Goddess Of The Sun (Adaora Part 2) - Final EpisodeShe cast her eyes upon the moon that had covered the sun. She raised her hands into the air.
“May the moon and the sun fill me with power to do justice and after justice is done, may light and darkness separate.”
She pointed her flaming hand towards the King who was trying to escape but got stock in the pit of dead bodies. A river of reddish flame with silvery sparks burned him alive amidst his screaming. With one last and troubled shout, he crossed the river of life.
Immediately this was done, the dagger vanished from Adaora’s hands and she fell to the ground, unconscious.
“Adaora!” The princess rushed towards her.
Oriaku wiped away her tears, knowing that the gods had awarded them victory.
“But you said you weren’t crying,” Okorie smiled.
She looked away shyly, “I couldn’t weep in front of you.”
She felt satisfied in her spirit. Now it was time to return to Ezeudo and face her evil husband and Obiajulu.
Chinedum and Uli crouched over Adaora’s body.
“I don’t understand what has happened to her,” Chinedum complained.
“After a possession, the human host usually feels very week. You must leave for Ezeudo immediately to complete the ritual.” Princess Uli warned.
The thought of leaving the princess behind didn’t sit well with him. He knew his life would never be the same. It would be filled with a void without her, but he had to return to his wife and children.
“I will miss you,” Chinedum smiled.
The princess knew that she had more responsibilities to shoulder. Chiemelie’s uncertainty about his attraction to her was the least of her problems. She had a Kingdom to rule. She had a mother and a brother to bury.
“I shall keep you alive in my thoughts and prayer,” a sad smile played on her lips. She was attracted to this man. She had learned of his ways and had enjoyed spending time with him. She would miss Adaora too. But she couldn’t return to Ezeudo with them as she had always planned.
It wasn’t long before they all hugged each other and said their goodbyes. Oriaku thanked the princess for caring for her, and Adaora.
“May the gods continue to light your path and protect you.”
Uli nodded, “And you too. You all should visit Amabara more frequently. We are no longer enemies.”
As Oriaku left with Chinedum and the moon virgin, she couldn’t help but look back one last time. Her heart missed a beat when she realized that Okorie had been staring at her. She exhaled sharply and focused on the journey ahead as a lot of secrets would be brought to light.
Ikemba had been in a meeting with his chiefs when a dagger with three golden stripes suddenly appeared in the middle of the meeting arena. All the men rose to their feet and rushed outside, except for Ikemba. He encircled the dagger thrice, before taking it from the ground. A wave of relief washed over him as he realized that the mission had just been completed.
“May the gods be praised! The ancient dagger has been sent to us!” He cried out. But he noticed that the chiefs were a bit distracted. When he followed their gaze, he noticed they were staring at a direction. His joy only increased when he realized that the objects of their gaze were the heroes that had rescued Ezeudo from the evil plans of Chiemelie.
Chinedum increased his steps so that the ritual could be completed and Adaora would be restored to life.
“My King, we have done as the gods have commanded. Take over from here, he dropped Adaora’s soft body at the King’s feet. The chiefs and all the dwellers of the palace had come out to welcome Oriaku and Chinedum. Many were shocked to see Anosike’s wife in good health, because the word of her torture by her husband had spread through the land.
Oriaku noticed the strange stares that she was getting from the women who resided in the palace. Being an assertive woman, she sucked in a deep breath and walked towards one of the maids who was very chatty. Her name was Ifeoma.
“Why does everyone stare at me like I am an outcast?” Oriaku asked. Certainly, nobody knew that Obiajulu had stabbed her, so they couldn’t have presumed that she was dead.
At first, the royal maid hadn’t wanted to be the harbinger of bad news. But her talkative nature wouldn’t let her be. She grabbed Oriaku’s hand and pulled her to one side.
“The secret has been brought to light. The gods have vindicated you in this matter…” She started.
“What matter? What are you talking about?” Oriaku’s brows ndaggered in confusion.
Ifeoma swallowed and began to spill the beans, but she failed to notice that Chinedum who’d been standing near was listening.
“Your husband has been arrested by Ikemba. His lover, Obiajulu had gone to the ancient river of Mmiriulo to bewitch her husband, so he wouldn’t find out about her secret affair with Anosike. On her way home, the gods struck her with blindness. From what I learned, she also tried to kill the moon virgin. It was after her blindness, that your husband was forced to confess about how they almost killed you and tossed your body into the river.”
Chinedum froze when he heard the details but he kept his cool. He didn’t believe a word that Ifeoma had spoken. He quickly moved away and focused on the final ritual that would set Adaora free from the curse that held her bound. But deep down, his heart was troubled. He noticed that many of the villagers had gathered. He could spot Okeke coming with his children to witness his arrival. Where was Anosike? Where was the wife that he loved and cherished?
Ikemba knelt beside her sleeping body. She was the most beautiful woman that he had ever seen. But even before he set his eyes on her, he had loved her. He had respected her.
“You almost sacrificed your life for me…for us…” He lowered his lips to her ears.
Tears stung his eyes at the costly sacrifice that Adaora had made.
“It is with your help that I will be free from the curse. I will love you with all my heart and I will be loyal to only you. We shall make generations together.”
When he was finished, he slit his wrist with the sacred weapon. Warm blood gushed out. He raised her tender hands and pricked a spot, so a little line of blood could flow through. When he was finished, he dropped the dagger gently on the ground.
“May the goddess of the moon and the god of the sun honor their words!” He prayed.
“Ise!!!” The people shouted.
He bound their hands together until a ray of silvery light appeared. The wounds were healed immediately as the curses upon them were broken.
All of a sudden, Adaora awoke with a sneeze.
“Where am I?” Her lips moved. She found it difficult to put the pieces together.
“You are here with me, my love.” A deep baritone responded.
The richness of his voice was all she needed to know that the man kneeling beside her was the ruler of Ezeudo. She recognized the man that haunted her dreams, the man whose presence was always with her.
“My King,” she bowed her head.
He laughed softly, “Is that what you’ll be calling your husband?” He cupped he face into his palms and stared into her greenish eyes.
“What do you want me to call you?” Adaora asked shyly.
He shrugged, “You’ll decide after this…”
Ikemba didn’t wait for another question, he pulled her gently towards himself and dropped a kiss on her lips. This loving action evoked praises from his people and they hailed the new lovers.
“Long Live the King! Long Live the Queen!”
When the chants had subsided, Chinedum stepped on the elevated portion of the palace.
“Is it true?” He gritted his teeth. His voice was broken and sore. His eyes were filled with pain and frustration.
Adaora quickly moved away as she was led to a plum woman in the crowd. She had a feeling that someone must have told Chinedum about his wayward wife.
“The goddess just whispered to me that you have no child. I returned with Ikele leaves to open your womb. You must come to the palace later for it,” Adaora whispered to the stranger.
Ifeyinwa, Obiajulu’s aunt lowered her head to the ground. The gods would give her a child as promised and through the help of the moon virgin.
“Thank you.”
Adaora was about to return to the King, when she spotted a crying Oriaku in the crowd. She sighed and quickly rushed to comfort her.
“Do not cry too much, remember that the gods will send you a better man.” Adaora pulled her in for a hug and caressed her hair. Oriaku had many regrets. If only she knew what had happened, she would’ve stayed back in Amabara. But it wasn’t too late. Once the marriage between Adaora and the King was sealed, she would return to Amabara and consider Okorie for her second chance at love.
The King was speechless as he stared into his cousin’s eyes. He couldn’t tell Chinedum the truth.
“Why don’t you rest and take a bath? The journey has been very stressful.”
“It is true right?” Chinedum scoffed. He now understood the pitiful gazes that he had been receiving from people.
Without waste of time, he moved away from the palace towards home. He had made a fool of himself by letting go of Princess Uli for a woman he’d thought was faithful. He marched with determination back home. He would leave the children with Adaora for some time. But he needed to get as far as he could from Obiajulu.
In the end, it was a happy day for everyone else in Ezeudo. The Kingdom dwellers were excited that the looming war between them and Amabara would never see the light of day. They had also heard about the crowing of the first woman to rule Amabara, Queen Uli. The Kingdoms would unite soon. Oriaku would find love in Okorie’s strong arms. It was going to be a difficult journey for Chinedum. But he would learn to forgive his blind ex wife and find more ways to convince Uli, that he was the man for her. The King and his Queen would be united as one, and just as the gods had promised, they would be blessed with children.
“Can we go back to the heavens now? Our work is ended.” Ituri whispered to her counterpart, the god of the sun.
Anyanwu sighed, “Sometimes I feel we could have a chance to be mortal. Their lives aren’t perfect. It is full of ups and downs, pains and tears, tragedies and joys, but they manage to be happy.
The goddess of the moon laughed, “And they die, but we don’t. Do not ever forget that.” He joined in the laughter as they soared over the clouds back to the god-realm where they will permanently reside and watch over their children.
THE ENDStory By Davina Diaries