The Retelling Story of Igodo - Episode 5

 

Ikemefuna arrived at dusk in Umu-Igodo village, by then all the villagers had all gone to sleep save for the sounds of the animals coming out from the forest Ikemefuna had just emerged out.

He wasn't even afraid of the sounds they made.

His Agu stopped and spoke to him "You will go and meet Igodo and the rest yourself, I will show you where you will follow. Give me your right thumb finger".

Ikemefuna did and brought out his right thumb and Agu raised his right hinge and placed it on top of the thumb . Within a matter of seconds, Agu faded and entered into the body of Ikemefuna. Agu and Ikemefuna became one in body and spirit.

Ikemefuna started going towards a bush part.

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Ikenga, Ikenna, Uzodinma, Ojadike, Odum and Igodo had just finished eaten their supper which was a boiled plantain and fried red oil with onions in it. Odum had brought the plantain with him that evening when he had come to see igodo and the rest. Uzodinma the only female in their midst had took the plantain and was about to go to the back of the hut where Igodo had built a fire place meant for preparing food, when Ojadike immediately volunteer to her in cooking. The truth was Ojadike loved eating boiled plantain and he thought if he help Uzodinma in preparing the meal, when it is time for dishing out the food his own might be a little bigger.

He was right.

"Thank you Odum"

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-retelling-story-of-igodo

. Igodo said thanking Odum

"My father, you don't have to thank me".

"Well I just did Odum".

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, someone is coming", Ikenga and Uzodinma both said at the same time.

Everyone was quite as they all listen to know if they will hear any footsteps. But they did not.

Ikenga spoke again.

"A young man is coming this way, but I see that he is harmless".

"Not only is he harmless but he is the sixth children of Amadioha". Uzodinma said supporting Ikenga.

Ikemefuna came out of the bush path his instinct told him too. He saw six different faces staring up at him, he cleared his throat and told them surprisingly.

"I greet you all, I know you all have been expecting me. I apologized for my lateness".

Igodo smiled "Hmm, Ikemefuna, I greet you too. I see you have journeyed from afar, once again you are welcome".
How did he knew my name? Ikemefuna thought to himself.
'Because you look like the man who had placed the curse upon this land four hundred years ago'. His Agu answered him.
'What?' 

But his conversation with his Agu got interrupted

"What is it my son, you look troubled". Igodo said.

Ikemefuna smiled and answered "Nothing papa. I was wondering how come you know my name".

"Oh, you look like someone I had know before. I did not know when the name Ikemefuna came rolling out of my tongue". Igodo said and continued "I still can't place where I had seen this face before". Igodo tried to see if he could recall where he had seen this face but failed too.

'I thought you said he knew my name because I have a resemblance to the person who had place the curse'. Ikemefuna said to his Agu.
'Yeah, but his old mind couldn't let him remember who exactly', Agu said and disappear from his mind.

Uzodinma came and whispered something into the ears of Igodo who nodded his head and turned to look at Ikemefuna

"Nevertheless you are welcome, Uzodinma here will show you were to put what you came with". Igodo said.

Uzodinma stretch herself before going inside and Ikemefuna follow suit.

Soon they came out from the hut, Uzodinma went back to her previous sitting position while Ojadike shifted a little, creating a space for Ikemefuna to sit.

Ikemefuna sat down, thanking Ojadike.

Igodo cleared his throat and they all listen attentively to him.

"My children, it is not a thing of joy to see you all here willingly to embark on this journey from your various villages. I could have gone myself a long time ago if not it was forbidden. I thank you again, you all left your various homes to save this Village. I won't lie to you, the journey you all are about to embark on is far more dangerous than you think. I believe Amadioha choose you all for a reason, you all are unique in your ways. I don't have much to say, but I know that amadioha will not allow any harm to befall on you". Igodo said.

"But we are not yet complete old one, or have Amadioha change his mind?" Ikenga asked.

"No he has not", Igodo replied him and continued. 

"Tomorrow, we will be going to the Igwe's Palace tomorrow there is one more there. No time for questions. Tomorrow is a great day, is the day we all are going to start the journey to meet the great Okike".

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The next day at the Igwe's Palace, his elders were with him when Igodo walked in slowly into the presence of the king and greeted in a loud voice.

"The ruler of this village I greet you".

"Igodo, your greetIngs are accepted, but do tell me why I own such august visit from you?" The Igwe asked.

The elders nodded.

Igodo cleared his throat and his voice came out more firm "Igwe I came to tell you and the people of Umu-Igodo that there is a solution to our problems".

"You mean there is actually a way to put an end to you?" The Onowu asked Igodo

"Yes there is", Igodo reply.

"But why didn't you say something in the first place?" The Igwe asked.

"I didn't say anything because the children of Amadioha hasn't come yet".

"Children of Amadioha? I don't understand you old one" The Igwe said confused.

"To find the end of this curse, seven children of Amadioha will journey to bring back the knife of Amadioha". Igodo explained.

"Okay, so are the seven children of Amadioha complete or do we need to make an announcement for the entire village to come so that from there you can pick our fine strong able young men to go for the quest?". Mazi Okeke  asked Igodo.

"That is not a problem and there will be no need for that, I have the six children of Amadioha with me who came from far villages". Igodo answered.

"That is good, but, I thought you said seven, why are you now saying six?" The Onowu asked puzzled.

"Well, there is only one that remains and that is the reason why I am here. A child of Amadioha is here".

"We don't get you, what did you mean by a child of Amadioha is here?" Mazi Okoro asked.

"Igwe, your son, Prince Ebuka, is a child of Amadioha. He will be the one to complete the number, once its complete the journey had started". Igodo said.

"Igodo, I only have two sons one had already left the world and the other one is Ebuka. How do you expect me to release my only son to you? What if he dies in this quest who will ascend the throne of our ancestors. I am sorry my son won't joining them in the quest. Amadioha should had chosen someone else from this village not my only eye". The Igwe said concluding the matter.

"Hmm, Igwe don't forget that you are the one who had been begging me to find a solution and now there is you don't want to help. Amadioha is seeing you and your decision. Remember if more innocent people die, their blood will be on your hand". Igodo said and slowly made his way out of the Igwe's Palace.

Onowu shook his head and told the Igwe. "Igwe, you and I know what Igodo is saying is the truth. Please let your son join them in the quest......."

Igwe Omenika interrupted him "And let my only son die like a sacrificial lamb in the forest mbanu-No. My only son will not go and that is my word assume I had more sons I would not have hesitated to give Igodo Ebuka".

"What of the others, you heard  when Igodo said they all came from different villages, won't they be also risking their lives saving a village which they don't know of before, I won't be here and some starngers will be saving my kingdom. You can not stop me papa. I will go with them". Prince Ebuka who had came out from his hut when he heard Igodo taking his leave told his father and the elders.

Onowu nodded his head in confirmation to what Prince Ebuka had just said.

"My son, the gods may had chosen wrong".

"No, they didn't. I was chosen by them and I am going with those strangers to find whatever it is that will bring the end of this generational curse once and for all. Father think of the people who had died unjustly for something committed by our fore fathers. I can't stand and watch innocent people die. Whether you agree to it or not, I have made a decision and my decision is I will go with Igodo". He said and walked out angrily going towards the direction Igodo had taken earlier, ignoring the calls of his father.

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Igodo came back to his hut and saw the six waiting patiently for him, by his look on his face they noticed things didn't go well.

"What happened?" Odum was the first person to ask.

"I guess the Igwe didn't agree". Uzodinma answered for Igodo.

"Yes, he did not. But don't get your hope down, we are all going to meet Okike today. Amadioha know that I had tried". No sooner had he finish his words when they saw the Prince walking into their presence.

"I am here now. We are now complete". Prince Ebuka said as he look at them.

Igodo smiled. "Well, let's start the journey, we are going to the great forest of the ancestors where Okike will fortify you all".

Igodo said and they all made their way out of Umu-Igodo towards the forest of the ancestors. 

Okike had seen everything and had been waiting for them.

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Igodo soon came to the tree where Okike had revealed himself to him, he vividly remembers it all through the years.  The journey wasn't a long one because Igodo had know where he was suppose to go. Surprisingly Okike had been waiting for them and to the surprise of Igodo, he had not age an inch since the last time he had met him.

Okike smiled as he saw them.

All seven children of Amadioha are here.

"You did a good work in bringing the seven complete. I told you that they will come to you, Amadioha never lies. All the same you are welcome my friend". Okike said and made eight golden stools to appear. "You all can sit down".

They all sat down. Okike cleared his throat and began.

"The journey you all are about to embark on is a very dangerous one. You should all trust in one another, oneness should be your aim. There is a part in the forest that you will have to undergo a test, I hope you all will pass it. The forest of the Living-dead isn't a ordinary forest, you will encounter many things in the forest before you will get to your destination. The knife of Amadioha is in the heart of the forest and you must bring it back before the end of Seven days". Okike said and continued. "I am going to show you a short cut that will lead you into the forest of the Living-dead, but you will have to choose the path yourselves. You must find your way to the kinfe yourselves. Odum will be your leader, you will listen to him".

Okike raised up one of his arm and seven staff appeared in front of each of the seven.

"This staff isn't an ordinary staff, I had been preparing it for you seven since four hundred years ago and I completed it today. The staff is you as you are the staff, the staff knows the way to where the knife is". Okike said.

"Hold it", Okike instructed and Ikenga, Ikenna,Uzodinma,Ojadike, Ikemefuna, Odum and Prince Ebuka took hold on their staff.

"Remember that you are only given seven days to come back here and I expect you all to be complete when you are back". Okike said and wave his hand in the air.

"I and Igodo will be waiting for you all".

"My children, the price you are about to pay is death, but I know and believe that when you work together you will be able to defeat death. Trust and rely on yourselves". Igodo said to them.

They nodded.

"It is time for you all to leave the world of men and go to the world of spirits. May Amadioha guide you all and bring you all safely back to Umu-Igodo". Okike said and wave his hand a second time, one after the other they all disappeared.

When it was Ikemefuna's turn to disappear Okike stops and told him.

"Ikemefuna I trust you will keep them safe". Okike said.

"Of course Okike I will try and keep them safe". Agu replied.

"Good.

Read " Selena's Daughter (The Prophecy) " by the same author ( Ifeoma Isabella Okeke )

. You know you are the reincarnation of Ikemefuna who had placed the curse upon Umu-Igodo". Okike said and wave his hand and Ikemefuna disappeared.

When the spirit of Ikemefuna who had placed the curse on Umu-Igodo saw how much the people suffered from a curse he had placed on the village. He went to Plead with Amadioha who then gave him a second chance to join the six children of Amadioha to break the curse. Though the present Ikemefuna did not know about it but his Agu knew.

"No wonder his face looked familiar to me". Igodo said

"Let us hope they all survive within the seven days in the forest of the Living-dead. The fate of Umu-Igodo rest upon the seven children of Amadioha". Okike said and he sat down. 

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They all appeared under a huge udara tree. They saw several bush paths and they became confuse on the path to take. Uzodinma briefly closes her eyes before opening it and pointed at a path that was on the left.

"We should go that way", Uzodinma said pointing at the real way. Without any doubt they all followed that path.

Two pair of eyes which shone with fiery fire suddenly appeared in the sky as the eyes stare down at the seven people.

"Hmm, they had guess the right way. Let me see how they will be able to overcome the spirit of confusion". 

And the eyes closes.