POV: Suraken Kamau
In a world divided into six continents - Novea, Kibara, Kiyo, Zafar, Orenda and Maona - each region still shines with its own unique heritage, despite the scars of a devastating war. These lands, each with their own golden age, have marked history with periods of prosperity and grandeur that continue to shape their identity.
Novea is a bastion of warriors, where strength and courage are valued more than gold. Kibara is shrouded in mystical sorcery, its inhabitants weaving mystical powers into the very fabric of their society. Kiyo, the continent of innovation, is the crucible of the technological revolution, where inventions transform everyday life. Zafar seeks spiritual understanding, its inhabitants thirsting for wisdom and profound knowledge. Orenda lives in symbiosis with nature, celebrating life in perfect harmony with the environment. Finally, Maona, the kingdom of water, reveres its oceans and rivers as vital sources of life and wisdom.
These continents, once united in prosperity, were struck by a destructive war that lasted fifty years, dubbed the "half-century of carnage" (HCC). This conflict left an indelible mark on the land and its inhabitants, altering the course of their shared destiny.
It was in the shadow of this global tragedy that my parents met.
My father, Kamau, came from Kibara, a continent renowned for its fierce warriors and an atmosphere steeped in ancient magic. Kamau embodied the archetypal Kibaran warrior, his imposing stature and ebony skin glistening in the hot sun. His deep black eyes shone with fierce determination, reflecting the inner strength forged by incessant conflict. His close-cropped hair and well-trimmed beard accentuated the square features of his face, giving him an appearance that was both noble and fearsome.
Born in the land of Kenara, famous for its vast savannahs and vibrant culture, Kamau was orphaned in the war when he was still an infant. Raised by his maternal grandfather, himself a revered warrior, he was destined to become one of the greatest warriors of his time. However, despite his respect for tradition and the family legacy, Kamau felt a growing sense of dissatisfaction as he grew older. He wonders about the true meaning of his life and his role in the conflicts that are tearing his world apart.
Driven by the need to find a deeper purpose, Kamau has decided to enter the battlefield further, not to shed more blood, but to seek answers to his existential questions and perhaps discover a path to peace.
Built like a true fighter, Kamau possessed a muscular and powerful physique, the result of many years of rigorous combat and disciplined training. A man of few words, he preferred to let his actions speak for him. On the battlefield, his bravery was legendary and his commitment to his people unwavering, making him a natural leader who was respected and admired by all who knew him.
My mother, Lien, from the continent of Kiyo, embodied an exotic beauty that transcended appearances. Despite her modest size, she possessed a quick wit and determination that set her apart in a world dominated by brute force. Her skin was as soft as ivory and her bright green eyes sparkled with intelligence and insight, reflecting her sharp, analytical mind.
Her long, silky black hair was always impeccably coiffed in a bun, symbolising her methodical, orderly approach to life. A woman of principle, she inspired respect, but also a certain fear in her subordinates, thanks to her impressive mastery of technological weapons and her sense of strategy on the battlefield.
Born in Thep, a country renowned for its lush landscapes and blacksmithing traditions, Lien grew up in a family where the art of forging was revered. However, despite tradition, her parents had other plans for her, envisaging an arranged marriage with an influential family who could benefit from her family heritage without allowing her to practise the art herself. But Lien, with a burning passion for forging that surpasses even the ardour of the flames she wields, is determined to break these cultural shackles.
After proving her worth and earning the right to learn blacksmithing, Lien was not content to follow in her ancestors' footsteps. She chose to join the army, using her unique skills to influence the course of battle. Her rise to the rank of general is not only a testament to her exceptional skills, but also a challenge to the norms of her time, showing that a woman could not only participate, but excel in the male-dominated military arena.
On the battlefields of the HCC, Lien not only fought for the survival of her people; she also fought to redefine the place of women in war, challenging gender bias in the horror of a conflict that had already cost too much.
They met where iron meets shield, on the battlefield, each commanding the forces of the opposite continent. Kamau and Lien, two generals whose fates have been woven together by the bloody threads of war.
Their confrontations are numerous, their strategies deadly and precise, but despite the bitterness of the battles, not a word is ever exchanged between them. Yet every time they clashed, their eyes met, exchanging silent truths that transcended the brutality of their reality. There was a mutual recognition in their eyes; they saw not just an adversary, but a reflection of themselves - souls caught in the vortex of destiny.
The Battle of Kilimara, named after the mountainous region where it took place, was to be their final confrontation. As the chaos of war engulfs everything, a sudden landslide threatens to separate them from the rest of their troops. In an act of desperation and courage, my father pushed my mother to safety in a nearby cave, not only to save her from immediate danger but also, perhaps, to protect something more precious that had begun to grow between them in the midst of the tumult.
When Lien regained consciousness, she found Kamau immobilised, his arm pinned under a huge boulder. Despite the obvious tactical advantage, a question was burning inside her. Leaning towards him, she asked with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity:
"Why did you save me?"
Kamau, gritting her teeth against the pain, stared at Lien with an intensity that went beyond physical suffering. "I didn't want you to die here, not like this. It's not a death worthy of a warrior, let alone one of your stature. "His voice became deeper, more intimate. "Besides, I've had enough of this war, Lien. I've spent my life trying to make sense of the chaos, hoping that every battle would bring peace closer. But all I've seen is that we're losing more than we're winning."
He paused, his gaze lost in the darkness of the cave, before continuing. "Tell me, Lien, why do you continue to fight? Why sacrifice your life for commanders who will see you as just another pawn on their chessboard of war? We're just tools in their hands, used until we break. Don't you think it's time to look for another way?"
My mother was silent for a moment, my father's words resonating deeply with her. She had always believed that she was fighting for the glory of her people and to prove the value of women on the battlefield. But faced with Kamau's sincerity, she began to question her own motives.
"I'd never thought of it like that", she finally admitted, her gaze avoiding his.
They shared a silence heavy with unspoken words, each breath a reminder of their fragile reality. Just then, a leopard emerged from the darkness of the cave. Kamau, with a cry of defiance and a desperate shove, freed himself and stepped between the beast and Lien. Despite his wound, he fought with raw determination, his life as a fighter having prepared him for this moment of truth.
"Go, Lien! Save yourself! "he shouted.
But Mother didn't move. Instead, she grabbed a sharp stone and joined the fight, striking the leopard alongside Kamau. Together, they fought off the threat, exhausted but alive.
Later, as she tended Kamau's wounds, a silent mutual understanding enveloped them. They need no words to express their decision: once they have recovered, they will leave this cursed place to seek a different future, together.
They chose Mopodi to start a new life, a place away from the ravages of war, where they could finally explore what it means to live, and not just survive.
Unfortunately, their little haven of peace won't last forever.