14/08/2026
Yes. This version is much more believable because the meeting happens by chance from Chimmaramma's side, rather than her simply waiting for the hunter. More importantly, her decision to spend one last carefree evening with Odibeze makes the tragedy far more painful: she has already decided to leave, but she still loves her sister deeply.
I would also make the palm wine and roasted corn scene feel warm and nostalgic, because that will make what follows hit much harder.
ECHOES OF THE EARTH
A tale of love, betrayal, sacrifice and a promise that death could not erase.
EPISODE 14 — THE LAST NIGHT TOGETHER
“Sometimes the last ordinary moment of your life is the one you will spend the rest of eternity wishing you could return to.”
Night had fallen over the kingdom.
The palace that was usually filled with voices had gradually become quiet.
One by one, the lamps along the corridors were extinguished.
The guards took their positions.
The servants retired to their quarters.
And eventually, even the royal household surrendered to sleep.
But someone was still awake.
Hidden in the darkest corner of an unused passageway was the hunter.
He had entered the palace hours earlier.
He had been hiding there, motionless, waiting.
He knew the palace guards changed shifts at certain hours.
He knew which corridors were usually deserted.
He knew that if he moved too early, he would be discovered.
So he waited.
And waited.
His only thought was Chimmaramma.
He had not come to hurt anyone.
He had not come to fight the King.
He had come for his daughter.
Tonight, he intended to take her away.
Meanwhile...
Chimmaramma sat alone in her room.
She had already made up her mind.
She would leave the palace.
She would go with the hunter.
She would finally see the world beyond the palace walls.
She would finally know the father she had only recently discovered.
She would finally learn about the mother she had never known.
But there was one thing she could not silence.
Odibeze.
No matter how many lies the hunter had told her...
No matter how suspicious she had become...
No matter how much anger she carried...
She still loved her sister.
She could not leave without saying goodbye.
And she didn't want their last memory of each other to be an argument.
Chimmaramma looked toward the door.
"I will spend one more evening with her."
She smiled faintly.
"Just like old times."
She quietly slipped out of the room.
The palace kitchen was almost empty.
She knew exactly what she wanted.
A little palm wine from the King's store.
She had stolen small amounts from there many times when she and Odibeze were younger.
They would sneak away with roasted corn, sit somewhere they thought nobody could find them, and laugh until someone came looking for them.
Tonight, she wanted one final memory.
She carefully took a small calabash of the King's palm wine.
Then she went to where some servants had roasted corn earlier that evening and picked two pieces.
She smiled to herself.
"Nwannem will be happy."
She turned toward their room.
And stopped.
Someone was standing in the darkness.
Chimmaramma's heart jumped.
She nearly dropped the corn.
The figure stepped forward.
She stared.
"Father?"
The hunter looked at her.
"Chimmaramma."
She quickly looked behind her.
"How did you get into the palace?"
"I have been waiting for you."
"You shouldn't be here."
"I know."
She lowered her voice.
"If the guards find you..."
"They won't."
He stepped closer.
"I came because we must leave tonight."
Chimmaramma stared at him.
"Tonight?"
"The King's men are still searching for me."
He glanced toward the corridor.
"And your sister has made it almost impossible for me to get near you."
Chimmaramma lowered her eyes.
"She is only protecting me."
The hunter's expression tightened.
"From me."
Chimmaramma said nothing.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then the hunter looked at the food in her hands.
"What are you carrying?"
Chimmaramma smiled faintly.
"Roasted corn."
"And the calabash?"
"Palm wine."
He smiled.
"You are still the little girl who used to steal from the King's store."
Chimmaramma laughed softly.
"I used to steal it with Odibeze."
The hunter's smile disappeared.
"Then say goodbye to her."
Chimmaramma looked at him.
"I want to."
"Good."
"I want one last evening with her."
The hunter hesitated.
"Chimmaramma..."
"Please."
She looked at him with pleading eyes.
"I have made my decision. I will leave with you."
The hunter studied her.
"And you will come?"
"Yes."
"Tonight?"
She nodded.
"But first, let me spend some time with my sister."
The hunter finally agreed.
"Do not tell her you are leaving."
"I won't."
"I will wait for you."
"Where?"
"Beyond the eastern gate."
He looked into her eyes.
"Come before dawn."
Chimmaramma nodded.
The hunter disappeared back into the shadows.
Chimmaramma stood there for a moment.
She looked down at the roasted corn.
Then at the calabash of palm wine.
A sad smile crossed her face.
"One last night, Nwannem."
THE TWO SISTERS
Odibeze was sitting beside the window when Chimmaramma entered.
She looked up.
"Nwannem!"
Chimmaramma smiled.
"I brought something."
Odibeze's eyes brightened.
"What?"
Chimmaramma lifted the roasted corn.
"Your favourite."
Odibeze laughed.
"You stole from the kitchen again?"
"Maybe."
"And that?"
She pointed at the calabash.
Chimmaramma grinned.
"Something even better."
Odibeze laughed.
"You're going to get us both into trouble."
"Then we will get into trouble together."
For the first time in weeks, Odibeze felt her heart become light.
They sat together.
They ate the roasted corn.
They shared the palm wine.
They laughed about their childhood.
They talked about foolish things.
They remembered the days when they would sneak out of the palace and pretend to be ordinary girls.
For a little while...
There was no secret.
No hunter.
No suspicion.
No betrayal.
Just two sisters.
Odibeze looked at Chimmaramma.
"I have missed you."
Chimmaramma's smile faded slightly.
"I have missed you too."
"Then why have you been so distant?"
Chimmaramma lowered her eyes.
"I don't know."
Odibeze reached for her hand.
"Nwannem..."
Chimmaramma looked at her.
"I love you."
Odibeze smiled.
"I love you too."
Chimmaramma swallowed.
"Even if I leave?"
Odibeze's smile disappeared.
"Leave?"
Chimmaramma quickly laughed.
"I mean... one day, when we get married."
Odibeze relaxed.
"When that day comes, I will still find you."
Chimmaramma looked at her.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Chimmaramma's eyes filled with tears.
She looked away quickly.
Odibeze noticed.
"Why are you crying?"
"I'm not."
"You are."
Chimmaramma wiped her face.
"Maybe I'm just tired."
Odibeze leaned against her shoulder.
"Whatever happens, you will always be my sister."
Chimmaramma closed her eyes.
Those words pierced her heart.
Because she knew she was about to leave.
And she knew she might never see Odibeze again.
Chimmaramma quietly prepared the drink.
Her hands trembled.
She remembered the hunter's instructions.
It will only make her sleep.
She desperately wanted to believe him.
She poured the mysterious portion into the drink, uncertain of what amount would be enough.
She had no idea that the entire portion was far more dangerous than she had been led to believe.
She handed the drink to Odibeze.
"Here."
Odibeze accepted it without suspicion.
"To us?"
Chimmaramma smiled through tears.
"To us."
They drank.
They continued talking.
Odibeze suddenly yawned.
Chimmaramma looked at her.
"Are you tired?"
"A little."
Odibeze smiled.
"I don't know why."
Another yawn.
Her eyes began to droop.
Chimmaramma's heart began racing.
She thought the portion was finally taking effect.
She stood.
"Nwannem..."
Odibeze looked at her sleepily.
"Hmm?"
"When we turn eighteen..."
Odibeze smiled.
"Yes?"
"I will come and see you."
"After our weddings?"
"Yes."
"We will both be married by then."
Chimmaramma nodded.
"Promise me you won't forget me."
Odibeze smiled.
"Never."
Then suddenly—
Her body je**ed violently.
Chimmaramma froze.
"Nwannem?"
Odibeze's body convulsed again.
"What is happening?"
Chimmaramma rushed toward her.
Foam began appearing at the corner of Odibeze's mouth.
"No..."
The calabash slipped from Chimmaramma's hands and crashed onto the floor.
"No!"
She grabbed Odibeze.
"Nwannem!"
Odibeze struggled to breathe.
Chimmaramma began screaming.
"Father said you would sleep!"
"I didn't know!"
"I didn't know!"
She held her sister tightly.
"I'm sorry!"
"I'm sorry, Nwannem!"
"I didn't want to hurt you!"
"Please don't die!"
Odibeze's eyes struggled to focus.
She looked at Chimmaramma.
And despite everything...
There was no hatred in them.
Only love.
Chimmaramma was sobbing uncontrollably.
"Please!"
"Don't leave me!"
"I swear I didn't mean to kill you!"
Odibeze struggled to speak.
"Don't..."
Chimmaramma bent closer.
"Don't what?"
"Don't cry."
"I'm sorry!"
Odibeze weakly squeezed her hand.
"I'm not angry."
Chimmaramma shook her head.
"You should hate me."
"No."
"You should hate me!"
Odibeze's voice was barely audible.
"You are..."
She struggled for breath.
"...my one and only sister."
Chimmaramma broke down.
"I love you!"
Odibeze looked into her eyes.
"I will always love you."
A tear rolled down her cheek.
Then she whispered:
"In another life..."
Chimmaramma leaned closer.
"I will find you."
"Even if..."
She struggled to breathe.
"...we are born far apart."
Chimmaramma sobbed.
"I'll find you too."
Odibeze smiled faintly.
"We are soul sisters..."
Her fingers slowly loosened.
"...forever."
Chimmaramma stared at her.
"Nwannem?"
Silence.
"Nwannem!"
She shook her.
"Please!"
But Odibeze was gone.
Chimmaramma screamed.
She pressed her face against her sister's chest.
Then the truth she had been running from finally crashed into her.
Odibeze had never been jealous of her.
She had never wanted to destroy her.
She had been protecting her.
And now...
Chimmaramma had killed the person who loved her most.
Her eyes fell upon Odibeze's face.
"I'm sorry."
She sobbed.
"I'm sorry for not believing you."
"I'm sorry for believing him."
"And I'm sorry I didn't know the truth before it was too late."
She held her sister tighter.
Then, with tears streaming down her face, she whispered:
"I will find you again."
"I swear."
"And when I find you..."
She closed her eyes.
"...I will right this wrong."
Outside the chamber, footsteps suddenly echoed through the palace corridor.
The screams had been heard.
Someone was coming.
Chimmaramma looked toward the door.
Then back at Odibeze.
And in that moment, she knew:
Her old life had ended.
But she did not yet know that another life was waiting for her...
One in which she would be given a second chance.
TO BE CONTINUED...
❤️ An Original Fictional Story by Ify
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“Sometimes the last ordinary moment you share with someone becomes the memory you would give anything to live again.”
