Chapter 13

The gorilla noticed his struggle. “Are you alright back there?” he asked calmly.

“Yes, I don’t think I can get used to this,” Chinua replied shyly, while spitting out green stalks. “Where exactly are you taking us?”

“To my father’s obi in the center of the village,” the gorilla replied, the wind carrying some of his words away. “No animal has seen humans in this realm for centuries. If the king on the throne of bones hears about your existence, he would demand your heads.”

The gorilla’s mention of the king struck a chord in Chinua’s mind. Who was this monarch, and why would he want their heads? That didn’t seem like a kingly thing to do, he mused. But before he could ask more questions, the gorilla swung through the trees, catching vines in mid-air with remarkable agility.

Chinua’s vision swam as nausea gripped his stomach. He clamped a hand over his mouth, fighting the rising feeling of sickness that threatened to overwhelm him. Hoping to avoid further embarrassment in front of his new companion, he kept his mouth shut. Maybe those questions would have to wait, he pondered.

After traveling miles on the air gorilla, they finally came to a halt. Chinua and Obiageri were gently lowered onto a thick branch.

Chinua watched as the gorilla’s fur flattened against his powerful muscles, his gaze fixed on the encroaching darkness. The gorilla beat his hands against his puffed-up chest, announcing their arrival with a thunderous roar.

From the dark depths of the forest, countless lamps blazed to life simultaneously, illuminating the once-black landscape.

At the heart of the forest stood a colossal tree, adorned with circular huts on massive branches. These huts, made of mud and raffia leaves, rested on wooden platforms secured by thick vines. They formed a small village high above the forest floor.

“Get on my back!” the gorilla commanded. His voice had changed from calm to authoritative. The gorilla carried them to the largest hut visible.

Chinua felt the gaze of the entire gorilla colony upon them. Their curious stares and grunts made him nervous. His palms began to sweat, and he could feel his knees shaking as he nervously glanced around. He shrank back as fright tugged at his gut.

As he stepped onto the hut’s deck, the swaying platform made his legs feel like jelly. He couldn’t shake the nagging dread that one misstep could send him plummeting into the darkness below.

The platform beneath him creaked and shook. He forced himself to look away from the dizzying drop, focusing instead on the intricate patterns of the deck. It was made from neatly tied tree branches.

A booming voice echoed through the forest. “Where have you been, boy!?”

Chinua instinctively looked in the direction of the voice that made his body quiver. An imposing figure emerged, with a barrel chest and rippling muscles that exuded raw power. Each step of this massive silverback made the deck groan under its weight.

Opara the Mild took a cautious step back, followed by Chinua and Obiageri. “Mpa!” the trembling gorilla spilled before his father. “I saw hyenas at the outskirts of the forest and—”

“Speak sense, young animal!” the large gorilla’s voice cut through. His eyes flared as he spotted the humans, igniting his anger like wildfire. “Mmadu! You brought humans to my village?”

 “They were being attacked by hyenas, Father! What was I supposed to do? Let them die?” Opara the Mild replied, his voice straining. His movements were now stiff, lacking the nimbleness he had before.

“You fool!” The big gorilla thundered, his powerful arms swinging through the air, creating a harsh wind. “Those hyenas are the Uke-ji-ogo, sworn to the tyrant king who sits on the throne of bones! By bringing these humans here, you’ve drawn his wrath upon us!” 

Opara the Mild tried to match his father’s intensity, his voice cracking under the pressure. “Father, I don’t care about that evil brute! That ghastly beast!” A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers.

“We do not use that word here, young animal,” the giant gorilla growled, shaking his head in disappointment. His puffed-up chest relaxed. “Your mother would be ashamed. Is this what she would have wanted for you?” “

 “Mpa, please listen,” Opara the Mild bawled, his voice dropping to a whisper. “What if they’re the ones from the prophecy? What if they’re Dibias chosen by the Arushi to save us? What if they’re here to free us from the tyrant dragging Alaeze-anumanu to ruin?” 

“Silence, foolish child! You know nothing! True Dibias wouldn't have needed your meddling,” the big gorilla roared. He took a closer look at Chinua and Obiageri, his fury simmering down. “Forgive me, mmadus,” he muttered, attempting an apology as his voice softened. “It’s not that your kind isn’t welcome, but your presence stirs trouble. Your kind hasn’t crossed into this realm in ages.” 

Chinua’s throat felt parched as if the air itself had stolen his voice. His lips trembled, betraying his angst and the struggle to form coherent words in the face of the imposing gorilla.

Obiageri stepped forward confidently. “We offer greetings, elder.” She pleaded. “Biko, forgive our intrusion. Your son helped us when we needed it most, and for that, we owe him our lives.” 

“You speak well, child. Your parents must have raised you with honor.” the big gorilla replied with open arms. “As tradition demands, I must introduce myself. I am Odogwu the Enraged, firstborn of Maazi Gorilla the Wild, protector of Obodo-Ohia—the Village of the Stormy Forest. You are welcome here. Come, let us share kola and honor our customs.” 

“Elder, your generosity humbles us, but we are weary and in need of rest.” Obiageri declined politely.

“Gbam!” Odogwu the Enraged. chuckled, a deep rumble that seemed to shake the trees. “Then it shall be so! Rest and food will be provided. Tonight, you are under my protection.” 

With that, he disappeared. As his roar faded into the distance, the tension in the air seemed to simmer down. In his place stood a gentle infant gorilla, who cooed softly as she clung to Opara the Mild.