₦airaland Forum

Folktaler:
thanks for the encouragement bro.

You are welcome bro and pls give us more update. Ayeni really fought death to wait for oyeku.

Folktaler:
Miss, the break was inevitable but all well.

How are you doing?

Why would i forget my number one fan?

Hope you are coping with this country?

Coping ke? My dear, I just dey ooo. Happy to know you're back. Inevitable? Hope all is well? Let me Dm you.

" Am here now my father, am here. Oyeku is back. "

" I wish i can see you well, but my eyes had totally betray me. But i am grateful. I am grateful to the four-hundred and one deities of our land. This is fate. It has been written and we can not erase it. "


Ayeni attempted to stand up, but he fell back again.

"Rest, old one. "

Oyeku adjusted him.

"Please, leave everybody. I want to talk to my son." Ayeni instructed.

The men nodded and left, remaining Oyeku alone with him.

"Eredi, she is the lady that takes care of me. She probably is with the women at the rock mill grinding corn. She as been compassionate with me. When you see her, please favor her and protect her. Wherever you go, keep her by your side. She has the mark of ajé; a potential spiritual vessel. Don't forget."

" I will favor her as you asked." Oyeku replied.

" Have you ever wondered why, i didn't interefer with the war? It is not because my hands are two weak to strike nor my charms too watery to work. It is because it has been written, that you Oyeku will be the bringer of perennial peace through war. There will be no true peace without war.

Aro has made the sacrifice to obtain peace for herself and you Oyeku, is the fetcher that will be sent into the well of peace. As such, your destiny is linked with the future of Aro.

You must do what you must do, just as i did what i did by not interfering with the war. Of course, if i had fought for Aro and saved it, there would have been peace and this nightmare might not have occur.

But for how long would this peace stay with us ? As long as i live? Then war returns after my death. I do not want the war for peace to be postponed to the time of my children's children; i want to fight it now, so that my descendants might know no war.

Oyeku, you must pull the tree down to the root. You must enter into the heart of Oyo and break it. You must seize their power and authority. Only by that would you bring a perpetual peace."

Ayeni voice trailed off at the last statement, never to be heard again.



********



CHAPTER FIVE


The men arrived at the Aro settlement early in the morning. From distance they could hear sound of drums.

" That drum, it speaks of death. " A man said.

" That drum is played only when the king dies. Why then do we hear it when we have no king? " Another man chipped in.

" Those are not even important, why would they play that drum when we are meant to be inconspicuous? Why draw unnecessary attention?.

" This might be related to that young warrior, Oyeku. Only the gods know what he is up to."

Getting closer to the settlement, they could hear loud wails and mournful songs. A weeping woman walk past the men, but they stopped her.

" Young lady, why are you crying? Who died? Kwaita asked.

" Oh, it is Baba Ayeni. He died this morning. The men are embalming his body as we speak." She choke in her tears.

" Embalming? " The men were surprised.

" Yes, his son, insisted that Baba will not be buried without honour. He wants to bury Baba, with an entourage of slaves."

The woman finished and hurried off without waiting for another question.

"An entourage of slaves. " The men chorused with their mouth ajar with surprise and confusion.

They were still contemplating when they heard the procession of the priestly undertakers approaching with the embalmed corpse.

At the front of the procession was Oyeku like a vanguard. Tall and strong like the Iroko tree. His head has been shaved. He was bare from his neck down to his waist. Strings of leather and cotton amulet hung around his neck holding tiny gourds. He tied a white wrapper around his waist.

Behind him were the priestly undertakers. They were also dressed in white. On their shoulders was the flat-walless coffin, carrying the corpse.

The returning men led by kwaita, postrated as the corpse passed before them. They arose and joined the procession.

The corpse was to be taken to Ayeni family house at Ebisa, where the body would be placed in a hut of it own and guarded until the time for burial.

While the procession was progressing, a fresh round of wailing arose from a corner. It was the women from the corn mill. The news of Baba death had been broken to them.

But none caught the attention of the procession than the wailing of a particular young lady. She tried to follow the procession but she was repel by the men. It is forbiden for women to participate in the rite of passage of an initiate.

Oyeku eyes had fell on her shortly, before he returned his gaze to road and continued with the procession.

Thanks for the update man. Feed us more.

*******

Usimalo

Thunder streaked across the sky as rain poured heavily. It was cold and chilly. Though it was still afternoon, yet it was dark and gloomy. Chilo was lying on her mat. Enjoying the cool weather, till she drifted into a deep sleep and fell into a dream.

A figure appeared from a distance. He was walking towards her. The closer he get the more Chilo came to epiphany of who he is. Tall and dark, his broad shoulders as if they can hold the world.

" Oyeku!" She muttered softly as her heart skipped.

She became overwhelmed with an unexplainable euphoria. She found herself launching forward to meet him, but she was held back by a strong arm.

She turn around to see who it was. It was Ogbo. He pulled her into his arm and held her tightly. She struggled to break free, but Ogbo wouldn't let go. She faced Oyeku and tried to beg him to help her free. But when are eyes met Oyeku's, she saw a magnificent hatred written on his face. These hatred was not directed to anything in particular but to Chilo herself.

" Oyeku." She almost whispered.

" Die!!!!!!! " Oyeku grabbed her neck and choked her.


" Oyeku, please!! Plea...se. " She woke up with a shout, only to find someone sitting crossed leg like a buddhist monk beside her.

She screamed and hurl herself backward away from the somebody.

" Don't near me!! I'll scream!!"

"It is me Iya, why are you shouting, and you are crying too. " It was Dada; her son.

"Oh!! my baby!! Am sorry i woke you up. "

She pulled him and held him tight.

" Sorry!! " She whispered to his ear.

"Why are you crying? Is it that man, Oyeku?" Dada looked up at her.

In that very moment, Chilo saw Oyeku right in him and her heart banged. Oyeku in a small body.

Dada resemblance with Oyeku is like the resemblance of beans with her siblings. She could not help but observe those features; the shape of his head, his eyes, his nose, his lips only his skin complexion appears more lighter than that of Oyeku, which might have been her only trait in him.

" Is it that Oyeku again? " he rephrased.

" How do you know Oyeku? " Chilo anxiety and shock could not be hidden.

"Sometimes you mention him in your sleep. I don't know him, but i know that he is troubling you, i wish i can see him and break his neck. " Indignation could be sensed from his boyish voice which is too deep for his age of five.

"Hush, little one!! There is no Oyeku. Do you hear. I only say that whenever i am very tired before sleeping. Do you hear? " Fear was written all over her.

Dada nodded.

"And, do not mention Oyeku again, do you hear? Oyeku is a bad name that can attract malevolent and ugly demons. Don't even say it again, and don't say it near your father, do you hear. "

Dada nodded once again.

She heaved in relief.

" Here, now lie here beside me and sleep. " She adjusted for the boy to fit on her mat.

How could he have known about Oyeku?

"This is bad." she thought.

She prayed that Dada should not mention Oyeku, near Ogbo.

Ever since she has become Ogbo's wife, she had not conceived. It was obvious that Ogbo was the one with the problem. This situation was a weakness for Ogbo who had tried all he can, with different herbal remedies, rituals and magic waisteband, yet his basket could not hold water.

He had agreed and resolved to make Dada his own biological son. Only if Chilo and her mother could keep quiet about it, erase the memories of Oyeku, as such; Dada would come to accept him as his true father.

Dada mentioning Oyeku is ominous. Only the gods knows where this situation will lead to.

She determined that she will ensure Dada does not mention that name again. Even if it means to say bad things about Oyeku. She can't afford to lose the peace she has been enjoying in her family. Her love story with Oyeku should have ended six years
ago, but she had always tried to nurture a false hope that Oyeku is alive. Now, the false hope has turn around to hunt her in her dreams, now it want to destroy her family.

" Oyeku is dead, you must move on! " she told herself.

" I must move on. "

She was determined.

Thanks man and with consistent update the ghost readers will start coming out. Kudos

Thanks for the updates.

Folktaler:
Am back guys.

I missed everyone of you.

And am sorry for the great break.

It was inevitable.

Am back now...

Let roll!!!?

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Glad you're back.

Folktaler:
*******

Usimalo

Thunder streaked across the sky as rain poured heavily. It was cold and chilly. Though it was still afternoon, yet it was dark and gloomy. Chilo was lying on her mat. Enjoying the cool weather, till she drifted into a deep sleep and fell into a dream.

A figure appeared from a distance. He was walking towards her. The closer he get the more Chilo came to epiphany of who he is. Tall and dark, his broad shoulders as if they can hold the world.

" Oyeku!" She muttered softly as her heart skipped.

She became overwhelmed with an unexplainable euphoria. She found herself launching forward to meet him, but she was held back by a strong arm.

She turn around to see who it was. It was Ogbo. He pulled her into his arm and held her tightly. She struggled to break free, but Ogbo wouldn't let go. She faced Oyeku and tried to beg him to help her free. But when are eyes met Oyeku's, she saw a magnificent hatred written on his face. These hatred was not directed to anything in particular but to Chilo herself.

" Oyeku." She almost whispered.

" Die!!!!!!! " Oyeku grabbed her neck and choked her.


" Oyeku, please!! Plea...se. " She woke up with a shout, only to find someone sitting crossed leg like a buddhist monk beside her.

She screamed and hurl herself backward away from the somebody.

" Don't near me!! I'll scream!!"

"It is me Iya, why are you shouting, and you are crying too. " It was Dada; her son.

"Oh!! my baby!! Am sorry i woke you up. "

She pulled him and held him tight.

" Sorry!! " She whispered to his ear.

"Why are you crying? Is it that man, Oyeku?" Dada looked up at her.

In that very moment, Chilo saw Oyeku right in him and her heart banged. Oyeku in a small body.

Dada resemblance with Oyeku is like the resemblance of beans with her siblings. She could not help but observe those features; the shape of his head, his eyes, his nose, his lips only his skin complexion appears more lighter than that of Oyeku, which might have been her only trait in him.

" Is it that Oyeku again? " he rephrased.

" How do you know Oyeku? " Chilo anxiety and shock could not be hidden.

"Sometimes you mention him in your sleep. I don't know him, but i know that he is troubling you, i wish i can see him and break his neck. " Indignation could be sensed from his boyish voice which is too deep for his age of five.

"Hush, little one!! There is no Oyeku. Do you hear. I only say that whenever i am very tired before sleeping. Do you hear? " Fear was written all over her.

Dada nodded.

"And, do not mention Oyeku again, do you hear? Oyeku is a bad name that can attract malevolent and ugly demons. Don't even say it again, and don't say it near your father, do you hear. "

Dada nodded once again.

She heaved in relief.

" Here, now lie here beside me and sleep. " She adjusted for the boy to fit on her mat.

How could he have known about Oyeku?

"This is bad." she thought.

She prayed that Dada should not mention Oyeku, near Ogbo.

Ever since she has become Ogbo's wife, she had not conceived. It was obvious that Ogbo was the one with the problem. This situation was a weakness for Ogbo who had tried all he can, with different herbal remedies, rituals and magic waisteband, yet his basket could not hold water.

He had agreed and resolved to make Dada his own biological son. Only if Chilo and her mother could keep quiet about it, erase the memories of Oyeku, as such; Dada would come to accept him as his true father.

Dada mentioning Oyeku is ominous. Only the gods knows where this situation will lead to.

She determined that she will ensure Dada does not mention that name again. Even if it means to say bad things about Oyeku. She can't afford to lose the peace she has been enjoying in her family. Her love story with Oyeku should have ended six years
ago, but she had always tried to nurture a false hope that Oyeku is alive. Now, the false hope has turn around to hunt her in her dreams, now it want to destroy her family.

" Oyeku is dead, you must move on! " she told herself.

" I must move on. "

She was determined.

Oyeku meji🤣

Aro

In the evening of that day, Kwaita was with Oyeku in his father's compound with some other young men who are loyal to kwaita. Oyeku was sitting on a bamboo bench still wearing the burial regalia he wore during the progression. He was drinking heavily.

Kwaita and his boys were stooping before him like a subordinate before a superior. Kwaita had come with the purpose to declare his allegiance and support to the leadership of Oyeku.

"My sympathy to the house of the bereaved!! Baba is one of the central and the last pillar of our land. His judgement and wisdom became our hope and comfort. May his legacies never end."

"Ase!! " The men chorused.

"Without a pillar, the house will fall. If the root of a tree refuse to hold the ground, it head will touch ground. Ekun, the proud tiger, he was our king before he went to sojourn with his fathers across the river of forgetness.

Ichendu, the one who sees war and rejoice. He took war to Oyo on the great stream and laid waste the man resources of Oduaye the wicked. He also, he became a deity and his blood spoke of the courage of Aro to the barbarians of Oyo.

After the great tragedy, Baba Ayeni, took the realm of leadership, his wisdom and insight was the reason why we are here today, alive and strong.

And today, today. " He gently wipe the tears rolling down his eyes.

" Today, death took our hen, who will protect our chicks from the talons of the powerful kite? Our hope is shattered. We are dead in the heart. Our hope is shattered. We are dead in the heart. Our hope is no less than the hope of someone bitten by a rattlesnake.

Oyeku, i am Odinna son of kwaita, but i took my father name kwaita for myself because the glory of our land is gone. A lot of my brothers had died in the great battle of the stream, six years ago. By bearing the name of my father, i live for all my brothers. Until the day Aro is avenged, my name remains Kwaita." Kwaita postrated on the floor.

"I, Kwaita acknowledge your leadership, Oyeku son of Ayeni. Your command and wish will be my desire. I along with this brave sons of Aro look forward to your command. "

The other men postrated as well.

Oyeku eyes were fixed on nothing in particular. His eyes were like the eyes of someone who has lost everything. Like a maniac, he broke into a hysterical laughter. He took another gulp of the undiluted palm wine. Then he stood up, pointing at Kwaita.

"You, where are the other men of your group i met yesterday? "

"Ah, though we arrived together, but they are not here now. " Kwaita replied.

"hmmm." he nodded his head hurriedly. He sat down.

"Are they for me or against me? " Oyeku gaze fell on Kwaita.

"Oyeku, i do not know. I do not know the mind of everybody, i only spoke for myself and these boys who had decided to follow you. " Kwaita replied.

"By tomorrow morning, i want every able bodied man to get himself armed. I want to set up a military camp at the border between Usi and Aro. Remember to sound this warning that anyone that disobeys these command shall pay with his life. " Oyeku voice was filled with every authority.

Kwaita was about to say something contradictory, but he didn't.

" I understand, i will do as you say." He stood up and gestured to the war boys to let go.

Oyeku watched them go. Then his gaze fell on the hut on which Ayeni body was placed.



******


It was dawn, Oyeku was standing on a small rock holding a massive club draped in red- black cotton. He wore a black fetish jacket laced with many gourds,shells and bones. He wore a leopard skin on his waist.

His expressionless eyes scanned the assembly of armed men before him. About one-hundred and fifty men in all. They were all dressed for war.

" Is this the total number of able bodied men Aro had descended? " He directed his question to Kwaita who was beside him at the base of the rock.

" Oyeku, when i left your compound yesterday, i had quickly assigned my boys to go to every compound, and pass the information which they diligently did. Sadly, some men had refused to recognized your leadership, most especially from the royal family and your compound, Ebisa. " Kwaita replied with every sincerity.

Oyeku scoffed. A sinister look was on his face.

" If you are from the Ebisa clan, and you are here, come outside. " Oyeku said with a deep loud voice.

About twenty seven men came out of the assembly.

" I congratulate you, my brothers. You honored me. I will honor you as well. " Oyeku faced the whole congregation.

" Ebisa is my clan, the compound of my father, yet they rejected me. They said it to my face that I am a bastard, not a true son of Aro. " Oyeku recalled how he went to meet the family head of the Ebisa clan to support his leadership in the previous night.


" Who do you even think you are? Don't push your luck too far, Oyeku. Ayeni was my elder brother, and for his sake i took you as one of the sons of our clan.

But the truth is that, you are not one of us. We know the story. You reek of Oyo blood. Oyo ways are written all over you. The desire to dominate and enslave others. Oyo blood will never rule our clan, speak less of Aro our father's land." The Ebisa clan head had told Oyeku.


" I loved Aro as I would love my mother, but my own clan men rejected me. Men of Aro, do you reject me as well?" Oyeku asked.

"Of course not" the crowd chorused.

" Do you take me as your leader then? "

" We have no other leader than Oyeku son of Ayeni. " They answered.

" Then swear in the face of the gods that, my commands are your desires!! "

"May Ogun unsheath his sword and do us harm if we ever disobey you. Oyeku is the divine warrior of heaven. " They screamed.

Oyeku smiled grimly.

" I have some enemies which i intends to destroy, and they are not very far from where we stand. Men of Aro, i command you to enter the Ebisa compound and slaughter every able man you find. "

daddio:
Thanks for the updates.

you are welcome senior man

Kawo9ze:
Glad you're back.

Thanks man.

hotswagg12:
Thanks man and with consistent update the ghost readers will start coming out. Kudos

Thanks for the encouragement. Glad you are always around.

Kawo9ze:
Oyeku meji🤣

abi

Welcome back
Seat booked,space occupied let the updates keep flowing more ink to your pen congratulations

Isn't Oyeku getting out of hand??

Hmmm! Oyeku is cursed to do what is absolutely necessary.

********


Oma


Maku time in the Oma Kingdom was that of a seeker. Seeking for a particular Seer. It had been rumored that there is a seer that has a magic that can bring the dead back to life. Stories like that are common and often treated as legends and fables, but the whip of desperation sent him chasing after this legends.

He had lingered and savored every memory he shared with Arore, yet he was never satisfied. Every memory implants in him fresh yearning. Life made no sense anymore. He couldn't point out what exactly he wants to live for.

For the past six years, he had nurtured a hope that he will see Arore again. Yet, he was draped hopelessness. ' There is no magic that can make a dead person lives '. The few seers he had met had said the same thing.

But, Maku was not ready to believe that there is no way to make Arore lives again. " If there is a problem, there must be a solution. The creator has not create what he can't tame. Death is a creation. I Maku will defeat death. '

The streets of Oma are usually wide and less crowdy. The Omas do not crowd their market either, they just drop their goods with a price tag on their stall, the buyers pick the good and drop their money. The Omas are as honest as such.

Maku turn and took a bushy path away from the streets.

" I am very confident about this. The man can do it." Legun said scratching his head which is becoming bald. He was walking alongside Maku.

They kept on walking till they got to a lone hut.
"This is the place!!".



**********




There was a great silence in Aro. The kind of silence that follows a misfortune. Even the birds refused to chirp and the trees refused to sway. The sun itself hid behind dark clouds. The only sound that seems to betray this domineering silence was the sound of multiple hoes striking against soft earth. Bodies were piled up as in a pyramid. Ebisa is no more.

Aro men from other clans joined to assist the fortunate Ebisa men who were loyal to Aro in burying the numerous corpses. It was a mass burial and the whole of Aro witnessed it. Soon, rain started to fall, yet the bodies continued to lay ontop each other.

' What madness!!'. The men of Ebisa who witnessed the slaughter and the burial had withdrew their support for Oyeku since the moment he pronounced death on Ebisa clan, his own clan!!

Revenge!! Revenge was the only thing on their mind. Though they had concealed their indignation for the sake of their lives; they had sworn in their heart to assassinate Oyeku.

More shocking was the willingness of the other clans to raise their swords against another clan from the same tribe. Was Oyeku words so powerful that Aro cut off one of her clans? Oyeku words became the reality of a whole clan.

Kwaita was at the other edge of the pit watching the men lay bodies on top of each other. For the thousand times, he questioned his decision to follow Oyeku. Was he on the right path? Did he miss it? Was the senseless slaughter neccesary?

But when ever he looks at the face of Oyeku, he sees a leader. He sees the unambiguous imprints of the deities upon the soul of Oyeku. Though Oyeku stood alone at the other edge of the pit, he was not alone. Kwaita could feel the presence of the unseens around him. He is fortified.

" The divine warrior of heaven!! " Kwaita whispered.

Oyeku is the divine warrior. The gift of the gods. The ultimate tool of liberation. He is the future of Aro. ' How pleasant will it be to fight alongside this enigma? ' Kwaita came to an epiphany of his purpose; to support and be loyal to this divine weapon.

He will die fighting for this man. He will ensure that all his men remains extremely loyal to the personality of Oyeku. For the hundred times he peek at Oyeku. His eyes were fixed on the bodies in the pit. His face was expressionless. Like a palm tree tall and strong. Every inch of his body was wrapped in tough muscles. His mighty chest rose and fell with rythm. 'What a gallant man!! '

By evening, the corpse were all buried. That night and the three days after it, there was mourning. On the night of the third day, Oyeku called for an assembly. This time, the whole clans showed up. Including men from the royal house.


" The loss of Ebisa is my loss." He began.

" An inevitable loss. Like a man who caught off a rotten thumb so that he won't loss an arm. People of Aro. We shall no longer raise our sword against ourselves anymore. Follow my lead and we shall win together.

I intend to build a military camp at the border between Aro and Usi. This will be a great move that will signify the end of Aro exile. We have lost much, it is time to build again.

The Oyos whom you fear will come to fear you. We will throw their territories into panic and the heart of their empire into worry. I, Oyeku will march against the lords of their empire and ruin them. The whole world shall wonder where does this people come from? Fearless and powerful!!" his voice resonated till it became a vague echo.

Wow can't wait for oyeku to lead his people to war against the Oyo's. Thanks for the update.

Kudos man.

Let's have more pls

*******



"There is no way to make a dead person live again!" A deep and bellish voice said out of a little box. It was the seer's voice. Ever since Maku entered with Legun, they had not set eyes on their host; it was just this voice coming out of the bell.

The room was lit with thousands of oil lamps, and on the smooth wall of the room were rough drawings of sea creatures. There were also patches of cowries on the walls.

"There is no way. " The voice finished.

At that moment, Maku made a resolve, he would end his life. The pain in his heart was unbearable. The pain of yearning for someone who you will never see again. The pain of unforgettable memories carved onto stones of memories.

He shook his head slowly and stood up. Legun stood up as well. Just as he was about to leave. A stream of fast moving smoke slithered out of the voice box. This smoke condensed to form the shape of man. The transparent form slowly added details until it became a man. It was the seer.

"I see that you are been hunted by forms and forms alone, which is the only thing not lacking in the world. " The seers voice remains bellish and strong.

When, Maku heard the voice, he stopped and turned around to see the seer, sitting crossed leg like a buddist monk, with long and neat dreads shadowing his face. Inside the shadowy face, an eye was revealed. A deep blue eyes like the ocean in the mid day, while the other eye had been entirely covered by the dreadlocks.

He sat back and Legun did the same.

"Who is this lady that you wish so dearly to see?" the seer asked.

"She was my everything, but now she is gone. She is dead. Arore was my lover, my everything. If you can return her to me, i will pay you a princely price."


The seer laughed.

"Can you pay the price? Life's price is life itself. You can't pay me nor do i have what it takes to make a dead person come back to life. But there is a way, to still bring a dead person form into the world of the living." The seer could see the spark of hope in Maku's eyes, as it grows bigger and bigger.

"Tell me wise one!! Tell me how!! I will do anything.. Just tell me what to do. "

"Listen carefully, this trick will not bring your woman back, it will only bring another version of your woman. She will have the body of your woman and her memories as well, but she would have no human soul.

Now this is what you will do, wait for a day that the rainbow will appear in the sky. Once the rainbow appears, you must hurry to the great stream. At the stream, the Osumare python would come out to shed it skin.

Once it wants to start shedding it skin. It skins would start reflecting the rainbows colors. You must come out to the python and call it by the name of your woman.

When the Osumare python begins to shed it skin, call it by the name of your woman and start seeing it as your woman. Once you do that, the Osumare python would shape shift into the image of the woman in your memory. She will be like the woman of your memory in form and in character."

" Osumare python? " doubt could be sensed from Maku's voice.


"Yes, the Osumare python."

It is now getting more messier for maku right now
Maywhile oyeku will soon show himself strong
Thanks for the update let them keep coming !!!

Thanks for the update man and pls do try and give us longer update.

Chapter Six.



Aro - Usi border

The Great Stream


Oyeku had led his men towards the border. About two thousand and three hundred men. But their march was halted by the sight of Oyo camp situated at the bank of the stream. The Aros never knew that this was the location of the Oyo war camp from where they have been launching series of surprise attacks. The Aros had not been using the stream since the last war. There main water source during the exile was from a small lake close to the Ekuns's palace.

Seeing the Oyo war camp. Fear crept into the heart of the Aro soldiers. The Oyo soldiers at the war camp are close to five thousand.

"It seems as if Oyo had made plans to harness our land. These soldiers are not just here for war; they are here to settle down on our land." kwaita eyes burn with flames of indignation.

Oyeku gaze upon the horizon for sometimes then he faced Kwaita.

" Instruct the men of your platoon to maneuver themselves to the east of the war camp. We are going to flank them and condition them to fight two front. "

Kwaita could not believe his ears, Oyeku wants to fight a battalion of Oyo infantry in the plain; in broad daylight!!

"Do you understand?" Oyeku called him out of his daze.

"Yes, i hear you." Kwaita knew that Oyeku resolve does not shake. It is no use trying to convince Oyeku to reconsider.

Silently, Kwaita and his men slithered across the tall shrubs and positioned themselves in the east of the war camp. In this position, the Oyo war camp was boxed with Oyeku main army to the south, Kwaita platoon to the east, the dark forest to the west and the great stream to the north.

Oyeku returned his gaze to the horizon as he watched the clouds form. Lightning streaked across the black clouds. It is going to rain.

"The gods are on our side! " An Aro soldier whispered.

"This is a good omen!! " another man said.

Kwaita heart was full with anticipation, his eyes were shifting between the clouds and the south; awaiting Oyeku's signal.

The rain started. Oyeku ordered a flaming arrow to be shot into the air. With this, Oyeku raised up his massive club.

"Charge!!! "

He leapt forward as others followed. The Oyo soldiers were thrown into confusion and panick. Fear was written all over their face. They had never in the least of their imagination assume that there would ever be an attack.

The Oyo soldiers hurried arround trying to gear up for combat. They positioned themselves to face the incoming Aro soldiers. While they were in this position; they heard war screams from behind. It was Kwaita and his platoon.

"This is bad! "

Though, the Oyo soldiers possessed the numbers but the Aro had efficiently utilized the element of surprise. An experienced war general like Oduaye might have been able to handle the situation but the nascent officers were like children in the helm of politics.

One and two, Oyeku clashed with the first man; smashed his head to a pulp with his club. He docked when he was about to be struck with a charmed whip. With his left hand he gave a swift jab to the jaw of the assaulter.

There was a massive conflict. The loud patters of the rain could not damp the terrible sound of battle. Men fell left and right. Blood and water made a flood of red stream.

Gradually, as if the elements of surprise are over; Oyo soldiers had adjusted to the situation and started handling the situation like professionals. They formed a formidable stance which enabled them to fight on two front by creating a circular phalanx.

The morale of Aro soldiers started dropping as they continue to fall dead from the blade of the Oyo soldiers. They began to automatically retreat.

Kwaita himself had been choked. He struck swiftly and viciously, but Oyo soldiers kept coming. His hand had become sour from clutching and swinging his massive machete.

" Don't dare back your enemy!! Face your fears!! " Oyeku yelled at the top of his voice.

" If you run away, i will kill you!!"

Despite Oyeku threat, a lot of Aro soldiers began to retreat and rush into nearby bushes.

Suddenly, Oyo soldiers begin to fall dead. They will let out a sudden scream then fall down dead. It took sometimes before Oyeku noticed the long-black king cobra, slithering between the legs of the soldiers, buring it deadly venom in their heels.

The cobra moves so fast that it appears like a blurry shadow. This created a disturbance that broke the circular phalanx. The retreating Aro soldiers found their courage and resume the battle.

After about three hours of mass manslaughter, there was calm at last. Oyo war camp as been sacked and the troop obliterated.

There was celebration of victory, but Oyeku had his judgement.

"Let every man assemle at front of the great stream!! "

As they hurry to assemble, Oyeku noticed handful of Aro soldiers who had ran off ealier sneaking out of the forest trying to mingle with the main group.

Oyeku pretended as if he saw nothing. when the assembly was formed. Oyeku marched to the front of the congregation.

"I am sorry, we lost the war! " Oyeku began.

"We lost the war against fear and death! Do you not know that fear is chain of bondage? When we want to fight war, we must first fight fear!! How do you fight fear? To fight fear, you must be thoughtless, because thought is the womb that conceives fear. Do not think about how much pain your enemy can cause you, rather; think of much pain you can cause your enemy. When death seems close to you don't be afraid, don't be awe by the mystery of death. When you die, you shall be like a steam escaping the heat of the furnace into the sky. In the sky, you shall be reformed and reborn. You will be return back to this world, purier, cleaner, more valuable and more honored. Like rain water, sweet and white full of nourishment. This is the mystery of death. Death is pleasant. Death is an opportunity to explore and grow, to renew and reform."


Oyeku raised up his right hand.

"For those who ran off during heat of battle, be honorable and come out!"

Not long about twenty-eight men came out.

"Take out your dagger and stab yourself in the heart!! "

Without hesitation, they brought out their daggers and thrust it into their heart. The men fell down one after the other as blood pumped aggressively from there chest.


Oyeku heaved satisfactorily. He had successfully created warriors who do not fear death.

Thanks for the update now Oyo warriors have met their match.

Thanks for the update.

Op good evening just checking on you
Hope all is well !!!!

I'm back

News had reached Ibiru and it neighboring kingdom that Oyo dominance across the great stream had been shattered by some unknown forces believed to be the Aro people. There was widespread gossip about an Aro libration movement led by a Divine warrior.

Oyeku had intentionally initiated the rumor after defeating Oyo forces at the great stream. He did this in order to spread fear and terror across the lands in order to beat the other tribes into psychological submission to his rule.

He also did it in order to kindle the flame of battle and resistance in the heart of all Aro descendants scattered all over the lands; calling them home to join his army. He had sent some of his men to spread the news of the defeat of Oyo forces at the stream.

Just as he had presumed. The rumor had spread rapidly like a plague. The Aro refugees had started making moves in order to confirm the authenticity of the news. The Aro remnant had called for a night meeting.

At the outskirt of Ibiru, the men gathered. Under a large baobab tree. Oil lamps flickering in the hands of few men. Illuminating random faces.

" It should have gotten to the ear of some of us gathered here today, that a certain warrior had led our people against Oyo and had annihilated a whole legion stationed at the great stream? " Asoro the leader of the Aro remnant at Ibiru said.


There were murmurs of acknowledgement.

" Two days ago, a group of our people arrived from our land and confirmed the news. A certain young warrior called Oyeku from the Ebisa clan led hundreds of our people against the Oyo military camp at the great stream and vanquished them."

There were murmurs of excitement and Joy.

" How should we believe this news?" Is it not foolery to take this sort of news as truth. You speak of crushing an Oyo forces as if you crush a rotten melon. I refuse to believe this news!" A man voiced out from the congregation.

" There is no reason to doubt, my brothers, we have with us now, the proof of this historic victory of our people against our adversaries. Bring out the caskets!!" Asoro ordered.

Five large wooden casket were brought out from the darkness. The caskets were flung open one after the other. Inside of the baskets were weapons of war belonging to Oyo forces along with their armors. The weapons indeed were much and worthy of a thousand of soldiers.

The room of doubt has been filled. The Aro remnant were more than assured that a rebellion had really broke out at home. The meeting later turned to a planning game. The Aro remnants under the leadership of Asoro, made plan on secretly mobilising young Aro men to send to Aro land for military recruitment. According to the information they got from the messenger of Oyeku; all the remnant has to do is to mobilize Aro people out of Ibiru and into Aro land.

In the words of the messenger;

" Let every able bodied person, men and women, Old and young return home to join our Divine leader, Oyeku of Ebisa son of Ayeni".



Aro

Under the scorching heat of the sun; shouts could be heard from a distance. The smell of sweats and hot sand. Sticks clashing, wrestling, and hand to hand combat. It was the Oyeku military camp. Since two moons ago, the influx of Aro remnant from Ibiru and othe land had swelled his army.

Oyeku could perceived the thoughts and heart of this people. They sought nothing than a leader and a chance to take revenge on their oppressors.

He had laid a solid foundation of mercilessness and discipline. He had laid a foundation that encourages courage and destroys fear. He had installed in the heart of this people the virtue and love of war.

He had shaped their heart and soul, Now he has to shaped their body for war.

Truly, it takes the transformation of the body and the soul to make a true and efficient warrior. To shape both the body and the soul involves effective training and grooming.

Their experience of pain and loss had made the journey of making their soul atune to war easier. No one mocks death than someone who has lost everything and have nothing to live for. A person who has lost everything is no different from a mad person, he does the unthinkable.

It is exactly a year and two moons since Oyeku had initiated the military training. During this period, Oyeku had successful built skillful and efficient warriors of uniques styles and stance.

He have in his army men who can slice and fall a pawpaw tree with just a stroke from their sword. This men possess powerful striking techniques that supersede that of any war combat civilization.

There are men who strikes with the speed of lightning with Oyeku's guidance and insights. Men who are fast enough to catch a flying arrow or dodge a fast javelin.

Also, The Aro force had perfected the use of bow and arrows. Oyeku had introduced a technique that allows his men to shoot multiple arrow from just a bow stroke and take out multiple target.


Among the populace of Aro were men who were not fit for war. Disables and men who are not hefty and strong. Oyeku made a better use of this men by initiating them into the blacksmithing corp. They build war weapons and technical weapons that had not been built before.

Oyeku discovered that people who are not physically strong for war possesses great minds that easily solves mysteries and puzzles. He ensured that everyone participated in the building of this military settlement.

The women and children were taught to farm and produce food while at the same time allowed to train with the men at their leisure. Oyeku also forced Aro men to take many wives for themselves.

A lot of Aro women had became widow as a result of the war. Taking multiple wives by the men will provide husband for many widows at the same time increase the birth rate of the Aro people.

Everything has fall into place.

" The gods had made it easy". Oyeku said to his generals.

" My hand is strong now. Get the supply ready. We will move against our neighbors in three day time ".

" The Usis?"

" No, the Ibirus".

Welcome back bro. Happy new year and I hope this comeback will usher in more update and consistency from you.

I genuinely hope OP is okay wherever he is.


I can't believe I've been following for over a year hoping for a surprise continuation but I now think, it is impossible