Washa the chameleon god

CHAPTER ONE

Boom! Boom! The trumpet's blast echoed through the air, signaling another dreaded Monday. I loathed the monotony, but my fellow Kananan Dogari recruits reveled in the sound, eager for training to begin. I, Cosmos, was among the 100 chosen for the Senior Warrior program, also known as the King of War. Born in the palace, we were destined for a life of service, our parents sacrificed in a centuries-old custom.

At our birth, the first Prince and son of King Salama was welcomed, and we were bound to protect him until his death. The upside of our story was that we knew nothing of our parents or family, only that they gave their lives for us to become royal guards. Our parents must have hailed from the 100 tribes of the Wase Kingdom in Africa.

Among the recruits, 50 girls and 50 boys stood tall, the boys robust and muscular, except for me. I looked like an ordinary teenager, despite our parents being believed to be sturdy warriors. We were all 16, and Mondays meant physical training, which I struggled with due to my physique. My mates used this opportunity to bully me, and I grew up without friends, hated by everyone, especially Commander Sarki Yaki. He claimed I wasn't fit for this work and often paired me with the best fighters to humiliate me.

"Move on, move on! No latecomers allowed! The commander is present today, so be on your best behavior," Bege, our captain, warned. As I struggled to keep up with my fellow recruits, Bege stopped me in the corridor. "Hey, Cosmos, you're free to come late. Weaklings aren't invited."

He had been picking on me since childhood, and his words stung. With a push, I fell to the floor, my impact echoing through the corridor. "Ha! See how weak this boy is. I wonder how he was selected if he's so weak."

I was accustomed to being bullied, having faced worse situations than this. Though it hurt, I paid no attention, knowing it was futile to resist. I had thought of quitting or running away, but once selected, only death could save me from this fate. Our lives were tied to the prince's; we were told that we would die alongside him. I couldn't die unless he did.

I stood up, wincing in pain, and walked to the training ground in the center of the army campus. Commander Barde, also known as Sarkin Yaki, stood before my 99 fellow recruits, waiting for everyone to arrive. "Should I come and whip you, Number One?" he bellowed at me.

"No, Commander," I replied.

"Is it your legs, Number One?" he asked.

"No, Commander."

"Then tell me why you're not running!" he shouted.

I struggled to explain that my legs ached from the fall when Bege pushed me, but I feared further punishment for not defending myself. Commander Barde would say, "How will you defend the prince if you can't defend yourself?"

"Run like a mad dog before I change my mind!" he ordered.

The pain in my left leg was excruciating, but disobeying a direct command from the Senior Commander was punishable by death. I forced myself to run, limping, and strained to reach the designated spot. I stood in the front row, numbered one, with Bege at number two and Kwana at number four. Our row was led by a short boy, and we were the first row among the hundreds of Yaran Dogari.

"I'm not here to train you today," Commander Barde announced, "but to inspect how much you've learned. By now, I expect you to be the strongest of all the army in Wase Kingdom. You're lucky to be trained by me. I expect you to be stronger than me."

"Today's training will be different," Commander Barde announced, his face stern. "I'll inspect you all by fighting each of you. I won't hold back, so be prepared to take this seriously. It's for your own good."

"Yes, sir!" we shouted in unison.

"I hope you won't disappoint me," he warned.

"Yes, commander!" we replied.

"I hope Cosmos won't disappoint me," he said, his eyes fixed on me.

"Yes, commander!" I shouted, trying to sound confident.

My fellow recruits didn't dare look at me or laugh, as it was a crime to move while receiving a command.

"Number One, let's start with you," Commander Barde said, his voice firm.

My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a chill run down my spine. I was about to fight the strongest person in the Wase Kingdom. My legs were still paining me, and I knew I stood no chance against the commander, even if I were in perfect health.

As the preparations continued, I became increasingly scared. The fighting drums were set, and the arrangements were made. I wished someone would stop this fight, but it was impossible.

The sword and other weapons were brought in, indicating that everything was ready. I stood up, trying to hide my shaking body, and walked to the front of the hall where the fight would take place.

Commander Barde was already seated, his eyes fixed on me. He was in a meditative position, our traditional seating stance, with his back straight and hands on his laps. I picked up a stick, knowing I couldn't handle a sword, and approached him. To my surprise, he wasn't holding any weapon, indicating he would fight me unarmed.

Captain Bege beat the drum, signaling the start of the fight. Without waiting for Commander Barde to stand up, I attacked him while he was still seated. My aim was to defeat him before he could counterattack. But before my stick could reach his face, Barde vanished. I quickly turned to defend my back, but it was too late. I felt his hand on my shoulder, and my legs were lifted off the ground. I was left dangling in the air, flailing my legs like a dog.

The whole scene erupted in laughter, and I felt the deepest humiliation of my life. I couldn't even make a second move. It was a shameful defeat, one that anyone could face in martial arts practice or sword fighting. I was defeated without even attempting to fight back.

"Number One is already gone before he could start. What a disgrace. I pray the next fighter won't also disgrace me," Barde said, tossing me to the ground like a plastic bag.

I quickly crawled away, making space for the next fight. The shame was too much for me, so I kept my head down.

Bege, the captain and Number Two, was next to walk to the front. He didn't pick a weapon and stood in a fighting position. Commander Barde attacked first, sending a front kick. Bege moved quickly to avoid the kick and took another step forward. Barde was impressed by Bege's quick reaction, as only top fighters could react so fast.

Bege didn't wait for Barde to send another kick. He quickly lightened his body and sent a quick bicycle kick across Barde's face. Barde found it hard to defend against the kick, which sent him two steps backward. He knew Bege was no pushover, so he didn't hold back. He vanished and reappeared in front of Bege, sending a stronger kick than usual.

Bege managed to defend himself with his two hands, but the kick was too much, sending him flying. He lightened his body and managed to fall without harming himself. But before he could stand up, Barde was already standing over him, rendering him useless.

Barde offered Bege a hand up and bowed to him, showing respect. The fight was impressive. The rest of the fights continued, with each of my mates giving their best and landing at least one or two blows on the commander.

After the fight, Commander Barde called me to the front and used two sticks to whip my legs 100 times for not being able to fight like my mates.