Unstable (1)
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Transcript of Unstable (1)
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8/9/2019 Unstable (1)
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ChapteroneThewindblewinfourdirectionswherewestopped.Wewerehighuponahill.Mybody
feltstickyandgummy,Ihadnthadabathforthelastthreedaysbecausewehadbeen
marchingnonstop.Suddenlymydriftingthoughtswereinterruptedbytheclearsilkharsh
voiceofwarriorprinceAkpoti,`wehavegottentothefinalstop,hesaid,hisvoiceringinglikeabellinmyears.`theplainsarewhatliebetweenusandthemenofxendu.Themenofxendu,whohadntheardofthem?Noneamongstushadseenthembuttheirdeeds
surpasswords.Villageaftervillageandkingdomafterkingdomhadfallenbytheedgeof
theirblade.`washyourselvesandrestfortomorrowwegobeforethemenofxenduasmen,strongwilledmenpreparedtodieforhonour,menreadytolaydowntheirlivestoprotectallthatwelove,ourwives,ourmothers,ourchildrenourlandsandaboveallpreserveourkingdom.Wehavebeenpreparedforthisallourlivesandtomorrowweshallcarryoutourdutytotheking.Weexterminateorgetexterminated!`Remembertobeawarriorisnotaneasytask.
Tobeawarriorisnotaneasytask,thosewordskeptringinginmyears,keptrepeatingthemselvesliketheyhadamindoftheirown.DidIactuallyknowwhatIsignedupforwhen
Idecidedtobecomeone?DidIactuallyopenmyeyestochoosethisprofession?WasI
blind?NO!Idontthinkso.Itwouldseemratherthattheprofessionchoseme.Dontgetme
wrong,Imnotacoward,hadneverbeenoneandwouldneverbeone.Headingtowardsmytentforthenight
IdiscoveredthatIreallyneededtherest,threedayswithoutsleephadtoldonmeseriously,
mymovementsweresluggishandmyreactionsslow.Thiswasnotgoodespeciallyfora
warrior.AsIsettleddownthatnightonthegrasstosleep,Ireflectedonmythirtyoneyears
ofexistenceinthisworld.
ImDimpkaDiopa,secondsonofAlabathefarmer,hehimselfthelastbornsonofKiwiwi
Hawkeye,Huntershuntsman,sonoftheneedle.Myfatherwasanaveragefarmerwhilemy
grandfatherwasagreathuntsmanwellrenownedinsideandoutsideLeog.Fromchildhood
itwasclearthatIinheritedthekeeneyeofmygrandfather.ManythoughtIwouldtake
afterhim
but
upon
attaining
puberty,
Iexhibited
traits
of
my
mothers
tribesmen;
light
footedness.Afewyearsafter,anincidentconfirmedmeasthetruesonofmyfather.To
preventaforestfirefromreachingourfarmlandandultimatelydestroyingit,Idugamile
longtrenchwithoutpausingforrest.IcollapsedthereassoonasIfinishedunabletomove.I
wasdiscoveredfewhourslaterwheninthefracascausedbythediscoveryofthefire,my
absencewasnoted.Mysingulareffortsavedquiteanumberoffarmlandsandsurpassed
anythingmyfatherdidasayouth.
SoonafterthatIstumbledintothesportofwrestling.Withmyspeed,agility,stamina,
keeneye
and
quick
reactions/reflexes,
Itriumphed,
winnings
coming
one
after
the
other.
Thethingwasthough;Iwasntthestrongest,Iwasverysmartandskilledandthesealong
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withacombinationofotherfactorsmademeaforcetobereckonedwithinthewrestling
circles.Itwasoneofthosedays,afteragoodwrestlingmatchthatIwasaskedbyaroyal
scouttobecomeawarrior,tojointhenewlyformedelitecasteofwarriorsthatoperated
handinhandwiththecrown.Itookachancethen,riskeditandIhaveneverlookedback
since,that
is
until
today.
HowfarhadIriseninthecaste?Iaskedmyself.LookingbackIsawthatmytrackrecord
wasntimpressive.Iwasjustanormalman,amongstthedregsofthewarriorcaste,butI
dontblamemyself.Uponarrivalintothewarriorcasteitdawnedonmethatstrengthwas
neededinallthings.Notjustnormalstrengthbutbrutestrength.Howwouldyouuseskills
againstsomeoneasskilledasyouarewhomisevenstronger?Impossible!SoIhadtobe
contentwiththelowlypositionsassignedtome,consolingmyselfthateverypositionmust
befilled.Onthewholeitwasntthatbad...atleastthepaywasgoodandbeinganelite
warrior
from
Leog
definitely
boosted
my
sex
appeal
as
I
got
married
to
a
most
beautiful
and
caringgirlinLeog.AsofnowIhavetwosonsbothaged13and11respectivelyandin
everythingIdonow,Ialwaysconsiderthem,placingthemfirst,orhowelsewoulditsound
tothemlaterinlifethattheirfatherwasacoward?Thinkingthesethoughtsandmyface
filledwithbeautifulimagesofmyfamily,myonlyconsolationinlife,Ifellasleep.
....................................................................................................................................................
Iwasrelaxed,refreshedandreadytokill.Myarmourwasshiningandthesunreflectedoff
mybreastplatelikeamirror.`MENOFLEOG!!ITSTIMETOFACEOURDESTINYASWARRIORS!!!PrinceAkpotiswordspiercedthroughmythoughtslikeaknifethroughsour
milk.`THEMENOFXENDUHAVEPILLAGEDTHROUGHAFRICALIKEANTSANDNOWTHEYWANTTOTRESPASSONTHENORTHERNKINGDOM!!SOLDIERSOFTHENORTHWEAREANDWESHALLNOTRELENTINOUREFFORTTOSTOPTHEM!!Atthismomentmythoughtswenttomybeautifulwife,mytwosonsandimagesofthetimeswehadtogetherasone
familyflashedthroughmymind.Sothisistheendof...`EVENINDEATHITSHALLBEREMEMBEREDTHATWETHEMENOFLEOG!SOLDIERSOFTHENORTH!WARRIORSOFTHEELITE!!STOODUPAGAINSTTHETYRANNYOFTHEXENDUEMPIRE!Onceagaintheprinceswordsinterruptedmythoughts.Allthewarriorslookedfirmandtautwithgraveexpressions
ontheirfaces.IlookedtomyrightandsawmychildhoodfriendandplaymateOro.How
doesitfeelliketodie?Imurmuredtohim.`Dontworry;weshallsoonknowheanswered
andthensmiledhischaracteristicweaksmile.Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarge!!!!ThecommandwassosuddenthatIhadtojerkmyselfforward.Asweranswordsandspearsinhandwith
ourmindsetondeath,thegrassbenttothewillofourfeetandwemadethenoiseTHUMP!
STUMP!!STOMP!!!
CLANK!Thatwasthesoundasmetalmetmetalandstrengthmetstrengthaswegazed
uponthefacesofourfoesforthefirstandlasttime.Theirskinwasyellowandthey
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appearedmonstrouslystrongandskilled.Theymovedlikeonewiththewindandkepton
pouringlikeants.WHAM!Wefellonthemlikeamachetefallingongrass,theyrecoiledas
THWACK!Theycounterattackedlikestubborngrassrefusingtobecut.
Ikeptrunningandpiercedmyswordintothechestofthefirstsoldierinmyway;I
removedit,duckedtododgeablowfromanenemyandcounteredslicinghisheadoff.This
waswar.Everywherearoundmewasgory.TCHWANG!Ihadturnedjustintimetoblock
anotherblowfromanenemy.Myquickreflexeswereworkingformethistimearound.I
pushedwithallmystrengthandbeforehecouldrecoverenoughtoregainhiscomposure,
myswordhadlodgedinandcheckedoutofhischestinamatterofseconds.Hefelldown,
andbeforehisheadhitthegroundIhadengagedanotherfoe.Thefightingwasintenseand
IwasalreadysweatinglikeaChristmasgoatbutmysensesweresharperthanever.
InthisstateIturnedonlytofaceanotherwarrior.Theywerestrongbutnotfast.Ina
matterof
seconds
his
insides
were
on
the
ground.
With
this
speed
Iturned
only
to
discover
myweaponhookedbyanother,Ilookeduptoseeanuglymonsterlookingdownatme.He
lookedlikearedbullandheldmystareforafewseconds.Hrmppfh!Hegroanedandtooka
move.WithmyweapontrappedIwasatalossforwhattodo.SuddenlyImadeamove,he
wasbigandheavyandso....slow...tospeak,Iremovedtheflashpowderwewarriors
carriedalongwithuseverywherewewentandaimeditstraightintohiseyes.Hewas
momentarilystunnedandinthatmomentIfreedmyswordandconcentratingallmy
strength,struckavitalblowlodgingmyswordbetweenhisribs.Panting,Ipusheditsome
more.SureofthepotencyofmyweaponImovedclosertohimashefellonhiskneesto
dislodgethesword,butasmyhandstouchedthehilt,Ifeltanothersetofhandscloseover
mine.InstinctivelyIlookeduponlytoseehiseyesopenandbrownjaggedteethsmilingat
me.ThatwasthelastthingIsawbeforeIfeltsomethingterriblybigandhuge(hishead)hit
myface.Thepainwassointensethatitrusheddownfromthepointofcontact,washing
throughmywholebody.Imovedbackmomentarilydazedforafewsecondsandupon
seeingthroughthestarsthatdazedme,snapped.Throwingallcautiontothewind,I
broughtouttwodaggersfrommybackwantingtohurthimasmuchasIcouldandinmy
blindfuryIattackedtheuglysonofamonsterinfrontofme.Hewasntdumbandsopulled
outanaxetofacemesquarely.Iusedthedaggersonhimtilltheirbladeswerebent.And
thentheybrokeyethekeptoncominglikeabull.Myfurywasspentandmybodyweakand
yethewasstillcoming.Thistimearound,Iknewtherewasnowayaroundit,mybodywas
alreadybathedinmyownbloodandIhaddeepcutsandbruisesalloverme.Iwasfeeling
faint.Ilookedaroundme;weweresurelylosingthebattle.ForeverynorthernwarriorIsaw
standing,IsawtwoofXendu.Hewasclose,soIsteeledmyselfforthefinalblow,pickingup
thedeadsoldiersswordlyingonthefloornexttome.Aeeeaaaarrrrhhhh!Iranforward,
swordraisedtomeethimmidcharge.Justwhentheswordsweresupposedtoimpactand
metalsupposedtoscratchmetal,hedidafeintandwithspeedIthoughthimnotcapableof,
rushedback
and
struck
me
avital
blow
on
my
shoulder.
Imust
admit,
Inever
saw
it
coming.
MyscreamjoinedthemarketofscreamsofdeathbeingtradedbetweenbothsidesasI
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clutchedmyshoulderinadesperatebidtostopthespontaneousflowofblood.Thepain
rackedmybodybutitdidn'tendatthat,heturnedtoservetheblowthatwouldseveremy
headoffitssupport.Weakfromtherapidlossofblood,Ifelltomyknees.Mybloodwas
gushingdownmyhandsandmyvisionwasgettingblurred.HeraisedtheaxeandIclosed
myeyes,
but
it
never
came
down.
Iopenedmyeyesandsawmywarriorprinceathisback,themonstershandholdingthe
axehavingbeencutoff,rollinginthedustashisbloodmingledwithsand.Hekickedme
forward,outofthewayandIfellintoapond.Asthewaterslowlysubmergedme,Itookin
everythingthatwashappeningaroundforperhapsthelasttimewithmybloodblurred
vision.Mywarriorprincematchedthenowonehandedmonsterskillforskill,strengthfor
strengthbutloandbeholditwasalostcauseforasthatmonsterfell,twomorecameand
tookhisplace.ItindeedwasalostcauseforLeogasourforceswerefaroutnumberedand
dwindling
fast.
The
water
touched
my
beard
and
I
smiled.
`you
have
done
well
I
told
myself.
IhadpaidwithmylifefortheheroshonourlikeKpeti,Njovoandothersbeforeme.Icould
considermyselfafulfilledman,onewhodiedtoprotecthismotherland.
Asmyheadhitthebottomofthepond,theencumberingdarknesstookovercompletely.I
sawsomethingthenheardnothingandsawnothing. Iwasdead.
....................................................................................................................................................
Thebattlewasover,theycouldprogressatlast.Theyweretheadvanceregimentof
GenghiskhanofXendu,unstoppableandunbeatable.Kingdomshadsurrenderedattheir
approachandkingsinrespect,hadfallenofftheirthronesforthem,butthisonetheywere
headedtowereinsolentandstubborn.Theyhadkilledtheirpeaceambassadorsthatthey
hadsenttothemtonegotiateandhadthegutstosendbacktheirheads. Hewasgoingto
overruntheirkingdomruthlessly,hewasgoingtoembarkonamassacreunlikeanyother
everseeninthehistoryoftheworld.Maybethen,hisfatherwouldlookuponhimwiththe
favourhedeserved.
`Commander!Thatsthelastoneofthemthatwepickedup.Asoldierreported,
interruptinghisthoughts.`Areyousure?heinquired.Yessir!TheXendusoldierreplied.
Packthemintoheapsandsetthemablaze,heordered.`Thosedeadmonkeys,theycertainly
hadgutscomingagainstuslikethatbutImustgiveittothem,theywerestrongand
impressive,forustosufferlossesofthismagnitudehethoughtsilentlytohimself.`They
weresuchawasteofvaluablefightingmaterialthatwouldhavebeengoodenoughforhis
fathersempire.Theymighthavedonewellbutdamnthoseanimals,theydidnthave
brains,theyhadonlybrutehethoughttohimselfagainasthesoldiermovedtocarryout
hisorders.
`WheresRen?heaskedshakingofftheidlethoughtsinhishead.`Hesaidhewantedto
checkoutsome
nefarious
disturbance
coming
from
the
pond
sir!
another
soldier
replied.
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`Whatwasit?heenquired.`Hesaidhesawwatersplashingaroundsir,morelikesomeone
wastrashingaroundinsidethepondsir!thesamesoldieradded.`Andheisntback?The
commanderaskedgettingquicklyirritatedbyinternalsuspicions.`NoSir!Thesoldier
replied.Renwashisgaycompanion;thingswouldntberosyifhecouldnthavehimto
himselfthat
night.
`EVERYONE
MOVE
TO
THE
POND
NOW...WE
MAY
HAVE
A
SITUATION
ON
OURHANDSthecommandershoutedtotheidlesoldierslyingaround.Thosedead
monkeys,theyresortedtotheuseofblackmagicgrrrrr.....Illshowthem,hethoughtto
himself,asheheadedtowardsthepondwithhismen.
Hegottothepondandsawnothing;itwaslikeascenefromhischildhood.Thenhesaw
thewoodensignfloatinginthewater.ItwasabannerofXendu.Ashisfingersclaspedover
it,anotherhandclaspedoverhisandpulledhimin.Screamsfilledtheplaceasthecreature
ascendedoutofthewaterunleashingterroronthemenofXenduwhosurvivedthebattle,
not
stopping
until
every
single
one
of
them
lay
down
on
the
ground...
stone
dead.
....................................................................................................................................................
ElsewhereinLeog,theterriblenewsoftheelitesdefeatonthebattlefieldwasabouttobe
deliveredtothefatheroftheheadelite,thekingofthenorthernkingdom.Theroyalscout
rushedin,damningeveryoneinhispathasherushedstraightuptothepalacewithout
pausingtogreetanyone.Hegottothepalaceandwasntstopped,hewasexpected.He
keptrunningtillhegottothekingschambers.There,hepausedforabreatherbefore
enteringintothechamber.Hewalkedstraightuptothekingsthroneandkneltbeforehim,
panting.`Im
sorry
your
majesty
he
reported,
`but
we
lost
all
our
elite
on
the
battlefield,
theydiedvaliantlyandsucceededinpreventingthemenofXendufromgettingthroughthe
Fulonpass.`Andmyson?theking,fearingtheveryworstinquired.`He...he...diedalong...
withthemyourmajestythescoutstuttered.`Allthebodiesweresetablazeandarecharred
beyondrecognitionand...`andwhat?thekingaskedinaboomingvoicefilledwithanger.
`Thebattlefieldyourmajesty,itwasabnormallikeanavalanchehitit,everythinglookedso
outof...`Itsabnormal!Thekingcutsin.`Isthatwhatyouretellingme?Myson!Myonly
son!! TheheirtothethroneofLeog,isdeadandallyouhavetotellmeisthatwherehe
diedisabnormal??`Imsorryyourmajestythescoutmuttered.`GETOUT!GETOUT!Let
mebe!
`IknowIshouldnthavelethimgothekingmutteredtohimselfassoonasthescoutwas
outofearshot,`itsjustthathelookedsostrong,socapable.
`NOOOoooooooooooooooooooo!hewailed,breakingdowncompletely,losinghis
composureandgivingintotears,`andnowhesgonetoo,oOOh!Akpoti,mybelovedson
hewept,`thisisnothowIwantedittobe...`Yourmajesty,areyoualright?Aguard,
sensitivetothestrangemuffledsoundscomingoutofthekingsprivatechamberaskedin
alarm.`Im...Imfine,justletmebehereplied,inavoicethicklylacedwithsorrow.
....................................................................................................................................................
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Asoldiergoesintothegeneralsquarters;hewasarmedwithnewsoftheadvancesquad
senttoinfiltrateAfricaviathenorthernpass.Thecommanderofthatsquadwasasonof
Genghiskhan,soitwassensitiveinformationthatthesoldierheld.Heenteredintothe
quartersandsaluted.`Theinfiltrationwasunsuccessfulgeneralsir!Thesoldierreported.
`WHAT!The
general
exclaimed.
`We
lost
all
our
men
on
the
battle
field
he
added,
leaving
thegeneralwithaheadacheonhowtoreporttheincidenttothegreatkhan.
....................................................................................................................................................
DROP!DROP!DRIP!
Fromwithin,
inside
the
swirling
blackness,
Ifelt
the
wetness
from
above
against
my
skin.
I
felteverysingledropasitlandedonme.Iopenedmyeyesandsawthatmywholebodywas
bathedinblood.MymusclesandbonesfeltweakandIfelttiredlikeamanwhohadbeen
runningnonstopformiles.
Ilookedaround;itwasrainingandIwassurroundedbyluxuriouslushgreenundergrowth
andtalltrees,butcouldntrememberadamnthing,hardthough,Itried.HowIgotthere?
WhoIwas?Itwasliketryingtoreadthroughablankbook.
Thensuddenlyasashcaughtmyeye,itwasdirty,brown,wornandtorn,probablyusedto
bewhite.OnitwaswrittenLE.Isearchedeverywhereinvainfortheotherpartandwas
givinguponthesearchwhenIfoundithangingonmywaist;itwasalsostainedwithblood
andread`OG.Ijoinedbothpiecesandtogetheranditread`LEOG.`Whatdidthatmean?I
wondered.Whowasit?Wasitaplace? Icarrieditalongwithme,hopingtofindsome
answersafterIfoundmywayoutoftheforest.
ThefirstwomanIencounteredlookedatmefunnyasifIwasaghostorsomething,but
atleastshetoldmewhatLeogwasandgavemedirectionstogetthere.Its...Idont
understand...howIcantseemtorememberanythingaboutmyself,whathappened,howI
cameto
be
in
aforest,
who
Iam,
my
name
or
anything
else
for
that
matter.
Ifelt
so
confused,butinthemidstofthatconfusion,onethingwassure;alltheanswersIneeded
layinLeog.
Wearyandtiredafterdaysofwalkingandlivingonfruits,IgottotheplacecalledLeogat
thedeadofnight.Thesymboloftheeyeonmywornanddirtysashcorrespondedwiththe
symbolonthegates.AsIgotcloserIsawthatthecityhadgonetosleep.Notasinglelight
couldbeseenbyme.Seeingthatthegateswerelocked,Igotonthefloor,pickingupa
stonetorestmyheadupon,softeningthehardnessbywrappingmysasharounditand
restingthere
for
the
night.
Ihad
gotten
to
my
destination;
everything
was
going
to
be
all
right.
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Iwokeupthenextdayandthesunwasalreadyhighupinthesky.Ifeltthepangsof
hungergnawingatmystomachandfightingit,Istooduptoenterthecity.Itwasabeautiful
daybutnobodyseemedtobearound.Ienteredintothecityandthestreetsweredeserted.
Allthebuildingsweregoodandwellmaintainedbuttherewerenotracesofhumanlife.I
keptwalking,
everything,
everywhere
was
closed.
Iwalked
for
the
next
fifteen
minutes
and
stillnothing.TheplacefeltfamiliarinavaguesortofwaythatIcouldntexplain.Ikept
walking,passingcorners,turningfromthiscornerintothenextalleyandstillnobody.Itfelt
strangetome.Thepangsofhungerwerealreadygettingtome,Ididntknowwhattodo
aboutitanymore.Ifellonthefloor,gruntingfromtheweaknessofmybody.ThenIheard
humanvoices.Itwasmanyofthem,theysaidsomethingincorrigibleinunisonatonceand
thatwasit.Itwasntmuchbutitwasenoughtogetmemovingintherightdirection.Ikept
walkingtillIstumbledintosomewherefilledwithsomanypeoplethatIcouldntcount.It
waslikethewholecitywasgatheredthere.SomeonewastalkingbutIcouldntseehim.I
wasntinterested
in
what
he
was
saying,
Iwas
hungry.
FOOD!
Iscreamed
from
where
I
stood.Allofthemturnedatoncetolookatme.Thepersontalkingmusthavebeenpretty
importantformyinterruptiontohavecausedthatmuchofastir.Morethanhalfamillion
eyesturnedtoglareatme.Food!Imumbledinamuchquietervoice.Thenthevoiceofa
childscreamed`motherHesnaked!.ThenextthingIheardwas;`THEgodsSAVEUS
ALL!.....DIMPKA!!! SEIZEHIM!SEIZEHIM!!Itwasthemanwhohadbeentalking.Hewas
dressedregallyinblackandworeacrown.Hewastheirking.ItwasthenInoticedevery
otherpersonwasalsodressedinblack.Mumblingsofathousandvoicesfilledtheairas
aboutahundredguardsmovedforwardtoobeyhisorder.Theycameforwardforminga
semicircle
as
they
moved,
pointing
their
spears
at
me.
Food!
Iwhispered,
as
Icollapsed.
`DidnttheyknowIwasharmlessIwondered,asIlayonthefloorexhausted,`Iwasjusta
hungrymanwhohadstumbledupontheminasearchforfoodandanswers.
....................................................................................................................................................
Severaldayslater,Iwasintheprison,labelledatreacherouswarriorwhobetrayed
LeogforXenduandcameback,hiredtokilltheking,hencecausinginstabilitythatwill
bringaboutthedownfallandultimateconquestofthenorthernkingdom.Ididnteven
knowwhatthatmeant.Allmyprotestsandpleasfellondeafears.Onlymysons
believedme.Evenmywifedoubtedme;theythoughtIwaspathetic,lyingthroughmy
teethaboutmemorylosstoescapejudgement.Theyalsorefusedtobelieveitwasa
merecoincidencethatIreturnedonthedaymycomradeswerebeingburied.
Atlastjudgementwaspassed;deathbyhangingforhightreason.Icouldremember
thescenevividly;
youreguiltyfordesertion,betrayingthenorthernkingdomandconspiringwith
enemiestoassassinatetheking,whichequalshightreasontheKingbarked.My
judgementisdeathbyhangingonthelastdayofthefifthmonthandbeforethat,he
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mustbetorturedtoreleaseallinformationhehasconcerninghisallies.Useofabsolute
force,ifnecessaryispermitted.
Imtellingthetruth!Idontremember!Iamnotatraitor!Iscreamedinthehopethat
thekingwouldreconsider.
Bequiet! Youveforgottenwhathonourisallabout.Formerematerialcomfortsyou
betrayedyourprincestrust,allthathebelievedanddiedfor,youselfishlydealtwith
theenemytoensurethepreservationofyourlife.Yourenothingbutapatheticcoward.
Youdontdeservetobecalledanortherner.
Yourmajesty!Believeme!Idontevenremembertheprince,whywouldIlie?!Please
believeme.Ihaveno...
Takehimaway,thekingcalmlyorderedasherosefromhisthrone,indicatingtheend
ofmytrial.
Myjudgementhadbeenpassed;deathbyhangingforhightreason.IcriedasIwas
takenaway cowardlytearstheycalleditmanlytearsIconsideredit.Acryofmy
innocence,innocencethatnoonebelievedin,butliketheadagesays;thegodsseeall.
..............................................................................................................................................
Thatmorning
felt
nostalgic,
Idont
know
whats
so
special
about
ones
death
day
but
thosewordsdescribedexactlyhowIfelt.Iwasabouttobekilledinthemostdisgraceful
wayanorthernercouldeverdie,thesamewaymurdererswerekilled.Evenahardened
criminalwasntkilledthisway,wasnttreatedthisway.Iwasafallenwarrior,equalling
afailedhumanbeingandbecauseofthatIwasbeatenmercilessly,andtreatedlikean
animal.ThoughIcouldntrememberathingaboutmylife,allmypleasfellondeafears.
IinsistednowandagainthatIdidntknowhowIsurvivedbutnobodywouldlisten,they
allagreedthattheylastsawmerideoutwiththeprinceandtheelitewarriorshe
commanded,butbeyondthat,noneknewathingandsoIwasjudgedbasedon
assumptions.Ifelt
very
bad.
I'm
sure
Inever
would
have
wanted
to
end
up
like
this.
I
didntthinkIwasacoward.Ifeltlikescreamingoutbutliketheguardtoldmeearlier
on,Ihaddoneenoughalready,Ishouldconsidermyfamilybeforedoinganymore.He
evenwentasfarastellingmethatheusedtorespectme,hadwantedhissontobelike
me,butnotanymore;hehadlostalliotaofrespectheusedtohaveforme.Everyone
haddonethesame...exceptmysons,theystillbelievedinme.
IwasbroughtbacktothesameplaceIhadhadbeentakencaptive,theplacewherethe
memoryofmycomradeshadbeenhonoured,tobekilled.ItwastheCenterofthe
kingdom,the
citys
square.
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`Doyouhaveanylastwords?theexecutioneraskedmeasIstoodunderneaththe
hangmansnoose.
`YesIdo...
`Thenbe
fast
about
it!
The
executioner
barked.
Turningtofacethecrowdwhichturnedoutenmassetowatchmyexecution,Ibegan;`I
believeIminnocent,Isaidand...GBAM!Myspeechwasinterruptedbyaslapfromthe
executioner...`areyouinsultinghismajestysjudgement?theleadexecutionerwho
slappedmeunderfullpublicglareasked.`Now!MakegooduseofthisopportunityorI
shalltakeitaway,headded.Iturnedbacktothecrowd,hisfingerprintsonmyface
visiblefromalmostamileaway.Lookingstraightatmysonswithinthecrowd,Ihastily
concluded`OkegbenleandOgedemgbe,Takecareofyourmotherforme.
Asthenoosewasputaroundmyneck,sadnessbecloudedmyheartandeventhe
shiningsunsmilingintheskycouldntbrightenmymood.Afamiliarfeelingcameover
measthestonewaspushedaway.AlltheairrushedoutofmylungsasItriedtoinhale,
myribcagestartedtovibrate,thecellsinmybodycalledoutforairandseeingnone
startedtostiffen,mybodystiffened,becomingrigidasmylifewasbeingsnuffedoutof
me.Atthatmomentthesecondbetweenlifeanddeath,IrealizedIwantedtostayalive,
provethemwrong,proveallofthemwrong.JustbeforeIchokedcompletelyIfelt
darknessdescendinguponmeandthoughtjustasittookover;`deathwassudden.
Thenallwasquiet.
..............................................................................................................................................
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Chapter2Soyoufinallybreakoutofyourreverie...
Whoareyou?Iaskedinfright,sittingupandtakinginmysurroundingsatthesame
time.
`Amessengerfromthegods,thevoicecarriedthroughtomeagainbutIcouldn'ttrace
itssource.
`Andwhatmessagedoyoubring?Iscreamed,frightenedbythevoicethatsounded
fromallaroundmeatonce.ThiswascoupledwiththefactthatIwasinadarkforest
withlowvisibilityandshadowseverywhere.Irecognizedthisplacetobetheevilforest
mygrandfatheremphasizedsomuchaboutinhisstoriesabouthishuntingadventures
tomeandmybrothers,backinthedayswhenwewereyoung.Backthenthisforestwas
feared,thebodiesofthosewhodiedabominablywerethrownheretodecayandtheir
spiritsneverfoundrest,rumourhaditthattheyhoveredaround,lookingforwhomto
devour.
`Death!The
voice
carried
back
to
me.
`Im
dead
already
Ithought,
vividly
remembering
howIwaskilled,hangedbytheneck,tillIdied.
`YOUCANTKILLME!Iscreamed`IMDEADALREADY!
`ThedeaddonotfeelfearthevoicecarriedbacktomeasIwasthrownbackwardsand
hitmyheadagainstatree`orpainthevoiceconcluded.
`Youhavesomethingthatisntyourswithyouand...thevoiceturnsnormalasaman
dressedingreyswathingrobesstepsoutofthemistsurroundingtheareatomyfront,
`Imhere
to
take
it
back.
Icrawledbackwards,myheadstilloozingfromthepain,thinking;perhapsIwasntdead
buttherewasnologicalexplanationforthat,trulythedeadcantfeelpain.Maybethis
wasit,thelastthingIrememberedwasbeinghangedanddead,nowImnot.Itcanonly
beamiracle,yes!Thiswasit!IsurvivedbecauseIdied;Idiedlikeeveryotherwarrior,
andthenwokeupfromthedead,justlikebefore.Coulditbeamiraclefromthegodsor
wasitagravemistakeontheirpartthatIdidntdie?WhereIcomefrom,miraclesdont
occurtwice.Infact,itcantbeamiracle,theresnothingspecialaboutme.IfIcould
survivethis
forest,
maybe
Icould
go
back
and
explain,
go
back
and
tell
them,
ask
the
chiefpriesttoconferwiththegodsandconfirmmywords,thenafterwardspleadwith
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themtoletmedietherightway,thewaythatbefittedmystatusasawarrior;todie
fightingforLeog,butwhatusewasitwithwhatthisevilpresencejustsaid,hehadcome
tocorrectitandwoulddosonowunless...
Waittellmewhatitis?Imuttered,youknow...we...wecantalkthingsover.
`Youresupposedtobedead,Imjustheretoensurethathecountered.
SLAM!Iwashitagainstanothertree.IfIdidntdosomethingfast,Iwasdonefor.He
wassurelyusingblackmagic,Ithoughttomyself.Levitatingmewithouttouchingme,
thiswasadvanced.SuddenlythebasictrainingIreceivedforthatcametomind.Iclosed
myeyesandconcentratedashardasIcouldonclosingmymind.Itwasdifficultbutas
soonasIopenedthem,Iwasinstealthmode.
Isawhim;hewasstanding,probablystillsearchingformewithblackmagic.I
chuckledsoftlytomyselfasIsnuckupfrombehindhimandquietlyputmyhands
aroundhisnecklikeIwantedtostranglehim.`Ishouldkillyounow,Iwhisperedintohis
ears.
`Doit...fromallaroundmeIfelttheairstiffen`...ifyoucan...anditstartedtocome
inwardstowardsme,likeitwastryingtocompressmeintosomethingsmaller...THIS
WASNTBLACKMAGIC,mymindscreamed,Thiswasonanotherscaleentirely!Frommy
intensepain,Ithrewawaymyprideandbeggedhimtostop.Hewasstillintenton
compressingmeintonothingness,soIturnedtoscreaming.`Letsdothislikemen,at
leastlet
me
have
the
privilege
to
die
like
one!
Dont
hide
behind
the
cover
of
black
magic!Iscreamed.Ialsoscreamedmanyotherincoherentwords,usingallthefoul
languageinmyrepertoire.Surprisinglyhesuddenlystopped.IbentoverdoubleasI
triedtoinhaleagain.
`LikemenIheardhimwhisperasPLOM!Hispunchconnectedwithmyface.Itfeltlikea
logofwoodwasusedtohitmeontheface.Theformerpainorthis,Idefinitelydidnt
knowwhichwasbetter.
Threemoretimesherepeatedthis.Iwasnomatchforthismonsterclothedlikea
manandIknewit.Hewasgoingtokillmeandhavewhateveritwashewanted.He
didntevenwanttodialogue,didnttellmewhathewanted,buttherewasnodoubt
aboutit,withthewayhewasgoing, itwasclearthathecouldonlywantonething;my
life.Therewasnoendtohispummelling.TheonlychoiceIhadwasto...
Idecidedtoplaydead,Ifellonthegrassafterhisfifthpunchandrefusedtomoveas
hecamecloserandkickedme,hedidsoacouplemoretimesandthenthinkingIwas
unconscious,turnedhisbackonmeandbenttoremoveadaggerhetiedaroundhisleg.
ThiswasmychanceandIseizeditquietly.Ashefiddledwiththeclothheusedtotiethe
dagger,Ipicked
up
alog
of
wood
lying
next
to
me
and
WHAM!
Hit
him
on
the
head
with
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it.Ididntbothertowaittofindoutwhathappenednextasthosepreciousfewseconds
werewhatIneededtogetaway.
Iranreallyfast,asfastasmypainabusedbodywouldletme,windingbetweentrees
andleavesthatgotinmywaynotmindingevenasmyborrowedclothesgottornhere
andtherebythornsasIstruggledtokeepabreastofwhoeverthatwas,justincasehe
wasfollowingme.Grandfathernevermentionedanythinglikethisinhisstories,I
thoughtasIran,eveninhismostlifethreateningsituationsitalwaysinvolvedan
animal,whywasIsounlucky?Evenanencounterwithatwoheadedlionwouldhave
beenbetterthanthis.AsIranblindly,notknowingwhereIwasgoing,Istumbledintoa
littleclearingandsurprisingly!Therehewas;hangingbetweenspaceandair.Iturned
backscreaminginfrightasIranbackthewayIcamebuthewasafewstepsaheadof
meagain,floatingabovetheearth.IknewthegamewasupasIlookedintotheblack,
slim,
tall,
and
completely
bald
mans
eyes.
It
wasnt
also
the
normal
colour
for
a
man
as
itwasgrey.Iwasntsurprisedasnothingaboutthismansofarwasnormal.Iwasnt
sure...maybehewasntevenaman.Whatareyou?Iwhisperedinfright.
SuddenlytheairaroundmethickenedagainandIfeltthepressurebeginningtowash
overme.
`Whydoyoufightsohardtokeepalifeyoualreadylost?Heaskedashedescendedto
theearthinmyfront.`I...Ijustwanttoprovemyinnocenceandprovethemallwrong,I
managedtoanswerfromtheslowlyradiatingpainIwasgoingthrough.`Goaheadand
doit,
Iwhispered
`at
least
its
what
the
gods
want,
isnt
it?
At
least
its...its
better
than...than...a...cowardly...death,Imanagedtosaywithmucheffortasmyeyes
wateredandIclutchedmythroat,fallingdownandthenrollingonthegrasspowerless
asImoanedmydeathmoans.
Andsuddenlyitstopped.
`Yourejustavictimhesaidwithpityinhiseyes.
Whatdoyoumean?Iaskednotbelievingwhatjusthappened,next,hestretchedouthis
handtowards
me
and
said,
`all
that
has
been
happening
is
not
your
fault,
come
with
me,
Icanhelpyou.Istoodup,bewildered,asthequestionIwasafraidtoaskescapedmy
lips;`whatcameoveryou?
..............................................................................................................................................
`Wetheimmortalsaretheservantsofthegods,weremainineverlastingcontinuous
debttothemhestarted.
Why?Iaskedaspausingforrest,heexplainedtomewhohewas.
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Weoweourgiftofimmortalitytothem.Likethesayinggoes;withimmortalgiftscome
immortalpowersandimmortalburdens.
Thatstilldoesntexplainwhyyouwereafterme.
Oncein
ahundred
years,
he
said,
the
strongest,
the
smartest,
the
best
of
the
best
amongstmortalsaregatheredtogetherbothmaleandfemaleandengageeachother
competitivelyuntilthegodsconveneandmakeachoice.Anewimmortalthusfromthe
worldofmortalsismade.Overtheyears,mostofthosenotselected,notwantingtogo
backtotheirrespectivehomelandssettleddowntogetherandborechildren.Their
childrencomingfromthebestofhumanstockavailable,wereexceptional,noneonthe
faceoftheearthcouldstandthem.Eventhegodsnoticedandacknowledgedtheir
strengthandjointlydecidednottolookoutsidethisnewlyforgedclanfornew
immortals.Afterawhilesomeofthosewhobecameimmortalsfromthatclancame
backand
had
illicit
affairs
with
women
from
the
clan.
The
gods
knew
about
it
but
decidedtolooktheotherway.Thisresultedinmortalsexhibitingtraitsofimmortals.
Todaytheclanisfilledwithmanyofthem.Thistimearound,themortaltobebestowed
hadbeenchosen.Hewastobebestowedwiththegiftofimmortality,tobecomethe
latestweaponofthegods,thenewestpawnintheirhands.Butsomethingwentwrong.
Theprocesswasinterferedwith.Therewasinterferenceonaverylargescale.
Interferencehadntoccurredinthousandsofyears,therewaswidespreadfear.Asthe
princeoftheimmortalscoupledwiththefactthatImthestrongesttheyhave,theysent
metocleanyouup.
Me???itsnotpossible!Ivealwayslivedanormallife!Iasked,commentedand
requestedallatonce,shockedatthewaythiswasunfolding.
Itsbecausetheinterferencewastracedbacktoyou.Wewerentsureifyoudiditon
yourownorifyouhadoutsidehelp,understand!Understandthattheywerefears,fears
thatyourinterferencewiththeprocesswastheworkofafallengod,andsoIcamehere
preparedtofightsomeonethathadperfectornearperfectcontrolofhiselement,
someonewhowouldhaveadozenorsoformidabletechniquesinhisarsenalbutIcome
hereand
what
do
Isee?
A
mere
mortal
who
cant
even
protect
himself,
who
never
knew
oftheexistenceofimmortalityinhimorwhatitawakenswithin.AmeremortalthatI
couldsubduewithmyeyesclosed.
`Sothatmeans...Igasped!Thetruthfinallydawnedonme.HowIsurvivedthebattle,
howIsurvivedthehanging,hmmmn..itwouldbesomucheasiertoprove,Ithought.I
wouldjustgobackandaskthemtokillmeagainandseewhathappensfewhours
afterwards.Iwouldbegreat,Iwouldbeacelebratedhero,amantobefeared,my
namewouldringabellalongthelengthandbreadthofAfrica,theindestructible
DimpkaDiopaofLeog,Iwouldneverdie...
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Werebothmortalnow...hesaid,hiswordsbringingmebackfrommyvisionsof
grandeurtoharshreality.Yoursgoneassoonastheerrorwasdiscoveredandmine
whentheydiscoverthatIvefailedtokillyou.Iwasonlysentherebecauseevenwithout
immortality,theeffects,whatitawakenswithincouldstillmakeyouadangerousman,
dangerousto
the
will
of
the
gods,
albeit
short
lived.
Theonlyeffectithashadisstealingawaymymemory!Imumbledindisappointment.
ItwaseitherIrectifiedtheerrororforfeitmineaswell,hecontinuedignoringmy
comment.
`Sowhatdoyouintendwedonow?CantheeffectsbetakenawaysothatIcangetback
mymemories?Iasked,eagertogetthisconversationoverwith,leavethisdangerous
manspresenceandreturntoLeog.
No!Youlljusthavetolearntolivewithoutthem.Also,youcantdowithoutmenow,he
answered.
Sayswho?Ithrewbackathim,mymindgoingthroughahundredthingsatonce,not
wantingtounderstandwhathewassaying,hopingagainsthopethathiswordshad
morethanonemeaning,asecondmeaningsuitabletomyends.
`Theywillbeafteryou,hecontinued,ignoringmycommentoncemore,`my
overzealousyoungerbrother,themortalwhosehopeofattainingimmortalityyou
thwartedand
in
aworst
case
scenario
the
gods
themselves,
although
they
wouldnt
needtodothat.
Why?Iasked,seethingwithangeratbeingroundlyignoredandalsoatthestrangeway
thingswereunravelling.
`Ithasneverhappenedbefore.Thatiswhytheyhaveusastheirpawns;todoallthe
dirtyjobsthatgodhoodwouldntpermitthemtodo.BesidesevenIsubduedyouquite
easily.Thebestwecandonowistrytolivenormallives,gotoadifferentplace,start
newlives,getnewidentitiesandneveraccessthosepowerssleepingwithinus.That
waythey
would
never
find
us
and
we
could
live
happily
ever
after,
at
least
until
death
comescalling.
Hedidntunderstandmyquestion,didntknowImeant`why?ReferringtowhyI
couldntgobackhometoLeog?ButIwasdonewithbeingignored.Wait!Wait!Icutin
loudenoughtointerrupthim,`butIstilldontrememberanythingandIdont
understandwhatpowersyoukeepreferringto.
Thatmakesitawholeloteasierthen.Hefinallyansweredsmiling.Youdontneed
to...thelessyouknow,thebetteroffyouare.
`ButIwantto...
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`Itsnotaboutwhatyouwanthecutsin,`itsaboutwhatyouneed.
Listenandstopignoringme!Iscreamed,tiredofthewayhewasskirtingaroundmy
questions,apparentlyenjoyingitanddoingitwithsomuchease.
Youreally
want
to
know
what
Ineed?
Ispat
at
him
in
avoice
loud
enough
to
cause
shudders,`IneedtogetawayfromyoubecauseIdonttrustyou!Youcouldalways
wantyourimmortalitybackandusemetobarterforit.IthinkIdrathertakemy
chancesalonethanwithyouandImnotinterestedinyourideasofanewlife,Iblasted,
surprisedthatIcoulddothat,knowinghowdangeroushewas.
`Youcanwalkoutnowifyouwantto,Imnotgoingtoholdyoubackheanswered
calmlyinavoicethatshowedhewasntmoved.
Iwassurprised,washeserious?Ididntwaittofindoutasthefearofhimand
everythinghejusttoldmetookovermecompletelyandIranawaylikeapursued
antelope.AfterrunningforawhileIstoppedandlookedovermybacktoensureIwasnt
beingfollowed.Animmortal!Toputinbetterwordsanundyingman.Thatsounded
moredangerousthananythingIhadeverheardofbefore,Ithought,asIresumed
running.
..............................................................................................................................................
Thisforestwasreallybig,Ihadbeenwalkingforhoursonendandwasnocloserto
gettingoutofitthanwhenIstarted.Isatdowntorestforafewminuteshaving
convincedmyselfafewhoursbackthattheweirdmanwasseriousaboutlettingmego.
AsIstoodup,IthoughtIsawsomethingtomyright,Ilookedandtherewasnothing.I
continuedwalkingandsoonIsawtheoutlineofgrassinthefardistancethoughIwas
stillsurroundedbytrees.Iran,renewedenergyatfinallyfindingtheforestsexitflowing
throughmyveins.Igotoutoftheforestandwasonthegrass,running,raisingmyhands
andfeelinghappytofeelthetouchofthesunonmyskin.Strange!Thesunwasshining
brightly,highupintheskyandthewarmthwasntreachingme.Isquinted,Ilookedup
intothesunbutstrangelyenoughIwasunaffectedbyitsbrightnessandtheneverything
begantofadeaway,likeIwaswakingupfromadream,everythingpeeledaway.Ifound
myselfbackinathickdenseportionoftheforestastwopeopledroppedfromatreein
frontofme;amanandawoman.`Lookingforawayoutofthehere?Asultryvoice
emanatingfromaverybeautiful,darkcomplexioned,spotlessandsupplewomanasked
me.`Theonlywayoutisyourdeath,themanwholookedrugged,completewitha
squareheadwhichhadadepressioninthemiddlelikepunchedfufuanswered.Hehad
thatlookofonewhohadbeeninmanybattles.`IthoughtIhadexperiencedenough
abnormalities
in
one
day,
I
thought
softly,
`was
today
really
my
death
day?
I
also
wondered.EveryoneIhadmetsofarhadbeenaftermylifeinonewayortheotherand
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nowthis.Myeyesdartedthruandfro,hereandtherelookingforagoodescaperoute.I
wasntsurewhattheywerecapableofdoing.Tryingtoputupaboldfront,Iformeda
fistandshoutedtothem,`Ivedonenothingwrongtobothofyou!
`YOUSTOLESOMETHINGFROMME!Heshouted,hisvoiceseethingwithrage.Assoon
ashesaidthat,IknewhewasthemortalwhosehopesofimmortalityIthwarted.My
mindtimetravelledbacktowhatthatbaldmantoldme,hehadsaidIwouldneedhim,
butforwhat?Iwondered.IcouldntseewhatitwasaboutthesetwopeoplethatI
couldnthandleonmyown.Thensuddenlymyeyeswidenedinshockashishands
caughtfirebeforemyveryeyes.DifferentthingsracedthroughmymindasIplayed
throughmyoptions.Maybe...perhaps,Ishouldhavestayedwithhimafterall.He
mightvebeenrightwhenhesaidIwouldneedhim,howelsecouldIfightthesepeople?
WouldIkeeprunningawayfrompeoplelikethisfortherestofmylife?Thegodswould
certainly
discover
that
he
had
failed
to
kill
me
and
might
send
something
more
powerful
afterme,thesewerethethoughtsthatracedthroughmymindasfearingtheveryworst
Iasked;`AreyoualsomakingmedreamthisevenwhileIamawake,standingherewith
you?
SWOOOOSH!Ifelttheheatoffireasitburntme,mygarmentcaughtfireandI
screamedCHEI!CHEI!CHAI!Andfellonthefloorrollinginabidtoputoutthefire.
FinallyIstoppedandgotuptoasquattingpositionasmymindprocessedthe
informationthatthefirewasrealandwasntanillusion.Ilookedupandthoughtof
nothingbutescapingknowingtherewasnowayIcouldfightagainstthemandtriumph,
consolingmyselfwiththewords`theresnoharmintrying.Ijumpedbehindatreeas
morefirefollowedmeandIranlikeadogwithitstailbetweenitslegs.Thisforestwas
reallylivinguptoitsname,Ithought.ThoughIdidntknowitthen,myrunningwasfolly
asIcouldntdifferentiatebetweenillusionandrealityandbeforeIknewitIwas
surroundedbyfireanditsblindingsmoke.Hecameforth,daggerinhandandSTAB!He
piercedmyshoulderscreaming`DIE!YOUTHIEVINGRAT!
`Notyet...thevoicethatsoundedasifitcamefromallaroundatonce,Irecognizedit,it
wasthatbaldweirdothattriedtokillmeearlieron.Iturnedmyhead,tryingtolocate
wherehis
voice
was
coming
from,
but
the
pain
from
the
stab
wound
in
my
shoulder
joltedme,remindingmethatIwaswoundedandshouldntmovetoomuch.Ifelldown
coughing,myeyesstungandwateredfromtheeffectsofthefireandsmokewhichwas
rapidlyspreading,itwaschokingmeslowly.Thesquareheadedmanmeanwhilejust
stoodfrozenatmybacklikeoneimmobilized,seemingunaffectedbytheragingfire.I
reachedouttryingtograbsomething,anythingtolendmesupporttogetbackonmy
feet,atthesametimetakingthosesamehandsbacktomyeyestorubatthemasthey
hurt;wateringandpepperingatthesametime.Iwasinthispatheticcondition,myeyes
wateringuncontrollablywhenIspottedhissilhouette,withaflickofhiswrists,boththe
manandwomandisappearedcompletely.Ifeltapairofhandsaroundmeashecarried
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meup,justbeforethefastencumberingflamescaughtmyalreadyblackenedclothes.
ThelastthingIrememberbeforepassingoutwashimhoistingmeuponhisshoulders
andrunningthroughthefastcatchingflamessurroundingus.
..............................................................................................................................................
`Iheardthatfirewasburningintheevilforesttoday,thefirstwomansaid,balancing
herwaterpotproperlyonherhead.
`Itwastrueo!InfactIevensawthesmokecomingoutofit.Thesecondwoman
added.`TheysaidthatitoccurredaroundtheareaDimpkasdeadbodywasthrown,
sheconcluded,balancingherownpotonherhead,withsuchskillthatitsobviousthat
shesexperiencedinsucharts.
`Itprovesthathehadablackenedheartaseventhegodspassedjudgementonhim
instantly,thefirstwomansaidagain,turningassheusedherfreehandtosteadythe
potofwateronherheadasshemovedtowardsthefootpath.
`Thegodsforbidthatanysonofmineturnoutlikehim,thesecondwomanadded
again,asshetookrapidstepstokeepuppacewithherfriendonthebushpath.
`Hush!Hush!Keepquiet,therehiswifecomes,thefirstwomanwarnedquickly.
Theybothkeptquietandgreetedherjovially.Theydidntknowhowmuchoftheir
conversationshehadoverheard,butalasshefeelsitsnottheirfault,tohertheone
whoistobeblamedisthecowardshemarried.Assheedgesclosertothestream,she
startscursing;`Ha!Dimpkawhereveryouarenow,maythewrathofthegodsnever
leaveyouforbringingthismuchdisgraceuponourfamily.Youshallneverknowpeace
shecursedviolentlyasherpotbrokethesurfaceofthewatercoveredwithripples,
causedbythewomenwhojustfetched.`Lookatusnow?Thevillageslaughingstock.
Maythatfirethatburnedyourbodyinthatevilforestburnyoursoulalongit,Icursethe
dayImetyouandsadbethedaythatIagreedtomarryyou.ButIwontgiveup.Illfind
anothermantomarrythatwillbeafathertomysonsandbringasmiletomyfaceonce
again,sheconsoledherself,tearsstreamingdownherfaceasshebalancedthepoton
herheadandheadedtowardsthefootpaththatleadawayfromthestream.
.............................................................................................................................................
Iregainedconsciousnessondryground,dryleavessurroundingmeandthetasteof
sootandsmokeinmymouth.Itriedtostandupandendedupinarapidcoughingfit.
`Hereletmehelpyou,hesaidandhelpedmetoasittingposition;Ileanedmybackon
atreetryingtoinhalefreshairintomylungs.
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`Thatwasthemortalwhoseimmortalityprocessyouinterferedwith.Hesaidlikeone
whowaspassinganordinarycomment.
`HishandscaughtfireanddidntburnIwhisperedback.
`Sowould
you
reconsider
now
and
take
your
chances
with
me?
This
people
are
not
averagenormalpeopleyoucanfightorhidefromherespondedfromwherehesat
crosslegged,lookingstraightintomyeyes.
`IvegotnochoicenowordoI?Iwheezed,turningmyfaceawayfromhisicycoldstare,
`butIstilldonttrustyouandassoonasImfit,Ihopeyougetoutofmylifeandstay
out.
`Well...well,yourequiteacharacterarentyou?Hesaidandsmiled.
`Youdont
know
me,
you
just
wait
till...`youre
bleeding
he
cuts
in,
as
he
hurriedly
stoodupfromwherehesatoppositeme,andwithtwostrideswaswhereIsat,rested
againstthetreestrunk,`youvelostalotofblood.Keepstill!HeorderedjustasIwas
abouttosaysomething.Iobeyedasheexaminedmyshoulder.Ihavetotendtoyour
woundnowhesaidbendingdownasheputhishandsonmyshoulder,separatingthe
threadsofclothesmattedwithbloodfromthewoundwithhisfingers,ashetriedto
exposeitandcleanitup.Aaaaaaaaaarrgh!Iscreamedashepouredsomeliquidhe
broughtoutofhisrobesonitandsoonafterIpassedoutagain.
..............................................................................................................................................
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Chapter3
Ifeltthewetnessonmybackastheraindropspeltedtheground.Itwasamoonlessnight,
mybodyfeltexhaustedandmyshouldersore,fromallthewalkingwehadbeendoingin
thelasteightdays.Webypassedthesoldieronnightwatchbutnotwithoutthorough
scrutiny.Icouldhaveswornthatoneofthemsqueezedmymanhoodinhissocalled
scrutiny,butIwastootiredtocare.Welodgedthatnightinaninnthatreekedofginand
liquor,drunkmenlitteredeverywhere.Assoonweenteredourhutforthenight,Ifellon
thebed
and
blacked
out,
not
even
caring
to
make
room
for
my
travelling
companion.
ThenextmorningIwokeuptothesmelloffriedfishwaftingthroughmynose,Iopened
myeyesandstarted,scareduntilIrememberedwhereIwasandhowIgottherefew
secondslater.AsIstooduptostretchmylegsandarms,Bebe(Ilearnthisnameduringthe
threedayswetravelledtogether,surprisinglyhealreadyknewmine)enteredtheroomand
handedmeachewingstick.IwentouttocleanmyselfafterwardsandassoonasIgotback,
hehadhotsteamingkokoandcosiewaitingforme.Itfeltsogoodtotastesomething
familiarandhotagainafteraboutoneweekoflivinginthewild,feedingonfruitsandbush
meat.He
asked
me
to
eat
up
fast
and
get
dressed
for
we
had
along
day
ahead.
Fresh
clotheswereneatlylaidoutformeonthebamboobedandsurprised;Iaskedhimwherehe
gotthemfrom.HetoldmethelessIknew,thebetteroffIwas,tellingmethatwhenIwas
withhim,Ishouldlearnnottoaskirrelevantquestions.YoumeanunscrupulousquestionsI
hadaddedsarcasticallytoexpressmydispleasurewithhisattitude.
Ifinishedupquicklyandassoonaswesteppedoutsidetheinncompound,noisefrom
everywhereattackedmyears.EverywhereIlookedwasbusy.BUYGROUNDNUT! HORSE
MANURE! APPLES!SWEETRIPEAPPLESFORSALE!Weresomeofthedifferentshoutsthat
rent
the
air.
Different
people
kept
performing
various
daredevil
acts
trying
to
earn
some
money.Elsewhereablindmanwassinginganddancingtothebeatsofhisluluentertaining
asmallcrowd.Thesoundofdifferentmusicalinstrumentslikethebata,kora,mbira,
marimbaandshekerelitteredtheairformingintoonebigmusicaldinthatmadeyourhead
gobuzz.Hundredsofpeoplelitteredthestreetsshovingandpushingtogettonowherein
particular.WewereinReogafterallandwehadlodgedinthebusiestpartofthesouthern
kingdom,Aswani.Itwasthetradenervecentreofthesouthernkingdom.Filledwithpeople;
dayin,dayout.WeheadedtowardsthefamousAswanimarketsupposedlyrumouredtobe
filledwiththousandsofstalls.Weshovedandpushedourwaythroughtoanemptystall
withathatched
roof.
A
dead
antelope
was
placed
on
the
table
underneath
it.
As
soon
as
we
gotthere,IheardBebetellaman`thanksforkeepinganeyeonitandhereplied`anytime
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myman.Thisyournewapprentice?`Apprenticeforwhat?Iwonderedasmybraintriedto
processthatstartlingpieceofinformationbutbeforeitcouldfindananswer,Bebehad
replied`yes,yes,heis.Wellhedoeslookabitroughontheedgesbuthelllearntodojust
fine,themansaidagain.`Attaboi!Whatsyourname?Heturnedtomeandasked,beforeI
couldanswer
or
make
asmart
comment,
bebe
had
put
ahand
on
my
shoulder
and
squeezedmystillsoreinjurysomuchthatitwasallIcoulddotokeepfromcryingoutloud.
`Diopa,heansweredonmybehalf,`actuallyhedoesnttalkmuch,headded.
`CanIhavebushmeatfortencowries?Athirdvoice,thatofawomansuddenly
interrupted.BebefreedmyshoulderandIinhaleddeeply,gladtoberidofhistouch.Ibit
mytonguetopreventmyselffromsayingwhatwasonmymindtohim.Suddenlyhepassed
agrimy,blooddrippingportionofmeatthatlookeddownrightirritatingtotheeyeandsaid
`Diopa,takethisportionofmeat,cutitintosmallerpiecesandpackitwiththispointingto
some
broad
leaves
lying
on
the
table.
Throughoutthewholeday,Icontinuedwiththisdebasingformofwork,inthemidstof
hundredsofvoiceschatteringatonce,tryingmybesttokeepmyselffrompuking.Iwasina
verybusymarketplace,inastrangelandIhadneversetfoottobefore,withastrangemanI
stillcouldntbringmyselftotrust.ThisIsuppose,wasmynewlife.
....................................................................................................................................................
Asthe
days
ticked,
the
months
wore
away
and
the
years
rolled
by
and
day
by
day
Igrew
tolikeandbecomeapartofmynewlife.Ibecamequitetheprofessionalbutcher,thebush
meatspecialist,Iwascalledandverysuccessful,Ihadbecome.Bebe,hewasagreatguy,
thoseanimalswebutchered,heneverletmeinonhowhecaughtthembutbythenIhad
learntnottoaskquestionsandIkeptmute.ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIfeltfulfilledandI
wasntgoingtoletanythinggetinthewayofthathappinessIderivedfrombeingfulfilled,
noteventhefactthatIlostmymemoryonceandhadoncelivedadifferentlife.Igaveup
tryingtorecalloldmemoriesandwouldconvincemyselfthatIwashappythewayIwas.I
andBebelivedquitecomfortably.Sincemovingoutoftheinn,weboughtastonehutwith
itsownbeautifullittlegardenandhadlivedthereeversince.Henevertalkedabouthis
immortallifeandIneverbotheredtoask.Imadeadecisiontoletthesleepingdogslie.
DespitethiswejivedtogetheroneveryothernormalthingandsayoooedtogetherandI
foundhimquiteapleasantcompanionandagoodbusinesspartner.Astimeworeonwe
becameratherclose.Wewerehappymen,takinginandenjoyingalittlebitofeverything.
Wewerelivingoutourliveshappilyfulfilledandcomfortablelikegoodcitizensofthesouth
oughttodo.
....................................................................................................................................................
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AboutthreeyearshadpassedsincewesettledinReog,meandBebe.Newshadbeen
tricklingintitbitsconcerninganongoingwarbeingwagedbythekingdomtoprotectits
sovereignty.Itriedtokeepabreastofthelittleinformationavailableconcerningthewar
thoughIhadleftmypastunknownlifebehind.FromthelittlegossipIheard,theenemy
werefrom
astrange
place
called
Xendu
and
they
were
yellow
skinned
men
unlike
us
who
wereblackskinned.Somesaidtheyfoughtagainstusbecauseofourcolour,otherssaidthe
sightoflifeirritatedthembutallagreedononething;theyweredeadlyanddevastatingin
theirattacksandmethodsleavingnothingbuthopelessness,despairanddestructionintheir
trail.`Dontworry!Oursoldiersarestrongmenwhocannotfailus.Weremainsafe,aman
saidonedayasmenwerethrowingtheargumentbackandforth.Iwantedtobelievehis
words,Iwantedthemtobetruebutsomewhereinmyheart,doubtexistedandthrived,
becauseIremembered;theywerethesamepeopleIwassupposedtohavediedfighting,
theoneswhodefeatedLeogselitecasteofwarriors,Shiveringfromthesecoldthoughts,I
offeredasilent
prayer
to
the
gods
that
the
fight
end
in
the
plains
where
the
soldiers
had
beensenttoconfrontthemheadon.Lifewassweetjustthewayitwas,Iwantedno
unnecessaryhindrancetomynewlife.
Andthenthebadnewsstartedtofilterin,themenofXenduwereheadedthisway,the
soldierssenttoconfrontthemhadfallenandtheouteredgesofthesouthernkingdom
includingthevassalshadfallenaswell.Weallprayedandofferedsacrificestothegodsona
dailybasisthattheyneverreachAswaniandthensuddenlyforweeksonendnothingwas
heardaboutthem.Rumoursflewthattheyhadretreated,havingsufferedseverelossesdue
tothe
terrain
and
weather.
Some
said
they
had
no
business
with
Reog,
it
was
worthless
to
them,whilemostheldtheopinionthatthegodshadintervenedatthelastminute,in
answertothenumerousprayersofferedbythesoutherners,beseechingthemtostopthe
invaders.Ididntcarewhichwasrightbuteitherway,Iwasjustthankful.
....................................................................................................................................................
Cutitintosevenparts...NoproblemIanswered.CHA!SHA!CLAMP!CHA!Werethe
soundsmy
knife
made
as
the
meat
was
being
cut
to
suit
the
ladys
request...SHA!
my
knife
hadlandedthefifthtimeandhadgoneupandwasmakingaslowdescentbackdown,
gatheringspeedasitfellwhensuddenlyamanalmostnaked,bloodrunningalloverhim
renttheairwithhisscream,itwassoloudthatitwaspickedbymyeardrumeventhoughI
wastired.RUN!!THEYELLOWMENOFXENDUAREHERE!!!Myearsperkedatthissudden
pieceofinformationandmyheartjumpedintomymouthforcover.IMPOSSIBLE!Howdid
theydoit?Thosegatesareforgedwiththestrongeststeeltobefoundinthispartofthe
world,itshardtobelieve,whatarethosemen?Beasts?Demons?AndthenIheardit,the
shouts,thescreams,thecriesforblood,Iabandonedeverything;money,meat,customer
andall,
grabbed
my
butchers
knife
and
turned,
my
mindset
on
getting
to
my
hut.
Ihad
almostforgottenBebe,butalashewasnottobefound,tryasmuchasIcould,perhapshe
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hadgonetowhereveritwasheusedtogetthoseanimalsofhis.Anyway,Ihadnotime,I
couldntwaitfortheyellowmentocomeandfalluponmeandsoImoved,joiningthe
shouting,pushingandshovinguntilIfelldown.Iwastrampleduponbymany,onlysheer
willkeptmefrombendingtodeathswill.Thatswhenitcame,therainofarrows,itwasso
sudden.People
trampling
upon
me
began
to
fall
by
my
left
and
right.
Some
even
fell
right
on
topofme.SeizingthisopportunityIshovedthedeadbodiesaroundmetillImanagedto
squeezethroughandgottomyfeet.Peoplewereallaroundmedeadwitharrowssticking
outoftheirgarmentsformingvariouscrimsonpatches.Despitethis,somestillrefusedto
die,thestubbornonesrunningthroughthestallsevenasarrowsstuckoutoftheirchests,
theyrantilltheycouldrunnomore.Unharmed,buttrampleduponandtryingtogulpinair
tofillinmylungsagain,Iranlikeablindmadmaninthemiddleofathinningcrowdofdying
men,butIdidntcare,Iranleftandrightinbetweendeadvillagers,dyingmengroaning,
twistingandturningonthebloodsoakedground,asmyeyessharpenedandthemost
powerfulinstinct
in
man
took
over
me
completely;
The
survival
instinct.
As
Iran,
Imoved
westwardstillIclearedpastthecrowdofscattereddeadbodiesandthemarketstalls. I
keptrunningandsoonIcaughtmyfirstglimpseofamanofXendu. Hewasyellow,
wearingarmourandstandinginmyway.Ishovedhimoutofmywayensuringwithinthose
fewsecondsthatmybutchersknifegavehimapartingkiss.Icontinuedrunning,panting,
gaspingforbreath,changingdirectionsinceitwasobvioustheareaIlivedmusthavebeen
overrunbythem.InowaimedtogetintotheforestwhereIcouldhideunderthecoverof
trees.Ifeltsuddenpaininmyleftlegjustthen;ittoppledmeandsentmerollingoverthe
moistdarkearth.Irolledtoastopandtriedgettingonmyfeetbutthatinstant,thepain
thatradiated
from
my
heel
upwards
prevented
me
from
doing
so.
Ishifted
backwards
trying
tobeaman,fightingtheslowlyengulfingpainbutalasmybodycouldntjustrespond
favourably.IwashelplessandhopelesslywatchedthemanIshovedattachaquivertohis
bow,aimingitstraightatmyheart.MyspiritrefusedtodieandIstruggledmovingmybody
inchbyinchuntilIatleastfoundasupportinformofatreestump.Hereleasedthequiver
andIknewitwashopeless,itwasover,butmyspiritdidntacceptthat,ratherpreferringto
fighttotheveryend.Therigoroustrainingmybodyhadgonethroughinmypastlifehadnt
fadedcompletelyintooblivioneitherasmybodyreactedvoluntarilyandmyhandshot
forward,asifithadamindofitsown,todeflectthearrowshot.
Aaargh!Iscreamedasthepaincoursedthroughmybody.Ithadsurelybecomeweaker
sinceIsettledinReog.Iclutchedmyinjuredhandwithmygoodoneandtriedtowillthe
paintogoaway,butitdidnt,itwaspersistent.Stillbentoverdoublewithpain,Ididntsee
himattachthenextquivertohisbow,aimitatmyheadandreleaseit.
Swoosh!Iheardsomethingmoveathighspeedgrazemyleftear,compoundingthepainI
felt.Iitchedtotouchitbutcouldnt,despitethefactthatIknewitwasbleeding.Ilookedup
frommyintensepainandcouldreadtheshockedlookofsurpriseonhisface.Hecouldnt
havemissed
by
that
far.
He
quickly
reattached
another
quiver
to
take
one
more
shot
at
me
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buthenevergotitoffsuccessfully,forhewassuddenlylevitatedoffthegroundandthrown
backwards,slammingheadfirstintoatreeandfelldownwithathump,dead.
IlookedandIsawhim,hewasstandingthere,calmasifnothingjusthappened.Hewalked
uptothebloodstainedtree,checkedthemantoensurehewasdeadandcutoffasmall
branch,whichhecarriedalongwithhimashewalkeduptome.Heremovedthequivers,
snappingtheirheadscutandpullingitoutofmybodyoneattimecausingmesuddenbursts
ofpain.Throughclenchedteethandgaspingforbreathafterbotharrowshadbeen
extractedfrommyhandandleg,Isawhimtearapartofhisgarment.Heusedittohelpme
tieupmywoundsandstoppedthebleeding.Isufferedunexplainablepainasthisprocess
tookplace.Satisfiedwithwhathehaddone,hehelpedmeuptomyfeet,givingmethe
branchtorestonanduseasasupport.Bebethenspokehisfirstwordstomesincehe
came.`doyouthinkyoucanyouwalk?hehadasked.`Ithinkso,Imumbledinreply.`then
lets
get
out
of
here
fast
he
added,
assisting
me
to
lean
on
him
for
support
as
we
both
walkedhurriedlyintotheforest.
....................................................................................................................................................
Afterafewhours,wefinallypausedtocatchourbreathandIthoughtaboutwhat
happenedandrealisedtheyellowarchercouldnthavemissedbythatfar.Itdawnedonme,
hehadsavedmylifethesecondtime.HebroughtoutaskinofwaterasIthankedhimfor
savingmylife.Helookedatmeoddlyandreplied`drinkup;westillhavealongwaytogo
theywillbehereanymomentfromnow.
`Whoarethey?Iasked,butasusualgotnoreply.Heonlyhelpedmeupandinsistedwe
continue.Wehadntwalkedmorethanfiveminuteswhendozensofdarkformswithwings
flewoverus.Heimmediatelypulledmedownwithhim,hushingmeaswehidunderthe
coverofthelushgreenery,untiltheypassed.`Whatarethose?Iasked,`justkeepon
walkinghehissed. IlookedbackandtheonlythingIsawwasblacksmokefromReog
waftingintotheair.Suddenlyitwasspreadingeverywherelikemist.Itkeptcomingcloser
andhekeptpushingmefurthertoincreasemypace,uncaringaboutthepainIwasgoing
through.Somefewminutesafter,mybodycouldnttakeitanymore;Iwasinjuredplus
hadntexercisedmybodylikethisinyears.GroaningloudlyIfellandcollapsed,mysweat
stainedfacekissingthesand.Ilaythereunabletomove,helpless,breathingheavily.Icould
feeltheheatofthesmokegettingcloser, standup!Heshouted,`noway!Idratherdie
thanstandupandcontinue,Ithoughttomyself.ThereandthenseeingthatIhadreached
mylimithecameandpickedmeup,doingtheunbelievable.Hepickedmeupandascended
intotheskywithmeinhisarmsandweflew...noratherweglidedonair,outpacingthe
smoke.Hismovementswerequickandsuave;remindingmeofthefirsttimeImethim.We
didntcomethisfartodiebynjoli,hesaid.Whatisthat?Iaskedweakly,myheadclearing
upalittle.Blackflamesheanswered.ForthefirsttimesinceIknewhim,heanswereda
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questionfromme,butIwastooweaktonotice.`Itconsumesallinitspath,immobilizing
onlytheliving.Theyarebutthedregsofherpower.Hecontinued.Pushingmy
extraordinaryluckwithhimthatmoment,Ithirstedformoreanswers.`Whoisshe?Iasked
inaddition.Heopenedhismouthandwasabouttosaysomethingwhensuddenlythunder
andlightning
struck
simultaneously,
buzzing,
coursing
through
our
bodies.
Weakness
was
forgotteninthemeantimeasIflailedandtrashedintheairandthejoltcoursedthroughmy
body.Webothfelldownfromhighupinthesky.Thump!Ihitthegroundlandingonmy
rightarmandrolledforalittledistancebeforeIwasstoppedbyatree.Ifeltoverbearing
painasItriedtoshiftmyself.IrememberedhearingacrackasIhitthetree.Ifeltmyright
armanddiscovereditwasbroken. Besidesthat,Iwasterriblybruisedwithsmalland
mediumsizedredpatchesofmybloodscatteredallovermyrobe.
`ItsbeenawhileIheardavoicesneeringlysay.WithmygoodarmImanagedtocrawl
towards
the
sound
having
heard
Bebe
reply
`yes
Timi,
it
has
been
a
while.
As
soon
as
I
got
closerwhatIsawmademestopdeadinmytracks.Itwasaman,ayoungerversionofBebe,
broadshoulderedandbroadchested,tall...verytallwearingashiningsilverarmourmadeof
materialunlikenoneIhadeverseenbefore,andthelookinhiseyes.Hehadthelookofone
whowasntafraidtokillplustheywereanunnaturalcolour.Also,withinmyscopeofvision
stoodhe.Itwashimandyetitwasnthim.GonewasthemanIsayooedwith,gonewasthe
manIjivedwith,gonewasthemanIlivedwith,gonewasthemanIknew,fortherehe
stood,theexactreplicaofthedayImethim.Hestoodandstaredbackattheothermanlike
onewhoknewwhatdeathwasallabout,asgreymistswirledallaroundhimandhelda
presenceso
mysterious
unlike
any
Ihad
ever
seen
before.
Even
Iwas
scared
of
him
now.
`Yourestillassoftandstupidasever...elderbrotherthemanbebereferredtoasTimi
commented.
`IwonttakeinsultsfromyouTimikuku!Hethundered.
`Well!Illjuststatemybusinessfast.Idonthavetimetowasteeither.Imheretocleanup
yourmessandcleanyouupaswell,themancalledTimisaidwithachuckle.SoIlljustget
startedalready.Lighteningwasbeginningtocackleinhisfingertipsandtheatmospherewas
tensed.Ifelt
fear
welling
up
within
me.
Fear
of
what
this
people
were
and
what
they
could
wreakuponabeingasinsignificantasme.IstartedcrawlingbackthewayIcamequickly
findingrenewedstrengthfromthefearwithinme.
CRACK!CRACK!CRACK!IheardasIcrawledandglancingsidewaysIsawthesilhouetteof
BebebeingguardedbytwotreeswhichitseemedwithinthefewmomentsIhadusedto
crawlbackonestephadshiftedplacestodeflectthelightening.Suddenlyhisbrotherwasat
hisback;heturnedandwasjustintimetocounterthedeadlylighteninginfusedblow,mid
airwithhishands;makinguseofsomeofthatgreymistthatsurroundedit.Thenusingit
likeaforcefield,heblastedthelighteningcacklingaroundhisbrothersfistbackwards.Just
thenhisbrotherTimireleasedhisclenchedupfistandturnedthelighteninghemusthave
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keptinitforthatverypurpose,atthenickofthesecond,intoadeadlyblastwhichpushed
Bebebackwards.Istoppedcrawlingandwatchedinwondermentasthetwobeingsnotof
thisworldrackeditout.`Haslivingamongmortalsturnedyouintoasissy?Hesneered,
walkingtowardsbebewholaywrithingonthefloor,moaning,hishandsonhisface.
Withunbelievableragecomparableonlytothatofafemalelion,Bebegotup,followingthe
gestureofhishands,thegreymistpushedhisbrotherbackwards,notpausinguntilhe
smashedheadfirstintoatree.Eventhenhecontinuedgesturing,ensuringTimismashed
throughseventrees.Timifelldown,crumpledbutstoodupalmostimmediatelytwistinghis
headsideways,leftandright,hisbonesmakingaloudcrackingnoiseashedidso.`Thatwas
anoldwomanstouch,hesaidandSWOOSH!Withaflourishhewasgone.Isawlightening
comefromthreedirections,headedstraightatbebebutthreetreesweretherewaiting,
theirrootsstilldrippingwithdarkloamysoilfilledwithmoisture,whathappenednext
happened
so
fast
that
I
couldnt
see
it.
I
just
heard
a
loud
crack,
saw
wood
splinters
flying
everywherethenanexplosionfollowedhalfasecondlater.Iduckedandmarriedthe
groundaswoodsplintersandtreesfleweverywhereandalltheleaveswithinthatradius
turnedtodust.Iraisedmyheadupagainasthedustsmokecleared.Ilookedaroundme;I
wastremblinginmyskinnow,howfarcouldIpossiblyrunevenifItriedto?Itried
calculating,atthesametimeprocessingtheinformationthatIjustnarrowlyescapedbeing
killed.Icouldhavebeencrushedastreetrunkslaystrewn,everywherearoundme.
Eveninthisstateyouprioritizetheratslife?Icanseeaparticularareathatseemsnot
touched.AsthedustclearedIsawhim,themanBebecalledTimi,hisbrother,ontopof
him,hishandsonhisthroat.Bebelookedroughandhaggardunderneathhim,likeahelpless
oldman.Hecoughedblood,closedhiseyesandthenrasped`youleavemenochoice.
Suddenlyeverythingaroundthemstartedtovibrate,eventhegroundonwhichIlay
vibratedtoo.Iwatchedtheairaroundthebothofthemcondense,theparticlesaround
themswirledslowly,movingupwardsasifthelawsofgravityhadchanged.Thevibrations
stoppedtheinstantheopenedhiseyes.FromwhereIcoweredIcouldseetheircolour,it
blinkedlikeatorchandyetitwasdull,itwasgrey.Thenhewasthere,underTimisgrasp
andhewasnt.Timidisappearstooandtheyreappearmetresawayfromthespotthey
werebefore,
this
time
with
the
situations
reversed.
Ibreathed
asigh
of
relief.
Bebe
was
on
topthistimearoundandTimitrashedbeneathhim.AndthenIheardavoicewhisperinmy
ear,`Escape.Whywouldhetellmethatwhenitwasobvioushewaswinning?Iwondered.
Toolate,asthatexactmoment,thunderstruckandthewholegroundshook.Ilookedup
andbeholdtheirpositionshadchangedagain.Timistood,lighteningenergycacklingall
aroundhim,hisskinhadturnedwhiteandallthehaironhisbodyincludingtheoneonhis
headstoodup,onend,andhiseyes,theywereblazingwhitehot.Bebestoodagood
distanceaway,havingjumpedbackwardssuddenly,staringathishandsasiftheyhadbeen
scorched.
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Ivehadenough...Itoldmyselfandstruggled.Withthehelpofafallentreetrunkcloseto
me,Igottomyfeet,mybrokenarmhanginglimply.WHATDOYOUTHINKBEBE?heroared,
THATIWILLCOMEAFTERTHEIMMORTALSPIRITWITHOUTBEINGPREPEARED?NoMORTAL
SEESMYTRUEFORMANDLIVES AFTERIT...justlikebefore,hewhistledsoftly,whennone
whofelt
your
touch...The
immortal
spirits
touch,
feels
anything
afterwards.
Istruggled,
limpingbetweenintertwiningplantswithoutleavesbuthisvoicestillcarried.`EVENWITH
YOURIMMORTALITYTAKEN,THEREAREFEWWHOCANSTANDUPTOYOU!Hethundered,
BUTI...Iwhohasgonefartherthananyotheronthisplaneofexistenceinthequestfor
power,I,soontobethefourthprince,bringthejudgementofthegodsuponyou;the
strongest.Hisvoicewentlowagain.`Eventhegodsadmittedthatmuchbutyouwerenever
strongerthanthefirstprince.Nowbeholdwhatmadehimeclipseeveryotherimmortal!
Handeddownbythegodsthemselvestome,foruseincarryingouttheirjudgementupon
you.Iwasrunningnowevenwithmybadleg.IwasntevenwatchingwhereIwasgoing,I
justwanted
to
get
as
far
away
as
possible
from
them.
His
voice
was
getting
louder
and
I
knewwhateverwascoming,itwasntgoingtobegood.ELEMENTALTAKEOVER!!!HE
SCREAMED,althoughIwasntfarenough,mycuriositygotthebetterofmeandIturned,
whatIsawpushedmeharderthanthewindhowlingatitspeak.Hewaslightningand
thunderfusedtogether,alargemassofwhitecacklingcurrentwithhumaneyes.
`YouremortalnowBebeIheardhimsaybeforehescreamed`ARASAAAAAN!!!Evenfrom
whereIstood,Ifelttheeffect,forIwentsoaringintotheairlikeahundredfeet,feelingthe
brashnessofthecurrentonmyskinjustthewayonefeelsheatfromfire.Thewholemass
musthave
enveloped
Bebe
for
he
was
screaming,
screaming
out
in
serious
pain
and
agony.
Thesoundwaspainfultotheears,itwaslikeathousandsquirrelsgnashingatathousand
nuts.Ithoughtmyearswouldburst,andthenitstopped.Iturnedaroundjustintimetosee
hisbodyfallingfromtheskyacharredrumpledheap.Beforeitreachedthetreesit
scatteredintoashes.Atthatinstantallthegreeneryinaradiusoftenmilesincludingthe
treescrackedintodust.TearsstreakedmycheeksasIranfordearlife,Bebehadpaidthe
ultimatepriceformyfreedom.AsIranIsawasingleboltdropfromthesky,itdroppedright
infrontofmeandmaterializedintoTimi.AveryweakTimi,hecouldbarelystand.He
blockedmypathandwalkedtowardsmeasIedgedbackwardsunknowingly,towardsthe
cliffsedge.
Icould
hear
the
river
flowing
underneath
as
he
said
with
apainfully
forced
laugh
`Soyourguardianspiritfinallydissipateseh?Icanfinallygetaroundtoswattingyouand
claimwhatisrightfullymine.Myeyesdartedbackandforthlookingforthequickestescape
route.You'retrappedlikeafly,andnomatterwhereyourunto,you'reinmyweb.Iknew
therewasnowayoutofthis,butIdrathertakemychancesanddieeatenupbypiranhasin
theriverbelowthangranthimthejoyofkillingme.`Bebewasafoolhesaid,`whodidnt...
IdidntallowhimcompletethestatementasthatmomentIjumpedoffthecliff,ignoring
protestationsfrommybeatupbody,hearingthewindwhistleinmyear,lettingadrenaline
pumpmeintofreedom,freedomfromthecaresofthisworld.2secondslaterIbroke
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surfaceaspowerfulsurgescoursedthroughmybodyandIwasenvelopedbyawet
blackness.
CHAPTER4HUSH!
Hush!
HUSH!
Hes
awake!
MywholebodyfeltnumbandithurtsomuchthatIwantedtoscreambutonlyamoan
escapedmythroat.Itriedtositupandtakeinmysurroundingsbutmybodyrefusedto
budge.AllIcouldseewasdarknessandalittlelightedportionwhereanoillamp
illuminatedtheroom.
Suddenlythekindfaceofanoldmanleanedoverme,blockingmyentirescopeof
vision.`Youhaventfullyhealedyet,youneedtorestsomemore,hesaidandslowlyI
slippedbackintounconsciousness.
WhenIopenedmyeyesagainitwasassaultedbybrightlight.Itwasdaytime.Ilooked
tomyleftandsawthesamekindoldfacesittingonastool.
`Soyou'refinallyawake,hecommented.`Yououghttohavewokenuptwodaysearlier.
Doyoufeelhungry?Healsoasked.
Who...are...u?Imanagedtostutter.Tell...me...now...o...r...or...else.
`Youlldowhat?Hesneered.`Killme?You'reinnoconditiontomakethreats,he
added.
SuddenlyIrememberedwhathappened,meandbebefleeing,thefight,bebesdeath,
andmyownselfsupposedchosendeathatthehandsofpiranhasandIaskedina
whisper`sowhydidyousaveme?
`Patience,hereplied,`allinduetime,getwellfirst.Hethenstoodupandtookhis
leaveasIslippedbackintoanotherdeepsleep.
Afterthatday,henevercameback,ratheranoldnursecameinhissteadtogiveme
medicationand
food,
three
times
daily.
Iwas
also
occasionally
taken
out
for
walks,
the
walksgettingmorefrequentasIgotbetter.Shewasfriendlybutrefusedtoanswerany
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ofthequestionsIthrewather,soIgaveuptryingtocoaxanswersoutofher.Ialsosaw
thekindoldmansometimessittingunderatreemeditating;mosttimeswhenIpassed
hewouldnodatme.Icontemplatedrunningaway,notonce,nottwice,notthricebut
abandonedtheideabecausetheprospectlookedbleakandafterall,theysavedmylife.
Asthedayspassedandtheweeksrolledby,Igrewtiredofjustwaking,eating,
sleepingandtakingoccasionalwalkswithinthecompoundtoexercisemylimbs.Iwas
beginningtogetimpatientwiththispeople,whoevertheywere,Ididntcareanymore.
Theycouldntjustkeepmeindoorslikeadomesticanimal,thingswerentdonethatway
andtheirattitude...itwasseriouslypissing.Theywaytheylookedatme;theyalllooked
atmelikeIwassomesortoflesserbeingmakingitobvioustheyknewsomethingthatI
didnt.ThingssurelycouldntcontinuelikethisandsoImadearesolutionthatthenext
timeIsawtheoldman,Ihadtotellhimsomething,shakehimandroughhimupalittle.
I
needed
to
know
what
he
knew,
what
he
took
so
much
pains
to
hide
from
me
by
caging
meuplikehispet,Iwantedtoknowmore.
MychancecamesoonerthanIexpected.OnoneofthosedaysIwasallowedoutto
stretchmylegs,Isawtheoldmanunderthetree,meditatingagain.Iletmystrolling
takemetowardshiszonesandhenoddedatmeasusualfromafar,butthistimeIdidnt
continueonthenormalroute,ratherIdivergedtowardshimincreasingmypace.Then
suddenlytwodogsIhadnevernoticedbeforebutwhoobviouslyhungaroundguarding
himstoodupandstartedheadingtowardsmeasIgotcloser.FromatrotIbrokeintoa
jog,thedogsimitatedmestillheadingtowardsmydirection.ThenIstartedrunningand
theystartedrunningtoo.Itwasaraceofwitsthistimearound.AsIran,theyranand
stillrunning,wegotclosertoeachother.Astheiroutlinebecameclear,theygnarled
andfearstruckmyheart,butpullingonareserveIknewnotexisted,Ignarledbackat
them,alsoshowingthemmyteeth.ThenstillmovingatthatspeedImadeadecisionat
thespurofthemoment.AsIgotcloser;5meters,4meters,3meters,2meters,1metre
andIjumped,butitwasntarealjump,itwasafeintandIduckedimmediatelyafter.
Alastheycopiedmetooandjumpedbutratherthantheheadoncollisionthatwas
meanttohappenintheair,theysailedrightoverme,implementingthefeintafew
secondslate,duckingastheysailed,whimperinglikepuppiesastheirspeedcarried
themafewhundredfeetintheairbeforetheylanded.Astheysailedovermethey
lookedstrangelytranslucentandetherealandthatcoldfearIfeltwhentheygnarled
struckmyheartagain,butnotimeforreminiscingasIseizedmyopeningandcontinued
towardstheoldmaninfullspeed.AssoonasIgottohim,Ijackedhimupbyhisclothes.
`Whatwasthat?Whoareyou?Whyareyoukeepingmelockeduplikeadog?Where
amI?whereafewofthequestionsIthrewathiminquicksuccession.
Fool...IheardhimmutterunderhisbreathandsuddenlythatcoldfearIfeltwhenthe
dogsgnarledcamebackstronger,itfilledmywholebodyandoverwhelmedme,and
thenmyownfearsjoinedit.Allthefearscamealive,playingrightbeforemyeyes.It
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filledmymindtotheburstingpoint.Instantlymyshakinghandsfreedhisclothes
immediatelytoclutchmypainfullythrobbinghead,asovercomebyfearIclosedmy
eyeswideshut,tryingunsuccessfullytocloseoutmymindfromallofit.Ifelltothe
groundscreamingandrollingandjustbeforeIpassedout,Iheardhimmurmur`Inever
shouldhave
brought
you
here
if
he
hadnt
asked
me
to...
Iwokeupinthatsamehut,onthatsamebedbutwithadifferentfeeling.Iwokeup
feelingdrowsybutshookmyheadtocleartheeffects.ItriedtosituponlytodiscoverI
wasstrappeddown.Breathein...breatheout...Itoldmyselfforcingmyselftocalm
downenoughtothink.Findingnootherplausiblesolution,Idecidedtoforcemyselffree
oftheropeswhichstrappedmedowntothebed.Hurtingmyselfintheprocess,I
screamedoutfromthepainIwascausingmyself.
`Takeiteasy,theoldwomansaid.Ilookedupandsawhersilhouetteilluminated
againstthe
door.
`The
more
you
struggle
the
tighter
it
becomes.
She
added.
`Whatareyoudoingwithme?Whatdoyouwantwithme?Iscreamed,shakingthebed
violentlyastheropestoredeeperintomyskin.
You'resonoisy!Shesaid.Shedidntturnback,justignoredmymuffledshoutsand
walkedrightoutoftheroom.Aftersheleft,Ikeptshoutingandthenrealisingthefutility
ofmyposition,Icalmeddownenoughtofallasleep.
Iwasrudelyinterruptedfrommysleepastheropesusedtobindmewereroughly
removed.
Getup!Themanwhoremoveditordered,andassoonasIdid,thepainhitmelikea
galewind,mywholebodywassorefromwheretheropeshadtornintomyflesh.The
masterwantstoseeyou,followme,hesaid.Ifollowedhimandwegotoutsidethehut
andwalkedforaboutfiveminutestillwegottothemastershut.Hethenstoodoutside
andmotionedmetogoin.IdidandwhenIentered,therewasafireburningbrightlyin
themiddleofthehut.Themasterwassittingontheothersideofthefire.`Sithesaid
andobediently,likeatraineddog,Isatontheflooroppositehimcrosslegged.
`SoIseeyouwerestubbornandrefusedtolistentoNadiahesaid.
Ikeptmute,havingrecognizedhimasthemanfrommyearlierencounterthatsame
day.Themansurroundedbyfears.
`Iheardyouvebeenclamouringforanswerssinceourlittleencounter.Ithoughtyou
werejoking,perhapsplayingalittleboysprank.
Hewasanoldman,soIguesshewasallowedtocallmeakid,IthoughttomyselfasIbit
mylipstopreventmyselffromretortingwithasmartcomment.
`Well,IthinkIhavesomethingforyou.
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`Idontwantanythingfromyoubutanswers,Iansweredthroughclenchedteeth.
`whateveranswersyouseekarebeyondme,hesaid,`youalonecanfindthem.Icant
helpyoubutIcanpointyouintherightdirectiontowardstheanswersthatyouseek.
Headded.
Sowhydidyousayyouhadsomethingformethen?Iasked,tryingmybesttohidethe
angerandfrustrationinmyvoice.
`Enough!Heordered.`YoushallsaynothingmoreunlesswhatIaskofyou.Youretoo
smallformetotakerubbishfrom.WhatIhaveforyouisapackagefromBebe(myears
perkedupimmediatelyatthementionofhisname).Apackageyoumusttaketo
Immortaliatogetalltheanswersyouseek.Willyoutakeitornot?
AndwhathappensifIdontgo?Iasked
`Youforfeitthepackagehesaidasheglaredatme,`andbytomorrowlatestyoullbe
escortedoutofheretothenearesthumansettlement.Fromthere,youreonyour
own.
Iwillgo!Isaid,aringofdeterminationinmyvoice,havingweighedmyoptionsand
decidingthatsinceIdidntknowwhatphantomlurkedintheshadows,awaitingnewsof
myreturntospringtoaction,Iwouldbebetteroffknowingthetruthofthematter...the
rootofthematter.ThatwayIfiguredIwouldbeproperlyarmedtoprotectmyself,
knowingwhy
it
was
that
they
wanted
my
life
and
what
happened
to
me,
knowing
what
secretBebehadtakenpainfulpainstohidefromme,upuntilnow.
`Youmaytakeyourleave,hesaid.`Tomorrowyoushalldepartwithcompanionsto
Immortalia,andbeware!YoumustntopenthepackageuntilyougetthereHeadded
standinguptowithdrawintohisinnerhut. Pleasewait!Ishoutedafterhimand
surprisinglyhehalted.`Thejourneyofathousandmilesbeginswithonestep,Ibegan.
Allthiswhile,alltheseyears,Ivebeenkeptinthedarkfollowingthefootstepsofthe
onewhoknewtheway.NowthathesgoneIfeellikeanystepItakewillbethewrong
step.IdontevenknowwhereIam,whoIamorwhoyouare.Icantdifferentiate
betweenfriendsorenemies.Idontknowwhatsrealorunrealagainand...
Youfeellikeapuppet?Hecutsin.
`YesIsaidconfirmingwhathesaid,whatIwasabouttosay.
Hekeptquietforafewsecondswhichfeltlikehourstomebeforehesaid;`makeno
mistakes,considermenotafriend(myeyeballswidened)`ImonlydoingwhatIm
doingbecauseBebeaskedmeto.Andthenhewasgone.
AsIstepped
outside
the
hut,
it
suddenly
started
making
sense
to
me,
everything
he
said,itstartedpiecingtogetherinmybrain,theonlythingIneverfathomedwasBebes
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relationshipwiththatoldman.ButtothinkthatBebewouldplanforasituationlikethis
evenafterhisdeath,itmeanshemusthaveplannedtodie...no...No.Hemusthave
knownhewasgoingtodie.TearsstreakeddownmycheeksasIrememberedhim.I
must...I...mustgettoImmortaliaanddecipherwhatBebewantedmeto.Itwastheleast
Icould
do
to
honour
his
memory,
the
memory
of
one
who
died
in
my
stead.
Iwas
escortedbacktomyroomandthatnight,thatverynightIsleptlikeanewbornbabe.
Thenextmorning,mysleepwasrudelyinterruptedbythecoldfeelofwatersplashed
onmyface.`Wakeup!Theguardshouted,`themasterwantsyou.Theguardshere
werentintheleastabitfriendly,Iforgot.IwokeupandwithmyhandswipedoffwhatI
couldofthewaterdrippingfrommyface.Idressed,tyingaloinclotharoundmyselfand
wentouttomeetthemaster.ThenextpersonIsawalmostshockedmerightoutofmy
skin.Thereshewas,standingrightnexttothemaster,theevilbeautythatcolludedwith
the
fireman
years
ago
to
take
my
life.
As
I
arrived
I
could
see
her
eyeballs
looking
like
theywantedtojumpoutoftheirsockets,sheclearlyhadnotexpectedtoseemehere
either.`Theseareyourcompanionsthemastersaid,pointingtoherandanotherman
withstrangepiercingsinbothhisears.Theyshallbegoingallthewaywithyouto
Immortalia.`Ithinkitsbetterwegetstartedmastertheguywiththestrangepiercings
inhisearssaid,`itsstillalongjourneyfromhere.Sosaying,hebowedtothemaster
andIfollowedsuit.Heturned,walkingintothedarkness,Ifollowedkeepinginhiswake
andshefollowedmebehindmyback,carefultokeepasafedistancebetweenus.
Itwasntuntiltwohoursintothejourneywhenwepausedforabriefbreakinthe
forestthatanyonesaidaword.EventhenitwasmeandwhatIaskedforwaswaterto
quenchmythirst.Theearpiercingsguybroughtoutananimalskinflaskfromasache
carriedonhisbackandgaveittome.Itookalongandsatisfyingdrinkfromitandgave
itbacktohim.ThenIturnedandlookedatthewoman,shewaseyeballingme,infact
shehadbeeneyeballingmethroughoutthewholejourney.Evennowshesaid`what?
inaveryhostilevoice.Iturnedtothepiercingsguyandtoldhim`ifweretravelling
togetherIwouldfeelsaferifwekneweachothersnamesconsideringthefactthat
shestriedtokillmebefore.`ImmediatelyIsawyou,Iknewitwasyousheburstout,
`theonewhostoleTafasimmortality.Youdeservenothingbetterthandeath!Shesaid
andspatatme.Icleanedoffthespitwiththebackofmyhandsandtoldher`woman,
watchyourtongue.Clenchingmyfists,Icontinued`anymorewordfromyouandIll
beatyoutopulp.`Whatcanyoudo?sheshoutedplacingherarmsakimbo.`Canyou
evenprotectyourself?Sheaddedinsultively.Thiswastoomuch,Icouldnttakeitany
longer.Ihadtoteachheralessonortwo.Istoodupimpulsivelyandheadedforher,
givinghertwohotslapsinquicksuccession.
Bothofyoustopit!Iblinkedagainandopenedmyeyes.Insteadofholdingthe
offensive,insultivewoman,Iwasclutchingnothing.Iturnedaroundinstantly
rememberinghowshemanipulatedrealityandsawthepiercingsguyholdingthe
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womanshandinwhichsheheldabiglogofwoodthatwouldhavehitmehaditnot
beenforhewhowasholdingherback.`Nooneisgoingtohitorbreakanyoneshead,
hesaid,`atleastnotuntilIsayso.`Justwhodoyouthinkyouare?Shehissed,still
strugglingagainsthisvicelikegriptogetatme.`ImGboks,anordainedguidebythe
master.Its
useless,
he
said
to
her.
`I
know
what
youre
thinking.
It
will
be
good
for
you
toknowthatIvebeeninstructedbythemastertokillifyourefusetocooperatewith
meorifhediesduetoyournegligence.Itllbebetterifyouplayyourpartwell.He
releasedherfromhisfirmholdandshedroppedthelogofwood,hissedagainand
walkedoffonherown.`Wontyougoafterher?Iaskedhim.`Dontworry,shellcome
back,sheknowsthemasterisnotamantobetakenlightlyherepliedme.
Inthedaysthatfollowed,Ilearntmoreaboutmycompanionsatanalarmingrateand
themoreIgrewtoliketheguardGboksforhisprotectiveattitudeoverme,themoreI
grew
to
hate
that
woman
Tripoli
for
her
brash
and
sassy
attitude
towards
me
and
him.
Sometimes,Iwonderedwhyshehadtocomealong;Gbokswouldhavebeenenoughto
protectme.IevenaskedGbokswhatherrelevancewasand