Awake mortal man for the time has come for me to tell you the tale of gods and legends. The heroic adventures of ancient legends and how the gods manipulated the affairs of men in times past. I am Ikoro the wise one, the chieftain god of wisdom. I am the drum that is played at festivals and war dances and the patron god of wisdom seekers and lovers of trees. I am the keeper of the chronicles of the gods and men and I am the one that dwells on the ogbo tree.

I will tell you the tale of how a mortal man became a god, his name was Ajala. Ajala was a warrior and a wrestler, he was the champion of the kingdom of Umuajata and he had a wife and two sons whom he loved very much. One day Ajala traveled to Alandinka to represent Umuajata in the annual wrestling contest. He bested the finest of the Igbo nation and emerged champion and as a reward he was given a silver spear.
When Ajala returned home to celebrate his victory something terrible had happened, his family had been murdered by unknown people. this vexed Ajala very greatly and he swore vengance. Ajala consulted the gods for answers as to who was responsible for the murder but the gods were silent. so he paid a visit to the Dibia (Priest) of Ani the Earth goddess. After consulting the gods the Dibia said to him "my son do not bother yourself about the killers of your family for the gods have a reason to be silent" but Ajala was not pleased he replied the Dibia "great one I cannot sleep nor eat nor rest until I have avenged the death of my family, for it was my fault, I was not there to protect them" , "the gods are wise" the Dibia said "but if you insist on avenging the death of your family then you must pay a visit to the gods and tell them yourself maybe they will listen to you", Ajala then asked the Dibia "where do I find the gods?" "in the dark forest, that is where you will find Ani the goddess of the Earth and retribution. you must seek her" he told him and with that Ajala left the shrine and went home to prepare for his journey to the dark forest.

No one who ventured into the dark forest ever came out, Ajala knew this but he was bent on avenging his family so according to the directions given to him by the Dibia he began his journey to the dark forest. it was high noon when Anyawu the sun god hung the Sun high above the earth that Ajala stood before the entrance to the dark forest and as he stepped in the whole envirnment changed, the weather that was once bright and sunny now became dark as night no wonder it was called the dark forest. Ajala walked through the path of no return, indistinct voices and chatters could be heard. he felt the cold run down his spine, the forest was filled with ancient trees and creatures of all sorts creeping around watching as the foolish mortal made his way across. Ajala looked up and saw bats hovering around the dark sky, the bat was the symbol of the ancient god Ogbunabali the god of death and the presence of the bats above meant that the god was watching the mortal as he passed through the forest.

Ajala had walked a long distance when he saw an old man approaching him as soon as he reached the old man he greeted him "ndewo Nnamukwu" (greetings my great father) and the old man anwered "what brings you mortal man to the dark forest?" "old one I seek the great goddess Ani" the old one said to him"I know who you are, you are Ajala the famous warrior and wrestler, the champion of Umuajata your reputation preceeds you, I can see that you have the courage to enter the dark forest my son" Ajala replied him saying "old one it is better that I die in this forest while seeking vengance than spend the rest of my days alive knowing that I did not avenge the death of my family" "very well then I shall show you the way to the dwelling place of Ani".

Ajala followed the old man as he took him deep into the forest, he saw spirit creatures of different shapes and sizes all waiting to devour him if not for the old one that was with him. finally they reached the entrance to the dwelling place of Ani "it is here that I shall leave you mortal man, for any being both mortal and immortal knows better than to venture into the domain of Ani uninvited but since you are bent on seeking her you may go in but a word of advice, never look at her face unless she gives you permission" before Ajala could thank the old one he had dissappeared into thin air. Ajala walked into the domain of Ani he saw the Royal Pythons slithering all over the place he was not suprised though because the Python was the sacred symbol of Ani as he neared her throne he quickly knelt down and bent his face and shouted "great Ani Queen of the Earth I humble seek your help" he heard the voice from nowhere saying "who dares venture into my domain uninvited?" and Ajala replied "it is your humble servant Ajala son of Eluba" she commanded him to rise and look at her, Ajala rose and looked at Ani, what they said was true that she was as beautiful as the stars and as fair as the sun but Ajala knew that behind that facade of beauty lay a vengeful, fiery and unforgiving goddess. Above her waist was like that of a woman's, she had a firm breast which was exposed to tempt the other gods and spirit creatues and in this case a mortal, her hair was as dark as night, her eyes were like diamonds. below her waist was like that of a snake, Ani elongated herself and towered 50 feet above him an act of intimidation but the mortal was not moved for he had already surrendered himself to death long before this journey, Ani was suprised that the mortal did not succumb to fear, she lowered herself and curled up around him and spoke "mortal man you do not fear my prowess?" Ajala replied her "I have already surrendered my fate to death I have nothing to lose" then the goddess said "what then do you seek from me?" "I seek vengance on the killer of my family" then Ani said to him "I am sorry mortal for the perpetrator of that act was my one of my many children Okukusekum the scorpion demon and the stubborn one. you see he was jealous of your achievements and could not take it any longer that was why he killed your family" Ajala was suprised and at the same time angry "what did I do to deserve such wickedness?" he asked "you are a mortal and that is all, there is no vengance for you mortal man. Now leave my domain before i strike you down" with that Ajala left her domain feeling hopeless and miserable.

As he ventured back into the forest the spirit creatues that were longing for him now had their chance but Ajala though surredered to death would not make it an easy meal for them. he took to his heels and ran for all he was worth but this was the domain of the spirits and no one knew it better than them, they soon caught up with him all sorts of creatues some having four heads, some six eyes, some tall like giants all wanting to devour the unfortunate mortal. but before they could lay a hand on him the ground shook and out of the ground erupted a higher god his presence alone made the creatures to dissappear. Ajala for the first time in a very long time was terrified, before him stood the ancient god of death Ogbunabali, his skin was as black as night, he wore a black cape that resembled the wings of a bat, he also wore a black hood to cover his ancient hair, his face was very dark but what was more visible and terrifying was his blazing eyeballs glowing green.
"I am Ogbunabali the dark one and I have not come to kill you mortal man" he said "I know that Ani had refused to give you vengance because of her selfish reasons, but I on the other hand am willing to give you that which you seek" Ajala then replied him "I know that an offer from any god always comes with a price" the god nodded "indeed you are right Ajala, my price is simple, I want you to be my steward" Ajala was suprised about the offer "you want me to be a god?" Ogbunabali replied him saying "yes, Okukusekum might be an Okara mmuo (demi god) but he is still a descendant of a god nonetheless and only a god can kill a god" Ajala was still not convinced he asked further "why is it that you want Okukusekum destroyed?" then Ogbunabali replied him "Okukusekum is a byproduct of the atrocities and immorality of Ani, he is an abormination and also over the centuries he has been helping souls escape the prison of Alamuo I cannot take it any longer" Ajala agreed to the offer on the condition that Ogbunabali would spare his family from the prison of Alamuo.

Ogbunabali took Ajala to Alamuo (underworld). Ajala saw the souls of the dead being held imprison there, he also saw the well of reincarnation where any souls that had served up his punishment would be reincarnated back to the world of the living. Ogbunabali took Ajala to the river of fire where he immersed him and after the immersion a new god was born, Ajala went in a mortal and came out a god. his skin became as dark as night, his hair was glowing with fire his eyes were like fire. he was give the title of god of fire and vengance, the one that fuels the anger of men and the punisher of the fallen souls. he was given a flaming sword as his weapon and as for his sacred symbol he choose the scorpion even though that the scorpion demon still lived but not for long.

Ajala travelled to Obubuari the resting place of Nneoha the mother of the gods and also the dwelling place of Ndimuo (fallen souls), they were the souls that had escaped from Alamuo and sort refuge in Obubuari the resting place of the mother of the gods, the one place no god dared enter, except for Okukusekum who of course helped the Ezemuo (king of the fallen souls) and his Ndimuo escape Alamuo. Ajala stood at the gates of Obubuari and called upon Okukusekum to come forth. Okukusekum thinking that it was still the mortal man he once knew jumped out to best him but Ajala was now a god, the god of fire. Ajala called forth all the power in him and channelled it to his sword and thrusted it to Okukusekum's heart and his aim was true, Okukusekum fell like a log of wood to the ground.

As soon as this happened Ani appeared before Ajala she opened her palms and was ready to turn Ajala to ashes but before this could happen the sky turned black and the ground shook heralding the arrival of the dark one and from the ground he erupted and blocked the liquid energy from Ani's palm like it was nothing, then Ani turned to Ajala and said " you have made an enemy today Ajala, an enemy that you will regret ever making" and Ajala replied her "we became enemies the moment you refused to help me Ani" with that she vanished into thin air together with the body of her son. Ajala returned to Alamuo where he served as a steward to Ogbunabali for all eternity.

Go back to your slumber mortal man for i have finished my story, but be prepared to be awakened again for another tale for the tale of the gods and the legends are as numerous as the sands of the desert.
Man is wise but the gods are wiser.

wow.... can't believe I read all this!!

Interesting!!

Really good one, more asap.

Nothing do u

wow guy u told the tales like a steward...

cant wait....fire on

francis6611:
cant wait....fire on

OK

krushdripper:
Really good one, more asap.

Am working on it

Wehdone sir. keep it coming