The lumberjack and the beautiful Suzie

They began to sprint wildly amid the greenery. They used their respective weapons to repel the pasture blocking their way. Bodo sliced viciously with his stainless steel sword the head of the damned grasses while the lumberjack unrooted the most recalcitrant with the sharp blade of his steel axe.

After a moment, the crater was well far behind them.

"Stop!" Babida ordered. The youngster who was demonstrating outstanding marathon skills obeyed.

"The sun is about to set. We need to find a refuge. In these grasses, we are excellent prey for this bird of ill omen. We will go back to the cavity tomorrow morning." The lumberjack asserted.

"There!" Bodo shouted, pointing in the direction of the shelter.

"Yes, perfect! Let's go!" The logger responded to him.

They advanced toward the place. There were grapes on their way, they harvested some and began to eat them while moving forward.

"What a marvel of nature these grapefruits are! They are extremely energizing." Babida confessed as they reached the foot of a small cliff.

They climbed to the top, and lay while watching over the ground to foresee any suspicious activity.

The night fell rapidly. The wind became cold. Babida could not sleep but the youngster was already snoring.

Grrrr…Grrrr...Grrrrrrrr…Grrrrrrrrrr

"Hey, young lad, you are sounding louder and louder. You must be in an opera in your dreams right now." Babida said while looking at the sleeping kid.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr…Grrrrrrrrrrrr

"Wait a minute! But that's not you!" He declared while standing up hastily and looking around.

Then he screamed: "It's the baby Monsterrrrrrrr!"

Bodo woke up abruptly, took his sword, and stood next to the lumberjack.

A big bird, five meters high, three meters large, and about ten thousand kilograms arose in front of them and attacked them with its beak.

The young warrior was hurt and Babida was unbalanced. He rolled down the cliff and lost his axe. The baby monster neared the youngster at a slow pace to finish him off.

"You, bird of ill omen, I swear on the head of my ancestors, we will exterminate you and any of your cursed descendants. You will never have peace on this land." Bodo said in agony.

The baby Monster seemed not to be moved by the words of a bleeding prey. It stepped toward Bodo and stung him with great violence. The lad died on the spot.

"Nooooo!" Babida shouted but it was too late. His comrade was no more.

He ran to pick his axe up and tried to hit the beast but the latter slapped him with its left wing. He was propelled into the air and landed harshly on the grass.

Thankfully for him, the herbs were high and it was dark. So the villain bird could no longer see him. The beast sought its prey around for a while and could not locate it. Babida remained camouflaged while holding his breath. Ultimately, the baby Monster retreated, and calm reigned again, at least for the moment.

Hurt, the lumberjack was moaning. He put his right hand in the right pocket of his trousers, then took out the plastic bottle that Governor Kola II had given him. He looked at it hesitantly as its magical content was a sleeping potion for the Monster. He needed a healing beverage instead.

To solve the dilemma, Babida invoked the ancestors: "Almighty Igwè, my ancestor, god of healing, I implore your mercy upon me. Turn the content in this bottle into an invigorating potion so I can drink it and heal from my wounds! In exchange, I will give you half of my wealth."

Barely had Babida finished telling his wish to the forefathers, that a voice was heard above the sky.

"Babida, Babida, the ancestors have received your wish and it has been granted." The voice declared and never spoke again.

The woodsman removed the cap of the bottle and drank a few drops of its content. A light appeared and moved around his body. In great shape, he stood up and looked for his axe in the pasture. He found it, then began to head back to Okunde village. The scout mission was aborted...but the war was just beginning.

TO BE CONTINUED…