Blood and Blessing

📖 Blood and Blessing

By Emeka Kross

Chapter 1: Di Man Wey Come With Coffin

“No be all coffin mean death. Some dey carry legacy wey no fit die.”

Ajangbadi sun no get mercy that afternoon. The heat choke like unforgiveness. Even breeze no get strength. Street quiet like graveyard, but e no be peace wey dey hold people mouth — na expectation. Something dey come. No, somebody dey come.

Children stop ball. Women wey dey gossip for roadside suddenly hold wrapper tight. Agberos, normally noisy like generator, dey silent like dem see spirit. Shop owners quietly pull down their half-glass doors. Na the kind silence wey only coffin dey command.

Then, the sound of tyre pressing gutter iron break the silence.

A black Prado jeep enter the street slowly. E no blow horn. E no rush. E just drive like say e get license from ancestors. Two men in black native come down. Dem no talk. Dem no smile. One of them open the boot, and slowly like ritual dem bring out a coffin.

Yes. Real coffin. Polished mahogany wood. Gold lining. No name. No symbol.

Wahala wan burst.

People wey no fit mind their business before, now dey hide behind curtain dey peep. The kind coffin no resemble burial type. E resemble inheritance.

They walk toward the Dike family compound — the compound of late Chief Dike Ezemmuo, textile merchant, community leader, woman wrapper, but above all — a man wey hide plenty things behind smiling face.

Inside the compound, Mama Ijeoma, Chief Dike’s mother, sit under her favorite mango tree. Her face tight like calabash wey soak palm oil. Her wrapper — deep blue with red coral print — tie for chest. She hold bitter kola in one hand, chewing with precision. No fear for her face. Only memory.

She hissed loud.

“So na today the truth go wear cloth come dance. I dey wait.”

Upstairs for the family house, Ifeanyi Dike, the first son, stand for balcony, eyes fixed on the coffin. 31 years old. Strong build. Beard full. White senator wear with red thread. Calm like lawyer, but eye dey move like street soldier. He hold a glass of schnapps, but the liquid inside no shake — na only him hand dey vibrate small.

He turn as the men enter compound.

“Who bring this coffin?” he ask, voice deep but calm like thunder inside drum.

One of the men step forward, bow small.

“Na Chief Boniface, your papa younger brother. Him say make we bring am today, as e promise before death carry am last week.”

Whispers begin travel round the compound.

Ifeanyi drop his drink, begin come downstairs. Every family member don gather small small.

Adaora, his half-sister, come out from veranda. Fine girl. Light skin. Full lips. Her belly small but round — pregnancy wey still dey early stage. Her eyes no steady — e dey look ground, wall, everywhere except the coffin. She wear long gown, but the belly show like pepper for white rice.

Obinna, younger brother from second wife, stand near gate, dey chew toothpick like chop one full cow. Him be Instagram activist, full of quotes but empty of action. The coffin make am shift leg like person wey get diarrhea.

Aunty Grace, the second wife — tall, caramel skin, eyes sharp like blade — wear black mourning gown. Her makeup subtle, but no fit hide her guilt. People for street talk say na she poison Chief Dike. Say the man catch her with the driver one night and since then, everything begin scatter.

Mama Ijeoma clear throat and point cane she dey use support her leg.

“Ifeanyi, open am. Make you see wetin your papa hide pass all of una inheritance.”

Ifeanyi walk forward, kneel slightly beside the coffin. He run hand across the surface — the polish reflect sunlight like glass. Him breath deep. Then open am.

No dead body.

Instead, na one ancient wooden box dey inside. Deep brown. Cowries embedded for top. Igbo symbols carved around like ancestral tattoo. On top the box — sealed white envelope with red wax. No name. No address. Just weight.

He pick am gently. Crowd hold breath.

He open the envelope. Inside:

• One handwritten letter.
• One dusty land deed.
• One small brass key.

Before anybody talk, Mama Ijeoma stand, slowly like old lioness.

“That key na for shrine wey dey Ebonyi, Ezza land. Your papa get land there — sacred land. Only first son with clean heart fit open am. But Ifeanyi, hear me well — if you go there, no go alone. Go with blood. Go with loyalty. Or the land go swallow you.”

🔙 FLASHBACK — Ten Years Ago

Chief Dike dey prepare for annual solo journey.

Every December, like clockwork, the man go disappear from Lagos. No escort. No business call. No wife fit follow am. Only him and one brown bag. People think say na girlfriend he dey go visit, but Mama Ijeoma know say na lie. E dey go answer call wey start before light enter his eye.

He come back with smell of burnt herbs, cracked heels, and new insight.

One year, Ifeanyi challenge am:

“Papa, this your secret trip no dey make sense again.”
Dike smile. “Legacy no dey shoprite. You dey find am for silence, not noise.”

That year, after return, he lock room with Mama Ijeoma for two hours. When dem come out, she no talk for three days straight.

🔙 BACK TO PRESENT

Night fall fast that day. Rain begin beat zinc roof like ancestral drum.

Ifeanyi sit for his father’s old study — one room filled with ledger books, photographs, a dusty sword on the wall, and one picture of shrine wey nobody ever explain.

He open the letter and begin read in silence.

“My son, if this reach you, then I don enter ancestors side. That box hold truth. The land for Ezza hold judgment. Everything I build, every blessing I collect, come from there. But remember, if your heart no clean, don’t open the shrine. The spirit of men no dey lie. Go with blood. Go with loyalty. And protect your name.”

Him eyes hot. Hand shake. But he no cry.

He close the letter slowly. Step out onto the balcony. Rain still fall. Thunder roll like drumbeat.

He look up. And he see Adaora for gate, drenched, wrapper tight, eyes swollen.

“I wan follow you,” she whisper.

Ifeanyi nod.

“Blood and Blessing. We go unlock both — even if na pain go show us the way.”

Chapter 2: The Land Wey Dey Refuse Owner

“Land no dey reject person unless spirit already reject am.”

The road to Ezza no be straight. Na ancient place, hidden inside Ebonyi forest, where network dey disappear like loyalty for rich man funeral. No be place wey Google Map sabi. Ifeanyi and Adaora sit for back seat of old Land Cruiser, driver be one quiet man called Emmanuel, wey Mama Ijeoma say make follow them.

“He sabi road. And he sabi silence,” she talk before dem commot.

The journey start with morning sun, but the sky quickly turn grey. The moment dem pass Nsukka, Adaora begin sweat. No be just heat. Fear. The kind wey dey crawl under skin.

“You sure say we suppose go?” she ask.

Ifeanyi nod. His face hard like dry eba.

“If we no go, somebody else go. And dem fit unlock wetin we no go fit control.”

Adaora look window. She rub her small belly. She still never tell am the truth — say the baby na from one cult boy, Sylvester, wey don vanish from Lagos after blood oath matter. But for now, the focus na the shrine.

By 6:37pm, dem enter Ezza.

The air change.

Not just breeze — the energy. The village quiet, but no peaceful. Na the kind silence wey fit hold thunder hostage. Dem pass three compounds, all with charcoal drawings for wall and fetish symbols wey no be play. Children no dey outside. Even goat no bleat.

A bent old man stand by junction, chewing stick like warrior. He no talk. He just point one bony finger to the left. 

Emmanuel follow the direction.

The shrine appear.

A small compound, covered with red mud. No fence, just carved wooden posts. For center: a small hut with roof wey be like him dey bow to ground. Cowries dey line the doorway. Chalk drawings for sand. One old padlock dey for front.

Ifeanyi come down.

He walk slowly, each step like e dey enter spirit territory. Adaora follow, but her legs dey shake.

Emmanuel no move. He just sit inside car, whispering something under breath.

Ifeanyi bring out the brass key.

As he bend to open padlock, thunder roar for sky. Three times.

He freeze.

“You sure say make I open this thing?” he ask Adaora.

She no answer. Her face pale.

He insert key. E turn with soft click. The door creak open.

Darkness.

Real one. Not just lack of light — the kind wey feel like presence.

They enter.

Inside, the room smell like burnt offerings and forgotten history. Candles line the wall, already lit by nobody. For center: one stool, one bowl of ash, and one leather bag. On the wall: a painting of Chief Dike when he young — holding machete, with three men kneeling beside him.

On the bowl, words carved in deep Igbo:

“What you gain without blood, you lose without warning.”

Adaora whisper:

“This place no ordinary.”

Ifeanyi step forward and open the leather bag.

Inside: documents, photos of politicians, secret letters, charms, bank ledgers — and one cassette tape with Chief Dike voice labeled:

“If I die by betrayal, this will answer your questions.”

📼 FLASHBACK — Tape Playing

Chief Dike voice begin:

“Ifeanyi, my son. This shrine dey tie to our family for 200 years. That land? Na from slave trade money dem take buy am. Every blessing wey follow us come from this place, but we pay price. We dey sacrifice loyalty. Once every ten years, person from bloodline go give offering — not of goat, not of ram, but of truth.”

“I no do my last sacrifice. I let greed blind me. And now, spirit dey demand balance. If dem take me, you must finish the circle. If not, everybody wey carry Dike blood go begin fall — one by one.”

Tape stop.

Adaora scream.

Outside, thunder break again. Then… one loud crack like tree break.

Emmanuel rush inside.

“We no go fit sleep here. The spirits don notice una.”

⚰️ Back to the Car

As dem drive out, heavy wind begin blow. Branch fall. Leaves fly.

Suddenly, a small girl — no older than 7 — stand in the middle of the road.

Emmanuel slam brake. The girl no move. Her eyes white. Her skin black like charcoal. No cloth.

Then she speak:

“The blood don mix. The offering must come from the womb and the hand. Or fire go visit una.”

She vanish.

Adaora faint.

🏠 Back in Lagos — One Week Later

Mama Ijeoma dey sweep compound when mailman drop brown envelope.

Inside: Picture of Ifeanyi and Adaora inside shrine. No camera follow them.

Also inside: A note.

“You open what you no understand. Prepare. Blood must balance blood.”

Meanwhile, in Ikoyi, Obinna — the younger brother — dey pop champagne with friends. Him

just get approval to take over their father’s third warehouse. Him dey post for Instagram:

“Hustle hard. Legacy is earned.”

But behind am, one man dey watch.

Man with tribal marks. Same face from one of the shrine photos.

Finally

Back inside Ifeanyi room, he stare at Adaora sleeping. Her hand hold her belly unconsciously. He whisper:

“Blood and Blessing. Which one go claim us first?”

He no know say the decision go soon come.

And this time, blood no go wait for permission.

Chapter 3: Oath of the Unborn

“If pikin dey grow from cursed soil, e go carry the sin of who plant am.”

The room cold, even though no AC dey. Adaora open eye slowly. Sweat full her face but her body dey shiver like say person pour ice inside her soul.

She no remember how she faint. Only say small girl with white eyes talk something about “womb and hand” before everything turn black.

Now, she dey inside guest room for Lagos. Mama Ijeoma dey sit for corner, silently peeling bitter leaf into a calabash.

For few seconds, silence choke.

Then, Mama Ijeoma clear throat.

“You go talk am, or you wan make I talk wetin I already know?”

Adaora blink.

“Mama... I no understand.”

The old woman raise one grey eyebrow.

“You dey carry pikin. Spirit no blind. But na the blood wey dey inside that pikin dey worry me pass the pregnancy itself.”

Adaora start to cry.

“Mama, I no plan am. Na mistake. Na just... na just—”

“Who get the pikin?” Mama Ijeoma voice cut through like machete through dry grass.

Adaora shake. Then she whisper:

“Sylvester.”

Everything freeze.

The name vibrate for the air like curse.

Even the lizard wey dey for wall jump down waka comot.

⚫ Who Be Sylvester?

Sylvester — son of herbalist, dropout from UNILAG, member of underground cult called Kwochi. E be one of the men wey dey protect politicians during election violence. Fine boy, wicked smile, smooth tongue, spirit dark.

He and Adaora meet when Ifeanyi bring him come house two years ago as business associate. Sylvester say e dey sell security equipment. Na lie. E dey run spiritual operations for politicians — “protection,” “favor,” “removal.”

Na charm and sweet talk take enter Adaora. Within three months, dem don dey meet for hotel. One night, after weird sex wey involve blood from both of them, Sylvester tell her:

“We don bond. Any pikin wey you born go carry Kwochi fire. And if you leave me, na that same pikin go collect your punishment.”

Adaora laugh am off that time.

Now, she no dey laugh.

Back to present, Mama Ijeoma drop bitter leaf.

“You let cult boy enter your womb. You don link this family with something wey dey bigger than us.”

Adaora beg.

“Mama, I swear, I no know say he serious. I no know say—”

“Enough.” Mama stand. “That pikin na oath. Not baby. And if we no break that blood vow, Ifeanyi go suffer.”

Meanwhile: Ifeanyi and the Cassette

Inside his father’s study, Ifeanyi dey replay the old cassette tape from shrine.

Second side begin.

“If I die by poison, then na woman cause am. And if woman cause am, the land go reject every womb wey carry Dike blood for ten years — except one.”

Ifeanyi pause. He rewind.

“...except one.”

He grab journal, begin compare handwriting.

A knock.

Adaora enter.

Face swollen from cry. Her hands no stop shake.

“Ifeanyi... I get something to tell you.”

He turn. Voice steady.

“Is it about the baby?”

She freeze.

“You know?”

“Mama tell me. And shrine confirm am.”

“I no mean to bring this kind wahala. I swear—”

“You swear, but you lie.”

He stand. Walk slowly to her.

“You bring a child tied to darkness. You know say Papa build this house on sacred land. You know say spirits dey follow this family. And yet, you open door for demon child to enter.”

“No call my baby demon!” she shout.

“Then give me reason not to.”

Cultural Clash

They go see Pastor Chidi, family deliverance leader. But the man no agree touch Adaora belly. He look her for 5 minutes, then say:

“The child no dey alone. Spirit of vow dey hold am. You fit pray, but e no go break unless the boy wey cause am release am.”

“Sylvester don run,” Ifeanyi explain.

“Then you go find am. Or the curse go find you.”

They later meet Dibia Nnadi — blind herbalist from Imo. The man touch Adaora hand for two seconds and say:

“This one dey carry oath wey no get expiry date.”

“Can we abort it?” Ifeanyi ask.

Dibia shake head.

“If you abort, you go bleed till ground drink your last breath.”

Adaora scream.

🔥 Fire for Compound

Back at home, one of the Dike warehouses for Tradefair suddenly burn.

The fire service say e be “electrical fault,” but the CCTV no show any spark. Instead, one frame show figure in black walk in, touch wall, and disappear.

That same night, Mama Ijeoma wake up shouting:

“The land dey demand offering!”

🗝️ Final Straw

Ifeanyi walk into Adaora room.

“You no go keep this baby here again. You go travel. Go Enugu. I don book house. You go stay with Auntie Nkechi till I find Sylvester.”

“You dey chase me?”

“I dey protect the rest of us. If this baby na fire, I go contain am before e burn our name.”

“And if I no gree?”

“Then your child go be the beginning of war for this house.”

Adaora look am deep.

“Then so be it.”

That night, lightning strike mango tree for compound. The tree collapse, crush shrine stone wey dey corner.

Inside the crack — they find a bone.

Human bone.

Wrapped in red cloth.

Chapter 4: Return of the Bloodkeeper

“Some blood no dey dry. E just dey wait for next person wey go unlock am.”

The house still dey smell like burnt mango leaf two days after lightning strike. The bone wey dem find inside red cloth no be ordinary. Mama Ijeoma hold am inside calabash like person wey dey carry original sin.

“This no be the first sacrifice,” she whisper. “Your papa bury person here — somebody wey no suppose die.”

Ifeanyi no talk. He just watch the bone like say the dead spirit fit speak through am.

“Who?” he finally ask.

Mama look am straight.

“Your uncle. The first Bloodkeeper.”

Flashback — 1987, Ebonyi Shrine

Two young men dey kneel for shrine floor. Chief Dike stand over them, machete in one hand, palm oil in the other. Thunder dey roar outside. Candle light flicker.

One of the boys — his younger brother, Maduabuchi — begin beg:

“I no fit do am again, brother. Make we return home. This shrine dey demand too much.”

Chief Dike whisper back:

“Na sacrifice bring wealth. No going back.”

He turn to the priest.

“E no ready. He fit betray us. If him mouth leak, the whole Dike name go scatter.”

The priest hand Dike the blade.

Minutes later, Maduabuchi no dey breathe again.

His blood flow into sacred pot.

His bones, buried under mango tree for Lagos.

🔙 Back to Present

Ifeanyi drop the bone. Sweat full his face.

“You dey tell me say Papa kill him own brother to protect this wealth?”

Mama Ijeoma nod slowly.

“He no kill am. He sacrifice am. That’s the difference. That blood na the beginning of everything wey una dey enjoy today.”

“Then we no deserve this wealth.”

“You no get choice again. You born into the price.”

🔍 The Hunt for Sylvester

Adaora don leave for Enugu — temporary exile. But the problem no leave with her.

If the child inside her body carry curse, then the source — Sylvester — still dey hold the lock.

Ifeanyi enter street.

He call old connect from his NYSC days — Chuka, ex-cultist turned real estate hustler.

Dem meet for night under bridge near Ojuelegba.

Chuka light one Benson, look left and right, then face am.

“You dey ask for Sylvester?”
“Yes.”
“Na problem name you dey call.”
“I dey ready for problem.”

Chuka inhale smoke like fish.

“E no dey Lagos again. But him people dey. You want find Sylvester, you go go where Bloodkeepers dey gather.”
“Where be that?”
“Makoko. Midnight side. Inside water.”

🚣‍♂️ Makoko — The Spiritual Underworld

Ifeanyi no go alone. He carry Emmanuel — the silent driver wey sabi road and ritual.

By 11:52pm, dem enter Makoko. The water stink of mud and broken promises. Dem enter canoe. Only lantern light guide the way.

A boat man dem call Tunde Black paddle without eye contact.

“You sure say you wan see Bloodkeeper?” he ask.
“I wan see Sylvester.”
“Then na your blood go pay for the meeting.”

They reach one floating hut with red cloth for roof. The wind no blow there. The water no move. Time even feel like e pause.

Inside, seven men sit in circle. Shirtless.All bald. Cowries for chest. Blood mark across forehead.

Sylvester no dey there.

But one of the men — called Orimiri, the mouth of blood — speak:

“You be Dike son. Your father open this path. Now e don bend. Your sister carry flame. If that flame born before she confess, three people go die for your name.”

“I want Sylvester,” Ifeanyi say, voice steady.

Orimiri smile.

“You go get am. But first, pour your blood.”

He hand Ifeanyi razor blade.

Ifeanyi cut his palm, let blood drop into calabash.

The men begin chant.

Suddenly, from back of room, a curtain open.

Sylvester enter.

Still fine. Still deadly. Black native. Red bead. Smile like demon wey enjoy temptation.

“Ifeanyi, long time. I hear say you dey look for me.”

☠️ The Confrontation

“You curse my sister,” Ifeanyi bark.
“She choose me. And she taste my truth.”
“Break the blood link or I go break your life.”

Sylvester laugh.

“Na spirit hold the link, not me. But if you kill me, the curse multiply.”

Ifeanyi pull small pistol from waist.
Point am.
Finger shake.

“You dey bluff.”
“You dey gamble.”

Then Orimiri stand.

“Killing here no dey work. But we fit transfer the burden.”

“How?” Ifeanyi ask.

“Bring back the cloth wey your father use bury his brother. Burn am for shrine. Then Sylvester go lose grip.”

🏃 Back to Lagos

By 4:13am, Ifeanyi dey dig under collapsed mango tree. Emmanuel dey help. Dem finally pull out the red cloth — now rotten but still carry strange heat.

Inside: half-broken tooth. Dried hair. Bones wrapped with name tag: “Maduabuchi Dike.”

Ifeanyi cry small.
Not just for the horror.
But because him papa really build legacy on blood.

🔥 The Fire Ritual

Inside family backyard shrine, Ifeanyi put the cloth on fire.

The flames rise high, blue and red mix.

Thunder strike again — this time no roof break, but a distant scream echo from far away.

Same time for Enugu, Adaora wake up with stomach cramp — then peace.

The spirit don release.

Lastly

Sylvester, for shrine, fall to floor. Blood from nose.

He whisper:

“This boy don complete the circle.”

Behind him, Orimiri smile in dark.

“Then prepare. E go need complete another one.”

Chapter 5: The Price of Truth

“Sometimes na truth go scatter blood pass lie.”

Three days after the fire ritual, Ifeanyi still no sleep well. Even though the spiritual link with Sylvester don break, the house still dey carry weight. Like say truth still dey hide somewhere under concrete.

Mama Ijeoma just dey silent, always dey stare inside empty calabash. She never talk since the night the cloth burn. Sometimes she go murmur old proverbs to herself, other times she go whisper one name repeatedly—

“Eberechi… Eberechi…”

But nobody sabi who be Eberechi.

📦 Discovery Inside the Study

It was Emmanuel, the driver, wey first notice the strange gap behind one of the bookshelf for Chief Dike’s study. As him dey clean the dusty corner, him hand knock wooden frame wey sound hollow. He shift the shelf slightly, and behind am — a small safe box, covered in dust and sealed with fingerprint pad.

Ifeanyi enter the room as Emmanuel dey blow air.

“Where you see this?”

“E just dey hide. I touch the wood and e shift.”

Ifeanyi’s heartbeat race. He remember how his father always carry small bottle of schnapps and press thumb on it before pouring. Maybe e be more than just tradition.

He bring out one of Chief Dike's old glass cups — still dey stained with his palm print. He press it gently on the scanner.

Click.

The box open.

Inside:

• One envelope marked “Read only after I die by unnatural means.”
• A USB drive
• A second will, signed but undated.

Ifeanyi look at the paper, then sit slowly.

📝 The Second Will

He read the document slowly, eyes wide.

The will no resemble the official one wey lawyer present after the funeral. This one split properties differently:

• First son (Ifeanyi) still get majority — but with cultural condition: he must perform the ancestral ritual publicly and hand over two properties to community development trust.
• Adaora get full ownership of the Ezza land shrine and its powers — if she gives birth safely.
• Obinna — his Instagram brother — get only one business wing, but under supervision.
• Aunty Grace — the second wife — gets nothing. The will state clearly:

“If death reach me through betrayal, Grace shall inherit no more than silence.”

💣 The Betrayal Confirmed

The USB drive carry video.

Ifeanyi connect am to laptop.

On the screen, Chief Dike appear. His face tired. His voice slow.

“I know say this world don spoil. My hands too dirty to judge. But one thing I fear pass all na betrayal. If this video dey play, it means I no die by sickness. Somebody betray me.”

He sigh.

“Grace. My second wife. I trust you. I build house with you. But you poison me. I see the signs. I dey pretend, but I dey collect proof.”

He turn camera to show kitchen CCTV footage — Aunty Grace dey pour small powder inside his morning tea. Then smile like say she dey do God’s work.

“Let her rot in wealth of guilt. Not money.”

🧨 Ifeanyi Confronts Grace

That night, Ifeanyi no waste time.

He call family meeting. Small table, heavy tension. Grace arrive with fake calm. Obinna wear shades like say he be celeb. Mama Ijeoma no talk, but her cane dey hand.

Ifeanyi no shout. He just play the video.

The room break.

Grace stand, shaking.

“I… I do am because he plan send me away after I catch am with that village woman! I no poison him to kill — just to teach am lesson.”

Mama Ijeoma spit on the floor.

“Witch.”

Obinna jump up.

“So this na why una wan cut me out from legacy? Because of village juju and favoritism? Me wey dey run brand online? Me wey dey update company image?”

Ifeanyi stand calmly.

“You no run brand. You dey run mouth. From today, you dey removed from the warehouse board. You go get one wing under supervision. And Grace—” he turn, “—pack your things. Before shrine collect your soul.”

💔 Obinna’s Warning

As Grace storm out crying, Obinna face Ifeanyi.

“This your ancestral power go kill you. Me, I go build legacy with influence, not sacrifice.”

He walk out and slam door.

That night, Ifeanyi find shrine ashes sprinkled for front of his bedroom.

Phone Call from Enugu

Adaora call late into the night.

“Brother… Something happen.”

“You dey okay?”

“Yes… but the baby. He talk.”

Silence.

“Adaora, wait — you mean the baby inside you talk?”

“Yes. I dey sleep. I hear voice say, ‘Don’t trust the boy with golden teeth.’ Then I see Sylvester face for dream — bleeding, tied, shouting ‘Eberechi is alive!’

Ifeanyi wake up gasping. The name “Eberechi” still ring inside his head.

He walk to shrine, kneel in front of old calabash.

“Papa, who be Eberechi? What more you dey hide?”

Behind him, Mama Ijeoma finally speak again, first time in days.

“Eberechi na your elder sister. The one wey your papa sacrifice first… before Maduabuchi.”

Chapter 6: The Woman with Two Tongues

“Some women dey speak love with mouth, but poison dey hide for under tongue.”

Aunty Grace no dey talk since the family meeting expose her betrayal. She don pack comot from the main house, now dey stay for one of the old staff quarters behind the compound. But silence no mean peace — sometimes, silence na when demon dey whisper.

For days, she go out early, come back late. Nobody know where she dey go. But the air around her change. Even dogs no dey bark at her again. As if animals know something human mind still dey deny.

Ifeanyi notice am. So did Mama Ijeoma. And her suspicion no rest.

“That woman no drop her power. She just dey hide am till e ripe. That her son, Obinna, no be ordinary.”

🧾 The Secret Birth

Two days later, Mama Ijeoma send Emmanuel to meet one old woman for Idumota market. Her name na Mama Tola, herbalist wey used to supply Grace before she marry Chief Dike.

The woman agree to talk — but only in private.

Inside her backroom, the smell of burnt leaf and chalk strong.

She speak without fear:

“That woman... Grace... She come to me when Chief Dike refuse marry her after two years of sleeping with am. She dey desperate. I warn her. Say the man spirit dey tied to bloodline shrine. But she say she go bend destiny.”

“She buy charm wey go make Chief Dike ‘see her’ every time like first time. But the price? She must never bear child for that man.”

“But she tricked me. She go use another dibia. The one wey dey deal with double-tongue magic. Dem call am Eka Ekwu — woman with two tongues.”

Mama Ijeoma grip her cane tight.

“And that’s how she born Obinna…”

Mama Tola nod.

“Yes. But the charm twist the boy destiny. He go always look successful, but him foundation no go clean. Na why the shrine no accept him. Na why bad things dey near him spirit.”

Obinna’s Strange Favor

Back home, Obinna dey sign new partnership with politician son. A multi-million naira tech investment. He post for Instagram:

“Legacy dey my blood. Shrine or no shrine.”

But inside his email inbox, threat message dey pile:

“You sit on something wey no belong to you. Remove your hand or your shadow go reduce.”

He ignore am.

That night, as he sleep, he dream say mango tree grow from his chest — but the fruit dey rot from inside.

Grace’s Final Act

Grace go shrine — but not the one for Dike house.

She enter one abandoned Babalawo spot near Amukoko, where she meet Eka Ekwu again. The woman look older now. One tongue long, one short. She hiss like snake.

“You come back?”
“My son dey lose ground. I wan renew am.”

Eka Ekwu shake head.

“You already bend path wey no fit straighten. If you want protect him, you must trade your own.”

“Take anything.”

“Then prepare. Spirit no collect without warning.”

🔥 Fire in the Boy’s Eyes

Next day, Obinna wake up shouting. Eyes red. Sweat full bed. He begin speak in tongue nobody understand. Ifeanyi and Mama rush in.

“I dey burn! I dey burn inside my head!”

They hold am down. Mama Ijeoma pour holy water, chant ancient words.

Suddenly, his eye clear.

He whisper:

“She try help me… but she give part of herself.”

📜 Revelation of the First Daughter

Meanwhile, Ifeanyi go meet village elder for Ebonyi to confirm who Eberechi really be.

The elder tell am plain:

“Eberechi na your father first child. Born out of wedlock. Her mother be shrine priest daughter. When Dike wanted to rise, he was told he must ‘sacrifice his seed back to the altar.’ He agreed.”

“But instead of killing her, he lock her spirit inside the second shrine. Body dey missing. But spirit no rest.”

“That spirit now dey move… maybe through Adaora’s child. Maybe through Obinna. Maybe back to you.”

🧠 The Two-Tongue Collapse

Back in Amukoko, Eka Ekwu fall suddenly. Blood from nose. Her second tongue rot and fall out. She whisper:

“The spirit no want extension… Eberechi want revenge.”

Same time, Grace collapse for her room.

For the wall for her back— words appear in red:

“I WAS NEVER DEAD.”

Chapter 7: The Brotherhood Table

“No be all table wey get food you suppose sit down. Some dey serve your soul as pepper soup.”

The air for Ikoyi compound of Chief Adekunle Olaiya dey quiet. Too quiet. Na the type wey money use swallow noise. Big men no dey make noise — dem dey move silence like sickness wey no get cure.

Inside the inner chamber of the mansion, twelve men dey sit around a long marble table, shaped like a coffin. For center: red candle. On each seat: silver bowl, black napkin, small knife.

Obinna Dike walk into the room like person wey know say na today his name go change. Him wear fitted black suit, golden cufflinks, native beads for wrist.

Behind am, the voice of Chief Adekunle echo:

“Are you ready to eat from the table your father reject?”

Obinna no flinch.

“I’m not my father. I no reject power.”

“Then pay the price. And speak the vow.”

🩸 The Oath

Obinna sit. The youngest at the table.

A small scroll placed in front of him. He read the words slowly:

“I pledge my name, my seed, and my silence. I dine not for hunger, but for control. I owe no god but the one we cook ourselves. My family ends where this table begins.”

He use the knife, cut his palm. Let blood drop into silver bowl.

“Welcome,” the men say in unison.

Chief Adekunle stand.

“Your father refused this place. That’s why we made him chase money with herbs. But you—Obinna—you understand the new world.”

Obinna smile.

“I dey ready.”

🔥 Back in Ajangbadi – The Shrine Cracks

That same night, Ifeanyi dey read the last of Chief Dike’s hidden journals when a loud crack wake the entire compound.

The shrine stone wey survive all rituals before — don break.

From inside, wind blow like say voice dey shout from under ground.

Mama Ijeoma rush enter.

“Eberechi don rise. She no wan be secret again.”

Ifeanyi kneel.

“How we go stop her?”

Mama close eyes.

“You no go stop her. You go let her speak. She want to judge everybody wey touch her story.”

📞 Obinna Calls

Early morning, Obinna call.

“Brother. I get good news. I don secure international investor. They wan buy one of Papa’s old textile lines.”

“Congrats.”

“I need your help to clear title.”

“No wahala. But Obinna…”

“What?”

“Be careful. Power wey come too fast dey always carry debt.”

Obinna laugh.

“You dey fear shrine too much. Me I dey fear poverty.”

He cut call.

👁️ The Secret Behind the Table

At night, inside a lodge meeting in Lekki Phase 1, Chief Adekunle give Obinna an envelope.

Inside: Documents showing Eberechi’s name on one of Dike’s early business registrations.

“Your father hide a lot. The girl he sacrificed — she no die fully. She still get stake.”

Obinna confused.

“Why una dey tell me this?”

“Because you go need to wipe her name completely before foreign investors accept. Any spiritual stain go affect valuation.”

“How I go wipe spirit?”

“Leave that to us.”

😨 Eberechi’s First Move

That night, Obinna wake up with blood pouring from his mouth — but no cut anywhere.

He scream. His room cold like freezer. All light go off.

Mirror for bathroom crack by itself.

Inside, reflection of young woman — about 24, deep scar on neck, eyes black like charcoal.

She whisper:

“You dey sit for my seat.”

🔥 Lagos Quake

The next morning, headlines carry strange news:

“Unexplained Earth Tremor Shakes Mainland — Source Unknown”

For shrine, Ifeanyi dig deeper.

Inside last journal entry, Chief Dike wrote:

“If any Dike child joins Brotherhood Table, Eberechi’s soul go rise fully. She go become judge, jury, and fire.”

Mama Ijeoma hold him hand.

“You must stop Obinna. Or ready to bury am.”

🎭 The Trap

Ifeanyi plan to meet with Obinna under pretense of signing documents.

But he first go see Pastor Chidi and Dibia Nnadi together — for first time ever.

Pastor hold Bible. Dibia hold horn.

“To break Eberechi’s wrath, all Dike children must kneel under her name.”

“Even Obinna?”

“Especially Obinna. He sit on blood that don scream for years.”

🩸 Lodge Ritual Gone Wrong

Inside lodge again, Obinna dey asked to bring one family object for his next “elevation.”

He choose one of Chief Dike’s old bracelets.

But as the priest begin chant, fire burst from altar.

One man run mad instantly. Another fall dead.

Obinna scream:

“What is this!?”

Chief Adekunle shout:

“Somebody no pure! A spirit dey reject this sacrifice!”

Then the same girl appear — her voice echo from everywhere:

“You took my name. Now I take your peace.”

Light out.

The sun rise with heavy silence over Ajangbadi. No cock crow. No street preacher shout. Just wind — heavy, like say e carry warning.

Inside the Dike compound, Mama Ijeoma sweep shrine floor slowly. Every stroke of her broom sound like heartbeat. Her wrapper dey soaked with sweat, even though weather cold.

Ifeanyi kneel close to the shrine, journal in hand, face tight with questions.

“If spirit wan judge, why e no just judge and go?”

Mama Ijeoma pause.

“Because spirit no be government. E no rush. E dey wait for all the liars to sit down, then e go off light.”

Ifeanyi close the journal.

“Then today, I go burn everything.”

🔥 The Fire Ritual Plan

He gather all the objects linked to betrayal:

• The red cloth used to bury Maduabuchi
• The broken bracelet from the Brotherhood Table
• Chief Dike’s poisoned tea cup
• A printed photo of Obinna during lodge initiation
• And last — a piece of chalk with the name “Eberechi” written across it

He arrange them on shrine ground.

Pastor Chidi arrive first, holding cross and oil.

Dibia Nnadi follow, holding ram blood and cow horn.

Adaora appear from Enugu, visibly pregnant, eyes clear.

She walk straight to her brother.

“I want help. If I carry Eberechi inside me, then make she speak.”

💀 The Return of the Lost Daughter

They form a circle.

Pastor begin pray.

Dibia begin chant.

Mama Ijeoma pour libation.

Suddenly, Adaora fall.

Her body shake.

Her voice change — deep, slow, ancient.

“You all watched them erase me.”

Silence.

“I was the first Dike child. Hidden. Traded. Bound to silence.”

“Now I return.”

“I want three things:

1. Truth from the man who claimed leadership.
2. Tears from the woman who killed trust.
3. Blood from the boy who sat on my name.”

😱 Obinna Arrives

He storm the compound, angry and confused.

“You dey gather cult for house now?! Na shrine you dey bow to?”

Ifeanyi step forward.

“This no be cult. This na correction.”

He point to the circle.

“You join Brotherhood. You carry spirit. Now spirit dey return.”

Obinna scoff.

“Spiritual blackmail. Una no go guilt-trip me!”

Suddenly, Adaora rise — her eyes pitch black.

She speak in Eberechi voice:

“Obinna. My name dey under your company registration. You inherit me as lie.”

“Return my voice. Or I silence your name forever.”

Obinna drop to knees. Sweat pour. His tongue refuse to move.

🔥 The Burning Begins

Mama Ijeoma light the fire under the shrine.

The objects begin burn.

Flames roar high.

Wind begin blow.

Voice from fire say:

“One person must leave for others to remain.”

Pastor Chidi cry.

Dibia Nnadi shake.

Ifeanyi look around.

Obinna still dey freeze.

Adaora collapse.

The fire rise again.

Then Ifeanyi stand.

“Take me.”

Gasps.

“I carry Dike name. I lead. I accept price.”

He step into fire circle.

Suddenly, the flame turn blue.

Then…
The fire die.

Ashes fall.

Silence.

⚖️ Final Judgment

Adaora wake up.

Her voice normal.

Baby still dey kick.

Mama Ijeoma wipe tears.

“She don forgive.”

Obinna dey ground, weeping.

“I no sabi. I no sabi I carry curse.”

Ifeanyi help am up.

“From now, we build with truth.”

Next day, Dike compound dey calm.

Adaora enter shrine one last time.

She place baby scan on the altar.

“To you, Eberechi. I name am after you.”

In the wind, soft whisper blow:

“Thank you.”

Chapter 8: The Last Will of the Dead

“When dead man still dey write story, e mean say people still dey lie for him grave.”

Monday morning for Surulere High Court, the Dike family name trend across every legal office like hot market gossip. Rumor don spread say the family shrine kill one, save one, and expose two.

But this day no be for shrine.

Today na for the law.

Inside courtroom, ceiling fan no fit blow away tension. Lawyers dey sweat even with AC. One grey-haired man — Barrister Okonkwo — step forward with leather folder.

“This document, Your Honour, surfaced from private storage owned by the deceased, Chief Dike. It bears new name, new instructions, and new beneficiary.”

Silence.

Ifeanyi sit still. Obinna dey beside am, calm but still paranoid.

Adaora, with seven-month belly, watch with heavy heart.

“We ask for validation and enforcement of this second will,” the lawyer continue.

The judge — slim woman with face wey no get smile — nod slowly.

“Proceed.”

📜 Content of the Will

The courtroom screen light up with scanned copy.

Chief Dike’s voice recorded say:

“If this document see daylight, it means the people I trust don twist. I write this from regret. From shame. From truth I no fit hide again.”

He list new allocations:

• Ifeanyi: full authority over all Dike business outside Nigeria, but must build hospital in Ebonyi using family money.
• Adaora: given ancestral land in Ezza, including shrine and surrounding farmland. Title: Guardian of Eberechi.
• Obinna: granted temporary shares of textile company — must undergo spiritual audit every year for five years.
• Eberechi (named as “the First Daughter”): 20% equity across all family assets to be held in trust for Adaora’s unborn child.

Gasps for courtroom.

😳 Who Be the Trust Admin?

Then twist.

“The trust shall be administered by a neutral bloodline, not Dike. Appointed: Mrs. Oluchi Nwosu.”

Barrister Okonkwo pause.

“We don contact the woman listed. She dey stay for Nsukka. She be… Chief Dike’s former lover. And… she claims she has a child by him.”

The courtroom scatter.

Mama Ijeoma faint softly — not drama faint, real one.

👶 Hidden Heir

Oluchi Nwosu, tall, dark-skinned, quiet beauty, enter with boy wey look like 22-year-old version of Ifeanyi.

Barrister Okonkwo whisper:

“That’s Chidiebere. DNA confirm say Dike na him papa.”

Obinna explode.

“So dem just dey produce children from bush now? Dem dey fall from tree?!”

Ifeanyi hold him back.

“Obinna… calm down. No be by noise. Na by truth.”

⚔️ Legal Fire

Court adjourn for one week to verify trust document and family alignment.

But lawyer for Obinna don file counter-motion:

“My client believes the will was written under spiritual duress and undue influence. We seek temporary injunction.”

Meanwhile, online blogs already dey cook headlines:

• “Dike Dynasty: Dead Father, New Son, Spiritual Will?”
• “Billion Naira Trust Belongs to Unborn Baby”
• “Obinna Dike: Playboy or Powerless?”

Obinna begin lose endorsement deals. Investors dey pull out. Him lodge brothers no pick call.

🧠 Ifeanyi’s Dilemma

Back home, Ifeanyi sit alone in shrine.

He place both wills — the first and the last — side by side.

“Papa… why you no tell me say you get another son?”

Mama Ijeoma walk in.

Her face soft.

“Because your papa shame no let am face truth. He betray Eberechi. He betray Oluchi. And now e reach una turn.”

Ifeanyi look up.

“How we go fix all this?”

She drop ancient kola on ground.

“With truth. And maybe… a little more blood.”

That night, shrine candle blow out by itself.

Wind enter.

Voice whisper:

“One more lie still dey hide. If e no come out, peace no go stay.”

Same time in Nsukka, Chidiebere open old letter from his mother’s box.

Inside: a second birth certificate.

It show his twin sister’s name.

“Chidimma Dike.”

Chapter 9: Blood and Blessing

“At the end, na blood dey cry, but na blessing dey decide who go carry name.”

The Dike compound no sleep that night. Even the trees no move. As if nature itself dey wait for judgment. For days, Lagos court and shrine don share same tension. Now, shrine go speak last.

Ifeanyi sit for shrine floor, cloth tied round waist, no shirt, no pride — just burden. In front of am, the two wills, the bone of Maduabuchi, and the ashes of the blood cloth dey arranged like final exam.

Mama Ijeoma enter.
Her face strong, voice low.

“Today no be about what your papa give. Na about wetin you go give the name wey raise you.”

⚖️ The Final Gathering

They summon all Dike blood:

• Ifeanyi
• Adaora, heavily pregnant
• Obinna, quieter now
• Chidiebere, the hidden son
• Oluchi Nwosu, mother of the forgotten
• Twin name Chidimma, now 22, soft-spoken, but with fire in her eyes
• And the trustees, elders, and pastors called to witness legacy

Shrine fire light the compound. No generator hum. No phone ring. Spirit full ground.

🩸 The Ritual of Revelation

Dibia Nnadi step forward, horn in hand.

“Only one Dike go carry final blessing. The rest must receive cleansing or release.”

He pass goat horn round. Each family member touch am.

Suddenly, horn glow red in Chidimma hand.

Everyone turn.

Dibia smile.

“The spirit don choose.”

Obinna vex.

“Wait, wait wait! She just show face yesterday! Na today she go carry crown?”

Mama Ijeoma answer.

“Because she never lie. Never steal. Never deny her blood.”

👑 Legacy Divided

Then the final reading begin.

Ifeanyi — named as Keeper of Records — must continue the family name, but not as king — as builder.

Adaora — chosen to lead shrine protection, but only if she raise her child under the blessing of truth, not greed.

Obinna — stripped of all claims for five years. To earn back his place, he must serve under his own sibling’s foundation.

Chidiebere — named as link between new and old — he must manage reconciliation between Dike businesses and community.

Chidimma — crowned Bearer of Blessing. Not for what she owns — but because Eberechi’s spirit rest inside her. The cycle complete.

🔥 Fire or Forgiveness

Dibia turn to shrine.

“Spirit, speak now. Make this family carry peace — or burn?”

Wind blow.

Fire rise.

Then peace.

Candle stop flicker.

Voice from air whisper:

“They have confessed. They have chosen truth. Let legacy live.”

✨ One Year Later

Ifeanyi stand outside new Dike Memorial Hospital in Ebonyi. The land once cursed, now hold healing.

Adaora run school for young girls beside shrine.

Chidiebere and Chidimma launch Eberechi Foundation for victims of spiritual abuse and inheritance injustice.

Obinna now volunteer at charity farm. No flash. Just growth.

Mama Ijeoma sit under new mango tree, smiling, chewing kola.

One young journalist ask Ifeanyi:

“Oga, how your family take overcome so much?”

He smile.

“We no choose blessing. Blessing choose who survive blood.”