DARK CLOUDS

Chapter 1

The people of Idera Village gathered in front of Banjo's hut, the mighty Amokoko. 

"All hail Banjo Amokoko! Our deliverer! Our Saviour! ". The crowd chorused together. 

Banjo came out to address them. "You are welcome my people! You've all done well and your prayers and wishes shall be granted! ". 

They all bowed before Banjo as a woman brought forth her daughter to render for sacrifice. "It is my turn to render sacrifice on behalf of the whole village, please accept my sacrifice great one! ". 

Banjo looked into the eyes of the little girl, he could see fear in her eyes. He felt guilt but he couldn't refuse the sacrifice for it was the tradition of the land. He has to be the one to kill her with his sword and drink her blood. He requested for the little girl to be placed on his sacred altar inside his hut. He went in and took out his sword from his skirt. He was contemplating whether to sacrifice her or not until the spirit of his forefathers appeared unto him. 

"Oh Banjo! The last Descendant of Amokoko! You are the last god of our people who will rule forevermore. You possess a special power no one has ever possessed in the history of this village. The power of Life! Nobody and nothing on this earth can kill you. Why are you feeling pitiful for the little girl? It is the tradition of our village that can never be erased! ". 

Banjo was displeased. "Oh great Afefe, my forefather! I greet you! Why must we sacrifice human blood? Why? We are meant to be merciful to the people and not heartless. Killing their offspring is pure wickedness! It is not a way to show gratitude". 

"Keep quiet! This isn't your first time of making the sacrifice. Why stop now? And you also know you can't go against us Banjo, because if you try it, you will wish you were dead but death won't come for you! Do what you have to do Son." Afefe said to him as he disappeared. 

      Banjo took in a deep breath and summoned some courage. He brought out his sword and placed a calabash under the sacred altar the little girl was on. He stabbed her with his sword, he could hear her grow in pain. Her blood dripped into the calabash. Banjo carried the calabash to show the people of Idera waiting outside his hut. When they saw him step out with the calabash, they were all jubilating. Banjo drank the blood in the calabash (to show the villagers that their sacrifice had been accepted). He ordered some of the villagers to throw the little girl's body into the evil forest for the animals to feed on. He granted every wish of every villager that same day till it was late in the night when all the villagers had gone back into their various houses. The Council of the Elders came to pay Banjo a visit. 

"Oh great One of our lands! We the council of elders greet you and thank you for all you've done for our village and villagers." Shigidi praised Banjo. 

"No need to thank me my elders! I am just doing my duties but I want to ask some questions! ". 

The council of elders were confused because the gods were not to ask questions, they were the ones always asking the gods questions. 

"You can go on and ask your questions Oh great One! ". Alagbara replied. 

Banjo looked into the sky and looked down to the ground three times. "It is not every time that it gets cloudy that the rain falls! ". 

The council of elders nodded their heads in affirmation. 

Banjo cleared his throat. "I am just a young boy in my Teens and the duty of a god has been bestowed upon me because I am the last Descendant of the gods and I have mystical powers! ". 

The council of elders nodded their heads in affirmation. 

"I can not live a normal life like my peers. Instead I was made to rule over my peers, to be their savior and their god! Now my questions are, must the blood of the innocent always be shed? What is the significance of shedding blood to the gods? Why must I always drink the blood of the innocent? ".