As they walked through the rainforest, both mages were slightly taken aback by the humidity. Even with the sun about the set. While the montane forest was humid, it was also cooler.

Mikumbi kept his eyes peeled. He was kinda shocked about how similar the West Ikwubaran Guinean forest was similar to the Central Ikwubaran one. So much so that he even expected to see a Mbuti hunting game and gathering plants. Be it the open tropical savannah that his Nilotic kin inhabited or the crowded jungles that his Mbuti kin inhabited. He felt at home in both.

Msolumsi on the other hand couldn't shake off the unease about this part of the forest. With each step she took, she felt her limbs grow heavier. Her head felt like it was trapped in a vice while giant hornets were buzzing and stinging inside her head. More and more her breaths were laboured. The strain on her body, mind and soul became too much that she collapsed on the ground.

“Msolumsi?” Mikumbi shouted.

He ran to her, clutching her tenderly. He checked her over. Barely conscious.

“What's wrong?” He asked.

“It's... too...much. So... overwhelming,” she panted.

“I know it is, baby girl,” Mikumbi said, while gently wiping her forehead. “You're not a fully trained sorceress yet, so this energy you're feeling is overpowering.”

“Tell...me...about...it. It...feels...like...like ...”

“The very universe's physics, abstract concepts and mystical forces have crystallised in this very place.”

Msolumsi nodded.

“What else can you detect? What's the specific law, concept and mystical force you can sense?” He quizzed. “Take your time.”

“Like... overwhelming...knowledge...and...and...trickery.”

“I sense that as well. What you're experiencing is what I like to call a 'universal overload'. It happens to all trainee sorcerers. As you know we sorcerers draw our power from the very universe itself. However, sometimes the amount of universal energy is concentrated and it can overwhelm us sorcerers. This is caused by two events. One, sometimes it's the universe's energy crystallised into objects of great power.”

“Sha...bidan,” she replied.

Mikumbi nodded. “Indeed. The Shabidan.” Mikumbi continued.

“The second event is the universe's first sentient beings. Its laws of physics, abstract concepts and mystical forces crystallise and given life. These sentient beings learned to harness the forces that made them and focus on certain aspects of the forces and natural world. To us 'lesser beings' they are the deities we worship. And I know which deity is causing your 'overload'.”

Mikumbi conjured a force field using the combined energies of his own and Msolumsi's.

“Just rest here. Focus on your breathing and recovery,” Mikumbi smiled.

That smile. That cheeky, boyish smile. Mikumbi's smile always seemed to reassure Msolumsi. Whatever the situation.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Mikumbi walked around with eyes, hands and spear tip glowing neon yellowy-green, calling out a specific name.

“Anansi/e! Come on out Anansi/e. I know that you're here.”

Mikumbi heard some faint laughter.

“There's no use in hiding anymore.”

“I suppose you're right,” said a cheeky voice with a thick Kintampo accent.

He came down via a long, thick line of spider's web. His height wasn't very remarkable, just a few inches taller than Mikumbi. His facial features belonged to the Kintampo Sudano-Guinean forest region – roundish square head disproportionately large for his body, fleshy cheekbones, broad robust jaw, small mouth and teeth with full lips, flat wide nose. Topped off with a crown of short, black kinky hair. All-round boyish-looking. Everything about his face was human looking except his eyes. Four eyes. Two small, dark brown human eyes and two large, near jet black spider eyes.

The body like his height was nothing to write home about either – shoulders that weren't too broad or narrow, the torso was short yet neither thick or scrawny with slightly above average muscle definition. Same with the legs. All of it was covered with milk chocolate coloured skin and kinky body hair. His arms were a different story. There was nothing wrong with his six arms. All six arms were proportionate to his height and build.

A simple, short, kente designed toga wrapped over one shoulder finished his look.

“Hello Mikumbi,” greeted Anansi/e as he sauntered to the wizard warrior.

“Lord Anansi/e,” replied Mikumbi with a slight bow of the head, “what brings you to walk among us mere mortals?”

“Nothing really. Just wanted to have a little fun.”

Mikumbi looked worried. Whenever a deity roams Irun'uwa, it always means some form of trouble for mortals and especially sorcerers.

“Well we best be on our way,” said Mikumbi respectfully. He walked back to his weakened apprentice.

“She's in no condition to move or be of any use to you,” said the deity, while following and jumping around him like an excitable kid.

“She will be once she's away from your presence.”

“It's not my fault that you mortals are so weak.”

Mikumbi's tolerance of Anansi/e started to drop. While he could easily protect himself from the deity's concentrated essence. Anansi/e's personality was a different story.

“Soooooooooooo, where ya going?” Asked Anansi/e with a child-like smile, “anywhere exciting?”

“Just seeking a village,” said Mikumbi, straight to the point.

“I guess you're seeking the village of Chief Tackie?”

Mikumbi eyes widened and his ears perked up. “How did you know abo-?”

“I'm a god of knowledge, remember,” Anansi/e said playfully, “it's my job to know.”

Mikumbi wrapped one of his apprentice's arms around his shoulder and lifted her up.

“I hope you make it on time,” said Anansi/e, “Those Asanbosam are vicious killers.”

Mikumbi shot a concerned look at the deity. Anansi/e just smiled.

“Asanbosam are attacking the village?”

“Not yet. But they will soon,” said the deity with glee, hopping about like an excited child.

Mikumbi cradled Msolumsi in his arms then started to walk as fast as possible. Very strong for such a little fellow. Anansi/e disappeared then re-appeared in front of Mikumbi, hanging upside down on his spider webbing.

“Wait a minute. I have to tell you the best part of the situation,” said Anansi/e with a cheeky smile.

“Lord Anansi/e, I don't have time for this shit,” said Mikumbi with an annoyed look on his face.

The sorcerer's patience was at its limit with deity. Anansi/e acted completely oblivious to the sorcerer's anger then leaned into the sorcerer's face with a slight tilt of his head like a child.

“I'm the one that summoned the monsters,” Anansi/e said with a chuckle.

Those words sent the sorcerer over the edge. He could no longer contain his rage. A surge of mystical energy erupted from within him, making his eyes and hands glow with his signature yellowy-green aura.

“Why the fuck did you do that?” shouted the wizard.

“For fun. Shits and giggles.”

“People are going to be torn limb from limb by the Asanbosam. How is that 'fun'?”

“I never said it would be fun for mortals,” said the deity nonchalantly, “just for me.”

Mikumbi's anger boiled his blood, his scowling, glowing yellowy-green eyes stared death at the smiling deity. Oh, how Mikumbi wanted to kill Anansi/e... Or at least to teach him a lesson. There was one problem. Msolumsi. In her state, she'd never survive the battle. He needed to get her away from Anansi/e's presence immediately.

“I'll deal with you later,” Mikumbi threatened Anansi in a deep and dismissive tone.

He took a deep breath and channelled his energy into his short legs.

“Quick time,” boomed the wizard. With the spell cast, he ran causing powerful gusts of air, leaving behind the sociopathic deity.