THE LEGEND OF KIWAKAAZI

Aran spoke: “We have to get out of here.” Kuasi said, “Yes, but what about Kiwakaazi?” Kunta said, “What about him? Did you not see what he has become?” Fiifi said, “I am sorry my brothers but I can’t move.” Aran tried to stand but fell almost immediately. Kunta said, “I guess we are not going anywhere.”

Before Kiwakaazi II returned with the sword, the four men in the tree eye insisted he let go of the Sikan nifanum (five edged sword) or die where he stood — and they meant business. When Kiwakaazi refused to do as instructed, they drew their swords and one of them attacked.

The first man swung his sword from left to right aiming for Kiwakaazi’s head. Kiwakaazi ducked and pointed his sword at his opponent’s abdomen. His opponent hopped back. Kiwakaazi quickly swung his sword around his body and forced his opponents to move away from him. The four men surrounded him holding swords. He rose quickly to his feet and started going round facing his opponents one after the other and ready to defend their attacks.

After Kiwakaazi II was hit by a fireball, he changed. His eyes had become red. Covering his body from just below his neck to his feet was a black material similar to the fur on the body of a black goat. From his right shoulder to his waist was painted blue and from his left shoulder to his waist was painted white. He held the long Sikan nifanum (five-edged sword) in his right hand. Kiwakaazi II roared and his roar forced Jankpanduri (the fire bird) to take to the skies. Kiwakaazi II disappeared. He appeared a few times. He was rising using the branches of the trees as steps to rise. He jumped very high once aiming for Jankpanduri but Subrukutu had read Kiwakaazi’s intentions and was rising with him. Their swords clashed in the air and both rahasis disappeared.

Aran, Kuasi, Kunta, and Fiifi were tired and weak. They were wondering how they were going to escape death. They feared that Kiwakaazi had been possessed by something and he may pose the greatest threat to them. Kunta was able to rise to his feet. He realized they were leaning against the tree bearing the eye of the needle. He asked, “How did this tree have an eye on it?”

To answer that question, we have to go back to the war between the four great empires and the central empire and to the priest who summoned Subrukutu. Remember that this priest was asked a question. It was this question that took him to the palace of Kaazi Oko. The man who asked the question was a student or disciple of Kaazi Oko. His name was Shamaz.

After the war, Jumapafie became the custodians of the Sikan nufanum (kafunde in Nomposuro). This frightened the other three Empires. Delegates were sent to the south to discuss Zakaru’s mysterious bone sword. It was a peaceful meeting. The enemy was Nananompofie and now that it no longer existed, the four remaining empires could live in peace. The delegate from the North addressed the meeting. He said, “My brothers, this meeting is very important. It is a meeting that could decide the fate of the world (Africa) in the coming days. I hope we agree to let peace prevail. Thank you.” He took his seat and the discussions begun. The delegate from the west suggested that the weapon be handed over to the west. They will use science to understand the so called mystery behind the weapon and help use it for good. But the delegate from the east disagreed to this proposal. The southern delegate suggested that they, the southerners, are peaceful people. The weapon should remain with them. The northern delegate also did not agree to this proposal. Then it was time for the east. The eastern delegate suggested that the weapon be given to someone they can all call “neutral” — a person who does not choose sides and who will not exploit the weapon for personal gains. The south and the north agreed to this proposal but the west disagreed. “Who in the world can truly be called neutral?” She asked.

Kiwakaazi II and Subrukutu landed on the earth. They stared into each other’s eyes and disappeared again. They appeared; their swords clashed making a clanging sound and disappeared again. They appeared, a large tree was chopped down and they disappeared again. They appeared for a third time and exchanged a few blows. Subrukutu was on the offensive and Kiwakaazi II was on the defensive. While Subrukutu swung four swords one after the other with four arms to defeat Kiwakaazi II, Kiwakaazi II swung just a single sword with his right hand to defend the attacks of Subrukutu. Then suddenly Subrukutu disappeared and coming right from behind Subrukutu was another large fire ball.

Kunta sat back down. Aran was furious. He shouted, “Why did you sit down?!” Kunta answered, “I am not leaving you here. If we are going to die, then we will die together.” There was a long silence. Fiifi broke the silence when he asked, “Do you think it will matter who wins this battle?” “No” answered Kuasi. Aran said, “Kiwakaazi II may be strong but I don’t think he will recognize us as allies. Whoever wins will come after us next.”

Kiwakaazi II used the wrong key to open the door to the Sikan nufanum. He opened the door with worry and fear and was trapped inside the house he opened. Roaming in complete darkness and shouting, “Help... somebody help me!” was Kiwakaazi II. Only his eyes could be seen moving in the darkness. He was terrified and yet outside the forest, he was fighting Subrukutu.

Once again Kiwakaazi II was struck by Jankpanduri’s fire ball. The second fire ball was far more intense. It hit Kiwakaazi II’s chest hard as if he had been struck by a fast moving train. Not only did his vest burn but he was thrown back by the fire ball and collided into a big tree. He sat unconscious leaning against the tree. He was still alive because just before the fire ball struck him, he squeezed more power from the Sikan nufanum and released the mark of Uhurusa thickening his vest and protecting his neck and the greater part of his face. His vest was healing but Subrukutu knew that his chance had come. He disappeared and swung his sword when he appeared close to Kiwakaazi II.

Kiwakaazi II was far away in the forest fighting Subrukutu. It was just his body and mind but not his soul. His soul was trapped in darkness. He cried for help and no one but Dedeli heard his cry. She tried to enter the forest to help Kiwakaazi II but the other Asoglis (wanderers) and Safiri did not allow her. After some time of struggle, she stopped and sat down quietly. She got up and Safiri asked, “Where are you going, my lady?” She answered, “Relax Safi. I am just going to urinate behind that tree (pointing to a tree close by). Safiri said, “Then I will come with you.” She said, “Fine, come and watch. I hope you enjoy the show.” She got to the tree but instead of urinating, she punched Safiri and ran towards the forest. She said to herself, ‘Hang on Kiwakaazi. I am coming to save you.’

The eastern delegate said he knew a man; a man he could vouch for as neutral. The southern delegate saved the day when he suggested that each empire should submit a neutral man/woman. All four delegates agreed and four neutral men were appointed. They were handed the Sikan nufanum and built a small house on the outskirts of Nananompofie. But were these men ever neutral?

Inside the tree and before Kiwakaazi II emerged with the sword, he was breathing loudly with his mouth. He was badly injured, outnumbered and outmatched. He had already sustained many cuts on his body. Kiwakaazi’s back faced the Sikan nufanum (five edged sword) but he was not close to pull it out. The four men attacked again. The first man attacked head on swinging his sword from right to left; left to right and up to down forcing Kiwakaazi to move backwards. The second attacked from Kiwakaazi’s right and did the same and further backwards he moved. The more he moved, the closer he got to the Sikan nufanum. The third man attacked from Kiwakaazi’s left and attacked like the two before, and, the fourth man leapt from behind the first man and swung his sword with great force vertically. Kiwakaazi held up his sword horizontally and was forced to his knees. The fourth man quickly used his right foot to kick Kiwakaazi (second) in the chest.

Kiwakaazi (second) fell and let go of his sword. He was lying very close to the sword with five edges. He tried to get up but only managed to his knees. His eyes were swollen and he bled from his mouth and nose. He had cuts above his eyes, on his chest, abdomen and back. The Sikan nufanum was right behind him. The four men were laughing excitedly. The fourth man looking into Kiwakaazi’s eyes said, “You shouldn’t have come here.” He moved his right hand and swung his sword from right to left aiming for Kiwakaazi’s neck.

The four neutral men lived together for a while until one day the neutral man from the west and the sword both went missing. The four men were definitely not neutral. They were all trained warriors from the four great empires; warriors they expected may have the ability to control the darkness in the sword. To test this ability, the neutral man from the west took the sword and attempted entering the forest. The remaining three tracked and followed him. They caught up with him. The neutral man from the north said, “Hand over the weapon, now!” The western neutral man readied himself for a fight. Suddenly, they heard howling. “What is that?” asked the southern neutral man.

Kiwakaazi disappeared before Subrukutu’s sword could slice off his head. He appeared and attacked Subrukutu from behind who also quickly disappeared. Kiwakaazi II turned to face Subrukutu from behind him. They both roared and disappeared.

“There is no need for fighting,” said a voice. A man appeared from behind a tree. The eastern neutral man was shocked and asked, “Is that you, Shamaz?” Shamaz simply smiled and said, “Yes it is me.” “But what are you doing here?” asked the eastern neutral man. “I came because my lord commanded me to be here at this time,” answered Shamaz.

Kiwakaazi II and Subrukutu appeared and once again exchanged a few blows. Subrukutu attacked Kiwakaazi II’s left side with his two left arms. Kiwakaazi II held his sword vertically upwards towards his left side to block Subrukutu’s attacks. Kiwakaazi after defending himself swung the sikan nufanum (sword with five edges) from right to left aiming for Subrukutu’s head. Subrukutu used his upper left sword to block it and attacked Kiwakaazi with his right swords. Kiwakaazi disappeared but when he appeared, Subrukutu was right there to attack him. His upper arms aimed for Kiwakaazi’s upper body. Then Jankpanduri (fire bird) attacked; this time firing five fire balls in different directions.

Shamaz told the four men to follow him if they did not wish to die. Strangely they did until they arrived at the tree shielding the guanvibushi (tree of eternal health). Shamaz looked at that tree and said, “Perfect! This will do.” He told the western neutral man to hand over the sword. The neutral man was reluctant. Especially because his role as the neutral man was to use the weapon to find the guanvibushi and it was right in front of him. Shamaz snapped his fingers and the weapon was now in his hands. He said, “You four have been chosen as guardians. You will guard the weapon with your life and when your quest is over, I will come for your Shosuma (Souls) to take to Alaami (Home of Eternal Peace). Good luck!” He planted the Sikan nufanum into the tree. The sword disappeared and the “eye of the needle” appeared where the sword penetrated. It sucked in the four men whom fought Kiwakaazi II.

Back inside the tree bearing the eye of the needle, Kiwakaazi II quickly grabbed the sword from behind him. He had probably forgotten that it was impossible to pull it out. He pulled and out came the sikan nufanum. The fourth guardian whom was attacking stopped with his sword sitting on Kiwakaazi’s (second) neck. He came this close to killing him. He took a step back and all four guardians lined up. They all went on their knees and lowered their heads and in unison said, “Master!” Kiwakaazi (second) could not comprehend what was going on. He planted the sikan nufanum (five edged sword) into the soil and tried standing up. Unfortunately or fortunately, he did not have time to ask questions. He saw the four men he fought suddenly bursting into extremely bright light that can blind any man. He closed his eyes and by the time the light was gone he had been returned to the forest where Subrukutu (four armed death god) and Jankpanduri (fire bird) were terrorizing his friends.

Kiwakaazi (the second) appeared and quickly smashed one fire ball from right to left. Coincidentally, Subrukutu (guardian of hell with four arms) appeared on the left side of Kiwakaazi where the fire ball was headed and he was hit this time. He caught fire and burnt. Kiwakaazi ceased the momentary lack of concentration displayed by Jankpanduri to attack and drove his sword through the fiery body of the fire bird. The bird roared. Its fire was quenched and after a while, the fiery bird reduced into a small pigeon.

The impregnable armor worn by Subrukutu was healing after almost being burnt by his own pet. He managed to stop a few of attacks on him by Kiwakaazi II before yielding after the sikan nufanum (five edged sword) was driven through his back. Kiwakaazi II pulled it out and subrukutu bled; dark blood. He collapsed to the ground and continued bleeding.

Dedeli made it. She found Aran, Kunta, Kuasi, and Fiifi. Kunta asked, “What are doing here? You must leave before they return. Dedeli asked, “Where is he? Where is Kiwakaazi?” Kiwakaazi II’s four friends were silent. They did not know how to answer that question. They heard movement in the bushes and felt frightened. But luckily it was only Safiri. She was not happy that Dedeli left her behind. Together, they tried to help Aran and the three out of the forest on their shoulders when suddenly Kiwakaazi II, now turned rahasi, appeared.

Who’s that?” asked Safiri. “It is him,” answered Aran. “Who?” insisted Safiri. “Kiwakaazi,” muttered Kuasi. Safiri and Dedeli were astounded. Dedeli let go of Kuasi who was on her shoulders and walked towards Kiwakaazi II. Aran shouted, “Stop! Don’t go! He will kill you!” but she walked and looked unperturbed. When she got near, she opened her arms ready to give him a hug. Kiwakaazi was glaring and snarling at her. He lifted the five-edged sword in his right. He was going to make a vertical section of Dedeli when Safiri shouted, “Look out.”

Dedeli was now on the ground with shock in her eyes. It was the first time she saw the truth about Safiri. She finally knew why Safiri stuck with her all this while. It was because she too was in love with Kiwakaazi. Kiwakaazi lifted the sword and lowered it quickly. Safiri quickly pushed Dedeli out of the way.

She knelt before Kiwakaazi with the sikan nufanum (five-edged sword) sitting on her right shoulder. She bled but it was not too deep. Kiwakaazi II somehow stopped himself before he cut her in half. She bit her lip in pain. Safiri tossed the sikan nifanum aside and hugged Kiwakaazi. She said, “It is alright. Let it go.” Kiwakaazi’s body suddenly felt numb. The impregnable amour started to withdraw and finally withdrew into a tiny thread hanging around the sword. Kiwakaazi II collapsed in Safiri’s arms.

When Kiwakaazi II was trapped in darkness he called for help. No one but Dedeli heard his call. When she came to save him, he saw Dedeli’s face but it kept on appearing and disappearing. Then he heard someone shout, “Look out.” It was the voice. He remembered that voice; the voice of the girl who sung about love; the girl he shoved in the back and almost killed. That voice opened a tiny window and Kiwakaazi saw what he was about to do. His sword was raised and being lowered to strike down Dedeli. He shouted, “Stop it!” His body froze but he did not make it in time. The sikan nufanum cut Safiri in her shoulder. And when she hugged him, he felt calm; so calm that all he had to do was to follow the song he heard Safiri singing on that day they first met. She saved him.

A small whirlwind blew in the forest and stopped beside Subrukutu. Daale (the dream god) appeared from the whirlwind. He knelt beside Subrukutu shaking his head. He said, “Kakai (king of the death gods) is going to be disappointed. I need your help — a task you are best suited for.” Subrukutu was not dead. His eyes were opened and his body was healing slowly. He looked in a certain direction; the direction where a pigeon was lying. Daale said, “He will also come with us.” He touched Subrukutu, they both disappeared. Daale alone appeared again, picked up the pigeon and disappeared with it.