THE CURSE OF THE OSUN SHRINE EP 1

 

Episode 1: "The Arrival"

Osogbo, Nigeria. August, the eve of the Osun-Osogbo Festival.

The city was a storm of colors, drums, and chants. Pilgrims, locals, and tourists flowed like the Osun River itself through the streets. At the city’s edge, seven figures walked quietly, their laughter not quite in rhythm with the town’s music.

Japhet adjusted his sunglasses. “So, this is the famous Osogbo. Doesn’t look cursed.”

“Yet,” said Milly with a smirk, slinging her camera around her neck.

Kazzy chuckled. “Come on, we’re here for culture, not ghost stories.”

They were met by four locals: Idowu, Ranti, Sunkanmi, and Badore. Ranti’s eyes gleamed. “You wanted real Yoruba history? We’ll give you more than tourist shows.”

Nightfall came quickly.

Behind the sacred grove, hidden from the throngs of worshippers, they pushed past the undergrowth. Sunkanmi led the way, torchlight dancing on thick tree trunks carved with ancient symbols.

“There it is,” whispered Badore. The Osun Shrine stood quiet and eternal, half-buried in vines. At its heart: three relics on an obsidian pedestal— a golden comb, a water gourd wrapped in snakeskin, and a mask of polished bone.

“They say they hold Osun’s essence,” Ranti murmured. “Let’s find out,” Kazzy said, reaching forward.

The wind howled as if in warning. The gourd cracked open. The shrine’s carvings glowed blue, and the Osun River groaned.

From beneath the earth, something awoke, Something ancient, Something angry.