call you...

Boju.

Eletan is Boju?

I know.

That's exactly how I felt

when I read that part.

For over a century, Boju has

pulled the strings from the shadows

and then shrouded all of Yorubaland

in a dark cloud.

Now, and with an eye

toward the future,

we must break the cycle of violence

and bring the fight to him

and his acolytes.

Both of us have a chance

to learn from

the mistakes our ancestors made.

Together we will.

Together we can heal.

One tribe.

One Yorubaland.

What did he say?

He asked if this means

you'll be joining Team Chosen.

Um..