The day of the trial dawned, the sun's radiant gaze illuminating Amosu village as its inhabitants stirred, each consumed by the gravity of the events that would soon unfold. Palm wine tappers scaled towering palm trees, their deft movements a testament to years of practice as they harvested the sweet nectar for eager customers. Children and teenagers diligently swept their compounds, an air of responsibilities resting on their young shoulders. Yet it was the steady stream of villagers making their way toward the village square that spoke volumes of the significance of this day
Ekene's friends, Grace, Cynthia, and Samuel, found themselves caught up in the tide of bodies, their hearts pounding with anticipation and worry. As they pressed on, Samuel's voice rose above the din, his words a rallying cry in the face of adversity
"Listen up, guys. Get ready. If worse turns to worst, we will crash the trial!"
"RIGHT!" Grace and Cynthia chorused in agreement, determination etched on their faces
Meanwhile, at the palace, the king and his cabinet members stood united, an air of solemnity pervading their ranks as they prepared to make their way to the village square. The weight of tradition and the fate of one man bore heavily upon their shoulders, each of them acutely aware of the pivotal role they would play in the events to come
As they readied themselves, a figure materialized before them, as though conjured from the very fabric of the universe. An old man, clad in vibrant red and white attire, stood before them, his left eye encircled by white chalk. The enigmatic nature if his arrival did not diminish the aura of wisdom and authority that surrounded him, his presence a harbinger of momentous day that awaited Amosu village
The king and his cabinet members regarded the old man with reverence, their eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and respect.
In Igbo traditional region, the chief priest are known as the Eze Mmuo. In some kingdoms, they are also known as the eyes of the gods. They hold a significant role as a mediator between the human word and the spiritual realms. They are not simply religious figures but also cultural leaders, guiding the communities in matters of faith, tradition, and even daily life
The king, ever mindful of the chief priest stature and authority, greeted him with the utmost respect. "Eyes of gods! I greet you!"
The chief priest, his gaze piercing and resolute, addressed the king with urgency. "Igweee! The gods are not happy. The gods are very angry. Where is the offender?"
The Onowu, stepping forward to respond, acknowledged the gravity of the situation. "He's in the prison."
With a commanding air, the chief priest issued his orders. "It's time! Let him be transported to the place he'd stand trial immediately!"
The king, acutely aware of the delicate balance between the village and the spiritual realm, voiced his compliance. "Alright, we'd do all that!"
In a flash, the chief priest vanished, the mystical nature of his departure a stark reminder of his otherworldly connection to the gods. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air as the king turned to address the guards, his voice steady and resolute.
"Guards!"
A guard rushed on the scene and knelt before the king in a show of respect, "Igweeee!" he responded
The king's orders echoed through the silent ranks of guards, the fate of Amosu village and the man who dared to defy tradition resting upon their shoulders. "Transport the prisoner to the village square immediately!"
"Igweeee!" The guard acknowledged the command, his voice steady
The king, his cabinet members, and the Nze na Ozo society made their way to the heart of the village, their expressions somber as they prepared to face the consequences of a tradition challenged. Trailing behind them, four guards escorted Ekene, his fate now resting in the hands of those who clung to the age-old customs that had shaped their world.
In the shadows, Princess Adaeze shared a tearful conversation with her mother, the mystery python.
"Mum, I'm sorry, but I'm ready to do this if worse turns to worst." Princess Adaeze said
Her mother, desperate to shield her, pleaded with her to reconsider. "Adaeze, my daughter, please don't do this."
With a heavy heart, Princess Adaeze steeled herself for what was to come, her love for Ekene and her belief in justice guiding her forward. "I'm sorry, Mum. Goodbye."
Amidst the sea of faces in the village square, Cynthia, Grace, and Samuel anxiously awaited the arrival of Ekene, their determination to stand by their friend unwavering despite the palpable tension that surrounded them.
In a flash of spiritual energy, the chief priest materialized before the hushed crowd, his enigmatic presence commanding the instant silence of those gathered. None dared to provoke the conduit of the gods, their collective fates hanging in the balance as they awaited the trial.
Mere moments later, the king, his cabinet members, and the Nze na Ozo society made their entrance, the villagers acknowledging their arrival with a unified chorus of respect. "Igweeee!"
The king, his heart aching for the turmoil that had befallen the innocent young man, returned their greetings with a forced smile. It was in this moment, as the eyes of Amosu village rested upon him, that the weight of leadership and tradition collided, the trial of Ekene hanging like a stormcloud above them all.
As Ekene arrived at the village square, chaos ensued. The villagers, their faces contorted with anger and fear, hurled objects and insults at the young man who had dared to challenge the gods. A villager's voice, fueled by hatred and tradition, rang out above the clamor. "You're going to die here today!"
Amidst the tumult, Grace, Cynthia, and Samuel called out to their friend, their voices a beacon of support in a sea of animosity. "Ekene! Ekene! Ekene!"
Hearing his name, Ekene searched the crowd, his eyes finally settling on his friends as they waved, their presence a balm to his beleaguered spirit. With a surge of determination, he gestured to Samuel, conveying a silent, coded message.
"Alright, I understand," Samuel affirmed, his own resolve steeled by Ekene's unspoken plea.
Cynthia, her curiosity piqued, asked, "What did Ekene say?"
Samuel, his mind fixed on the task at hand, instructed his friends to remain where they were. "Never mind that now. You guys should just stay put here. I'll be back."
Grace, her concern mounting, attempted to halt Samuel's departure. "Hey, where are you going?"
Unwilling to waste a moment, Samuel pressed on, his determined stride carrying him away from his friends and into the heart of the storm.
As Ekene stood before the accusatory masses, the chief priest began reciting ancient incantations, the air crackling with tension. When the ritual was complete, the chief priest turned to Ekene, his eyes boring into the young man's soul.
"Young man, you've been accused of fighting and killing snakes in Amosu village. What do you have to say to these claims?"
Ekene, his voice ringing out with conviction, addressed the people of Amosu. "People of Amosu kingdom, I greet you. You know, it's funny that someone would be arrested for saving lives. Well, all the claims and charges laid against me are true. I killed snakes, and I don't regret it one bit! If the gods are angry, let them come here and face me head on. Why are you the ones punishing me instead?"
His bold proclamation sent the villagers into a frenzy, their rage fueling a barrage of projectiles aimed at Ekene. As the chaos threatened to consume him, a familiar voice pierced the cacophony, echoing across the village square with a force that demanded attention.
"No!"
The crowd parted, their collective gaze fixated on the source of the defiant scream that echoed through the village square. Shock rippled through the assembled villagers as they beheld Princess Adaeze, her hand clenched around the hilt of a glinting knife.
The king, his heart seized by a mixture of fear and disbelief, called out to his daughter, his voice trembling with emotion. "Adaeze, what are you doing?"
Tears streaming down her face, Princess Adaeze addressed her people, her voice unwavering despite the turmoil that raged within her. "I am the princess of this land! Princess Adaeze. I'm only alive today because of that man standing over there."
Her words, a testament to Ekene's selflessness, hung heavy in the air as she continued. "It breaks my heart to see that the same man who saved my life is about to be killed by my own people. Whatever happens to that young man, I'm going with him! Dare me!"
"Hmmmmm. Interesting," Ekene said, his lips curving into a knowing smile, acknowledging the depth of Adaeze's devotion. "Adaeze, I knew you were going to do this. I know how serious you are. But I'm sorry, I can't let you do this." Raising his voice, Ekene called out to his friend. "Samuel!"
At the sound of his name, Samuel burst into action, swiftly retrieving the knife from Princess Adaeze's grasp and securing her in a protective hold. "Samuel! Let me go!" she shouted, her desperate struggle a testament to her love for Ekene.
"Young lady, you are too precious so I can't let you die now!" Ekene declared, his own resolve as unshakeable as the princess'.
Tears continued to stream down Adaeze's face as she cried out, "What about you?!"
Ekene, his confidence unwavering, offered her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me. I am not going to die here!"
As the tender exchange unfolded before him, the king found himself moved by the depth of Ekene's devotion to his daughter and their village. Tears streaming down his face, he reflected on the young man's selfless spirit. "Even when your hands are bound. Even when you're arrested. You're still protecting my daughter. Thank you very much my son."
Silence descended upon the village square as the chief priest, his eyes filled with a divine fervor, began to recite ancient incantations. The villagers watched, their hearts pounding in anticipation as they awaited the verdict of the gods.
With the sacred ritual complete, the chief priest addressed the crowd, his voice resonating with an otherworldly authority. "People of Amosu village, Ekene has been found guilty and is hereby sentenced to the Valley of No Return! That is the judgment of the gods!"
At the mention of the Valley of No Return, the villagers erupted into celebration, their fear and anger assuaged by the promise of a fate that would see Amosu village rid of the man who had defied their traditions. The cabinet members and the Nze na Ozo society exchanged triumphant grins, their eyes alight with the knowledge that the gods had spoken in their favor.
The king, Princess Adaeze, and Grace stood apart from the revelry, their faces etched with shock and despair. "No! It can't be! There is no way he'd survive that!" Princess Adaeze whispered, her eyes wide with fear.
Grace's heart-wrenching scream echoed through the village square, a raw expression of the grief and disbelief that consumed her.
The chief priest, the embodiment of divine judgment, commanded the crowd. "Let us all go to the Valley of No Return!"
One by one, the villagers began to march, their feet carrying them towards a destination that held the weight of life, death, and the indomitable will of the gods themselves
Upon arrival at the Valley of No Return, the procession came to a solemn halt. Samuel maintained his grip on Princess Adaeze, her fervent struggles a reflection of her desperate determination to reach Ekene.
The chief priest, his gaze fixed on Ekene, queried, "Young man, do you have any last words?"
With unwavering conviction, Ekene replied, "Yeah, I do. Though, they're not going to be my last words because I am not going to die."
The villagers erupted into laughter, their mockery a stark contrast to the fear and devotion embodied by Ekene's closest friends. Tears streamed down the faces of Princess Adaeze, Cynthia, and Grace, their shared love for Ekene a palpable force in the face of impending tragedy.
Ekene, undeterred by the scorn of the crowd, declared, "I love you all."
Ekene's words made Princess Adaeze, Cynthia, and Grace to weep even more
As the gate to the Valley of No Return was thrown open, a massive snake surged forth, seizing an unsuspecting guard and dragging him into the abyss. His cries of terror faded into oblivion, a chilling reminder of the fate that awaited those who dared to venture within.
"It's been a while since we fed those monsters. They must be really starving right now!" Onowu remarked, his callous words a testament to the harsh realities of their traditions.
With a forceful shove, Ekene was propelled into the Valley of No Return, the gate slamming shut behind him with a deafening finality.
"Nooooo!" Princess Adaeze's anguished scream echoed through the air, her fists raining down upon Samuel's unyielding form as she fought to free herself from his grasp.
Within the Valley of No Return, Ekene found himself encircled by ten anacondas, each vying for the chance to claim him as their own. With one snake coiled tightly around him and the others engaged in a savage battle for dominance, Ekene steeled himself for the fight to come.
"So, they are fighting to see who gets to eat me, huh? Sorry, pals, but I'm not-" Ekene's thoughts were abruptly severed as one of the serpents lunged, its gaping maw engulfing him in darkness.