It was a long time ago before the white men found their way to Africa. In a small village of Udo, amongst the igbos, legends and myths abound, lived a great King called Ikemefuna. He was greatly respected and well feared in all the neighboring villages. Ikemefuna was a great warrior and a hunter before he took over from his father. When the time came for him to marry, his aged mother brought a girl, Ugomma, from one of the neighboring villages, Isiagu, and Ikemefuna got married to her. One year passed, no sign of pregnancy, two more years passed, Ugomma hasn't taken in. "My son, is it not time for you to choose another wife since the one with you has not taken in?" Queen mother Omalicha asked her son. "Mba (no) mama, my marriage with Ugomma is still early and besides we are waiting for the favor of ChukwuOkike. I know that ChukwuOkike will remember us, we just have to be patient." Pause» You can add me» Bcdblog for more stories and updates "Ndidi (patient), n'ihi ya, m kwesịrị (so I should) be patient with your wife?" Queen mother Omalicha demanded. "Yes mama, the gods of our land haven't forgotten us." King Ikemefuna said. "I will be patient just like you have said my son." The Queen mother told him. ***** Ten (10) Years Later.... Isiagu Village: Ugomma was seen seated with a middle aged woman who happens to be her mother in front of a hut. "Mama take a good look at me, ten years, ten good years of marriage and yet I haven't taken in. There is no sort of insult my mother inlaw has not given me mama. Thank the gods for my husband who is an understanding type if not, he would have listened to his mother and got married to another wife." Ugomma told her mother in tears. "Do not cry again my daughter, wipe your tears. You will have a child." Her mother, Oluchi, said, trying to console Ugomma. Pause» This story will be available on Bcdnovels "When will that be mama? I want to carry my own child with my own hands, is it when another woman comes into the palace the gods will then remember me? I don't want that to happen mama, I have tried all the herbs but none of them worked for me." Ugomma told her mother. "I will take you somewhere, but you have to tell your husband you will be staying with me for three days." "Where are you going to take me mama?" Ugomma asked. "Don't you want a child anymore?" Oluchi asked, staring at her daughter. "I want mama. I will do anything to carry my own child." Ugomma answered her. "Then do not ask me any further questions, I will take you somewhere, to someone who can make you carry your own child." Oluchi told her daughter. "Trust me my daughter." She added after a while. "Thank you mama. I know coming here will bring a solution to my problem." Ugomma said, smiling a little bit. "Indeed, if you had come earlier, I would have given you a solution. But ever since you got married to your husband, the great King of Udo, this is your first time visiting me. You forgot that you once grew and live in this old hut." Oluchi said. "Mama I am sorry, it won't happen again." Ugomma pleaded. "I have heard you, go home and tell your husband that you will be coming to spend some days with me." Oluchi told her daughter. "I will do just that mama." _____ One Moon (month) later..... Ugomma became pregnant and King Ikemefuna and his mother became happy. The whole villagers came and congratulated her. It was a thing of joy to Ugomma. Nine Moons later, Ugomma gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. Ikemefuna became the happiest man on earth on the day he was told his wife had given birth to a set of twins. "I told you mama, ChukwuOkike never forgets his people, the gods of our land have granted me my heart's desire." King Ikemefuna told his mother. On the day he named his son and daughter, many kings from various villages attended the ceremony. Ikemefuna named his son Obinna and his daughter Akwugo. Few days after the naming ceremony of his twins, a strange visitor came. He was with his elders in his throne room and they were discussing when a young maiden of five years old walked into the presence. She was carrying a little bag on her shoulder. Seeing her stopped their discussion as they stared at her. She greeted them and they nodded their heads to her greetings. "Did the guards allow you to come inside the palace compound?" Mazi Ozubulu, one of the elders, asked. "Yes, they did Mazi Ozubulu." The little girl responded, surprising the elders and the King. "How did you know my name?" Mazi Ozubulu asked in shock. "Who doesn't know the names of all the elders in this great village." She answered. "So who are you? What's your name?" King Ikemefuna asked. "My name is Alaolisa and I am your daughter." TBC Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you. Ifeoma Isabella Silver

"What? Can you repeat what you just said now?" Igwe Ikemefuna said after he has recovered from his shock. "Is the part which I said my name or the part which I said you are my father?" Alaolisa asked. "The last line." Igwe Ikemefuna reply. "Indeed you are my father." Alaolisa said. "Kpuchie ọnụ gi (Shut up your mouth)." One of the elders, Mazi Uzudu, said. "How can you say that the King is your father, or ì kpuru ìsì (are you blind)." "I am not blind, neither am I drunk Mazi Uzudu." Alaolisa told the old elder who became surprised just like Mazi Ozubulu. "Igwe Ikemefuna is my father." She added. "How did I become your father?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked. "Six years ago, you came to meet Nwabala, the great priestess of old, secretly. Then you told her about your predicament of not having a child. She brought out a white calabash and gave it to you. You know what you did with the calabash." Alaolisa stopped there, staring at her father. Igwe Ikemefuna nodded his head. He was told by Nwabala to pour his seed into the white calabash and go home. He had done as ordered and went back home hoping on the gods. "Igwe, she just said you went to see Nwabala, is that true?" Mazi Ozubulu asked. "Yes, that was some years ago when I went to seek a solution to my wife barrenness." He answered then face Alaolisa. "I remembered." Igwe Ikemefuna said, ignoring the looks he was receiving from his elders. "I am the product of that which you did on that fateful day father." Alaolisa told him. Igwe Ikemefuna was speechless and stared at the little girl in front of him who spoke with boldness. He noticed how she was a replica of him. She was very fair in complexion unlike him who is dark in complexion. Nwabala was also dark in complexion so how come she is fair? Except she inherited it from his mother who is fair in complexion. "So is Nwabala your mother?" Igwe Ikemefuna ask. "No, she is not my mother. I came out from the white calabash father." Alaolisa replied. "But how is that possible?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked. "Tupuru Nkita okpukpu n’ezi ma hapuru ya ogu ya na umu ndi mmuo. (Throw the bones out to the dogs and leave it to fight with the spirits.)" Alaolisa told him. "The ways of the gods are different from the ways of man." She added. "Ebuka!" Igwe Ikemefuna called out and one of his guards entered the throne room, and bowed before him. "Take my daughter to one of the empty huts in this compound and tell the maids to give her whatever she wants." Igwe Ikemefuna told Ebuka and returned his gaze to Alaolisa. "Follow him to the hut, that will be your hut from now onwards." "Thank you father." Alaolisa thanked and followed Ebuka out of the throne room. "What white calabash is she talking about Igwe?" Okekere, who is the Onowu, asked the Igwe. "Don't worry you will not understand, you heard her yourself, the ways of the gods are different." Igwe Ikemefuna answered him. ******* Towards Evening... Alaolisa came out of her hut and at the same time, Ugomma, came out of her hut with her mother. They were surprised to see her. "Greetings to you Mama." Alaolisa greeted. "And who are you?" Ugomma demanded. "How did you find your way into this hut?" She asked. "My name is Alaolisa and my father gave me this hut." She answered. "Your father, who is your father?" Ugomma asked. "Igwe Ikemefuna is my father." Alaolisa replied. "No way, you are lying. He has no child apart from the twins my daughter has." Oluchi told her. "You are lying." She added eyeing the little girl badly in front of them. "How can Ikemefuna be the father of this wretched girl." Ugomma said angrily. Alaolisa smiled. "Ote nkwu anaghi ekwucha ihe ohuru n''elu nkwu. (A palm tree climber is not expected to tell everything he sees up above.)" TBC Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you. Ifeoma Isabella

Ugomma started laughing then her mother, Oluchi, followed. The more they laugh, the more Alaolisa's smile widens. "Look at this little girl, I hope you are not referring that ilu (proverb) to me because I will slap those dirty teeth of yours out of your mouth." Ugomma told Alaolisa. "I am sorry mama, sometimes I say things without thinking, sorry if that offended you." Alaolisa apologize. "Point of correction, oge ọzọ (next time) don't ever call me mama or a dị m ka nne gị nke enweghị ihere? (do i look like your shameless mother?)" Ugomma asked her. "No mama, but-" Oluchi interrupted her rudely. "Didn't you hear what she said? Do not call her mama, she is not your mother and can never be." Oluchi told her. "Anụla m gị (I have heard you), Oluochi." Alaolisa said. "What do you just say?" Ugochi asked in bewilderment as her mouth hung open. "You said I shouldn't call you mama, so I called you by your name or do you want me to call you by your last name?" Alaolisa responded and smiled. "I know it, I know e bụ nwa ekwensu (you are a devil's child. Who sent you to me, tell that person you did not see me." Oluchi said. Pause» you can add me» Bcdblog for more stories and updates. "Mama instead of me to exchange words with this little girl, I will go and ask my husband to chase this stupid girl out of this palace right away." Ugomma told her mother. "I will be with my grandchildren." Olucht said, turning and going back to the hut they left a few minutes ago and Ugomma left for her husband's throne room. Luckily for her when she entered the throne room, he was alone and was in a deep thought. Clearing her throat to bring his attention to her. Igwe Ikemefuna smiled when he saw her. "My beautiful wife, my morning sun, what brings you here?" "Please I don't want to hear that nonsense until you tell me who that little girl is." Ugomma said rudely. "Are you talking of Alaolisa?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked. "I don't care to know her name, just tell me why she is here and who gave her the permission to be in that hut." Ugomma responded and continued. "Ikemefuna I don't want to know and I don't care to know who she is, I want her out of this palace, right now." Taking a deep breath before responding. "I can't do that my love." He told her. How would he explain things that he doesn't understand yet to her? But, he has to tell her Alaolisa is his daughter. "And why is that if I may ask, Ikemefuna?" Ugomma demanded. "Because that little girl is my daughter." Igwe Ikemefuna answered truthfully. "What?" Ugomma exclaimed in shock and proceeded to clean her both ears well then asked again. "What did you just say, Ikemefuna?" "Alaolisa is my daughter, Ugomma." Igwe Ikemefuna repeated himself again. "That is impossible, that smelling girl who has no respect for her elders is your daughter? You are joking Ikemefuna." Ugomma said not believing him. "Do I look like someone who is joking, Ugomma? Alaolisa is my daughter and she is staying here in my palace." Igwe Ikemefuna told her with seriousness. "She will not stay here in this palace." Ugomma said to him. "Okay, let me assume I agree to what you are saying, if I chase Alaolisa away, where do you want her to stay?" Igwe Ikemefuna questioned. "Anywhere as long as she is not here, I don't care where she lives." Ugomma answered, her voice raising up. "Instead of you to ask me how she came to be my daughter, you are here telling me to chase my own daughter away, someone who I just met today, you are not serious Ugomma." Igwe Ikemefuna said. "And how are you sure she is your daughter?" "Didn't you see our resemblance? She looks like me." "So you won't send her away?" "No." Igwe Ikemefuna answered. "I won't send her away." He added. "Besides what has she done to you that would warrant me to chase her away?" "Anaghi agwa ochi nti n’agha esu. (You don't need to tell the deaf that war has begun) Ikemefuna, is either you send her away or I will take my two children and leave the palace for her. Choose one, either me or her." "And what is going on here?" Ikemefuna's mother, Amara, asked as she entered the throne room. TBC Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you. Ifeoma Isabella

Igwe Ikemefuna and his wife, Ugomma, refuse to speak. "Again I ask, what is going on here?" Queen mother Amara asked again and when the both of them refused to answer, she decided to call her son's name. "Ikemefuna my son, what is it? Why the noise?" She asked. "Mama, it's Ugomma." Igwe Ikemefuna reply. "She was the one raising her voice." He added. "Why are you calling my name instead of going straight to the point, eh Ikemefuna?" Queen Ugomma said before facing her mother in law who also turned to look at her. "Mama, your son brought in a totally stranger and start claiming her as his daughter." She told her. "What?" "Yes mama, and when I saw the little girl, she gave me the insult of my life. She lack respect so I came here to tell my husband to chase that girl away from this palace and he refuses too." Queen Ugomma told her. Returning her gaze to her son. "Ikemefuna, is that true?" She asked. "Do you have a daughter?" "Yes mama, it is true and I can't send her away, because she has nowhere to go." Igwe Ikemefuna replied. "When did you impregnate a maiden in this village without anyone's knowing? Weren't you the one telling me to hope on ChukwuOkike for children when I told you to get a second wife? So you went behind my back to impregnate a maiden?" The Queen mother demanded in fury. And Ugomma nodded her head in support. "Mama, the both of you should stop concluding. I did not impregnate any maiden in this village or our neighboring villages. If I did, I would have told you mama, but I did not." "So the little girl came from the air, eh Ikemefuna?" Queen Ugomma asked. "No she did not, I went to see Nwabala about six years ago for her to give me a solution to my wife barrenness so she told me to pour out my seeds into a white calabash and go that the gods will give me a child, so I did and left her shrine and six years later, Alaolisa came out of the white calabash." Igwe Ikemefuna explained and Ugomma burst out laughing hard. "Wait, you think we would believe that lie you just said? Just confess that you slept with that old woman and she gave birth to that mannerless girl." Ugomma said after she stopped laughing. "Ikemefuna, you know it is an abomination to have any carnal knowledge with Nwabala." Queen mother Amara told her son. "Mama I did not sleep with Nwabala. I would have told you, I was surprised seeing Alaolisa today. She look exactly like me." Igwe Ikemefuna said to his mother. "Send a guard to call Alaolisa here." Queen Mother Amara told her son. "There will be no need for that Mama, I am here." Alaolisa said as she entered the throne room and greeted her. Her little bag was with her. Seeing the little girl, Queen Amara notices she has a little resemblance to her son, except his dark complexion No doubt, Ikemefuna is the father of the girl but how he came to have her seem impossible. "What is your name?" "Alaolisa Mama." Going to sit down on one of the elder's seats. "Where do you live?" "I live at the shrine of Nwabala." "So why didn't you come all these years, why now?" "Nwabala is dead and she told me to come here." Alaolisa responded. Igwe Ikemefuna and his mother were shocked. "Why won't she die when she shamelessly opened her legs for my husband." Queen Ugomma shouted. "What killed her?" Queen Amara asked, ignoring her son's wife. "It was her time mama." "I have said my own, is either she will leave this palace or I leave this palace with my children and my feet won't step in here again." Ugomma threatened. "It hasn't gotten to that Ugomma." Queen Amara said. "Mama, it has o. So your son should choose between the both of us who will stay in the palace." "She doesn't have anywhere to go Ugomma, reconsider your decision my daughter." Queen Amara said, trying to make her see reason. "I don't care mama, let her go back to wherever she comes from. I don't want to see her here or you won't see me here." Ugomma said without an ounce of pity in her. "Ikemefuna I am going to give you just two minutes for you to make up your mind. I or Alaolisa." "There shall be no need for that, I will go." Alaolisa spoke up and stared at her right palm for a brief minute before staring at Ugomma. "But be rest assured I will be back someday Mama." She told Ugomma who hissed loudly. "Go, I don't need you and I have told you to stop calling me Mama." "Where will you go, Nwabala is dead?" Igwe Ikemefuna ask. "Don't worry Papa, I will be fine." Alaolisa replied and move to where he was sitting, bend down slightly and touch his two feet. Then straightened up and left the palace. Ten Years Later..... It was towards evening and Ugomma and Igwe Ikemefuna were seen seated on a mat made with leaves and were eating roasted plantain with palm oil outside his hut when his twins, Obinna and Akwugo came out of their huts and walked up to them. They greeted their parents. "Evening my children." Ugomma and Ikemefuna both responded to their greetings. "Papa I came here to tell you something." Akwugo, a dark beauty who took after her father's complexion, said. Beads of various sizes and colors were used in decorating her hair, hands and waist. "And what can that be Akwugo?" Ugomma asked. "In the middle of this palace, my shrine must be built." "What do you say?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked in shock. "My shrine must be built in this palace and every village must pay homage to it. Failure to do so, death awaits them all. And not only that, on every full moon, a newborn baby child must be sacrificed at my shrine, not only in this village but the rest of the villages as well." "Akwugo are you sure you are okay?" Ugomma asked in bewilderment. "Point of correction Ugomma." She said, earning a shocked look from her mother and father. "My name is no longer Akwugo, from now henceforth, call me Adaeze Mmiri." "You must be out of your senses." Igwe Ikemefuna told her. "Papa." Obinna said, bringing his father's attention to him. "Adaeze Mmiri has made her own request, when it gets to my turn, you shall know my request." The twins left their speechless parents and went out of the palace. Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you. Ifeoma Isabella

Igwe Ikemefuna and his wife, Queen Ugomma couldn't believe what their ears heard. Their appetite for the roasted plantains was gone. "Ugomma, did you hear your children or was I the only one who heard what they said?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked his wife. "Dim oma (my good husband) I heard them perfectly clear. But why will Akwugo and Obinna say such a thing? I think they must be joking." Queen Ugomma responded. "I hope they are not serious because I will flog nonsense out of their body if Akwugo repeats such words again." Igwe Ikemefuna said with seriousness. "It hasn't gotten to the extent of you flogging them my husband, maybe they heard it from one of their friends and then decided to joke with us." Queen Ugomma told her husband. No, her twins were only joking with them. Akwugo can't suddenly change her name and neither can she demand blood sacrifice from new born babies. As far as she was concerned, they are just playing pranks on them. "Which friends of theirs are you talking about? I have watched them grow to this level and I haven't seen them play with their own fellow children. They are either at the river or inside their huts laughing and talking. So what friends are you talking about, Ugomma?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked, staring at his wife. "My husband, I was only suggesting, they just went out now so I think they had gone to meet their friends." Queen Ugomma told him. "I will believe what you said. Ebuka! Nnamdi!" He shouted and two of his guards ran to meet him. "Greetings to you Igwe." Ebuka and Nnamdi said in unison, going down to their knees and bowing their heads in respect. Igwe Ikemefuna nodded his head and pointed towards the direction he saw his children went. "Akwugo and Obinna took the road that leads to the village river. I want the both of you to hurry up and follow them and make sure they are safe." Igwe Ikemefuna ordered them and Ebuka and Nnamdi stood up to their feet and left the palace, heading towards the village river. "They are just little kids but yet they can't allow any of the maids or the guards in the palace to follow them. What sort of children are they?" He asks himself. Queen Ugomma didn't respond. "Are you still eating my husband?" She asked rather. "I am no longer hungry. I just hope what Akwugo said isn't true because I Ikemefuna, who is still the Igwe of this village and whom the rest villages feared, will not succumb to her useless request. I will know if it is my palace or her palace." Igwe Ikemefuna said. "Nkechi!" Queen Ugomma called out one of the maids name and a beautiful young dark skinned lady hurried up to meet her. "Greetings to you Igwe, greetings to you my Queen." Nkechi greeted them with her head bow in respect. "Take this food away." Queen Ugomma ordered and Nkechi quickly took the full plate still filled with roasted plantains and palm oil and left for the palace kitchen to finish up the leftover food. Igwe Ikemefuna stood up from the mat and started walking around slowly awaiting his children's return. Queen Ugomma did not move an inch from the mat as she sat and also awaited the return of her children. The sky was getting dark as the minutes went by. Thirty minutes later, Ebuka and Nnamdi returned to the palace without the Prince and Princess. "Where are my children?" Queen Ugomma demanded immediately she saw the guards. Going down on one of their knees, their heads bowed low. "We have searched and combed everywhere at the village river but couldn't see them Igwe." Ebuka responded. "Hmm." Igwe Ikemefuna mused to himself. "Are you sure you search well? Did you search the bush that led to the river? They might be hiding there." Queen Ugomma asked in worry. "Yes my Queen, we searched everywhere but we couldn't find them. They are not in the bushes or the river." Nnamdi answered. "So where could they have gone too eh?" Queen Ugomma asks no one in particular. "You can go back to your post." Igwe Ikemefuna said dismissing them with a wave of his hand. Ebuka and Nnamdi stood up and went back to the front of the palace bamboo gate where they will stay all through the night. They had barely gone to their position when they saw Princess Akwugo and Prince Obinna coming with some young maidens, older than them, tying white wrappers. Ebuka and Nnamdi allowed them to pass. Seeing her children, Queen Ugomma worries ceased but what baffles her was the maidens with them. "And where are you both coming from?" Igwe Ikemefuna demanded angrily. "We went to the river Papa." Prince Obinna responded. "That's a big fat lie, Ebuka and Nnamdi just returned from the river where they searched for you and your sister but couldn't see the both of you." Queen Ugomma said. "There are some people that have eyes but can't see with their physical eyes, Ugomma." Prince Obinna told her. Queen Ugomma was shocked when she was called by her name. "And who are these maidens with you and where are they from?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked, his eyes never leaving the maidens which stood behind his daughter. "They are the maidens that will work for me once my shrine has been built." His daughter replied. "So you were serious when you said that?" "Yes papa, and you shall do as Ada Mmiri has requested." Prince Obinna replied to him. "Not in this palace, if you want your shrine built, then go and have your own palace because as long as I am the Igwe and your father, I will make the decision." Igwe Ikemefuna told them "Then it's better off you die." Ada Mmiri (Akwugo) said and lifted up her left hand towards her father. A dark smoke left her hand and move straight to Igwe Ikemefuna. It was about to enter his body when the dark smoke dispersed. Igwe Ikemefuna and his wife saw the dark smoke which dispersed. "Mbanu (No)!" Ada Mmiri (Akwugo) shouted and sent another dark smoke towards her father, but it dispersed before it reached him. "This cannot be happening!" She yelled out in outrage. Obinna moved closer to his father and smelled him which left Igwe Ikemefuna confused by his actions. "I see she protected you before she left." Obinna said as he went back to stand next to his twin sister. Flashback: "Don't worry Papa, I will be fine." Alaolisa replied and move to where he was sitting, bend down slightly and touch his two feet. Then straightened up and left the palace. End Of Flashback: "I am giving you one week to erect my shrine in this palace or else, heads will roll." Ada Mmiri (Akwugo) said and left with her maidens to her hut. "Two Masquerades can not rule a land Papa." prince Obinna said. "Anu gbanari taa, echi bu nta. (When a hunting game escapes today, tomorrow is yet another day)" Expecting one more episode later today. Don't forget to Like, Share and Comment. Thank you. Ifeoma Isabella Silver To be continued on Bcdblog

"What did you just say Obinna?" Queen hA demanded. "You heard me Ugomma." Obinna replied. "Obinna, so you've grown wings to talk back to your mother and call her by her name?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked angrily. Obinna didn't say a word, he smiled and turned to go to his hut when his father's words stopped him. "Just remember that Okwuru anaghi aka onye kuru ya. (The okro can not grow taller than the planter.)" Igwe Ikemefuna told his son. Obinna burst out laughing as if what his father had said was funny. "Until then father, you will know if you are the okro or the planter." Obinna said and head for his own hut. "Are you sure these children are my blood Ugomma?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked, turning slightly to face his wife who had been rendered speechless by what her son had said. "What do you mean Ikemefuna?" "What do I mean? No blood of mine behaves like this." "So you are saying their bad behavior comes from me? Ikemefuna you are not serious." "I am not saying they inherited this strange behavior from you, but talk to your children. If not that ChukwuOkike was on my side, I would have been dead by now. I Ikemefuna would have gone to the land beyond since, so talk to your children." Igwe Ikemefuna said and entered his hut angrily. "What have I gotten myself into? My mother has killed me o." Queen Ugomma said slowly to herself. ****** Early the next morning.... Ugomma had left for her Village secretly, without the knowledge of her husband or guards, to tell her mother about her twins sudden behavior. "Ugomma, what is it? Why this sour look on your face? Did anything happen in the palace?" Oluchi asked. When she heard the voice of her daughter, she was surprised to see her in Isiagu. "My beautiful daughter talked to me. What is the problem, our elders say a problem shared is a problem solved so what is bothering you?" Oluchi asked but her daughter didn't say a word, rather she was staring at the sky. "Mama, there is fire on the mountain." Queen Ugomma finally answered, staring at her mother. "Fire on the mountain? How do you mean Ugomma?" Oluchi asked. "Mama this fire I am talking about is not just fire on the mountain but fire that is coming to burn us and this house." "Tell me what is wrong and stop beating around the bush Ugomma." Oluchi said, touching her chest and staring at her daughter with wide eyes. "Mama it's about my children." "What happened to my grandchildren?" "They are now acting strange, I thought the person we went to see years back said that they are gifted children but with what I am seeing, I am getting scared oo." "What do you mean? Have their mighty gifts manifested already, is that why you are scared?" "Mama, yesterday Awkugo came to meet me and my husband and demanded that he build her a shrine." "A shrine? For what kwanu?" "For every village including Isiagu to come and worship her." "E si gini (You say what?)" "Mama, that is not even the main bone of contention o, the real bone that is hanging in my neck is that she said every full moon a newborn child must be sacrificed to her." "You mean Akwugo said all these things?" "She said we shouldn't call her that, that her name is now Ada Mmiri, as if that was not enough, she and her brother left the palace and returned with some strange maidens." Queen Ugomma finished explaining. "Mama, I don't know what to do because Obinna said we should get ready for his own request o. I am afraid of what his own request might be." "Chai!" Oluchi exclaimed with shock. "Mama, you have finished me." ******* Palace of Udo Village: Igwe Ikemefuna was seen with his elders seated and discussing amongst themselves. "That was what happened, my elders. I have wondered all night if those are my children. After waiting for many years for a child, I was given two instead of one. I was happy, so happy at their naming ceremony, if only I had seen the future." Igwe Ikemefuna said, shaking his head sadly. "So what do you suggest we do?" Mazi Uzudu asked. "I have sent for the great Odogwu early this morning. He should be here any moment from now." Igwe Ikemefuna said. He didn't get to complete his words when the great Odogwu appeared in their midst. "Odogwu the great one. The one who sees what the mere mortals can't, welcome." Igwe Ikemefuna said. "Igwe, I greet you." Odogwu said. "You shall live long." "Iseeee (Amen)" The elders and Ikemefuna said in unison. "Odogwu, my children...." Interrupting Igwe Ikemefuna gently. "You don't have to say anything Igwe, the god's has told me everything." Odogwu said. "Your children are not mortals. They are old people." "Old people?" Onowu asked. "Mouthpiece of the gods can you please elaborate more on what you just said?" He added. "When I say old people, I am talking about the river god and the goddess of river." Odogwu responded. "Ask your wife wh-" He paused when he saw Ada Mmiri (Awkugo) and Obinna entering the throne room. "Speak any further and you shall be the first person to be sacrifice, Odogwu." Obinna said. "Igwe, I will take my leave." Odogwu said to the bewilderment of the elders and Ikemefuna. Without waiting for them to say a word, he was gone. "Ikemefuna." Ada Mmiri (Akwugo) called out the name of her father in the presence of the shock elders. "My shrine, I will not remind you again before I take my next action." "You've heard her Papa." Obinna said with a cunning smile. "Ọ bụrụ na mmadụ ataghi mmiri ọgaghị ama na mmiri nwere ọkpụkpụ (If one does not chew water, he does not know water has bones.)" To be continued on Bcdblog Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you. Ifeoma Isabella

The elders were shocked and speechless as Obinna and his sister left the throne room. "O lee ihe m gwara gi (Did you see what I was telling you?) This is what I have been trying to telling you and thank the gods it happened right here in front of you all." Igwe Ikemefuna told his elders. "Igwe we saw it with our naked eyes. How can little children be asking for the impossible? A shrine in this palace? Are you sure they are with their right senses?" Mazi Ozubulu asked. "Let's not forget what Odogwu told us before he disappeared. He said the children are from the river, a river god and goddess." Mazi Uzudu said. "And also he was trying to say you should ask your wife before he got interrupted by your children. So we don't know if he was going to say you should ask your wife how she got your children." Mazi Okoro told them. "You are right." Igwe Ikemefuna said in total agreement. "Ebuka! Ebuka!!" He yelled out his guard name who came rushing in. Ebuka greeted the elders and the Igwe before going on one of his knees. "Go and call the Queen. Tell her she should come here immediately." Igwe Ikemefuna said to Ebuka who bowed his head, stood up to his feet and left the throne room heading towards the Queen's hut. He soon returned with the Queen. "Igwe, she is not around. Her hut is empty." "Empty you say? Where could she have gone?" Igwe Ikemefuna demanded. "I don't know Igwe. I haven't seen her this morning." Ebuka responded. "I thought you and Nnamdi were guarding the palace all through the night. How can my wife pass both of you or did she change into a fly?" Igwe Ikemefuna questioned. "I and Nnamdi slept a little bit this morning so I think it must be that time the Queen sneaked out of the palace." Ebuka said. "We are sorry igwe." He apologized afterwards. "Its okay, you can go back to your post but don't let this repeat itself again. If you are feeling sleepy or tired, call any of the guards to take your position while you rest, okay?" "Thank you Igwe." Ebuka thanked him and left the throne room. "So where could the queen have gone?" Onowu asked. "I don't know but all I know is that whenever she comes back, she will answer my question." Igwe Ikemefuna replied. ******* Isiagu Village; "Mama you have finished me." Queen Ugomma repeated again. "Biko (please), don't say those words again. I was on my own when you came to meet for a solution to your barrenness and I told i know of someone who could help you, did I force you to follow me? Did I? So don't say I finished you o." Oluchi warned her daughter. "Mama you could have told me no that you don't have a solution so that i should wait on ChukwuOkike to remember me, but immediately I told you my problem, you said you had a solution." Queen Ugomma said standing up to leave. "We should not quarrel over this Ugomma, let's go back to meet Udele and tell him what is going on." Oluchi suggested. "Me, should follow you back to that dreaded place again? Over my dead body." Queen Ugomma said. "Look mama, if your granddaughter requested for an adult sacrifice, I won't hesitate to tell her to use you o, mark my words." She added, hissed and left her mother. Oluchi was surprised by the sudden change of attitude of her daughter. "But what did I say wrong now? Since it was Udele that gave her the twins, she should go back to Udele and tell him the twin's behavior. I see no wrong in what I said just now." Oluchi spoke to herself as she stared at the retreating back of her daughter. "The gods of Isiagu knows I tried my best." She added. ****** Udo Village; All the elders were gone before Queen Ugomma returned. She could see her husband seated on his throne chair, before she could dodge him, he had already sighted her and called out her name. "Ugomma, there is no need to dodge from me, come here." Queen Ugomma went to meet her husband. "Good morning dim mu." She greeted him. "Where did you go early this morning Ugomma?" Igwe Ikemefuna demanded ignoring her greetings. "I went to my mother village to see her." Queen Ugomma replied truthfully. "For what?" He demanded. "Regarding what happened yesterday." Queen Ugomma responded. "And how does it concern your mother eh Ugomma? So I should go and tell my own mother who is with her mother in Umudi Village, that her grandchildren behaved strangely yesterday?" "No my husband, I-I-" Interrupted her abruptly. "Odogwu was here this morning and he said something interesting. He said I should ask you a question that you alone have the answer to." "What question dim mu?" "The twins, where did you get them from? Are they truly my children.... or you slept with someone else and pin the pregnancy on me?" Igwe Ikemefuna queried. To Be Continued on Bcdblog Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you..

"Igwe I don't understand you, what sort of question is this?" Queen Ugomma asked. "I don't like this type of question dim mu." She added trying to sound angry. "Ugomma, just answer my question and stop beating around the bush. Are Obinna and Akwugo my children are they my really mine?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked, not caring about her angry look. "Onye aghụghọ lie onwe ya, aka ya ga amaputa n'elu ala. (If a deceitful person buries himself, one of his arms will stick ouut.)" He added. "Igwe I don't like such questions." "Odogwu doesn't tell lies. Ugomma, just in case you've forgotten, aha m bụ (my name is) Ikemefuna and I have not lost my strength yet. If I stand from here, I will strangle you to death with my bare hands and the gods will not question me. You better start talking now that I am ready to give you a listening ear." Igwe Ikemefuna threatened. "Dim mu, it has not gotten to that extent, I will talk." Queen Ugomma finally said. "aga m ekwu eziokwu (I will say the truth." "Now you are talking. Just answer this simple question Ugomma." Igwe Ikemefuna said. "Am I their father?" He asked. "Igwe, I don't think you are o." Queen Ugomma replied truthfully. "What do you mean by that?" "Eleven years ago, I went to meet my mother to seek a solution to my barrenness and my mother took me to a man named Udele. He slept with me for two days. I stayed in his shrine after that he told me to return home and sleep with you and if you sleep with me, I will get pregnant and will give birth to a boy and a girl. I did as he instructed oo, so I don't know if they are children or that of Udele." Queen Ugomma explained as she started to cry. "I am sorry." "Ewooo, Ugomma you have killed me, so you slept with a Idibia, Ugomma? And you have the guts to pin the pregnancy on me?" "I am sorry dim mu. I was desperate for a child and my mother took me there." "Your mother took you there but you are the one who agreed to sleep with a man who is not your husband." Igwe Ikemefuna said. "Before the end of today, I want you to take those children of yours and take them back to wherever their father is." "I am sorry, please forgive me." Queen Ugomma said, going down on her knees in tears. "...." Igwe Ikemefuna wanted to say something but stopped when an unknown woman appeared in their presence scaring Ugomma who quickly got up to her feet and went to hide behind her husband. The unknown woman was neither old or young, just in between. She was tying a red long wrapper. Igwe Ikemefuna managed to hide his fear as he stared at her. His guards coming inside the throne room to protect their Igwe. She started laughing at them. "Biko (please), if you are here to take anyone's life, take my wife's life and leave the rest of us. She was the one who had committed the sins and not us, Biko." The unknown woman continued to laugh. At that moment, Ada Mmiri (Awkugo) and her brother appear in the presence of them all. Standing at each side of the unknown woman. The maidens that came home with the twins appeared also. "Kill him first before Ugomma." Ada Mmiri said pointing at Igwe Ikemefuna. "And if anyone tries to intervene, kill them too." She added. The woman stopped laughing and pointed her right hand towards Igwe Ikemefuna who flew out of his chair and her hand went around his neck. He struggled to get out of her hold but couldn't. His guards tried to attack the woman but were turned into sands. The twins started laughing in unison as they saw Ikemefuna struggling. Then the ground they stood started shaking and the woman shouted letting go of Igwe Ikemefuna and entered the ground together with the unknown maidens. The twins were shocked, then a female voice was heard. "You can not harm him, he has my protection." The female voice spoke. "Who are you? Show yourself!!" Ada Mmiri yelled out. "I am Ala, the ground which you are standing on, don't dare me any further." Ada Mmiri and her brother stared around them in fury before their gaze landed on Igwe Ikemefuna who was still recovering. "We shall be back and when we are back, you and your stupid Alaolisa should get ready for us. The battle line has just been drawn." Ada Mmiri said as she and her brother disappeared. If the twins are not from Ikemefuna, why are they in Udo Kingdom? What is really their Mission and where could Alaolisa be?

Igwe Ikemefuna cleaned his two eyes when they disappeared. "Chai!!" Igwe Ikemefuna exclaimed loudly. "So this is how I could have gone, I, Ikemefuna, would have been dead. ChukwuOkike, I thank you for using my daughter to save my life." He added in a loud voice. By now the palace maids and the few guards remaining came out to watch what was happening and the reason why the Igwe had shouted. "You heard what they said Ugomma, by the time they returned, I am sending you back to your mother so that when they return, they will attack you first with your mother." Igwe Ikemefuna told Ugomma who started crying loudly. "If you like shed those crocodile tears of yours, I won't change my mind, you are going back to meet your mother today. I made a very big mistake when I got married to you." He added. "I am sorry my love, it is the handwork of the devil. I did not know when I did it." Queen Ugomma said with a sorrowful tone. "Weather you did it purposely or not Ugomma, I don't care to know. You are leaving my palace today. If ChukwuOkike isn't protecting me in the form of Alaolisa, I could have been dead by now. This would make it the second time your evil twins did not succeed in killing me. So go back to your mother and tell her the plan you and her had planned has failed." Igwe Ikemefuna told her. At that moment, Odogwu appeared before them, scaring Igwe Ikemefuna and Queen Ugomma a little bit because they weren't expecting anyone. "Igwe I greet you once again." "Mouthpiece of the gods you are welcome." "Your daughter, Alaolisa, sent me here to tell you not to chase your wife away. No one is above mistake, Igwe Ikemefuna, even though Ugomma has greatly sinned." Odogwu told him. "Alaolisa told you that herself?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked in surprise. "Yes Igwe. Ugomma shouldn't be sent away. In her words, Ugomma is still her mother so you should not send her mother away and so her title as the Queen of this land still remains." Odogwu replied. "Where is she? I want to see her with my eyes. I want to see my daughter." Igwe Ikemefuna said. "She will come when it's time igwe Ikemefuna. The twins will be back so she has to get ready for the battle ahead." Odogwu told him. "But why are they after my life and not Ugomma's life? I did them no wrong for me to warrant their anger upon. If they are looking for who to kill, Ugomma is available, she was the one who had given birth to them." Igwe Ikemefuna said to Odogwu. "Igwe, some things are better left unsaid until when it's time for it to reveal itself." Odogwu told him. "Please tell Alaolisa how sorry I am. Tell her to forgive me for treating her in a harsh way." Queen Ugomma told the chief priest. "I have brought you the message Alaolisa said I should bring for you Igwe." He added and disappeared right in front of them. "Your chi has saved you Ugomma. Just thank your stars today." Igwe Ikemefuna told Ugomma who was still crying. "Since my daughter said I shouldn't send you away, I will do as she has said but from now henceforth, you ceased to be my wife and you will choose between the huts your evil children had occupied so that you will be sleeping there starting from today." He added. "Thank you my love." "Point of correction, I am not your love, don't ever call me that again." Igwe Ikemefuna warned her. ***** River World: Ada Mmiri and her brother appeared before their mother, Idemmiri. A powerful river goddess who was seated on her throne chair smiled a little bit when she saw her children. "We are weakened by Alaolisa, mother." Ada Mmiri spoke first. "We did not expect her to attack us." She added. "I could sense it when she swallowed one of my servants." Idemmiri told her daughter. "But do not worry, we shall kill her then wipe out Udo village. You and your brother should go and sleep for when you wake up shall you return to the Udo village." She added. "Yes mother." Ada Mmiri said. "Nevertheless, you are still the children of the mortal Ikemefuna. Go and sleep, I will speak to Udele." Idemmiri said and closed her eyes, her children entered her body. Eight Years Later..... Idemmiri was seen as she smiled to no one. "You have slept enough and regained your powers and more. It's time for you and your brother to wake up." Idemmiri said. ***** Mortal World; An Unknown Place; Alaolisa, grown and beautiful, was seen with a fair Lady outside her hut. On her left hand she was holding a white staff. "I will follow you to wherever you are going Alaolisa." A beautiful fair Lady dressed in white attire told Alaolisa. "No, they will return more stronger than before. Who will heal me if I am hurt?" Alaolisa asked her. "You and I are one Alaolisa, you've forgotten that I am your Chi." To Be Continued on Bcdblog Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you. Ifeoma Isabella

"I haven't forgotten about that, but if you want me safe, you will stay behind and watch over me." Alaolisa said to the fair maiden. "Let's surprise them my Chi, when it's time, you will show your face but not now." She added. "Very well Alaolisa, may ChukwuOkike be with you. I will guide you until your mission is over." Chi told her. "Thank you for understanding me. I shall start my journey to Udo Village now." Alaolisa told her. "I am always with you Alaolisa." Chi said and placed her right hand on the shoulder of Alaolisa and disappeared. Alaolisa started walking, for some reason, she decided to walk the length of Udo Village on foot instead of disappearing. She entered the forest that wasn't far from the hut she resides with her chi. ******* Udo Village: Igwe Ikemefuna and his elders were seen seated on their respective chairs, as they were quiet and in deep thought. Igwe Ikemefuna cleared his throat bringing the attention of his elders to him. "It's been eight years, eight years since those devilish children left my palace with a promise of them returning. I have been sleeping with one of my eyes closed ever since that day." Igwe Ikemefuna said. "I don't know when they will return or what they will bring when they return." He added. "All these are the fault of your wife, Queen Ugomma." Onowu spoke when he saw the Igwe wasn't speaking any further. "I would have sent her away to meet her mother, but the gods did not approve it, especially my daughter, Alaolisa." Igwe Ikemefuna said to them. "You know after Odogwu had spoken and left, I went ahead to invite different Idibia's and they all.said the same thing Odogwu had said. I couldn't chase Ugomma away. Even my mother who died five moons ago, didn't want Ugomma in the palace. I am only waiting patiently for my daughter, Alaolisa, to return to know her reason and why the twins are hell bent of killing me." He told his elders. "The gods are wise Igwe, and they will want everything to happen at the right time. Nwayo-nwyo ka eji eri ofe di ọku. (The best way to eat hot soup is little by little.)" Mazi Ozubulu said. "You are right, but nevertheless Igwe, just be careful of your surroundings and don't always stay alone." Mazi Uzudu said and the rest of the elders modded their heads like agama lizards to what Mazi Uzudu had said. "Even though I sleep with one of my eyes closed, I know my daughter is always watching over me." Igwe Ikemefuna boasted. "Before any evil will befall on me, she is already aware of it, but those twins are something else, something different entirely. And I don't know what I have done to them, that's the only question giving me a headache." "All I know is that no matter how it rained, the sun will emerge." Onowu said. "True, but the sun has refused to shine. All the same ChukwuOkike knows best." ***** River World: The twins, all grown up, came out of their mother body. Idemmiri smiled when she saw them. "It is time to pay the village of Udo a visit." Idemmiri told them. "And this time around, if that stupid daughter of his show up, then you know what to do." The twins nodded their heads and disappeared. ***** Forest: Alaolisa who knew her way around the forest was at the heart of the forest before she heard the footsteps of someone. She stopped walking and stared around her. "Who are you? Show yourself!" A young handsome man, tying a white wrapper around his waist, came out of his hiding place. On his back were his bow and arrows. "Who are you and what are you doing in this forest?" "My name is Amadi, I came from a distant village to hunt in this forest." The young handsome man who introduced himself as Amadi, replied. Alaolisa moved closer to him and stared into his eyes. "You are lying. Your aura isn't that of a human but a god. Who are you?" To Be Continued on Bcdblog Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you.

Amadi smiled widely after Alaolisa said those words. "I must really say you've got a very sharp nose fair maiden." Amadi told her, still smiling widely. "My cover has been blown but as far you don't really know who is standing before you, I am okay with it." Amadi added. "You are a god in disguise, so why are you here? Why are you following me?" Alaolisa questioned and did not keep her guard down. "Who said I was following you fair maiden? I was in this forest before you entered, I know when you entered this forest. I was also in the middle of hunting before you noticed my presence." Amadi replied. "What's your name beautiful maiden?" "As a god, you ought to have known my name already without me telling you." Alaolisa answered staring at him. She couldn't help but admit that the young man before her was very handsome. His long thick dark shoulder length dreadlocks fitted him. His dark eyes staring back at here were so intense that she shifted her gaze to his muscular bare chested and finally to the ground. His aura doesn't scream dangerous. "I know your name already beautiful maiden, but hearing it from you will gladly my heart." Amadi told her. "Alright, my name is Alaolisa." She introduced herself. "I have to start going now, goodbye." She added and made to move when Amadi's voice stopped. "Never say goodbye to me because I will see you soon my beautiful maiden." Amadi said and when Alaolisa turned to face him, he was gone. She was surprised when she couldn't see him. How can he disappear so quickly? Alaolisa then remembered he was no ordinary man but a god in disguise. But which of the god's is the question that runs through her mind as she begins her journey to Udo Village. ****** Udo Village; Igwe Ikemefuna and his elders were still discussing when the twins appeared in their midst scaring the living daylight out if the Igwe and his elders. And when they saw the faces of the twins, they were able to recognize them and quickly, some elders took to their heels except for Onowu and Mazi Uzudu who didn't run but rather went to hide behind their Igwe, shaking in fear. "We are back as we'd promised." Ada Mmiri announced loudly. "And we have come to dwell in your palace." Obinna said after his twin sister. Igwe Ikemefuna recovered from his fear after he noticed they weren't trying to kill him, he then remembered he had the protection of ChukwuOkike in the form of his daughter and that boosted his confidence. He stood up from his throne chair and pointed his ofor at them. "You are not my children so I and this palace have no business with you, so leave my palace because I don't want any of you." Igwe Ikemefuna told them without any ounce of fear. "Ikemefuna, don't provoke me or else-" Obinna got interrupted rudely by igwe Ikemefuna. "Or else what Obinna? I am asking you or else what? Kill me? Haven't my real strongest daughter shown you powerless children what she is capable of doing?" Igwe Ikemefuna told them, mocking them in the process. "Or do you want a repeat of what happened eight years ago?" He asked "Point of correction Ikemefuna, my name is not Obinna but Njaba and as for killing you, the time is coming." Njaba (Obinna) told him. "If you like, let your name be written on the sky. I don't care, all I know is that none of you can do me anything. I am no longer afraid of you and your sister." Igwe Ikemefuna told them. Ada Mmiri grinned evilly and stretch out her hand towards the Igwe. To Be Continued...on Bcdblog Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you.

"Oh, you are stretching your useless hand towards me? Just watch and see how my daughter, Alaolisa, will bend it for you, idiot." Igwe Ikemefuna boasted. Ada Mmiri (Akwugo) did not reply, instead her eyes became as dark as black coal as she brought down her hand and raised it up above her head. Igwe Ikemefuna turns and drags out his two elders who were hiding in his back. Both did not run away when the rest of the elders did- "Why will full grown old men like you both be afraid of these small mosquitoes?" Igwe Ikemefuna said, turning back to face the twins. "I have told you they can't do me anything, they can't harm me, so don't be-" He didn't get to complete his words when a thunderous slap from nowhere landed on his left cheek. That shut him up as he turned around in circles looking around to know where the slap had come out from. "What is the problem Igwe?" Onowu was the first to ask as he saw him circling around like a mad man. "I was slapped now, Onowu. Did you or Uzudu see anyone that slapped me? Or did any of one you slap me?" He asked, placing his left hand over his left ear as the pain from the slap string like hell. "No Igwe, nobody slapped you and neither did we slap you. You were facing me and Onowu, remember?" Mazi Uzudu responded. "Did your daughter you were boasting off protect you? Why didn't she stop my slap Ikemefuna?" Ada Mmiri asked, her eyes still dark, and before Igwe Ikemefuna could respond, she raised up her hand and brought it down and Igwe Ikemefuna received another thundering slap from that same ear that made his ear start to bleed. No one needed to tell Onowu and Mazi Uzudu to run and hide behind Ikemefuna's back once again. "Where is your Alaolisa now? I thought she is powerful to stop me." Ada Mmiri mocked the Igwe. "Don't you know that Eburu uzo zota ala, azoba ute. (Fight and win the land first before fighting for the mat to place on it." She added with a smirk. "Eight years ago we couldn't kill you from the inside but that doesn't mean your flesh are protected." Njaba (Obinna) spoke and Igwe Ikemefuna flew from where he was still standing and stopped a few inches away from Njaba. He didn't have time to scream out his lungs before Njaba fingers encircled his neck and held him tightly, choking him. "Don't use what happened between us to compare after these years Ikemefuna. Even though we can't kill you yet, we can still hurt your skin." He added and as if to add meaning to his words, he tightened his hold round Ikemefuna's neck. Ikemefuna struggled to remove Njaba's (Obinna) hand from his neck which proved abortive. "Obinna nwa nwoke oma (my good son, don't kill me, remember, I am the one who took care of you until your disappearance eight years ago, please don't kill me." Igwe Ikemefuna managed to plead, each word coming out with a loud gasp. But Obinna made no move to remove his hand. He smirked as he saw Ikemefuna struggling between life and death. His life slowly slipping away right before their very eyes. What Ikemefuna did not know is that they can only cause more pain to his body but not death. ****** In The Forest: Alaolisa who was still in the forest and hasn't gone very far from where she met the mysterious Amadi, could sense something was wrong with her father and she has no other option but to disappear. Her meeting with the mysterious Amadi could be why she felt the urge to walk rather than to disappear. ******* An Unknown Scary Shrine; Udele who has the head of a human and the body of a Vulture, with long talons as fingers, was seen moving about in his shrine filled with human skulls and blood. He was a very short black dwarf with a shining bald head. He stopped when Idemmiri appeared in his presence. She was tying a white long wrapper and was beautiful with her shining fair skin. "Udele, it has been eight years my children had rested and recovered their powers Alaolisa took from them and more, and now, they have gone back to Udo. I hope you are with what I have been asking of you since?" Idemmiri asked. "Yes, it took me eight years to get inside the shrine of the late priestess, Nwabala, to get the calabash." Udele replied pointing at the small white calabash- which held the fresh semen of Igwe Ikemefuna- on the ground not too far from him. "She really tried to prevent others from getting into her shrine even after her death, but thankfully enough, my powers overcome hers." He added in pride. "You did a very great job Udele. First your planned on how to make Ugomma barren work and you manipulated her mother's mind and she brought her here for a solution and now, you have brought me the calabash that connects Alaolisa and Ikemefuna." Idemmiri told Udele with a wide smile. "Now it's time to act and put an end to Alaolisa then proceed to destroy Udo Village." She added. "Not so fast Idemmiri." The mysterious handsome young man who Alaolisa met appeared in their midst. "And none of you shall harm my chosen maiden." He added. "Don't tell me you are no longer interested in joining hands with me to fight against Alaolisa and her father. And you see speaking of her as your maiden, are you no longer interested in Ada Mmiri again?" Idemmiri asked. "Yes, and I have told you this before and I will still repeat it again. I and your daughter are not in any form of relationship, don't listen to what she told you because I am not interested in her. Ada Mmiri is just my friend, no more no less." Amadi warned Idemmiri who was surprised. "Alaolisa is now my maiden, I have eyes on her now so stay away from what belongs to me and her people." He added. "You lie." Idemmiri said after she has recovered from her shock. "You are going to marry my daughter or else Alaolisa dies." "I will love to see you try Idemmiri, if you have the guts give her just one scratch on my maiden beautiful skin." He told them and disappeared. "You don't have to worry about his mere threat Idemmiri. Once Alaolisa is out of the way, he will have no other option than to return back to your daughter. After all we have the white calabash with-" Udele didn't get to finish his statement when he suddenly realized the white calabash wasn't on the ground. It was missing. _________ TBC Please, Like, Share and Comment

An Unknown Scary Shrine; "Gịnị ka m na-ahụ? (What am I seeing?)" Udele excliamed in a loud voice. "Ma ọ bụ ugbu a m na-ahụ obi abụọ? (Or am i now seeing double?)" He asked no one in particular as he cleaned his eyes staring at the spot the white calabash was. "What is it Udele? Why are you shouting?" Idemmiri asked, staring at him with surprised eyes. She wasn't expecting that kind of reaction from him hence her surprise. "It's the white calabash Idemmiri, it is gone." Udele finally answered. "Gone? To where?" Idemmiri demanded and turned to look at the direction the white calabash was but couldn't see it. She hits her left feet on the ground thrice closing her eyes then stopped. "He has taken it with him." She said opening her eyes. "Why will he take it with him? This doesn't concern him at all." Udele said in anger. "Why would he meddle with what isn't his business, with my property? It took me eight good years before I could subdue Nwabala powers in her shrine and took that calabash away. It won't work." He added bitterly, remembering all he did before he was able to enter the dead priestess shrine and took the calabash. "Control your temper Udele. Don't worry, I will surely get the calabash from him." Idemmiri told him. "You and I know you can't retrieve the calabash from him, he is a very good hider." Udele said to Idemmiri. "I will see you soon Udele." Idemmiri told him and disappeared. ******* Udo Village; Igwe Ikemefuna's shout grew higher as the hold on his neck tightened, cutting off air from passing. Njaba lifted Igwe Ikemefuna up from his feet. None of the guards around who saw what was happening could do a thing. Queen Ugomma came out of the hut she now resides to know why Ikemefuna was shouting. She entered the throne room and only saw the backs of the twins and the elders, Onowu and Mazi Uzudu, shaking with fear. "Biko egbula di m (Please don't kill my husband)." Queen Ugomma pleaded to the young man strangling her husband to death. Ada Mmiri turned slowly to stare at Queen Ugomma who became shocked and speechless when she saw who it was. "Surprise, surprise Mama." Ada Mmiri said and started to laugh loving the shocked look on Ugomma's face. "Y-o-u you..." Queen Ugomma tried to say something but ended up stammering. "We came back like we'd promised." Ada Mmiri told her when she stopped laughing. "Please, tell your brother to leave my husband alone, he is going to kill him." Queen Ugomma who had finally found her voice pleaded but Ada Mmiri laughed out the more. As if Njaba could sense the approaching presence of Alaolisa, he let go of Igwe Ikemefuna's neck and smiled widely when the Igwe fell down to the ground in a loud thud. Breathing deeply and fastly, Igwe Ikemefuna quickly distance himself away from Njaba and his sister. Queen Ugomma quickly went to his side to hold onto his arms for support and rub his back, for that moment, Igwe Ikemefuna anger on his wife flew out of his mind as he leaned into her. At the same time, Alaolisa appeared in their midst, her back facing the twins as her gaze landed on Igwe Ikemefuna and Queen Ugomma. "I have returned like I promised father, mother." Alaolisa said, bending down to touch Igwe Ikemefuna's forehead and his breathing became calm. She strengthens up and turns to face the smirking twins. Igwe Ikemefuna also stood up to his feet, pushing Queen Ugomma away from him gently. "Why? Why are you hurting my father? What has he done to the both of you?" Alaolisa questioned them. "I will advise you to stay away from what isn't your business or face our wrath Alaolisa. Remember eight years isn't eight days because we are going to give you fire to fire if you dare challenge us or stop us." Njaba spoke first. "I still repeat my question. Why are you both doing this? What is my father's offence?" Alaolisa demanded. "Are you now deaf? Didn't you hear what my brother has said. If you value your life, stay away from our matter." Ada Mmiri warned in anger. "Dibia gbaa afa, ọdika enyere ndi mmuọ n'aka. (When an old native doctor makes a sacrifice, it would seem as if he puts it directly in the hands of the spirits), you are warned Alaolisa, stop sniffing into our business, he is our father also." She added. "Ada Mmiri, a chuo aja ma a hughi udele, a mara na ihe mere be ndimmuo (if the vulture fails to hover at the end of a sacrifice, then you know that something happened in the land of the spirits.), there has to be a reason why you are hell bent on attacking my father." Alaolisa said. "Not only him, we are going to attack the entire Village as well." Njaba said. "Not on my watch, I will stop you. Oburu na akwa tie aki, ihere emebe mkpume (If an egg cracks a kernel, the stone is put to shame) and I don't need to remind you both who the stone is." Alaolisa told them. "We will see who wins, get ready to dance to our tune." Ada Mmiri said and she and her brother disappeared. "Thank the gods they are gone at least, we shall be expecting them in another eight or more years." Igwe Ikemefuna said with a large happy smile. "You are wrong, father, they are not gone, they are still here, within this palace." Alaolisa told him. To Be Continued... on Bcdblog Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you.

Igwe Ikemefuna tried to keep his smile on his face when he heard what his daughter said, but couldn't, the smile was gone immediately. "No, sorry for saying this, but you are wrong Alaolisa because eight years ago, they did exactly this same thing and didn't show up until today." He told her and his elders nodded their heads in agreement to his statement. "They are still in this palace, playing on how to kill you and sending their first attack to the Village." Alaolisa said. "You can't see them father with your mortal eyes but I can." She added. "But why are they hell bent on wanting to kill me, what is my offence to them?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked. "I will try to find out their reason why father, but now you have to rest your body from the ordeal you went through the hands of Njaba." Alaolisa told him. "How do you know his name? When he told us his name, you weren't here, so how?" Igwe Ikemefuna asks in surprise. "I know who he is father, him with his twin sister. That is why I am trying to find out what you must have done to them." Alaolisa replied. "Go and rest father." "But why didn't you protect me like before when I challenged them? I was nearly strangled to death by that boy and also got slapped." Igwe Ikemefuna asked. "If not for your sudden appearance, I would have been dead by now." He added. "They can't kill you father, maybe causing you pain but definitely not killing you as long as your feet remain on the ground. ChukwuOkike won't allow anything evil to befall on you. You have his protection since." Alaolisa told him. "I was already on my way here father and wasn't watching over you that was why they were able to get you, but next time father, no matter what, do not provoke them or mock them, you might not get lucky next time." She added. "I don't know what else to say Alaolisa but thank you for coming just in time to save me from their torture." Igwe Ikemefuna thanked her. "To be sincere with you my beloved daughter, I am tired but I am scared of going inside my hut alone. What if they come inside the hut and attack me and finally kill me because I could see that in their eyes." He added. "Nothing will happen to you father, as long as I am here, you are protected. Go and rest father." Alaolisa told him and Igwe Ikemefuna didn't argue again, he left them and hurried to his hut to rest. "We also shall be going to our different homes Alaolisa. We are happy seeing you again after a long time." Mazi Uzudu spoke with a large smile. Alaolisa nodded her head returning his smile with one of her own. "Thank you." She said. Onowu and Mazi Uzudu hurriedly left the palace and once they were out of the palace compound, they took to their heels. It remained Queen Ugomma who hasn't left. "I hope you find a place in your heart to forgive me my daughter." Queen Ugomma pleaded. "I was blinded by jealousy when I saw you and that was why I acted in such nasty way. I called you names Alaolisa and was the one who drove you out and yet when you saved my husband from my twins hands eight years ago, you also you saved me and didn't allow your father to throw me out and bring me back to my father house." She added. "It's okay mother, it's in the past now and I have already forgiven you the very day left this palace years ago." Alaolisa told her. "I am truly sorry for the way I behaved towards you Alaolisa." Queen Ugomma pleaded. "And like I said before, it's in the past now. I bear no grudges against you mother." Alaolisa said to her. "Can I hug you?" Queen Ugomma suddenly asks. "Sure." Alaolisa responded with a smile. Queen Ugomma closes the distance between them and hugs Alaolisa. "Thank you for everything." She whispered into Alaolisa's ears and then released her hold from her. "Let me go and ask the palace cook to prepare you something to eat inugo?" She added in a softer tone. "Okay mother." Alaolisa said. "I will also tell the maids to clean up the hut you had stayed, the one your father had given to you when you first came here, hope you don't mind staying in that hut?" Queen Ugomma said. "Not at all mother, thank you." Alaolisa thanked her turned to face a particular spot in the palace compound. "What is it ada nne?" Queen Ugomma asked once she saw the change in her face. "The twins are gone mother." Alaolisa replied, though she was a little bit surprised. "But I wonder why because from all the indication they show few minutes ago, I thought they won't be leaving this palace any time soon." She added. "So they won't be coming back again until after some years have gone, right?" Queen Ugomma asked hopefully. "I don't know mother, but whenever they return, I shall be waiting for them." Alaolisa replied. ****** River World; Queen Idemmiri was seen walking the length and breath of her palace when Ada Mmiri and Njaba appeared before her halting her in her movement. "You sent for us mother, what is it?" Njaba asked. "I have two bad news for the both of you. First, the calabash that would separate Alaolisa and Ikemefuna has disappeared." Idemmiri said. "We can still take her down, so don't worry." Ada Mmiri told her. "And the second news?" She asked. "Amadioha is no longer interested in you. He has eyes for, how did he even call her stupid name." Idemmiri said and tried to make her voice sound like him. "His Fair Maiden." "You must be joking mother, he dare not do such a thing." Ada Mmiri said not believing her mother. "But he did. He was the one who took the calabash away." Idemmiri told her. "And who is this stupid Fair Maiden?" Ada Mmiri asked angrily. "Who else but Alaolisa." Idemmiri replied. "This time when you and Njaba are going back to that mortal village, I shall go with you." She added. To Be Continued… on Bcdblog Few chapters to finish. Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you.

"Wouldn't that be too early mother?" Njaba asked. "You should wait, if we've tasted the strength of Alaolisa and know what she can do, then you can come." He added. "No son, I will follow you both to the mortal world so that Alaolisa will see who is strongly behind the both of you." Idemmiri told him. "Mother is right, she needs to follow us to the mortal world brother." Ada Mmiri said after a while of silence. "I shall be taking my leave now." She added immediately. "Yes mother, I will be going with Ada Mmiri." Njaba said. "You can come with us since you said you want to come." "I am not going to the mortal world brother, I am going to pay Amadioha a visit." Ada Mmiri told him. She wanted to know if truly what her mother had told her was true. If it eventually becomes true, she won't take it lightly with Alaolisa. She will kill her. No one will steal Amadioha away from her, no one. "In that case, I and mother shall still be leaving for the mortal world sister." Njaba told his sister. "No son, let's wait for your sister so we three can go at once to the palace of the mortal Ikemefuna." Idemmiri said and went to sit on her seat. Using her magic to make another chair just like hers to appear besides her where Njaba went to sit down, thanking his mother. "Go and confront Amadioha to know if truly he is choosing that Riff Raff over you." Idemmiri said. Ada Mmiri disappeared immediately and she appeared in the abode of Amadioha where she saw Amadioha standing in front of her. It was as if he knew she was coming. ****** Udo Village: "Even if they come in tens of thousands, I know you shall defeat them." Queen Ugomma said with a large warm smile which was embedded in her face. Alaolisa smile. "I love that you have so faith in me mother, I hope and pray that ChukwuOkike should give me the strength to defeat the tens of thousands like you put it so that I won't disappoint you. Only ChukwuOkike has the power to give and take mother." Alaolisa said with her own smile. "Okay if you say so my child, let me go to the palace kitchen and ask the cook to prepare something delicious for you." Queen Ugomma said, still smiling. "Okay mother." "Nne, I will inform one of the maids to clean and arrange your hut." Queen Ugomma said and left the throne room heading towards the palace kitchen. Alaolisa went and sat down on one of the empty seats in the throne room. 'Do you trust that woman?' Chi asked in Alaolisa's mind. "Yes." Alaolisa replied through her mind. 'But what if she is pretending? Remember she hated you and now suddenly after many years later, she likes you.' "No you got it wrong, she did not hate me. She only hates that I am not her child that I came out of nowhere." Alaolisa said. "She is no longer jealous, I see her heart is pure as water." She added. A maid came to meet her and greeted her. "Your hut is ready my Princess." The maid told Alaolisa. "Ozioma right?" The maid was flabbergasted of how the princess knew her name. "Yes my Princess, that's my name." She answered smiling widely. "Thank you so much Ozioma, you can go back to do what you were doing before my mother told you to clean up my hut." The maid bowed and left Alaolisa presence. Alaolisa was up to her feet and started walking towards the direction of the hut she had stayed in when she first came to the palace years ago. ***** Amadioha Abode: "What are you doing Ada Mmiri?" Amadioha asked. "Is that how you are supposed to welcome me?" Ada Mmiri demanded. "Yes, I did not send for you neither did you inform me of your coming." Amadioha replied. "My mother told me something and I am here to confirm if it's tru-" Interrupted gently. "Yes it is true Ada Mmiri. Now that you have heard from the horse mouth, you can now leave." To Be Continued... On Bcdblog Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you.

"What did you say?" Ada Mmiri demanded in surprise, written all over her face. She couldn't hide it. "You heard me loud and clear Ada Mmiri, leave my presence." Amadioha responded. "I won't leave Amadioha until you tell me where I went wrong. I thought you loved me, I thought you found me compatible to be your goddess, your woman but now you are saying a different thing." Ada Mmiri said angrily at him. "I did not remember calling you my woman neither do I remember finding you compatible for me. You are just a friend, a friend to me and that's not going to change any time soon Ada Mmiri. You've forgotten I only got to know you through your mother so stop all this madness." Amadioha told her trying to hold his anger. "I should stop what madness Amadioha? This is not madness but love, true love I have for you. I have told my mother about us. There is no going back, you are going to marry me." Ada Mmiri said. "You can't force love on someone Ada Mmiri, I don't love you, never have and never will. We are just friends. I have told you this countless times, there is no us. Go and tell your mother whatever you told her were lies for you are not my choosing maiden." Amadioha told her. "It is because of Alaolisa you don't see me as your maiden right? I will kill her." Ada Mmiri threatened him. Amadioha burst out laughing, shaking his head as his long dreadlocks moved, wiping Ada Mmiri face a little bit since they were standing close and didn't have the time to remove her face before she gets hit by his dreadlocks. Ada Mmiri knew he that on purpose. "First it was your mother threatening to destroy and kill my beautiful maiden and now it's your turn. I see it runs in your blood." Amadioha said to her when he stopped laughing. "Indeed it runs in our bl6ood Amadioha. You just watch and see, I will k6ill that stupi6d Alaolisa and you won't do a thing to me." Ada Mmiri told him with a determined voice. "Times has really changed my very good friend, back then whenever we went for a hunt and you kill6ed my target because I always allowed you to, I wouldn't pick offence. But this time is different, touching Alaolisa is like touching my dreadlocks and I hate it when it's been touched except I give you my permission so you don't have any permission to touch what is mine." Amadioha told her. "Just dare me." He added after a while of silence. Ada Mmiri smirked. "I will, then you can do your worst." "Ada Mmiri, Etu ọmasiri ka nwoke nwee obi oninye, ọgaghi eji nwunye ya nye onyinye. (However kind a man is; he will never gift his wife as gift to his friends.)" He told her. "Nwa ogbenye nweta ego, echiche ya agbaa uzo iri. (When a poor man gets money, his thoughts go off in ten different directions) and just because you have the size of my index finger power, you think you are now strong. My name is Amadioha, the most feared dreaded god in Igbo land my dear, do not provoke me any more. Leave." He added. Ada Mmiri could only nod her head and disappeared. Amadioha stared at the empty spot Ada Mmiri had occupied. "Ihe ehi hụrụ gbalaba ọsọ ka ọkụkụ hụrụ na-atụ ọnụ. (Fools rushed where angles fear to tread)." ***** River World; Njaba ans Idemmiri were startled when they saw the sudden appearance of Ada Mmiri and her angry face. Idemmiri was up to her feet at once. "What is it my daughter, did Amadioha hurt you?" Idemmiri demanded immediately. "Amadioha insulted me because of Alaolisa, he rejected my love all because of that stupid girl." Ada Mmiri replied in anger. "What? Amadioha did that to you?" Idemmiri asked again. "Yes mother, he also threatened to deal with me if I touched his stupid useless maiden." Ada Mmiri responded. "But what he doesn't know is that I love challengings, I would like to see what he can do to this 'Friend' of his." She added. "But I would suggest you leave Alaolisa alone and let's just focus on the reason why we are going back to the Village, the revenge and all that, especially Ikemefuna. Alaolisa is just an obstacle which Amadioha is using to set us a trap, we shouldn't touch the bait." Njaba's voice was heard and both women turned to stare at you as if he had grown two heads. "Bait? He is using Alaolisa as bait for us? Well dear brother, this sister of yours loves playing with baits and this one is no different." Ada Mmiri told him. "O ji onye na-ala, ji onwe ya. (He who holds me to the ground holds himself) To Be Continued... on Bcdblog Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you. If we have 100 shæres, I'll drop another episode tonight

River World: "Don't make a haste decision dear sister." Njaba told her. "I don't want you or anyone I cared about to get hurt." He added. "You don't tell me what to do Njaba, if you were there to see the insult Amadioha gave to me, you wouldn't be here talking rubbish." Ada Mmiri said. "I am going back to the mortal world to face Alaolisa and warn her to stay off my man. He is mine to begin with and not hers. She should go back to where home she crawl out from." She added bitterly. "But what if Alaolisa knew nothing about Amadioha's intention? What if she is clueless?" Njaba suddenly asked. "What is wrong with you all of a sudden Njaba? Are you supporting her or your own sister? Well, whether she is clueless or not, I don't care to know." Ada Mmiri told him. "I am not siding with her, Ada Mmiri, I am trying to say we should focus on our mission and not on love. If Amadioha truly loves you he won't think of hurting your feelings. Besides there are other god's who are dying to have you as their bride, like Ikenga he wants you to be his goddess, he loves you so follow him and let Amadioha be, please." Njaba threw in his suggestion pleading with his sister to follow the one who loves her, Ikenga. "Are you coming or not Njaba?" Ada Mmiri asked. "I am always by your side, sister, let's go." Njaba said. "I am coming also." Idemmiri spoke, earning a large smile from her daughter and a large frown from her son. "But-" Njaba got interrupted by his mother. "But nothing son, now let's go." Idemmiri told him leaving no room for argument as she clasped the hands of her daughter and son and the three disappeared immediately. ****** Udo Village: Alaolisa hardly settled on the bamboo bed when she felt their presence and a third unfamiliar presence with them. She was out of the hut when the ground and hut started to shake vigorously. She came out and realized the entire palace was shaking, including the huts. Every She bent down and touched the ground and the shaking ceased immediately. Right in the middle of the palace compound were Ada Mmiri, Njaba and a woman who could be their mother. She also noticed her father, Queen Ugomma and the palace maids we're topping out. The guards ready themselves to fight and protect the Igwe and his household. "Oh, you and your evil twin brother realized you could not handle my daughter so you went back to bring this ekwensu from the pit of hell." Igwe Ikemefuna spoke. "You, you wrong me and you still have the nerves, the audacity to talk to me?" Idemmiri said in anger. "What has my father done to you?" Alaolisa asked the question which has been disturbing her. "Years ago, he went hunting but couldn't catch any game so he went to the stream to drink water and saw three fishes, big fishes and he captured the largest one and killed it. The other two fishes escaped and those two, are my children Ada Mmiri and Njaba, the one you killed is my husband." Idemmiri replied to her. Igwe Ikemefuna remembered that fateful day. "Oh, you mean that sweet tasty fish I had captured many years ago is your husband?" Igwe Ikemefuna asked with unbelievable eyes. "Well I don't believe you except you transformed into a fish." He added. To Be Continued... Please don't forget to Like, Comment and Share. Thank you.

Idemmiri became angry for his words. "Are you implying that I am lying? You killed my dear husband and you still have the guts to tell me you don't believe me. I will destroy you and this entire village." "Nwanyi isri na Mmiri (woman that came from water), you are turning my talk upside down. I said you should transformed into a fish so that I can cook and eat you." Igwe Ikemefuna said ignoring Idemmiri shock and furious look as he continued as if he didn't notice it. "Once I tastes the fish and it tastes like the one I had killed years ago, I will then apologise to you." He concluded his statement. "So are you trying to say I should kill myself for you to eat?" Idemmiri asked in anger. "No oo, if you kill yourself who am I going to beg eh? We can use Ada Mmiri as-" Igwe Ikemefuna got interrupted by Alaolisa. "That's enough father, do not anger her any further. You offended her and you must apologise to her and seek for her forgiveness not provoke her. If you must know this, I don't support evil." Alaolisa told her father. "My plan to eliminate you and your entire village, including the ones who associate with you, would have been a success if Alaolisa hadn't showed up. So I am taking my revenge today." Idemmiri said. "My good mother, It hasn't come to that." Alaolisa said, bringing Idemmiri attention to her. "You know he is just a mortal and mortals say things which they aren't supposed to say, please I beg you to forgive him." She pleaded with her. "No way. I must take my own pound of flesh so don't waste your strength begging me. I will not leave here without him being dead." Idemmiri told her. "Father, apologize to her. You killed her husband, someone she loves. It won't hurt if you apologise to her sincerely." Alaolisa said to her father. "Alright, I am sorry for killing that delicious fish. I had no idea it was your husband or their father. I am truly sorry." Igwe Ikemefuna apologized. "But you did not try at all, you could have appeared to me in my dream or in the kitchen when I haven't cut the delicious fish 🎏 yet. If you had come and warned me, I would have politely returned the fish from the river I had captured it from, and apologize to you. I did not know at all the huge fish was not ordinary." He added. "He is sorry, I understand how you feel Nne (mother), but revenge won't bring back the one you lost, killing him won't bring your dead husband back. You have to let go of your anger and everything. You also did your revenge when you made my mother barren and made her seek for solutions. Wasn't that enough? Please let go of everything." Alaolisa said. "Uche bu akpa, onye obula nya nke ya. (The mind is like a bag, everyone has one)." "What my daughter said is true, Onye maara ihe niile mgbe ụfọdụ na-eji nkata ese mmiri. (One who knows everything at times draws water with a basket.) So forgive and forget." Igwe Ikemefuna said and went down on his knees. "Forgive me and my household, Biko." The anger Idemmiri had for him melted immediately as Igwe Ikemefuna went down on his knees. Ada Mmiri was silently watching everything. Njaba smiled as he knew his mother's anger was gone. "I will only forgive you and forget about everything if only you will sacrifice a ram, a big ram to me. And you will announce to the whole village what you did so that next time when people go to fish and see any strange fish 🎏, they will let it go instead of killing it. Most times, the mortals face difficult problems in life from what they eat." Idemmiri finally said. "You can stand up." She told Igwe Ikemefuna who quickly stood up to his feet in happiness. "Thank you so much eze Nwanyi Mmiri." He thanked. Alaolisa breathed out deeply. A big fight has just been diverted. "Thank you for giving my father a second chance. He shall do as you say." Alaolisa told Idemmiri. "This is not happening. Mother don't tell me you have forgiven him that easily?" Ada Mmiri said in surprise. "Ada Mmiri, please don't spoil the mood here, mother has forgiven Ikemefuna, what else do you want again?" Njaba asked. "What I want is Alaolisa dead and gone. Mother we came here with a plan and there is no going back. Fine you've forgiven Ikemefuna but what about my own happiness? What about my love that Alaolisa wants to steal from me? You want me to fold my hands and watch her get married to him instead of me, that cannot happen." Ada Mmiri said in anger. "What are you saying Ada Mmiri? Who did I steal from you? I can't remember stealing or hurting you except when you attacked my father and I protected him." Alaolisa said in confusion. "I told you that she might not know of his intentions." Njaba chips in. "Shut up Njaba if you have nothing good to say here." Ada Mmiri half yelled at him which surprised Njaba and Idemmiri to their core. "I am lost here, who is she talking about?" Alaolisa asked. "My husband to be. We were going to get married soon when he saw you and decided to make you his wife. Read my lips that won't happen, not when I am still alive." Ada Mmiri replied. "Sorry to say this Ada Mmiri, but I don't know who you are talking about, in fact apart from my Chi, I haven't met anyone." Alaolisa said and then remembered the young handsome mysterious man she had encountered on her way to Udo Village. "Oh, I remember when I came here, I met this mysterious man who disappeared after he told me his name. He calls himself Amadi. He has long dreadlocks" She added and did not mention the handsome part. "Your brain is not working Alaolisa because if it is, no god or goddess won't know that Amadi stands for Amadioha." Ada Mmiri said. "My Amadioha." "Ada Mmiri he didn't tell he has interest in me neither do I have interest in him so stop being stupid. Besides if he said he is no longer interested in you, then leave him, let go of him. I am sure you will find someone who will return your love." Alaolisa said and that seems to fuel Ada Mmiri anger. "I told her that exactly but she wouldn't listen to me. She wants Amadioha." Njaba spoke. "If I don't have him then no one else would." Ada Mmiri said. Alaolisa wasn't prepared for Ada Mmiri's sudden attack.

Alaolisa wasn't prepared for Ada Mmiri sudden attack.... Ada Mmiri sent a dark round ball of water with sharp edges towards Alaolisa. Alaolisa didn't have time to dodge the sudden incoming attack of Ada Mmiri, and the dark round ball of water with sharp edges entered her body, through her chest. Alaolisa screamed and fell down to the ground. "Ada Mmiri, what have you done!!!" Idemmiri yelled at her smirking daughter as she disappeared and reappeared beside Alaolisa and touched her chest and squeezed her hand, when she was removing her hand from Alaolisa chest, the dark round ball of water with sharp edges followed and it quickly dissolved. "I have forgiven her so this is not right my daughter." She added in a softer tone. "I will not allow her or any other maiden who is not me to have Amadioha. I will not!" Ada Mmiri yelled out the last part. "And stay out of this mother, this doesn't concern you." She added warningly which surprised her mother. Alaolisa was up to her feet. "You attacked me with your water powers but you've forgotten that you are standing on me. I am Ala, whoever comes to me for safety I shall protect. And whoever thinks otherwise, I turn my back on them. I know you are expecting me to fight or attack you Ada Mmiri, but I won't." Alaolisa told her. "I am above that be warned because Ijiji nti ike so ozu ala. (A house fly that has refused to heed to advise will follow the casket to the grave.)" She added. "Shut up that stinking mouth of yours before I do that for you, who do you think you are? You are Ala and so? I am Ada Mmiri." "Ada Mmiri, let's leave here before you do something you would regret for the rest of your life." Njaba said. "Mother has forgiven her and Ikemefuna so I don't know what your problem is." He added with a sigh. "You have been supporting her recently Njaba, don't make me deal with you." Ada Mmiri warned Njaba and Idemmiri who were shocked to their core. "And as for you Alaolisa or whatever they call your name, I won't leave here until you are dead." She told Alaolisa. Alaolisa opened her mouth to say something when someone beat her to it. "I dare you to lay your hands on her again Ada Mmiri." Amadioha voice was heard as he steps out from his maiden back, which surprised Alaolisa because she didn't feel his aura. "I have told you in private but if you want me to say this in open, I will. We are just friends, I only got to know you through your mother and I have always permit you to visit me in my abode any time, but that does not mean anything or made me have feelings for you." He said and faces Idemmiri. "Like I told you before in Udele shrine. I don't have any relationship with your daughter because she is not my maiden from the beginning. So warn her never to touch my maiden. I have chosen Alaolisa and it won't change." He told Idemmiri. "Thank you for telling her that Amadioha." Njaba spoke. "Fine, she can be your second maiden, but i will be the first, the one you shall marry before her." Ada Mmiri told him. "That's not possible. If we were dating before, it could have been different, but we were not so Alaolisa is the only maiden I am choosing." Amadioha said. "If I don't have you Amadioha, then no one will. I will kill her and will kill myself, in.thay way, you lose." Ada Mmiri said and didn't wait for him to respond before she attacked him. Amadioha grab hold of alaolisa and moved fast from the approaching fire coming towards them. "Stop this madness now Ada Mmiri, I don't want to hurt you for old time sake." Amadioha said. "Love can't be forced, don't you understand?" He asked her, his anger rising up slowly. That fuels Ada Mmiri angers and she attacks them again. Idemmiri and Njaba tried to stop her but stopped when the clouds above them began to open. A bright shining light shone on Ada Mmiri, stopping her in her tracks as she couldn't move, then the mighty voice of ChukwuOkike was heard from heaven. "Ada Mmiri, daughter of Idemmiri. For the past years you met Amadioha, you have been obsessed too much and now you have committed a tremendous sin by attacking your fellow goddess so from now henceforth, your name shall be removed from the names of other goddesses. That is your punishment." To Be Continued... please ooo, this is a fictional story. Ifeoma Isabella

Ada Mmiri was confused as she did not understand what ChukwuOkike had said. "Who are you and how dare you speak to me in a disrespectful way?" Ada Mmiri asked as she tilted her head upwards to look at the sky but she got no reply. Then suddenly her feet started to fade. "No!!" Idemmiri shouted as she saw what was happening to her daughter. "Ada Mmiri look at your legs." Ada Mmiri looked down at her legs as they had vanished except from her waist upwards. She screamed when she saw that. "What is going on?" She asked as her two hands began to fade away just like her legs. "The Creator is taking you back home forever." Amadioha replied. "I told you to leave Amadioha alone but you wouldn't listen, I told you we should leave but no, you paid no attention to me. Now this is the price you have to pay. You are leaving this world forever." Idemmiri said. "Mother, I don't want to die now, I want to stay with you mad Njaba." Ada Mmiri said facing Amadioha, by this time her hands had faded completely, it remained her upper body and head. "You can have Alaolisa to yourself, I don't want you again, please." She pleaded. "It is too late already. You made a mistake to fight your fellow goddess." Amadioha told her watching as her upper body and head began to fade away. "Alaolisa please help me." "If I know how to, I would have. I am sorry." Alaolisa said. "You brought this on yourself Ada Mmiri." She added. "Beg ChukwuOkike on my behalf Amadioha. Mother beg ChukwuOkike. Njaba begged him so I will stay with you." Ada Mmiri said as in tears. "It is now late my sister. Goodbye my sister." Njaba said as Ada Mmiri vanished completely. He sigh deeply as he stared at the empty place his sister had occupied, "Nwa bia rrije ula (the child who comes has gone)." He said. "Let's go home my son." Idemmiri said trying to hold her tears as she held yo her son's hands and both disappeared never to be seen again. "So she is gone for good? Thankfully i had asked for Idemmiri forgiveness and she has forgiven me, if not, I would have joined Ada Mmiri too." Igwe Ikemefuna said. "Your case is different from hers Ikemefuna." Amadioha told him. "I know you are more than you told me when we met in the forest." Alaolisa told Amadioha as they faced each other. Once again she was wow at his handsomeness. Amadioha smiled widely as he stared at his beautiful maiden in front of him. For the first time in his thousands years of existence, Amadioha thanked the Creator for leading him to Alaolisa. He was going to protect her from now henceforth. Later on, he was going to show her the calabash he had taken from Udele shrine. Then a thought suddenly came to him. "Alaolisa, I find you very attractive. You are a very beautiful maiden who I want to spend my life with." Amadioha started to say as Alaolisa stared at him in confusion. "I just want to know if you also find me attractive, if you also feel the same way I do?" He asked anxiously, waiting for her reply. Alaolisa smiled at him. "Yes, but we will have to take things slow, you know we have to know each other better." She told him. Amadioha laughed out and touched her check. "That's no problem my beautiful maiden." He said. "Go back to your posts now, the show.is over." Queen Ugomma ordered as she noticed the guards and maids still there and staring at them. They quickly went back to what they were doing before. "Father, as Idemmiri has forgiven you, I want you also to forgive mother from your heart. Don't bear any grudges on her, please." Alaolisa pleaded with her father. "That is no problem my daughter." Igwe Ikemefuna said and turned to face his wife. "Ugomma, I have forgiven you from the depths of my heart." He told her and that got Queen Ugomma crying. "Come here." He added. "Thank you my love and thank you Alaolisa." She thanked, as she went to meet Ikemefuna who hugged her. Amadioha's hands went around Alaolisa's waist as they watched Igwe Ikemefuna and his wife. "Very soon, it will be us hugging each other." Amadioha whispered into her ear and Alaolisa blushes. "Soon." Igwe Ikemefuna releases his hold on his wife as he turns to face his daughter and in-law. "Anyways, I am glad you like my daughter and not that vanished one." Igwe Ikemefuna said with shrugged shoulders prompting the four of them to burst out laughing. The End.