章 3: Threads of Fate
The morning sun broke through the canopy of trees, casting long beams of light across the village of Umudike. In the early hours, the villagers were already at work—women drawing water from the well, farmers tending to their fields, and children running through the streets with the unrestrained energy of youth. But beneath the surface of this ordinary day, there was a quiet tension, a sense that something was coming. The elders had returned from the Oracle the night before, and word of the prophecy had spread like wildfire.
Adanna sat in the central courtyard of the palace, her thoughts still lingering on the previous night's events. She had barely slept, her mind replaying the Oracle's words over and over again: A child born of the earth… marked by the spirits… destined to bring either salvation or ruin.
Her fingers absentmindedly traced the intricate carvings on the wooden bench she sat on, but her mind was far away. The Oracle had spoken of a great change, but she had also singled Adanna out, her cryptic words leaving an unsettling weight on her chest. What did it mean that the spirits had marked her?
"Adanna," a voice called, pulling her from her thoughts. It was Nkem, one of her closest friends and the daughter of the high priest. She approached with a knowing look in her eyes, her hands clasped in front of her.
"You look troubled," Nkem said as she sat beside her. "I heard about the prophecy… and that you were there when it was spoken."
Adanna sighed, her eyes still distant. "I couldn't stay away. I needed to hear it for myself, but now that I have… I don't know what to make of it."
Nkem gave her a sympathetic smile. "The spirits rarely speak plainly. Their messages are often meant to confuse, to test us. But whatever it is they've marked you for, you'll be ready. You've always been stronger than anyone gives you credit for."
Adanna met her friend's eyes, feeling a swell of gratitude. Nkem had always been a calming presence in her life, a grounding force when the weight of her responsibilities felt too heavy to bear. But today, even Nkem's reassuring words couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that had taken root in her heart.
"I wish I knew what it meant," Adanna said quietly. "If this prophecy is about me, or if it's about someone else… someone out there." She gestured toward the village beyond the palace walls. "How can I protect the kingdom if I don't even understand the danger?"
Nkem placed a hand on Adanna's arm, squeezing gently. "You don't have to understand everything right now. The answers will come in time. For now, just trust that the spirits have a plan, even if it's not clear to us yet."
Adanna nodded, though the uncertainty still lingered. She wasn't used to feeling so powerless, so lost. But she couldn't deny the truth of Nkem's words. The spirits worked in mysterious ways, and trying to predict their will was like trying to catch the wind.
Still, there was one thing she knew for certain—whatever path the spirits had set before her, she would walk it. And she would do so with the same strength and determination that had carried her this far.
The Call of the Spirits
In a small clearing near the edge of the forest, Alozie sat cross-legged on the ground, his mind still spinning from the dream—or vision—he had experienced the night before. The images had been so vivid, the voice so real, that even now, hours after waking, he could still feel the weight of the words hanging over him.
The path of the gods… or the path of men.
Alozie had never considered himself a particularly spiritual man. He had respected the gods and the spirits, as all in Umudike did, but they had always felt distant, far removed from his daily struggles. But now… now it seemed the spirits had chosen him for something greater. And he had no idea why.
He had kept the vision to himself, unsure of what it meant or what to do with it. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized he couldn't ignore it. The spirits had reached out to him for a reason, and whether he liked it or not, he was now caught up in whatever was unfolding in Umudike.
A soft rustling of leaves caught his attention, and Alozie looked up to see Olaedo approaching, her bow slung across her back and a curious look on her face.
"You've been avoiding me," she said, her tone light but laced with concern.
Alozie managed a small smile. "I've been… thinking. A lot happened last night."
Olaedo sat beside him, her brow furrowing as she studied his face. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but I can see it in your eyes. Something's changed."
Alozie hesitated, unsure of how to explain the strange vision. But Olaedo had been his friend for years, and if there was anyone he could trust with this, it was her.
"I had a dream," he began slowly, "but it wasn't just a dream. I think the spirits spoke to me."
Olaedo's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't interrupt. She listened carefully as Alozie recounted the vision—the storm, the figure in the light, the crackling earth, and the voice that had spoken to him.
When he finished, Olaedo was silent for a long moment, her gaze fixed on the ground.
"That's… a lot," she finally said, her voice soft but serious. "The spirits don't usually speak to commoners like us. If they've reached out to you, there must be a reason."
Alozie nodded, his expression troubled. "But what reason? I'm no one important. I'm not a warrior or a leader. I'm just… me."
"Maybe that's exactly why they chose you," Olaedo said, her eyes locking onto his. "The prophecy from the Oracle—it spoke of someone born of the earth. That could be you, Alozie."
The thought struck him like a bolt of lightning. Could the prophecy truly be about him? The idea seemed absurd, impossible even. And yet, the vision… the voice… the strange sense that he was on the cusp of something far greater than himself…
Alozie shook his head. "I don't want to be a part of any prophecy. I just want to take care of my family, live a quiet life."
Olaedo smiled sadly. "Sometimes we don't get to choose, Alozie. Sometimes the path chooses us."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with truth. Alozie felt the weight of the spirits pressing down on him, urging him forward even as he resisted.
"Whatever this is," Olaedo continued, her voice steady, "you won't have to face it alone. I'll be with you. We'll figure it out together."
Alozie looked at her, gratitude swelling in his chest. In that moment, he realized just how lucky he was to have a friend like Olaedo—someone who believed in him, even when he didn't believe in himself.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "I don't know what's coming, but… I'm glad you're with me."
Olaedo grinned, her usual mischievous spark returning. "Of course. Who else is going to make sure you don't get yourself killed?"
Despite the seriousness of their conversation, Alozie laughed, the tension in his chest easing just a little. For now, the weight of the prophecy could wait. He wasn't alone, and that made all the difference.
The Throne of Umudike
In the great hall of the palace, Eze Nnobi sat on his throne, the weight of his crown pressing heavily on his brow. The council had gathered before him, their voices a low murmur as they discussed the implications of the Oracle's prophecy. The air was thick with tension, and though Nnobi kept his expression calm, his mind was racing.
The prophecy had been vague, but its message was clear enough: change was coming, and it would not come peacefully.
One of the councilors, a man named Udochukwu, stepped forward, his voice cutting through the murmur of the room. "Your Majesty, we must act swiftly. The prophecy speaks of a child born of the earth—someone who could threaten your rule. We cannot afford to be complacent."
Eze Nnobi raised a hand, silencing the room. "We will not act out of fear, Udochukwu. The spirits have spoken, but their message is not yet clear. Until we know more, we will continue to rule as we always have—with wisdom and caution."
"But what if the prophecy is about your daughter?" another councilor asked, his voice hesitant. "The Oracle's words seemed… directed at her."
Nnobi's gaze hardened. "My daughter is not a threat to this kingdom. She is loyal, and she has no desire for power."
"Even so," Udochukwu pressed, "we must be vigilant. The prophecy could mean the rise of a new ruler, one who is not of royal blood. If that happens…"
Eze Nnobi's hand tightened on the armrest of his throne. He knew all too well what would happen. The kingdom would descend into chaos, as factions formed and blood was spilled in the struggle for power. He could not let that happen.
"Find this child of the earth," Nnobi ordered, his voice cold and commanding. "Whoever they are, we must learn their identity before it is too late."
The councilors nodded, their expressions grim. The hunt had begun, and soon, the kingdom would be swept into the storm of prophecy.
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット