In a kingdom called Obi, named after the late king, there lived a decorated warrior named Emeka. He was not only the king's personal guard but also his close friend. The king's name was Chinedu, and his wife, the queen, was Ngozi.
After four long years of childlessness, the queen was finally pregnant. The entire kingdom rejoiced at the news and held a grand feast to celebrate the blessing.
Emeka, well-known both within and beyond the borders of the kingdom for his unmatched fighting skills, had gone to many battles and always returned victorious. Many admired him, and his name carried honor and respect wherever it was spoken.
Many people tried to pay Emeka to teach them his fighting skills, but he refused to train anyone—even the king himself. Emeka was a very successful man. He owned vast farmland and often went hunting to clear his mind.
Tragedy had struck his life years earlier. He lost his wife during childbirth after three years of childlessness, and ever since, hunting in the forest became his way of finding peace.
One day, Emeka went into the forest near the kingdom's border to check his traps. Unfortunately, he found nothing. Just as he was about to return home, he suddenly heard the scream of a woman. Instinctively, he climbed the nearest tree to see what was happening.
To his shock, he saw a pregnant woman running desperately for her life, chased by three warriors. Without hesitation, Emeka leapt from the tree and rushed toward her. Before he could reach her, the woman collapsed to the ground, and the warriors closed in, ready to strike her down.
With unmatched skill, Emeka engaged the attackers. Within moments, he defeated and killed all three. Just as he turned to help the woman, she cried out in pain—she was in labor.
"Let me take you to the midwife," Emeka urged.
"There is no time!" the woman gasped. "I will tell you what to do."
"But I have no experience in this," Emeka protested.
"Don't worry. I do. Just follow my instructions," she replied.
Guided by her directions, Emeka helped her deliver the child. Moments later, the woman gave birth to a baby boy.
"What is your name?" Emeka asked gently.
"My name is Amarachi," she replied weakly. "Please… help me take care of my child as if he were your own. I am a slave from the Western tribe. The queen discovered that I was pregnant for the king, and she sent her warriors to kill me and my child. Please… protect him, and love him as though he were your son."
With those final words, Amarachi breathed her last and died.