OJUJU: THE VILLAGE OF FORBIDDEN LOVE - EPISODE 6
Asakwe's words echoed in Amisha's mind like a constant reminder of the price she had to pay for her father's life. She knew that she had no other way to escape without further incurring wrath of Asakwe.
"Papa welcome" Amisha said to her father Adazi who had just returned from the farm
"Thank you my daughter" Adazi said
"How was your day?" Amisha asked
"Well we thank Ojuju. Today is gone and we are hopeful of tomorrow" Adazi said and sat on a chair outside the house
"Please get me water to drink" Adazi told Amisha
"Alright Papa. Should I also bring your food?" She asked
"What did you prepare" Adazi asked in return
"Roasted yam and tomato sauce" She replied
"Wow! Just bring the water for me. I will eat later" Adazi said
"Alright Sir" Amisha said and went inside to get the water.
"Yes it father" .Amisha said after coming out with the water a minute later
Adazi was drinking the water when they saw a giant bird flying their way. Soon the bird got to their compound, came down and suddenly changed to Asakwe. Amisha and her father were caught off guard, with their conversation halting abruptly.
"Amisha, the time has come for you to fulfill your part of the bargain," Asakwe said
" What bargain are you referring to" Amisha asked even though she knew what Asakwe meant
"I am not one to repeat myself. The next sacrifice will happen in seven day time and it would be carried out by you and you alone. Failure to do this, your father would be buri*d alive" Asakwe said
Amisha's heart sank immediately
"What do you mean?" she asked
"You know exactly what I mean, Amisha. You will perform the ritual, and you will ensure its success. Failure is not an option. If you fail, your father will pay the price with his life." Asakwe threatened
Adazi's countenance changed to that of fear as his gaze darted between Asakwe and his daughter Amisha.
"I can't do it. I would rather be unalived than have be involved in this darkness but please spare my father. Take my life instead." Amisha pleaded
Asakwe's expression turned cold with her eyes flashing with anger.
"You have no choice. You will do as Ojuju as commanded or face the consequences." Asakwe warned
Amisha thought for a while. She knew she had to protect her father, no matter the cost.
"I will do it. I will perform the ritual." Amisha finally said
Asakwe nodded with a small smile playing on her lips.
"I knew you would see things Ojuju's way Amisha. The ritual will take place in seven days. Be prepared."
With that, Asakwe turned and disappeared leaving Amisha and her father in a state of heightened tension and fear.
"What have I gotten into?" Amisha wondered as her heart suddenly became heavy with the weight of her decision.
Amisha couldn't sleep with her mind racing with thoughts of the ritual and the sacrifice she was about to make.
As the day ticked by, Amisha's anxiety grew. She thought about the ritual, the sacrifice, and the consequences of failure. Even though she tried to be strong, the fear in her was still overwhelming.
Adazi, sensing his daughter's distress called her one evening and tried to comfort her
"Amisha, I'm sorry. Now I understand your plight. I am beginning to see reasons with you as regards our deity Ojuju." Adazi said
Amisha smiled weakly with her eyes filled with tears.
"It's not your fault Papa. You know that I will always do what I have to do to protect you." Amisha said
"I know my daughter and I will always stand by you no matter what decision you take from now henceforth " Adazi said and hugged his daughter
At the day of the sacrifice, Amisha stood up very early. She prepared and called on her father
"Papa are you ready?" She asked
"Yes my daughter" He replied
"Please come let's go before we get there late" Amisha said
Adazi soon came out his eyes filled with a mix of fear and admiration of his daughter
"I am proud of you my daughter. You are strong and brave." He said as they they walked to Ojuju shrine
Although the whole villager were all gathered in Ojuju shrine, it was was shrouded in quietness with the the distant howling of animals and the rustling of leaves the only sound been heard. Amisha's heart pounded in her chest as she stood before the new seven virgins and seven health men that have been selected for the sacrifice. Her hands began to shake vigorously as she held the sacred knife handed over to her by Asakwe
"Amisha daughter of Adazi, the next priestess of Ojuju, you have been chosen specially by to perform this ritual. May Ojuju's power guide you."Asakwe said
Amisha took a deep breath while trying to focus on the task at hand. The tears and cries from those to be s*crificed pierced her heart but at that stage she had no choice.
Amisha heard a faint whispering in her ear.
"Don't do it, Amisha. Don't make the sacrifice."
Amisha's mind was unsettled as she tried to understand the voice.
" Who was speaking to her? And what did they mean?" She asked herself
Asakwe's eyes soon turned towards Amisha with her fierce gaze
"What happened. Why did you stop?" She asked
Amisha swallowed her saliva gathering in her mouth. She didn't know what to say, or who had spoken to her. But she knew one thing, that she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
"I...I don't know," she stammered.
"You better behave well today Amisha. Failure is not an option." Asakwe warned
Amisha nodded with her heart still pounding in her chest. Amisha picked up the knife and continued the ritual. The words of the incantation Asakwe taught her flowed from her lips.
Suddenly the air around her seemed to vibrate with energy and she began to feel a certain way that was unlike her. She discovered that she no longer felt pity for them and was beginning to enjoy the process.
As she reached the climax of the process with lots of adrenaline surging through her veins. a sudden gust of wind swept through the clearing startling everyone
"Ojuju has accepted our sacrifice" Asakwe shouted and the whole villagers began to jubilate as required
Asakwe's smile was like a cold breeze on a winter night.
"Well done Amisha. You have proven yourself worthy of Ojuju's love" Asakwe said
As Amisha walked away from Ojuju's sacrifice altar, she felt a sense of unease. Something didn't feel right inside of her
And then, she heard the voice again.
"You shouldn't have done it, Amisha, You shouldn't have made the sacrifice."
Amisha's heart skipped a beat as she turned around to see who the speaker was, but there was no one there.
Amisha quickly went to a lonely spot
"Who are you?" she called out with a trembling voice but there was no answer. .
From that day onward Amisha began to live with Asakwe while learning the ways of Ojuju. Within that period she never came in contact with anyone outside Ojuju's palace not even her own father
*****
A year has since passed and he day of Amisha's announcement as a priestess of Ojuju had finally arrived. The villagers, including the king and elders, gathered at the shrine with everyone eager to witness the event.
Asakwe led Amisha to the inner chamber of the shrine, a place where few had ever ventured. The air was thick with anticipation as Asakwe prepared Amisha for the final step in her journey.
"Today, you will become one with Ojuju. You will be possessed by the Ojuju's power, and you will serve as its vessel." Asakwe said
" I am ready to fulfill my destiny mother" Amisha said
" That's my daughter. You will surely be more greater than me. I see it in your eyes" Asakwe said
" I learnt from the very best - You " Amisha said making Asakwe smile
Asakwe began to chant with her voice rising and falling in a hypnotic rhythm as Amisha soon felt a presence building inside her.
Suddenly, the voice of Ojuju boomed through the chamber with its power overwhelming.
"Amisha my chosen one" Ojuju's voice thundered
"Speak to me my master, your humble servant is here,"Amisha said while kneeling down
"I have specifically chosen you Amisha, to be my vessel. You will speak my words and carry out my will." Ojuju said
" Your will is all I live for " Amisha replied
As Ojuju's power enveloped her, Amisha felt over a thousand legions inside her. She was no longer herself; she was now a vessel for Ojuju's power.
Asakwe watched with a sense of pride and satisfaction.
"My task is complete. You are now a true priestess of Ojuju." Asakwe said
With those final words, Asakwe dropped to the ground and her body suddenly became still and lifeless.
Amisha emerged from the inner chamber with her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. The villagers gasped in awe as she stood before them with her presence commanding attention.
"Asakwe is gone," Amisha declared with a powerful and authoritative voice
"I am Amisha, Priestess of Ojuju. I will speak the words of our god, and I will carry out its will."
The villagers bowed their heads in reverence, acknowledging Amisha's new role. The king and elders stepped forward with their faces filled with a mix of respect and fear.
"We acknowledge your authority Priestess Amisha," the king said.
"We will follow your guidance and obey the will of Ojuju." The elders added
" Very well then. To celebrate the glorious life of our great mother, priestess Asakwe who served Ojuju very well, we shall triple our sacrifices. 21 virgin females and 21 healthy male would be used to grant her passage to Ojuju's abode. Also no one is expected to go to the farm for the next twenty one days as everyone is expected to mourn Asakwe. On the last day of the mourning, we would all gathered here and perform the sacrifice " Amisha said with a commanding tone
" Yes great one " all the villagers said disappointedly
" This is certainly not my Amisha" Adazi said within himself
To be continued