Jabari's Pride

Chapter 1: Myths and Dreams

Chapter 1:

€¥€ Myths and Dreams €¥€

<< 10 years later >>

• Princess Maha's P.O.V •

I ran as fast as my long legs could take me. My hair flying behind me, shimmering sweat dripping down my temple to my collar bone, my Ilékè (beads) jumping and clicking together with each movement and my Ále Kàba (Night gown) slightly tearing with my sudden and swift movements.

I glanced behind me to look at my aggressor but instead i saw a mirror image of myself with an awkward twist.....it wasn't really me. The Maha I saw was stronger, cunning, faster, smarter and dangerous. She had the same long black hair, intriguing and watchful eyes, and even my curvaceous and toned body but on the contrary everything about her was different. Her demeanor and aura was intensely compelling, her face was masked with war paint and her eyes were milky white. Her features were sharper, more muscular and most of all she was naked while carrying a spear.

*you may play the song now as you continue reading :)

Whipping my head back to the front, I jumped to the right barely dodging the Igi Ńla(big tree) that suddenly appeared.

"Why was she chasing me?"
"Why am I chasing myself?"
"Why does she look different?" "How can she run so fast? I am the fastest female runner in my tribe."

Questions raced through my mind till I slowly realized the ground was coming to a stop. I was being chased to the edge of the Kílìfi (Cliff).

I had to think fast but it wasn't fast enough for I had ran off the Kílìfi! I was filled with panic, dread and sorrow as my mind struggled to grasp what was happening. Oddly enough though, my body felt light as though something heavy had been pushed off me.

All these emotions filled me as I fell backwards. Immediately after my unfortunate fall, I saw my other self dive straight for me. As if things weren't strange enough, I saw a quick flick of a white tail behind her.

I gasped in disbelief as she grabbed me but I didn't feel her touch. She merged into me and I felt as though my insides were about to burst. My mind became overwhelmed by the strange sensation and I couldn't comprehend what was going on. My body jerked up violently and my eyes glazed over as my other self became a part of me.

My body was numb and stiff. I felt exhausted with a pounding headache to top it all off. I was slowly slipping away. Almost unexpectedly, the ground was closing in awaiting my fall but I was too shocked to grasp the danger. Slowly my eyes fell shut. "This is the end." I said to myself as tears floated from my eyes. I willingly accepted my fate.

Strong and warm arms caught me and cushioned my fall. "Mine!" I heard a deep, bone-shaking, heart- filling voice claim as I finally welcomed the darkness.

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"AHHHHHHH!!!" I screamed as I bolted upright, embracing myself to make sure I was still whole and alive. Shaking and breathing heavily from the intensity of the dream, I heard my 3 maids awaken due to my sudden outburst.

"Princess!" They exclaimed as they each scrambled about. Lina grabbing an Ófùfé (fan), Riza began pouring water, and Kira left to call and alert my mother.

Lina started waving the hand held fan to get air on me, while I drank water from the cup in Riza's hand. I started doing breathing exercises to keep me leveled and calm. Slowly I relaxed and returned to my normal state.