THE LEGEND OF KIWAKAAZI

Suddenly Kiwakaazi and Deila saw a couple of kids running. These kids who were about six and eight years old were being stalked by shinkos. They were running towards a woman and screaming, “Help mommy… help!” The woman herself was in big trouble. Two shinkos caught her and pinned her to the ground. She too cried. She also begged. She did not care about herself. All she wanted was for her children to be spared. She cried out for someone to come and help her. Then, she saw Deila and Kiwakaazi approaching. The look in her eyes changed. It was as if she had seen gods. Her prayers have been answered. She begged them to save her children. She begged them repeatedly.

Deila thought, ‘Perhaps that woman was too old and that was why she could not save her — but clearly not these innocent kids.’ Once again she tried and again Kiwakaazi stopped her. This time she did not want to be stopped but Kiwakaazi was too strong for her. The kids were crushed by the shinkos like bugs. They later tortured their mother before killing her too. The poor woman continued to beg them to help her up until her death. Deila started to cry. She begged Jenak to stop it. “Please stop it. I can’t take anymore,” she cried.

Jenak appeared and remarked, “This is the condition of the world. The weak is always being oppressed. The kind is always being cheated and taken advantage of. What kind of a god sits ideal? What kind of god will not come to the aid of his creation? Is he not supposed to be the loving Father? So why has he abandoned the creation he loves so much, tell me? If you become the god of the world, I am sure you will end all this suffering in an instant. Won’t you?” Then, he disappeared.

Kiwakaazi thought about it for a while and answered, “Only Akaani knows best. It is all in His Will.”

Jenak’s first trick did not work. He moved to plan B. What was plan B? The god of pride simply pointed at Deila. Suddenly, poor Deila started feeling excruciating pain in every part of her body. She fell, turned on the ground and cried. Kiwakaazi went on his knees and asked “what is wrong? What is happening?” Deila was in so much pain she held Kiwakaazi’s left arm and begged him. “Please help me!” she cried.

Back in Nomposuro: the elephant lifted the lion with its tusks and threw it to the ground. It moved quickly and tried to stomp on the lion. The mighty lion moved and attacked the elephant from its left side. It scratched and bit the elephant. The dark elephant might have felt pain. It squealed and shrieked. It swung its trunk at the lion that had dug its claws deep into the skin of the elephant. The lion jumped off the elephant. The elephant attacked trying to sink its tusks into the lion. The great cat leapt to the side of the elephant. It pounced and dug its claws and teeth into the large mammal once again. The lion continued to scratch and bite. It pushed the elephant to the ground. It bit it several times until the elephant also disappeared. But the darkness was not ready to give up. It gathered and this time shaped into a lion too; a dark one. The black ferocious lion shook its head and roared.

Kiwakaazi did not know what do. Deila begged him again, “Kay, help me please!” Kiwakaazi got up and stepped away from her body. While crying he said, “I am so sorry, Deila, but I can’t help you. He turned his back to her and also started crying. Deila continued to cry in pain. She shouted, “At least kill me. If you are not going to help me, pleas kill me! I can’t take it anymore! I beg you to kill me, please!” Kiwakaazi did not turn. He just closed his eyes and allowed tears to flow down his face while he repeated, “I am sorry,” over and over again.

Jenak returned. He said, “You see why I call Anambre the trickster. He talks about love but insists that you do not lift a finger to save someone you love. What kind of love is that?” Kiwakaazi opened his eyes. The crying, the moaning and the groaning had stopped. He turned and knelt by Deila’s lifeless body. She was finally dead. She looked so peaceful and so beautiful that, one may think that she was sleeping. Kiwakaazi placed his head on her stomach and cried out loudly.

A black lion and a white lion fought now inside Nomposuro. These were all giants and so the people outside saw everything happening inside the forest. They saw two male large cats caught in a tangle. They bit each other. They scratched one another. They kicked and pushed. They both fought hard but the white lion was strong. It had fought a seven headed cobra and won. It fought the mighty elephant and even the large mammal was no match for the king of the jungle summoned by Akaani’s forces. Now, it fought and defeated the dark lion. Gbelemantse was enraged. He paced angrily in front of his army. All his beasts have lost. He pointed the way of the Gyaatis and shouted, “Attack!”

Jenak was back. He said, “You have the power to bring her back to life. If her death is this painful, just bring her back.” Kiwakaazi slowly raised his head. He looked into Jenak’s eyes and said, “We are all travellers in this world. We will have to return home someday. Praise Oogu that her time had finally come. Is that the best you can do?”

Jenak frowned. He shouted, “Ignorant boy! Now die!” He pointed at Kiwakaazi and he felt the same pain Deila felt or perhaps worse. He tossed and turned on the ground screaming and crying in pain. “Save yourself, boy because no one is coming to save you!” shouted Jenak before he once again disappeared.

So, Gbelemantse’s armies came at the Gyaatis. Some of them rode on dark horses and carried dark weapons. Some rode on dark flying serpents and carried dark weapons. An even greater number attacked on foot with their dark weapons. Gbelemantse’s army numbered at least infinity. The Gyaatis numbered just a little over a hundred and they were all wearing robes — not the battle type of people. Then one man; just one man dropped from the sky. He had long white hair and deep blue eyes. His skin was very pale and he wore a unique white armor. He questioned, “Am I late for the party?” “Your timing is perfect,” answered Anambre.

Kiwakaazi’s pain was the worst. It was like something was tinkering with his internal organs. Each organ screamed with pain and with each pain he felt, he was tempted to do something about it. His mind suggested if not healing yourself, at least call on Akaani to help you. Was that also pride? Kiwakaazi simply ignored it. He started and continued to chant the words, “Praise Oogu!” The pain did not subside.  Slowly, poor Kiwakaazi felt his life slipping away until he too died.

There is nothing wrong with helping someone in need. A man who readily helps and sacrifices himself for his fellow man is considered Akaani too. But those who are blessed with the power of Oogu must tread with caution. Oogu created, Oogu sustains, and Oogu saves. If Akaani wants to save anyone, He will do it. Oogu Himself does all the work. The bearer of this great power is merely an instrument. This man neither saves nor cures. He sits back like a man enjoying his favorite movie whilst Oogu accomplishes all the work. Those who try to use the powers to save have failed the test of pride. This was what Nompotse tried to force Kiwakaazi into doing. He wanted the boy to think himself greater or equal to Akaani. So great or equal that he can do anything he wishes. But the boy was born a hero. He was born a Kiwakaazi — he was bound by destiny.

This new entrant, known by many as Akaani’s sixth son, Akaawe went on his knees next to Kiwakaazi’s body. It was not his real body but his consciousness that travelled back to the real world of torture with Nompotse (Lord of Nomposuro). He picked up the kafunde (demon mummifier) and whistled summoning a beautiful white horse. He rode towards the infinite armies of darkness. He turned and shouted, “Sit back big brother and let me end this for you.” With every leap and every jump of his horse his numbers increased. First, from one to two; two to five and from five to eight. From eight he increased to sixteen and just before he collided with the dark armies of Gbelemantse, his number was close to infinity. Some were airborne flying on large white serpents too. It was the greatest battle ever fought in history — the battle between light and darkness; good and evil. Swords clashed and shields collided.

Viewing from above, it looked like two rectangles; a white one and a black one. The black one moved and occupied the territory of the white one when the battle started. It occupied almost half of the white rectangle’s territory and stopped. The white rectangle started pushing the dark one backwards. It occupied about three-quarters the area of the dark rectangle. Gbelemantse was losing.

He turned right and killed one soldier glowing with light. He quickly faced forward and lifted his left leg. Another glowing soldier’s face collided with his leg and disappeared. He turned and met the eyes of another soldier. He said “Akaawe…” Akaawe took in three deep breaths and attacked. Akaawe screamed, jumped and attacked Gbelemantse Kakai. Kakai swung his own kafunde look alike and cut through Akaawe. The attacking Akaawe disappeared. Gbelemantse Kakai looked at his chest and planted in it was his weapon — the Uhurusa katui (ultimate slayer of the gods). It seemed he had been stabbed in the back. He did not know when or how that happened. It just did. Kakai went on his knees. He screamed and disappeared together with his infinite army.

Anambre looked up and said, “Praise Akaani! We have won on both fronts.” All the Gyaatis disappeared.

Kiwakaazi was back in Gbeleshie. He sat under a glowing tree silently with his eyes closed. Anambre appeared in front of him. Without opening his eyes Kiwakaazi asked, “Is it time to return to Alaami (Home of Eternal Peace)?” Kiwakaazi opened his eyes and looked Anambre in the eyes waiting for an answer. Anambre smiled and answered, “No! Your work isn’t finished yet, Kay.” “Kay…? Only Deila calls me that,” thought Kiwakaazi.

Anambre changed into Deila. She was dressed in the most beautiful clothing. She looked more beautiful than Kiwakaazi remembered. Kiwakaazi looked surprised. He actually thought the person he was talking to was Anambre. She smiled but he lowered his head. He was ashamed to look her in the eye after he had failed to save her.

“Don’t look so glum, Kay,” advised Deila. “I failed you,” whispered Kiwakaazi. She held his chin and raised his head. “No, you didn’t. You saved me. You saved all of us. Look…” She gestured at something behind her with her right and Kiwakaazi looked.

Many men and women totaling at least two thousand stood behind her. These were the men and women who had died in Nomposuro. Standing in front of these men and women were Kaazi Kiwakaazi II and Kaaziba Dedeli. They looked at Kiwakaazi with so much pride in their eyes. They both took steps and had Kiwakaazi wrapped in their arms embracing him with so much love. Kaazi Kiwakaazi II whispered, “I am so proud of you, son,” and Kaaziba Dedeli whispered, “I love you very much, my dearest son.” They both pulled back and disappeared while smiling. The remaining men and women disappeared too.

“Shall we meet again?” inquired Kiwakaazi. “I will be watching you Kay,” said Deila before she pushed Kiwakaazi. He was falling from the sky but continued to look into her beautiful eyes. She wore the most beautiful smile and looked genuinely happy. “Thank you,” whispered Kiwakaazi. “You are welcome,” whispered Deila.

In the real world, Asempa TV was airing a TV show dubbed “The End of The World.” The host was a handsome, eloquent and arrogant gentleman known as Kuma, and his panel comprised a man probably in his forties and a woman around the same age. Kuma asked “Eja Ansa, what do you think about what is happening in the world (again just Africa) right now?” Eja Ansa was about to answer when Kuma shouted, “Wait, Eja… we have some breaking news to report.”

An attractive lady now spoke saying, “Thank you Kuma. I am currently inside Attawaazi Memorial hospital where doctors just reported that one of the victims of the deadly poison who had been in a comatose state for the past fifteen days just woke up. She is fine and showing no symptoms of being poisoned at all. The doctors are calling it a miraculous recovery. They are running some more tests just to be sure. “Interesting…” remarked Kuma. “Were you able to find out this girl’s identity?” asked Kuma. The female reporter answered, “Yes! She is the daughter of Sheik (Chief) Ismaila of Sumailabad in the north — Princess Samira. A picture of Princess Samira occupied the screen and the thousands of viewers of Asempa TV saw her lovely and radiant face. What they did not know was that, elsewhere — in Malfalkizan (dream islands) — she was famously known as Sieta.

The cameras returned to the studio only for Kuma to say, “We have more breaking news to report.” This time the reporter was a male. He also started by saying, “Thank you, Kuma. If you can guess my current location I will give you a thousand golden coins.” He was standing in front of a tree, and it was obvious he was in a forest. However, Kuma sarcastically answered, “I am guessing you are standing in a forest heavily populated with wild animals that will eat you alive this very instant.” The male reporter frowned and remained silent for a while. He had no idea Kuma hated him that much. And Kuma was thinking, ‘Do I look like someone who likes playing silly guessing games?’

The male reporter suddenly smiled and said, “I am sorry Kuma. I should live long enough to take your job someday. Anyway, I am in the fabled Nomposuro.” “Wait… did you just say you are in Nomposuro?” asked Kuma. “Ummm… that is what I said, dumbo,” answered the male reporter. “How did that happen?” questioned Kuma. It was clear Kuma and the male reporter were not the best of friends. The male reporter answered, “I would be glad to explain it to you if you shut your proboscis.” This was followed again by a long silence. “Go on,” suggested Kuma. The male reporter explained that they heard something interesting was going on in Nomposuro. They went to cover this interesting event only to find the white wall of Nomposuro down and people entering and exiting the forest without fear. According to those they met, a white male lion defeated a seven headed cobra, an elephant, and a dark male lion, and after their battle there was an earthquake. During the quake, the white wall was sucked into the earth and disappeared. That was when a woman they described as “crazy” ran into the forest. She claimed her son was inside the forest and had to find him. Some people sympathized with her and followed her. Nothing happened to them and that was when they knew Nomposuro’s end had come.

“This is a day of strange happenings,” remarked Kuma. “Let me ask… was anyone able to provide a name or identify this crazy woman?” The male reporter answered, “Someone provided a sketch. We ran it through facial recognition software and identified her as Naa Lamle — the mother of the gentleman who synthesized the poison that killed many in Nibooman (Western Empire) and left thousands in pain.” Kuma asked, “What was his name?”

A very muscular man was watching Asempa TV’s broadcast and eating from a bowl with his hands. He threw the bowl of food away. His wife rushed to the hall and asked, “What is it, dear?” He answered, “He is still alive!”

Draco Kalala was about to put a donut into his mouth. He froze in shock just staring at his screen. The picture of Kiwakaazi’s not so handsome face was on the screen. He could not believe it. He dropped the donut and shook while he reached for his telephone and dialed numbers.

In Attawaazi Memorial Hospital more people were waking up. Princess Samira was also staring at a TV screen. Her sister asked, “What is it?” She whispered, “Marumba-kibe (The Foolish Lord).”

In Nomposuro, Kiwakaazi was opening his eyes slowly. He heard a voice shouting, “Ma-siiwe (My son)!” He could recognize that voice anywhere. It was the voice of his mother, Naa Lamle. He opened his eyes and found his head on her laps. He asked, “Mother…? What are you doing here?” “Don’t tell me you forgot again. Today is your birthday. I came to wish you a happy birthday and give you your birthday kiss.” She lowered her head and kissed him softly on his forehead.