The Secred Mission

eird to be here, peering into the forest (Ọhịa Eke) she'd known her whole life, but now as a stranger exp

ed in her memory as she took h

h three arms, abandon the route and go toward the sound of rushin

d Mama Ugo's advice. If anybody could help her

dflowers, a combination of freshness and decay. The forest seemed alive, and not just with the

forming beautiful patterns over the ground. Their leaves created a thick canopy above, allowing just enough sunlight to produce

ure. The breeze conveyed weird murmurs that vanished the moment she attempted to listen. She couldn'

ds shook slightly, and she noticed how firmly she was holding the bag's strap. She

" she muttered to herself,

with three broad branches extending like arms into the sky. Its bark was scar

hing water. The environment seemed to move about her, with trees drawing closer toget

ding over smooth stones and reflecting sunlight like shards of glas

, she glimpsed a face other than her own. The reflection changed, exposing a man shro

uietly, her voice

e-eyed expression. The forest surrounding h

ead. At first, she assumed it was the wind, but then she saw the grass moving-

mering. "Who's there?" she said, h

ayed quiet, which seemed odd. She clutched her bag firmly and t

om the darkness. They were little, almost fox-like, yet

ture moved into the light, showing itself as a tiny, elegant animal with

are you?" Adanna spoke more

r. Then it turned and ran deep into the forest, ju

e wasn't sure why, but something ab

ting into patterns that resembled hands reaching out of the ground. Strange plants sh

stumbled into a clearing covered in soft moss, with an anceint altar in the middle.

bearing a faint wh

t found no one. The voice returned, clearer th

its surface, a wave of energy went through her. Images flashed through her mind,

The forest (Ọhịa Eke) became silent agai

he forest had embraced her, but it had also challenged her. She had no idea what she had seen, but she was convinc

lay beneath the canopy of stars,

id quietly. "And g

carrying a faint whisper of