Super Story: Goddess Of The Sun (Adaora Part 2)

[Miss Ifeoluwa]

Goddess Of The Sun (Adaora Part 2) - Episode 31

He was an experienced hunter, so he knew the game that preys and predators played. He moved his feet swiftly. He always kept his eyes on the direction of their spears and machetes. He launched his machete into the belly of one of the men who attacked him. Quickly, he pulled it out and dropped it on the next man. Blood rained on the earth. Two of the King’s best men were down.
A devious smile played on Uli’s lips as she watched Chinedum fight. His swift and agile movements had confused the King’s men. Surely, they hadn’t seen someone fight like that before. She thought of the next action to take.
“I told you, the gods are against you.” Uli spited her brother.
“Shut up!” He pulled her hair.
It didn’t take long before Chinedum finished killing the five guards. He was exhausted but not through. The gods had chosen him to retrieve the dagger and the moment had come.
“Let her go!” He commanded in a gruff voice.
He scoffed, “And if I don’t?”
Chinedum wiped the sweat that clung to his brow. His eyes fell on Uli as they exchanged a silent message. He was ready to strike Chiemelie but he needed her permission. In her beautiful brown eyes, he saw her readiness to accept his decision. He also saw gratitude.
Being a hunter came with wisdom. He dropped his machete and fetched a shorter knife from his bag.
“Release your sister and I will spare your life…” He advanced towards Chiemelie.
The King knew that the odds were against him but he was still willing to fight. He knew that Chinedum was ready to kill him, but he wouldn’t give up that easily. He pushed Uli towards Chinedum swiftly. In a swift move, he took out one of the many charms that Igwekala had prepared for him.
“Ododomna!!!” He chanted, before vanishing into the air.
Back at the palace, Adaora had decided that she needed Oriaku’s assistance. The anxiety she had been feeling from the time she woke up, hadn’t left her.
“Come with me, it is time for us to stick together.” She whispered to Anosike’ wife as they moved towards the throne room where the ancient dagger was being kept.
“The King isn’t here!” One of the guards announced.
“I have an appointment with him. He says that I should wait here in the throne room for him.” Adaora replied with a stern face.
“And the stranger?” The guard pointed at Oriaku.
“I have a little information about her that may help the King and his council while investigating.” She explained. Without hesitation, they parted the way and led the women into the throne room.
A wave of excitement washed over Adaora as they stepped into the majestic throne room.
“Are you sure we are doing the right thing? What if we are caught?” Oriaku expressed her fears.
“We won’t be caught. Just use your eyes. We are looking for a dagger with three golden stripes. We have to be fast about it. It is important that we find it today.”
Oriaku sighed and nodded. If this was the part that she would play in ensuring that Ikemba stayed victorious, then she was prepared to do it. Silently, the women began to roam the throne room in search of the ancient relic. They moved silently like predators moved at the sight of prey. After a while of searching and not finding the dagger, Adaora felt frustrated.
“I don’t know what I was thinking. I don’t think Chiemelie would be stupid enough to keep the dagger here, knowing how important it is.” She sighed.
Oriaku wouldn’t entertain her discouraging words, she continued to look quietly. Adaora found it difficult to believe that the hour she has been waiting for all her life was now. She couldn’t wait for the dagger to be found. She couldn’t wait to meet with the great King of Ezeudo. She couldn’t wait for the curse upon her life to be taken away. Soon, everything about her life would change and she would be happy again. She smiled as she thought of Chinedum’s little children. She could feel their innocent hearts, beating and crying out for her.
“I will be home soon. I will see your lovely faces,” she pressed a shaky hand against her chest.
Oriaku was about to give up like the moon virgin, when Adaora felt an itchy sensation on her neck. When she swirled round, she found the goddess of the moon staring at her with a devious smile on her face. Adaora swallowed and stepped back.
“My goddess,” her lips moved in acknowledgment.
“You impress me,” Ituri’s legs touched the ground for the first time. She had been watching the humans fight for her dagger. Ituri had not offered Adaora’s team any assistance, yet they had come this far.
Adaora’s lips went dry, she didn’t have the perfect words for the goddess. She simply bowed her head and waited for the next instruction.
“I see that you are looking for my dagger,” Ituri smiled.
“Yes!” Adaora nodded.
Just then, Oriaku stopped searching as she heard Adaora mumbling some words.
“Who are you talking to?” Oriaku raised a brow.
Unlike the one’s that had been chosen and had the gift of sight, Oriaku couldn’t see beyond the natural elements. Adaora ignored her and focused her attention on the goddess who stared at Oriaku interestedly.
“Tell her that she shall fall in love with a better man and she shall bear him sons and daughters.” Ituri sent a message across.
Adaora’s eyes glowed with joy as she heard this. She quickly turned to Oriaku and explained that she was conversing with the goddess of the moon, Ituri.
“She has sent news of good things to come. You shall fall in love again. He shall be a good man and your union would be blessed with many fruits.”
Oriaku scoffed, “I don’t believe that. Even if I did, I have no interest in matters of the heart. I gave all my love to the man I married as a virgin, but he tossed my heart to the dust. I cannot risk it all over again. He almost killed me!”
Adaora inhaled, she understood the pain that Oriaku had passed through but the goddess had reassured her that everything would be fine.
“You must take the message of the goddess and keep your heart open.” Adaora replied. When she finished speaking with Oriaku, she returned to Ituri.
“Please, can you help us find your dagger?” Adaora asked. She prayed within that the goddess would grant her this request. Without the dagger, they couldn’t leave for Ezeudo. Without it, she would never find liberation.
With the stretch of her arm, the throne upon which Chiemelie sat began to glow. It burned a fiery red. This time, Oriaku was meant to witness the manifestation of the goddess’ true power. The shock made her head spin. She felt dizzy and almost fell on the ground.
“The dagger is under the throne!” Adaora cheered. She was about to show gratitude to the goddess but it was too late, for when she turned, Ituri was already gone. Now that her dagger was in safe hands, the goddess decided to keep away from the human realm until all the rituals for the moon virgin were done completely.
As Adaora rushed towards the throne to search for the dagger, she felt a sharp pain on her back.
“Stop!”
“No!” Oriaku screamed and rushed to catch the moon virgin whose back had just eaten a poisonous dagger.
The King walked straight to the throne. He had appeared in the palace after Chinedum had almost succeeded in killing him.
“You intend to steal my dagger as well?” He scoffed. He couldn’t believe the amount of betrayers that he’d surrounded himself with.
Adaora gritted her teeth as the pain of the dagger shot pierced her bones. Blood soaked the spot on the floor where she lay. Her body grew colder by the moment and if something wasn’t done, she would die.
“You don’t have to do this. Give the dagger to whom it rightly belongs!” Oriaku sobbed.
The King tore the tiger skin that was used to decorate his bronze throne. A small dagger with three golden stripes tumbled out of it. He collected it quickly.
“I have no regrets for what I have done. Your friend will die soon. If I were you, I will find a way out of Amabara,” Chiemelie warned. His blood boiled from the pain of Uli’s ambition to take over the throne. He was angry with everything and everyone. He had trusted Igwekala with his life, but that fool had betrayed him. He was going to sacrifice Adaora. Her blood and her life would give him authority to wield the true dagger of Ituri.
When the guards had heard the commotion in the palace, they had quickly rushed in. They were confused to see the wounded moon virgin on the ground.
“Bring her with me,” the King commanded.

TO BE CONTINUED

Story By Davina Diaries

[Miss Ifeoluwa]

Adaora felt herself being lifted up by the strong warriors. She felt as light as a feather. Her mind was broken; streams of memories were flowing in and out. Light flashed before her eyes as she saw images of the men that had attacked her mother. In that fragile state, Adaora realized that they had the same markings as Chinedum’s men.
“You killed my mother! You destroyed my home!” She screamed deliriously. And she was right. The King of Amabara had been so desperate to conquer Ikemba. When a sorcerer had named a certain virgin who dwelt in the mysterious land of Anyanwa, he had released his warriors to raid the place. But when they arrived, they had forgotten his instructions and had gone on a ravaging spree instead. When the men had returned, Chiemelie had all of them hanged. This explained why everyone was scared of him.
He ignored her screams of accusations. He needed to hurry with the sacrifice before Chinedum found him. Oriaku felt helpless as she followed the guards. Her eyes were puffy and swollen from crying. She needed to do something. She couldn’t just stand and watch!
“I must find Chinedum and princess Uli,” she thought to herself. She paused and hid herself in a strategic point, until they had all stepped out of the palace. Swiftly, she ran but she failed to see the hefty guard that approached her. Oriaku only froze when her face bumped into his hard body.
Okorie’s hard features softened when he ran into the beautiful woman again.
“Our paths have crossed twice today. The gods may have something for us.” This was a common saying in Amabara, but Okorie was deliberate about it. He had been attracted to this fine woman from the first time her body had been found at the river. She seemed like a good soul that needed love, and cherishing.
Oriaku swallowed and tore her eyes from his penetrating and almost lustful gaze. The words of the goddess rang in her ears, but she pushed it away. She couldn’t give her heart out anymore. Love had failed her the first time, it would fail her again.
“What are you doing here?” Okorie asked with a smile. It seemed the woman was afraid of him.
She licked her lips and shook her head.
“Nothing, I must go!”
Apparently, he wasn’t aware of what was about to happen and she couldn’t tell him. Right now, she couldn’t trust anyone.
“No, tell me.” He grabbed her hand.
His touch was firm but kind. She wasn’t scared of him like he thought. She just didn’t want to be around any man.
“Um, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“But you’re crying?” He released her hand and cupped her face in his’.
His words made her feel shy but she pretended to be okay with them.
“I am not crying.” Her voice croaked.
Okorie released her face and felt the hilt of his machete when he heard footsteps approaching. His hands softened when he noticed Princess Uli and Chinedum running into the throne room.
“Where is he? Where is that accursed son of the devil?” Princess Uli screamed.
Oriaku noticed bloodstains on Chinedum’s body. She quickly rushed and threw her hands around him. Oriaku had fought very hard to contain the tears that once gushed out freely. She hadn’t wanted Okorie to see her as a weak and fragile thing. But the sight of Chinedum’s wounds broke her further.
“Where is who, your highness?” Okorie was lost.
“I don’t have time to explain. My brother is well aware of my plans to ascend the throne of my forefathers. He has slain Igwekala and desecrated the shrine with flames. If I don’t kill him, he would me.”
Oriaku pulled away from Chinedum’s arms.
“He has taken Adaora and the dagger.”
Everyone present in the room didn’t waste another moment. They all rushed out of the throne room as they followed the lead of the princess, who knew exactly where her brother was headed.
The King had led his men to the place where he sacrificed maidens. The pit was stuffed with decayed bones and flesh. Flies perched on the stinking earth. Big and dirty vultures waited to the next meal.
“Put her on the ground!” He yelled.
Before the men did, they gently took out the dagger that Chiemelie had plunged into Adaora’s back. It was a prototype to confuse anyone that would be trailing the original. Adaora had passed out at this point, because she had lost too much blood.
“The gods of my ancestors, I have come! I pray that you accept me as I am, as you created me to be!” He felt to his knees and raised the ancient dagger up.
“Ituri, goddess of the moon, I call upon you. It is time to offer me your justice. I have worshipped you and served you all these years. I bring you the sacrifice of the moon virgin, her blood shall make you proud.” He said a loud prayer.
At first, the breeze that came started slowly. It rustled the leaves of the deciduous trees that surrounded the environment. It swept the odor from dead bodies from one angle to the other. It carried with it dust and stones.
“Ituri! I call upon you!” The King increased his tone. He felt confident that the goddess was present in the wind. And he was right, for Ituri had come to take her sacrifice. However, the sacrifice was never meant to be the moon virgin. Adaora had only been a worthy vessel and she would serve Ituri till death.
“Your Majesty?” The chief guard swallowed as he noticed something strange.
“Can’t you see that I am busy?” Chiemelie felt irritated by the guard’s call.’
But the man hadn’t meant to interrupt the King’s prayer. He was the first to witness the appearance of the moon in the afternoon. It floated towards the sun and covered it, so that it cast a mild darkness over the land.
“This has never happened before. This is a bad omen,” the man exchanged glares with the other guards.
At that point, they recalled the cruelty of Chiemelie. He wasn’t the type of King that one sacrificed for. The chief guard gently dropped his sword upon the sand and bowed his head. He needed to run home to his wife and children before it was too late. When the others saw that the chief guard had given up on them, they dropped their machetes and tiptoed away from the wailing King.
All this while, Chiemelie was oblivious that he had been abandoned. He was deeply engrossed in his prayer. The changes in the state of nature made him feel reassured that the gods had chosen him to win the battle.
“I can feel your presence Ituri,” he closed his eyes, and smiled.
Just then, a strand of lightning appeared in the sky and rained down. It was accompanied with thunder. Both elements fell on the body of the moon virgin. Suddenly, Adaora was awakened from her sorrowful sleep. Her wound was healed and her strength was rejuvenated. Slowly, the memories of everything that had taken place in the palace played back.
Gently, the moon virgin rubbed the place where he had stabbed her. Satisfied that she was alright, Adaora gently fetched the dagger next to her and rose. She felt no pity for the greedy King who had filled the pit with innocent women while searching for her. The strength of the Ituri possessed her. The silvery blood of the goddess took control of her. At one, the dagger she intended for the king rolled out of her hands.
“Your time has come!” Adaora laughed.
At first, he felt his mind was playing a trick on him. But when he heard the sound of the laughter, Chiemelie trembled like a chicken under rain. He knew for certain that Adaora had died. What had changed?
“You?” His face grew pale.
“Give me what belongs to me!” She stretched her right hand for the dagger.
Though her eyes were filled with a silvery glow and her legs were no longer touching the ground, Chiemelie’s arrogance took the better part of him. As long as he was concerned, he was destined to rule Amabara and Ezeudo together and nothing could stop him.
“On whose authority do you speak? Do you know not that the moon goddess and the god of the sun and the others I worship are on my side?” He felt insulted by her.
He tightened his fingers around the handle of the dagger and moved towards Adaora.
“This time, you will not resurrect!” He yelled at the top of his voice as he plunged the dagger through her.
It was at that moment that Chinedum and the others arrived.
The princess screamed when she noticed her brother had stabbed the moon virgin. She had intended to step in to save the situation, when Chinedum pulled her back.
“Don’t! The goddess has taken over her body,” Chinedum whispered.
They all stared in wonder as they noticed that the stab had no effect on the moon virgin. She didn’t touch the ground with her feet. She only floated.
“No, this cannot be,” Chiemelie tossed the dagger on the ground and was about to run.
“The goddess works through those who are righteous and pure in heart. She has chosen me to deliver victory into Ikemba’s hands. She seeks to honor your sister. You and your evil mother have no place in the palace.” Adaora said. While speaking, her hands began to glow with a reddish flame. A macabre laughter rang from her lips as she floated towards the terrified King.
“You desecrated a shrine, and you will pay for it!”

TO BE CONTINUED

Story By Davina Diaries

[Miss Ifeoluwa]

Goddess Of The Sun (Adaora Part 2) - Final Episode

She 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 END

Story By Davina Diaries

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