MEETING WITH THE GODS(story submitted by Ayomide Shedrach)

The atmosphere is familiar, have heard these sounds before, these tormented souls. Ajanaku jumped to his feet, sweating profusely, he noticed his legs were healed, something felt strange yet he felt better, he observed the room where he was. On all fourcorners were oil lamp, illuminating the room

"You are awake" A voice said from one of the dark corners.

Ajanaku slowly moved closer, out of the darkness came Darkness, solid darkness taking the form of human figure.

"Who are you? "

"Okunkun (Darkness)" It revealed itself, from head to toe was pure thick darkness, the eyes glowed red, moving closer to Ajanaku, and suddenly within an instance he was already behind Ajanaku.

"I see why Esu is interested in you" Okunkun said and entered through Ajanaku and came out from the back.

Ajanaku stechted his hand towards Okunkun and was surprised his hand came out from the back, he moved it sideways same happened.

"You look solid, but yet... " Ajanaku said surprised.

"Now that you are awake the King, expects you" Okunkun said and made his way out through a hole that was on the wall.

Back at Ayenireti, the King felt proud his daughter finally married whom he thought was best for her. Although Emi was troubled, he knew what Ajanaku could do, what if he came back for revenge, they were doomed, he knew the village even more than the King, but he tried never to show the troubled expression.

The King had made sure the new coupled were satisfied, a new home, loads of servants, lands, riches, whatever could they wish for.

What the King expected was now his grandchildren. If only he Emi won't be staying long, he wouldn't have had his mind on this particular wish.

***

***

Ajanaku saw himself in the midst of gods, not just any gods but the toughest and meanest of them. And Esu sitting gallantly and comfortably on his throne.

"Will you like to trade? " Esu said from his throne. Other gods in this meeting included

Okunkun(Lord of Darkness)

Onika(Lord of mischief)

Among others, all of them were about seven in number.

"What are we selling? I need Emi's head" Ajanaku said with complete hatred

But what these gods are after is more than what Ajanaku could ever imagine, still he cared less. The hatred he had for Emi wasn’t just getting married to the Princess, but of long hatred he had tried to subdue and overlook. Hatred of Emi always outshining him, hatred of Emi being consulted before critical decisions were made. 

"Done, we shall offer you the Dark Spirit of the Greater god" Okunkun said, his voice seemed to be as dark as he looked

The greater god was the third in ranking of spirit gift a human could get, while Emi only attained the spirit of a Warrior god, which was just the beginning of the Spirit gift.

"What shall I do? " Ajanaku asked feeling fulfilled.

Emi laid beside Adeshewa, She didn't hesitated in putting her head on his chest, herewith him she felt secure.

"What do you think will happen to Ajanaku?" She asked calmly.

"I hope he doesn't take a decision he regrets"

After hours of hearty chatting, they both fell asleep.

***

***

Emi felt a soft tap on his leg, at first he was reluctant then he felt it again, slowly he sat upright on the bamboo bed and looked at the strange person that stood by his leg.

"Emi, come with me" The being said. He was glowing all over his body, his face could be hardly seen, but for some reason Emi trusted this person and quickly followed without question. He made sure he laid Adeshewa's head comfortably before getting up.

He opened the door of his chamber, expecting the cold chill of the night, but reverse was the case He found himself in a room that was bright, sculptures of legends, he saw his own image which made him concluded these were the Warrior gods before him.

He saw a door ahead and advanced forward opening it he found himself among gods. Some which were considered myth and untrue, the greatest and mightiest of them. 

"Welcome, Warrior God, I sense you are about to break into the second level of your powers" The one that sat on the throne that was much higher in the circle said.

"Great gods" Emi said bowing his head respectfully

"This is a fair warning, Esu is on his move again and he is with alliance with a formidable foe" the god seated on the most decorated throne Obatala said

"We have no way to help, this destiny lies on you"

Emi suddenly found himself on the bed sweating, it felt real he thought feeling slight headache

Early the next morning a loud bang came at the door, as Adeshewa attended to it.

"My Lord, your presence is urgently needed" She said softly

Emi entered into the palace and all eyes fell on him. The Elders seemed to be murmuring inaudibly

"Silence" The King commanded

Emi prostrated before the King and rise after getting the King’s bless 

"A threat from Ajanaku" The King said and handed over the scroll beside him to Emi 

Emi read the scroll and neatly folded it and handed it over

"I'll meet him for the challenge tomorrow" Emi said feeling confident

At this it seemed a calm spirit had rested on them all, as Emi assured them all was well.

He was The Choosen, they had no reason to doubt him.

Emi pondered on what his move would be, or what Ajanaku was up to, feeling frustrated, he laid himself on the bed, which let out a creaking sound.

"You have to deny this offer, there are things even the gods can't handle" Adeshewa said from the entrance of the kitchen and handed him a cup of liquid concoction

"Denying a trial will only make a weakling out of me, and they will doubt my confidence" Emi replied.

"At times running from a fight is the best way to save a life" Adeshewa said and made her way back into the kitchen.

***

***

Emi mounted his horse, after the King had wished him Victory and the Chiefs and villagers had given him their blessings and wished him victory.

"Why does it feel like am not going to see you again" Adeshewa said with remorse in her voice

"Father, tell him to stop this madness" She pleaded.

Emi, urged his horse to move forward, to avoid feeling sympathy for anyone, he knew the negative effect that could have on him, and he needed all the strength he could gather. He urged his horse forward and soon he was out of sight.

He got to the open field, where the contest was to take place and saw Ajanaku was already waiting for him battle ready,

Emi alighted his horse and charged his Beast Soul, as he walked towards Ajanaku. He had nothing to say, except to beat some sense into Ajanaku, maybe he would rest and listen to him.

Ajanaku on the other hand, was annoyed no one would witness the fall of their hero. Emi sent his beast soul in a furious rage, but was surprised as Ajanaku, broke the beast with just one hit of his fist.

Emi for the first time felt scared and unsecure, Adeshewa's word began to ringing his brain and he knew if he would leave here, it wouldn’t happen in one piece.

"Sometimes it best to run from a fight" Ajanaku said and smiled devilishly. Emi began stepping backward, and in a moment mounted his horse and retreated.

"Coward" Ajanaku shouted and sent his beast soul after Emi. The Soul collided with the horse, within a second the beast soul sucked the horse dry. It was now obvious to Emi that Ajanaku posses the Dark force which feed on life form to get stronger.

Before Emi could stand, Ajanaku already held his head and slammed his face on the ground, he raised him and punched him on his stomach, breaking Emi's ribs.

AHHHHHHHHH Emi shouted and head butt Ajanaku on the forehead, but the impact rebound in his head, making him bleed and feeling excruciating pains.

For the first time in combat Emi saw his own blood. Ajanaku twisted his hand backward, without much force, he broke Emi's hand.

"Weakling" Ajanaku said and hit Emi's face with his fist.

"No single hit"

WHACK

"You have fallen"

"GBIM"

The last hit made Emi unconscious.

Ajanaku held out a scroll, and used Emi's blood to write on it. He folded it and gave it to the message bird, and sent it to Ayenireti.

Ajanaku laid Emi's body on his horse and mounted it, thunder stroke in the sky, continuously. Ajanaku smiled looking at the sky.

"Any you feel is strong enough should come down from that realm and challenge me" Ajanaku said, referring to the gods

The thunder stroke again this time forming a pillar before Ajanaku, swirling furiously.

Ajanaku quickly held Emi's neck placing his dagger on it.

"I'll kill him if you move closer"

At this the Thunder slowly faded, and the sky became clear.

***

***

Adeshewa had screamed and wailed, she was finding it difficult to weep, her eyes seemed to be boiling out of the sockets. The kingdom was troubled, even those that tried comforting her, were thinking of the predicament that faced them. 

The King only hid himself in his chamber, refusing to give any motivational speech to anyone, he himself needed motivation

The Elders converge at the palace discussing what line of action would be next, but they found nothing, all way seemed to be blocked, the meeting was only met with grieves and no comfort.

They got the letter from the message bird, where Ajanaku had promised to raid the village the following day.

"I warned him, I told him" were the only words Adeshewa could find within herself.

The soldiers knew it was hopeless fighting for a cause greater than them. Whatever Ajanaku did to Emi, they sure wouldn't stand a chance even to raise their shield.

The only solution now, was to evacuate the town, while some found it as a disgracing act, half of Ayenireti were already out of the village. Even the King if not for his position would have joined in evacuating the village.