Nikki’s POV

Neil’s mother was so efficient that I had settled into Wagadu, had my class schedules by heart and knew where all my classes as well as other important buildings were in 2 two weeks. Surprisingly, the experience was not exhausting at all, unlike my preparation for Junior High School. Unfortunately, I remember it well.

She made it fun and informative as well as fascinating. I expected almost everything to be based off on magical energy, but everything seemed surprisingly normal. Modern technology was an important part of Wagadu and magic was used for little else. The only thing I saw magical energy being used was for the protective barriers and illusion around Wagadu to keep it safe and meditation. It looked like a university town instead of a hub for magical higher learning. When I asked Mrs. Afua why she gave a simple answer,

“Why not? Are we not all human? Do we not all use the same laws of physics, forces of nature? Besides, using modern technology is subjectively more practical than using mystical energy. Imagine the amount of energy and people you would require just to keep Wagadu just functional. And Nikita, we do not call it magic here, its Vodun and the magic we perform here are not spells, they are Agreements, or in Eʋegbe, Nublabla. Do not be pressured to use the local languages here, as we are all from different places and using one language tends to confuse the rest”

It took a while for me to get used to that.

A lot of Afas normally used Eʋegbe translations and texts because they were in the majority, the other tribes, like the Ashantsi empire were very secretive and barely shared their knowledge and secrets with other. Other tribes also slowly died off, partly from cultural disputes and partly from colonization. What allowed the Eʋegbes to thrive was their ability to adapt and to share their knowledge. It seems counter intuitive to me, but it works. Even though a lot of the culture is diluted by Western influences, like the general knowledge that Mawu was a very masculine supreme being even though she was a woman and the daughter of the supreme, they still lived on after years of persecution. Mrs. Afua was elated with my eagerness to learn but reminded me that I should apportion time to socialize and have fun as that would make me a well-rounded Vodun. I had a feeling the advice was directed towards my being an initiate and I shouldn’t try so hard to unlock all my powers so fast, lest I become like Viviti Mawudↄla. I did not know yet how I felt about that; I am very sure I would not go on a murdering rampage, unless pushed towards it, a sentiment I am sure Viviti Mawudↄla has. But I could never know, unless people started talking to me about, which I am very sure they will not, so I kept my mouth shut and my actions secret.

Mike and I’s 14th birthday was coming up and we were excited. Well, I was. Mike didn’t seem to care and was more focused on spiritual gardening. Initially, before Neil tried to kill to me and my mother followed suit, I planned a sort of get together with close family and friends but from how things were going in Wagadu and Mike’s nerves, I doubt we could do something like that ever, until we attained some form of normalcy.

On our birthday’s eve, I hadn’t seen my brother in 4 days but he had left messages for me in the sand. The spiritual world, or Gbɔgbɔmedukɔ was looking different at quite a rapid pace; the sky was no more a sickening brownish red but was now clearing up to a vibrant blue, the little tufts of grass was now a vast field that spanned the whole area beyond the horizon, there was a gentle breeze and now there were even clouds. I could just imagine how beautiful everything would be, a picture-perfect place for whatever was about to happen in this unearthly plane. I wondered why Mike was so riled up, if something bad was happening wouldn’t the place be degrading, rather than improving on its appearance?

As I mentally mauled over this, Neil knocked and peaked his head into my room.

“Hey may I come in?”

“Sure” I said, packing my school books unto one side to create space for Neil.

“You’re already reading your books?” he grinned teasingly “Looks like a serious student is in town!”

“Oh, shut up!” I said giggling a bit “I just wanted to see the kind of things we would be studying. They look amazing!” I said as I grabbed my Introduction to the spirit realm book “I can’t believe all of this is under everyone’s noses and they don’t even know about it.”

“Yeah. But…” I noticed Neil hesitating, and then he took a deep breath and continued “, doesn’t it bother you? that they moved you to Level 1 when you’re clearly supposed to be in Level 5?”

“No” I said immediately. I did think of it, why the council would decide to make me start from the lowest level. However, it made sense to me, just a few weeks ago I didn’t even know where the spirit realm was and a few months ago I didn’t know what being a Vodun was. It only made sense that I got the very foundations of this. Plus, I was just happy to be here. “I’m not bothered at all. I mean what do I know? I just got here and the council seems to know what they’re doing…”

“More than the gods?” I shrugged. “See it’s okay that you’re taking everything slow but then you also have to be careful and learn other things that you can. I don’t trust the council members with you, yes even my ma. She will choose what she thinks is good for Wagadu and Afa everywhere instead of you.”

And so once again I was on my own, me against the world.

“Don’t look so down Nikki, you know that I will choose you, so will Kafui and your dad. Not forgetting Mike…”

“He kinda left me…”

“…so that you would be ready” he took my hand and looked sincerely into my eyes “A lot of people care about you Nikki, you don’t have to be worried about anything” Having his hand touch mine brought feelings I did not expect but I did not pull away.

“If you consider 4 people out of billions a lot of people then okay” Neil facepalmed with his other hand and I laughed hysterically.

“Hey” Neil said mischievously “My mum has shown you the academic side of Wagadu. Wanna see the fun side?”

I think my answer was obvious.

Mrs. Mensah was not home at the moment and Mr. Bright was up in his room, no doubt avoiding me. I tried hard not to think about it, I was going out with Neil and I was going to have some well-deserved fun.

We took some bicycles from the garage and then rode to wherever Neil was taking me.

As we raced each other on the bicycles, it made me think about how we first met. Instead of causing panic the way it used to, the memory came to me like a sad song; I was emotional but I was so glad I was among the chosen few to listen to it. Now we were friends, dare I say best friends. It made me feel good inside and whenever I was alone with him, I felt we were meant to be more than just friends and sometimes the way he looked at me and touched me, made me feel like he felt the same way.

“We’re here!” Neil exclaimed panting. “Wow you’re really fast”

I smirked “Do you how many bike races Mike and I have done?”

Neil hummed and heaved in reply while we tied our bikes to a post. When I turned from the post, the scene took my very breath away.

Wagadu tried their best for proper building planning such that there were rows and rows of houses neatly arranged with lots of space in between. That was where the party was. Thousands of people who were mostly kids and the youth where there dancing and singing along to the music. I recognized some of them, the others I couldn’t recognize were probably made by the artistes at Wagadu. However, that wasn’t the most amazing part in anyway. The entire place looked like we were in the very depths of space itself. People had neon lights in many forms of jewelry; bracelets, earrings, rings, belts, crowns, and even as clothing, which I assumed was dyed with neon paint. Others even had neon body paints, forming mesmerizing patterns on their bodies which seemed to pulse and shift when they moved. It made everything look so exotic, like an actual party in space.

“There are still bugs in space, close your mouth” Neil said smugly. I didn’t have to say anything to show I was impressed. “The theme for this is Space Vodun. You can’t believe how happy it has made the space freaks and those who pretend to like space…”

But I wasn’t listening to him, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from it. It was like invisible magnetic strings had attached itself to me such that I felt myself being pulled towards the heart of the crowd. I took an involuntary step forward. Neil noticed this and held my hand and pulled me back.

“Hey Hey look at me” I didn’t, I couldn’t.

“I want to be there. Take me there! Look at all the shiny lights” Neil positioned himself in front of me. He looked a bit worried but I did not care. I wanted body paint and I wanted to dance with everyone.

He swirled me around and slowly I felt the magnetic strings snap off and I came back to my senses. As it snapped off, I felt a bit lightheaded. It wasn’t a particularly unpleasant sensation though as I would have wanted to join everyone without whatever agreement someone had put over the party.

“What happened?”

“They put a charm on the illusion such that anyone who saw it would be drawn to it instantly”

“How come you weren’t drawn to it?”

“I have a paranoid mother and an obsessive father.” We chuckled fondly.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“I want to go there anyway, even without the agreement”

“Yeah, it’s pretty amazing, they don’t even need it at all. And it’s illegal!” he screamed as a group of people passed by him. They shrugged and laughed. I wouldn’t have paid attention to them if it weren’t for the girl who was with them. She wore nothing on her top with just jeans, but had neon paintings all over her body, swirling and forming different shapes. The painting was done so well that you wouldn’t even notice that she wasn’t wearing anything until you looked too hard at her chest which bounced as she was walked. She noticed me staring and then winked at me, before continuing walking with her group.

“Wow”

“That group draw their powers from the planets and distant stars and can be pretty dangerous too. They’re a relatively new group. The rest of us give reverence to the sky and moon, they give reverence to stars and planets. Everyone thought they were just crazy until they begun to show power unlike what has ever been seen. No one knows where they get it from. Be careful around them”

“It can’t be that bad” In reality, I thought Space Vodun was the most amazing thing that has graced my ears in a long time.

“Yes, it can”

“Yeah yeah grandpa” I laughed “Show me where we can get light stuff and join the party”

I got several neon bracelets and one for my waist and one face painting around my right eye, making it look like the all-seeing eye of God in Egyptian style. Neil also got a few neon bracelets and neon body paint on his arms, like the one the girl got all over her body. It made his arm look like he was wearing long sleeved shirt that was elaborately painted with symbols and images from different African dialects and religions. We thanked the artist and after a thousand warnings and assurances from Neil, we joined the party. I was sucked in immediately however Neil was by my side, continuously fussing and fuming about everything that went against regulations.

I don’t know how to dance, I never learned and I’m very sure I made a fool of myself. Neil laughed the entire time; it was both annoying. I didn’t notice the party moving until we reached a part of Wagadu with a fountain.

“How did we get here!” I had to yell because of all the noise and the shouting.

“It’s not just a party, it’s a brigade!”

“Nice! I’ve never been in before! What’s that?” Neil laughed again.

“Basically, marching around for a cause, followed by brass band. But instead of marching, we’re dancing and instead of a brass band, it’s Burna Boy” I mouthed an o “Why is there alcohol here!” Neil was talking to a shirtless guy passing around cups and filling them up with alcohol. I didn’t see anyone give him money. Then I remembered that we didn’t pay for the jewelry and the paintings. Did money not exist here?

No, it did. Dad gave me money and when Mrs. Mensah and I were getting me ready for school, we used money for a lot of things. So, it meant it was sponsored by someone very rich and by someone who loves space parties and brigades.

“Boy chill” the guy said laughing “it can be anything you want it to be. Hello beautiful” he addressed the last part to me. I grinned foolishly. No one has called me beautiful before. Probably has something to do with the fact Mike and I never went out and were sworn off friends due to the paranoia of my mother.

“She’s with me, move along”

“But I’m thirsty!” I protested. He began to reprimand me but the guy the already given me a cup and poured the liquid into it. It was dark and looked like a fizzy drink. It looked like Coca Cola but from the way Neil was acting it might’ve well been actual cocaine. Before I put it unto my lips, Neil took it from me and tasted it. He glared at the other guy and that made him laugh more.

“I’ll see you around” he winked and left.

Neil then handed the drink to me meaning it was safe to drink.

“You are going to get killed if you just take things people hand to you” Neil grumbled.

“Well thank Jupiter for you” he rolled his eyes at my joke towards the space themed party. “Wow so you won’t laugh? Okay, your loss” I then began dancing terribly. Apparently, it was so terrible that Neil doubled over with laughter.

“This doesn’t not help my self-esteem at all” Neil laughed so much I thought he would explode.

“Hello fellow Afa!” the crowd screamed in response. I looked around, wondering where the voice came from. Neil held my jaw and pulled it up. The touch sent shivers from where he touched to the base of my spine but I held myself so that it wouldn’t show.

That was when I first met him.

He was tall, his body entire covered in neon paintings and wearing just jeans. Like most, he was barefooted and he had this majestic afro that glowed a brilliant green, like he has dipped his hair into neon and left it to dry. Or perhaps it was a wig I did not know. But unlike most, he was flying! Almost 10 feet from the ground, like a well-dressed black Jesus.

“I would’ve asked if you were enjoying yourself, but it’s obvious that you’re having the most amazing night of your life!” I screamed and hooted with the crowd. “For those who are new you are very welcome,” I grinned in response although though it wouldn’t matter and my eyes met Neil, he was looking at me with a half-smile on his face. I felt my face heat up and so I did the first thing that came to my mind. I stuck out my tongue and turned my head away, giving all my attention to the guy “, and for those already here fuck you all!” a roar of laughter rippled over the crowd, even Neil laughed “For those who already don’t know, we have this kind of party for any reason; first day of the month, last day of the month, beginning of school year, middle of school year, when my girlfriend breaks up with me and when I get a new girlfriend!” Everyone cheered after each list was said, but the last two didn’t make me as excited as everyone else was. Neil shrugged in response to my confusion.

“It’s time for roll call!” everyone cheered.

“What’s that?”

“I don’t know” Neil said looking confused.

“My friends tell me that Afas of every level are here, I totally doubt that by the way. A man has to check that for himself I guess” I thought he looked 16. Then his eyes begun to glow a neon orange and the crowd went wild. Neil grew increasingly cautious but I thought it looked pretty cool.

“When I mention your Level say ee-oo. Say ee-oo”

“Ee-oo!” I screamed along with the crowd

“Ee-oo”

“Ee-oo”

“Level 1!”

As some people screamed ‘ee-oo’ every pore of their body glowed a brilliant neon red. Except me.

“Level 1!” Brilliant red. Again. Except me.

Neil began to look very worried this time.

“Level 2!”

This time some people glowed neon orange. Neil smiled, a bit impressed by the show, but a sense of dread crawled up my spine. I dropped the empty cup.

“I want to leave” I said holding his arm.

“Why what’s…” I yelped and covered my stinging eyes, because Neil begun to glow a neon green. “They’re at Level 4 already, sorry about your eye though”

I dropped down to the floor covering my face as much as I could but it wasn’t enough.

“Level 5!”

“Oh shit” Neil realized too late.

My entire body was blue. Neil yanked me up and we began to ran from there.

“Only few people in Level 5 are up for a party” I looked behind me and the speaker’s back was facing me. I saw him searching the crowd, searching, obviously for me. Neil yanked me again, moving me along faster than my feet and the people part for us.

“Level 5!” he said in a sing-song way. Neil covered his eye; I was glowing too brightly and unlike the previous light shows, my light stayed on for a long time. I saw people stop to stare at me and I could imagine them thinking how someone so young could be in level 5. The sky suddenly lit up and in my peripheral vison, I saw that he too was glowing blue. The crowd was oblivious to my fear cheering and drinking and laughing and just turning to look at me when I passed.

“The bikes are still far away” Neil said after my light went out “Follow me” he literally dragged me into a building. It looked like a conference room and he dragged me towards the stage there and I understood why he brought me here. There was a stage, with very thick curtains.

“All those in Level 5 below 15 years say ee-oo!” I heard the speaker say. His voice was overly cheerful but I could sense an edge to it. The crowed still screamed but a few people said ee-oo as a joke.

I glowed so bright that it even hurt my own eyes. Neil had to close his eyes as he climbed the stage and so I had to climb it myself.

I began to hyperventilate as fear gripped my throat. I was filled with paranoia as looked out the door, afraid that someone would come and carry me away.

“Nikki!” Neil yelled, covering his eyes but holding his hand in my direction.

“I’m here” I called back, successfully dragging myself over the stage and held his hand. My light went out.

We ran towards the stage, but before we reached the curtains the speaker spoke,

“Come on! No body?”

I felt myself getting yanked from the ground and glowing brightly. I was flying, away from the ground and toward the speaker.

“Neil!” I shrieked, uncomfortable with my weightlessness. I was quite heavy for my age and thus did not remember the last time my feet were not touching the ground. He was holding on tight already, but not for long. The force at which my body was pulling away was strong. We had almost reached the curtains and so he held on it for support.

“Don’t let go!” Neil said looking away.

I wasn’t going to. I held his hand with my other hand and held on. After a few seconds the force stopped and I fell down on him, heavily.

“I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” I asked, worried I might’ve broken something.

“I’m fine” he was clutching his side. He noticed me notice him wince “It’s just a bruise”.

“Turns out none of us are that smart huh,” the speaker said and the crowd laughed.

He continued with the party but my heart wouldn’t stop trying to leave my body.

“Who is that guy?”

“The youngest person to be in Level 5, well before you came along. And founder of the Others” he saw the confusion in my face “The space Vodun, they call themselves Others”

“He was looking for me”

“We don’t know that…”

“I do, he was looking into the crowd, for someone in Level 5, below 15 years. He wasn’t looking when he did the other levels. He was looking for me. If not, why was I floating?”

“Let’s stay here until they pass” he got up and helped me up and we went behind the curtains. It looked like the backstage for a play or a show. We went into a room that looked like the dressing room for a said play and then locked the door behind us.

As my anxiety ebbed, I became suddenly aware that I was in a locked room with Neil. With my back turned towards him, my senses became heighted and I could swear that I could smell him. I walked to the end of the room, where there was a mirror and some chairs, passing my hands through the racks of clothing to give my hands and brain something to do aside from thinking about very teenager, very hormonal things. I sat at the chair and looked into the mirror. I could see him though the mirror; he still stood at the door and was staring at me. The room was a bit dark so our neon accessories and light it up, bathing it in warm green tones against the still darkness. When he began walking towards me, I felt my stomach lurch and this time it wasn’t from fear. He sat at the chair to my right and silently laughed.

“What the hell, why are you laughing?” I said complaining, but I joined him, chuckling from the entire situation.

“It’s nothing” I gave him a look and he shrugged “I figured out how he knew about you” I had a feeling that that was not what he was laughing about but this seemed like good information. “His parents are in the council”

“It still doesn’t explain why he wants me.”

“He probably wants you to join Others, teach him some of the things you know. You are an initiate, the most powerful type of Afa. I don’t know why exactly he wants you but none of the scenarios are good” Neil picked at the paint on his arm “You’re not supposed to talk about council business outside of the council meeting. I’m sure a lot of things go on there that I do not know but it seems like his parents trust him with everything” There was a strange look on his face.

“It bothers you huh?”

“Yeah” he smiled sadly “Don’t get me wrong Shango is a jerk, but it must be nice to be that close to your parents”

“I wouldn’t know” I shrugged, grimly reminiscing about my mother “but know that I trust you, with everything” I immediately regretted the words that came from my mouth, I don’t even know why I said it but when I saw the surprised smile on his face, I relaxed.

He pulled closer to me and I leaned in.

When he kissed me, I kissed him back.

“Happy birthday Nikki” he whispered against my lips, his voice oozing with want. I liked it, I liked how I made him feel and how he made me feel. I didn’t even care that it was my birthday, I wanted his soft lips on mine again.

I grabbed his face and kissed him some more.