The next continent on Mimi's list was Africa.
After the split, Africa had developed into a world power. The 54 countries banded together to form the African Union, with 12 seats as representatives.
1. Egypt's – Ahmed Reem
2. South Africa's – Khmezi Anathi
3. Algeria's – Aahid Saidi
4. Nigeria's – Chibuike Abara
5. Morocco's – Hassan Ali
6. Ethiopia's – Fana Abebe
7. Angola's – Angola Da Silva
8. Libya's – Ajeeb Salame
9. Tunisia's – Karim Trabelsi
10. Seychelles' – Seychelle Baron
11. Ghana's – Adowa Akan, and
12. Botswana's – Alora Molefe
The continent which was once filled with hunger and corruption, soon became a major pillar of world affairs. They had stepped up to the challenge; instead of falling into confusion, plunder and destruction, in the aftermath of the split. They united and banded together, using the large masses of resources in their possession, to restructure their communities. In Africa the split had become a catalyst leading to greater development.
The African countries believed in the end of days, far more than any other country in the world. The appearance of the disasters, sent a chill down their spines, convincing them of an impending doom. They quickly turned to Religion to save them. Looking back it ended up being the best choice they ever made.
Apart from authority, it was extremely hard to find people possessing the stats of, will, resonance, or any of the popular forms of power manifestations in the classes, as the mutation rarely occurred. Even rarer than the mutated manifestations, was the faith manifestation, thus they were called the gifts of faith.
Due to that the African continent was called The Faith continent. While the rest of the world experienced a phenomenon known as Faith Drain; where the number of faith stat wielders where extremely low, and some even lost their faith stats, Africa boomed with Faith, and had some how managed to record the lowest cases of disasters ever since. It had even gotten to the point where other nations had to seek aid from Africa, for faith class users and powerful mutant class users.
After all, who could blame them. The faith class was extremely fraudulent.
It allowed the users continued use of their abilities, with no pay off as long as they were active. Which meant that as long as the user was not ill, did not get tired or wasn't asleep, they could use their abilities.
The higher the stat, the more their abilities widened, and the more powerful they became.
The African Union quickly formed two groups, The Knights Order and The Den.
They were formed to manage the awakeners, or by their popular nickname on the African continent, The chosen.
The Chosen joined in either the Knights Order or the Den. They received quality training from the best facility, dedicated to training chosen's from around the globe. They also helped in researching the chosen's abilities, the manifestations, and the disasters.
The knights order comprised of people who had awakened, due to possessing a high faith stat, both from African countries and around the world, commonly known as, The Believers.
The Den comprised of other awakeners with different qualities, other wise known as fighters, they had the chance to evolve into the more powerful identity of a hunter.
Together they were trained to achieve the highest ability possible, the Defender.
A lot of Africans who had advanced to Defenders, still wished to maintain their status as Believers, or hunters, so no one really knew the exact number of Defenders present in the African Continent, apart from the 10 great Defenders from around the world. The greats, of which three were Ghanaian Believers, well known across the globe, The Ga siblings. Who only took orders from the 12 seats of the African Union and the Union Deputy.
Together, The Knights Order and the Den formed The ADA, The African Defence Academy. A multi-national academy, in charge of nurturing the Awakened. It became a world super power, commanded by The African Union, which handled various national, economic and disaster affairs from around the world.
This led to countless people awaking believer like qualities, all of which stemmed from good deeds and faith, as well as talented fighters and Hunters.
Mimi arrived at Madagascar, and Immediately met with the President to pick up a thing or two.
They made their way together to the man made Island of Utechebo in the south Atlantic Ocean, a perfectly round Island rivalling the size of Madagascar.
Along with the split, each continent had a stronghold where the leaders could meet on neutral grounds to discuss current issues. The African continent had pioneered this change, setting the Island Utechebo as an example.
After receiving an important blueprint for a structure, that if built could avert calamities, the African countries had kept it to themselves. After all, if they were to reveal such unverified information, people were bound to point fingers. They would ask for proof, or engage in wordy debates filled with skepticism about the "actual" uses of the structure.
Surely, they would meet much opposition if they were to announce the project to the world.
In the words of the Union Deputy, Miora Rakoto, Quote "Such a thing would be a complete waste of time. Ain't nobody got the time for that. Either you believe it or you don't."
Even if they were met with support, they didn't have the evidence to back up their claims, it was best to not give false hope to the public.
So the construction of the Island Utechebo began, and the project came to a speedy conclusion after a year, with the aid gotten from the chosen.
But after a few years of the continent enjoying a 1st class rating as a disaster free zone, with a 2% disaster rating; which were disasters handled by the Knights Order and the Den as training resources, as one of the safest places in the world, people began to ask questions.
This led to the Structure, "Dome of Protection " Utechebo, being discovered.
Headlines filled the News.
"Discovery of a strange structure in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the coast's of the African continent"
"A strange structure has been discovered in the African Continent, which has been said to protect the continent from disasters."
"What is the origin of this Structure?"
"How does it work?"
"Strange Structure helps The African Continent Block Disasters.
"Are we at risk from the unknown?"
"Are the UN willing to partner with the African Union?"
"Debates on weather the structure should be demolished are on-going."
"Could it be the cause for the rise in disasters?"
Different outlets spread the news about.
Both good and bad news arose from the situation.
The discovery left the world quaking in out rage, as the biggest conspiracy of the century.
Most countries held conferences and ruled in favour of building the dome, as the effects were proven.
While others called it a hoax.
In the end four out of the six continents had built the dome, creating peace and stability.
Mimi, couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the dome as it stood magnificently, in the waters.
After they had landed, she was immediately ushered from the plane to the meeting room, where she was greeted with a fury of hand shakes from the few representatives.
"Ahh… welcome to the African Union, make yourself at home ehh."
"Would you like a drink? There are some fine teas for you."
"The snacks are really nice, try some, try some of the food too. There is a lot of meat for you."
"Make sure to take a lot of water ehh, you've had a long journey ?"
"How was your journey? We need to give thanks, get the kola, we need to break the kola!"
"Wel-come!"
"Wel-come!"
"Our Miss Defender, is finally here, give me a hug. You look so good. What type of routine have you been using? Are you shy – you can tell me?"
"We should prepare a dance in honour of her arrival, quickly, call the dancers."
Once again, Mimi was reminded of warmth from their friendliness, she always enjoyed the warm hospitality they showed towards her.
Immediately she got to the point. "I'm looking for someone, I wonder if you would help me look into it?"
She was short on time, and didn't want to delay even another second.
"We haven't even finished exchanging the pleasantries, and you're already running away, do you not like us?"
"No, that's not what ..."
"That's not how it's done."
She was in a room, filled with powerful world leaders, it wasn't like she could flat out reject them.
"That is true my young friend, you have to be a bit patient."
"That's right, nwee ndịdị, ndịdị ka mma."
(Have patience, patience is the best.)
"He's right. After all a little patience is better than a lot of force."
Of course patience was an important virtue, but not while Chris might already be dead.
"You just came from a long journey, and need some rest."
"It's alright, I don't mind. I need to find my friend before it's too late."
"No, no, no, no."
"Mmh-mmh"
"You need to rest, yes."
"You must rest, at least allow us to treat you, your our guest."
"Yes."
"We can all hear what you have to say tomorrow. Its getting late now. You must be tired."
It was a wonder why they didn't send her straight to her room to begin with, she knew deep down that if she dragged this out a bit more she might never get the offer to rest again. Instead, she would be swapped with a welcome festival that would last for hours. After all she had already experienced first hand how persistent these people could be. It was impossible to reject them without feeling like a d***.
"Alright then, let's do that then." It wasn't like she had a choice.
Mimi was defeated by a land slide.
'When in Africa, do like the African's do.'
This side of Africa irked her the most, it was annoying that more than 50% of their values, were more burdensome than necessary.
Sigh.
"Yes, you should rest, we can chat tomorrow, and catch up."
"I think we should let her out since she wants to leave so badly."
Trobe.
Mimi's heart stung.
What was this, why was this happening, especially after she had declared that she was willing to stay.
"Yes, we should do that."
"No, she would be in a better position to talk tomorrow."
"Rather than today?"
"If it's too urgent let's hear her, and send her on her way."
"I feel we shouldn't even listen, she never contacted us to ask how we were until now."
Sigh.
"She's so pompous, how dare she reject our hospitality."
"Mannerless."
Badump, Badump, Badump.
It seemed she had ticked a few off by rejecting them. Mimi's heart was racing for a completely different reason
'I wonder how they would feel, if they knew just how much they sounded alike.'
She didn't even dare to say that out loud.
"It's alright, I'll go freshen up and meet you in the evening. It has been a long journey."
"What a nice child, very intelligent."
"So homely, she would make a great daughter-in-law, my son is currently looking for a wife ."
"She's so well raised, and beautiful too."
"She just meets the bare minimum, there's still much work to be done."
"Hmm, there's not much to look at."
"I heard she's looking for her fiancé, he suddenly went missing."
"Doesn't that mean that her fiancé doesn't want to marry her."
"Your right, it's a pity. He must have run away."
"Sigh, if only it were my son."
Mimi sighed, 'these people.'
Why did they remind her if the elves.
She took a walk down the corridors, decked with cultural paintings reflecting the different countries, cultures, and religions found on the continent, as well as statues of Lions, Tigers, Eagles, Falcons, Elephants and Crocodiles.
The Escorts took her to her room, where she was to stay for the duration of her visit. For the first time in ages she could take a break, she had been pushing herself too hard.
A few moments later, a young girl with beautiful bright red skin and heavily adorned hair came in. She introduced herself while curing Mimi's fatigue.
"Hello, I just finished treating your fatigue, I am Muzari," she smiled brightly.
"I am Mimi, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Muzari bowed.
"I have been assigned to you Mildred Frost. I'll be your guide while you are here."
It was understandable, the Island was large, she needed a personal escort to avoid getting lost.
"Alright, I'll be in your care."
Muzari bowed again.
"You don't have to bow so much."
"Is there anything you would like?"
"A cup of water will do."
"Alright, I'll be back in a minute."
Muzari left the room to fetch Mimi a glass of water.
Mimi finally laid back down, she wanted a break.
Just as she was about to relax.
"Hi!" Another energetic woman burst through the door.
"I am Vivian Adebisi."
"But you can call me, Baby."
A full-grown woman asking to be called a baby, sure, why not.
"I'm Mildred, you can call me Mimi"
"Of course, who doesn't know you, earth's great defender, we know you, ha-ha ha-ha." The woman didn't stop there.
"I have a niece named Mimi back at home, you look so much alike. She's just very shy, she even got admitted on merit into the ADA."
Mimi smiled.
"I'm sure she must be a lovely girl."
"Yes? Ha ha-ha ha, that one, if she would just get married and leave my house, all she does is eat and sleep. Such a Headache, always causing trouble."
'How old was her niece?' Mimi wondered.
"Anyway, I'm actually here to get you ready for the meeting tomorrow."
She suddenly turned professional in the blink of an eye. The jovial young woman who complained about her niece was gone.
"Wait, the meeting was scheduled for this evening."
"It has been shifted to tomorrow. Many of the board members aren't here. Since you arrived on such short notice, they will be here tomorrow. Here are the documents, very self-explanatory, you understand them, right?"
'Was she saying that they weren't coming because she informed them on such short notice, or because they were actually busy.'
"Right? Yes, yes I do?" Mimi said trying to look them over. She could have sworn if she could, that she had never seen those documents in her life, but it should be easy to understand, since the lady in front of her didn't seem to make a big deal out of it, right?
"Of course you do, Miss Defender. It should be very easy for you, since your experienced. If you need help, ask your guide, or call my assistant, OK. So make yourself comfortable, and don't forget to try the delicacies before you go, I have somewhere else I need to be, Bye."
Slam. The door closed.
'My gosh, these people. What was she getting at?"
An exquisite chef prepared her food that night, and gave her extra care.
She had a full-course meal of overly full plates composed of 54 Africa dishes and side dishes.
"If you need more, I'll get you some," Lily, the chef in charge of her food replied.
"Vivian," Mimi cursed in rage, she had to pass out, cry, and beg, before the mother hen like Muzari and Lily finally let her stop eating.
Not only that but the file ended up being difficult to understand, it was as if she was looking upon an archaic transcribed text.
The food was nice though.
If she had to pick anything it would be the different types of, grilled meat and fish. She couldn't stop eating even as she passed out. She loathed the knowing smirk on Ahmed's face, as he passed her another helping. "I wish Chris was here."
"Achoo… sniff, who the hell is calling my name?" Vivian who sat at her desk working through the night for tomorrow's meeting was met with Mildred's rage.
◇◇◇
The next morning the meeting which was supposed to hold by 8:00am sharp, began by 9:30 am.
'These people,' Mildred muttered, she had been warned about this, but seeing was believing, she thanked the stars they had began early. She remembered her father recounting how he had spent 6 hours waiting on a certain occasion.
Sigh.
Even with all the developments something's never changed.
She arrived in the hall the next day decked out in colourful beads, body paint, Ankara, Gele, and a horse tail in one hand.
"What an outstanding head piece," her ears bled by the time she reached the actual venue. She lost count of how many people had stopped her and started a conversation? She had great difficulty getting out, and staying out of the conversations as she was the main character.
The young kids touching her hair only to run away when she tried to talk to them, made it even more troublesome, she could help but smile through all the stress.
The women chatted with her or just told her how beautiful she looked, some asked her where she got the outfit and if they could get her exact outfit made for them, or just asking if she liked the food and which dish she enjoyed the most from yesterday. 'Well, to be fair, everything was delicious.'
They had the habit of comparing their recipes and she didn't want to get dragged into the matter.
She had to explain that her entire look was planned out by Muzari. Infact she was in awe of Muzari's styling skills, she felt like an African Princess.
She made a bit of small talk and showed her appreciation for their kindness and hospitality. If she didn't she feared they would never let her leave. She simply went along with it.
A warm, fuzzy feeling began to grow in here chest. After all, hearing people complement her looks all day was bound to improve her mood.
After following the procedures and activities planned by Vivian and her assistant Amahle, and answering a flood of questions, she was finally able to gain the right to search for Chris.
"Phew."
The next day,
Mimi along with all 12 seats of the AU launched a search probe, using the orb of vision, they search through the continent calling upon every registered and unregistered member on the continent. They used the orb to scan the entire land mass and the islands around them, but they couldn't find Chris.
Mimi's heart ached but she didn't give up, she would continue her search in the 1%chance that she would find Chris. She clenched the little bit of stone she had received from, Nadia Hasina, the Madagascan President in her hands.
In the conference room, a certain member had received a revelation, but chose to keep it to himself.
By the time they were done, a whole day was gone.
Sigh.
No wonder people rarely came here. Her entire schedule had been thrown out of pace by the very prevalent African time running on the continent.
By night-time, she had a chat with Muzari about herself, and her homeland back in Namibia, and about Africa in general. She did this in an attempt to gather intel, but of course Muzari only knew general subjects. Why on earth would a maid know the secrets of the continent, much less a Religious Continental Empire.
She had a drink from one of the many local beverages prepared in the bar, and went to bed.
The next day, she was roused to attend of the morning offerings. The previous day she had informed Muzari that she would like to join in. She much preferred non-violent religious practices, and stuck with them through her short stay.
She had found a group killing a fowl and immediately passed out, not mentioning the cow.
Mimi wasn't religious but after witnessing the African devotion she too began to have hope, so she put a prayer.
"Please if there really is a god, help me find Chris, please."