Precious Ossai @masterp

In the heart of Onitsha land, where the Niger River bends and whispers ancient tales, there lived three witches and three vampires, bound by a centuries-old secret. The witches, known as the Sisters of the Ebony Night, were guardians of the natural order, while the vampires, Lords of the Crimson Shadow, thrived in the shadows, both groups coexisting in a delicate balance.

The witches, Adaobi, Ngozi, and Chidimma, wielded powers tied to the earth, the sky, and the waters, using their magic to protect the land and its people. The vampires, Obinna, Emeka, and Uzodinma, ancient beings of the night, fed discretely, never harming the innocent, and in return, they safeguarded Onitsha from supernatural threats that lurked beyond human eyes.

For centuries, this balance remained unchallenged, until a powerful artifact, the Amulet of Uzoma, was unearthed by unsuspecting villagers. The amulet held the power to disrupt the balance between day and night, life and death, giving its possessor control over both the supernatural and natural realms.

Fearing the destruction that such power could bring, the witches and vampires formed an uneasy alliance to find the amulet. Their search led them through hidden paths, ancient ruins, and untold dangers, as they sought to protect Onitsha from descending into chaos.

As they journeyed together, the witches and vampires discovered a mutual respect for each other’s strengths and a shared commitment to their land's safety. Adaobi’s wisdom, Ngozi’s courage, Chidimma’s compassion, Obinna’s strategy, Emeka’s speed, and Uzodinma’s strength became the pillars upon which their alliance was built.

In the climax of their quest, they faced a malevolent spirit, awakened by the amulet's power, threatening to engulf Onitsha in darkness. United in battle, they combined their powers, the witches weaving a spell of light and the vampires lending their shadowy might. In a blinding explosion of magic, the spirit was vanquished, and the amulet was sealed away, hidden where no ambition could disturb it again.

The alliance between the witches and vampires, once formed out of necessity, grew into a bond of friendship and mutual respect. They continued to protect Onitsha, guardians not just of the night or day, but of the land itself.

And so, the story of the three witches and three vampires became a legend in Onitsha, a testament to the power of unity in the face of darkness, reminding all that even the most unlikely alliances can forge the strongest of bonds.

In a small village called akapkani between NJA and akpuefo community in delta state, there lived an old woman named Helena. Known for her solitary nature and profound knowledge of herbs, Helena had long been the subject of whispered suspicions. As misfortune befell the village—crops failed, illnesses spread—whispers grew into accusations, and accusations turned into conviction: Helena was branded a witch, responsible for their woes

One fateful evening, fueled by fear and superstition, a group of villagers seized Helena. Despite her pleas of innocence, they dragged her to the ancient tree at the village’s edge, where they hung her, declaring it an end to their misfortunes.

However, Helena’s last words were a lament, not a curse: "May truth awaken in your hearts."

The village, rather than finding peace, was enveloped in a palpable silence. On the seventh day after Helena's death, tragedy struck. One by one, those who had laid hands on her death, began to perish under mysterious circumstances, each death as sudden as it was unexplainable.

Panic and remorse gripped the village. The elders convened, seeking to understand the calamities befalling them. It was then that the village healer, who had remained silent out of fear, stepped forward. She revealed that Helena had been preparing medicine to cure the very illnesses that plagued the village, not cause them. The realization dawned on them all: in their ignorance and fear, they had killed an innocent, wise healer, not a witch.

The village mourned Helena, their grief compounded by guilt. They decided to honor her memory in a way that would forever remind them of the grave injustice they had committed. The ancient tree, once a symbol of their shame, became a sacred monument. They hung wind chimes on its branches, each representing a life lost due to misunderstanding and fear, including those of Helena and the villagers who had died after her.

From then on, every time the wind blew and the chimes sang, it was a reminder of the importance of seeking truth, understanding, and compassion over suspicion and fear. Helena’s story became a lesson passed down through generations, a stark reminder of the cost of ignorance and the value of the wisdom and kindness that she had embodied. THE END