Egg Of Life

The Journey Begins

The Journey Begins

The first light of dawn crept slowly over Umuaka, but it brought no warmth—only unease.

The village was awake earlier than usual. Women stood in small groups, whispering. Men watched from a distance, their faces heavy with concern. Even the children sensed that something important—and dangerous—was about to happen.

At the center of the compound, Amara stood quietly.

A small bag hung over her shoulder, filled with dried food and a calabash of water. Her mother adjusted her wrapper again and again, as if delaying the moment she feared most.

“You must be careful,” Ngozi said, her voice thick with emotion. “Do not trust every shadow you see. And whatever happens… remember who you are.”

Amara nodded, though fear tightened her chest. “I will come back, Mama.”

But even she wasn’t sure if that was true.

A few steps away, Kelechi stretched lazily, trying to look unbothered—but his eyes kept scanning the forest ahead.

“You ready?” he asked.

Amara gave a small nod.

Before they could leave, Dibia Nnanna approached, his staff tapping softly against the ground.

He held out a small object—a string of cowries tied together.

“This will guide you,” he said. “It will not show you the path… but it will warn you when the path is wrong.”

Amara accepted it with shaky hands.

“Thank you.”

Dibia’s expression grew serious. “Listen carefully. The road to the Oracle is not just a journey of distance—it is a journey of spirit. What you fear most… you may meet along the way.”

Kelechi smirked slightly. “Then we go meet am together.”

But Dibia did not smile.

Without another word, Amara and Kelechi turned toward the sacred forest.

The same forest the villagers feared.

The same place where the Egg had risen.

As they stepped under the tall trees, the air immediately changed—cooler, heavier, almost watchful.

The sounds of the village faded behind them.

No birds sang.

No insects buzzed.

Only silence.

“Why everywhere just quiet like this?” Kelechi muttered, looking around.

Amara clutched the cowries tightly. “It’s like something is about to happen.