29 THE BANQUET

What is happiness? Is it something that is tangible? how can the heart of the human be at ease at times of war and turmoil of death and chaos.

Deep in the forest was where the red witch lives, Underneath the majestic Red tree that overshadowed the whole region and inside of what seemed a small hut.

Iman was the last person to safely pass the statues and enter the small hut.

She was amazed and surprised with not only the festive and the joy she saw but also of the sheer size of the hut. It was as if a space within a space. A small world of it's own with seperate rules and laws.

The scent of lavender and incense was bewitching. She also saw talking paints hanging from the walls. Some sang while some just chattered. Yet that was not all the huge bonefire that the people of poor town gathered around was like a beacon. The half-beast women entertaining and pleasing the poor mortals. Plates of food and mugs of ale flying across and forth.

She couldn't help but worry. " Is it really so easy to find happiness! Have they already forgotten the terrible experience we just faced."

" Leader! come drink and celebrate with us." said one of her gang member. The first one that she herself recruited.

"Vinnie!" she whispered as she grabbed the ale of his hand.

Iman was not a foolish woman. She knew something was off but yet she always yearned for such a home where all her family were free of worry and lived happily.

She sniffed the ale and yet again she was amazed. It was of the highest quality, made of black grapes and honey.

" Vinnie, What is this? where is the witch?" she asked.

" Witch! What are you talking about? There is no witch here. This is our home. It's been five years since we defeated the Usman clan and ruled this city but ever since then You have been acting weird." He said.

" What sorcery is this? we was in the forest?" Iman dropped the ale as she looked around.

Vinnie sighed, " Leader go and open the windows."

The city that she protected from the underworld for so long. It was beautiful more than she had hoped.

" Perhaps this is the reality and everything else was just silly dreams of mine." She said

" Leader! You're the one who accepted us into you home! This is you home! you family!" Vinnie said in a serious tone.

I have been running away from my real family for as long as I can remember. All I had was my uncle but all I yearned for was a home. I do not want to run anymore.

" So! Where is my seat?" She asked.

Vinnie laughed, " Come! Leader yours is the highest position."

A few more steps and she would seat in the lord's throne. But suddenly, her powers awakened themselves manifested as snakes while she groaned and moaned in pain. It destroyed every single thing and she was forced to watch it all rot.

"Nooo!" She shouted but it was for naught and by the time she opened her eyes, everything was gone.

All she saw was a dim lighted long corridor full of painting on either side. Some beautiful and otherworldly while some dreadful and horrible.

" Well done! You are the fourth one to awaken. Come you have earned the right to meet mother." The voice echoed.

He was charming at the very least with a big bouncy afro hair. He stood tall and carried himself with pride.

" Who are you?" she asked.

The man smirked and said, " I am one of the guardians and what you just experienced was one of mothers games. Only four people have awakened from your group. The rest are still trapped in the dreamworld but I assure you they are all safe."

She couldn't trust him or his words nonetheless she had no other option but to follow the man into the dim lighted corridor.

Beautiful and horrifying works of art hang on both sides of the corridor. The paintings seemed so lifelike to the extent one would feel all his attention drawn to them. It was the same for Iman when she gazed at one peculiar paint. It was of a knight who kneeled and his armour in pieces. He was surrounded by thick red blood which acted like a chain as it pierced his arms and legs.

" If you stare into the painting, the painting will stare back and trap you within it! so be careful and do not gaze at it." the man said.