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DON'T ROCK THE CRADLE - EPISODE I

What day is it today? Is it the first day of the week, the second, third or even the forth? What does it matter, it's just another day. Eke, Olie, Afor and Nkwo, these are our days. Today I have gone to the old lady at the edge of the village to request for something and she has given it to me. In this old town the market day falls on Afor and this is the only day that the old lady can be seen. She is its custodian, the protector, a guide to whoever wishes to possess it, but it is not hers to keep. Today is the third day and I have fulfilled the first requirement to receive what I have asked for - forgoing three consecutive markets, in other words - going without food for nine days.

Life is interesting. There is always something mysterious hiding around the corner, like a cocooned caterpillar on the underside of a leaf, there is so much hidden in plain sight. There are so many things that are difficult to explain, for instance, it is rumored that there is an egg that has powers beyond what can rationally be comprehended. It is said that on it's own it does nothing but when put in water, it changes everything. It is said that the egg is a gift left behind by a stranger, generations ago as a gift to the founder of our village for his kindness. Rumour has it that any water the egg rests in can turn barren lands fertile, bring a man back from the brink of death and even make a woman more beautiful than she could have ever imagined.

My name is Omalicha and my father is dead. That is why I have shaved my head, it is my culture. I am his only daughter, only child, and my mother died giving birth to me. My father loved me and I loved him more than life itself, this is why I have made the journey to see the old lady. When she handed it over to me she smiled and said, "May the spirits guide you." Then she turned her back to me and said, "Don't Rock The Cradle."

I made a quick stop by the stream and now I'm on my way back to our cold, lonely and empty hut; my father was a simple farmer and we lived a simple life on our small farm. Though we were not rich, we had each other and that was enough.

Out of nowhere, Chidinma and her crew of ugly ass-kissers block my path, her father is the third wealthiest man in the town but you would think he was the richest the way she behaves.

Chidinma: Where is it?

Omalicha: What? Please get out of my face!

Ass Kissers: See this idiot o! *mstcheeeeew*

Chidinma: I know you have it! Give it to me!! I want to be the most beautiful girl in this town!

Omalicha: See! Leave me alone!! I don't know what you are talking about, I'm going home!

Ass Kissers: Let's collect her water-pot, maybe she's hiding it inside.

Omalicha: Don't come near me o, I will break this pot on somebody's head o!

Chidinma: Yes! grab it!!

I had heard tales and I am willing to sacrifice everything to bring him back. Nothing in this life goes for nothing and for what I am planning to do, a price will be paid, what it is, I will never know until it is paid. One thing is sure, however, if what is in my water-pot breaks, I will die immediately! The old lady's warning meant that the cradle must not be rocked because it must never break - the penalty is death,

I'm in trouble.

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DON'T ROCK THE CRADLE - EPISODE II

Omalicha: leave me alone! Leave my water-pot!! Leave me o! No, no!! Stop! Stooppp!!!!

Too late *break*.

Chidinma and her ass kissing side-chicks try to grab Omalicha's water-pot and she fights back, but in the middle of it all her pot brakes *shit*. Morbid fear flashes and sticks to her face and she is as pale as her complexion will allow. She knows the consequence of what is about to happen.

Tears well up in her eyes. The pain and emotion of her life, her father's death and being constantly bullied are stinging as she watches the water fly while still holding back the tears. She went all the way to the stream to get this and now it's all up in the air, she's not sure if it's just the water from her pot anymore or if her tears are mixed up in the flow too.

Chidinma: Stupid girl, why didn't you just give me the pot *mstchewww*

Ass Kissers: Don't mind the useless girl *mstchee, msstttcchhheeewwwwww*

Life is interesting. There is always something mysterious hiding around the corner; like a butterfly breaking out of its cocoon and waiting for its new wings to dry, there is so much hidden in plain sight. So many things are difficult to explain, for instance, how the caterpillar digests itself in metamorphosis using energy from eating delicious leaves. Shedding exo-skeleton after skeleton and finally ending up in a chrysalis, its silky cocoon. It emerges when the time is right, after hanging upside down on a twig or stalk, and pumps blood into its soft, folded wings to get them working.

"May the spirits guide you."

Omalicha never knew that her mother was a direct descendant of the founder of the village. She never knew that she has the blood of the founder running through her veins. She does not know a gift cannot kill the child of whom it was given to, it is after all the child's inheritance. From an egg a caterpillar hatches and from a cocoon the final form flies out. What it is that Omalicha collected from the old lady is the egg that was gifted to her great great great..., you get the point, grandfather, generations ago. The egg has fallen but since she cannot die, she has absorbed the gift. She is now the egg and the egg is now her.

The water is still in the air, it hasn't dropped; for some funny reason it is rising even higher. Chidinma and her ass kissers notice something strange is going on, then they see Omalicha's feet lift off the floor and out of her slippers *scream*.

Ass Kissers: She's a witch o!!!

Chidinma had already run off leaving her two ass kissers behind. The other girls soon catch themselves and bolt off in the direction of the village. Omalichi doesn't seem to know what's happening, she's completely overwhelmed by her emotions, she is oblivious but she is emerging from her cocoon.

Today is the third day, Afor, the market day and everybody is gathered in the market square. The Onitsha market is always bubbling and lively, Onitsha is an old town. Chidinma arrives dead in the middle of the market square, panting, out of breathe, looking like she has seen Ekwensu, the most evil of spirits himself. She has drawn the attention of everyone around, her father after all is a very wealthy man. Then she speaks.

Chidinma: Omalicha is a witch!

The crowd knows what to do. Machetes, flaming torches, sticks, firewood and all sorts of assorted weapons have been engaged in the blink of an eye. Then a deep, muscular, baritone voice says clearly from the vanguard of the crowd.

Unkown Man: Show us the way.


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DON'T ROCK THE CRADLE - EPISODE III


Witchcraft is the most hated art in this town. No explanation, no discussion, once the finger is pointed, the solution is fire. Fire cures all things. Witches are the standard unit of evil, the cause of all misfortune and death; they are agents of Ekwensu, the one who brings confusion, the devil.

Killing is the only way to disable and destroy a witch. These blood sucking soul eaters, or whatever you want to call them, are pythons in the belly. They transmit their evil by feeding in the dream.

But really, who is a witch?

Once you're considered different or people don't like you for whatever reason, you are a witch. Whenever there is a ghastly accident or things just go wrong, maybe the year's harvest is wiped out by pests, people will find a witch. The funny thing is, it's mostly women being fingered. They are forced to drink all sorts of concoctions before being severely beaten and murdered in cold blood.

People call anything they don't understand, or want to understand, witchcraft. If they cannot explain it, it must be spiritual and witches must be involved.

Chidinma: See her there! I told you, I told you!

Kelechi is the town's number one witch smeller - smellers are people skilled in the art of hunting and killing witches. He is the man with the deep, muscular voice and now he sights Omalicha floating in the sky. The name 'witch smeller' came because witches can turn into nocturnal animals, usually cats, that give off a certain 'smell' that can be identified with training.

Kelechi: This scent is different, I have never come across it before. A new dimension of evil is at play here, we must burn her before she spreads her wickedness!

Today is still the third day of the week, Afor, and I fulfilled the last requirement to receive what I asked for from the old lady at the edge of the village on the first day of this week, on Eke.

Old lady: You must mix your blood with dust from a fresh grave in a goat-skin bag and throw this into the deepest end of the river.

My father just died so this wasn't difficult to find but it took so much from me that I lost my appetite and didn't feel the last four days of my fast.

Right now, I feel lost, I can't really tell where I am, I feel light and I don't really know what I'm doing. Still, there's this strong feeling swirling around inside me, it feels like it's coming from my stomach and exploding throughout my body. I can hear voices that sound very familiar, they sound like voices I should know but they seem agitated.

Kelechi: She killed her mother at birth and no one has seen her father in days! This girl must be a witch and we must do the work of the gods! We must smite her before she brings more evil to this land!!

"Question: What happens when mice attack a god?
Answer: Their death is sure; a god may forgive many things but insolence is heresy.."
- Unknown


I feel rage building up now, I don't know why. This rage feels hotter than boiling water and I feel it seeping out of my pores, pouring out onto my skin. I hear screams now, I don't know why. The agitated voices seem to be the ones screaming now, I hope they're okay. I've never felt anger like this before, it feels like it's consuming me. I see blood.

*Muffled Clang*

The mob attacks Omalicha who is still hovering mid-air. Someone has shot an arrow straight for her head. The water hovering around her responds and blocks the shot, the sound coming off as a muffled clash of metals, as if the water was now harder than steel. It begins to change form. From a random flow, the pool of water splits into five and each of the five parts turns into a rod. The end of each rod facing the mob starts to take the shape of the tip of an arrow.

Unknown woman: Chineke!

*Too Late*, *Break* *Pierce* *Stampede*

The onslaught has begun. Kelechi is the first to lose his hat as the watery quiver shoots clean through his chest. Another smeller and his machete are quickly dismantled and now Chidinma.

The expression on Chidinma's face says it all, "This is it". There is an arrow coming straight for her, she has turned tail and is trying to run; the tables have turned.

Lights out.

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DON'T ROCK THE Cradle - Episode IV


Omalicha starts to pull through. She can remember blanking out, not exactly losing consciousness but just losing herself. Falling face first into a pool of pitch darkness is the best way she can describe it.

She can barely see, like a person just waking up from sleep, her vision is still blurred. A woman is screaming, yes this is a woman's voice and the source of the scream is moving. The woman is running, she's running straight for the bushes, Omalicha can see clearly now. She recognises where she is, this is the edge of the river bank and she is looking at the River Niger. Something is different, she can feel it. The vegetation looks wilder for one.

Woman: Help! Help! Somebody help me!!!

The woman is still running and panting in between breathes. Retracing her path, she could only have come out of the water but that's ridiculous, isn't it? Omalicha's eyes swing back to the woman, her body looks wet yet her clothes look dry. The facts are not adding up.

Almost immediately, she sees it with her own eyes. If she isn't going crazy right now then that woman definitely ran out of the water. Two men are walking on the Niger, armed with blades that she instantly recognises as Benin blades. These particular blades are only for a chief's personal guards, Omalicha can remember what her father taught her. "If you ever see men with weapons like that, run!", he said. They must be dangerous. What are high ranking Benin guards doing all the way here? Is the woman running away from them? Who is she, why are they chasing her? What on earth is going on?

What came next happened so fast that if she had blinked, she would have missed it. Even with her eyes wide open, she didn't quite catch it. Omalicha saw someone flash past the woman and go straight for the Benin warriors. She knew that was what she saw because now there was someone else in the mix, a third man. He had an impressive blade of his own, wait, Omalicha recognises his blade too. There is no doubt about it, it has to be, there cannot be another. What on earth is happening here? She is even more confused. That person is holding an heirloom to the founder of Onitsha, that is an ancestral weapon and no one has been allowed to hold it in generations. Who exactly is he?

*Clash*

Omalicha has never seen this level of power before, this is ridiculous! "Am I still alive?", she thinks to herself, "Are these people human?". The shockwave from the clash of their blades causes the air to quake, a tree even falls! "Just from a clash!??", Omalicha is wide-eyed in shock.

Stranger: Who are you and why are you chasing a woman on my land?

The stranger does not sound pleased. Omalicha is not concerned about his emotions at the moment, who is he to claim her people's land? She too is annoyed.

Benin Guards: Who are you to question us?

Omalicha: Ask the man! (in her mind)

Benin Guards: We are guards to the Esere of Benin, Osaredion Obamwonyi, Chief of the affairs of the Oba's house. Who are you?

Stranger: This is my land.

Omalicha realises that these people are speaking different languages yet she can understand them clearly and they can understand themselves as well. This is weird but she can't be bothered. After seeing two people walk on water, concluding that a third casually just strolled out of the Niger, she cannot be surprised by something as trivial as this. At least she's getting the gist, the conversation continues.

Benin Guard I: You do not seem to be of the Igala, they we know very well. Nevertheless, we have no business with you. We have come for that woman.

Stranger: Anyone who seeks refuge in my land receives it. This woman shall not be harmed on my watch.

Benin Guard II: Such insolence!

Benin Guard I: Leave this lunatic to me.

The guard launches his assault. This is surreal, their battle is affecting everything around them. Every slash is going beyond the edge of the blade with a force strong enough to slice through rocks, they are cutting stone like it's nothing! What strength!! The land claimer seems to be having the upper hand without taking his opponent seriously. The guard notices this as well and in anger flexes his muscles and throws a savage slash, the stranger ducks and a line of trees suffer for it, they lose their tops.

In quick retaliation, he plants a foot against the guard's chest but the impact sounded more like a clap of thunder against the man's rib cage. The guard is down on one knee but Omalicha does not understand how thunder can strike a man yet he does not fall. "These men must be beasts!", she concludes. The second guard makes to go for his blade but just before he touches it.

Benin Guard I: I said leave the lunatic to me!

Still down on one knee and balancing on the tip of the toes of his other foot, the guard chants something. This time Omalicha cannot understand. He looks up, scorn written all over his face and his fist now covered in flames. The stranger sees the fire and his demeanor further darkens. The second guard scoffs.

Benin Guard II: Now you meet your end, fool!

Stranger: *Silence*

The guard throws his punch but this is more like an explosion, like a god opened his mouth and spat fire against the enemy of his disciple! The stranger stabs his blade into the ground, even Omalicha is worried for him, does he want to die!? "Get out!", she screams. He doesn't seem to hear her, none of them do but then the woman, the one that was running, looks in her direction.

The stranger stretches out just one hand as death by fire approaches him and that is it! The fire disappears at his hand, not a thong of flame goes beyond him.

Stranger: I see you are a disciple of the ancient art, but you still have much to learn *grunt!*

The earth on which the stranger is standing quakes and lifts him up into the sky, his blade is up in the air with him still driven into the piece of earth. There are scorch marks where the earth lifted up from, like the piece of earth was propelled into the sky by a blast. Omalicha squints below the floating mass on which the stranger stands and she notices that light just beneath it is being bent. The same effect just above the fire of a cooking pot. The piece of earth isn't just floating, it's being propelled by fire. This must require a level of mastery and control that either comes with years of experience or genius.

Stranger: *grunt!*

He recoils his fists to either side of his waist and ignition! Both fists are covered by grizzly green flames!

Stranger: Oku mmuo!

If what came before was an explosion then the stranger was right to call this what he did. Omalicha heard him clearly, he is speaking her language after all, "Hell fire!" The stranger had directed his reply to the guard and his reply was disproportionately overwhelming, a raging beam of fire with a diameter the height of a grown man.

The second Benin Guard appears in front of the first, Omalicha didn't even see him move. The first puts his hand on the back of the second as if to add to his strength.

Benin Guard II: *Agenebode!*

Water from the Niger rushes in front of the duo and the impact of the stranger's inferno is being mediated by the extension of the river that has engulfed the men. *Grunt!* It appears the stranger is getting serious. The flames keeping the stranger's earth floating are now more visible as he exerts an extra burst of energy. The Benin guards' water shield is engulfed and the battle is clearly decided. There is steam everywhere.

There is a loud thud, the floating earth has fallen back to the ground. Omalicha can't make out what is happening clearly because of the steam but she can see silhouettes. The three men are all in one place and a blade seems to be resting on somebody's shoulders. The steam is lifting.

Stranger: Leave my land with your life or stay and die.

The stranger had his blade in his hands and it was resting on the first guard's right shoulder with the sharp edge pointing inwards. The second guard refrained from moving because he could feel the heat of the flames on the stranger's hands a few inches away from his back. They were outclassed.

Woman: You! How is it that you are here? You are not supposed to be here.

Omalicha is startled, she didn't know the woman had come close to her, the woman was right in her face. She was right, the woman did look in her direction earlier, the woman heard her scream.

Woman: This is not your time, this is generations before even your great grandmother was born. You remind me of my younger sister, you look very much like her.

The woman smiled as she spoke of her own younger sister but Omalicha was confused, quite frankly scared, and so she just stared.

Woman: It seems you do not understand what is going on, you have come here by accident and that makes this even more dangerous. You must return immediately or the consequences could be grave! Time travel is forbidden for a reason.

*Gasp*

Just then, Omalicha feels a shock, like a hand had gripped her heart. She is grappling in the air, struggling to breathe as she falls back into that same pool of darkness, she tries to hold her breathe this time.

Woman: Breathe, relax, I'll be waiting for...

She barely hears the woman's voice as it fades away into the darkness. She is losing herself again.

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The art is good especially the colouring. Keep it going

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DON'T ROCK THE CRADLE - EPISODE V

Omalicha pulls out of the pool of darkness, this time a little less disorientated, but just like last time her vision is a blur. She knows it's only temporary.

Woman: I've been waiting for you.

She recognizes the voice, it's the woman that ran out of the water, the one talking about travelling through time. That's completely ridiculous, isn't it? Yet again, she has just seen the battle of a lifetime and people shouldn't be able to do the things she saw. Even the most formidable dibia that she knows cannot do those things, controlling nature's elements like beans.

At this point she will believe almost anything, at least, until there is a reason to believe otherwise. Her vision is clearing, as expected.

Woman: It's been almost a year. I was starting to think you were never coming back.

Omalicha: *silence*

Seven cycles of the four days is one complete cycle of the moon, an "Onwa", and a woman carries a child in her womb for Onwa-iteneni, nine full cycles of the moon. Omalicha was doing the numbers in her head, she had always been good at this. The woman is breastfeeding a baby, she cannot be lying, time has past. Still, Omalicha only stares.

Woman: My name is Ebiuwa and my daughter...

The woman looks down at the baby in her arms, sucking from her breast.

Woman: ...is beautiful, isn't she? Tell me, do you have a sister, or brother?

The question is odd but Omalicha reluctantly decides to answer, "What do I have to lose", she gives up in her head. Her father drummed it into her ears not to talk to strangers, a warning she received every day she left the house alone. "Don't talk to any body you don't know," he would charge and she would finish, "...especially strange men!" then laugh as she ran off. "What an over protective old man", she would think but now...

Omalicha: Your daughter is beautiful but no, I don't have siblings. I am my mother's only child and she died giving birth to me. My father never re-married but now he too is gone.

She still hasn't fully accepted his death because she doesn't want to be alone. Her father was all she had and that is why she is here, where ever here is. She was trying to do something stupid, she knew it then and she knows it now. A broken heart can make a person do very stupid things.

Ebiuwa: I am sorry to hear that. Would you happen to know if your mother had siblings, or your grandmother perhaps?

Omalicha pauses to think for a second. She recalls the times her father would sit with her after the day on the farm, telling her stories about her mother. Her mother was the most beautiful girl in Onitsha he would say and Omalicha looks so much like the woman he married he would always add with a smile. Reluctantly, she continues.

Omalicha: My grandmother had only a daughter, my mother, that's what my father told me. My grandmother herself had siblings, that's what my father also tol.. wait... no, my grandmother's father had four wives, she was her own mother's only child. What does that have to do with anything?

Ebiuwa: I see. I will tell you why you saw me running, why those men were after me. I will tell you everything you need to know including why the women in your lineage only have one child, a girl.

Ebiuwa begins:

I came from Benin, the ancient Kingdom across the great river.

Esere Osaredion Obamwonyi, the head of the Oba's household workers, decided that we would be the offerings for his next sacrifice. There were five of us including my sister and I don't know how he found out but we all had that blood flowing in our veins. There are two ancient bloodlines, one is man and the other is hydrosapien. They say... no, there is no time for that now, you could disappear again at any moment.

We served in houses dedicated to serving the Oba's palace so if we went missing, not too many eyebrows would be raised. People disappear every now and again but no one ever asks questions for fear of becoming the next victim. The second ancient blood flowing in my sister and I was strong, much more so in my sister than myself. I often teased her, saying that was the reason she was a fighter. I on the other hand prefer my own company.

My memory is as clear as a moon-lit sky. That night, we received a warning and I can still feel the horror. Etched on the inside of our hut was "Sacrifice, Run, Water-Blood!" Someone did not want us to die. We ran out and went for the others, my sister's name was Amenze. We got to Omoruyi and Aizehi in time but it was too late for Osaze, he was already being carted away when we arrived. I remember his voice, it was heavy with tears.

Osaze: Please! Pleaase!! Leave me! I'm begging you, please!! I didn't do anything wrong, pleaaaasseee!

Guard I: Shut up! You should be happy to be a sacrifice.

Guard II: It is not your place to say that.

Osaze: Iyemen! Me!?? Sacrifi...

A savage blow was administered to Osaze's jaw as if he was a criminal, a thief, a murderer, but he hadn't done anything wrong. None of us had.

I'm certain he never made it into his hut because both Omoruyi and Aizehi got the same warning we did, he would have escaped. The race had begun and we were running for our lives. We headed East because we knew the Benin Empire had influence to the West, the North was not an option because our blood is attracted to water and the Northern lands are dry. We never considered the South because none of us had ventured that way before and besides, I had traveled towards the East as a child so I had an idea of the way.

From Abudu to Agbo, Umunede to Okpanam we ran past several villages until we got to the great river. At Okpanam, Omoruyi chose to sacrifice himself. He bought us some time by standing against the advancing guards. Having the hydrosapien blood coursing through his veins, he was strong, stronger than the average man and he stood well against the guards. Guards are fortified with an array of charms and so even the lower ranks are not to be taken for granted.

Omoruyi stood until they came. He didn't stand a chance after that. Fighting one alone is an uphill battle but then there were two. You saw them, didn't you? The men that crossed on the surface of the great river to hunt me down, Esere Osaredion's personal guards.

At the edge of the large river, Aizehi decided that she too wouldn't be going any further. She was much older than my sister and I, and was tired of running. She was like a mother to us and taught us everything we know about who we are. Aizehi stepped into the river until the water was at her waist then she began.

Aizehi: Step into the water, I may not be with you or teach you anymore but you will survive and fight back if you have to. We are descendants of hydrosapiens not goats for the sons of man to offer to whatever gods they please.

We did as we were told and stepped in. She started her chant and the river responded, the water around us circled us. She pulled out the small goat-skin sac from her waist and let it drop. A pillar of water the size of an open palm rushed from the surface and caught it. She pulled out a dagger, again from her waist, and slit her right wrist, letting the blood drop into the sac. She had decided to sacrifice herself for us. What she was doing was forbidden.

Life is interesting. There is always something mysterious hiding around the corner, like a catfish that sinks because of its heavy head there are many ironies in life. To give us the power to save ourselves, Aizehi was giving up her life.

From between my feet, an egg plopped out of the water. I looked over at my sister but before I could make out what she received, the water around her shot up to the sky, forming a cylindrical wall. I looked up and I could see from the inside of my own wall that the water reached as high as the clouds, it was endless.

I knew I had to swallow the egg, somehow the water was speaking to me, so I did. I had never felt a rush like that, all my senses came to life and I was aware of everything! I could feel my sister, I could tell she was still within her wall of water. Aizehi was still waist-deep in, smiling as her blood continued to flow into the sac, but she was losing consciousness.

Then they came within range, their combined aura was outrageous! Aizehi noticed them as well and with the last of her energy, she turned Amenze's cylindrical wall to a spherical ball and shot her far into the land. I could see all of this from inside my wall.

*slash*

Tears ran down my eyes as one of the guards unleashed his wrath on Aizehi, letting us escape did not sit well with him. The water in front of her tried to rise to protect her but the force behind the energy-wave that emanated from the guard's blade was brute. She was already trading her soul for this ritual and so there was nothing she could do, whatever power she had was draining away. She turned to my direction and I heard her last words clearly, "...run."

Tears falling down my eyes, I obeyed. My wall of water dropped in an instant and I ran. I saw her falling back-first into the river, tears rolling down her cheeks, my own tears accelerating in response but I didn't stop. I sensed an aggression at my back and that was when I realised I was running on water. The guard had moved more than three farm plots in the blink of an eye and in panic, I dropped to the bottom of the river, he missed.

For some reason I was not choking or drowning. I did not stop to think, I kept running. I ran till I came out at the other side and that is where Izunna appeared. I never imagined that a single person could defeat Esere Osaredion's personal guards. It was almost too good to be true. This is his baby by the way, I think she has his eyes, her name in Adanna.

He and Amaka, his first wife, over there are celebrating. She's pregnant again for her second child. They are both professional palm-wine drunks, never try to compete with them. I think they're already tipsy. Ebube over there is the second wife so I guess that makes me the third. The baby boy with her is Amaka's son but Ebube usually takes care of him, he is fond of her. His name is Akunna and I haven't decided if it's a good thing or not but he isn't afraid of snakes.

You have the blood of the hydrosapien flowing through your veins, I sensed it the moment I heard you scream but not just that, you are my child, my blood. I have been at Ikenna's side for a year now and I have learnt to protect myself. I went through Amaka then Ebube before I could face him so I believe I am ready. I will leave Adanna with her father and I will place the egg in Ebube's care, I will cross the great river again to look for Amenze.

Tears are running down Omalicha's eyes, she didn't know when she started to cry. She feels she has met the mother she never got to see, maybe that's why she felt safe talking to her.

*Gasp*

Just like clockwork, Omalicha feels the squeeze on her heart, it's time to go but this time it's different. It feels like a hand from the darkness is pulling her back into the pool. She doesn't struggle, the tears roll down her cheeks.

Ebiuwa: I'm sorry for the pain my chil...

*Darkness*


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Kelechi is Onitsha's self-proclaimed number one witch-smeller. He is responsible for leading the mob against several people accused of being witches and has never found a person not guilty. Once an accusation is made, the verdict is condemnation. His apprentice Nwobodo with the bow and arrow is even more over-zealous, always quick to strike, never concerned about a fair hearing. This is their last trial, today, the accused has struck back.

Chidinma, on the other hand, poor Chidinma. She was mean to Omalicha, yes, broke her pot, spilt her water and even brought the mob here but does she deserve to die? Omalicha's arrow is inches from her back, sadly, her karma has come early.

*Slice*

The head of the advancing arrow at Chidinma's back is cut off. The rock solid rod of water loses form and the water itself splatters to the ground. She's been saved, but by who?

Chidinma: You're late! The stupid girl just almost killed me!

Late? Why was she expecting anyone in a situation like this?

Kasara: It took a while to get through to everyone. The High Priest is already channeling and will come through the nexus any second now.

Chidinma: I can take her myself!

There is no doubt about it, this is Kasarachukwu, one of Chidinma's ass kissers; her voice confirms it. Her appearance is slightly different, her hair is down, and there is a dark-red earthy aura around her but more importantly, what is she talking about? Who are they, what High Priest and what is a nexus?

Kasara: She looks dangerous, enhance yourself, I'll cover you.

Chidinma: Don't tell me what to do!

There are four water arrows left. Kasara cut through one but now another is headed their way. Chidinma is standing still, muttering under her breathe and Kasara is directly in front of her, standing guard. Kasara pivots on her left heel to dodge the incoming projectile and strikes across its length with her bare hand to shatter it. The water losses form just like before and splatters to the ground. Now there are three arrows left.

This is the same water that deflected a speeding steel tipped arrow, yet Kasara is strong and fast enough to break it with her bare hands. It must be the aura.

Chidinma looks up, her head was bowed, and now she has the same dark-red glow, is this what it means to "enhance"? She alters her stance by dragging her right foot back slightly, a more battle ready stance. Omalicha is already on the offensive with yet another arrow headed straight for Chidinma. Chidinma bends to the earth, spreads her palm and squeezes up a clump of dirt. She brings the dirt up to her mouth, spits and then says with aggression.

Chidinma: Oku ne lele gbo ha oku

Chidinma tosses the earth and it flies like an eagle with a prey in sight. From the speed with which it launches, the power behind it is clear. The earth is now a smoldering hot mass and it collides with Omalicha's incoming arrow, the arrow turns to steam but Chidinma's smoldering mass remains. The last two arrows retreat to form a dome in front of Omalicha but the smoldering mass is faster.

*Smash!*

The mass strikes Omalicha's chest and her eyes bulge slightly as she gasps for air, but she recovers quickly. Her jaw clenches and the muscles in her face tighten, she has clearly been aggravated.

Kasara: That didn't even bring her down!? You have to be kidding me!

Chidinma: Give me your power!

Kasara, standing slightly behind Chidinma to the left, puts her right hand on Chidinma's back and her aura darkens while Chidinma's brightens by an equivalent shade. Chidinma goes down again, picks up more earth, spits and chants. This time the power in her voice is palpable and the reverbration is carried through the air.

Chidinma: Oku ne lele!!

She releases her earth and embers of a flame being birthed can be seen trailing the mass, it is moving even faster than the first time. Just before it touches, Omalicha disappears and reappears in front of them. She moved too fast for either of the girls to keep up. The scorching earth hits a tree and knocks it right out of the ground with its root still attached. It drives itself into the tree's bark and explodes, shattering the tree. The kickback from the explosion brushes past Omalicha's back and hits Chidinma and Kasara squarely in the face. Chidinma bolts off leaving Kasara behind and in an instant she almost covers the length of a plot of farm. She trips.

The water hovering around Omalicha had changed again, this time to a whip and knotted itself around Chidinma's ankle. Now she is grovelling in the dirt as she is being pulled back. Kasara is rooted to the spot, Omalicha reappeared right in her face and she can feel her breathe. She sees that Omalicha is not in control, something else is and whatever it is smirks as Kasara realises this. Whatever is in control seems to have a mind of it's own.

Omalicha grabs Kasara by the throat and lifts her off the ground, choking her. Kasara wriggles, struggling to break the grip but the strength is beyond her. Chidinma still grovelling attempts a blind-sided attack with another mass of smoldering earth but Omalicha tilts her head a centimetre to the left and the mass misses by a hare's breathe. The whip flings her up in the air and now she is hanging upside down by her right foot.

*Blast*

A dark light suddenly appears and from within a fierce pulsating wave hits Omalicha squarely on the chest. She is sent crashing with her back to the ground, her grip on Chidinma and Kasara forced to loosen. Again, from within the light a hooded figure with a coconut emerges, speaking with an angry, irritated voice.

Hooded figure: Restrain her!

Chidinma and Kasara obey without question and set to restrain Omalicha who is now on all fours trying to recover from the impact. Both their auras have toned up to a blood-red, the hooded figure must be strengthening them. They begin their chant and Omalicha is forced to her knees, the earth forms cuffs pinning her feet to the ground and her wrists too are bound. She struggles but they keep chanting, the tables have turned.

The hooded figure hovers towards them and is now before Omalicha. It holds out the coconut in its right palm and begins an incantation of it's own. The coconut leaves its palm and is now suspended mid-air, something is being sucked out of Omalicha and into the coconut.

They say a coconut is the perfect vessel to trap a soul. It floats on water, has a hard exterior, is hollow and has a soft inner wall; somewhat like the human body only a little more rigid.

Omalicha is regaining consciousness and control of her body. The blast to her chest has forced her out of the state she was in. Tears are streaming from her eyes, she is coming out of the pool of darkness then she realises that she is being restrained. She hears chanting then her vision clears and she sees Chidinma and Kasara covered by a blood-red aura. Before she can speak, the pain of what is being forced out of her hits her, she screams.

Hooded Figure: Quiet!

The root of a tree extends from below and gags her. Omalicha bites down hard as the pain tearing through her chest makes her feel like okro being forced against a grater. Tears are still in her eyes but no longer from sorrow, now from pain. Through squinted, teary eyes she peers ahead hoping that someone, a saviour, and she one but no, it's a boy, a young boy. Omalicha resigns in her mind, "I'm dead."

She has never seen him before and none of the others notice him, they are busy trying to kill her or whatever it is they are doing. His head is poking out from behind a tree but then the young boy starts coming towards them. The others still don't notice and Omalicha is fretting, trying to signal the lad to run for his life but he keeps coming.

Kasara: Stay in one place!

Omalicha recognises what she would describe as shock or perhaps fear from the hooded figure's eyes as it turns to look at the boy now just behind it. It appears to have finally noticed him then Omalicha sees it. The boy has an aura as well, his is yellow, dark yellow. It is not as visible as the red but it's there. The coconut bursts without contact from anyone and Omalicha catches her breath. Chidinma and Kasara who were previously oblivious are brought into the loop by the burst. They see the boy and now Omalicha is sure. Chidinma's jaw drops and blood drains from her face, Kasara begins to quake and her eyes sink slightly into their sockets. This is fear.

Chidinma: Impossible!

The boy taps the hooded figure and it grunts as it flies back into the light from which it came; the light reappearing and disappearing in a flash. Chidinma is frozen stiff but Kasara pulls herself together and tries to attack, she is flung like a leaf with the flick of a wrist. Chidinma is forced to her knees by what seems to be the young boy's will and with two fingers pressed against her temple, she losses her aura and faints. Omalicha is next, he is coming for her. He gets to her, stops and looks her straight in the eyes.

Boy: I don't like people like that, my name's Dotun, what's yours?

He is grinning from ear to ear and now that he is this close, Omalicha can tell that he is 11 years old at most. Today is without a doubt the most confusing day of her life.

Omalicha: My name is Oma


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#ChemStudios

DON'T ROCK THE CRADLE - EPISODE VII

Old woman: Wiccan, you are far away from home.

Dotun: Wiccan, *sigh* you're definitely a wise old lady!

Omalicha has gone back to the old lady at the edge of the village, this is the only place she thought to come to. The entire town probably already believes she's a witch, rumour travels fast. Regardless, who else could make sense of all the craziness that's happened today if not the old lady. Dotun followed her here, he hasn't been much help explaning anything, all she's gotten from him so far is, "I'm a wiccan not a witch..." and that doesn't make sense to her.

Old woman: Where is it?

Omalicha: Err... mama you see, it was Chidinma o, it was not me. I told them to leave me alone o but they didn't listen. They started fightin...

The old woman turns back to look at the person she's questioning. She squints for a few seconds but Omalicha isn't sure if this is an attempt to perceive or if it is the effect of age on the old woman's sight.

Old woman: I see, did you swallow it?

Omalicha: ehehe, mba ma, I didn't swallow it o.

Old woman: You're just like your mother, a handful, but at least she brought it back in one piece.

Omalicha: You knew my mother?

Old woman: Of course, who do you think your birth attendant was, your father? That man almost panicked to death when your mother was in labour. Sadly, somethings are beyond even my control, your mother was like a daughter to me. I begged her to use the power now inside you but she refused, reminding me that there could be a price. She never wanted to imagine that you would have to be the one to pay, whatever it could be.

The old woman's face grows sullen and her eyes travel to a distant past that only she can see. Dotun has long since stopped paying attention and is now enchanted by quite the colourful butterfly.

Old woman: I promised your mother that I would tell you of your ancestry when you were ready but now, I might as well. That egg you swallowed...

Omalicha: Ah mama I didn't swallow it o.

Old woman: Mechi'onu! Don't interupt me.

Omalicha: Sorry ma.

Old woman: That egg you swallowed was not left here by a stranger as the rumours would have people believe. It was left by a woman that came from across the Niger, her name was Ebiuwa and her blood remains in this town.

Omalicha: Mama I kno...

Old woman: I said mechi'onu! You children of nowadays, you never listen. Where was I, yes, she left that egg in the care of my great great great, you get the point, grandmother, Ebube. After Ebube's death, the task of keeping it safe and waiting for Ebiuwa's return was passed down to Ebube's first daughter and every first daughter in her line after that. Everyone of them like myself has been named Ebube in case Ebiuwa or any messenger one day returns for it. Ebiuwa had a daughter...

Omalicha: Ah mama I kn...

The old woman gives Omalicha the look and Omalicha zips it.

Old woman: ...her daughter and the founder of Onitsha shared the same father. Do you know where the rumours of the power of that egg come from?

Omalicha: No

Old woman: Ebiuwa's granddaughter, Ekemma, was the first. She had heard about the egg from her mother and thought it would be the answer. Her husband was dying and she used the egg's power to bring him back from the edge of the other side. The problem was, no one knew exactly how the original ritual that gave Ebiuwa this power was performed, Ebube and Ebiuwa's daughter only discovered a way to tap into it. They never realised, maybe because they never used so much power from it at once, that using a back door came with a price. Exactly a year after she brought her husband back, after exactly thirteen full cycles of the moon, Ekemma died.

If anyone thought that was a coincidence, Ekemma's daughter also asked for the egg. There was a great famine in her time, it was as if the gods were angry with Onitsha: crops were destroyed by disease and the few that survived were ravaged by pests, there was no food. She heard of the power her mother had used to save her father's life and decided she could use it to heal our land. She did, and the land was green but then after the harvest, she died. That was the second strike but no one was willing to be the third.

The rumours about beauty, however, are untrue. No one has every used the egg to become more beautiful. The women in your lineage have always been beautiful.

The old woman squints again and peers more keenly at Omalicha.

Old woman: ...although I think with your shaved head, both your mother and grandmother were prettier than you at this age, hahaha...

Omalicha is not sure how to react. The old woman has always come across as stolid and emotionless but now she's laughing. This is definitely an awkward moment. The old woman continues.

Old woman: The curse of breaking the egg and dying was only made up to ensure it was always taken good care of. No one has ever tried or wanted to find out what would happen if it did break, or if it could break at all.

Omalicha: Mama I have seen some of these things, I saw Ebiuwa, I saw men fight like gods and Ebiuwa herself spoke to me.

Old woman: Did a coconut fall on your head?

Omalicha: Mama it's true! Ebiuwa's daughter was named Adanna and Adanna's father was Izunna. Izunna's first wife like himself drank too much mmanya-nkwu, palm-wine, and her name was Amaka.

The old woman freezes as Omalicha speaks. She knows no one could possibly have told her these things as the history has been lost with time. She only knows because her grandmother told her. There was no daughter in the generation before hers so the title and task of Ebube passed directly to her at a young age.

Old woman: Tell me everything.

The old woman listens to every detail, her aged eyes reflecting signs of excitement as the tale dives in and out of the pool of darkness. Even Dotun is drawn when Omalicha mentions blades and flames. The tale ends with Omalicha pulling through and the rest, the old woman figured. She turns to Dotun.

Old woman: You must be a direct descendant, I have only ever met one other before now.

Dotun chuckles, all the while Omalicha remains clueless. She has no idea what a wiccan is, not to mention a direct descendant. She's exasperated and tired of being confused. Someone's approaching the door, the foot steps are light but the shadow confirms it, someone's coming into the old woman's house.

Unknown voice: Mama, a natagom, I'm back.

Old woman: Uzodinma, e natago, you've returned.

Uzodinma: Yes ma.

A boy in his late teens enters the hut, from his appearance Omalicha can tell that she's slightly older than he is, he's probably in the age grade below hers. From his lean muscular build she can tell that he is physically fit and must be agile, they are about the same height but he is slightly taller. He has a forest machete hanging from his waist meaning he is probably a hunter. Omalicha looks at his right hand and there's nchi, bushmeat, in it.

Old woman: This is my grandson Uzodinma he will escort you to Awka to see a man, an old friend of mine.

Uzodinma: Ah mama!! I'm just coming back! Awka?? Can't they go on their own?

Old woman: Mechi'onu! You children of nowadays are very lazy. In my day we could travel from Onitsha here to Enugu in less than a day and you are complaining about ordinary Awka here, straight road.

Dotun is fixated on Uzo's hairstyle, he seems to have taken a liking to it. Uzo on the other hand is sulking, his eyes turn towards me with acidic scorn, more corrosive than a mixture of lime and pepper, hot enough to dissolve me completely.

Old woman: This old friend of mine is hot tempered and quick to punish people for the slightest misdeeds, so don't annoy him. When you get to Awka ask for Mazi Edochie or as people like to call him Ichei Mbeku. Tell him Ebube of Onitsha sent you, he will understand.

She turns to Omalicha.

Old woman: Tell him everything you told me and tell him I said you are now the egg. He will explain what you need to know.


#ChemStudios

Epic :DEpic I like it

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DON'T ROCK THE CRADLE - EPISODE VIII

Awka is located on the plains of the Mamu River, a valley midway between Onitsha and the higher hills to the East. It is home to Agbala, the daughter of the great god, Long Juju of Arochukwu. The goddess is said to embody one of the five aspects of the supreme god, Chukwu. She is said to embody fertility of Earth, its people and the spiritual world full of sub-deities.

The people of Awka themselves, well known for travelling, are quite welcoming to strangers. They have been nicknamed sires of smiths, which is to say the people love iron works and they are good at what they do. Journeying from Onitsha to Awka is more or less a straight road and takes about nine hours for an average person, but Uzo does it in seven. With Omalicha and Dotun, however, this could take forever. He is already annoyed and Dotun isn't helping...

Dotun: Can I see your matchete!? Who cuts your hair?! Can I see your necklace?? I'm wearing one too!

They have arrived at the end of Nkpor, the first town along their route. It is a buzzing town just like Onitsha but a little less known. Omalicha is towing humbly behind the boys, not wanting to do anything to upset Uzo any further, Dotun on the other hand has been twitching with excitement since the journey began. The group has passed so many people by but from here on out, the journey will be a little more quiet as they pass through more peaceful towns.

Uzodinma in his anger is thinking he should not have agreed to lead these two but he remembers his grandmother and knows very well that there are grave consequences for not fulfilling her requests. He resigns to his fate and keeps moving forward; not even his older siblings would mess with his grandmother, nobody does.

The group has reached Ogidi and Dotun is still all over the place, Uzo is still straight-faced but Omalicha is a little more relaxed. It seems all the walking and fresh air is taking her mind off things. Now Abagana, the trio are weaving from town to bush-path to forest, back to town. Umunya, Enugu Agidi (banana town), here Dotun sees huge, yellow bananas and is about to grab some but then sees a red cloth tied around the tree. Everybody knows that it is better to starve than to eat or even touch anything that has been tied with red cloth, there are worse things than death after-all.

Finally, Amawbia. This is the neighbouring town to Awka and the people of Awka and Amawbia are always at logger heads, always clashing; they are rivals. The sun is setting now and the group is arriving at the end of the town, it is evening. Dotun who is advancing with his back first hasn't lost steam in all this time, what a persistent guy. Omalicha herself has been stealing laughs as Uzo shows signs of irritation every now and again when the pestering gets to him, she only reverts to her solemn procession when Uzo's scorn is directed her way. A bird takes off from a nearby tree, rustling leaves and shaking branches...

Uzo: Wiccan

Dotun: Beeni (Yes)!

Uzo: Don't reveal yourself.

The countenance of the two changes, Dotun isn't looking as playful anymore and Uzo is even more stern-looking than just a moment ago. Omalicha doesn't understand what's going on. The group is on a relatively narrow path that takes at most three people walking shoulder-to-shoulder and although the path appears to be frequently used, there are still overhanging branches crossing at irregular intervals.

Omalicha: Is there a prob...

*Woooosh*

It's coming straight for the back of Dotun's head and it's tearing fiercely through the air. A few inches off the mark it deviates slightly and runs itself deep into a nearby tree with a sharp thud; Dotun was still moving back first along the path. Omalicha is shook, she can see it now, the wooden tail oscillates violently; it's an arrow! Perhaps the archer didn't judge his shot well, still, Dotun never flinched or even looked back. Omalicha is frozen stiff with fear, "Who did that?!?" She shivers in her mind.

*Zoooom*

Uzo moves past her with tremendous speed and hits someone squarely in the guts, a clean hit, the only sound is a short-lived, weak cough. Solid knockout! Omalicha looks back to realize that two men wearing masks were approaching from behind. The second masked man jumps back after his teammate is taken out and pulls out his machete, spinning it in his hand as he does. They are men, it is clear from their build. The spinning blade cuts clean through a falling leaf as the masked man spins it again in his hand, it is as sharp as can be but Uzo is not phased, he scoffs. There is a voice from straight down the path, the direction the arrow came from...

Masked Man III: ke ka'm si mee? How on earth did I miss that? Well, it doesn't matter. Kedu, we are here to rob you. That nwa'ada over there looks like she will fetch a good price in the market ehehehehe....

Omalicha's heart skips a beat and then starts to pound against her chest like a pestle smashing pounded yam in a mortar, she doesn't want to be sold. She has heard terrible stories of what happens to people who are sold, very terrible stories. They say it is better to not have been born. The second masked man takes a swing at Uzo, Uzo sidesteps and dodges the blade. At the same time the man attacking from the front, launches straight for Dotun and Omalicha, looking to grab Dotun's face first with his bare hands. The man is a bit muscular and has big hands. The second masked man takes another swing at Uzo, Uzo sidesteps again, this time to the left.

Ndi oshi, robbers, are not uncommon. They accost travelers and passers-by, dispossessing them of all their property. Sometimes, like now, the robbers double as kidnappers/slave traders. Uzo knows very well that if anything happens to the girl, his grandmother will kill him and not figuratively.

Just before the man touches Dotun, Dotun frowns, the same expression Omalicha saw back in Onitsha when he saved her from the hooded figure trying to suck out her soul or whatever was going on.

*Blast!*

The man is hit by a force and is thrown back along the path he came from. He crashes into a tree.

Masked Man III: Ewo! Onye a ri amoosu o! This one is a witch o!

The man gets up, adjusts his mask and dusts himself off. Now, he is going for his own blade and it is definitely bigger than the one currently being swung carelessly at Uzo. The second masked man losses sight of Uzo.

Masked Man II: Efulefu!? He has disappeared o!

Uzo appears behind him and knocks him out with a clean hit to the back of the neck; he returns to join the group.

Uzo: I told you not to reveal yourself.

Dotun: ...but he was trying to touch me.

The last robber standing is heading for the group again but this time his huge machete is ready to dice. Uzo moves, reaching for his own blade as he does. The two collide midway and sparks fly. The ringing from the clash of metals echoes through the bushes but neither of the two seems phased. Uzo remains as cold as ice and the robber seems to be enjoying himself.

Masked Man III: Ehehehehe....


#ChemStudios

I do not well if I comment not.
Ur fairytale is dope
Keep it coming

#CHEMSTUDIOS

The battle begins.

After blocking the robber's first attack, Uzo goes on the counter, matching strike for strike and parrying every blow. This is nothing, he has been through worse training with his older sister and till today, he has never defeated her. He frowns as he remembers how she likes to delight in her victory, she is vicious and this is coming from Uzo. This guy has to be defeated quickly or he will never hear the end of it. "Uki" that's what she calls him, short for "Ukike", local dog.

Omalicha has never actually seen a live battle, she has passed by warriors training but has never actually been on a battlefield. The thought of more masked men sneaking up from behind is running through her mind, keeping her on the edge. In addition, the sound of the continuous exchange of blades is ringing in her ears, she is besides herself. The battle continues.

Dotun and Omalicha wince as Uzo gets a taste of his own medicine. The robber connects his left fist to the V under the ribs where the sternum ends. Uzo gasps for air as his diaphragm loses pace and he struggles to breathe, but this is nothing, he has taken much worse. He converts the momentum from the robber's attack to a full round house, kicking the robber on the soft spot high on the right temple. The robber staggers backwards to the left.

Masked Man III: Okoro! You have skill o, who is teaching you these things?

Dotun sees an opening as the robber tries to re-gain balance and goes for it, he adds more force this time for a clean knockout

*Blast!*

The robber had been keeping an eye on him since the first attack and as soon as Dotun started moving, the robber moved faster. He dipped his thumb into a small gourd tied to his right hip and ran the thumb now covered in what looked like soot across the edge of his blade and then the eyes of his mask, all before Dotun's attack arrives.

Masked Man III: Okuko na-afu uzo, gosi m uzo! (The foul that sees the way, show me the way)

*Ahhhhhhhhhh* *Slice!*

Masked Man III: Ehehehehe, okonta, you can't catch me with the same mischief twice eh.

Dotun is slightly taken aback, it's not everyday he meets someone who can cut through his blast. Uzo on the other hand has become more annoyed, he realises that despite the robber's silly behaviour, he will not be easy to defeat. Omalicha just stares.

It has become a battle of three with Dotun helping to push the robber back and Uzo exploiting every opportunity created by the blasts. The boys are winning and Omalicha is on the verge of cheering them on. The thing is Omalicha's father...

Masked Man III: Lee umuaka ndi a! See this children o!

*Detach* *Overturn*

The masked man has become upset with the current situation of being cornered by children. He detaches the gourd on his hip and pours it's contents over his head and chants.

Masked Man III: Okuko n'ime mmiri, nye m ike! (The foul that is inside water, give me strength)

From head to toe, as the powder pours, the robber's skin darkens slightly, impossible to see under this lighting but Omalicha catches it. His muscles grow by the thickness of an orange seed and this one, even the boys can see. He flexes his blade-arm as he adjusts to the new physique, then he swings the arm and a tree suffers for it. It's trunk is almost split across. Omalicha's jaw drops, Dotun powers up and Uzo adjusts the grip on his blade.

*Gbim!*

A strong foot greets Uzo on the chest. Cough. He wasn't expecting this level of speed. The impact sends him crashing into a tree with his back. His eyes sink slightly into their sockets. It falls, the finishing blow to the same tree that was already cut by the robber's test of new might.

The dark orange glow now around Dotun is pulsating. He is slowly lifting his right hand.

*Bam!*

The back of the robber's hand collides with Dotun's blast. He has appeared in front of Dotun. This time, the blast doesn't go out. It is repelled, Dotun is blown away!

Masked Man III: Ehehehehe

The robber is walking slowly towards Omalicha now, palm wide open inching closer to her face. She is hyperventilating, rooted to the spot by fear. "This is it...", she resigns. She has heard that you should not allow diabolical people touch you, most especially never allow them touch your head. They will use their juju to make you forget yourself and you will start following them like a mumu.

*Slap!*

Uzo makes it back in the nick of time and slaps the robber's hand away at the elbow with the end of his palm. He goes down and tries to clear the man of his feet, the man jumps.

*Blast!*

*Block*

The robber is hit by another of Dotun's blasts. Dotun returns, the orange glow around him is a shade brighter. The robber blocked but the force is stronger than he expects. He is pushed back. The three seem ready for a final, decisive strike.

*Zoooom!*

They move...

*Freeze*

They stop dead in their tracks. Omalicha doesn't understand what just happened. She's looking at a scene of three people who were literally just trying to kill each other, now frozen stiff. She reluctantly takes a shaky step forward. She notices Dotun's eye's are trying to communicate something, his pupils are moving back and sharply forth. She takes another step while bending her head sideways to try to understand Dotun, she still doesn't get it. Uzo and the robber are like stone, Omalicha is not even sure they're breathing. She decides to look back.

There is a nice looking old lady directly behind her. When did she get here? She moves past Omalicha and keeps moving. Something is odd but Omalicha can't quite put a finger on it. The lady gets to where Dotun is and Dotun does not even flinch. she gets to Uzo, passes the robber and is almost off then she sees it, Omalicha sees it

*Scream!!!*

The woman is not walking, she's floating along, the old woman is a ghost! The ghost stops, it turns back and her eyes turn a bright light blue. Omalicha screams even louder.


#CHEMSTUDIOS

#ChemStudios

DON'T ROCK THE CRADLE - EPISODE X

NB: The comics read right to left like traditional Japanese manga.


Life is interesting. There is always something mysterious hiding around the corner. Like a goat that has four stomachs yet re-chews what it has already eaten, an animal that looks so simple and tastes so delicious is more intricate than can be seen with the naked eye. There are many suggestions for why a goat chews the cud. Some say it is to aid digestion while others say it is a state of meditation, for great thoughts to flow to the mind.

It is known that there is more to life than the physical plane, it is well known that ghosts exist, though it is many persons' prayer never to run into one. What most do not know, however, is that an aberration of nature is what they are. They are those who for reasons of mind or emotions of soul, at the time of death, could not cross over to the other side.

When life ends, a form of energy is released and this energy, spirit, ferries mind and soul across the divide; we conceive with our minds but feel with our souls. Every so often, the spirit is not strong enough to complete this task and so a ghost is born. A ghost is driven, always, by a thought or an emotion but make no mistake, there is no end to it's actions, it has no goal like you and me. The drive is it's only mission, only ambition, whatever that may mean, whatever consequences this may have for anything in its way.

Ghosts are not born by choice, if there was a choice in the matter, many would never leave and this plane would be crowded. They are fractions of mind and shards of soul held together by the energy that wasn't enough; every individual needs a unique amount of this energy called spirit to make it across. Ghosts do not stand on the earth itself because the earth itself is an endless reservoir or unfillable tank, if you will. Without a physical body, the earth would suck the mass of energy that is the ghost into itself, that is to say, the ghost would be "earthed".

Omalicha's scream has triggered this ghost. It has turned from being passive to being active and appears to be driven by emotion. If Oma had stayed oblivious for a little while longer then the only problem would still have been just the masked man.

*Breeze!*

Strong winds are emanating from the old lady-ghost and pushing Omalicha and the boys back, they can barely hold their ground, even trees are bending. The ghost hasn't moved yet, she seems not to have been completely triggered but the emotion driving her is clearly rage. Dotun creates a shield to block Uzo, Omalicha and himself from the things being blown their way.

Masked Man III: Ehehe, biko let me join you people there. Amoosu (witch), you still have more power? Hia, Chukwunna!

Uzo frowns, but he knows it is better to have the man on their side in this situation. There's no telling how strong or what kind of power this ghost may possess.

*Throw!*

The masked man abruptly launches his machete straight at the ghost, straight for its head. It passes clean through and wedges itself into a stone somewhere behind. Even the jazz re-enforced blade cannot touch the ghost but it does do one thing, the ghost is now completely triggered!

Masked Man III: Ewo! (Exclamation)

The old lady appears behind Dotun's shield! They all get it!

*Slap!*

Uzo and the masked man are flung away! They are the closest and so take the most impact. Dotun is pushed back by a distance, he braced himself. Omalicha losses her footing and is knocked down.

Dotun retaliates by dropping his shield and attacking the ghost directly.

*Blast!*

His attack connects! A colourful butterfly flaps onto the scene, just like at grandma Ebube's house.

How can an entity without physical form, an entity on which even jazz appears to have no effect be defeated?

#Flashback

Grandma Ebube: A ghost is simply a person who did not have enough spirit energy at death to cross over. So what is the solution to a ghost problem?

*Thinks hard*

Uzo: Mama I don't know.

Grandma Ebube: Mechi'onu, lazy youth! It is only play you children of nowadays know how to play. In my day, at your age, we were already taking care of serious ghosts!

#FlashbackEnds

Uzo mutters to himself

Uzo: Give it more spirit, tap from the earth, the earth is an endless reservoir.

Uzo catches Dotun's eye and Dotun understands. He traps the ghost inside a sphere but the ghost is fighting back, releasing more power, trying to burst the sphere from within. The masked man stands up, dusts himself off, assesses the situation and scampers away. Omalicha is awestruck at how slyly he extricates himself from the situation, "What a rat..." She thinks. She is also back on her feet.

Masked Man III: Nne, I will see you people later eh, ehehehe

Just like that, the man is gone. Uzo and Dotun pay him no mind. They are busy. Besides, good riddance to bad rubbish. From directly beneath where the ghost is trapped, small vines are crawling out of the earth and into the sphere. They are wrapping around the ghost and now are glowing green, the ghost begins to throw an even wilder fit.

Uzo: Hold it steady!

Dotun: I'm trying!

Omalicha picks up a stick from the ground. Why? It makes her feel safer. It's a small branch of a tree that probably broke off sometime during all the madness. It's a bit moist, probably from due caught by leaves.

*Burst!*

Dotun's sphere is broken! The ghost is free! It runs straight and Omalicha is in its path.

*Whammm!*

Omalicha closes her eyes and reflexively swings the branch in here hands. She hit the ghost! Everyone is stunned, even the ghost but the window she has created is exactly what the boys need. The orange glow around Dotun brightens. Oma is starting to see the pattern, the brighter the glow, the more the power. Dotun is glowing as bright orange as possible. He stretches his hand out and another bubble appears, the ghost is fretting but this time the sphere is not yielding.

#Flashback

A shadow appears at the doorway. Grandma Ebube looks up and smiles. Uzo knows who the silhouette belongs to.

Grandma Ebube: Nwa'm, e natago? (My child, have you returned?)

Uzo's sister: E! (Yes!) Mama don't mind Uki, he doesn't know anything. Simple ghost problem he does not know how to solve. I'm sure he cannot even resolve the ghost of an Ukike (local dog), hahahaha...

#FlashbackEnds

The vines crepe out again, this time there are a few more of them. The ghost is completely entangled and the vines glow a brighter green. A second butterfly pops into the scene.

Uzo is tapping from the earth and forcing into the ghost the extra spirit energy needed to cross over. If a ghost receives the extra spirit that it was missing it will be forced to cross. The downside, however, is that ghosts never willingly take the energy. Forcing spirit into a living person is a horrible experience and it probably is the same for ghosts.

*Booom!*

There's a loud bang from within and Dotun's sphere shatters like glass. The ghosts is gone, they did it! Dotun falls on his back, Uzo heaves a sigh of relief and Omalicha drops to her knees and sheds tears of joy. What a day, a goat walks by.


#ChemStudios

Oga where art thou now

We are waiting o

Lol, sorry I forgot to drop the link here.

I moved the episodes to a new thread that has been titled the name of the series

DON'T ROCK THE CRADLE

https://www.nairaland.com/5035122/nigerian-anime-dont-rock-cradle

#ChemStudios

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