Chapter 15

Obiageri

The Third Day

Blinding lights greeted her—an intense glare that nearly shattered her vision. She shielded her eyes with her arm until they adjusted to the brightness.

As her sight cleared, she found herself at the base of a grassy hill. Butterflies danced around her, alighting on flowers in hues of purple hibiscus, white lilies, and yellow sunflowers. The air was fresh, carrying the earthy aroma of rain-soaked clay. It was the scent of her village, the scent of home. A warm breeze caressed her skin, and she looked up at an enchanting blue sky dotted with perfect white clouds. The only thing missing in this paradise was the sun.

Driven by curiosity, Obiageri resolved to climb the hill to discover what lay at the top. As she ascended, the clouds above began to swirl and form whimsical, fluffy shapes, with limbs and faces as white as coconut flesh. They beckoned her to continue her climb toward the bright light shimmering at the summit. She reached out to touch the clouds, but her hand passed through them, leaving trails of white foam.

With each step, the hill seemed to pulse with energy. The heat intensified, pressing against her chest. Obiageri’s mouth grew parched, and sweat trickled down her face. A faint humming sound filled her ears, urging her onward. A consuming sense of desperation gripped her; she sensed an urgent need to uncover the source of this mysterious power that seemed to pulse through the hill.

Upon reaching the summit, Obiageri flinched in shock, her heart racing as she nearly lost her footing on the steep slope.

Before her stood a celestial figure of radiant light, its skin the sun-kissed color of desert sands, glowing with the warm intensity of dawn.

Golden hair flowed down the figure’s bare chest. The being had eyes of orange that glimmered like the sunset. Intricate Flora Uli patterns adorned the being’s luminous form, their delicate lines shimmering, and golden lines formed a circle on its forehead, intersecting on its cheeks. Around the figure, fireflies sparkled like stars.

With each step the being took, flowers bloomed beneath its feet. As it approached, the heat became almost unbearable, suffocating Obiageri’s lungs and making her skin feel as though it might burn. She quickly closed her eyes, though she could still sense the being’s piercing gaze.

“Ndewo! How are you doing?” the being’s sweet, high-pitched voice echoed in her ears. “Ehya! Is my light too bright for you?”

The warmth from the being’s presence began to soothe her, melting her fears. Enchanted by the being’s voice, Obiageri opened her eyes slightly and stared in awe.

“Sorrow follows you, little one,” the being said, its voice sharp with an undertone that cut through the air. “You look lonely…can I help with that?”

Obiageri nodded, tears welling up as she remembered the absence of her mother.

“Oh, don’t weep. Come on, get closer, let me make you feel better,” the being said with an almost curt kindness. Obiageri, compelled by the warmth of the figure, stepped closer.

But as the being’s hand brushed her face, the sensation turned to agony. Her tears evaporated, and her skin sizzled under the touch. She let out a piercing scream as the searing pain overwhelmed her senses, consuming her in a sea of agony.

“Go to the place where the trees sway, and the Iroko reigns,” those words echoed as pain shot through her.