The Legendary Shitu Shrine; The Leopards Vicious Plot.
789 Words
To the extreme south of Sereti, perched at the foot of the twin Shitu hills like a giant bird's nest was Shitu Shrine. It was approachable only through a severely guarded path as all around the valley was a dense forest of thick impenetrable thorn bush.
It was said that Shitu valley was once a fierce lion's den. This was where Lukani, the father of the clans massacred the most ferocious pride of Sereti lions ever to exist in all history. This was after those blood thirsty beasts had lay waste to all his cattle and severely wounded his beloved wife Suraya, the mother of the clans.
After chasing the beasts for countless days and nights across the Sereti, Lukani had finally arrived at the then Shitu den weary and fatigued to the bones.
He knew he could not take on this devilish horde alone and live, so Lukani knelt down and looked up to the skies. In anguish he cried to the spirits to lend him strength for one last time.
The spirit god Aika upon seeing Lukani's bravery and resolve to sacrifice his life to protect his family came down from the skies in the shape of a giant flaming lion. He joined with Lukani's brave soul and together they massacred the entire pride of devilish beasts with spear and sword.
The Moran's warrior pact was made on that very day. Lukani then proceeded to construct a shrine in tribute to spirit god Aika. He deemed and declared Shitu valley a holy and f*******n ground henceforth.
Once his sons were of age, Lukani brought them to the holy shrine. There he trained them and put them before the spirit god Aika for them to become Morans, protectors of the people.
Up to date only the Shitosi, the holy scribes chosen from the first two sons born in every generation resided within the shrine.
The holy scribes had two main duties. One, as keepers of the scrolls they ensured the clans ways were kept intact by aptly recording and keeping the clans history since the beginning of time. Two, they were tasked with the most important endeavor of training the morans of every generation.
Here in Shitu valley there was no Mariani nor Lekuta, only eager young men ready to learn and give their all to be worthy of being able to protect their people.
****** Meanwhile******
Meanwhile far far north, further away from the village hills and sprawling grasslands, stood a large, rugged hut on the verge of collapse. Inside an aging man sat silently as he used a short withered stick to stoke a slow burning fire. With his old wizened eyes he watched as the smoke dissipated up slowly to the aging huts roof , then as it passed through a gaping hole up to the darkening skies.
It did not bother him that the smoke could be visible outside as no one dared to near these desolate forgotten lands up north. He had chosen his location well.
The dim light flickered quietly within the hut exposing the gloomy faces that surrounded him on the other side of the fire. They all sat on faded leopard skins, quietly awaiting his next move.
"The timing is perfect, my leopards." He began with a low raspy voice.
"Today the two clans send off their initiates to Shitu valley."
"Tomorrow at dusk we shall begin our first phase of attack."
"Si, Commander Sotzu!" they replied in unison
The leopard on his far right spoke first,
"Revered Commander, grant me this honor to lead out our first attack."
The old man smiled ever so briefly,
"Speak leopard."
"I will need two brothers under my command, the Eastern water well in Mariani village is perfect. We shall wait for dusk, for that unfortunate last one. As stealthy as a hungry leopard. I will not fail you."
The old man nodded in response, he liked the devotion he saw in his eyes.
" I entrust you this task leopard Mbutu. Do not fail your Commander.!"
He raised his left hand and pointed to the left corner of the rugged hut.
"By tomorrow a daughter of Mariani shall be ours. By our own hands we will begin to tear piece by piece this monotonous peace that plagues us."
"Then and only then shall we begin to enjoy the delicious blood soaked fruits of war.!"
"Only then shall we take back what is rightfully ours.!"
"Long live Commander Sotzu!!"
"Long live the leopards that hunt in the night.!!"
In that moment, inside a darkly lit rugged, broken down hut hidden from all of Sereti, dozens of murderous eyes gleamed as they each envisioned whatever evil in their hearts they knew to be bliss.
- Writer
