THE LEGEND OF KIWAKAAZI

The gods were sitting together around a table. Mayale asked, “Did you do it?” “Yes,” answered Daale. “I took him there; to that place of no return,” added the handsome dream god. “This boy has proven to be ever resourceful and troublesome.” “Are you sure he cannot escape?” questioned Suome. “No man has ever escaped. Relax, dear sister. He is never coming back,” insisted Daale.

“I know why you are here, Deila. I am sorry but neither you nor I can help him this time. This is one test he will have to take without your help,” remarked Kaki. This was not a satisfactory answer. Deila was mad and attacked Kaki. She backed the death goddess into a corner and shouted, “Why? Why can’t we help him?!” Deila was strangling Kaki. Apparently angry Deila was way stronger than the goddess of death. What love can do, right? Kaki with great difficulty said, “Because he is in Malfalkizan (the dream islands).” Deila let go of her roommate slowly and asked, “What is Malfalkizan?”

It was getting dark. Kiwakaazi was moving his back against the tree hoping he could pass through it whilst he looked at a suspicious person. It was a girl; a beautiful young lady of Kiwakaazi’s age. She had large brown eyes that made you feel like the whole world was gawking at you. He had asked her a question but she did not answer. Instead, she offered Kiwakaazi a water bottle made from calabash. He took it, removed the cork and drank the contents. He spat it out immediately. “What is that?!” shouted Kiwakaazi. It tasted salty — too salty.

 Her beautiful lips moved. “I had to make sure, said the lady. What do you know? She was not mute. “Make sure of what?” asked Kiwakaazi in an angry voice. “I had to make sure you were not an aruladri(a shape shifter). Kiwakaazi looked up and round and asked, “What is that and where am I?”

“Malfalkizan (dream islands),” Kaki replied to Deila, is not a what but a where. It is five islands in the middle of the ocean inhabited by monster-like human beings and some supernatural beings. Daale, the dream god, worked hard to make it. It is said that for a very long time, men were concerned with ending war, hunger, discrimination and so on that, they did not give a single thought to the reality within, the Shosuma (Soul or Spirit being). Ishfa was so pleased with his son that he raised five islands from the depths of the ocean to the surface as a token of appreciation,” clarified Kaki. Of course these islands were not exactly on earth. They were in a realm in between the afterlife and the world of the living.

The girl did not answer any of Kiwakaazi’s questions. She had questions of her own. “Who are you? Where are you from; how did you get here?” demanded this strange island girl. Kiwakaazi stopped and lowered his head for a second to think. He looked up into her eyes and said, “I don’t know. I don’t remember anything.” The girl got up, turned her back to Kiwakaazi and said, “Just what I expected; another person suffering from amnesia.”

She had a nice rear. She wore a rather peculiar straight dress. Her small breasts were covered with an orange colored cloth but not her stomach. Instead, white ropes that drew a cross on her stomach linked her top to her black skirt which was particularly short too. Her back had the same ropes tied into an elaborate knot and more ropes hung like a cross extending to her skirt once again. I am sorry but I am no fashion designer. Anyway, she looked very fit and strong. The exposed parts of her body were covered with cuts and bruises. Kiwakaazi noticed she was carrying a spear — a long stick sharp at both ends. ‘A rather strong looking girl carrying a spear, could it be? Is she going to kill me?’ he wondered. He was frightened and then it started.

“Malfalkizan became an entertainment ground for Daale and his siblings. Being gods, they are not to directly interfere with the affairs of men. To create a link between Malfalkizan and the living world, Daale helped a man to trap a very powerful witch on the islands. Later, the man failed to live up to the conditions given by Daale and ended up on Malfalkizan. After these two, people who fall into coma sometimes enter Malfalkizan where they die before being pronounced dead by a physician. They forget their names, families, friends and everything. Everything man needs to survive is there and yet everything that can end your life in a second exists there also,” continued Kaki.  

“It’s a pity we have been banished from our home, Vuiti (real home of the gods and city if Gbeleshie). We can’t see what is happening there. I miss those days. Do you remember?” asked Suome. She forced a smile but clearly she was unhappy; unhappy to have been trapped in the human body for this long. She has missed out and is still missing out on many things. Daale moved close to his sister and consoled her with the following words: “Don’t worry. Only a couple of days more and our work here will be done. We will return home soon. She smiled and said, “You are always very kind with your words, my brother.”

“Fear is the last thing you need on Malfalkizan (Dream Islands). Everything there responds to fear; even the air. Fear turns everything into a weapon that kills. Those who fear are doomed on Malfalkizan,” explained Kaki seriously. “And it is not only fear. Anger, worry, envy and their likes have the same effect.”

Parts of the tree supporting Kiwakaazi’s back suddenly started to move. The branches and roots grabbed hold of Kiwakaazi’s body. They bound him and started swallowing him. Kiwakaazi looked at the strange island girl and begged for help. She turned to Kiwakaazi for a second and said “I am sorry. I can’t help you. You are too afraid and they are coming.” She turned away from him ready to run but suddenly stopped. Two men and a woman were facing her. “Hello, Sieta,” said the woman.

Abra asked angrily, “Why did you not do something about the girl? What if she enters Malfalkizan and helps him?” “Don’t make me laugh, brother. I am the only one with the keys to Malfalkizan. No one enters or leaves Malfalkizan unless I say so. He won’t make it and if he somehow survives, he will definitely be trapped there forever. I say let’s celebrate. We have won,” said Daale in a happy tone.

“So, only Daale can take you there. Besides, those who end up in Malfalkizan forget everything. You won’t even be able to recognize him. That is why you can’t help him. All you can do is trust he will make it and come back to you in one piece,” concluded Kaki’s lecture. Deila was still upset but she was powerless. She was sad, but the name Kiwakaazi was special and even more special was the man wearing it now. ‘He will find a way. He must,’ thought poor Deila.

Kiwakaazi was being swallowed by the tree. He tried but the tree parts were too strong. He felt weak and was losing consciousness. He heard fighting. He heard screams and groans. He opened his eyes and shouted, “Let go of me!” Well, not out loud but he was very determined and unafraid. The swallowing stopped and the process was reversed. The plant parts let go of Kiwakaazi slowly. He moved the parts that hung around his body loosely away and crawled out. He was still weakened. He knelt on four limbs breathing heavily. He coughed intermittently. Kneeling, he saw the spear; her spear. He picked it and got up with it — still trying to catch his breath. He looked round and found her nowhere. It seemed she had been taken. He looked around again and saw footprints. He started tracking them. He followed for a while and then they disappeared. He looked around and found broken parts of plants. He followed again until he saw the footprints again. Kiwakaazi was proving to be quite the tracker. He lost it and found it, and, lost it again until he arrived at a village hidden in the forest on the island.

Everything you would expect from a village was present; huts, men, women, and children. It was late, so a fire had been started. Some children were running around the fire. The women served their husbands food and in one particular hut interesting sounds were being made. Hey I don’t know. I am just saying it was quite some sound. Kiwakaazi saw a man and a woman enter one hut with a lantern. He watched closely and saw the shadows. It looked like someone in that hut had been bound by ropes. The man forced open her mouth and the woman forced food down her throat. After about five minutes, they both came out. Kiwakaazi waited until everyone in the village was asleep.

He moved; tiptoeing into the village. He was very careful and looked round sporadically. As soon as he entered her hut, she opened her eyes. His skin was too dark to be seen in the dark. Only their eyes met. Somehow she was able to recognize him. He carried her outside before cutting through her binds with one sharp end of her spear. They escaped together.

She was surprised. ‘Why would he come for her? She left him to die and he risked his life to save her,’ she thought. They ran for a very long time and stopped to catch their breath. It was the perfect time. She thanked him for saving her life and explained that those who have been trapped on Malfalkizan (Dream Islands) have rules. Two of these very important rules are that you must leave behind a man who is overwhelmed with fear and you must never go back for someone who has been kidnapped by the monster-like humans that inhabit the islands. It was all about survival — individual survival. “Those are awful rules!” interjected Kiwakaazi. She understood him but he was new and he knew nothing about Malfalkizan. The islands can bring the worst out of the best of people.

They continued to run. While running, she said, “You know, I have tried to leave the islands. There is no way.” Kiwakaazi stopped running. His new ally also stopped.  He wore a serious look when he said, “There is always a way.” Suddenly they heard sound. It sounded like a horn was being blown. The aruladri (shape shifters) might have discovered that she has escaped. They ran some more until they finally arrived at the shore. Kiwakaazi walked in front of her and discovered another island in the distance. She said, “We call that island yuuzan (the cold island). We have two options; we go now and risk being eaten by the sea monsters or wait till morning and risk being found by the aruladri (shape shifters). He was really focused for a couple of minutes. When he turned he said, “Let’s leave now.” She had a new look in her eyes. It was the look of admiration. This stranger just arrived and was already almost fearless. He was brimming with confidence — infectious confidence.

She revealed a boat hidden under a pile of leaves and some paddles. They pushed it and climbed aboard. Slowly, they started paddling towards the next island. On their way, she told Kiwakaazi her name. It was Sieta. “That’s an interesting name,” remarked Kiwakaazi. “Yes, a couple who saved me when I first landed on the islands gave it to me. A girl they called their daughter had been killed and I had just arrived. They named me after her.” Kiwakaazi said, “That’s sweet.” She later told Kiwakaazi about Malfalkizan and the various creatures inhabiting the islands. They were basically human beings that somehow turned into monsters, she thought. “Hmm… What should we call you?” asked Sieta. Kiwakaazi was thinking of cool names he could give himself like, “Firebreather or deathpunch,” when she said, “I’ve got it. We shall call you “Marumba kiibe.” Kiwakaazi made a face and asked, “What is the meaning of that?” I guess this story must be left for another day. The adventures of Kiwakaazi and Sieta cannot be revealed in just one chapter. So let’s fast forward.

It was on the night of the twenty-third day — about a few hours until the twenty-fourth day. Marumba Kiibe (Kiwakaazi) and Sieta had found all the nine pieces of the Daalebab (Tablet of dreams). Kiwakaazi and Sieta where kneeling in white sand on the shore of the beach of teyakizan (the rocky island) trying to put the pieces together. It was like solving any puzzle — just study the edges and find a piece that matches. Surprisingly, there were no matching edges. Kiwakaazi became frustrated. He rose to his feet and screamed. Kiwakaazi lowered his head and said, “I am a fool. There really is no way we are going to escape these islands.” Sieta rose to her feet and placed her rough palms on Kiwakaazi’s shoulders. She consoled him saying, “Before you came here I had given up hope. You restored my faith when you said there is always a way. We are not giving up now — or ever.” Kiwakaazi turned to face Sieta. He sighed and smiled. “Okay… Let’s try again,” he said, still not very convinced.

They tried to match the nine pieces again and still there were no matching pieces. Sieta picked a piece and Kiwakaazi tried to rescue that piece from her. They were holding the same piece when it started to glow white. They both dropped the piece, it stopped glowing and they exchanged glances. She picked up the same piece and the instant Kiwakaazi touched it, it started glowing again. They dropped that piece and tried with another piece that glowed golden. They tried again with another piece and it also glowed white. They separated the pieces that glow white from the pieces that glow golden. There were four of each and the ninth piece did not glow at all and they isolated that one also. Now, how do they put the pieces together?

They first tried to put white glowing pieces together and it did not work. They tried to put golden glowing pieces together and it also did not work. They tried to match white with golden and failed miserably. Kiwakaazi was once again becoming frustrated. Sieta looked into his eyes and smiled and he knew she was telling him to calm down. They both touched the piece that does not glow and while holding it, touched a piece that glows white. The piece that does not glow started to glow golden and the one glowing white continued glowing even after they let go. Next, they touched one piece that glows golden and it also started glowing. Like two unlike poles of a magnet, the two pieces attracted one another and floated about forty centimeters above ground level. They repeated this until all eight pieces had come together to form an almost square tablet with only the central piece missing. They let go of the central piece and it floated to join the other eight. The Daalebad (Tablet of dreams) was complete and it rose above Kiwakaazi and Sieta and spun above their heads. Kiwakaazi and Sieta were excited. They have done it. They have finally done it! They hugged and while holding hands danced around. They hugged again and…

It had been more than twenty-three hours and Deila was getting worried. She had returned from the world where Kaki was. She moved around impatiently. Suddenly, she stopped and sat next to him. He looked so peaceful. She moved closer and closer. She paused but just let go and kissed him.

At the same time, Kiwakaazi and Sieta were already locked in a kiss. Kiwakaazi pushed Sieta backwards, she was scared. Was she a bad kisser? No; maybe, but I am leaning towards no. His eyes had changed. His pupils were still dark but it had a golden circle around it. The wind felt cold and started blowing violently.  He opened his palms and the Daalebab dropped into his palms like a gift from the sky. Sieta felt some discomfort. All these strange things are happening too fast.

Kiwakaazi turned his focus away from Sieta to the tablet. He looked on it and moved his head as if he was reading something. The tablet was glowing and it would have been impossible for words on it to be read but Kiwakaazi continued to move his heads. When he finished reading, he lifted his head and spoke. It was like a thousand people were speaking and they said:

Oogu jai fa la hia (In the beginning was Oogu — Word)

Akaani laazi Oogu (Akaani is Oogu — Word)

Oogu flainki; Oogu gaivinki (Oogu Created; Oogu sustains)

Liska Oogu daainki va (And Only Oogu can awaken the one who is asleep)

Kiwakaazi suddenly remembered that one time in Nomposuro when shinkos (furry beasts) surrounded and were attacking him. That first time he shouted “Oogu Jaka tumi… Sore!” and blasted shinkos away with light.

He shouted “I know how we can get out of here but we must hurry!” Sieta asked, “How?” He pointed at it — one of the islands. The only island they had avoided because of they did not have to go there and also, rumor has it that it is the home of an impossible-to-kill creature. Sieta swallowed her own saliva. For the first time in a long time she felt fear but not strong enough to turn the forest against her.

Deila pulled back. Kiwakaazi suddenly opened his eyes and a golden ring surrounded his pupils. Daale (Dream god) was drinking some wine when he let go of the glass from which he sipped his wine. It fell and shattered into a thousand pieces. He grabbed his own chest and appeared to be in discomfort. His siblings rushed to his side. Shutu asked, “Are you okay?” “Something is wrong,” said Daale. “Is it Mafalkizan?” asked Mayale. “Yes, the key has been activated,” replied Daale.