The people of my village believed Kiyami could not be killed. That's what we called the creature that came from time to time to attack our village. A large bear that had no soul. We believed the gods cursed us with it as punishment for some unknown sin. That's why it came under the cover of many full moons to slay my people, and there was no warrior or hunter to stand against it.
I am Indagiju Apaju. Granddaughter of the greatest huntsman that ever lived in the village of Kuda. A growing village surrounded by the forest, and our woods had a variety of creatures to hunt.
Grandfather was a king among many huntsmen. A pillar of what our people stood for, but even he fell short to Kiyami when he decided to put an end to it, and it showed him no mercy. Father always told us this story to teach us how great a warrior grandfather was, but also to teach us how terrifying a monster Kiyami could be. Father wanted us to fear it. He wanted us nowhere near it.
He had been a boy when grandfather died, and twenty years later Kiyami still reigned supreme, becoming a godlike creature that the people revered and many warriors feared. It killed our people whenever it pleased, as long as it was a full moon.
My first encounter with the beast was ghost-frightening. It was also my last. Now I knew my Father was right. Kiyami was not a monster to be trifled with.
I ran through the forest breathing hard as I sensed the creature was gaining on me. Sixteen years old, still in my father's house, I had decided on a different path, not only against my father's wishes but against the norms of the girls in my village. A path that only ensured death even among men my father said. The path of a hunter.
I crotched behind the leaves of a rosemary bush in my brown native top and knee length skirt. A full quiver of arrows on my back, but no bow. I had lost my bow escaping the pursuer. Which laid useless somewhere after it fell when I tripped escaping my pursuer. The creature's fast paws stopped short where I hid. It knew I was there. A forest wild cat. Brown, furry, and deadly. Almost like a short lion but just as deadly. It scanned the area sniffing for my scent. Soon it would find me, soon I was Its meal.
It was a dangerous animal even among bigger predators. Only a few hunted it alone. Not many could in groups. Still, I had to prove I was ready.
It adjusted its sight to the rosemary bushes and growled. Its paws dug into the earth. It had caught whiff of me.
I saw through the bushes as it prowled towards me. I shivered in the heat, out of fear. I had thought I was ready but facing the real thing is different. I reached for my absent bow, cursing as I realized I was getting paranoid as my arrows sat useless in the quiver, but still I had planned ahead.
The cat's paws stepped on dry leaves that lay harmlessly before it. A mistake. The trap sprung. It cried as the leaves gave way and it slipped into a hole.
"Got you."
A piercing sound followed by a painful growl was let out when it fell. I slowly got up, surprised it had worked. I walked to the hole cautiously, and stared down at it. I was cautious just in case I didn't really succeed, but I did. Looking down at my work, I saw the forest cat skewered through by the sharp wood pikes I had placed in the hole. It gave me an evil look as the light started to fade from Its eyes. It grunts of hopeless defiance. I smirked knowing I had killed one alone. This would make him proud, I thought. Still, I was wrong.
Walking to the village I felt like a champion. I dragged the heavy cat across the grassy plains before the entrance of my village. I was sure someone spotted me far off and called my father because I could see the figure of my father running towards me. I panicked, seeing it was him.
Father had warned me times without number not to ever go into the forest alone. Amani my father was heartbroken each time I told him I wanted to be a hunter. He feared I'd meet the fate of my grandfather. Plus, no woman had ever been a hunter in the village. It wasn't a taboo, but it was unheard of.
My father was a fisherman, but even the villagers knew he was not weak. He had the physique of a warrior. So you could imagine my fear as he drew near.
"Inda?" My father said in his deep voice that always broke my defenses, but he was surprised "How did you...what did you do?"
I mistook his amazement for approval, so I didn't hold back my excitement when I told him I hunted it down myself and killed it.
"I hunted it down! Like the great hunters of our village Papa! I am the great Indagiju!" I said excitedly, that's when his whole countenance towards me changed. He raged at me.
"What have I told you about hunting in the forest Inda!! How many times do I have to tell you? Never go into the forest alone!" he said.
"But, but I.." I tried to respond.
"You're not a man Inda, you never will be, ever! I won't even allow you to be a hunter if you were one! Especially you Inda, especially you!"
I frowned, taking that personally.
"What do you mean papa? If you have chosen to flee the life of a hunter, that is fine by me papa! But I will live by it, and I will even become the greatest huntsman Kuda has ever seen!"
Before I could say more a slap landed my face. I staggered and fell. My ears rang loudly.
"Is it me you are talking to?! Ka buku ma!! Me?! Oya, leave the animal! Get back to the village!" He ordered. He did not wait for me to obey. He simply grabbed my kill and carried it away. I dared not to speak for another second. If I had, the tears would have been uncontrollable. Understand me when I say the slap shook me to my core.
I walked slowly to the village. Head bowed, and not looking around at the people who went about their day. Some must have seen my father confront me, which made me sad and angry at the same time, reminding me I was trapped in a village that didn't believe in change. I could cook, clean, and take care of the home just like every other girl. I would even love to do that someday for a husband, even submit to him. But first I must fulfill destiny as a huntsman, even if it meant I had to die trying.
Wiping my tears I arrived the lonely hut of our home. My younger brother was probably out with his friends. A growing twelve-year-old who could do Papi no wrong. My mother had died years ago, not by the mysterious beast of the forest but by a strange sickness. I wondered what she'd think of me if she saw her daughter coming straight from a hunt like this. I wanted to believe she'd be proud.
The tent was cool. The surrounding forest trees always made sure we had enough of that, and sometimes it got really cold. It was rumored Kiyami came in the coldest of nights under a full moon, but I had studied it, that theory was yet to be proven. It came on random full moons. And that made it unpredictable.
I lay on the straw mat recounting the slap my father gave to me. My ears still rung from the recoil of it. I didn't feel like it, but I probably needed to eat, and wondered what my Dad would do with the cat I had killed, sell it? Probably drown it in a river. What a waste, I could have made cat stew. I turned to the side with uneasy feelings. The thought of it made me want to drown in sleep. I just wanted a peaceful day. I imagined a peaceful day as I drifted off to sleep. Still, I was asking for too much.
The cry of the villagers woke me. People screamed and wailed in darkness as the moon replaced the sun. I sat up seeing some rush past my tent, calling out names as if something had happened. The commotion was noisier than any festivals of daylight. I bolted to my feet realizing what it meant. It was the full moon tonight. It had struck again. Then I noticed I was alone. I turned around the hut to find Papi and Ijai. Panic set into my spirit. They were not in. I wasn't sure why but fearing the worst, I rushed out into the commotion to find them.
Whatever Kiyami had done was over, but the cries and panic of those looking for loved ones were everywhere. There were some fires too. Kiyami had killed five and taken one. That's what I heard as I walked around looking for my father and brother.
Everyone scatters when we hear the cry of the monster in the village. Many get separated in the commotion, running to the nearby woods for safety. I searched for Papi and Ijai, calling out their names like everyone else. My Dad had always made a note of running home immediately at the sight of a full moon. It was weird they were not home.
"Inda," a voice called as I searched, small and childish. I recognized my brother's voice and turned to see him approaching. He was bare-chested like most men of the village, with brown wrapper shorts that hung on his bony frame, tears streaming down his eyes as he looked terrified, but relief washed over me.
I rushed to him to see if he was ok. I looked him over before embracing him in a tight hug. His tears rolled down my left shoulder as he sobbed uncontrollably.
"Inda, something..something has happened, Inda..." He said with a shaky voice. I pulled away and assured him everything was ok.
"You're fine now, you're safe, the wild beast is gone, ok? You're going to be ok, eh, ok?"
"No, we're not." He said with heavy sobs, looking me in the eyes. There was a specific sorrow behind it.
"Ijai?" I said, giving him a troubled look, a fear setting in. "What..what happened, what's wrong?" I asked him, fearing the worst. Then I noticed three men standing close by observing us. I realized they had brought him. They had something to say. I turned back to my brother.
"What's happened?"
He looked at me, then started.
"I didn't come home on time..." he said between shaky breaths, "so Father came to find me. I was with Bina, my friend, resting in the meadows when we slept off and lost track of time. We didn't know it was a full moon, that's when the monster came. We were the first to see it, but Father came to save us cause he found us. But...Inda. He..was.."
Hearing those words my heart slowed, as the world froze in time. Only my brother's words were reaching me now, those tragic words.
"What happened, where is Papi!??" I didn't know when I raised my voice shaking him. "Where is He?!" He couldn't answer and burst into tears.
"Your father was taken..." one of the men said, "...Kiyami dragged him away, the five men that died were the hunters that tried to help him. I'm so sorry Inda. Your father is dead."
Moments later the villagers who saw me tried to stop me from leaving but my mind was already made up. I entrusted Ijai to a family friend. I told him I would be gone for a few hours, but he cried knowing what I was going to do. Who would have farmed for food in the middle of the night the same night of the attack, but that's the excuse I told him. He knew I was going hunting.
An hour later, with a supply bag by my side, holding a new bow and some arrows. I walked through the forest that night not sure of what I was doing. I just wanted to get my father back, that or his corpse. Him being taken by Kiyami wasn't very hopeful. And I fought back the tears by choosing to be vengeful. I wanted to kill the demon but that was only wishful thinking.
I headed towards the part of the forest everyone suspected the demon lived in. I was heading for Òkunkun, which meant darkness, to save my father or die trying. I had to try. Make no mistake, I was terrified like the local chicken that knew today was his day to die, but I still marched quietly on the dry leaves halfway there, not planning to head back. The sound of turmoil from the village was now far behind.
I walked cautiously, knowing other monsters lurked deep in the forest. The full moon gave me some light, but it reminded me like a symbol of my father's plight. As though mocking me that I would never see my father again.
I had walked a few meters when I heard the crunching of dry leaves and the flight of startled birds. I turned in that direction and I raised my bow. I was not alone. Something was unto me.
I aimed my bow steady, trying to calm my breathing as I focused on the path the sound came from. I was paranoid but also angry. So I wasn't going to miss. That's when I heard the animal speak.
"In..da" It said weakly, my hairs stood up. I feared I had finally met an actual forest demon. "What are you...doing here..?" it tried again, its voice strained like it was in pain. You could hear it breathe like an injured creature. That's when I realized who it was. I couldn't believe it.
"Papi?" I said, taking one step forward, unsure if he was really him.
"Inda ma?" he answered. He was the one. I burst into a run when I saw him. Reaching out to him. Nearing him I saw the weakened frame of my father as he barely stood, resting his hand on the nearby tree. He was covered in a dark liquid under the moonlight. It was blood, spilled from his multiple injuries.
"Papa?" I said tearfully, trying to hold him steady. He rested his arm on me.
"Inda." He said in strained breaths, "You..need to run."
"Ah," I said with tears "I cannot leave you here Papi."
"Listen to me for once!" he said with a louder tone, but winced. I knew it had to hurt so I stayed silent, not wanting to provoke him anymore.
"It's still coming after me. It dragged me using my arms but I managed to get away, but soon it'd be here for us. You have to get away."
Like a prediction, we heard it. The sound of deep grunts and breathing that rang through the woods as it approached. I could hear It sniff the air for our scent, the smell of blood that oozed out of its latest victim, my father. Its heavy footsteps got closer. My father and I hid behind a tree. Father barely stood, I had to make him sit. It was getting closer, soon we had to move. I looked down at Father. There was no way we could outrun the beast together, not in his condition.
No moment to lose, I made my decision, I had a plan. I brought out my bag. A wrapper and some ropes I had in it. I moved fast wrapping my father in them. The wrapper first. Then the ropes to hoist him up. He was heavy but I had enough strength to pull him up the tree. That way he'd be safe from the beast. Its steps got closer. I mustered strength to raise my father high enough, employing the pulley system. I was stronger than most girls.
When he reached a good height I tied the other end to a tree. I planned to lure the beast away from him. Circle back after. If I escape it. Then bring my father down and head for the village. This was our fighting chance.
My father barely conscious begged me to stop as I hoisted him up. He didn't want both of us to die, and he was in pain. For a scary second I almost gave in. How could I outrun the beast if it came after me?
The heavy steps were here. I took another position away from my Dad and I raised my bow. I steadied my aim to Its direction. It was still a distance, but there was no mistaking the shape of the beast. When it came closer, its height was the first thing I noticed.
It was taller than the tallest person in our village, even as it stood on all fours. I couldn't make out the rest of its features, but the eyes reflected the glow of shining night light.
I braved it and fired the first shot. It bounced harmlessly off the skin of the beast. The hunters of the village said it had a thick skin, unlike anything they've ever seen. It noticed me, that's all I wanted. It let out a sharp snort as it observed me. I took a step back thinking it would rage but it sniffed the air and turned its head back.
"It's after Papi," I thought, "the blood scent."
It lifted its head and noticed the hanging shape of my father from the nearby tree. Papi's blood probably enticed it more as the demon bear licked its lip. I frowned at this. I wasn't going to let it. I needed to get Its full attention.
I took a torch stick out of my hunting bag. The edge of it wrapped in a nice white cloth that was for the flame. I grabbed two match stones. It was time to create fire. I watched in horror as it slowly made its way to the tree my father hung. I focused on my work, forcing my father's life-threatening situation out of my mind as I lit my stick. Three seconds passed, felt longer but it worked. A spark ignited the cloth.
I rose with my fire. Kiyami was right below him at this point. It looked up sniffing at the blood that dripped. We didn't know about this, as Kiyami was the only beast we avoided in the forest. So you can imagine my surprise when it stood on two legs like a man.
I panicked. The sight made me hesitant. It was such a real shock that it took seconds to recover my composure. I had to do something drastic to get Its attention no matter what. I screamed with a raging voice.
"Dieee Kiyami, Diee!!!!" I shouted, then ran towards it. Luckily the flames didn't go out of my torch with the speed I approached it. It turned around hearing my voice, but by this point I had already reached it. I noticed in an instant its white soft underbelly, and I made my decision. I drove my fire into it.
The monster screamed. A scream I recognized. It had never made that sound before all the years it attacked my village. The sound of pain. Fast, it slapped me hard on the right side with its paw. Its strength knocked the wind out of me and threw me against a tree. I landed chest first into the dry earth, dry leaves failing to cushion my landing. Blood tasted in my mouth.
I straightened up, wincing at the pain I suddenly felt in my right arm. It was fractured, I knew that. Kiyami raged. It roared, and I also knew I had hurt it. I was in no good position to hold a bow but seeing this gave me hope. The monster didn't allow me to think. It fixed its eyes on me. It roared and bounded towards me.
Monsters are such fast runners. I know that now. I ran through the woods with Kiyami terribly on my heels, and I was a fast runner. I dodged close attempts by Kiyami to bite or pounce on me. I docked and used the trees as coverings to escape it, but the beast's strength and speed was unmatched. It knocked down some small trees with one slap of its paw. I was losing my breath. It had been about a minute but no way could I outrun this beast.
But Kiyami caught up. It swiped a tree and it slammed into me, pushing me a few meters through the air. I was lucky enough that I had planned to jump at this point. I fell hard and the wind escaped my lungs. I was lucky to still be alive.
I just wanted it to be over. I was out of energy. I lifted my head seeing it approach me. It was breathing hard as well. Kiyami knew I was down. I had no energy left to run. I raised my head seeing it slowly approach, then it stopped. I didn't know why, but then It turned. My eyes widened. I sensed it felt it had taught me a lesson and would go back for my father. His blood was still on its mind. I was angry, so I taunted it.
"Come back demon!!! I...I Indagiju Apaju, would be the end of you!! I am the greatest hunter, the greatest that ever lived!"
I'm sure it didn't understand a word I said, but my voice seemed to annoy It. It turned and roared as it came full speed to maul me. I smiled.
Its feet were the first to give way, and then the rest of its body followed. There was an angry roar it gave, confused as it fell into the hole. Then there was a wimp and a silence. My plan had worked. Kiyami and I were on familiar ground.
It was the trap I made for the wild cat earlier that day. Any hunter would have seen it, but a monster blinded by rage wouldn't. I had reset it after my kill. Being a prudent hunter had just saved me. I rose in pain, and dragged myself to the hole. I was careful to look down. And when I did I saw the great beast. The fire had taught me everything. Its bloodlust was its undoing. It had never stood when villagers encountered it, so we never knew, and were too afraid to even face it.
The underside of Its belly was Its weakness. I watched as the big black beast below grunted its last. Its underside was filled with several wooden spikes. I had slain the great beast.
By morning light I neared my village, with my father hanging on my shoulders. He managed to walk after I treated his wounds. It was a surprise when the villagers saw us at the entrance. On my right I held my father up, but on my left was something else. My sack bag. I threw it on the floor and The head of Kiyami rolled out. The monster we had feared for so long. The shock was evident on their faces. There were murmurs at first, then realizations, then excited whispers with tears, then suddenly an uproar. A huge cry of celebration broke out as the people lifted me up. There were tears in my father's eyes as well, with a smile. Yes, I was a girl, but now I was the greatest warrior in all of Kuda. And don't you forget it.