Chapter 2: The Encounter
Excitement buzzed through the air like a gathering storm as Adebayo and his classmates embarked on their long-awaited field trip to Oyo town. The ancient city, steeped in history, beckoned them with the allure of the national museum and the mysteries it held within. The bus glided along winding roads, its windows framing a vivid tableau of sights and sounds, as if the very landscape conspired to weave tales of the past for their eager ears. The students chatted animatedly, their voices like a symphony of curiosity, each note building up to the crescendo of anticipation. Among them, Ewa, shone like a radiant star, her enthusiasm infecting everyone around her. Their imaginations took flight, soaring over the horizon of time and space, reaching out to grasp the stories that awaited them in the heart of Oyo town.
"Omo, this excursion is gonna be lit, for real, I'm so pumped", Tunde said exuding so much excitement. But his raving emotions could not beat the giddiness of the Queen of curiosity, Ewa. Her feeling were at an all time high. and she mirrored perfectly the feelings of the many students in the bus at the moment. They began to make small talk among themselves as they headed to the museum.
Finally arriving at the museum, they were greeted by a knowledgeable guide who led them through a mesmerizing array of relics. Each artifact whispered stories of the past, connecting the young minds to their rich cultural heritage. The guide's passionate explanations added depth and life to the ancient treasures, igniting the students' curiosity even further.
"Welcome, young'uns , to-what I dare say is- the perfect culmination of our nation's history," the guide began. "We have relics from all over the country that have direct or indirect link to the ancient city of the Yoruba people. Till today the source of the Yoruba people has been a thing that has elude the world for years but traces of their influence have been seen all over the world. This first piece is a magnificent clay pot, dating back over a thousand years. It depicts scenes of the great Oyo Empire's conquests, with warriors adorned in their traditional armor and wielding spears. This pot once held the precious offerings made to the gods, symbolizing the harmony between our ancestors and the divine." Just like this he explained, relic after relic explaining withs so much passion passing on his undiluted knowledge to the students. The jewel of Osun, 'omije Osun', an Iron amour said to have been handcrafted by the now deified Ogun for his brother Sango, scripts that recorded undecipherable symbols and more.
Adebayo and his friends listened intently, captivated by the guide's vivid storytelling. As they journeyed through the exhibits, the group reached the climax of their tour—the cryptic script. The ancient script was enclosed in a glass case, guarded like a precious gem. on sighting the script Adebayo's heart raced and it clenched as he gazed at the script, as he began to feel lethargic. Unknown to the rest, in the midst of the excitement, Ewa playfully pulled Adebayo and Tunde for a selfie, wanting to capture this memorable moment. As they gathered around the glass case, their laughter filled the air, momentarily breaking the museum's hushed ambiance. In the midst of the laughter, Adebayo accidentally brushed his hand against the case's protective guard.
As he touched the guard, a second wave of lethargy washed over him, and he stumbled backward. Fortunately, Tunde caught just as he was about to collide with the ancient relic saving him from incurring a irredeemable debt as the script was priceless. Unknown to anyone, at the moment of contact the cryptic script glowed bright for a split second as a silvery light passed through Bayo's hand settling into his body. Concerned, his friends rushed to him outside to rest. The primary healthcare personnel examined him, finding no signs of harm. The incident lightened the mood ever so mildly, as they all realized it was a mere accident.
After awakening from a brief rest, Adebayo felt refreshed and then confused as he had no idea what had transpired. "Are you okay" a sonorous voice spoke up beside him. He looked to his side only to find his friends wearing a worried look. smiling he speaks up" Guys, I'm fine", he tried to reassure his friends that he felt as fit as a fiddle. "Ewa, it seems your boyfriend is fine" Ewa turns and knocks Tunde on the head. They playfully teased each other, adding to the liveliness of the moment. Rejoining the group, they continued their excursion.
The day was far from over, as the museum visit was followed by a tour of the city. Adebayo and his friends wandered through Oyo town, soaking in the ancient architecture and the vibrant culture that had withstood the test of time.
As the sun began to set, the students boarded the bus back to Ibadan. Despite the fatigue from the day's adventure, their spirits were lifted by the profound experience they had shared. The conversations and laughter continued throughout the journey, as they exchanged stories and insights from the memorable day.
By the time they reached Ibadan, a sense of wonder and newfound connection to their roots filled their hearts. Adebayo realized that the encounter with the field trip had triggered something inside him, a thirst for knowledge and a deeper understanding of his heritage.
Far away, quite a distance from the location of the students, in a deep, dark place, a pair of black eyes coated in molten gold opened with a sound of iron hitting iron resonating in the distance.
