In The Dark Forest

“Do you think I'm stupid? You all have been saying I'm not fit to be the son of my father, just because of the magic you all have. Do you think I cannot find my path to unlock my magic?” Ganiu voiced out.

The family of Adeoye has been the first in the realm of magic in the community. Each of the children has been gifted right from their childhood or birth, their part of the magic to play. Ganiu is the youngest and lacks the talent and the gift they all had in his family.

“Dad, why do I lack the ability to acquire magic?” It had become too much for him, as everyone, including his brothers and sisters, resented him.
“I'm sure you will have yours hidden and not yet discovered,” his dad, Mr. Adeoye, opened up.
“What do I do to acquire mine? Remember that my brothers and sisters have been abusing me if I'm your son,” he said bitterly while uttering those words and even crying.
“Don't cry, son. You have to do something for me,” his dad said.
"What do you want me to do, Dad?" he asked in tears.
“I love you all and have always wanted to make all of you the best. Every one of your brothers and sisters has their respective gifts except you. I had tried to use my gift to search for the cause of your problem, but then I was told that the place where you can unlock your great gifts is. I'm lying. Twenty-one gifts, which no one had ever had in the history of our generation,” Mr. Adeoye said.
“What should I do, Dad?” Some smiles were left on his face.
Meanwhile, Ganiu only trusts his immediate elder sister, Fola.
“Go out and call me Fola, your elder sister,” Mr. Adeoye said, while Ganiu rushed out to look for Fola.
“You will have to lead your younger brother to the dark forest to search for his gifts,” Mr. Adeoye said.
“Dark forest? And gifts? But we all have one gift each. Why do you mention gifts?” Fola was amazed.
“Just do as I said,” Mr. Adeoye, their father, said. He gave them guidelines on how to get to the dark forest and what and who they would meet on their way.

Francesco Ungaro

They set off for the dark forest but must not let their stepmother know about it, just as instructed by their father. So, they sneaked out of the compound pretending to go somewhere within the town.

As they got to the dark forest, there was a rift they must open before they entered fully inside the forest. Fola cast her spell on the rift and made some incantations. Immediately, the rift opened, and they entered freely. The rift closed, but they heard a voice: “You can only come out with Ganiu opening the rift, or else you're lost here.” Fola's mind raced as well as Ganiu's.
“How do I do it when I'm yet to find who I am?” He said, confused.

They left at once, and any tree they touched came out with a glowing lamp. The lamps were spectacular and awesome.

“I'm feeling some unease. It is as if someone has been watching us ever since we left the compound,” Ganiu said.
“How do you know? You who do not have magic, now begin to know what's happening.” Fola said.
“I'm feeling ill each time we take a move in achieving my goals,” Ganiu opened up.
"Let me make some incantations if I can see who's behind your mood being ill at ease." Fola prepared her usual mind and started making some incantations just to find the reason for the unwanted third eye observing them.
“ What!” he shouted.
“What's the problem?” Ganiu asked.
“Our stepmother is the third eye that has been observing us,” Fola said.
“Is there a way to stop her from knowing?” Ganiu asked.
“I have already blinded her mind from what she has been observing. So, her observation will just be where she stopped. She can't see us again until we return home. Although she did not know an inch of what we came here to do,” Fola said.

“My children, you are welcome. Ganiu and Fola, it's good to have you here.” The two just opened their eyes so wide as they were surprised to see this old woman calling their names.

“Don't be surprised, Ganiu; you have been granted your 21 magics since you stepped your feet in this dark forest. That's why you were able to know that a third eye was observing you.” They were shocked when the old woman made that statement.

“You can go back home and start enjoying your life. Go and save your dad, as you are the only one who has the magic to do so. Your dad fell ill immediately; he told you the way to unlock your magic. You must get home in the next hour, or else he dies,” the old woman said.

“Thank you, the wise one,” both of them said as they took their heels.
“How do we get to our community in the next hour? That's not possible. We can only get there in the next ten hours,” Fola said.

They got to the rift, and immediately, Ganiu made just one statement, which was strange to Fola. The rift got opened, and every tree bowed as they glowed their light through the rift.
“Just hold me; I think the same third eye is watching us again. She has seen the reason we came here and wants to stop us. I was ill at ease initially, but now I'm stronger than anyone else,” Ganiu said as Fola held his hands. Immediately, they found themselves in their compound. It was not up to ten minutes.

“This is wonderful," Fola confessed.
As they entered, each of his brothers and sisters had tried their magic but was unable to heal his father. He laid his hands on his dad, and immediately, he woke up while their stepmother died on the spot. Everyone was surprised and honored him for what he had done.