Nightmares and Secrets...

He drops down on one knee and empties the bag, from the look of things I don't think we're returning home tonight, so all this while I've been carrying food that could last us for a night? I look at him and he looks away. "It's not what you anticipated? Thought you've come here to use a sword, a spear, or to hunt", he say, "You didn't think we'd be coming back tonight, did you?" I ask.

He turns and looks at me, "like I've told you before now, this is the next stage of your training, this is where your journey starts from, and it requires you to spend a night in the forest, alone" he say, my eyes widens at the mention of me spending a night in the forest alone. I can barely spend a night in the palace yard alone, "what, i can't" I say out loud, "yes, you have to. This is the only way to overcome fear as the darkness ahead of you is a great force as old as nature it self, you most face it" he say, now I feel he's Keeping something from me again. Why does he keep doing this, I've known there's something about him for as long as I can remember, but not this kind of things.

"What is it now, what are you not telling me again?" I ask, "Princess, there's so much you're yet to learn. So many things, about your past, your present, and your future you do not understand.

Even your father, the king, is unaware of the many mysteries surrounding your birth. This you must find answers alone, because telling you could change everything as we know it, I cannot risk that". He comes closer, "Princess, I've been chosen to guide you through, not to show you, so please trust me when I say this path you must walk it alone". I've never seen this look on his face before, it has always been a blood thirsty look, this one's more like the 'please trust me look' but he said that already.

"You say my father's not aware of this, but my mother knows about this right ? she has to know." I ask curiously, he nods gently. He dips his hand in the bag and brings out a bid that I had made for my mother when I was six, I've always made sure she puts it on, and now she wants me to have it. "She said 'give this to my treasure, and tell her that I'll stay awake until she returns'", he say.

Tears filling my eyes, but I have to push them away, so I remember why I have asked him to train me in the first place, I needed to be strong so I have to. "Alright, I'll stay, it's not like I have a choice now, and no one's doing it for me anyway. So.", I say and force out a laugh.

"Alright then, I'll be leaving now, and remember what ever happens tonight you won't be needing a sword or a spear. All you need to do is to remain calm and fearless" he say picking up his sword and leaving mine beside me. "I'll be back at dawn", he say but I could not reply, I am beginning to think about my mother, how worried she would be now. I know I should be worried about myself now but, he said I'll be fine right, and I don't need a sword or a spear and that means there will be no fighting "just a test of courage and bravery, that's all" I say in a hushed voice.

He had brought a piece of Aso ofi which could help keep me warm all night, I wrap myself in it and my back rest on a tree. For a moment I try to look around just to make sure everything is alright. I pick up the piece of meat wrapped in a leaf that I always forget what it's really name is, I think it's called 'Iran', but I always call it 'Èwe-Ọkà', because it's used to wrap food, to preserve for a few days, to transport, or to sell.

After eating to my satisfaction, I take a few sips of water and lay down without worrying anymore about anything, I believe my mother wouldn't approve of this if it was dangerous.

In the depths of my slumber, re-enshrouding myself in this marvelous textile that guards against the dissipation of my body's warmth, an invisible current, the cool air sweeps through, teasingly caressing my skin and whispering secrets in my ear.

It carries the gentle fragrance of blooming wildflowers, infusing the atmosphere with a symphony of scents that transport me to distant meadows.

I open my eyes and I find myself beside a tranquil stream in the middle of the forest, with the look of things and the kind of animals around, it seems to me that I must have wandered so deep into the forest, "have I been sleep walking?", I whisper, no I've never done that before so how? A huge figure emanates from the bushes, "EMIRAN !" I call out, why is he here? I thought I was doing this alone.

Unaware of my presence, he pivots and lightly taps the tree beside him. Startled, my heart flutters with a mix of trepidation and intrigue as a creature emerges from the foliage. And then, as I lock eyes with it, a profound sense of awe washes over me. It is a sight of unrivaled beauty, the embodiment of tranquility itself.

I watch them play around even though EMIRAN is still not aware of my presence, 'could he be pretending not be, maybe he doesn't want me sticking around', I wonder. I still want to watch this creature that seems to have been forged from elements of peace though it looks like something that could have been aggressive at some point in time. However, from its graceful and fluid movements, lacking any signs of abrupt or aggressive behaviour proves Its peaceful. Its demeanor exudes a sense of tranquility, as it displays a gentle disposition towards its surroundings, with it's soft colors, soothing patterns, and a calm expression suggesting that the creature has embraced a harmonious nature.

I have imagined this was the last of it, and so, another twice as big as the first. A creature of unparalleled terror and awe-inspiring magnitude emanating from the bushes a few yards away from them, at the sight of this monstrosity, my body paralyzes, my knees trembling, and Morales shatter like glasses, reflecting the frightened little girl in me. It's prodigious structure adorned with a thick metal-like skin that seems impenetrable.

It's talons that could cut through metal shields launches through the air, a slice sends EMIRAN down on his knees, with a bone crushing sound even for a man as huge as he is, it must have cut through his ribs.

The first tries to protect EMIRAN as the monster is about to finish him off, but it isn't strong enough either, this creature must have been forged out of chaos from the underworld itself, "this is it, the LÀLÚ-ẸJẸ (The Devil)", I whisper, the monster from my grandmother's stories. With a powerful strike, it hammers the first one, propelling it forcefully into the dense thicket, causing a tumultuous cascade of shattering sounds. At this point I'm determined to face it no matter what, but my feet isn't moving, it's seems my feets have suddenly frozen to the ground. I try so hard as the creature turns around and faces EMIRAN.

With eerie glowing eyes that cuts through the darkness, reflecting it's overwhelming terror. It grabs him and next blood splashing everywhere.

I scream but for a moment my voice feels like it's gone, suddenly I can move, I quickly grab my spear and charge at the monster and so, everything goes dark with its roar reverberating throughout the great forest.

Confused and disoriented, I snap out of my daze as a gentle tap on my shoulder startles me. With a surge of adrenaline, I spring to my knees, my heart pounding. But as I reach for my sword, I realize that the chaos that once surrounded me has dissipated into an eerie calm. There is no menacing creature, no blood. A voice breaks through the silence, reassuring me, "Hey, hey, you're safe now. Everything is alright".

I turn around and he's kneeling right beside me, "I've checked everywhere, there's nothing to be afraid of", he say and takes the sword from my hand. I soon realise that I've been having a nightmare, but it felt real, "It was a nightmare, and you where in it, EMIRAN, there was a" I'm not able to finish as he leans forward quickly covers my mouth, "shhh, you cannot say what ever you have seen out here, not to me, not to anyone, there are a lot of powerful mages in this Kingdom who can hear you from a thousand miles. My father would say 'walls have ears', one of those mages could be listening, be careful" he say helping me on my feet.

I can't find my mother's beads "wait, I can't find the beads, my mother's beads" i say, "alright, I'll go get it for you, wait here for me" he replies, "but you wouldn't know where to look, I'll go find it my self".

"Alright, I'll be waiting".

With a sense of urgency, I sprint back to the spot where I had rested earlier, a peculiar sensation coursing through me. It's reminiscent of the eerie aura that engulfs us whenever Iya Ọba reveals the sacred tooth. What could possibly be causing this strange feeling? Nevertheless, my attention quickly shifts as my eyes fix upon my mother's bead resting on a wooden log, a short distance away from my sleeping spot. It becomes apparent that in the midst of my earlier terror-induced slumber, I must have inadvertently tossed it over there.

I quickly grab it and head back to EMIRAN.