FROM SHADOW TO LIGHT

isa forest near Lake Chad was

venturer in his thirties, Chidi's rifle skills were unmatched, but his inexperience made him question his ability to "The forest's perils were legendary, discouraging even the bravest from a second attempt. Yet, this enchanted land was

, yet the silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with the weight of hidden dangers. Our guide, Omeleoha, navigated the wi

ife and wealth. Everyone coveted this prize, but Chidi wondered if his

he forest's dangers. The forest's paradox echoed in his mind: 'Where life blooms, nature's beauty follow

brave the unknown, or let fear dictate his fate? The forest'

ed in a terrifying trance. The forest loomed before him, shrouded i

target was another story. The forest's maze-like paths seemed identical, threateni

d. They called it the Forest of the Dead, a place only the bravest dared to tread. Its

is chest. Had he bitten of

were unforgiving, but he believed that adhering to its rules could bring fairness. The jungle of life was treacher

ater shared with pigs and swans was his drink, and his clothes and water can his sole sh

imaginable experiences that defied interpretation. Confusion gripped him: should he press on o

air. The dense foliage stretched out before him like an insurmountable wall, fueling his doubt

but the silence was deafening. His thoughts began to echo the skepticism o

nd especially the tortoise – began to rally around him. Their sounds, once a source of fear, now brought solace. Chidi, t

hing coos whispered reassurance. The eagle's soaring majesty inspired hope. The monkey's ag

ns, he began to see the forest through the

he lion, discovering the art of devouring flesh and blood. The snake, initially wary, eventually s

the tortoise's journey. "How can the sna

timate the snail's pace. In ten minut

iration grew. He envisioned the tortoise flying

laimed. "Your tale has sp

with understanding. Embrace your own j

toise's words. "How can you find happi

i replied, sh

despite my difficulties. The birds' songs c

But how do you know it's ev

atch keeps me informed. And when

o became king in the land of the b

hased a bird into an evil

"And the story of Cle

have power. They connect us to

ness began to lift as the

ne," the tortoise said. "His grandmother warned him and his sibli

he tortoise continued. "She cautioned against venturing into streams or forests at midd

yths," the tortoise said, shaking his head. "Ado

ng the disaster that would befall Cletus," the

ntently, captiva

friend, who echoed the grandmother's warnings. "Avoid wanderi

standing, but his he

nd Paul, tempted him to hunt in the bush. His younger brother

ng him. Defying the old woman's wisdom, he

as names to avoid summons by malevolent forces. But Cletus an

rest, darkness claimed him. He fell mute, unab

ed in a realm beyond mortal comprehension. Th

Cletus," it said. "Now, you

is grandmother's stories and the fa

me?" Cletus asked, hi

place among us," the spirit replied. "You'll lear

tortoise's tale unfolding l

etus?" Chidi asked,

s expression

d, is a story f

sed, studying Ch

r now, let us focus on the lessons learned. Cletus

reflecting on

i said. "My own stubbornnes

rtoise

tep toward growth. Will you continue

ed, weighing

mbering loved ones and familiar comforts. Yet, the for

id finally, "but with new

se nodded

t holds many lessons, and Cletu

sformed around them. Trees grew taller,

from the shadows – Thomas

you. Grandmother's stories and Cletus's di

ad intersected wi

Cletus had vanished. Frantic, they shouted his name,

ews to Cletus's parents. His mother was incredulous,

rest's dangers, remained silent, kno

obilizing the village to search for Cletus. The community

s parents and community members. For 14 days and 14 nights, they c

days and 14 nights, leaving the v

et, haunted by memories of his grandmot

, confronting shadows of his past. The spirit g

ou here," she said. "But you

regretting

t I do?"

ispers," she replied. "Lea

unfolded. He discovered hidden streams,

us realized his connection to

sdom, his soul began to shift. His arrogance

es, understanding the interconn

presented him w

ror of Truth, facin

orgiveness, releasing

r of Wisdom, gaining i

als, transforming into a wi

ical world restored, Cletu

ed ones recognize

cism. His family and friends struggled to reconcile the

some doubted his sanity, while o

ransformation, requested his presenc

ient rituals have failed to appease the spiri

llenge, knowing his jou

ce from the spirit realm. The visions intensifi

thering, and skies filled

sabotage Cletus's efforts. Whispering doubts into the vill

and Cletus's wisdom, called a gath

e assembly, his words

ient ways while embracing new understanding.

swayed by Cletus's words, ot

as, Cletus's b

His words hold truth. Let us unite, ble

balance, poised between

emerged from the crowd. Her eyes shone with anc

letus's words align with the forgotten teachin

assembly, and the villagers

he shadows, its influen

to lead the ritual reform. Together, t

r forgott

ith neighbor

the restl

the unknown, Akua re

arts, passed down through generation

in Akua, but the Shadow vowed

itual reform, the Shadow's presence grew st

llage. However, Esi's thirst for power and control corrupted her.

s discovered her deceit. They banished

the shadows. She fueled the villagers' doub

hreatened Esi's plans. The Shadow vowed to d

ealed a shocki

r, and her dark legacy c

h the darkness within his own bloodline. Akua's

Akua said. "Your transformation has broken

the Shadow, determined to

the ancient ritual grounds. Esi, now a

orest, countered Esi's spells. Akua jo

gers, now aware of Esi's true

rgy, they banished Esi's dark

ip. Cletus, having redeemed his family's pa

d Cletus and Akua joint guardians of

ngside Akua to rebuild the village's

rituals, infusing the

generation of s

unity among

y earned him widespread respect. The villagers sought hi

enges

eptical of Cletus's sudden

ruggled to adapt to

decline, passing on the

ed these trial

tion to the n

ce, even in her

wn inner

o a close, she reveal

a leader but a key to unlo

eeper's prophecy speaks of one who restores harm

phecy f

with a hea

lance to the w

and tests, they

harmony of da

led to compre

ials mus

I restore

ing voice

dden within the forest's he

elt the weight of responsibil

r the anc

tand the

ill his

t, Cletus embarked on

er hidde

er ancien

nt hidden

g the ancient texts. Akua's spirit guided him

n a hidden temple. Intricate carvings

gotten language. Cletus's connection to the na

olls re

nce relied on five

ht to exploit the k

find and protec

s quest

rec

sing to listen to wisdom (grandmother's instructions). The ghost r

out his own fate. He fears similarities b

e continues

The oracles provided a magic sword and a crucial warnin

n forgot the sword, je

the group's protection. As they journ

ck," the oracl

d to curiosity. They glanced over their sho

the whispers were warnings from his ow

irsty beings. Their leader, th

ld have l

Meanwhile, Chidi listened intently, his heart ra

t happens next

knowing gaze lo

ver, my friend. Cl

rec

rother, entered the forbid

a python, sparki

the fight, driving them

its protective power d

s adventure t

evelo

ed from the group for

rced to wash the

ng for Cletus would be futile aft

on Jacob and the group. They hasten

a hidden clearing. In the center stood an anci

e shadows, changed. His eyes now

oice low and mysterious. "The ghost's c

epened. "What have

own Jacob's spine. "I've made

sy glances. Had Cletus's

shake off the feeling of impending d

up embarked on their fi

14

white

cle's

acre

ountains, they encountered two sm

u headed?" th

wl and explained their

, appeased

arkness reigns. Sing the or

d on, facing var

cherous

tly enc

ernal

, they encountered

times," the oracle's vo

they s

ostly figure transformed. The darkness dissipat

!" Cletu

ite goat. The ghost accepted,

heir descent. But Cletus's

" Cletus whispered. "The g

tortoise's tale, felt a

repare him for somethin

knowing gaze lo

. Cletus's return spa

sti

rets did Cl

us's experience

ies ahead

continued onward, encountering various ghosts at each mountain junction. They pe

eeding the elders' advice. This realization sparked fear and hopele

g my own?" Chidi thought,

dwelling in the forest. The phrase echoed in his mind: "You c

med him, and memories of his nomadic journey flooded back. He meant to say "galli

The trees creaked, and the wind howled. Chidi's roar

from the shadows - an

e spirit said. "Your pain is deep, but

widened. "W

have wandered, lost and aimless, yet your

through the forest, revealing hi

ne glade, where ancient trees

of the forest," the spirit said

pes you, but doe

lds the power to

rs alone, yet inter

feeling the spirit's wo

feeling an awakening within. Th

s you, but does

nomadic journey, t

s the power to h

nts of kindness, co

s alone, yet inter

nnecting him to others,

d, as if reading

uths. Share your sto

deep breath

thout purpose... but I fo

ty or a dream? "Life is just like a dream; the di

miliar presence. Unbeknownst to him, h

am?" Chidi asked h

lity: "Why me? Can th

from the light, toward the unknown. The soun

erged from the shadow

e entered the spiritual realm. Your jour

n Chidi: "Your journey require

, the drums grew louder

di, full of ho

idi, lost an

hidi, rising

ur past, present, and

widened. "Wha

d at secrets. "You seek

three path

of Shadows (

Reflection (c

Illumination (e

oices. The guide's words echoed: "Each path holds s

p breath,

th of

e your fears, and you

s enveloped him. Shadows took for

of fa

of

f the

adow, and with every ste

erged from the shadow

you?" Chi

" the reflection replied. "A

ual realm when he saw spirits of the dea

ard the light, where he enc

ng from earth - the decease

, souls about to embark on ear

ycle: "When some re

seeped into his bones. Overwhelmed by

pleaded. "The agony is suffocating, and the forest'

ntle breeze ca

ger than you know. Endure,

ourney, as he navigates the spiritual real

ritual

on to the d

of life

trength an

iscovery

nectedness

bol

he unknown, spiritual g

es guidance, hope,

ent fears, doubts,

ead: embody the cyc

spiritual th

inner world (though

spiritual gui

en truths about t

hidi's growth a

e interconnectedn

Now, he pleaded with God for something he realized wa

rofound truth: merely existing was insignificant; it was wh

ek happiness and freedom. Grant me the strength to

kness began to dissipate, rep

, he felt a sense of renewal. Bu

llenges

f his past mist

ruggled to understan

the forest seemed c

t true freedom and

f-forg

ssion fo

e in the fac

llenges of his newfound ha

who shared ancient

d friend who offered

veler who shared similar

y formed a co

ed emotio

knowledge

aged pers

eir hel

ted his pa

ped self-

red hidden

anding in the elegant home of a striking white woman. Her tall, statuesque frame and noble demeanor commanded attention. Her natural beauty and r

th curiosity. "What brings you to thi

ecame lost in the forest," he began. "Since th

"I see," she said. "And what do y

ulnerability. "I'm searching for a sense of belonging," he confessed. "A p

ther. "And what do you fear most, C

ever finding my true purpose. Never being able

h empathy. "You're not alone, Chidi.

sadness and resolve. "I, too, have known the pain of feeling lost," she

"I lost my family at a young age and was forced to fl

tently, sensing a

kness, I discovered a spark within. A spark t

n sparking within. "I believe our paths have crossed for

ense of connection, as if th

eone with your unique gifts, Chidi. Gifts that

ity piqued, "W

at speaks of balance and harmony, of unity among natio

d deeper into the prophec

y as "The Order," emerged, seeking to c

s resurfaced, threatening to u

s reappeared, testing

esponsibility, "How can we

e'll face each challenge. Our bond is the key

dows of history. Their roots traced back to ancient civilizat

ecrets of the universe. Arius believed that humanity's tru

wledge to power. They sought to control the w

wer), became a chilling re

n to resurface, revea

manipulating his li

een searching for a specific indi

ttingly, were part of

in fact, a deliberate act to

d his discovery. "You're the key to

n, allowing him to s

ving skills, enabling him

granting him insight i

Chidi's gifts

of Elyria, hidd

cts holding secre

e meaning, securing T

ed. "We must protect Chidi fr

a way out of his struggles, a k

and dirty," she

d a water jerry can. Since then, I've had no decent water to

s piqued. "Who are you,

seeking to escape poverty. I'm passionate about career grow

hanted by Chidi's words. She e

resilience, and the African experience. His words flowed like a river, c

read his work. Chidi hesitate

d. "Your words have power, Ch

s my dream," he said. "To use

can help you achiev

iting was

his grandmother, full of A

fe, capturing the struggles an

s, navigating poverty

, "What drives

he beauty and ugliness, the struggles and v

through the

silience, selling goo

aughter, playin

shared through st

do you capture the ess

ng, observing, and feelin

thoughts

s my writing meaning

s unease. "Chidi, wh

doubt. Fear of not m

words have power, Chidi.

, but her encouragement

eep understanding. "I, too, ha

was piqued. "How d

h writing, just like you. I w

widened. "You

s, once. But life took

story. "Tell

r of rejection held me back. One day, I decided to self-publish.

"You're living proof that