GAZA (war with MUGHAI)

The History Of Mughai Reviewed

The king’s heart was heavy, filled with many questions wondering why Mughai had returned during his reign. Now, his people were forced to scatter. They couldn't stay in one village or place; they had to be dispersed. He felt as though he had failed his people—and even his ancestors.

That night, he went to the priest alone, seeking answers. He asked, “Why has Mughai returned? Have we committed a sin against the gods?”

The priest looked at him gravely and said, “It is because of a promise made by your fathers. they promised Akali and his descendants the crown if Akali killed Mughai. But after Akali succeeded, he was betrayed—shot by the king’s soldiers. It was your ancestor, the king’s brother, who planned it. The one who was supposed to rule.”

The priest continued, “What your ancestors didn’t know was that Akali had hidden one of Mughai’s heads inside a bottle in his bag, as protection against them in case they broke their promise. After the soldiers killed him, they went close to check if he was really dead and found the bottle. One soldier, under Mughai’s charm, opened it. The head of Mughai jumped out, killed the soldier, and fled into the Anog Forest.”

The king was shocked. “And what happened to Akali?”

“Nluka, the sea princess, brought Akali’s body to my ancestors, but it was too late. The poison from the soldier's arrow was too fast and too strong. Nluka told my ancestors the truth, but your ancestors threatened my ancestors into silence. They were forced to tell the villagers that Akali died fighting Mughai. But my ancestor, the priest at the time, couldn’t bear the lie. He knew the great favor Akali had done for Gaza, so he announced Akali’s victory. Afterward, he asked the gods to take his own life, saying he was tired and ready to rest.”

The king was speechless, overwhelmed by what he had learned. After a long pause, he asked, “Why has Mughai returned now, in my time?”

The priest replied, “Mughai’s head needed time to fully regenerate before it could strike again. Your ancestors searched for the head but never found it. What I don’t understand is how Mughai survived on its own. The gods had promised my ancestors that Mughai would never return because of the powerful charms Akali placed on it before he died. How Mughai survived and returned is still a mystery to me. And the gods... they will not speak.”

The king became even more sorrowful as he returned to his palace, preparing to announce the gods' decision to the villagers. When he finally shared the sad news, the entire village mourned as though they had lost their husbands.

Meanwhile, the king ordered his soldiers to bring all the pregnant women in Gaza to the palace. He planned to keep them there until they gave birth, so they could identify the twins foretold by the gods and protect them from Mughai.