The king of Aguba sat on his luxurious porch pondering on the disaster that confronts his people, wondering what will become of them in a fortnight when the inevitable happens. He has been a good king, he's ruled his people with justice and equity. He has never abused his powers or maimed the poor and needy. He has done everything within his power to maintain peace and order in his community and his people were prospering. They have even dared to love and revere him.
So he could not understand why the gods still punished them every four years with this punishment of the beast of the sea. Last time's effects were still being felt by those who lost loved ones and precious properties. The gods had told them that it was as a result of the previous wicked king's ways. The gods had been angry with his ways and the people's lackadaisical nature at confronting him and had released the wild beast on them. The beast had wrecked untold havoc on the people of Aguba. Both young and old, no one was spared.
A few months ago after consulting with the gods, the priest had returned with the news that had thrown the whole community into sadness. That was when king Dike's mind wandered to the next issue. The gods had also promised a savior on the premise that they find someone worthy.
*"what does worthy entail?"/ the king had asked the priest. The answer given by the priest was an abrupt
"only the gods know".
"what if they don't find anyone worthy especially in this corrupt times?" the king wondered.
His thought was interrupted by the queen's entrance who came to invite him to dinner. Throughout the night, the king couldn't sleep, thinking about who could possibly be the saviour who'd be worthy of being the gods' preferred, but he couldn't point out one whom he genuinely believed fit the profile.
The following day the king sent word out for some of his best warriors and strongest men to be assembled and prepared for the upcoming events. He had believed that if there's anyone the gods would see worthy, then it would have to be one of his greatest men. Oche, the younger brother to Abgbe who was one of the greatest warriors of his day asked his brother if he could tag along to just be a spectator, a request which he was rudely refused.
That has always been Oche's fate with both his family and the community at large. They were of the habit of mocking him for his frail nature and his curious mind. He was fearless and bold. This made the people believe that his confidence and fearless nature coupled with his lack of physical strength will lead him into his destruction.
Oche knew better, he has always been lucky, or maybe the gods have always been with him. He could not decide which was true, but what he knew was that he had always survived in all his dangerous adventures which no one in the community was aware of. He had threaded on dangerous grounds many times and had come out unscathed. But no one knew because he had no friends to tell and besides, no one would even believe him.
A fortnight had passed and the day their fate would be decided has arrived. It was the fastest fortnight the king has ever experienced. He had barely slept in the days following up to the ifuo market day. His mind and body were weary, and in constant supplication to the gods. "please don't let my reign end like this" he pleaded in his mind, hoping that the gods can hear him.
The warriors were ready, gallantly equipped with every weapon they could manufacture and spiritually fortified with incantations from the chief priest. The fate of the entire community rested on their shoulders and they knew they could not afford to fail.
While others were gathered at the community square awaiting the fate of their beloved kingdom, Oche out of curiosity had slipped away from the crowd in order to go see the battle and have a glimpse of this huge alien that everyone including the king was so afraid of. In order to escape the warriors who were camped by the Bush adjoining the seashore, awaiting when the creature will show up, Oche took a secret path he had discovered in one of his escapades.
The whole place was unusually quiet that the dash of his feet against the dry leaves could be heard about 50 meters away. In a few minutes he was by the seashore overlooking the large expanse of sea. Without any warning, there was a huge wave brewing in the water, creating a hollow in the sea with walls of water round about it.
Then there was a huge roar from the middle of the hollow and the whole community gasped in fear at the shear size of the creature with its huge ball-like eyes and mouth dripping with all sorts of slimy elements. Some of the warriors started scampering for safety as the creature roared, sending what looked like electric waves in their direction.
In an impulsive move, Oche raised his hands to block the waves and immediately it hit his arms, they retreated in a sharp reverse, hitting the creature under its throat. That was when the community heard another loud roar and when they turned back to look, they noticed their tormentor staggering backwards before landing on its back, raising billows that looked like they might flood the whole community. Then there was silence, then followed by a loud cheer from the warriors and then the whole community erupted in cheers.
The king was relieved just as the people were happy but there was confusion as to what truly happened. Both the king and the people knew it wasn't the warriors, but they did not know that it was the frail Oche whom the gods had chosen to save them. They all wondered as to the wisdom and grace of the gods and offered large sacrifices.
Oche went home and pretended like nothing happened. He was happy that the gods chose him and he was aware that no one knew or would believe him if he ever told his story. So he decided to keep it to himself and let the people savour in the wondrous ways of the gods.
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