(A short glossary of Yoruba Orisha pantheon) if I'm missing any you guys can add to it....or correction.
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Ajaka- Sango’s half-brother, 2nd Alaafin of Oyo empire (deified) Orisha of earthquakes

Ajé- Goddess of wealth

Arò meta- (Yoruba translation, meaning three witches) sisters of Lanroye & Elegbara, the three patron goddesses of witches and wizards, Orisha of magic and sorcery

Alaafia- Orisha of peace, daughter of Aje

Aroni- (the one-legged, Aroni the great green)Orisha of the forest

Arun- (wife of Iku god of death) Orisha of diseases and affliction

Aja- Wife of Aroni, Orisha of the wild, patron lady of the forest dwellers

Biri- Orisha of darkness and night

Dada- Orisha of mischief, patron god of stubborn youths, son of Aroni & Aja

Edi- (the perverted one) spirit of evil, whisperer of undoing, corruption

Elegbara- (Lanroye’s twin often mistaken as one and same) Orisha of despair, patriarch of monsters

Eweka- Oranmiyan’s first son, brother of Ajaka & Shango, first emperor of imperial Benin (deified)

Ibeji- ( the inseparable twins) Orisha of youth and patron gods of twins

Iku- (the debt collector, soul harvester) Orisha of death, husband of Arun

Imole- (lady of the dawn) Orisha of sunlight, patron of soothsayers

Lanroye -Elegbara’s twin, (papa lẹgba, elegua, eshu Laalu the stone wall, trickster god, messenger, lord of crossroads, chance and unpredictability)

Obatala- (Obatata, king in white, the big one, sculpturer, carver, arch divinity, sky king) king of the Orisha and creator of humans

Oba- Shango’s second wife, river goddess of the river benue, Orisha of marriage

Oduduwa- first king of ile-ife, ancestor deity of Yoruba & Benin kings, brother of Obatala, grandfather of Oranmiyan, Orisha of existence & patriarch of the Yoruba people

Ogun- (Lakaaye Osinmole, the black one, Ogun Onire-Ogun of ire) Orisha of war, metallurgy, commerce & patron god of blacksmiths and warriors

Oko- (Elder deity-Orisha Oko, the unfathomable depth) Orisha of earth, agriculture

Olokun- (Elder deity, name translates as owner of seas, the deep, sea king) Orisha of the ocean and unfathomable depth

Oloosa- wife of Olokun & Orisha of the lagoons

Oranmiyan- (Oranyan the conqueror) deified First Alaafin of Oyo, father of Eweka, Ajaka & Shango, Orisha of deserts & volcanic eruption

Orisha- Old gods of the Yoruba people of west Africa

Orunmilla- (far sighted, custodian of Ifa oracle,) Orisha of wisdom, divinity & foresight

Ori- (The spirit of heads) Orisha of destiny (Ayànmó), fate, spiritual intuition

Osanyin- Orisha of herbs and medicine

Ososhi- Orisha of hunters and heroes son of Aroni & Aja

Osumare- Shango’s bond servant, Orisha of enlightenment, custodian of ere the rainbow serpent

Oshun- Sango’s first wife, river goddess of the river Niger, Orisha of beauty, love and fertility

Oya- Shango’s third wife, tempest goddess Orisha of cemeteries & battle slain

Shango- (Jakuta meaning one who fights with stones, king Koso) deified 3rd Alaafin of Oyo empire, brother of Ajaka & Eweka, son of Oranmiyan, great grandson of Oduduwa)Orisha of fire, lightening and storms, patron god of masculinity and vigor

Shokoti- Elder smith god, patron of old age

Shoponna- (the dreaded one, the good one, son of Death and illness) Orisha of plagues and smallpox

Yemoja- (yemaja, yeye-meaning old mother) elder mother goddess, source of all waters, mother of Obatala & the elder gods.

Eledunmare/Olodunmarè- (The all-maker...creator of all things in existence and ruler of the cosmos)

blueeyes1:


Nothing wrong with being a traditional priest, my one cent though.

loool of course not... but the fact that the assumption that I am was the first to come to mind had me befuddled.

MRPEEREHSH:
am not good with words but i have to say this is one of the best piece i've read so far tho slightly erotic(who am i kidding very erotic), but its a masterpiece.... Kudos

Thanks boss...I'm glad I didn't waste your time.... cheers.

Okechukwu22:
I must confess that this story is the second best I have ever seen, that's after katakata street, no sexual stuff unlike our writers of nower days... Please don't disappoint me by not finishing this story cos I can't bear such disappointment ...


...Please when is the next update coming...

I'm glad you approve....I appreciate you,...already started working on that...cheers.

AiteeAitee:
O.M.G!

Started this masterpiece yesterday night. I couldn't sleep till 2am. Barely closed my eyes for four hours. Woke today and jumped on it around 8am.

One word : captivating.
Rating over 100%: infinity%

Sheikshegetto, I don't know how to describe my emotions now. To hug the life out of you is the only thing on my mind.

You are so talented, so creative, so imaginative, so...gosh!

Let me stop here and wait for book two before I finish my talk.

Guy, you are out of this world.

I appreciate your kinds words ma'am, that meant a lot... I'm glad I didn't waste your time

felsunseg:
Well done bro. This is Indeed a great piece. The waybyou write seem to me like you have a deep knowledge In Yoruba mythology. Maybe you studied history or Yoruba or something related. In other words, you are really good sir... I doff my hat for you..

Thanks a lot boss....I neither studied history or Yoruba but I am an avid reader like you... I'm actually glad you didn't think I am a traditional priest... I've been getting that a lot lool

priestchurch:
Beautiful story, u re indeed blessed bruh.. Mention me wen d book 2 is ready..

most definitely bruh...you were there right from the start of the story....much appreciated

enm:
Please @sheikshegetto when is book 2 coming out? This you tori sweet no be small.

thanks boss...Already started working on the second book but I will not be posting it until it is completed.... it'll probably end up published on okadabooks or royalroad.

ewawumi:
How exactly do I express my thoughts?
Youve done well with this story in all ramifications. I love how you expertly wove between two worlds: when we listen only to fable under the moonlight and this modern world.
Kudos and I look forward to more from you, if possible, partnership

I appreciate your kind words... thanks again

Epilogue

A tall man strolled gaily through the motor park; oblivious of the stares he was provoking, his cloths was the object of their stares. It was as if he had bought a variety of clothings both native and western and had decided to try them all on.

He had a denim hat perched on top a dog eared style native cap the Yoruba called abetí ajá, the pointy dog ears sticking out like bat wings, a monkey jacket on a babariga robe, a pair of Jordan sneakers on a native hunters knee sized dogo shorts, he looked absolutely ridiculous in his bastardized outfit that the passerby’s concluded he was either at the early stage of lunacy or he had recently escaped from a mental home.

He boarded a bus heading into town and sat by the window, a plump elderly lady soon joined him, he greeted her cheerfully but rather loudly, she in turn ignored him with a hiss as she muttered about youths doing drugs and wasting their future. The man shrugged unperturbed, whistled happily to himself as the bus loaded with passengers, soon it was full.

“Oga boss, your transport fare abeg,” the bus conductor addressed him in Pidgin English, his teeth stained brown by kolanut, a cigarette hung from his swollen lips.

“My good fellow, I was unaware that this carriage was fare orchestrated, the paintings on your vehicle said otherwise,” the man replied in impeccable English.

The conductor stood with a confused look on his face as he tried to absorb the speech into a statement he could decipher, he then gave up with a shake of his head. He will not give this educated idiot the satisfaction that he did not understand a word of what he said, he didn’t kill anybody to deserve a headache early in the morning, he just wanted to collect his fare, and somebody should not come and frustrate him as the day was just beginning.

“Oga sir, is transport money I ask for, money for bus to carry you enter city,” the conductor tried to answer back with the little English he could conjure.

“Oh I beg your pardon sir; I see you are a layman with little or no knowledge of my diction so I will bring it down to your level, no offence intended my man.”

The conductor frowned at this, he felt he was being insulted but suppressed his growing irritation as the man continued his chatter, this will not be the first educated person he has encountered in his line of business, thinking they’re high above people like him, yet they could not afford a car of their own upon all their big big grammar.

“Before boarding your vehicle I saw a lettered painting and I believe it says ‘No fare No problem’ which can only mean one thing, and I really appreciate the charity, if there were more good folks like you out there, the world will be a better place.”

“Mr man because say my motor paint write say “No fare No problem” no mean say transport free.” the conductor roared crossly. “If you no get money to pay, abeg come down from my motor before I throw you comot from window.”

“I am Lanroye my good sir not Mr. Man, some call me Eleggua, Elegba or papa Legba and my close associates’ call me Eshu Láàlu Ogirioko a.k.a the stone wall and you sir cannot be among my inner circle for you are rude and obnoxious.”

“Lanny or wetin you call yourself abeg leave that thing o, pay me my money, the grammar wey you dey blow since no fit pay for your transport, respect yourself and gerrout from my bus now.”

Lanroye’s dark eyes glowed, the jolly smile on his face morphed to a more feral one. “I could have had you killed on the spot for this insult but I can see you are not long for this world, poor fellow, Iku the debt collector has already scheduled you for appointment, you will kick the bucket in two market days, if I were you my good lad, I will set my affairs in order and amend my ways with my wife and child, and oh! My oh my, the child isn’t yours by the way, women ha! I believe there’s this saying which goes; after God fear women, harsh lad, harsh.” He totted.

The conductor blanched at this as he paled visibly, he left him alone without bothering about the fare. Signing contently, the man called Lanroye looked out of the window as the bus roared into life and coughed its way out of the park.

The broken English spoken by the bus conductor fascinated him, shame he wasn’t long for the world, he might have learnt a thing or two from him, Lanroye unlike the Orisha travelled beyond all dominion with his duties as a messenger god knew all the tongues spoken by men, of all the foreign languages, the old Victorian English was his favorite after spending a few decades spreading mischief in jolly old England.

The mortals hadn’t changed by a mile since he was gone in spite of their rapid advancement, they were as naïve as always, and their so called civility made them more susceptible to his influence, they were never contented, always running around like something was chasing them until their brief live-span expires like candle, It was good to be back.

He would have preferred staying back at the realm eternal but recent turn of events needed his very presence as his minions had drastically bottled a simple instruction, so so annoying and now here he was mingling with the irritating, restless mortals, a small sacrifice to bear.

Olu Koso has escaped, but his plans were far from disruption, for the thunder god was just a single seed on his Ayo board game, he has fulfilled his usefulness. Now his offspring are a different matter.

He was Lanroye the gate keeper, Eshu Laalu the stone wall, unto which foolhardy mortals run smashing, the caretaker of the earth, if a gardener beheld a diseased tree in his garden, his duty was to have it destroyed before it affects the rest of his crops, the humans are killing the earth, the corrupted ones must be uprooted, and if the infection has gone deeper than he feared, he would clear them all and inhabit the earth with the children of the Orisha.

He chuckled to himself, “what was the first step in his plans? Yes, awaken the Orisha each at his/her place of solitude calling them by their true names, the gods have many names bestowed to them by their fawning worshipers over the centuries but few knew their secret names and he knows them all, all ten thousand of the irumole, from the chieftain deities down to the minor groove spirits, and the next step?

Corrupt the Orisha; feed them their Ewò; their taboos, to Olokun the sea king, a sacrilegious offering of seafood mixed with the earth garbage, and spilled with oil, to Oko the sleeping earth, rotten food crops spoiled with sea water as sacrifice, oh the eternal rivalry, and to the ruler of them all.

Obatala the arch divinity, the king in white cloths, simply take away his white attires and cover him with one stained with palm wine and filth, and when the king of gods awaken in rage, from the offensive smell, seeking answers to this sacrilegious act he would tell him, tell them that the humans of earth sent him, he was just a messenger, and they shall demand justice, knowing that the mortals have forgotten them will make them furious, they would wake up corrupted and the WORLD WILL BURN!!!.

End of book one.

*********************************************************

He turned towards Obiora and laid a hand on his shoulder.

“Obi, the man with the strength of ten, as sleek and powerful as the Gabon viper, he who falls on a calabash and bounces off and then fall on an iron mortal and it is rent asunder, your brother and sisters looks to you for protection, be their shield and wall, guide them with your shoulders and absorb all offences with your body.”

He smiled down at Orchid. “My beautiful child, graceful as the flowing brook, you are strong in your own way for while your twin is raging fire you are the calm water, sooth your siblings, let your shoulders be their comfort."

“Shettima the silent one, the wisdom of the fabled tortoise is yours and so is its infinite patience, control your siblings, guide them away from paths that leads astray, with you by their side, they will be one step ahead of their adversaries."

He piercing eyes shifted on to Omotola, a rare softness in their savage gaze. “Omotola, child of mystery; you have brought your siblings this far, continue to lead them for what is a body without its head, you feel your lack of powers demerits you. The institute may have deemed you insignificant but yet you stood astride the ashes of their fortress, leadership is power, it is the heritage of Jakuta’s descendants, embrace your power and lead them."

“Binta speedster, one who when everyone takes a step she has taken a hundred more, never let the rapid beating of your heart diminish, for you bring cheekiness and laughter to your siblings, a group without jolly does not survive the sinking sun.

“And to the last but not least of them all,” Shango said

“About time I say, what am I to do with these lots.” Babybaby remarked grinning infectiously.

“You are already starting little one, you are the glue to their harmony." Shango answered.

“Why do I have to be the glue? I could be goddess, let them bring me food sacrifices." She chirped in.

“You are the spoke to their wheel Babybaby, their mutual affection for you will hold them together in their time of conflict for that time will surely come, remember today and know that a single broomstick is weak but together in a bunch, they can never be broken, keep them that way and the enemies will not know how overcome you."

“I promise to hold them together," Babybaby murmured solemnly.

“I have faith in you little one, in you all. Shango concluded. On saying this he rose up to his full height, hands stretched over them as if in blessing and said.

“Farewell children, and whenever it seems like all is lost and despair sets in, remember this, you are the sons and daughters of Shango also named Jakuta, lord of chaos and order, he who wear storms as cloths, earth shaker, stone hurler. Call to me in your hour of need, and I shall answer with lightening and fire, but in all this know that you are the children of thunder and when you call, thunder will answer. Oodigba, and may our reunion be as sweet as honey Ashe!”

A doorway of mist shimmered into existence, and Shango walked backwards into it and was gone.

“Talk about stylish exit, the showoff." Omotola murmured rather fondly, and then gasped as she pictured images in her head, like she was watching a memory via a 3d digital visual.

She saw her mother, a penniless jobless Liverpool orphan who had to make unflattering decisions to survive, preparing to head to another country after being contacted by the institute; she saw her fear, her regrets, her beautiful face, red hair and cheeky grin like hers. Do not judge too harshly Shango had said.

“am I the only one seeing this? Binta exclaimed.

“You saw our mother too isn’t it? Orchid gasped at a gaping Obiora.

“Good gracious, my mommy is so pretty.” Babybaby squealed with glee.

“Gracious me, what a surprise, Binta answered, both hands held her cheek, feigned shock on her face.

They all laughed at this, cried and held hands. With their father’s parting gift; the future did not seem bleak after all.

Chapter Thirty-six

It’s been four days since the dance, the children strolled around town enjoying their new freedom. Shango sometimes tagged alone, uninterested, a faraway look in his eyes.

Having no idea of what had become of Logan, they sometimes argued at length about finding out whether he was okay and how they were going to rescue him.

“I’m pretty sure he is still alive, I bet he’s much more valuable to them now since they lost us, they must have simply moved him to some other safe house elsewhere.” Shettima remarked. “Now that the institute and the government have their hands full convincing the public, we can be on to them, the assurance that we would be running as far away from them gives us the upper hand.”

Afterwards, they all concluded that with Shango by their side they can launch a rescue for Logan and then figure out how to disappear from the institute's radar, they hurried back to their camp on the plateau to inform the thunder god.

“I fear I shall not be with you for a while children, my path lies elsewhere.” His grave reply stunned them into silence.

“You’re leaving us.” Obiora exclaimed.

“Yes I am, for like I said, my path lies elsewhere as do yours, for when a man does not know where he’s going, surely he knew where he was coming from, my quest for answers must begin at the ancient land of ile-Ife, the cradle of birth and gate way to Orun Alakeji the realm eternal, surely I will find the gate keeper there, and he shall give me the answers I seek or I shall force it out of him, right after I get Oshe Shango the shameless biter, it was about time we were reunited.

"Not you too, you're abandoning us, just like our mothers." Binta cried.

"Perish that thought child, I am only leaving you because I have to and you know it, and when I am done, I will surely find you. I know your very being thirst for vengeance for the childhood that was denied you, but leave retribution to Eledunmare the All maker, be normal children, strive to live normal lives, that I say is the best revenge against the men in white coats for that which they had denied you. Do not be quick to judge your mothers, a chance at redemption should be offered them, and the means I shall provide for that shall guide you down that path.

“But what are we going to do without you? Omotola said.

Shango grinned and replied, “No child, for it was I who would not be here if not for you, coming this far was not my doing, it was all you for all I did was burn down a few things, but in answer to the question, look to yourselves for answers.

Cloud007:
Bro....this is the third time and reading....biko update before lockdown go finish me.

I'll be dropping the final chapter in book one tomorrow,...cheers bro.

The last of the four who was yet to do anything walked business like towards the stunned Abami as it tried to crawl away began to glow red, Okafor saw something like a crimson energy flowed from the now screeching Abami into the last of the four. It was like it was being drained, the lawman even though he was a good distance away felt the negative energy, he felt cold dispair, hopelessness, like whatever makes him alive was slowing being siphoned away.

The Abami's shrieked pathetically the more the red aura sucked away into its assailant, it's robost body began to emaciate, struggling weakly as it tried but failed to get away. But the others weren't allowing it, although they all stayed a solid good distance from their vampire friend, the one that held the lorry hanging in the air sent a school bus... thankfully empty this time around crashing on its head for good measure.

With a final wail as if to tell the world how unfairly outmatched it was, the Abami collapsed into a heap, dried as husk as the last red aura sucked into the fourth scary one. The draining energy dispersed and detective Okafor was able to breathe again. Everything happens under a few minutes, to him it felt like hours as the black garbed strangers leapt quickly into their chopper and were swiftly flown away, the grey armoured ones wrapped the remains of the Abami into a canopy, while they struggled to harness it unto their own chopper, the commander walked over to ask if the lawman was alright.

"Of course I'm not alright," he snapped, "what the hell is going on and what are those things, infact who are you people?"

"I'm afraid I can't answer that sir, but all you need know is that we're going to be taking care of the Abami situation now, your superiors will update you more on that, what you did was brave officer, you saved a lot of lives today." With a salute he jogged briskly into the helicopter and it rose into the air carrying it's strange baggage away.

Detective Okafor stared after the retreating chopper as his partner ran over a look of relief on her face.

"Are you alright partner, do you need medical attention?"

"Did you see the fight? Those four scary people?"

"Which four scary people?, the government agents took care of the beast, while the rest secured the area, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah I'm going to be, as soon as I'm nursing a cold bottle of beer in my hand." He replied but he knew he was lying, no logical reasoning can explain what happened here today, there was probably more to this institute that the government wasn't letting out and he knew he was going to get obsessed over the coming weeks to figure it all out, they all deserved better.

*********************************************************

The other group that landed from the other chopper, at least with ropes this time to his relief, like all normal same humans would have done. They were all amoured in grey, carrying guns he didn't recognize, they all spread out as soon as their feet touched the street asphalt, their presumed leader marched briskly up to meet him where he crouched.

"Good job drawing it's attention away from the civilians officer, we'll take it from here now." The man said as soon as his visor slides down with a hiss to show the no nonsense face of a military man.

"Who are you guys, and what are those things." He asked, pointing at the four masked beings standing as still as statues.

"There's no need to be concerned about them sir, stand aside the Calvary's here." was his sharp retort.
On saying this, the commander closed his helmet visor and snapped orders at the grey garbed ones to secure the perimeter, then to the four black garbed ones with the bony wingspan like appendages, he pointed at the still stunned Abami and snapped another quick command.

As if unleashed from invisible chains, the four dashed at the Abami just as Okafor remembered his mouth was still opened.

The Abami screech in challenge, it's bony appendages tore asphalt off the road as it leapt forward to meet the new foe. The biggest of the four ran headlong for the monster, they clashed with a shockwave that smashed nearby car windows, the remaining three darted in so fast the lawman could barely follow with his eyes. One of the four grabbed a lorry and then disappeared with it, a second later he/she, the detective could not place the gender appeared above the Abami then teleported away leaving the lorry hanging in the air before gravity intervened and sent the vehicle crashing down on the monster.

The Abami to it's credit recovered quickly, seized the offending lorry and sent it back at its assailants. Another of the four braced his/her arms and the sailing lorry hung midair....Okafor's mind was getting messed up..what the fucking fvck is fucking going on?

The one holding her hands up, the detective could tell it was a she now by her shape, made a tearing motion with a grunt and the poor lorry was dismantled, the metal pieces rained down from above but she wasn't done, with another hand jerk, she sent the debris flying at the Abami, showering it with a rain storm of metal.

Not giving the monster a moment respite, the big one, she's a she as well grabbed hold of the Abami and tossed it straight up into the air like it weight nothing, the teleporter ran for the big one, they both disappeared and then reappeared above the still flying monster where the big one sent it crashing down to earth with a resounding wallop. Detective Okafor even though his mind was in turmoil and would probably need to see a therapist after everything couldn't help but admire their teamwork.

Chapter Thirty-five

Detective Okafor had always wondered how he would die since he joined the police force, a shootout with bank robbers or gangsters perhaps but getting killed by a monster out of an horror flick never once crossed his practical mind. Now here he was running for his life, about to get eaten.

The Abami in it's rage tossed cars aside with its elongated appendages in pursuit of the arrant fly that gave it pain, pain it could vividly remember with loathing before it's freedom. The Abami hunched it's strong legs and leapt over the fleeing human blocking his escape with a triumphant shriek.

Okafor braced himself for the inevitable as he drew his gun, he'll at least do the world one last favor by taking out it's remaining eye.

"Come on you smelly piece of shit, I don't have all day." He growled as the Abami stalked closer like a cat playing with its prey. It's tongue flicker as if to taste the air around the detective, cocking it's head in curiosity, this fly has no scent of fear like the rest, the Abami was not pleased. As it reared its bony cartilages back to strike a barrage of gun fire sent it reeling, arms raised to protect its head.

The detective dived to the right to avoid friendly fire, his eyes darted across the smoke and dust in search of the shooter that saved him, a sleek black helicopter hovered above the street, the shooter behind the gun turret gave him a thumb up as another group jumped from a second chopper without ropes to land gracefully in the street below.

Detective Okafor gaped at the newcomers, first if all it was not possible for humans to jump from a chopper twenty feet above the ground without harnesses and then land like it was nothing, second of all they were all outfitted in matching tight black spandex with some logo that look like genetic symbol grasped in a fist, their faces were covered in visored helmet, last of all they all have the same bony cartilages on their backs like the Abami, flexing and uncurling like extra limbs.

Shango must have hit home with his words because the thugs looked lost, each in his own personal thoughts.

"Now is not the time to mope, but to gather what remains of your pathetic life and turn it around and make something of yourselves, when the world pushes at you, you push back for fortune favors the bold."

The hoodlums stood straight at this with eyes full of zealotry.

"Who are you?" They wondered.

Shango simply laughed and danced to the fast tempo of the bata drum, the crowd stared mesmerized afraid to blink else they missed the graceful spectacle dancing before them as the bards began to sing.

Here comes Arabambi the stone chucker
One who possess names like the chameleon's many robes
Those who ask who he is beware
Lest you bring his attention upon you
For they say the king is no more
Follow not the foolhardy in mocking his demise
Saying the king has hanged
On the stocky branches of Ayan
Like Ayan would dare do what other great trees could not
Iroko the mighty king of trees groaned under his weight
Araba the lofty bents it ancient trunks in submission
For those who has witnessed the fiery eyed one in battle
Will never join the ignorant to insult the mighty one of Koso
Tread softly oh king, lest you crush the earth with your feet
For only the clouds can take your weight so have mercy for on earth is where we live.
Rejoice lovers of dances and funfair, for the prince of debauchery graces us with his presence

Shango's body jerked to the rhythm of the beats, his feet darted across the dance floor as if to draw patterns known only to him, his aura enveloped the crowd and they were quickly drawn in to his enchantment, dancing away in abandon. Babybaby leapt into the fray with a cry of excitement, Binta with a cheeky grin and an apologetic shoulder shrug at her still stunned siblings skipped after her, where Babybaby is already trying but failed to imitate shango's dance steps with a comic style of her own making.

"Come children, this is the other aspect of me that the men in white clothes refuse to show you for I am not always a bloodthirsty god, I am also the patron god of the bold at heart and those who take their chances, to succeed by any means necessary, regardless of the circumstances of their births, paupers that become kings and woodcutters sons that loans money to kingdoms, I grant a boon to every mortal that dances with me tonight, they each will wake up tomorrow with the inspiration to follow their dreams, we don't know what tomorrow brings but today we dance."

And they danced.

While Shango was busy partying away with his half-human children, several thousand miles away in Lagos, another of his children, an Abami was wreaking havoc.

The thugs gaped stupidly at their downed colleague for a moment before hauling abuses and threats at the thunder god, he basked in their fury sending insults back at them in equal zest, enjoying every bit of it.

"Look guys, he's feeding on the disorderliness," Omotola cried as a crowd began to gather, her siblings looked and saw the aura around the Orisha.

"He's a chaos god, he's in his element." Binta said
Once again Omotola wondered if they had done the right thing by unleashing this powerful being into a world that has forgotten his kind.

"What is the use of exchanging banter when there are no bards and drummer to bare witness," Shango cried and a band of native drummers mysteriously appeared.

"Guy who you be? Who the hell do you think you are." The lead thug sneered.

"I am your father's master and your mother's husband."
The crowd laughed at this

"Oh you want to do your mama joke now eh." Another thug hooted, I've got a few for you...."

"Hold your peace mortal," Shango cut him short, "men born of women are talking, we do not ask opinion from the son of a baboon and a he-goat." This had the crowd rolling with laughter.

"Okay what the hell is happening, cos I could have sworn there was supposed to be a lot of beating and broken bones a minute ago." Obiora exclaimed as they watched the scene with gaping mouths.

"You want to know who I am, i am Arabambi the father of babybaby, you wonder why the aged have shrunken eyes, for they have seen enough to make the youth content with short lives, I have walked on the surface of the sun, I quarrelled with death and he has refused to visit me, I swallowed fire, I bottled storms, the clouds is my dance floor whenever I dance to the beats of the bata drum."

As if on cue the drummers began to beat on their drums as a cacophony of shekere, gongs, gangan and bata drums intensifies.

"Now you want to challenge us to a dance battle, what next a cooking competition? like that's going to save your pathetic life by the time we're done with you." Another thug sneered.

" Nothing of the sort oh insignificant worm, I just want to show you how much of a scum you all are, at your age I already slew my first monster, I had lost my ability to shed tears in a wager to a gnome of the forest, I had taken my first step on the path to become the man you see before you, what have you achieved at your age besides living from hand to mouth by petty stealing, slaves to your measly appetites and a society that is rigged to work against the likes of you when you could have been so much more."

Chapter Thirty-four

The hoodlums instead choose to send one of them first, chivalrous of them, Shetimma scoffed, they were supposed to rush the deity all at once even if getting their asses handed to them was inevitable.

The selected unfortunate thug was lanky but fit, he handed over his face cap to a mate with a laugh and went into a boxer's stance. Shango stood perplexed and intrigued by his opponent's antics as he skipped around and shadow boxed.

"Pray tell what in Obatala's name is he doing?"

"I think he's a professional boxer, he fights with his fists only." Shetimma answered.

"Like the Gambo fighting style of the Hausa? Fascinating."

"Well close enough." Shettima shrugged.

The thug put an end to the reminiscing as he sent a jab at Sango's chin and followed it up with a hook that rocked the thunder god back a step. Encouraged by his cohorts howls of approval, he rushed over and threw in a few combos, a uppercut followed by a right hook to the sternum and then and headbutt that made him cry out in pain instead.

"Impressive, in a fight you do not give your foe a moment of respite, I approve and thus I shall not kill you mortal." Shango laughed with glee. On saying this he counter attacked with rapid punches so fast the onlookers could barely keep count.
The boxer slumped bonelessly to the floor, his face swollen and puffy. Obiora pitied the rest of the boxer's friends because if someone Shango decided not to kill ended up that that, he imagined what their fate would be.

He stopped to draw his gun, took a deep breath, aimed and fired. The result was instantaneous, the Abami shrieked as if it was in so much pain Okafor almost checked his gun to see if it was different from the guns that has been shooting harmlessly at the monster all day. He soon found out, his pinpoint shot took out an eye.

The Abami fixed it's one remaining eye maliciously at the lawman. "Oh well I got it's attention now what."

"Run you fool," Bisi shouted and he turn tail and hauled ass.


"Who's going stop him from setting fire to a group of street hoodlums thus bringing attention down on us." Orchid whispered anxiously.

"Nope to the nope," Obiora answered, "I'm not gonna stand in the way of a god that likes fighting so stop looking at me."

Shango heard and chuckled.

"Wisdom is the daughter of caution my boy, a wise choice you have made for only the creator can stop me from a prey I fancy, these fine warriors have challenged iroko himself, it will be a shame if I don't answer."

Shetimma sighed, "Binta can you at least disable all camera around the restaurant?"

"It's done."

"Worry not about discovery, the mortals won't know we were here." Shango laughed again, his mood seem to have shifted in anticipation for a fight. As he said this, he muttered an incantation and his appearance shimmered for a bit and a short unimpressive man stood in his place.

"You can change your appearance?" Shetimma managed to find his voice as they all gaped.

"See I'll even give them a chance against me, in the end they get to choose between being turned to ducks or burning death." His evil chuckle sent chills down their spines.

Meanwhile, the thugs hoot and yowled as they spread out, surrounding the disguised Orisha.

"The poor fools" Shettima said once again.

*********************************************************

Chapter Thirty-three

Her quick thinking might have just saved the less equipped police since their service pistols have done nothing so far but anger the Abami, the armored mobile police were armed with grenades and AK-47 and he hope that'll be enough to stop it.

"Okafor," he heard his partner cry, he followed the direction of her pointing hand, over at the street side close to where the Abami was battling with the Mopol, was an overturned school bus filled with children. He cursed.

Are you kidding me? A school bus always seem to find it's way into every damn disarray, who the hell writes this script.

He made for the bus, slinking as low as possible so as to avoid attracting the monster's ire, the door side of the school bus was trapped, he drew his gun and began to smash at the windshield as detective Bisi and another female officer tried to calm the panicky school children.

The screech from the Abami was getting way too close for comfort as he finally succeeded in breaking a hole on the glass, clearing the rest with a kick from his shoe.

"Alright kids help is here, this is the police, is anyone injured? Good, now I need you to move towards me in orderly fashion, can you all do that for me?"

Okafor let out a breath of relief because the children were secondary school students and not toddlers, being older and already drilled to follow orders, they began to collect themselves as he helped them out one after the other, a good fortune indeed, a bus full of crying nursery kids would bring the Abami down on them all faster than a debit alert.

With half the children out, the detective was beginning to think they would make it when he heard the other female officer helping out with the evacuation cried out in alarm, the Abami having made short work of the Mopol was looking for something else to vent it's rage on, mean little eyes glared at the school bus. With a curse, detective Okafor handed over the rescue to his partner.

"And where the hell do you think you're going." Detective Bisi glared at her partner with suspicion, "don't even think of playing the hero today of all days, that thing is not some petty criminal."

"I'm not stupid Bisi but someone has to lead it away from the bus, I'm not prepared to be eaten today." He replied as he moved away from the bus towards the Abami.

"Maybe I am stupid afterall."

The Abami wreaking havoc was a creature out of an horror film nightmare, a ten feet tall grotesque humanoid monster strode casually along the street, A pair of bony cartilage curved from it's shoulders like wings without feathers, using the sharp appendages to impale people that strayed too close, plucking them up into it cavernous mouth as they fled.

"Am afraid we might need the army afterall." Detective Okafor gulped.

Some of the police opened fire to draw it's attention away from the civilians, it responded by opening its enormous maw and screeched, nearby car windows shattered and the police at the front collapsed in agony as their ears bled.

Okafor was far from the Abami and didn't get the worst of the attack but his hearings were numb for a minute, who in their right mind would create a monster such as this, he hoped they face the full hands of the law for this but in his mind, he knew they'll probably get away with it.

"Who's in charge here?" He yelled over his dulled ears.

"Who the hell is asking," A stout stern faced woman yelled back.

"Detective Okafor from panti station," he yelled, flashing his ID card.

"You're far from home detective, what is a mainland cop doing on the island." She yelled, there's seems to be a lot of yelling involved.

"Why isn't the nearest army cantonment here yet." He asked instead, avoiding the policewoman's questions.

She choose to ignore his questions too with a wry grin and move off to shout rapid instructions to her men, Okafor nodded in approval as the police retreated in order as heavily armed Mopol took their place.

Chapter Thirty-two

"All area units, we've got a reported rampage situation in victoria garden city axis...all units be advised suspect is an Abami situation."

Detective Okafor shared a look with his partner as they listened to the police scanner, wondering whether it's a good or a bad thing that they were in the area.

"Abami situation?" Detective Bisi Ibidapo asked as she pulled their car out the fast food driveway, picking up speed.

"It's what the police call all the monsters that escaped that damn building," Detective Okafor answered, "fewer of the creatures has been sighted so far but the bigger ones are getting hungry, and if one has found its way into the garden city things aren't gonna look good for the residents."

"Are we even equipped for this kind of situation?, I've seen the videos, these creatures are way above our pay grade."

"We do our duty Bisi, hopefully this Abami is one of the little ones." Okafor tried to reassure his partner.

"This is a job for the Mopol and Sars, But they're never there when they're needed." Bisi muttered as she navigated around the traffic.

Detective Okafor chuckled at this, "we gonna be needing the Nigerian armed forces, or a state of emergency if we place all our hopes on those people, all they're good at is harass youths and give us law enforcement a bad name."

They drove the rest of the way in silence and were soon close to the Vgc axis, by the time they arrived the whole streets was in chaos, People fled the source of the havoc while brave policemen and women scream orders as they helped the ones in shock out of harm's way.

sixsgod:
Update ooooo

Update tonight, the chapter was not long enough so I'll add a few hundred words tonight.

silverlinen:
Am sure the op
Is a Shango worshipper

..lool, no am not...whatever makes you think so

YoungBruzzy:
You are doing good SheikGhetto..
Nice one man

better counter for this heat... blessing no go far from you

Bobosneh:
me right now waiting for shango to deal with those agbero

����

A couple more chapters and book one draws to a close....sorry bout the delay in updates..cheers!!

“This can only be an attack by the infamous terrorist organization known as boko haram, although they are yet to claim responsibility for the explosions, the rainy storm was just a coincidence, the government is assuring the general public that everything is under control, the masses well-being is our upmost concern, we will not be shaken in the face of intimidation and terrorism.” A government official announced live at the institute rubble as he expertly ignored a barrage of questions from the media.

“At least they’re trying to cover us up. The public will believe anything that will calm their fears; they will soon start accepting this cock and bull story.” Binta grumbled into her meal.

“They simply needed to bring the tensions down a notch while they hunt us down, Shettima replied in his quiet voice. “But what if our institute wasn’t the only one hidden, what if there were other projects or 5th generation children bred from other lost but found slumbering gods somewhere?"

“Ewo Orisha! Shango cursed so loud a startled family of four backed out the eatery faster than they had entered.

“Lanroye is gate keeper and caretaker, only he did not go to sleep when the gods did for he was to watch over us all in our hidden places of solitude, he would never allow the gods to be taken in their most vulnerable state.”

“He did allow you to be taken though, after all he was known as a trickster and a legendary liar.” Shettima pointed out.

“My case was but a different matter, for i was judged, found wanting and was casted down, accepted Lanroye and I had a history, and for all his dubious and canny nature, he is loyal to Obatala and to his duties as messenger and caretaker of our realms."

He bit into his hamburger, spat and cursed in five languages. "By the voluminous breasts of Yemoja what is this! i will give my right hand instead for a bowl of amala, ẹlẹdàá mi ọ, how much low shall I fall so."

"Why does Yemoja's boobs has volume?" Babybaby asked with an air of innocent curiosity as Obiora laughed and chocked on his food.

"Why do lanroye hate you enough to betray you to the institute." Orchid asked as she glared at Obiora in reproach.

"I slew his twin, Elégbára the deamon deity," Was his stiff reply.

"Oh well, I'll hate your gut too if you kill Obiora as well, even me will miss the big idiot." She shrugged ignoring her twin brother's mock outrage.

"I need to drink something strong, come let us be up and away from here, the fidgeting mortals are beginning to wear my patience thin, I fear I may I burn this place aground if I tarry a moment longer.”

He lead them out the eatery to see the drive way blocked by the thugs they passed earlier, they must have smelt the excess cash on them.

"Oh no, these poor fools," Shettima groaned as Shango mouth curved upward in wicked glee, glad at the good fortune of being presented with punching bags enough to pent out his frustrations.

*********************************************************

“You mean your symbolic battle axe? Did the institute take it from you when they found you? Binta asked hoping to divert Shango's attention from the thugs.

“Like they would survive the ordeal if they did, Shango scoffed. “Perchance I would not have been taken if Oshe was on my person at that period, for it would have protected me in my vulnerable state. The axe has a mind of its own and would have drained them of life, soul and essence had they laid their unworthy hands on it. Lo; i hid it before judgment was passed upon me.”

“Why were you judged in the first place? Binta prodded ignoring Orchid’s warning look.

Shango stared stonily ahead without replying, and Binta wisely kept her peace.

Omotola gasped as a memory flashed before her eyes, Shango knelt, bound in chains of lava before a furious elder god in white clothing. The vision left her thoughts as fast as it had invaded.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she assured a concerned Binta.

Her visions were getting erratic, from the little she could make sense of, she was reliving the memories of strangers she had never met except perhaps their father. In her past dreams, she had been seeing through Shango’s eyes and reliving his memories. This was new; the night before, she had witnessed the creation of Ile-Ife the cradle of birth itself as if she was there in person.

She hoped and prayed it wasn’t the power she had been expecting for so long cos she’d prefer jumping into river Niger rather than bare the shame of manifesting so lame an ability. Josephine the dreamer; she imagined her siblings laughing at her expense; she would not hear the end of it.

They stopped at a fast food joint to break fast, paying this time with the cash stolen by Binta from an atm machine; at this point, morality has been thrown out of the window. They had already blew up a portion of Lagos city, worn stolen cloths, hoodwinked an innocent salesman, they were technically on the nation’s most wanted list.

The breakout was the only trending topic on news channels breaking news, like they suspected, the government was trying to cover up the incident as much as possible but doing a bad job of it as the public demanded an explanation on how a building rose up from under their homes and the bizarre appearance of a man floating midair and raining fire on their heads.

The headlines flashed; gods out of legend or rise of superheroes, the end of the world? movie location stunt gone wrong? One eye witness even went as far as claimed they were aliens; a few still claimed Shango was an escaped mental home inmate to the latter’s chagrin.

Chapter Thirty-one

The next day, Shettima suggested they enter the small town at the feet of the plateau to gather information and news, he was curious about how the public had reacted to the recent events.

Shango reluctantly agreed but not without teaching them how to glamour their wings.

“Your wings are residual magic’s; imitating the rooster wings I conjured on my person during my captivity, in mockery of my genes as the men in long white coats would say, unlike mine it cannot simply be removed with a wave of hand because it has been imbued in you since birth, but still they are made entirely of hardened lightening, and can be temporarily dispersed like ozone matter if you concentrate enough.’’

On saying this, he proceeded in teaching them, the shock on their faces were comical as they gaped at each other, looking strangely different without their wings, it was like it was there but at the same time not there, despite the wings absent, Omotola could feel them stirring at her back like bottled storms.

Even without their wings, they were still out of sort as they strolled cautiously through the small town, Obiora and Shango’s heights though not uncommon still drew attention. Orchid’s white hair, their broad shoulders and tattered institute tights could not be overlooked.

Shango wanted to find the nearest palmwine shed but the wiry Shetimma convinced him to at least change clothings to blend in as he was dressed out of century, so they changed cloths at a local clothing store, the salesman grinning like crazy as Orchid tampered with his brain fluids, it was unethical, but they had no way of paying after Shango threatened to rip his saucy tongue out of his head for daring to demand payment for service rendered.

When they left the boutique, they were all garbed in presentable attires, Looking normal at least. Shettima took one look at the thunder god and sighed, nothing he wore was going to make him inconspicuous, even in his casual jeans and tees, he looked like a club bouncer loaded on way too much steroids, his stony glare wasn't helping either.

“You don’t have to threaten everybody who looks at us funny you know.” Orchid sighed as Shango glared at a group of peddlers who skidded away in fear. “We already drew enough attention to ourselves as it is.”

“Pathetic vermin the lot of them." He sneered at a group of thugs eyeballing him in a show of challenge. "No one dare look Shango Olu Koso in the eye, for even if you look and live to tell the tale, your life will not remain the same for eternal trauma will be your portion anytime you witness my lightening flash in the sky, Howu! Would it that I have Oshe in my grasp, you will be writing a different story.”

girlhaley:
today’s 25


Dear Op

sorry dear,...not enough leisure time for much writing but I'll drop a bit update tonight