Once upon a time, there was a little town called Apere. No one who ventured into this land ever returned, as everyone who entered would suddenly be forgotten, preventing any search parties from being organized.

However, one day, deep within the palace of the Queen of Ilu-Oro, sat Ifayemi, a man renowned for his wisdom and perfect soothsaying.

Welcome to "African Tales from Fortune City."
Ilu-Oro, the ancient Fortune City, had weathered its share of turbulence and war. It was ruled by the powerful and beautiful Queen Adesewa. At present, Queen Adesewa's only son, Prince Adekunle, was gravely ill, with no known cause or solution in sight.

For several days, Queen Adesewa had consulted with Ifayemi, who now appeared perplexed.

IFAYEMI: This isn't normal. The gods are playing some riddles here.

The queen looked at him eagerly, prompting him to continue.

IFAYEMI: The gods say that for the prince, your heir, to be healed, he needs to find the Awobi Flower and pluck it from the cave where it is buried.

The queen sat up, her interest piqued.

QUEEN: Where can we find the Awobi flower?

IFAYEMI: The cave can be found in the village of Apere. It's imperative that you reach Ilu Apeere as quickly as possible.

The queen and her advisors exchanged puzzled glances, as they struggled to recall the place.
QUEEN: Apere is a small town within this village, yet I've never felt compelled to visit before.

Otun, one of her advisors, responded:

OTUN: My queen, I'll ensure you remember after the prince is healed.

The queen accepted his suggestion:

QUEEN: You're right. How soon must we depart for this land?

She turned to a servant and instructed:

QUEEN: Omiran, go to Ajewole and summon the Oto group for me.

The chiefs looked perplexed. Balogun, speaking on their behalf, voiced his thoughts:

BALOGUN: My queen, I do not question your command, but we have many warriors in the land who could undertake this mission effectively.

QUEEN: For a mysterious flower to save my son, I must enlist the group formed by the gods themselves.

The chiefs nodded in agreement, acknowledging the validity of her argument.

Omiran hurried to Ajewole village and eventually located the training ground of the Oto band. The compound was vast, a gift bestowed upon the Oto band for their numerous acts of valor.

There, he found them practicing to the rhythm of Adio's drums.

The Oto group comprised valiant warriors with diverse skills. Among them was Irede, endowed with a divine spirit to face any challenge, provided she had the support of her divine counterpart. Adio, her divine partner, could only produce captivating music when Irede was prepared for battle. Suberu led the band, aided by two loyal friends, Olu and Yomi, while their backs were guarded by the most skilled among them, Segilola.

This group had trained numerous warriors and drummers, but the tales of their beginnings would have to wait for another day.

Days later, the Oto band stood before the magnificent Queen, paying their respects.

QUEEN: You will journey to Apeere now.

The Queen instructed them to return with the Awobi flowers. Ifayemi bolstered their spirits and provided them with guidance on their journey.

Thus, led by Suberu, the Oto band set out.

For days, they traversed the land in search of Apeere, trekking through dense forests and camping along the way. When not encamped, they pressed onward, determined to fulfill the Queen's mandate.

Finally, they reached Apeere, only to find that it had undergone a transformation.

During a period of drought, the villagers had prayed for water, and their prayers had been answered. Apeere, previously situated not far from a river, now found itself surrounded by waterways. Initially, this abundance was a blessing, attracting people from far and wide. However, the source of this blessing was not the benevolent gods they had hoped for; it was the spirit of Ere, a powerful entity.

Anyone who entered Apeere found their desire to leave swiftly vanishing, as the rivers began to encroach upon the land. Ere's influence was pervasive, her love for beauty shaping the landscape and the desires of its inhabitants. Despite the undeniable allure of the land, Ere's control over their desires was absolute.

When the Oto band arrived in Apeere, Ere sensed something different about them. Accompanied by her guards, she approached them.

ERE: Awobi!

Her voice echoed, and a chill filled the air as water flowed from her crown, her eyes ablaze with anger.

ERE: Seize them!

She commanded her guards, who eagerly obeyed. Fleeing from Ere's palace, the Oto band sought refuge, hurrying to locate the Awobi flower as instructed by Ifayemi. Before they could venture into the forest, they were assailed by Ere's guards. With Adio beating his drums, Irede and the Oto band fought valiantly, eventually plucking the Awobi leaf.

With the flower in their possession, Ere's hold over the people dissipated. Panic ensued as everyone sought to escape. Darkness descended as Ere's palace drifted away, a massive serpent slithering around it.

Then, Ere herself vanished, transforming into a colossal serpent that retreated into the sands.

ERE: You called upon the gods in your time of need, and I answered. I made this land prosperous, yet you spurned me.

With the aid of their drums, the Oto band compelled Ere to depart from Apeere, allowing the villagers to escape. As the waters receded, leaving behind only sand, the people departed, eager to return to their homes.

Apeere, now a small, modern island, saw few visitors in the days that followed, a testament to the enduring power of its past.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtfJsBQ05c8?si=F2d7f6FqaI_EUP3R