The demigods series: Book one

Leaving home

Remi took in the morning air. It tasted like harmattan with a dash of dew. He had climbed a hill to see the sunrise and for something else, his dream. He tossed his jet-black hair backward and imagined the king soldiers riding into his village to select recruits, that was his dream. His mind raced back to his family. Remi had woken up earlier than usual for a purpose. His family, especially his father, were against him joining the legion. His small family consisted of his father and two elder brothers, Ladele and Afolabi. He has never seen his mother before. She died during childbirth, supposedly his. Remi had a hunch that his family hated him. perharps because of his involvement in his mother's death or the stunning difference in their physical attributes. Remi had deep chocolate skin and raven black hair. while his father and elder siblings were what you could call sun touched. The early models of Obatala. Their features were tinted. They all had brown hair, brown eyes, and olive skin. The only similarity they shared was muscularity. At a young age, Remi had been deprived of good things and his clothes said it all. They were hand-me-downs that belonged to Ladele but they could've passed for rags.

. Remi had always respected his father's decisions but not after what his father said to him,

"Boy, you are not joining the legion so don't get your hopes high. Your place is here to help with the cows".

Those words still sent chills down his spine. His brothers had prepared themselves to join the legion and his father had gotten them a personal trainer and swords. He on the other hand could only watch. He sighed as the sun finally rose in its full glory and like the sun, Remi was determined to shine even if it meant disobeying his father. The sound of thousand earth beating hooves began and Remi could see the rising dust from afar. They had arrived at his destiny. With a burst of energy, he leaped down the hill like a hunted igala.

"Papa, they've come", Remi screamed half panting. Without warning, his father sprang into action. He ran helter-skelter like a troubled woman amusing Remi for some time. His brothers finally came out looking gallant. Remi painted a mental picture of them leaving him behind and quickly buried it with his other negatives. He must not allow such to happen to him. His mental pictures were strong and vivid, so much that they could come to pass. He could not let that happen. "Father...I would like to join them for the selection" His father looked at him morosely. He was obviously frustrated. Remi took his sigh as a yes.

Men, young men filled the chief's courtyard. They all dressed exquisitely for the selection. Girls also came to seek admirers or wish their lovers good luck. The elderly watched from the sidelines. "Hush!", One of the soldiers ordered. Remi could tell from his cane armor that he was a general. He had the signet of a white wolf holding his purple cape. He had a deep scar on his face that ran from his cheek to his neck, the evidence of heated battles and he wore an unending scowl on his face like makeup.

"So..", he continued.

"Are these the boys? pmff. More like children." His statement puzzled Remi who believed he was a young adult and didn't find it funny and apparently he wasn't the only one. However, the other soldiers found it hilarious. "Well boys, you know the drill. This is the selection for the coming war as Ifadoju has prophesied. You will all be tested so prepare yourself. Those who pass will be enlisted to join the legion."

As the man spoke, Remi saw a blurry picture of himself fighting someone. The vision was like looking inside a stream covered in mist. Something in him shuddered. This was not the first time he was seeing strange visions but they were coming in a rush and of greater intensity lately. But his concern was that they always came to pass. Since he was a child, he always had visions of bad things that would happen to him or people close to him. He had once saved the chief's life with his mysterious gift and had been gifted a royal bow and arrow, his most prized possession. Remi had not told anyone of his mysterious gift, he was afraid they would tag him as an abami-eda. His latest vision scared him but from experience, he knew it could not be averted. The selection began and each soldier chose a sparring partner from the lukewarm enlisters. Remi heard something like a squabble and he turned. It was his brother, Ladele, and a soldier. They were arguing.

"Have you ever wield a sword before?"

"I have. How dare you."

Ladele finished his statement far before he could caution his tongue. The soldier however acted indifferently but the look in his eyes suggested otherwise.

"Child, concentrate."

Remi looked for the origin of the voice. It was another soldier. He looked impatient as he waited for Remi to impale the straw dummy placed a hundred meters away. Remi had never shot that far but he badly wanted to leave his dictating father and he would take shoot an arrow a hundred meters to clean the cow dungs anyday. He aimed at the target and said a short prayer to ori. Swoosh! The arrow sang as it danced in the air before hitting its target with a loud thud. Wow! The guard exclaimed.

"We need a good marksman like you in the legion."

Remi thanked the heavens and turned to see the disapproving look on his father's face, he needed it. After the hassle and bustle, some were selected and the others were sent away with a mocking

"try again next year".

Remi had also been selected and he could barely contain his excitement as he beamed. Somehow his vision had not manifested, it was a blessed day for him. Their carriage arrived and even if they were about to be stuffed in like canned sardines, Remi had never felt so happy. He could even cry but only out of joy and in private. As it was dishonorable for a man to cry in public. Stop! , a voice commanded from amidst the crowd. Everyone gave an audience who was no other than Remi's father. He moved forward as if to add tension to the already rising heartbeat of Remi. He knew his father was up to no good.

"He",

his father began pointing at him with his index finger.

"He's underage".

The whole crowd gasped as if Remi has committed a crime worse than treason. Remi could hardly believe his father. He was like a falcon who studied its environment before it swooped down for its victim. The general turned towards the people and coughed before he spoke.

"According to Oba Adeleke's decree. Those under the age of sixteen cannot join the legion."

That was the most ridiculous speech Remi had ever heard. He had gotten everything he wanted in life and had lost it again thanks to his conniving father. Remi knew he had to act fast before he lost his shot into the legion. He thought hard on any loophole he could manipulate to his advantage but he wasn't the brightest scholar. All he could hope for was that the man could help if his father didn't meddle.

"It is true sir. I am underage but I will be eligible two moons from now."

Remi said putting on a somber look. One that maidens use to get their way. He hoped it would work.

"Son" the general replied,

"I want to help but laws are laws."

and the general turned to leave. That was it. Remi was sick and tired of people treating him with levity. He could not allow his dreams to be toyed with. He had to take a step.

"Never"

he spat half angry half desperate. The general turned and gave him a murderous look. Everyone gasped again like an audience watching a gladiator match.

"Do you know what you have done?"

The man asked, eyes bloodshot. Remi could not comprehend the offense he had committed until someone amidst the crowd murmured,

"Disrespecting a king sent, that boy is dead meat."

Remi's heartbeat rose at a threatening intensity. The general still fumed in seething rage as he spoke,

"Throw the boy into the carriage. He will learn to control his tongue in the ore mines."

People looked visibly shocked including his father. It was not surprising. The ore mines were a terrible place to be. Those sent there were people who committed great offenses. The air there was bad for breathing and the mines were also a dangerous place because of their unpredictability, it could collapse at any time. In essence, it was a bad place to be. Remi's mind surveyed the countless possibilities of his punishment. Of course, his visions were not coming to his aid now. His only option was to do what any sane person would do, Beg. He fell on his face swallowing all his ego.

"Please, sir. Have mercy"

he cried, continuing

"punish me but not the mines, please."

The man gave him a hard stare before his face lightened up and he began to laugh, like a broken war horn. After his good laugh, he spoke.

"Yes! i won't send you to the mines. We need more manpower for the coming war and we can't afford to send more to their doom but you will fight for your freedom."

Just as the general finished, a bulky man appeared holding a staff. Remi wanted to live but he was about face death right in the eye. His vision had come to pass but would he survive? The man immediately charged at him. He swerved left at the last moment to dodge the attack but his opponent was smarter and hit the staff furiously on his knees. Remi tasted sand and blood as he hit the hard earth. His opponent wasted no time as he pounced on him and dealt him bone-cracking blows. The audience had formed a circle around them to watch the fight. Remi's face was battered but his doggedness was not. He grabbed the man by the groin as the man winced in pain, he gained momentum to assault his opponent as he gave him a rib-cracking kick. However, his victory did not last long as the man quickly got his balance and leaped on Remi. He twisted his hands in places they did not belong as he screamed,

"yield".

Heat raced through Remi's veins like adrenaline and for a moment his body felt numb, in place of the pain, he felt power. All his pains were gone. His opponent looked petrified as he stared at him.

"Look at his eyes",

the soldier ranted but Remi kept advancing.

"What is wrong with your eyes?"

The man charged for Remi again when no one apparently saw What he saw, Remi's eyes were illuminating bright blue. He directed a blow to Remi's face but the latter caught it midair. The soldier screamed as Remi destroyed every joint in his fist as he squeezed it. Remi smirked as the soldier screamed,

"yield, I yield"

but Remi was not done yet. He made a fist and punched the soldier sending him flying until he hit a solid iroko tree. Every villager applauded Remi on his victory except the soldiers who looked humiliated. The general walked towards the dazed Remi who had no idea what he had done.

"See you next year."

The general said with respect and he turned to leave. Remi watched the carriage disappear into the road leaving only dist as it passed. His dream had been crushed. His father walked towards him and spoke his own words of encouragement,

"see son",

he began.

"This world is a bad place. There is no place for dreams. You have to make a life for yourself."

he sighed and continued

"Get up. The herd needs to be tended to."

Remi still sat on the ground paying no attention to his father's rambling. The only thing he could make out of the pep talk was to

"make a life".

Yes! He could do that. He made a to-do list on his mind. He needed money. He had never stolen before but the risk was worth it, he also needed a ride. The only beast his father owned was an old mule. He needed something strong. The chief had two stallions. He could borrow *steal* one before the chief noticed and leave the village at dusk.

"Eh"

his father snapped interrupting his scheming.

"what are you thinking about?"

"Just about how right you are.",

he replied much to his father's surprise. He knew his son was headstrong and defeat wasn't an answer.

. Remi sprung into action by nightfall. His father had already begun to snore. He tiptoed to his father's backyard where he usually buried cowries. It did not take him long to find the pot of white shells. He filled more than enough into his pouch and reburied the pot. He then made his way to the chief's stable. Midnight neighed softly as it nibbled the sugarcane Remi fed it. He slowly took it out before someone sighted him.

"Stop! Who are you?"

Remi knew this was his only shot. He jumped onto midnight as the man chased fruitlessly after him. Remi watched his village afar from atop a hill. He had made a life-changing decision that meant no turning back.

"Destiny, here I come."

He whispered to himself as he slowly left his only home to a land unknown.