Echoes of Batá IV: The Forbidden Rhythm

Part 4:

The Forbidden Rhythm

The days that followed Baba Ayinde's revelation were a blur of intense preparation and gnawing uncertainty. Ayo and Ifáyemi poured over the cryptic symbols etched onto the wooden box, deciphering a complex ritual outlined in an ancient script. The air crackled with a nervous energy, fueled by the knowledge that their next step could be the key to Abisola's return or a descent into a terrifying unknown.

The inscription spoke of a specific full moon ceremony, requiring a precise offering alongside the complex Bata rhythm. The nature of the sacrifice, however, remained shrouded in ambiguity. Days turned into nights as they delved into obscure texts and consulted reluctant Bata masters. Some spoke in hushed tones of blood sacrifices, a practice long abandoned for its brutality, while others offered whispers of symbolic offerings imbued with personal significance.

Ayo, haunted by the image of his sister trapped in an ethereal realm, grappled with the idea of any sacrifice. Yet, the thought of losing her forever was an unbearable torment. Ifáyemi, her pragmatism a counterpoint to Ayo's emotional turmoil, researched alternative options. She discovered references to offerings of personal essence – a lock of hair, a cherished belonging – imbued with the seeker's love and longing.

Finally, the night of the full moon arrived. The air hung heavy with anticipation as they stood before a makeshift altar in a secluded clearing outside Ibadan. The full moon bathed the clearing in an ethereal glow, casting long shadows from the surrounding trees. In the center lay Ayo's Bata drum, the inscription on its head pulsing faintly with an otherworldly energy.

Ayo held the wooden box, its smooth surface cool against his trembling hand. Inside, nestled in crimson velvet, lay a single object – a silver locket containing a faded picture of him and Abisola, their faces beaming with childhood joy. This, he decided, would be his offering. It symbolized the unbreakable bond he shared with his sister, a love that transcended even the boundaries of worlds.

As the first rays of moonlight bathed the clearing, Ifáyemi began chanting a rhythmic invocation she had meticulously pieced together from ancient texts. Her voice, strong and steady, resonated through the night, creating a bridge between the physical world and the spirit realm.

Ayo picked up his Bata drum, the familiar feel sending a jolt of nervous energy through him. He raised his drumsticks, the air thick with anticipation. Then, with a deep breath, he began to play the forbidden rhythm.

The rhythm, unlike any he had ever played before, flowed from his very core. It was a melody tinged with both sorrow and hope, a desperate plea for Abisola's safe passage. As he played, the air crackled with energy, and the ground beneath their feet began to tremble. The inscription on the drum glowed brighter, pulsating with an otherworldly light.

Suddenly, with a deafening crack that split the night sky, the air shimmered and a swirling vortex materialized in the clearing. The gateway to the spirit realm stood open, beckoning them forward. Ayo's heart hammered against his ribs. This was it. The moment of truth.

He glanced at Ifáyemi, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and apprehension. They had reached a point of no return. Stepping forward, he placed the locket containing the picture at the foot of the vortex, his offering a silent plea for Abisola's return. Then, with a deep breath, he stepped towards the swirling gateway, the forbidden rhythm echoing in his ears. But as he neared the portal, a bone-chilling roar ripped through the night, sending a wave of terror crashing over him.