Even The Gods Live Amongst Us (Episode 01)

We heard the sound of another bell. Someone else had fallen. I heard roars of wails from the side of the hall where the mothers stood. I watched my own mum cry too. We had lost everything, comfort and everyone. All the male Youths who had reached the age of accountability were forced to the streets as fighters. I was a victim too.

Two years before now, we were attacked and almost a dozen of us was killed. My father was a burden on us because his bones had grown feeble. My mum had just me and my sister, Anne.

"Josha!" someone called me. I didn't turn instantly, because I had faith in my fears. I knew that something was wrong but even as I bent my head, I didn't know what.

"Your father wants to speak with you." I looked at the village doctor that attended to him. His face had already conveyed the message of my father's passing. I rushed in, and he was still breathing.

"Josha", he called, "you are my first fruit and indeed, the best of my upbringings. The beating of my heart is already slowing down. I'm not scared that I'm joining my ancestors in the deathpit. My fear is you."

All the moment I watched him speak, all that I prayed for was his survival. While he feared about me, I feared about him too. I had already created in me a bowl of uncertainties. I wasn't even sure if I'd stand his death.

My father was a brave warrior before he was struck by the night fly. He was at the gate alone before the city fell fighting for us, against our enemies that emerged from the Sidlips. The sword he wielded had already gone blunt that night. The blood of the uncircumcised had watered down the strength of the blade.

I was with the women, fending for the men that were injured when I saw some sharp sparkles of light. I saw them gather together like virgins waiting to be burned in turns. At first, I saw innocence in their standings while they reached their hands for another. I could hear them chant a somber tune that sent melancholic messages in harmony. The scene was turning Blissful and I watched with all keenness while the clashes of blades could be heard from the dogfight that happened outside.

Suddenly, I saw one of those beautiful stars run off the assembly. She had flowers on her head and her legs were as delicate as that of Rose. I saw the other stars reunite and raise a funeral song for her. I was the only one that beheld them, yet, it felt like we were many. That star that had run out turned into a monstrous creature on the air and reached for my father where he stood. I ran as fast as I could to warn him, but before I could get there, he had been infected.

He had the will to fight and uphold the gate but his strength suddenly failed him. We had to take him in for treatment, but who would watch the gate? All our able men had fallen, either in death or in bed. I was just twelve, but I could hear the voice of responsibility beckoning on me. I had no choice. My father's sword was heavier than I thought. I could not wield it, so I decided to search for something else that could exact same damages on our enemies.

While I searched, I heard the shouts of the assailants loudly. They were already close. Their swords, daggers and fire throwers were already thirsty for our weak bloods. I looked at the foot of the wall, all I could see were books in piles. They were useless. The gates had been locked on my command. What stood between the rest of us and our enemies was an empty me.

"Shoot down the gates!!!" I heard the commander cry.

I couldn't help but wonder why they didn't kill me first.

Why would they focus on the gates?

Was I important to them?

I had sworn to protect my dying father and my loving mother. I had sworn to keep watch on the gate till our soilders were reborn. I wasn't going to fail them, even if I had to fail myself.

I ran off, and stood in front of the gate.

"If you must shoot down the gate, you'd have to go through me", I challenged. Even those words I spoke were not proud of me.

"He's a minor", I heard one of the soldiers say. He was in the Frontline and he looked fierce too.

"I don't want to hurt you boy", the commander said while he drew closer.

"If you don't want to hurt me, then, you shouldn't hurt those that I love. Which hurt is bigger than this? Bloods have stained my city. The cries of babies and their mothers, fathers and their sons have been all we're forced to eat. I don't want this type of life. It is better I die here." What was speaking in me at that moment was beyond me. I was no hero. I was no lifesaver, but I found myself going the extramile to prove those points.

"You leave me no choice boy. May your soul be guided", the commander finally said to me, and walked back.

"Shoot them down!!!" he finally commanded. At his voice, I had already embraced death. I committed those that were to live to the hands of Whoever made us. I bent my head, because I was unwilling to see the fire that would roast me.