*Chapter — The Spirit in the Forest*
Iyan was wandering around the forest when she saw a spirit — a fibrous, young, and very handsome man walking alone. Something about him felt attractive to iyan. She was about to approach him but then remembered what the witch had told her: *"Every person in the forest holds a spirit. Do not speak to them or get close."* That warning stayed strong in her mind.
As iyan tried to walk away, the man looked at her and said, "Let us live the love of Amoni and iyango return to the living so that our love can bloom as man and woman."
Iyan replied, "I will not return. I came to fulfill the wish of iyan and Amoni — that their love still exists on earth."
The man challenged her: "How can you fulfill a love the spirits never accepted? Iyan family never accepted Amoni love. Even the gods of the earth rejected it. How do you expect to make it real?"
Iyan stood firm: "Their love exists beyond rejection. Their spirits still walk. That is why it keeps coming back."
The man warned, "You cannot fulfill a love cursed by the heavens. You want to love me, but think of your own life. Think of having children. Build your own love."
But iyan replied, "I didn't come here to give birth. I came to restore what was broken."
Suddenly, the spirit inside the man was revealed. It descended violently on iyan. "Accept your place," the spirit hissed. "The witches of the Seven Seals will kill you and sink your body into the river."
But iyango stood tall: "I will not be moved. The spirit of Amoni lives within me."
The man transformed into an ugly beast and began to torment her. "You are just like Amoni ," he spat. "You will fall like how she did."
Iyango answered, "I am more. I am both woman and spirit. And I will fight."