CRADLE OF THE GODS

Chapter 10

People from different communities gathered round the shrine of the chief priest for a grand celebration. People came with an assortment of gifts, the very best of their livestock and farm produce included, to present as offerings to the gods of Paradise who it seemed had brought things back to normal in the world. They also gave thanks to the gods for leading their men to a successful mission in the forbidden land and bringing them back safely.

It was a colourful event. There were so many people around the shrine, singing praises of the gods and the heroes they had sent to the forbidden land. The sound of local flutes and drums filled the air and the people danced hysterically to the melodious tunes, singing along every now and then. Sitting on an elevated platform were Okoh, Ibe and Orewa, who were cheered on by the people. They had recovered from their injuries. They were flanked by the elders from different communities and behind them were the rest of the people.

The priest came out of his shrine, dancing like a masquerade. He was a sight to behold as he moved to the rhythm of the drums and local flutes. He uttered some incantations as he moved towards an enclosure were livestock were kept. He examined each one until he picked the priciest one. It was a goat. It bleated as the priest's servant, hugging it, took it to the altar made for slaughter. The priest danced on, brandishing a knife whilst continuing his incantations.

Just then, what seemed like two balls of fire tore through the sky and fell to the ground with a mighty thud. It was Ufele and Oma. The crowd was silent as everyone gazed in awe. Nobody paid heed to the goat for slaughter as it ran away. Both gods tried to get themselves as they were dazed. The priest went before them and genuflected.

"Divine ones", he said.

"Get everyone out of here," Ufele said.

"Now!" he yelled.

The priest dispersed the crowd. Everyone was startled. The priest unbound them.

"Somehow, Agha is still under the control of Oku", Oma said. "Agha is coming here to kill us."

"Alu!" yelled the priest.

"He will not stop until we have drawn our last breath", Ufele said.

"Oku laced our food and drink. Now we have no power."

There was another thud as Agha landed. He panted as he looked around, his eyes stern and the muscles on his chest going up and down.

"He is here", Oma panicked.

"What do we do?" the priest asked.

"How do we stop him?"

Agha charged at them, knocking down anyone and anything in his path. Ufele and Oma sought cover in the maze of trees. Agha followed them, knocking down the trees in his path. There was a stampede as people ran in different directions. It was a disaster.

The priest summoned Ibe, Okoh and Orewa. He drew patterns on their body with chalk.

"It looks like your mission is not over yet", he said to them.

"You must stop Agha before he kills Ufele or Oma."

"How do we stop a god with his full powers?" Ibe asked.

"He is under a spell", the priest said.

"Find whatever Oku is using to control Agha and destroy it. It must be on him. But if you cannot find anything; if things get out of hand, use this."

The priest gave them his staff.

"This is as divine as the gods themselves", he said.

"It might not kill Agha, but it will definitely deal a mighty blow. The chalk on your body would make you stronger. Now go, go and save the gods."

The men rushed into the woods where the gods were. By that time, Agha had gotten hold of Ufele and was about to bash his skull with his club. The men succeeded in distracting Agha, but they could not stop him. He was fast as lightening as he knocked them down. He went back to Ufele who was already in pain as he lay on the ground after a tree branch pierced through his left leg. Lifting his club, he bashed Ufele until his skull cracked.

Agha began to look for Oma who hid at a distance. She wiped the tears from her eyes as she processed all that had taken place.

"The necklace!" she said. "That is how Oku is controlling Agha."

She tried to run but was immediately stopped by Agha who threw his club at her. He raced towards her to finish her off. He was again stopped by Okoh who thrust the staff of the priest through Agha's back. He knocked Okoh away with a back hand and fell to his knees in pain. He grimaced as he pulled the rod out of his back. Orewa hit him with a rock which smashed to pieces as it came in contact with his head. Agha did not even flinch. He tried to fight Orewa but he was in pain and Ibe joined in. Together, they struggled to put Agha down. Agha overpowered them and beat them half to death before he was stabbed again by Okoh with the priest's staff. Okoh stabbed him repeatedly until he fell to the ground and could not put up a fight. Okoh then rushed to Oma's side.

"Remove the necklace from his neck", she managed to say.

Evil spirits swarmed the place. Okoh managed to carry Oma to safety.

"We are safe here for now", he said.

Oma gave a faint grin.

"No one is safe as long as Oku is in Paradise", Oma said.

"I know your end game Oku", Oma said, thinking aloud.

Looking at Okoh, she said; "Oku sent Agha here to kill us so you people could watch. When Agha is done, Oku will kill him so the people would see him as a hero and turn their worship to him."

Okoh helped Oma up as the evil spirits approached them.

"You must remove the necklace from Agha's neck!" she warned.

They were soon surrounded by the evil spirits who gave way for Agha to get to his prey. Okoh tried to attack Agha, but he was knocked unconscious by Agha who bashed his head with his club.

"Agha," Oma begged.

"Please. I know you are in there somewhere. You can fight this. You..."

Agha grabbed her by the neck and began to strangle her. She threw her hands and legs about as she struggled, but Agha had a firm grip. Slowly, her face turned pale and she stopped breathing. Unknown to Agha, Oma had cut his necklace while she struggled. He only realized thus when he tossed her lifeless body on the ground.

Meanwhile, Oku had been watching the charade. His countenance changed as he saw the commotion taking place in the woods. He was moved by the carnage, so much that he began to doubt the wisdom of his plan. By the time Agha bludgeoned Ufele to a pulp, Oku was certain he had enough. He jumped through the portal to the woods to end the bloodbath. He orchestrated the bedlam, only he could end it; or so he thought. By the time he got to Agha, he was already choking Oma to death. He raced towards Agha, yelling at him to cease his madness. But it was too late. Agha tossed Oma's body to the ground, seemingly shocked as to what just transpired. Oku raced to Oma's side.

"What have I done?" Oku asked, holding her body with wet eyes.

"I never said you should actually kill them!" Oku rebuked Agha. "I ordered you to stop!"

The rage in Agha was palpable as he fixed his gaze on Oku. Oku tried to flee but Agha sent him to the ground, lacing punch after punch on Oku's face until he drew his last breath. After beating Oku to death, Agha fell beside him, weeping bitterly. He couldn't seem to fathom what just transpired. He found it hard to come to grips with what he did. He just lay there in tears. The priest came to his side.

"Divine one!" He said.

"It is not your fault. If it is any consolation, Oku's spell has been broken."