Part 5/10:

That evening, Papa Obi and Amara ventured into the forest, armed with a lantern and the wooden pounding stick. As they journeyed deeper, the atmosphere thickened with darkness and dread. Amara's grip on her father's hand weakened, and fear crept into their hearts. Despite their trepidation, a glimmer of hope surfaced when they found the Pounding Tree in a clearing, emanating an eerie glow amid the encroaching shadows.

However, the spirits did not easily relent. When Papa Obi declared his intent to reclaim his daughter, a menacing voice emerged from the darkness, warning him that Amara belonged to them now. Faced with the daunting task ahead, he placed Amara gently on the ground, promising never to leave her.