- Adofo, the Sepow Executioner
- Djallon, Ram Warrior
- Mulweri, Tinyeleti Warrior
- Nwa Wa, Zombie Warrior General
“I can’t believe we did it!” Adofo said excitedly as they stood in voluminous Essence blue clouds. “We did it, Tinyeleti Warrior! We are in possession of an Inkanyamba, one enchanted that should emerge with more power than when it was sealed! This is amazing. And why, again, did we risk our very existence for this, Tinyeleti Warrior?”
“Because Jo asked me to retrieve it,” Mulweri said and he extended his hands. “Give it to me.” Adofo handed it over and Mulwri took it eagerly, turning the large thing around in his hands, admiring the shiny, yellow tinted surface of it. Then he looked around at the other Warriors. “Its obvious to me now that she did this with the intention of assembling the 4, and we are it. I am Mulweri of the Tinyeliti and I know Adofo, Golden Executioner. Nwa Wa, Zombie General and very old friend of mine. I trust this woman with my life. And seeing that you have brought this new warrior, I assume that she too is trustworthy and a valuable addition to this collective. Welcome, tall and strapping warrior, please, introduce yourself.”
Djallon smiled at the warm welcome from Mulweri and she was about to speak, but Nwa Wa cut her off.
“This is a very treacherous warrior, Mulweri. We should not be quick to trust her. I sense a lot of deception on her and if you train your attention maybe you will too.”
“I haven’t given her any reason to suspect me of treachery,” Djallon said defensively. “If not for me, we would not have arrived in time to help. I am honored to join this collective, Mulweri, and I am eager…”
“You risked your life just because your Vodun said so,” Nwa Wa asked Mulweri, “no idea why?”
“Do you question Lêgba?” Mulweri asked.
“I have punched Lêgba in his beautiful face,” Nwa Wa said. “You do not know what this scale is for and you have exposed me to this deceitful, red warrior? If I am forced to kill her, I will blame not only your Vodun, but I will blame you. Her blood will be on your hands.”
“You could try your best, zombie wench, but you would never put me down,” Djallon said aggressively.
“Whoa, whoa,” Mulweri interjected. “There is no need to be angry. This should be a joyous occasion. Jo will be glad to see us all together. Shall we head to find her? I’m sure she will reveal her secret reason to us once we have impressed her with our combined might.”
“I will go just to be angry with your Vodun,” Nwa Wa said.
“I will go to prove this one wrong about me,” Djallon said, glaring at Nwa Wa. “I am worthy to fight alongside you all. I am one of 4.”
“I can already tell that I will regret this,” Nwa Wa said mostly to herself.
Mulweri turned his attention to Adofo who was still admiring the shiny scale of the Inkanyamba.
“What say you, Golden Executioner?” Mulweri asked.
“If you promise more moments that feel like this,” Adofo said with a big smile on his face that was bright in the light the scale reflected.
“Do you see his joy?” Mulweri asked Nwa Wa. “Remember when we were younger and the battle was our fun? Now everything is obligation and duty. We should embrace this opportunity to enjoy the adventures ahead and recapture something of our youth.”
“Can we get on with this?” Nwa Wa responded with annoyance.
“Can you take us to the surface of Damballa,” Mulweri asked, “or should we walk it? Some of my favorite quests ever were side quests. Do you remember…?”
“Please! Stop talking!” Nwa Wa groaned.
“If you let him go, he will go on forever,” Adofo said and he watched in awe as Nwa Wa surrounded them in a black cloud. When it dissipated, they were on the branch of a large tree. Both Djallon and Adofo were mesmerized by the view of the space of Jo’s from the surface of the extremely large tree.
“I guess this is better than nothing,” Mulweri said. “But what happened, Nwa Wa? You used to be able to transport us in the blink of an eye to anywhere.”
“We all used to be things,” Nwa Wa said, “and then time passed. I seem to recall that you were fast enough to avoid being frozen by cold temperatures. Things change. Is this tree sufficient? It should take us close enough to reach Damballa, no?”
“I think that we should disembark now, that is him,” Mulweri said, pointing into the distance at a bright star. “Are you two familiar with navigating Jo’s space? You need some sort of propulsion.”
“My armor has propulsion,” Djallon said.
“My armor must have that too,” Adofo said. “Mine is clearly the most impressive of all of us, so if yours has a propulsion on it, mine must be a thousand times better. Tell me, what part of the armor do you refer to as the propulsion?”
“Is he really this stupid or is it a joke for our amusement?” Nwa Wa asked.
“He is a sweet, sweet boy,” Mulweri said. “Can you grab him,” he said to Djallon who nodded, “and just follow us.”
Nwa Wa’s lower half was surrounded in a black cloud that allowed her to fly toward the star in the distance, and Mulweri ran from the tree branch, propelled in the star’s direction by his incredible momentum.
“We can hold hands, I guess,” Djallon says to Adofo who grabs her hand enthusiastically as she powers up the propulsion of her suit. She goes fast to keep up with Nwa Wa and Mulweri, and to let go of Adofo’s hand as soon as possible because it was hard, cold, and lifeless.
When they arrived on the surface of Damballa, Jo was there to greet them.
“Thank you so much, Mulweri,” Jo said warmly. “That scale looks impressive, I’m sure you all trapped an impressive inkanyamba inside of it.”
“Only the best for you,” Mulweri said with a bow, offering the scale with both hands.
“Oh no,” Jo said, “the scale is not for me. I figured the 4Warriors would assemble to find it, and now I’d like you all to use it to lead a fighting force into battle in another realm. They are able to fly once you release them from the scale. They grow beautiful wings. Xêvioso said they are very loyal as well.”
“The scale is ours?!” Adofo asked with surprise and excitement.
“Shut up,” Nwa Wa said with annoyance. “What do you mean lead a fighting force to battle in another realm?” she asked Jo as she took a step forward.
“I mean, be the extraordinary general you are against a mysterious force of unfathomable death that threatens the entirety of the Fonlands. Don’t tell me you’re not curious what this enemy is, General Nwa. It’s an enemy so fearsome that even Lêgba is afraid of it.”
Nwa Wa smiled up at the Vodun. “Then I must go to see what has Lêgba so scared.”
“Excellent,” Jo said. “Meet me in the Smiting Chamber on the Disc of Sakpata in a full revolution of Damballa around the center of the Disc, or whatever the equivalent is on your native Discs. Feel free to bring any warriors you would like to accompany you, but be aware that there are already warriors lined up to serve under your command. The four of you will lead together, I ask that you spend the time before reporting to the Chamber getting to know one better. Preparation to travel to the other realm will commence upon your arrival to the Chamber. So go. I will see you all soon enough.”
Jo disappeared from the surface of Damballa.
“Couldn’t she have just told you to meet her at the Smiting Chamber?” Nwa Wa complained.
“She will make a team out of us yet!” Mulweri said with enthusiasm.
“Exactly how much time did she give us?” Djallon asked. “I have to go back to Gu’s Disc, I have business to attend to. I can meet you all at the Smiting Chamber or somewhere else before then.”
“Didn’t you hear?” Nwa Wa said, “We are meant to be a team. We have plenty of time to travel with you to Gu’s Disc.”
“There’s really no need…” Djallon started before Mulweri interrupted her.
“Nonsense, let us all go to the Disc of Gu. Your business is now ours, Djallon.”
“You hear that, Djallon?” Nwa Wa said with a spiteful smile. “Your business is ours now. Even your carefully guarded secrets.”
Djallon glared at Nwa Wa. “Let’s get going, then,” she said through clenched teeth.
Nwa Wa giggled. “Let’s.”
PRL Serials 