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SADAUKI BOOK 1
Abdulaziz Sani Madakin Gini
As soon as the giant spider aligned itself with them, Sadauki surged forward with lightning speed and drew a lethal, uniquely crafted sword from beneath his robes. He struck the spider’s legs. It was as if a pumpkin had been sliced; blood gushed from the severed limbs like a rushing stream, and within moments, the cave became a swamp of blood. Imran and the others were left swimming in it, as if trapped in a sack. The spider roared and screamed, causing the rocks within the cave to shatter. A strange force began to dance and suck them toward an opening. They all tried to brace themselves, planting their bodies to prevent their feet from slipping, but it was in vain; the force was too strong. They traveled this way for half an hour, unaware of where the current was taking them. Suddenly, they fell into a smaller chamber and saw two strange, hybrid creatures. Their bodies were beautiful birds with flowers embedded in them. Before they could react, the two creatures reached out like the rising sun. One creature stooped down, extended its hands, and scooped up Imran, Kan’anu, and Zulmu as easily as a person picking meat from a platter. Imran, Kan’anu, and Zulmu were left dangling and kicking in the air. The other creature extended its hands toward Sadauki. Sadauki pulled out a small dagger to strike, but the moment he struck, the dagger snapped in two. He felt as if he had stabbed a rock, and the creature didn't even notice. Despite the terror consuming them, the creatures carried them effortlessly until they exited the swamp.
Sadauki and his companions surrendered to fate, waiting to see what would become of them, as there was no way to escape. Suddenly, they saw a giant cage before them, made of black, ominous metal. The creatures headed straight for it. Imran was terrified and said, "This is the end for us today; anyone with desires must give up hope." Imran felt a deep regret for the journey: "Why did I agree to go looking for the horn of magic? I have brought this destruction upon myself." Zulmu added, "You people are the ones who ruined me; I was minding my own business when you dragged me into this."
In a rage, Sadauki retorted, "Are you afraid of death now? Honestly, you have shamed me. Only now do I realize I am traveling with women, not men. Look at Luwaisa; she is a woman, yet she hasn't flinched."
At that moment, the creatures reached the cage, threw them inside, and shut the gate, sealing it with a massive latch that not even eighty men could pull open. The creatures stepped back and stood motionless, watching Sadauki and his group as if waiting for orders. A few moments later, they heard a roaring sound and felt a powerful wind in the sky. Looking up, they beheld a giant bird, the size of an eagle. The bird landed nowhere but atop the cage they were in. Without delay, the bird took flight with the cage while the strange creatures stood by, watching. The group's anxiety worsened, as they did not know where the bird was taking them.
Imran looked at Sadauki and Kan’anu and asked, "What is the use of the magic you boast about? Why don't you save us from this calamity?"
Sadauki smiled and said, "This matter is beyond magic or strength; we must simply submit."
Zulmu and Kan’anu fell silent, their heads bowed. They knew Sadauki was telling the truth.
Luwaisa spoke up: "If only you believed in the Lord I worship, instead of worshipping things we do not know..."
Sadauki asked in surprise, "Which Lord do you worship that we do not know?"
Luwaisa replied with concern: "He is the One who governs the day and the night. He created the heavens, the earth, and everything within them. He is the One who gives life and death. Everything and everyone is under His rule."
Upon hearing this, they all burst into laughter. Imran said, "Truly, this girl has begun to rave; perhaps it is the destruction we are facing that has made her lose her mind."
Luwaisa simply looked at them and said, "Soon, you will believe me."
The bird did not stop until it descended upon a magnificent structure made of pearls, rubies, jewels, and emeralds. Inside, they found a grand palace with an imposing throne. Sitting on the throne was a beautiful woman, appearing to be in her early thirties. On her head was a copper crown. She wore a long, white, shimmering robe. Guards and soldiers surrounded her. In her hand was a cup of white metal filled with wine, from which she took small sips. The bird lowered the cage onto the throne's platform. The Queen stood up, and the palace fell silent as death. Everyone stood frozen, as if they had no blood in their veins. The Queen walked toward the cage, smiling, and said, "Welcome, Sadauki, leader of the world's warriors. I welcome you and your success in bringing Luwaisa, daughter of King Hafis. Alas! Not with Imran and the others, for they could become a problem for my needs."
Confused, Sadauki looked at her and asked, "And who are you? Why have you brought us here? Why didn't you let us pass to the Kusuku cave to retrieve the horn of magic?"
The Queen smiled and clapped her hands. A giant dragon emerged from a room. Imran and Kan’anu recognized it as being identical to the dragon idol at the gate of Queen Murkisa’s palace. The Queen looked at the dragon and said, "Oh, Mother of the Dragon, open the cage and let Sadauki and the others out."
Obediently, the dragon removed the massive latch from the cage. The door opened, and the five of them stepped out. The Queen walked away, and Sadauki’s group followed her, leaving the guards and the palace inhabitants behind.
They walked past five rooms filled with royal wealth and treasures. They stopped at the sixth room, which was the last one. Upon entering, they found a statue of a man standing there, and chairs placed nearby. The Queen gestured for them to sit, and they did. The dragon stood to one side. Imran, Zulmu, and Kan’anu watched the dragon with fear, expecting the Queen to order their execution at any moment. After they were seated, the Queen moved to the statue, embraced it, and burst into tears. Tears also fell from the dragon's eyes. The sight left Sadauki and his group baffled.
"Oh Queen, what is the reason for this weeping?" Sadauki asked compassionately.
The Queen turned, her eyes full of tears, and said, "This statue you see is not an idol; it is a man. He is my father, Muhutul Kasi, and I am Mafisa. My father did not make himself an idol. That dragon standing there is the mother of the dragon idol at the gate of Murkisa’s palace. Since the day Murkisa’s mother came to devour us, she turned them into statues. There is a deep-seated enmity between me and Queen Murkisa, dating back to our ancestors. Now, she has sent you to enter the Kusuku cave to bring her the horn of the Kusumu dragon so she can prepare a death-defying spell. Know that you cannot fulfill her request. No creature can enter that cave without my permission. Now, I have a request for you: either you do what I want, or the Mother of Kusumu will swallow you all this very instant."
