SEVERED (EPISODE 6) FINAL

ÀRỌ̀NÌ Ò WÁLÉ, ONIKÒYÍ Ò SIMI OGUN (PART 6 FINAL)

Oníkòyí rushed at one of the priests with the speed of lightning. The priest was about to shout when he discovered his head is no longer attached to his body. The second priest could not comprehend why the back of his legs were wet, so he turned back to have a look. Behold, his own urine wetted the back of his legs to the heels. Then, it seemed he was levitating. No, somebody was choking him by the neck and raising him high with one hand. Then he came crashing on the rock. Every thing turned watery as he saw his body floating among the skulls of people they had sacrificed. No, this is not the best way to meet the gods with plummeted skull.

Then the other three knew they had to possess either teleportation portion or ability to fly before they could escape, for death has come down from heaven flash-moving like charged spirit. Even the first to escape could not believe he is not being pursued again, for he could not but wondered what kept knocking him in the occiput despite the fact that he is now miles away from the altar. Then he came to realize it was his own heels as he raced down like rabbit who just slipped through the jaws of leopard.

The second priest also escaped through the forest. He wouldn't have had the chance if he had decided to take the foot path. He plunged himself into the forest not minding the thorns and thicksets. He would later enter the town bruised and in tatters. The third was not so lucky. He took the road, but discovered he was moving faster than he could swing his legs. By the time he would realize what has happened, the arrow of Oníkòyí pushing him had lodged a complaint into his rib cage. He fell down and felt the distasteful taste of arrow poison in his nose instead of mouth. He was still surprised this is how his life will end when he heard another thud to his head. Then blackness.

Oníkòyí picked up the dying Àrọ̀nì and rushed down to where his horse was waiting for him. In bear hug, they rode at top speed. The princess had lost much blood and was about to faint. By the time the horse, galloping at top speed, reached the city of savages, the remaining savage army were waiting for Oníkòyí. But thrust the son of Agbórí-èṣin lé gúkọ-gúkọ. Oníkòyí will not just draw his bow string back to shoot. It is archers uninitiated into Oníkòyí 's fighting strategy that do that. After drawing the string backwards, Oníkòyí will twist the arrow together with the string! Then he will release the killer unto the target. The arrow will not only fly, it spins ferociously towards its target and the result always is a drilling effect! So when you hear of one arrow killing six people at a go, know that it is only Oníkòyí the master archer that can perform that fit in the world. Be proud of your heritage.

As Oníkòyí 's horse hurdled over the last barrier of the city of savages, after cutting through the men like knife through shea-butter, the acrobat that happened mid-air on that day would remain a challenge for movie stunt makers of nowadays.

It so happened that Oníkòyí had straddled Àrọ̀nì to his chest as they rode on the horse. The bear hug by Àrọ̀nì not only revived her, it also gave her the opportunity to see the back while Oníkòyí could only see the front. At the point the horse leapt into the air to scale the fence, Oníkòyí shouted to Àrọ̀nì to jump, but she had seen what was coming! In a twinkle of an eye, Àrọ̀nì loosed her grip on Oníkòyí and leaned backward, while Oníkòyí jumped, all in the mid-air! By the time Àrọ̀nì rose again, positions had been switched and the couple are backing each other on the horse!!!

Then he heard it. It was a distinctive sound he has grown accustomed to in battles! A quick look back, he saw one of the ugly savages recovering from arrow shooting posture and seemed to be having a last laugh stretched across his face. Then he noticed Àrọ̀nì was almost about to slump. He used one hand to hold her in position and use the other to manoeuvre the horse into the woods.

In the woods, he stopped to assess what has happened. Then he saw it; Àrọ̀nì was still breathing, but the arrow had made a clean entry into her stomach and came out behind her. He could not cry; he was just asking, why? Why? Which god punishes a beauty like this with misfortune all through her life?

Àrọ̀nì looked at him admiringly, love in her eyes and proud of being betrothed to the most gallant warrior. Then she spoke:

"Ọkọ mi, olówó orí mi,
Oníkòyí ọmọ gbọ́in ọmọ gbọ̀in
Ọmọ gbọ̀ìn gbọ̀ìn tó so m'ẹ́ṣin lẹhin ọrùn dẹ́dẹ́
Tí ò jẹ́ ẹṣin Oníkòyí lè jẹ'ko
Tí ò jẹ́'ṣin Oníkòyí lè mu
Ọkọ mi, ìpínyà dé
Ọmọ awo ń lọ."

"But no one in your lineage has received arrow at the back. I will not allow history to make you the first, even if I have to sacrifice my life."

He stood there unable to move. What manner of woman is this: brave till the end? He cursed the day the savages took her on her way from market.

Then they heard it again. Arrows flying here and there. The savages were still on their tail! Àrọ̀nì motioned to him to do the needful as she could barely talk again. But he could not bring himself to do it. She told him she had kept his honour by not letting the arrow hit him in the back, now she must do the needful for every royal born in this predicament. Oníkòyí could not hold it again: he let it out, a sorrowful wail.

................. ......................

Back in Ọ̀yọ́ the king himself was preparing for war when the news came. If his army would run back tails between their legs leaving Oníkòyí behind at war, he had better go and join his most valiant warrior in battle. He came out to meet a procession from the palace to Akẹ̀sán market and down to the gate of the city lined with men and women in sorrowful mood. He was wondering what has happened but none dare told him. He picked his pace slowly and his Ẹ̀ṣọ́ followed him. Dirge rented the air.

At the gate to the city, Oníkòyí staggered into the city bruised and covered in blood. In his raised hand, the head of the most beautiful princess the world has ever known. He could only mumble one sentence amidst the wailing and dirge when he met the king by the broad road:

Orí adé kìí sùn 'ta.

The dirge continues.

"Àrọ̀nì ò wá'lé, Oníkòyí ò sinmi ogun
Nítorí pé orí adé kan kìí sùn'ta
Àrọ̀nì ò wá'lé, Oníkòyí ò sinmi ogun"

THE END

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