The serpentine invasion left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who bore witness to its devastating consequences. Divine Gift University, once a haven of knowledge and growth, now stood as a testament to the tragic events that had unfolded within its walls. The damage was catastrophic, with buildings reduced to rubble and the once-imposing gates left bruised and battered
However, the true measure of tragedy lay not in the physical destruction, but in the profound loss of lives. A staggering 190 souls were lost that day: 177 students and 13 staff members, each life extinguished in the face of the terrifying onslaught. The memories of their friends, classmates, and colleagues will forever haunt those who survived, a constant reminder of the unimaginable horror they had endured
For those fortunate enough to survive, the scars of their ordeal were plain to see. Over 280 injuries were recorded, many of them severe, leaving some without limbs and others like Ekene, forever marked with burns sustained in their valiant efforts to fight back the serpentine menace during the serpentine invasion. Though medical treatments was provided, the wounds ran deep, both physically and psychologically
In the wake of the catastrophe, the school's administration was left with no choice but to cancel the first semester examinations indefinitely and the school year concluded on a somber note. Students and staff dispersed, heading home with a collective sigh of relief which mingled with the sorrow and trauma of their experiences. The chaotic semester, plagued by relentless serpentine attacks, had finally drawn to a close
Samuel and Cynthia, their homes located far from the confines of Amosu village, arranged for a taxi to carry them back to the safety and familiarity of their families. Meanwhile, Ekene and Grace, their own homes situated closer to the university, opted to board a bus, the distance to their loved ones now a comforting thought in the aftermath of the harrowing ordeal
Returning to the rustic familiarity of his uncle's house, Ekene focused on his rehabilitation and recovery. The burn on his hand eventually healed, though the permanent scar served as a constant reminder of the serpentine invasion. With his hand healed, he fell back to his daily routine, tending to the farm during the day and embarking on hunting expeditions as the sun set on the horizon
The experiences and battles with the snakes at the university had imparted invaluable knowledge and skills in combat and hunting, which Ekene diligently applied during his nightly forays into the wild. His expertise grew exponentially, and soon, his success rate in hunting soared to new heights. No longer limited to a single trophy, Ekene began to return home with a multitude of prey, each excursion yielding a greater bounty than the last
The burgeoning hunter quickly devised a plan to make the most of his newfound success. Setting aside the animal for a hearty meal, to be shared with his uncle, his neighbors, and Grace, Ekene took the remaining spoils to the local market where they fetched a handsome price
As the day passed, Ekene's wealth grew in tandem with his hunting prowess. His name became synonymous with prosperity and goodwill, and soon, he found himself not only supporting his uncle, but also contributing to the welfare of their community.
The evening sun casts a warm, golden, and reddish glow over the landscape as Ekene prepared for yet another hunting expedition. As he gathered his equipment and donned his well-worn attire, a surprising visitor appeared at his doorstep – a palace guard, his regal gab a stark contrast to Ekene's humble surroundings
"Good evening," the palace guard greeted, his voice resonating with authority
"Good evening," Ekene replied, his curiosity piqued. "How may I help you?"
"I'm from the palace," the guard announced, his bearing erect and proud. "The king requests your presence at the palace immediately,"
Surprised, yet humbled by the unexpected summons, Ekene nodded in acquiescence. "Alright, I've heard. I'll be there"
With a curt nod, the palace guard took his leave, disappearing into the gathering dust. Ekene watched his retreating figure, a mix of anticipation and trepidation filling his heart
Putting aside his hunting plans for the night, Ekene dressed in his finest clothes: a pair of well-tailored black trousers, a vibrant rainbow-hued shirt, and a pair of polished black shoes. His appearance, while modest, reflected the reverence he held for the king and his impending audience at the palace
Upon reaching the grand structure that housed the royal family, Ekene was ushered through the ornate halls by the palace guards, their every step echoing through the silent corridors. As they approached the throne room, one of the guards walked into the room and reported Ekene's arrival to the king
"Igweeee!" The guard bowed. "Ekene, whom you've summoned, has arrived"
"Oh okay, let him in," The king ordered
"Igweeee!" The guard bowed again, a mark of utmost respect
The guard left the room to invite Ekene in. Ekene took a deep breath, steeling himself for the encounter that lay ahead. As he stepped over the threshold, his eyes met those of the king, and a sense of awe washed over him
Ekene stood before the king, his posture reflecting a mix of respect and incredulity. With a deep breath, he bowed in reverence. "Igweeee! Thank you for inviting me"
The king, his eyes warm and welcoming, gestured for Ekene to take his seat right next to him. "My son, you're welcome. Please, sit down"
"Thank you very much, Igwe," Ekene replied, settling into the offered seat
The king turned to the guard, issuing a command with an air of familiarity. "Get us a bottle of wine and two cups"
"Igweeeee!" The guard bowed, his acknowledgement a testament to the unwavering loyalty he held for the king. As he left to retrieve the requested items, Ekene found himself alone with the king, anticipation hanging heavy in the air
"Igwe," Ekene began, his voice betraying a hint of curiosity, "You summoned me here"
"Yes, my son, I wanted to talk to you," the king replied, his gaze resting upon Ekene with a mixture of warmth and concern. "Adaeze, my daughter has told me so much about you. I've heard how you've protected everyone at school"
Before the conversation could continue, the guard returned, presenting two glasses and a bottle of wine. With practiced grace, he poured the deep red liquid into the cups before bowing and taking his leave, allowing the king and Ekene to resume their discussion
"As I was saying, I've heard great things about you, and I must confess, you're a remarkable young man," the king continued, a note of admiration colouring his words
"Thank you, Igwe," Ekene replied, a grateful smile spreading across his face
"However…." The king proceeded to delve into the heart of the matter. His expression growing solemn
"However?" Ekene thought to himself, his brow furrowing with curiosity
"Fighting valiantly against the snakes must mean you are unaware of our customs and traditions here in Amosu village, is this correct?" the king inquired, his tone a blend of understanding and concern
Confusion etched across his features, Ekene searched the king's gaze for answers. "Igwe, I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about"
"I thought as much. I knew you were unaware of our customs and traditions," the king replied, taking a deep breath before continuing. "My son, in Amosu village, killing snakes is prohibited"
Ekene's eyes narrowed in disbelief, shock and indignation warring within him as he process the implications of the king's words. Rising from his seat, he struggled to contain the anger that bubbled to the surface. "What? That's insane! So we should fold our arms and let them devour us, huh?" he demanded
The king's enigmatic words weighed heavy on Ekene's mind, his frustration mounting as he struggled to make sense of the bizarre rule
"It's not that simple, my son," the king said, offering little in no way of clarity
"Okay, make me understand," Ekene demanded, desperate for an explanation
"It's complicated," the king replied, his reluctance to delve further into the matter only served to fuel Ekene's curiosity
"Just explain," Ekene requested, his voice tinged with a hint of exasperation. "I need to understand"
Despite Ekene's impassionate plea, the king remained unwavering in his silence. "I'm sorry, my son. I can't explain. It's complicated"
A tense silence settled between them, the weight of unanswered questions hanging heavy in the air. At last, the king broke the quiet, his tone shifting to one of concern,
"My son, Adaeze wants to see you. She said it's urgent," The king said
"I see," Ekene replied, a flicker of curiosity rekindled within him. "Where is she?"
"She's in her room, upstairs," the king responded
"Alright," Ekene said, offering a respectful bow before leaving the throne room
As Ekene traversed the opulent corridors of the palace, his search for Princess Adaeze's quarters led him down a seemingly endless hallway lined with closed doors. His confusion grew as he knocked on one door after another, each fruitless attempt only heightening his frustration
At last, he stumbled upon a peculiar room that seemed to exude an air of mystery. With caution, he pushed open the door and stepped inside, only to be met with the sight of a massive python, its mournful gaze trained upon him
"What? A snake in the palace? What's it doing here?" Ekene wondered, his confusion mounting as he surveyed the creature
As he studied the reptile, a strange realization dawned upon him. "Wait a second. This snake seems different. It seems... sad or something. It's confusing how I can understand how it's feeling," Ekene mused, a mixture of fascination and apprehension filling him
Tentatively, Ekene drew closer to the python, his hand outstretched in a gesture of comfort as he gently patted its head. "What am I doin-"
His words were abruptly cut short as a sharp slap landed across his face, the sting of the unexpected blow causing him to wince in pain
"Ouch!" Ekene cried out, his eyes wide with shock as he faced his assailant.
"What are you doing to my mum?" Princess Adaeze demanded, her voice shaking with rage and concern
"Your mum?" Ekene gasped, his mind reeling from the revelation
"Now, leave this palace right away before I call the guards!" Princess Adaeze threatened, her protective instinct in full force
"Adae-" Ekene attempted to explain, but his words were silenced by a resounding, "LEAVE!" from Princess Adaeze
With no other choice, Ekene took his leave from the palace, his mind a whirlwind of unanswered questions and unexpected revelations