“Axé is an electromagnetic energy, present both in human beings and in their environment. Observing the mediumistic arts and the cult of ancestry, he concludes that Axé is endowed with a unique nature…”

  The young scientist, still a master's student in particle physics, was giving a seminar to various scientists at the international conference on the Axé. He wore a passionate smile, almost an attestation of self-confidence. It was one of the few moments when his introversion was not felt.

  His research project dealt with the technological uses of Axé. It was embryonic research, but it had already attracted a lot of attention. His dissertation would give scientific form to ancestral practices. Axé, when used by mediums, would pass through three domains until it was transformed into an Ofó, in other words, a phenomenon that transforms reality.

  The first was the Domain of Potential, the energy system of living beings. At this stage, Axé, like blood, flows through the body via specific channels, regulated by the seven internal portals, also called 'Thrones of'. They correspond to the seven chackras of Asian religions.

  “This is when the mechanisms called 'Magnetic Properties' and 'Electrical Properties' are activated to channel this latent energy.”

  The Domain of the Realized is the production of an event through the manipulation of Axé. These events can be simple, such as producing temporary atomic bonds, or the Ofó, complex phenomena that cause major concrete changes.

  “The third and final Domain of the Empirical is the observable and quantifiable effect of the event from the previous stage. This is where we see the miracle or the damage…”

  The audience started laughing. The speaker looked across the first few rows and met the gaze of a beautiful woman in a cheerful Kiswahili print dress. She was impressed by his good humor.

  The man continued his explanation, and pointed out the various uses of Axé in technology. Electromagnetic energy is propagated by radiation and waves. It is clean, renewable energy with no propagation limits.

  At the end of the presentation, there was a round of questions and answers. A former Nobel Prize winner in Physics from Eastern Europe raised his hand and asked:

  “Mr Adisa, I am impressed by your advances in characterizing Axé, but it seems to me that your research denies basic principles of modern physics. Remember that many electromagnetic waves are ionizing and dangerous to the human body. Even if they are transversal and three-dimensional, they end up running into the frequency. On small scales, it might be possible, but for the whole of humanity, I think it's impossible.”

  “I don't deny or ignore anything, Dr. Jakub Kacper. The 'Laws of Conversion' are there for that. What I propose is more daring: every human being to be their own power plant.”

  The crowd began to stir. The organizers of the talk asked for calm, Adisa would answer all the questions. The questions followed with greater difficulty, but Azekel's son answered them all satisfactorily.

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  At the end of the lecture, his wife Furaha came up to him, and did not fail to attract glances as she stood up. She was an imposing black woman, standing at 1,80 meters. Her curly hair flowed down her shoulders to the middle of her back. Her plump mouth vied for attention with her light brown, cheerful eyes.

  She congratulated him with a big hug. Although she didn't understand anything about the subject, she was keen to support her husband.

  “What did you think, did I do well?”

  “Yes, you were wonderful!”

  As she said this, she smiled and goose bumps appeared on her cheeks. The two of them headed for the entrance, but a gruff voice interrupted them.

  “Forgive me, but I'd like to have a few words with you.”

  “Mr. Ojwang? What a distinguished presence.”

  Adisa extended her hand to the man in front of her. Ojwang was just as the tabloids described him: dressed in tycoon's armor and the countenance of an adventurous entrepreneur.

  “Don't say 'illustrious', it only flatters us. Is that your wife? She's lovely, if you'll pardon the impudence.”

  Furaha grimaced when the mega-businessman held out his hand. He shook Ojwang's hand as quickly as if he were grabbing a reptile's paw. He didn't like him at all.

  “Mr. Ojwang, my husband and I are in a hurry. If you don't mind…”

  Adisa looked at her in bewilderment. Furaha squeezed his arm tightly, a clear sign that this encounter had made her uncomfortable.

  “I won't keep you for long. I'm interested in having you on our team. The Ojwang Corporation will be investing in new materials and clean energy in Africa. You can make great contributions. Imagine what we could do with your knowledge and our funding?”

  “I promise to think about it, now I need to finish my master's degree.”

  “My company has signed a contract with your university to fund research grants. The field of physics is receiving one of the biggest investments.”

  Furaha listened to all this with great apprehension. She sensed that this businessman was not as well-intentioned as he tried to appear. His gentlemanly manners concealed a feeling of superiority, a harsh irony and a vulgar aggressiveness.

  Inquisitive, Furaha crossed her arms and asked Ojwang:

  “Isn't your company in the arms industry? Why all this investment in technology and energy all of a sudden?”

  Ojwang raised his arms as if he had been caught telling a big lie and said:

  “Okay, you caught me. My company needs to diversify its portfolio to survive the competition. New materials and energies are just the beginning. I won't take up any more of your time. Contact us when you're ready, we have a decent job offer for you.”

  Ojwang left a business card with all the company's details engraved on it. To their surprise, there was also Ojwang's personal phone number.

  The couple left the building and took a cab to their home.

  Adisa noticed that Furaha was in a slightly bad mood. Adisa sat on the edge of the bed, loosened his tie and let out a sigh. His wife was changing. He could see her image reflected in the mirror in front of him.

  “What did you think of Ojwang?”

  “I didn't like him, my sixth sense tells me he's not a good person.”

  “Don't exaggerate, you've only just met him.”

  “First impressions last.”

  Adisa slid her hands over her face. She didn't want this to turn into a fight. Working with Ojwang could be a golden opportunity in her career.

  “Don't you think…”

  “Adisa, enough about work, don't you think it's time we had a child?”

  Adisa turned her eyes back, and there she was, lying on the bed, in all her naked beauty. The scientist fingered the buttons of his suit quickly. Furaha knelt on the bed and used her long-nailed fingers to help her eager husband.