Read Vanquished Episode 1: The Perfect Life
She was usually known with different names. Christians called her queen of the coast. A lot of people called her Mami wata. But everyone agreed on one thing- she controlled the sea and everything within it.
Her enchanting green domain was surrounded by her different beautiful statues. Two enchanting green stool were on either sides of her majestic throne. An unnaturally beautiful comb was on the right stool while an urn was on the left one. Two large beautiful pythons lay curled at the foot of the throne.
Scantily clad beautiful maidens sat around the throne, their eyes humbly on the floor. They were still, so still that one would think they were statues.
The queen herself stood in front of a large swirling vortex, watching the people at the beach. Humans, she thought, her luscious lips curled in disgust. Such disgusting creatures. How she wanted them wiped off the surface of the earth for desecrating her sea.
Oh, there was a time when they feared immortals like her and worshiped them. They knew her name and depended on her for everything. But the problem with what those creatures called the 21st century was that humans have learned to rely on themselves and forget immortals like her. She still had loyal followers but they were nothing compared to what she had before. Another problem was other powerful gods always tried to snatch her followers just she had tried to snatch theirs. It was a free snatching world for the gods. Humans were that fickle.
The truth was as fickle as humans were, she needed them. The power of their followership was irresistible. But she also knew that humans shouldn’t be underestimated. She had enough bad experiences to prove that. Oh, she would have them under her feet and everyone, including all the other gods, would know that she was the greatest of them all. If there was anything her long life had taught her, it was patience. She would bide her time and wait for the right moment.
Then her eyes caught a young human couple walking hand in hand onshore. The human female was laughing at what the human male was saying. The queen leaned forward, eyes fastened on the female.
“Hmm,” she hummed with interest as she watched the female. Then she opened her palm and a small shell appeared. She threw it into the swirling vortex and watched it travel up the sea to settle beneath the young human female’s feet.
“Ouch!” Ify jumped back.
“What is it?” Tony asked, concerned.
“I stepped on something,” she replied and looked down. Then she picked it.
“It’s a seashell.” She said, admiring it.
Tony took the shell to take a closer look, “It’s beautiful, just like you.”
Ify melted. “Aww… thank you.”
Tony smiled and unhooked the chain around his neck. He slipped the shell between the chain and wore it around Ify’s neck.
“A beautiful gift for a beautiful girl.” He said.
Ify smiled, admiring it, “Thank you.”
The queen watched them kiss and continue their walk along the sea. A smile of satisfaction curved around her lips.
Later that night, Tony dropped Ify in front of her house.
“Wow, I had a great time,” Ify beamed.
“Me too,” Tony replied, sharing her mood.
“I’m going in. Are you coming with me?”
“No, I don’t want to disturb your parents. I’ll see them tomorrow.”
“Okay. Goodnight. I love you.”
“I love you too,” he replied and kissed her. Ify opened the door to leave.
“Wait,” he said, stopping her.
She turned to look at him, “what?”
He kissed her again, “I just wanted to do that.”
She giggled, “You eh? I’m going to sleep. Goodnight.”
“Good night, babe. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Ify stepped out and waved as Tony drove away. She knocked on the gate and the gate man let her in. Then she got into the house. Her parents were watching Africa Magic. Her mother’s eyes were glued to the TV while her father looked supremely bored.
“Hello?” She greeted them.
Her mother smiled up at her, “oh, hi dear. You’re back.”
“Yes, mummy. Good evening, daddy.”
“Good evening. How are you?” Ben, her father asked warmly.
“I’m fine. I thought you had gone to bed.”
“I wasn’t feeling sleepy. So I came out here to watch the news but your mother wouldn’t let me.”
Her mother snorted, “you’ve been watching news since morning. You won’t allow me to watch this small film.”
“You’ve been watching this Africa Magic since we bought DSTV. I don’t understand what you women see in these films. Who is even this Mercy Johnson?”
“I think you’re the only man in Africa who doesn’t know who Mercy Johnson is.” Agnes replied.
Ify laughed, “Tony said I should greet you. He said he will see you tomorrow. Meanwhile, I’m going to bed. Goodnight.”
“Alright, goodnight dear. Sleep well,” Her mother replied.
Ify went upstairs to her bedroom. She sat on the bed and kicked off her shoes. Then she dropped tiredly on the bed. After a few moments, she got up and went to her dressing table, taking off her accessories.
She removed Tony’s chain around her neck and the seashell slipped off and dropped on the floor. She bent to pick it and before she knew it, she was sucked into the shell, swirling through a very colorful vortex. She landed face down on a strange shimmering floor. Ify lay there, stunned.
Then she rose and looked up to behold the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.
Episode 3 will come out next week Monday. Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to comment and share.