Hello Ebi! Hello Fam!
Today I am interviewing Kioi. A former antagonist in my novel Amachi’s Hope. He is a descendant of Amachi and has done a complete 180 since his story began. Kioi is the perfect example of redemption. One who has changed his life for the better—though I don’t think he entirely agrees.
***
Me: Welcome, everyone. I would like you to meet Kioi. Formerly a villain in my novel Amachi’s Hope, and a member of the now-defunct Shopana tribe. How are you today Kioi?
Kioi: Blessed!
Me: How so?
Kioi: Thanks to the lovely Tarisai (she will always be the love of my short life) and the goddess Amachi’s guidance, I was given a chance to reincarnate and to somewhat make amends for the terrible things I did in my early life.
Me: Like what?
Kioi: (Kioi winced) Don’t you know my story? You are the one who wrote it?
Me: True. But my audience has not read my book yet.
Kioi: Well, let’s put it this way. Many of the things I did in my past life were influenced by a horrible creature. He used the Shopona and me as pawns to enact his evil plans.
Me: You mean Bujune?
Kioi: Please do not speak his name out loud. (Kioi looked about as if he expected Bujune to slither out from the nearest corner).
Me: Sorry. But he is no more. Thanks to you, the ancestors, and descendants of the Olorun, Ifa, and remaining Shopona. Power in numbers and all that.
Kioi: Indeed!
Me: Do you feel guilty for your second chance at life and first chance at love?
Kioi: Yes. I still do. The lives that were taken; their souls will never truly rest. They’ll never experience rebirth, connect with their families or find love once more. How can I not understand their need for vengeance?
Me: Agreed.
Me: There was a musician named Bob Marley, who wrote a song called “Redemption Song.” I feel like his words are fitting to your redemption.
Kioi: You mean he was a storyteller?
Me: I’m sorry. Yes! But his words were accompanied by music. The song was written many years ago (in my realm), and people relate to these words in different ways. Here are some of the verses:
“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds” …
“How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?”
I feel as if you have accomplished these things in your journey to enlightenment and freedom. Freeing yourself from Bujune and his mental bondage and standing up with your brothers and sisters (living and dead) to defeat Bujune. Don’t you agree?
Kioi: Well. When you put it that way, I guess I have redeemed myself. But it’s still hard to accept. So many people died because of me. It’s part of the reason why I did not believe I deserved to be loved or deserved to ascend to Orun; oh, I mean heaven. (Kioi showed a rare smile)
Kioi: One last question. Do you have it within you to forgive Bujune?
Me: (The look on Kioi’s face answered my question.)
Kioi: How can you ask me that! He ruined my life! Took me from my mother, made me suffer mentally and physically, used me to kill others! How can you ask me such a thing?
Me: I’m sorry. But isn’t the road to ascension also paved with forgiveness? If the High God did not think you capable of it, you would not be in Orun.
Kioi: Perhaps, but I think I was allowed in because the High One also felt he had something to atone for.
Me: I assume you mean him turning his back on your suffering?
Kioi: Perhaps.
Me: Well on a more poignant note. Do you think you’ll ever see Tarisai again?
Kioi: By the goddess, I hope so. I’ll never love anyone as I did Tarisai. Thank you for bring us together.
Me: It was my pleasure. As a parting gift, I’m going to play “Redemption Song” so you can hear all the words. Ibukun brotha!
Kioi: Blessings to you as well sista!
If you would like to know more about Kioi’s journey, I hope you’ll read Amachi’s Hope when it’s published in the near future! 🙂
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