THE RETURN OF IKENNA (THE DIVINE CHILD) TO DIVINITY

After ikenna's demonstration of divine powers during the covenant , news has gone round the whole village of how much powers he possess ,his case was like that of a regretted machete that can only be used to bring down the Iroko tree. The same Ikenna that many people hated in the village and even accused of killing his mother with his evil powers became the solution to the problem of the people. They brought people that are sick to him for healing and by the power of the gods he cured many sicknesses.

At this time Eze Ebube was already old and feeble though still enjoying good health because the gods has blessed him with good health. He could hardly attend to cases in the palace and most times delegate Ikenna to handle such cases because he believed in his judgment. And that task Ikenna handled so well that many people started thinking that Eze Ebube will hand over Umunkata kingdom to him and not his first son.

It was an issue of concern in the royal family the way Eze Ebube carry Ikenna his last son who is only but a teenager along in issues concerning the kingdom instead of his first son or other of his grown up sons. Most of them are of the opinion that the king is preparing him to take over the kingdom after him. In all Eze Ebube was so delighted that his first son who happened to be the crown prince was not concerned about the matter, to the king he has demonstrated wisdom by not joining in the under ground tussle for the kingship of Umunkata.

The tussle continued to the extent that Eze Ebube's wives where going to the king trying to cajole him into passing the throne to their sons instead of Ikenna, stating that he is too young for the throne and that its obvious the crown prince is not cable of handling the throne that why the king want to hand over the throne to another. No body spoke for the crown prince as his own mother died giving birth to Ikenna.

As the tension for who is to be the next king of Umunkata was on within the royal household and Eze Ebube gradually approaching the grave, Ikenna the divine child has equally accomplished his mission on earth as a mortal, which is to guide Eze Ebube in truth all through his reign as king over Umunkata.

One faithful morning, Ikenna went to see the king in his chambers and sitting on the edge of the bed while the king laid on the bed, he said,

"Father, my time has come, for I have accomplished my mission here.

It is said that a man cannot go before his chi and you are drawing closer to you're ancestors by the day, I have to return to prepare for your coming for I your chi is to announce you when you finally arrive to be with gods"

Eze Ebube held his hands and kissed his forehead and said safe journey the great one.

Just as Ikenna was about stepping out, he turned and said

"One more thing father, for your home to continue to enjoy peace even after you have gone, you must name the crown prince as king after you as quick as possible for time is no longer on your side"

And immediately Ikenna returned to his chambers laid on the bed and his soul returned to divinity. That morning a maiden went to Ikenna's chambers to attend to him and found his lifeless body on the bed. She screamed and ran out people gathered and at once they took the news of his death to the king .The king sent the town crier to summon the whole villagers to the palace for Ikenna's burial.

In the evening, the whole village was gathered at the palace feasting, after laying Ikenna's body to rest. The king called for the music to stop as he address the people

"I Eze Ebube the Ebube 1 of Umunkata, and the entire royal family thank you all for answering when we called, I use this opportunity to appreciate the people of Umunkata for your support to the throne all this years of my reign and even as my reign is coming to an end I have the honour to name my successor to the people of Umunkata. He is no other person but my son in whom am well pleased ."

He call out the crown prince and showed him to the people as his successor and blessed him. He called on the people of Umunkata to give him the same support they showed him and on the music to continue.

Just as the music was on everybody in high spirit following the kings announcement, Eze Ebube in his seated position right on the throne gave up the ghost.