"So, why are you taking me to this Halls of Righteousness when you know that my powers are yet to be fully awakened?" Ochieng asked rather confused.
"The One from above just told me that the Lord of darkness is fast in his moves. We may think that your mission is going to take time, but it seems we may be caught unawares. For example, why did you keep that imbecile beside you?" Kuru asked looking at Ochieng' knowingly.
"Right from the start I knew he was up to no good. I let him stay with us to know what exactly he wanted." Ochieng' answered lines of skepticism forming on his face.
"You see," Kuru smiled,"Because of that simple thing, we almost lost another Ordainer. He is a warlock serving the Lord of Darkness. He was sent here to be your trucker... Talking about that, let us leave this place before it is too late..."
"Unfortunately, it is too late."
Kuru was just standing to up to save this group but was stopped by ancient melodious voices that echoed in his ears. The voices came from every direction.
Wuush!
Still confused by what was happening, a beautiful woman dressed in black appeared before them floating on yellow flames. Before Kuru, Ochieng' and the beasts had time to comprehend what was happening, another five appeared from every direction blocking any path of escape.
In his moment of panic, Kuru tried blasting them off with a form of energy but the six women just stood there unfazed. It was as if nothing really happened. This made fear rise in Kuru' s heart for he knew he used a lot of power previously.
"Ochieng', these must be people from the dark world. The worst part is that they are too powerful for us." Kuru cried.
"What are we going to do then? I don't want to die." Ratong' lamented.
Before Kuru answered, the voices of the women echoed.
"We are sisters of the dark. Old man, your powers are deplorable before us. So, just let us pick the Ordainer and we will let the rest of you go."
"Cut the crap women! No one takes Ochieng' while he's still beside me. Not when I am still alive!" That was Ratong', the loquacious lion. It was really angry at the moment.
It should be known that it was the only animal amongst Ochieng's companions who was ordained under Ochieng's subconscious wish. This was a short wish made by an Ordainer when he was not even aware but the truth is, it carried his inner desire. It was made with love and great anticipation. Therefore, the ordained tended to be attached with the Ordainer, so much that any pain felt by the Ordainer affected the former. Ochieng' had suffered in the past, Ratong' had always felt bad but it was always helpless. Today, it felt like it was too much and it was truly speaking out of anger.
Mudho's case was even more special. It's bond with Ochieng' was stronger than Ratong with the human. It was more rational than its brother and was therefore capable of knowing the scope of its abilities. No wonder it was always silent. It always felt frustrated when they went through hardships with Ochieng', but knew better than to make a fool out of itself.
The women did not even look at the angry Ratong'. They were currently looking at Kuru nonchalantly, seemingly waiting for him to say something. As expected, he did say something,
"Sisters of the dark or whatever you are called, you know this Ordainer is like our commander in a war against you people from the dark world. A warrior is always aware that he must do anything to protect his people and his superiors. Don't think that I am going to abandon my commander just because you happen to be more powerful than us. Wherever he goes, we go, if he dies, we will be more than glad to accompany him to the netherworld, do the beasts agree with me?"
"It is an honour to die alongside Ochieng', my son." Mudho smiled.
"I agree with you Kuru." The lion tribe said with a sigh.
The others nodded in approval. Ratong' did not however say anything. At the moment, it was looking at the woman before it intently. Only it knew what it was thinking of.
Ochieng' had been silent all this time. It was not that he was doing nothing, the man was busy trying everything at his disposal to deal with these women but all were in vain. When he heard what Kuru and the lions said, his heart was touched. He really wanted to save them from this predicament but he was totally helpless.
"Then accompany your commander to the dark world."
Ratong' wanted to say something but the six ladies were too fast. They lost their vision before disappearing all together.
...
Inside the hut that was not far away, Jakony was currently making strange sounds. The sounds were so horrific that Apeleka and Labosa had to cover their ears not to listen to the bird.
"What is it Jakony?"
Labosa had never seen the bird behaving that way since she brought these fellows here. In fact, the bird had been her source of comfort for it sang songs that melted her heart. She could not help but ask greatly confused.
"Ochieng' was nearby a moment ago. From what I could perceive, he had met someone who could be of great help. Moments later, some mysterious creatures appeared and it seems he has been abducted alongside his companions."
Jakony explained. It perceived things in a way its own bloodline could. Since the sisters of the dark were not of this world and were traveling with flames all over, it was natural for Jakony to detect its own things.
"What do you mean Ochieng' has been abducted?"
Apeleka rose on her feet, her eyes already clouded with tears. She had longed for that man of hers greatly. She knew after he was done with his mission, she would see him again. Who would have thought that he was close, but he ended up being taken away, under her nose.
She did not wait for an answer. Turning to the direction of the door, she fled. Outside, she ran here and there hoping to see where her man had been taken. It did not take long before she arrived at a place that was still covered with dust and dry leaves. Within she could smell traces of her man's scent.
"Ochieng' my love, what on earth took you away from me. Will I ever see you again?"
She fell on her knees and cried in grief for that was her man, the only man she loved.