Before, 1212 AD
Beneath the star-studded sky, the luminous moon glowed, sending soft rays of light that bounced across the crystalline lake. Calm except for the gentle ripples that swept across, the lake shimmered like glass in the night light as a gentle breeze blew, sending shivers across their skins. Bathed in the night light and clothed with the afterglow of their lovemaking, he watched her, a scene etched in his memory forever. It was beautiful; the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest, the sharp contours of her cheeks, heavy lidded eyes that grew wide with laughter when she was amused and beautiful full lips. He revelled in her beauty, fully aware that they might never get this night again. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear drumming and marching, powerful reminders of his soon coming judgement for he had erred greatly in the sight of his father, Chukwu. Swiftly, he stood up and took a long glance, knowing the events of tonight would be nothing but a blank canvas in her memories. Harnessing the powers of the wind and sky as energy and light coursed through his body, Amadioha disappeared in a flash of lightning and thunder.
Now, 2085
The rumours started slowly, seemingly harmless, chalked up to nothing but idle chatter and then it was everywhere. It wafted at the grocery shops as she bought tinned spinach and crayfish, floated amidst conversations as the electric bus purred home and finally she had heard it along the corridors of her office. Hushed, frenzied whispers between Ebinabo and Sandra as they stood behind the copier machine, heads bobbing up and down furiously. Zara could scarcely breathe as she eavesdropped on their conversation, every word sounded like a death knell. For days, she had tried to ignore the rumours, banishing every thought to the periphery of her brain as she busied herself with gruelling, mindless work. At home, she had disabled the automatic Videoscreens, satisfied to hear snatches of conversations and speculations through other people. However, it was hard not to think about it, the rumours followed her, haunting her dreams and subconscious, teasing her to the very edge of delirium and confusion. The dreams had worsened since the rumours started and many nights, the thought of going to bed filled her with a sense of apprehension. Most nights, she bolted out of bed feeling disoriented, eyes wild and sheets dampened with sweat. It was always the same dream; fragmented pieces of shadowy worlds, a crystalline lake, luminous moon, and a black sky dotted by silvery stars. It was the presence that chilled her the most, even in the subconscious fog of sleep, her boss’s monotonous voice and office reports, there was a presence in her dreams clouded by drumming, wispy silhouettes, and mist.
Even now, as she padded to the kitchen for a glass of water, she could feel the weight of the dream bearing heavily on her mind. Her thoughts raced as she tried for the umpteenth time to place the disjointed pieces together. Where was that place? Could it be a memory from childhood or something from the Videoscreen she had watched years ago? And that eerie presence? What could it be? Although the presence was always in her dream, she never felt a sense of fear, just an uncanny feeling of being watched, like an insect under a microscope. Zara took a sip of water and placed the glass gingerly on the countertop, her hands shook slightly as memories of the dream came flashing back. Outside the night sky was pitch black, the stars invisible beneath a blanket of darkness. Somewhere in the distance, the telephone rang, jostling her out of her reverie. Even before Ezine’s chirpy voice filled the phone, she had known it was her sister. This was their ritual since the dreams started again, Ezinne calling her in the wee hours of the morning while Zara reassured her that she was fine. Then questions would begin, probing but gentle and of course Zara would reply yes, she was fine and drinking the herbal tea infusion. No, she hadn’t forgotten to activate the voice and DNA recognition alarm. Satisfied that all was well, Ezinne would proceed into family matters, spilling gossip on which extended kin had gotten sacked from work or who had eloped for their wedding. And somewhere in between chirpy laughter and inside jokes, Zara was thankful for the gift of sisterhood, thankful for Ezinne who pretended that these calls were not a distraction. Today was different though, she felt it immediately her sister’s started speaking, her voice hurried and tense.
“Zara, how are you?”
“Fine.” She replied. Silence.
“Have you been taking your teas? I am sending more through post on Monday.” Zara sighed.
“Ahn-ahn, I haven’t even finished the first set you sent” Zara protested
“Ehen? It doesn’t matter. I might even send you a carton”. Her tone turned serious again.
“Listen to me, Hauwa from the office of Space and Mysticism called me. You remember her, right? Yes, yes, round glasses, big grin and dark skinned, exactly. You know she is now a big madam in that office of hers? Anyways we had lunch the other day and she told me.” In moments like this, Zara had learnt it was best to let Ezinne roll off her steam uninterrupted.
“Apparently the LongLens has captured some images…the LongLens now…that telescope machine thing that monitors the portals and heavenly realms.” Irritation filled Ezinne’s voice as she continued.
“Haven’t you been watching the Videoscreens? Anyways listen carefully. Apparently, a deity escaped the realms and made its way to earth. Hauwa said the reports reveal a single breach but you know how these things can be.” Zara felt a chill spread through her body.
“W-what? How?”
Ezinne snapped
“What do you mean how? The government had been announcing for weeks that there had been a breach in security?” Zara was dazed. A breach in security? This was not a petty thief stealing your cable and furniture. How had the government allowed this? A breach from the heavenly realms? What did that even mean in reality?
“Yes, but I thought the defence was strong, laser beams, ethereal sensors and things like that?” Zara countered.
“Of course, they are secure, I mean this is a complete shock. If it wasn’t Hauwa telling, I would have said it was a lie. The President Supreme is making an announcement in two days.”
“But is the government sure? I mean what does this mean in reality? I had been hearing rumours but I didn’t—-
“Zara, are you listening to me at all? I just told you the official information Hauwa told me and you are here asking questions. Look, lock your windows and doors properly and activate your voice and DNA alarm. If you see anyone acting or behaving suspiciously let me know. Okay? Good. Apparently, some movements have been detected but investigations are still going on. So, be alert. The government is putting an amber alert in all languages… As Ezinne continued, Zara felt a shiver in the base of her spine as she walked slowly to the French windows, the phone still in her hand, Ezinne’s voice sounded a million miles away. Although the heating was on, Zara could feel the cold in her bones. Outside, the wind picked up speed and started howling as trees swayed wildly in the wind, sending noisy echoes reverberating along the house. A vision caught her eyes. Were the windows fogging up? Why was mist on her windows? Dazed, Zara studied the misty windows and remained rooted to the spot as she tried to understand what was happening. Through the reflection, in a flash of lightning and rumble of thunder, she saw the figure and the phone clattered to the ground as Ezinne’s voice disintegrated to a high pitched staccato and went dead.
“I didn’t mean to scare you. I had to use my powers to travel through the portal”. Zara stared completely entranced. She tried to think but her brain had melted into a pool of stutters and incomplete sentences. That voice, this man, so familiar yet foreign. In some weird unexplainable way, Zara was not afraid. He came closer and Zara took a good look at him. His strides, just like the man were powerfully built; sharp, clear eyes gazed back at her as she took in his features. His hair was short but curly and framed his face, his clothing was simple but elegant.
“How did you come here?”. That simple question was so inefficient, so utterly useless in describing the myriad of emotions she felt but could not comprehend. Nostalgia. Uncertainty. Shock. Longing.
“I have searched many worlds for you Zara, I am sorry it took so long”. His voice was strained, laced with pain and something she couldn’t quite place. Regret? Sadness? He stepped closer, their face merely inches apart as his fingers grazed hers, ever so gently. Zara shuddered as something leaped and fluttered in her stomach, the intensity of her emotions shocked her.
“I should never have left you that way.” He tilted her jaw slightly so her gaze came to rest on him. Zara trembled as she saw the depth of emotions in his eyes.
“My father…he didn’t give me much of a choice. He banished you to the future and forced me back to the heavenly realms.” His voice broke as he continued, “I know you don’t remember that night but we had met before, hundreds of years ago. A long time when gods roamed the earth at night. You walked by the lake looking for your jigida and I saw you and in that moment we just knew.” Zara’s heart was racing. She had known this man before? In another life? It was the inanest thing she had ever heard in her life yet it made perfect sense in indecipherable ways she couldn’t even explain.
“I had to see you again, to explain myself. I know I couldn’t ask for anything else except your forgiveness. I dare not ask for anything else.” Zara looked into his eyes brimming with unshed tears and felt something stir in her heart. She couldn’t explain how she could be in love with a stranger she just met, how his very presence seemed to spark something innate in the core of her being. Instinctively, without much thought, she felt drawn to him and so when his lips grazed hers, ever so softly, Zara felt a pulsating thrumming in her veins and in that instant she knew. It all came back like minuscule puzzles pieces forming a whole picture …glassy lakes, star studded skies and the luminous glow of the moon. Zara held on tighter, closing the gap between them so it felt they shared the same heart beat as she whispered into his mouth.
“Stay with me.” Amadioha held on tighter. At last, he was home.
