THE LEGEND OF KIWAKAAZI

Kiwakaazi followed Deila when they crossed the bridge that separated Adopedan from the home of the ruhas (gods) and ruhushis (goddesses). The clouds darkened and heavy rainfall was imminent. Kiwakaazi remarked, “I must say you have a beautiful backside,” while he kept his focus on her beautiful buttocks that moved seductively. She replied saying, “I’m surprised you are now noticing.” He said, “Oh! I have noticed. I just decided to comment on it now.” She answered saying, “You can watch Kay, but you can’t touch.” They both laughed. They were almost at the end of the long snakelike bridge when it started to rain. They were going to get wet and cold. Luckily, their hosts will not allow that. There was a welcoming party sent in advance to meet the super couple; two gentlemen and a lady. All three of them held umbrellas. When Kiwakaazi and Deila descended the stairs and touched the soil of Nomposomu (Home of the gods) with their feet, umbrellas were held above their heads like royalty.

So, who were these three people who formed the welcoming party? They claimed they too were gods who worked under the five main gods whom resided inside Nomposuro. The goddess said she was Fomo (the goddess of birth and children). One of the male gods was the god of rain and the other was the god of food. They were all Mayale’s servants sent by the goddess in charge of wealth to guide her guests to her mansion.

“We are here,” said one of the male gods. They stood on a hill and looked down on a very beautiful town. The largest structure was a mansion centrally placed in this well planned settlement. From where they stood they saw the settlement in a large spherically shaped area. Beautiful lanes and avenues had been created around this mansion. Along the lanes were cylindrical houses with conical roofs. Palm trees where dominant in this small settlement. They walked on a straight path heading towards the grand mansion. It continued to rain but they remained under the umbrellas of their welcoming party. Kiwakaazi felt cold, he was not dressed for rain. He hoped the mansion they were being led to will provide warmth. People started coming out of their houses to have a glimpse of the first man and woman to make it to land of the ruhas (gods) and ruhushis (goddess) inside Nomposuro (dark and evil forest). They only looked at them for a while, then, they will fold their arms and bow their heads.

Kiwakaazi asked those who led them the meaning of what they were doing. Fomo (the goddess of birth and children) answered. She explained that all the people they were seeing were servants; smaller gods and goddesses whom serve their host. After Kuntunkunukun (Papa dwarf) was defeated, white butterflies visited every home in Nomposomu (home of the gods) announcing the visit of two very important guests. Reverence must be shown these guests. “Folding of arms and bowing is how we show reverence,” concluded her explanation.

They were now approaching the large gate of the wall of the frighteningly large mansion. The wall was white and the gate was made of gold. The inscriptions “Ishfa sai ki ta (Time rules all things)” were bold across the golden gate. The gate opened and they entered. “Wow!” shouted both Kiwakaazi and Deila. “This is a beautiful place,” added Kiwakaazi. The lawn was neatly trimmed and beautiful flowers had been grown within the lawn. Standing on either side of the brick pathway that led to the doors of the mansion itself were women; beautiful young women wearing golden dresses with golden earrings, bracelets and necklaces. They all folded their arms and bowed down their heads whilst Kiwakaazi and Deila walked past them. Finally, the door to the mansion itself opened and the couple entered.

It is very difficult to explain the beauty inside the mansion. So, let me just say imagine the home of the Sultan of Brunei. I have no idea how his mansion looks like or how it is decorated, but, the rumors suggest its beauty is beyond description. So we will use that for now. We shall assume the inside of this mansion is as beautiful as the home of the Sultan. The gods whom guided them to the palace did not enter the mansion. Apparently, they did not have clearance to enter. Two young and extremely beautiful women led them to what seemed like a huge hall prepared and decorated for a banquet. There was a circular dining table with seven seats around it.

On the floor above this hall — about fifteen steps higher — Daale (god of dreams) was wearing an innocent smile and had folded his arms. He was dressed like a Nigerian Igwe. Shutu (god of fear) was also wearing a grin and adjusting his cloth. He was dressed like the Asantehene of Ghana. Abra (god of anger) in contrast to his brothers wore a frown, a long white shirt over a pair of white trousers and a turban. Suome (goddess of beauty and attraction) was not so elegantly dressed; just a pieces of cloths to cover her breasts and waist down to knees. Anyway, proper clothes do not add or take anything away from this natural beauty. Suddenly, someone emerged from the right side on this same floor. It was Mayale (goddess of wealth). She was virtually dressed like a queen and had a huge golden crown. She was very attractive in fancy clothing and beautiful jewelry but lacked that mesmerizing look that Suome had. Deila shook her head. “I didn’t expect them all to be here,” she whispered.

Kiwakaazi turned to her on his right and asked, “How do you know the gods and goddesses?” “Not the gods and goddesses but the bodies they possess,” answered Deila. She pointed at Daale and said, “He used to be called the blood brother of Jenak. They were very good friends. Abra; he was one of the elders of Nananompofie (Central Empire). He opposed Emperor Kiwakaazi II’s every decision.  Shutu also used to be an elder of Nananompofie. He was a man who lived in fear. He insisted the Central Empire focus great attention on security — the rest of the world could not be trusted.” Then she pointed at the two goddesses. She became silent. A few drops of tears run down her cheeks when she told Kiwakaazi that they used to be her best friends Bimbi and Simiba.

“What happened to all of us?” asked Deila. Kiwakaazi answered saying, “Man’s heart is filled with desires; desires to be attractive, rich, powerful, fearless and brave. I am sure that they were also conned.” Mayale said, “Whoever you think we are no longer exists. I am Mayale your host. This mansion and everything in this valley belongs to me. My brothers and sisters are also here to welcome you. We promise to give you the royal treatment during your stay with us.”

Their host clapped three times and very muscular men and beautiful women came rushing in with many different kinds of food and wine. They set them all up on the dining table. Mayale descended the stairs first and her siblings followed. She walked round the table and explained that the table represents family, love and equality. In their family, there is love and equality and they were happy to welcome Kiwakaazi and Deila into their family. She took her seat and everyone else followed suit. Kiwakaazi was sandwiched between Suome (goddess of beauty and attraction) and Deila. He was so ready for a fight that his right palm felt itchy. 

Shutu (god of fear) told Kiwakaazi to calm down. If they wanted him dead, he would have been dead. Their power is not something the kafunde can easily fight. But even they answered to a higher power and this power had not commanded them to kill him… yet. He is to be tested and if he should pass their tests, only then will their eldest brother appear. Kiwakaazi did not trust anything or anyone besides Deila. Anyway, he calmed down a bit. “What is the nature of these tests?” he asked. Abra explained that the tests are designed to test his worth as a human being. According to Abra, only humans can subdue their senses and control them. Kiwakaazi will battle his senses in this round and not even the kafunde (demon mummifier) can help him during these battles. To win, he needs a strong will. Kiwakaazi then demanded for the tests to commence. He was running out of time. He had barely three days more to exit Nomposuro but of course he did not know how much time he had left. He was just tired and wanted it all to be over with.

Suome placed her palms on his thigh and while stroking it gently, remarked, “The tests have already begun.” Kiwakaazi was aroused by her. He looked at Suome and noticed she was smiling. Man, she was so beautiful he was intoxicated with desire. He quickly looked away and focused on the table. He gently removed Suome’s hand before he did the unthinkable right there and then and said, “Fine, I look forward to more of such tests”.

Mayale told him that she had prepared this great feast for him and all he wants is a fight. He should forget about the test for now and enjoy the feast she had prepared in his honor. Kiwakaazi turned to Deila. She nodded. Looking at her was his way of asking, “Is this food safe for consumption and her nodding was her way of saying, “Yes, it is.” Different kinds of soup were served; bitter leaf soup, palm nut soup, groundnut soup and light soup. All the soups were prepared with the best meat; grass cutter, goat, sheep, duck, turkey and beef. The soup was served with some deliciously prepared eba, different types of fufu, banku and rice balls. They both dug in. Immediately they commenced eating, some women dressed elegantly entered with their violins. They played slow, sweet music to entertain Mayale’s guests.

Kiwakaazi had been in Nomposuro for a very long time and he still could not distinguish between night and day. But for the first time, he knew it was night time. The moon was out for the very first time — the full moon. Kiwakaazi even saw a few stars. He could not believe it; stars shining in Nomposuro. Perhaps the dark forest could be saved.

Two adjacent rooms had been prepared for the travellers. Deila wanted them to share a room. It was fine with Kiwakaazi that they slept in different rooms so she agreed. It was not like she planned exploiting him sexually or something. If he wanted separate rooms, let them have separate rooms. Their bedrooms had been decorated beautifully. Beautiful beds with beautiful sheets and many pillows. Deila took a bath before retiring to bed. Kiwakaazi just let go of his body. He landed on his back and closed his eyes. He wanted to relax for a second before taking his bath. But his bed was too comfortable. He slipped into deep sleep under less than five minutes.

Deila had lived inside Nomposuro for close to five centuries and she had not had such peaceful sleep. Not even when she was a shinko. She got up late in the morning. Her first thought was Kiwakaazi. She knew he was their target. She ran out of her room and entered his room. She yelled, “Get away from him!” One of the gods stood next to Kiwakaazi. He was still in bed. He was still sleeping. The god slowly turned his head to face her. His beautiful face; his gracious smile would make you think he is not dangerous. But don’t joke with him. He is as ruthless as any of his siblings, Daale, the dream god. He said, “I was just admiring his dream.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked a confused Deila. “Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Daale, the god of dreams. In the human world my work is to involve men in dreams — impossible dreams like the end of diseases, world peace, the end of discrimination, hunger and so on. By involving men in the pursuit of such dreams, they forget about their true self and its origin. They invest all their time trying to end pain ignorant of the truth that pain ends when the sleeping giant, The Shosuma (Soul or Spirit) is awakened but that is the more subtle stuff. I can also trap a person in a dream. Call it my own personal playground. The victim of my dream spell falls in deep sleep and when he dies in his dream, he dies for real.”

Deila held Daale by the neck and pushed him into the wall. She shouted, “Bring him back, now!” Daale smiled. Suddenly, he disappeared and Deila was holding nothing. He stood behind her. She turned and attacked him but he disappeared once again. When he appeared, he said, “I am sorry I can’t play with you now. Your boyfriend has 24 hours to return to his body. If not, he will be trapped there forever. That is, if he can survive for 24 long hours where I took him.” He walked gingerly and exited Kiwakaazi’s bedroom. Deila run after him but the door was slammed in her face and Daale did not even have to touch it. She turned not sure what to do. Should she go after Daale (dream god) or return to Kiwakaazi’s side? She was torn between the two.

Deila returned to Kiwakaazi’s side. She shouted his name repeatedly. She slapped him, poured water on him, kissed him and rocked him to no avail. It was as if he was dead already. She was scared. She paced around his room for a while and then sat on the floor. She closed her eyes and met her roommate, Kaki.

Kiwakaazi was slowly opening his eyes. He had a terrible headache. It felt like a hangover. He was still terrible at drinking. He was sitting in dirt with his back pressed against a tree trunk. He opened his eyes, moved backwards; surprised by something he saw. He asked, “Who are you?”