A Heart In Flames

CHAPTER SEVEN

Boat makers in Subasu worked tirelessly. For the next six days, they neither rested nor slept. They hewed down hard woods and carried them to the shore where they built the boat. They did all they could so as to give a strong, big boat to Oma and Mansa to embark on the voyage.

Going to the evil island to fight for humanity was a great sacrifice, hence, the boat makers and everyone in Subasu worked hard to help. As the boat makers tirelessly worked, the villagers supplied them food, water, and other necessary things to help them keep focused. The Great Savant was always with the boat makers. He encouraged and advised them to render their best.

Meanwhile, Oma and Mansa were also preparing eagerly towards their journey. They sought and acquired everything they deemed important for the journey and the task ahead. At this time, Mansa had stopped worrying about the dangerous adventure, and so, in unity, she supported the man she so much loved in every step he took towards the dangerous task ahead. They had made their intentions public, and the villagers were giving them every support they needed, so, there was no turning back—they would go to Mookoo no matter what.

Mansa made two bamboo flutes for the voyage, one for herself and one for Oma. Mansa loved music—she sung and played the flute whenever she felt the urge to do so.

On the sixth day, the boat makers finished building the boat. It was a strong, beautiful, big boat. Everyone admired the boat. The boat makers named it The Demon Killer. It was given that name because of the mission it was going to be used for.

In the evening of the same day, the villagers, led by the Great Savant, filled the boat with enough food, water, clothing, and everything Oma and Mansa would need for the voyage.

Mansa and Oma had their own supplies too. They had enough to take them many days.

Finally, the day and the hour for the couple to depart for Mookoo arrived. The villagers gathered at the shore to bid farewell to Oma an Mansa.

With pride and selfless love for the people of Subasu, Oma and his wife entered the boat. And before the voyage started, Oma said to the people: “We are embarking on this voyage for all humanity. We are sure that we shall defeat the evil beings on the evil island, and chop down the evil tree, so that calamity will no longer befall mankind every thousand years.

“Eat and rejoice while we are away, because victory is going to be ours.”

The people applauded Oma and Mansa for their selfless sacrifice. Never a time had a couple sacrificed the early days of their marriage for anything. Thus, Oma and Mansa’s decision was one that was beyond human understanding; and it was true, it was divine.

“We believe you will succeed and bring peace to all humans on earth. We wish you well. We shall keep looking at the tall tree in Mookoo until we see it going down. The world will rejoice the day the evil tree will go down.

“From today, we are going to tell people on earth about this great sacrifice of yours. All humans on earth must hear about your great sacrifice, because you deserve to be praised forever. Everyone will be grateful to you, and your names will never be forgotten on earth,” the Great Savant said to the couple.

When the Great Savant had finished speaking to the couple, Mansa waved the villagers good-bye. And the boat makers pushed the boat on to the sea for the voyage to begin. As the boat moved, many of the villagers cheered them on. Others were unhappy because they did not fully believe that Oma and Mansa would return to the village. How those people wished the newest couple in the village had not embarked on that perilous voyage. The voyage was going to be long, and no one actually knew what was ahead of Mansa and Oma. Many prayed for them in their hearts.

To the direction of Mookoo, Oma and Mansa sailed. The boat moved steadily, far on the sea until the villagers could no longer see it. The voyage had begun! Oma and Mansa sailed till sunset. And, on the deep-blue sea, they anchored the boat, put on their lights and rested after they had taken their supper.

At midnight, everywhere was quiet on the sea. The sea waters were calm, and many fish were seen swimming. The stars were bright in the sky. It was such a beautiful sight to behold. If the voyage would continue that way for the couple, then, they would not need to worry. Mansa brought out her flute, and as she played, Oma sung. She was no longer afraid—the beautiful blue sea, and the beautiful sky, so much pleased her soul.

Mansa continued to play the flute and Oma sung until they could no longer resist the urge to sleep. While they were asleep, Oma had a terrifying dream. But when he woke up, he did not tell Mansa. He didn’t want her to become scared again. He kept the dream to himself and kept on the watch to see if any such thing was going to happen.

The next morning, they had their breakfast, and continued the voyage. Day after day, they sailed. And when night came, they anchored the boat, had supper and rested. Oma and Mansa sailed for many days but the evil island was no where near. They continued to sail, and after an hundred days, they reached Manke, the island of the wizard.

At the shore of Manke island, the couple anchored their boat and walked the island, but they saw no one. There were no living beings, not even animals were on the island. Sasabonsam, the wizard of Manke was not there too. Perhaps, he was not on the island at the time Oma and Mansa reached there. However, there was one thing they saw on the island that amazed them. There was a big cave at the center of the island, and the entrance of the cave was sealed with strong spider web. Oma and Mansa did not dare to enter the cave, because, that was not part of their mission. After they had spent some days on the island, they continued their voyage.