As the joyous night unfolded under the pouring rain, Amosu village danced and celebrated their newfound freedom. The village buzzed with excitement as bars and shops, already closed for the day, flung open their doors to join in the festivities. Laughter and music filled the air, replacing the fear and silence that had shrouded the village for so long.
The Queen stood amidst the revelry, her face turned towards the sky, relishing the sensation of raindrops on her skin. Her thoughts drifted to the time spent trapped in a serpentine form, devoid of the simple pleasure of feeling the rain. "While I was in my serpentine form, I couldn't feel a thing," she mused, her heart aching at the memory.
Her thoughts then turned to the profound wisdom she had learned from Ekene's bravery. "Ekene taught us that we don't have to worship a god we don't want to worship. True worship comes from the heart. Worshipping a god out of fear is not worship. It's more of slavery than worship. Everyone has to be free to choose whoever or whatever they want to worship." The Queen's eyes shone with newfound understanding, grateful for the lessons learned in the face of adversity.
Meanwhile, Cynthia made her way to a nearby beverage shop, spotting Samuel seated inside, nursing a drink. As she joined him, concern creased her brow. "Dude, why'd you disappear like that?" she inquired. Samuel looked up, his face a tapestry of emotions.
"You know, from the beginning, I wouldn't have guessed that the snake issue was this deep," he admitted, his tone pensive. "I thought they were all normal serpentine monsters. I didn't know they were once human. And then, there are five of us who stood up to them. We lost Grace, and it's painful. But I'm sure she's happy and at peace, seeing her home free again, wherever she is." Cynthia's eyes reflected her empathy, and the two friends fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in their thoughts.
After a moment, Cynthia spoke up, her voice tentative. "Um…"
Samuel turned to her, his expression inquiring. "What is it?" He asked
Cynthia took a deep breath, gathering her courage before speaking her mind. "Samuel, I was thinking. Would you like to go out with me sometime? We live close to each other, and so, even if you decide to return home first, it won't be an issue." Her words flowed quickly, and she felt a flutter of anticipation in her chest.
Samuel remained silent, his face unreadable as Cynthia searched his eyes for a response. When none came, she hurried to backtrack. "Er… never mind… just forget I ever said it. It's not really important," she murmured, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
Finally, Samuel broke the silence, his tone calm and measured. "Cynthia."
"YES!" Cynthia snapped, her eyes flashing with a mixture of emotions.
"I admire your courage," Samuel said, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "It's good that you approached me without hesitation. You're a remarkable woman. However…" He paused, leaving Cynthia hanging on his words.
"However?" Cynthia repeated, her heart sinking as she anticipated his rejection.
"Why me?" Samuel asked, his gaze piercing. "Why not Ekene? I've always known that both you and Grace had feelings for him, but neither of you acted on them."
Cynthia sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging under the weight of her emotions. "Ekene… It's true that I loved him. I mean, I still do. My love for him is so strong, it feels like it might never fade. But I just couldn't bring myself to take that step, to ask him out. I was afraid he might hate me, or see me in a different light."
She took a moment to collect her thoughts. "Now, seeing him with the Princess, I feel jealous and frustrated. Angry too. Angry at myself for not approaching him when I had the chance. But maybe, looking at it from a different perspective, perhaps neither Grace nor I were meant for Ekene. For every Superman, there's always a Lois. Lana wasn't the right person for Superman, and neither was Alicia. However all three loved him from the bottom of their hearts"
Samuel's eyes lit up with understanding. "So, you're saying that you're Lana in Ekene's story, Grace is Alicia, and Princess Adaeze is Lois?"
Cynthia nodded, a small smile on her face. "Something like that."
"That's deep," Samuel said, his voice filled with thoughtfulness.
Cynthia continued, her voice filled with newfound determination. "So, instead of fighting for what I truly want, isn't it better to focus on what I need as a person?"
Samuel nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Hmmm, I see. Alright then."
Cynthia's eyes sparkled with hope. "Is that a yes?"
Samuel's laughter was music to her ears. "Of course," he said, and they both laughed, the tension dissipating between them.
The aftermath of the epic battle left the area in ruins, a stark reminder of the fierce struggle that had taken place. Princess Adaeze searched for Ekene, her face etched with concern. She found him sitting on the ground, his sword planted in front of him, a pensive expression on his face.
"Ekene?" Princess Adaeze called out softly.
"Hey, Ada," Ekene replied, recognizing her voice. He turned to face her, a hint of a smile on his lips.
"Why are you here all alone?" Princess Adaeze asked, taking a seat beside him. "Everyone's celebrating, but you're sitting here by yourself."
"I was just thinking," Ekene said, his gaze fixed on the ground.
"About what?" Princess Adaeze inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"Ikuku," Ekene replied, his voice tinged with contemplation. "What is freedom, really? The world is full of mysteries that might remain unsolved forever. Slavery isn't good—that's a fact. When you're enslaved, you're forced to do things against your will. You don't get to do whatever you want to do, or go wherever you want to go. You're trapped in one place, not by choice but because your power over your own life has been stripped away. So yes, slavery is a terrible thing. But how is freedom any better?"
Princess Adaeze stared at Ekene in shock, taken aback by his words. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.
"Take Ikuku, for example," Ekene continued, his voice steady. "It was because he had freedom that he subjected us to bondage. When you're free to do whatever you want, you could even commit evil acts without considering who might get hurt. In that sense, freedom is another tool powerful enough to destroy the world."
Just as Ekene finished speaking, a voice chimed in from behind them. "That may be…."
They both turned around to see who it was. A beautiful woman walked up to them majestically, holding a bottle of wine and three cups. Recognizing the woman's face, Ekene said, "I've seen that face before."
"Oh?" The woman smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she poured the wine into the cups. "Where have you seen my face?"
Princess Adaeze just laughed.
"I saw it in a picture when I visited the palace," Ekene replied.
"Mother, please stop teasing him," Princess Adaeze said, picking up one of the glasses of wine.
"Huh? Mother? That means you're the Queen? The mysterious snake in the palace?" Ekene's eyes widened in shock. He picked up the second of the three glasses of wine.
"Yes, she's my mother and the Queen of Amosu village," Princess Adaeze explained. "She returned to her human form immediately after you defeated Ikuku."
"Ah, I see," Ekene said. He then turned to the woman, "You're beautiful."
The Queen smiled, her eyes shining with pleasure. "Oh, thank you."
Princess Adaeze felt a pang of jealousy, her face flushing with annoyance. "Hey, don't look at my mother that way," she snapped.
"Is it bad to commend a woman's beauty?" Ekene asked, his eyes innocent.
"Yes, it's bad! Commend mine and mine alone!" Princess Adaeze yelled.
The Queen erupted in laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You guys are so adorable." She then turned towards Ekene. "You certainly know how to make a woman fall for you. It's no wonder why my daughter here is madly in love with you."
"Honestly, I didn't mean it that way," Ekene said, his face flushing with embarrassment.
"I'm just messing with you," the Queen said, her smile still plastered on her face.
"Oh, okay," Ekene said, relief washing over him.
A brief silence fell over them
"Regarding your earlier thoughts on freedom," the Queen said, breaking the silence. Her voice was contemplative. "You do have a point, Ekene. However, freedom itself isn't evil, but the human heart can be. Most people just want to pursue their desires, even at the cost of harming others."
Ekene's curiosity was piqued. "So, what's the solution?" He asked
The Queen's voice was resolute. "Only one thing can save the world. And that's Love. You see, humanity is like a big family tree with countless branches and fruits. When nations wage war against each other, it's akin to siblings fighting. Only love can put an end to the conflict and bring us together."
"Love, huh?" Ekene's eyes reflected his thoughts. "I see. Well, let's just enjoy the celebration for now."
"Indeed," the Queen agreed, raising her glass for a toast. They clinked their glasses together and drank.
The Queen's eyes grew wistful as she spoke. "My only regret is that my husband isn't here to see me like this. I wish he could be here. He was always supportive. Even when I suggested he should remarry, he refused."
"I miss Father, too," Princess Adaeze said, her voice tinged with sadness.
"He was a good man, and a great king," Ekene said respectfully.
"Yes," Princess Adaeze agreed, her eyes brimming with tears.
As they sat together, sipping wine and reminiscing, the tension eased, replaced by a sense of camaraderie. They continued drinking until they were drunk, and then made their way back to the palace, the celebration still in full swing outside.
The night was filled with laughter, tears, and memories as they celebrated their newfound freedom and the beginning of a new era for Amosu Village. Despite the absence of loved ones and the scars of the past, they found solace in each other's company, united in their hope for a brighter future.
The triumph over Ikuku and the serpentine curse left Amosu village in a somber state as they mourned the losses they had endured. With Samuel and Cynthia's return to their own world, the villagers grieved for their fallen loved ones. The king, Grace, and those who had lost their lives during the dark period of enslavement were honored as heroes.
At the king's grave, Princess Adaeze and her mother stood in their black mourning dresses, their faces tear-streaked. "Dad, I miss you so much," Princess Adaeze whispered, her voice trembling.
As she gazed out at the mourners, she spotted Ekene, standing before Grace's grave. Dressed in a black suit, black tie, and white shirt, his eyes remained fixed on the grave marker.
"Hey, Grace. It's been a while. I've missed you, old friend. Thank you for always supporting me. I'm sorry I couldn't save you that night," Ekene cried, his voice cracking with emotion.
Just then, he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Grace, her radiant smile beaming at him. "Hi there," she greeted.
Ekene's eyes widened in shock. "Grace, are you…?"
"I'm dead. You're looking at my ghost right now," Grace interjected.
Ekene's face fell with disappointment. "I see."
"Ekene," Grace called, drawing his gaze back to her. "Please don't blame yourself for my death."
"But—" Ekene started, but Grace silenced him with a gentle smile.
"It's no one's fault. So please, cheer up," Grace insisted.
"Okay," Ekene relented, his voice softening.
"You saved our people," Grace said, her voice brimming with pride. "I'm proud of you, Ekene."
"Thanks," Ekene replied, holding her gaze.
"Ekene, please don't forget me!" Grace pleaded, her voice barely a whisper.
"Of course, I won't," Ekene promised, his voice filled with emotion.
Grace leaned in and tenderly kissed Ekene's cheek. As she did, she began to ascend towards the sky, her form slowly fading away. Ekene and Grace waved goodbye, their eyes locked in a poignant farewell.
"I'll be watching over you, and I will always love you, Ekene," Grace called out, her voice carried away by the wind.
"Babe, who are you talking to?" Princess Adaeze asked, her curiosity piqued.
Ekene searched the sky, but Grace had vanished without a trace. "Oh, nobody," he replied softly.
"I've missed Grace," Princess Adaeze admitted, fixing her gaze on Grace's grave.
"Me too," Ekene agreed, reminiscing on their shared memories.
The months following the fateful battle saw Princess Adaeze, Ekene, and the Queen returning to the palace. With the king's passing, the Queen assumed the responsibilities of ruling Amosu village. Time marched on, and Divine Gift University resumed its classes. Ekene, Princess Adaeze, Samuel, and Cynthia completed their studies, each venturing forth on their chosen paths.
Ekene's relationship with Princess Adaeze blossomed, while Samuel and Cynthia's love continued to grow and deepen. In a beautiful ceremony surrounded by loved ones, Ekene and Princess Adaeze exchanged vows and were married, forging a bond that would last a lifetime. Not long after, Samuel and Cynthia also tied the knot, beginning their new journey together.
For twenty peaceful and prosperous years, the Queen governed Amosu village, ushering in an era of peace and unity. Under her guidance, the village prospered, and the scars of the past began to heal. When the Queen eventually passed away, the mantle of leadership fell upon Ekene's shoulders. As the newly crowned king, he was tasked with guiding Amosu village into a new era.
Gazing out over the sprawling village, Ekene recognized the weight of the responsibilities he had inherited. With unwavering determination, he vowed to continue the former Queen's legacy and bring even greater prosperity to the kingdom. Alongside Adaeze, his devoted queen and partner, Ekene was prepared to face the trials ahead and pave the way for a brighter future for Amosu village.
And so, as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, painting the sky with hues of crimson and gold, a new chapter dawned upon Amosu village. The echoes of the past were replaced by the promise of hope, and the village, once shrouded in darkness, emerged as a beacon of light and unity under the rule of King Ekene and Queen Adaeze.
Together, they would lead Amosu village into an era of unparalleled peace, forging a legacy that would stand the test of time and forever be remembered as a testament to the power of love, courage, and resilience.
THE END......….