THE LEGEND OF KIWAKAAZI

Safiri had an interesting story with Kiwakaazi as well. A long time ago, I am sure you all remember a girl — a gorgeous young girl whom sang beautifully about love while carrying a pot of water. She dreamt about love that endured. Love that lasted forever lifetime after lifetime. Then from nowhere came a boy whom pushed her. She would have died that day. She could have fallen on a rock and died but this same boy came back to save her. He risked his life and even after getting injured was worried about her. On that day she met love. On that she saw the face of love. On that day, love was no longer a dream but a veritable being. She had met the one she was singing about and his name was Kiwakaazi (the second).

Many years later, she met Kiwakaazi again but she was too late. His heart was being held captive by Dedeli. By some act of providence, she met Aran, and the two realized they had many things in common. To begin with, they were both in love with people whom did not love them back. Both of their mothers were called Deila and they both wanted to have a daughter and name her Deila. So after a few months of courtship, they got married and were more than happy.

“Stubborn being of Nomposuro! This serpent is really irritating!” thought Kiwakaazi angrily. He frowned and could not believe it. It was like fighting Aran all over again. He timed it; he knew he timed it perfectly, so how did it escape. Kiwakaazi was getting frustrated for the first time in a battle and rightly so. Time was of the essence and the budu was wasting all of it. He released two golden blades to cut off the head of the serpent; one went for the head and the second targeted the tail. Per his calculation taking into consideration the speed of the serpent, the speed with which his golden swords will move, water resistance and the tricky nature of the serpent, at least one of his golden blades should have cut of the serpents head through the golden ring but somehow, the serpent managed to increase its speed slightly and it did not interchange head-tail positions. It survived that attack and attacked Kiwakaazi now that the number of golden blades dancing around his body has reduced to three.

So, Safiri didn’t exactly hate Dedeli. She simply despised her for stealing her man. She saw him first too. Dedeli used her, “I am sick-and-dying look,” to steal the heart of the man she loved first. She did not understand exactly why Aran hated Kiwakaazi II though. He was blameless. It was the witch, Dedeli, whom was to blame. After Kiwakaazi and Dedeli left, the two were never the same again. Aran thought his wife was cold and distant towards Dedeli and Safiri thought Aran could not stop staring at Dedeli’s boobs — as if hers were not large enough. She feared he was still in love with her and that was why he hated Kiwakaazi for no reason. He also feared she was still in love with him. They argued all the time not considering how it would affect their poor daughter, Deila.

Many tails attacked Kiwakaazi again. I am sure you know that it was not exactly many tails but just one. It is simply a matter of speed. The attacks came so quickly that they appeared many but it is just one tail attacking. The head appeared in between attacks to paralyze Kiwakaazi with the slimy liquids it shot from its mouth but Kiwakaazi started to move to avoid those attacks. He ducked; jumped, shifted his body slightly and did all that was necessary to avoid being hit. Then he ran as quickly as he can under the water to attack the head of the sibudu but once again by interchanging the head and tail, the budu survived.

Safiri and Aran’s marriage was slowly deteriorating. In the eyes of the people they were a solid couple but in the eyes of their daughter they were enemies. The royal palace that was always filled with love turned into a cemetery haunted by ghosts — the ghosts of her living parents.

A few years passed and the girl grew some more. Now Kaki was certain. This girl is me and I am her. “My name was Deila and not Kaki. I was the daughter of Aran. Could that be the reason why he did not kill me when he had the chance?” she wondered.

When the time came for her to choose a suitor, she was very picky. A beautiful woman is like sugar. It attracts all kinds of insects. Beautiful Deila with her moderately huge boobs and her beautifully curved body attracted the most insects. Rich, poor, handsome, ugly, princes and servants from all over the world wanted her hand in marriage. But the young girl will not accept the advances of any of them. She did not believe in love anymore. She was always certain that her parents loved each other. But seeing them fight all the time convinced her that love was only an illusion. It did not exist. She will not waste her time looking for love. In fact, she planned on not falling in love and getting married at all.  

Prince Jenak, son of Kaazi (Emperor) Kiwakaazi II and his wife, her royal majesty, Kaaziba (Empress) Dedeli of the Central Empire was celebrating his twentieth birthday. His parents invited all the beautiful maidens from the entire world to join in the celebration and Deila was invited. They hoped their son who was heir to the throne of Nananompofie will stop acting like a child, fall in love and get married. Deila attended this birthday party with her best friends, Bimbi and Simiba.

The birthday itself was great. Nananompofie (Central Empire) displayed its great culture. Beautiful young girls came to dance. Strong, muscular men also came to dance. Emperor Kiwakaazi and his wife were vegetarians and many expected their food to taste like crap. Fire burn all the haters and skeptics for the food was sumptuous. Deila and company arrived late. They were welcomed by Prince Jenak’s best friend, Inuka. Inuka was very attractive. He had a very roundish and completely shaved head. Let me spare the elaborate description of how he looked and just point out the obvious — he looked exactly like Daale (the dream god). In fact, he was Daale.

Kiwakaazi was already tired. Fighting under the water was proving tiresome. The budu was circling him once again. He listened and felt with his body and released three of his golden swords before he too moved. The first golden blade went for the head and the second went for the tail if the head and tail should change positions. The head and tail did change positions but the speed of the serpent once again increased slightly. To compensate for that, the third sword was released but the budu was wise and expected it. After slightly increasing its speed, it once again interchanged head and tail. The third sword could only cut a tail but not Kiwakaazi. He met and cut off the head of the serpent himself through the golden ring. The blue river slowly changed from blue to clear colorless.   

Inuka was very shy but liked Bimbi, Deila’s friend. He told his best friend, Jenak, about it and Jenak assured him that he was going to do everything humanly possible to make Bimbi fall in love with Inuka. The two best friends, Inuka and Jenak travelled to Jumapafie many times. Jenak played the role of wingman very well and helped his friend to become close to Bimbi. Slowly, Inuka worked his way into Bimbi’s heart and she fell in love with him.

Inuka was best friends with Jenak and Bimbi was very close to Deila. But for some reason, Jenak and Deila did not see eye to eye. They disagreed on almost everything. However, the root cause of their disagreement was love. Jenak grew around parents who loved each other. Deila’s parents initially loved each other and then changed to something else. She was still not sure about the kind of relationship they had. So became an “atheist” of love and Jenak was the noisy “preacher” about true love. It was very difficult for Inuka and Bimbi to be around their best friends. Sometimes, they simply could not comprehend Jenak and Deila. These opposing sides can disagree on something very simple as choice of color. What does color have to do with believing or not believing in love anyway?

Inuka and Bimbi decided that these two need to get a room and trash out their differences. Jenak and Inuka were invited to celebrate Guvive (the festival of abundance and sharing) in Jumapafie (Southern Empire). During the festivities, Inuka and Bimbi invited their friends out for dinner in a local diner. Mysteriously, only Jenak and Deila showed up. They have been played — a blind date-ish. They both arrived well before time and sat in absolute silence. They looked around and avoided eye contact. Their friends were not going to show up. Deila decided to leave. Jenak simply felt it was wrong to let her go without eating something first. He asked her to stay and eat something.

After inviting her, he realized what he had done. She is probably going to turn his offer down and leave. But no, Deila said, “Okay, fine let’s eat.” Jenak was surprised but at least smiled. She asked him why he smiled. He replied that he did not expect her to accept his invitation. After all, they can’t stand each other. He was right but she too did not anticipate him inviting her to stay. That makes two of them.

Amazing! This was the first time these two have had a civil conversation. Jenak called for a waitress. His parents raised him a vegetarian. He ordered for a vegetarian diet. Deila wanted to have the same thing Jenak was having. It was turning out to be a… a date for the two. Jenak stared at her and smiled again. She asked why. Being the gentleman he always was, he answered, “You are more beautiful than I ever thought or imagined.” She teased him by asking, “So, you think about me when you are alone.” He smiled and said, “Not only when I am alone but even when I am not alone.” They both laughed and started having their dinner.

That dinner was the best dinner they both had. “Maybe she is not that bad,” thought Jenak. “Surely, he knows how to charm a woman,” thought Deila. Deila and Jenak became close friends and later best friends and eventually lovers. Days apart became unbearable for these two who loved each other very much. Sleep did not come until thoughts about each other filled their minds and played out in their dreams. Love won the battle once again. The “atheist” believed and became a minister of love herself.

A date was set for their marriage. Preparations were being made for their marriage. But time ruins everything. Deila became very sick. Her parents feared she will not live long enough. Jenak believed he could save her. His father had a special plant which bears a special flower; the guanvibushi and the guanvi. The flower can heal just about anything. Deila was transported to Nanompofie (Home of the ancient ones or Central Empire) to receive treatment. Unfortunately, she arrived at the worst time. The only people who could activate the guanvi were Kaazi (Emperor) Kiwakaazi and his wife, Kaaziba (Empress) Dedeli and they were away on a trip to Nyansapofie (City of the Western Empire). In their absence, Deila cannot be saved.

The image on the wall changed and Deila saw herself slowly slipping away. Her death was nigh. One day, she heard a voice; the voice of a female. She told her she knew how she felt. She understood that Deila wants to live just a little longer to enjoy the company of Jenak. She told Deila that if she will accept her and welcome her into her heart, she would be granted long life.

Who could reject this proposal? Certainly not Deila! She accepted the proposal and became the female shadow of death (Kaki). After that the movie ended. Kaki came out of her dream world. Kiwakaazi was sitting peacefully in front of her. His eyes were closed. Was he praying? I never thought Kiwakaazi believed in prayers. Looking at him, she knew he had defeated the budu and was only waiting for her to return so that they could cross the bridge together. She had made a complete transformation and was now a complete human being; no fangs; no claws and no fur.

Kiwakaazi inhaled deeply and when he exhaled, questioned, “I guess you are ready to continue this journey with me?” Deila answered, “Yes!” Deila led the way and Kiwakaazi followed admiring her beautiful behind. They walked sluggishly on the bridge towards Nhutudan (elemental forest).

I guess you would have expected them to cross the bridge peacefully and enter the forest of the nhutus. But no! After walking barely twenty meters, Deila suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest. She almost collapsed on the bridge. Her feet were covered with fur and her eyes became red. She almost changed into a shinko. This triggered kafushii (stone mummification) transformation. Kiwakaazi rushed to her side and carried her on his left shoulder. He held on tightly to his kafunde in his right hoping he would change into Rahasi. He would then cross the bridge in a flash and it did not work. He did not change; allow me to explain why.

The kafunde was like a unique door that can only be opened by a unique key. The key is usually an emotion — anger, fear, anxiety, worry but all these emotions gives the kafunde full control over its wielder and slowly kills the person. Kiwakaazi and others before him who control the weapon change the locks and hence the key. In Kiwakaazi’s case it was love. His love for Deila and his great will to protect her was the key that unlocks the sword. But seeing Deila turning to stone frightened him. He tried to open a door that can only be opened with love, with anxiety and impatience and it failed.

Immediately as he picked her up the whole bridge started collapsing from their rear. He ran with her as fast as he could. Her transformation into a beast had stopped but not her change into a stone. The collapsing bridge was catching up with them. Only the gods know what will happen if they were to fall into the water beneath them which had changed color from colorless into a boiling black liquid.

Deila felt she had let Kiwakaazi down. But if this was going to be her end, she will not drag Kiwakaazi down with her. She demanded Kiwakaazi to drop her. She was dead weight.  Kiwakaazi did not make a sound. He maintained his focus and just kept on running as fast as he could. The journey across the bridge became excruciatingly long and painful with this heavy rock on his shoulders and it was getting heavier by the second. But Kiwakaazi was not a deserter.

He was definitely slow but he was getting there. “Damn it! How long is this bridge anyway?” shouted Kiwakaazi. He summoned all his strength and he ran. “I will not lose you now! I will not give up!” he shouted once again. Kaki was impressed. She cheered and encouraged him. “Hurry Kay! It is getting closer,” she shouted. She changed her mind. She must live and get to know this boy. He inspires her.

He looked back and saw it — the bridge had caught up. He was almost there. He threw Kaki and jumped. She was going to make it to Nhutudan but he wouldn’t. There was still some distance to cover. While falling, he threw the kafunde in the air — a last attempt to save the kafunde from the boiling black liquid. The kafunde did not reach far. It must like Kiwakaazi because it was coming back to him. Kiwakaazi raised his left hand and opened his palm. The kafunde became erect; the tip pointing towards Kiwakaazi palm. It rushed and pierced his palm. Then, it entered and became part of Kiwakaazi’s arm and body.

Kiwakaazi thought hard. He thought long of all the ways he could save himself and came up with nothing. He whispered, “I have failed” and Deila shouted “Kay…!” Her head was still human whiles the rest of her body had been trapped.