*Disclaimer. This is an episodic feature that will be released every two weeks. It is written in real-time and self-edited. All material is copyrighted under the website domain and all rights belong to Mary E Jung. The work cannot be copied, edited, translated, changed, or manipulated in any way.
There was nowhere to run, except into the prison of her enemy. To escape the pursuit of those who held dominion over the sky, Sade had no choice but to flee for a sanctuary that was the most dangerous place in Bozalisi. The landlocked kingdom was thick with jungle and its elements, but nothing compared to the god that would kill her the moment she crossed his threshold.
Meeting her nemesis, her life's purpose, was a dream compared to the wrath of the gods who chased her now. Led by a cruel god, the hunters of the gods rampaged after her on a stampede of elephants. She whistled long and with a pitch that animals could hear. Summoned to their mistress' side, her pack of black and brown wolves charged from the trees. They surrounded her and howled as the terrifying crunch of elephant feet tore a path through the jungle.
"Stall them," Sade telepathed to the pack leader.
Kain growled in her mind and slid to a halt, whipping his hind legs behind him. "They will not pass this point."
Sade lifted her lips in gratitude and sprinted for Mount Mamba. It was so named for its ebony color and twisted rocks that appeared like serpents strangling the mountain. It was far worse than a pit of serpents. Mount Mamba was the holding cell of the god, Malik.
In the beginning, there were twins that the Creator placed in the sky. One sat on the throne of the sun and the other on the moon. They ruled the sky together and protected the earth. Malik the moon god betrayed his sister and they went to war. At the end of the final battle, Malik was defeated and locked under Mount Mamba for eternity.
Sade heaved in air as her lungs and muscles burned. The entrance to the mountain loomed ahead. She trained her entire life to defeat the god who dwelled beneath the earth. Now, she had to plead with him to save her life. For she would only survive if the sun and moon could not find her.
The irony of her situation was not lost on Sade. To escape a strange lunar god who was appointed by her aunt, Sade would have to disappear into the darkness.
"The pale one is coming for you on foot," Kain telepathed.
Gritting her teeth, Sade dug into her goddess powers and sprinted for the base of the mountain. The sun blazed overhead and the trees seemed to shrivel from its intensity. The heat threatened to overwhelm her, but she would not be defeated. Her aunt taught her well, and even in the throes of her wrath, Sade could ignore the sun's mighty blaze.
"Almost there," She chanted more to herself than in response to Kain.
Her heels ached from pounding into the forest floor. Her deer skin boots provided protection, but she still felt the impact of every footfall. As she drew near, the foliage was almost impenetrable. She yanked her daggers from her arm sheaths and hacked at the leaves and branches.
Her flight was impeded, but her pursuer was not familiar with this part of the kingdom. The pale one might have bullied his way through the vines and palms thus far, but unless he could swing from trees, she would evade his clutches.
Hooting and clicking her tongue, Sade called for reinforcements. The branches overhead rattled and out of the trees came an army of baboons.
"Take me to the mountain, my friends."
The largest baboon swooped down and lifted her into the air. Bondeko, the leader, positioned himself on the branch to catch her on her descent. She floated for a moment before swinging onto his back and holding tight. Calling in his native tongue, Bondeko led the group toward Mount Mamba. The wind fluttered Sade's black and copper curls and her bronze skin tingled as they maneuvered through the branches. Leaves sliced at her arms and legs, but the mountain was a few feet away.
"Set me down at the base and get rid of that intruder," Sade spoke into the ear of the baboon leader, her tongue forming his language as if it were her own.
She was blessed by the Creator with the ability to speak to any living thing on the earth. Be it insect, or beast, she was their mistress and they did not hesitate to obey.
Bondeko descended from the trees. In her mind, he said, "Your way is clear, my lady. Even the fangs and talons of the jungle do not venture near this mountain."
"That's precisely why I dared to gather my wits here and return when I am able to defend against my aunt."
Bondeko set her on the ground and bowed. "We will join the wolves and drive the pale one from the jungle."
"Thank you," She bowed in turn and hurried to the rocky bottom of Mount Mamba.
As she approached the sealed gateway, Sade watched the enchanted symbols glow gold and crimson. The curse of the mountain was known well among the gods, but Sade and her aunt were the only two beings who knew where the entrance was located. Sade hesitated as she reached out her hand.
Once she inside the mountain, she could not leave. She'd be locked in Malik's prison forever. Well, not for all time. There was one piece of the puzzle even her aunt did not know. It was the key her mother gave her to breaking the curse. Sade had no interest in freeing Malik, and in truth did not know if she was capable of doing so, but she did need to wait under his mountain until she formed a plan to go against her aunt and the intruder god.
"Creator help me," She whispered and pushed through the rock and debris of the mountain.
With a pop, she fell through the gateway and was sealed in the mountain forever.
Comments