As you can imagine, the universe of Oakverse is lush with events and stories.

Here’s one of them aptly titled STEALING THUNDER.

Meet Okosun – husband, father and a hunter. Surrounded by two daughters, a son and a wife. A wife that has spent 14 out of 15 years of marriage reminding him of his failures as a father, husband and hunter.

Today was no different from previous days – “lousy husband, useless hunter, buffoon”.

Those were the some of the many words Okosun now used as a signal to rise up from the bed – instead of the crows of the cockerel. Over the years, Okosun has developed effective responses to the antics and tantrums of his wife. One of his responses and a favourite of his was to simply ignore the grumbling, kiss his children, gather his hunting tools and head out for the morning.

Rifle cocked, his sight latches onto his prey – an antelope.

Okosun is ready for his first kill an hour into his hunt. This is good news he thought to himself. This act would nullify the term “useless hunter” in his household. Suddenly, the earth shakes from a loud impact north of the hunter. The trembling continues and this makes a good exit for the antelope. Okosun thought of two things; the term “useless hunter” is here to stay and what or who could have caused the noise that made the earth tremble. He decided to investigate, having weighed the severity of the repercussion from his wife and his curiosity.

Fifteen minutes run and walk, he came to a halt, dropped his gun, knees and jaw. He had arrived at the source of the earth’s pain. A huge crater lay in what was once a lush forest. The crater disperses very hot steam, smoke and dust. As the dust settles, Okosun still on his knees squints to collect a better sight of two shadowy figures lying at the belly of the crater.

Not long before he gets a clearer picture of the scene and his curiosity quickly become fear piped with confusion. The two figures are men who are simultaneously staggering to their feet. Both men are of muscular build and that is where the similarities end. One is dark in complexion, the other pale. One is bald; the other has a shoulder length hair blonde in color. One is topless, has a loincloth from his waist below and beads on his neck and hands. The other man is fully clad with heavy clothing foreign to Okosun’s eyes. This must be an illusion – Okosun ponders. Alternatively, the charms he suspects his wife has been slipping in the meals she reluctantly prepares for him must be taking effect. The reason Okosun remains dazed and confused is because he recognizes the scantly clad man.

Every morning before he leaves his house, there is a small shrine at the back of his house dedicated to his gods. A particular figurine bears striking resemblance to one of the men in the crater. The only difference is the figurine possess an axe in it’s left hand.

Suddenly, both men face each other and stretch out their left hands to the side. To the palm one flies in a hammer and to the palm of the other an axe. That gesture causes Okosun to strike his head on the ground so hard it bleeds and with all the strength he can muster, yells the word “KABEYESI!!!”. That is no man; that is his god, the god of thunder SHANGO.

The deity recognizes the word and turns to see the originator prostrated in adoration and humility.

“A worshipper of yours?” said the other man.

“Indeed. After all I am the god of thunder” Sango replies.

These words put the other man on edge.

“Careful with thy tongue, wretch. Now that I see your insolence truly knows no bounds, Thor the son of Odin shall reign the wrath of Asgard on you…for I AM THE GOD OF THUNDER” boasts Thor of the Norse land.

The sky darkens, the clouds panic as lightning reaps through them and settles on the weapons of both deities.

With a thunderous sound, the demigods take their stance – ready to battle each other. Thor’s inspects his opponent.

“I’m curious as to how thou intends to lay a scratch on me with that rusty blunt axe. Let alone defeat me” queries the Asgardian.”

“Today, your curiosity would certainly be satiated” replies Shango.

The reply from the Bantu god ignites rage in Thor and he charges towards his opponent. There is a mirror response from Shango and once within close range, both swing their weapons at each other. The weapons indeed clash and for a second there was nothing but silence – for a second. Suddenly, the air roared, wind and lightning gushed from the meeting point of both weapons. The weapons clashed again – same result, greater effect. The earth trembled and jig-sawed with fear, the clouds split open and sent forth torrential rain. The clash created storms and quakes. The demigods noticed the effects of their weapons and halted.

“It appears our duel has become the catalyst for destruction thereby risking the lives of the mortals inhabiting this land” said Shango.

“Albeit thou stands a foe, I agree with thy words” replied Thor.

“However, I never retreat from a battle until my foes are vanquished.” Thor continues.

“Hence, I ask, what do thou sugges-“. Before the Asgardian is able to complete his sentence, a fist lands on his jaw and he is sent flying through trees and rocks for at least two miles until a mountain breaks his flight. Dazed by the punch, he gently gathers himself, and sees Shango standing before him.

“How about we duel with nothing but our bare hands?” suggested Shango with a grin.

“Have you no honour?” the Asgardian queried.

“Striking one amidst a conversation is a vile attribute to hold. Not an honourable trait for a god” he continues.

Shango pauses for a moment.

“Interesting” he replies with another grin.

“If thou finds honour amongst gods interesting, then thou—“. Shango interrupts Thor before he completes his statement.

“You misunderstand. I find it interesting that in your speech, you acknowledge me as god. A word you had vehemently abstained from since the early stages of our duel.” adds Shango.

“This is certainly an improvement. All that remains is for you to truly acknowledge me as the god of thunder” continues Shango.

“Hmmm. Now I must honour thou in kind with the word “interesting”” replies Thor – now smiling.

“Thou truly seeks an acknowledgement from me? This only means that thou has now acknowledged Thor Odinson as a force not to be trifled with” he continues. Thor and Shango advance towards each other and exchange punches.

As the gods duel, shadowy beings spectates from afar – atop a mountain.

“Foolishly godlings – brutish, oafish and inexperienced. For while ye battle for god hood and recognition, we slowly syphon that element you hold in esteem. Aye, this has been all our doing – from the moment you cross path. Just as your similarities divided you, our similarities united us- your brothers. Aye your brothers robbed of rights and power, your brothers Loki and Eshu; THE GODS OF MISCHIEF.

“Well shall we begin?” Loki queries his colleague.

“Not yet. While the lummoxes pummel each other, the stealer would link up to their god force and loosen the bonds of the element under their control. As we know, we gods have sovereignty over elements of nature.” replied Eshu

“Then why hasn’t it begun?. I mean albeit I relish the entertainment those fools provide, we have witnessed the confrontation for two days and two nights. Yet the stealer remains still.” said Loki.

“So you have noticed too?” Eshu replied.

” The stealer ignites on sensing the weaker bond between a god and an element. And for most god, bonds between elements are strained only when that god is at his weakest. Correct we have witnessed our foes battled each other for two days, but that is nothing. Not according to the…” He continues.

Loki interrupts in an angry tone “POWER THEY STILL POSSESS”.

 TO BE CONTINUED IN LEGENDS OF THE RED LAND VOLUME 2.