Djallon, the Ram Warrior, is in the Shifting Planes after the Vodun Agê, Xêvioso, and Lêgba leave the Fonlands for the Paradise Universe. She is with the other 4Warriors on a small platform that is large enough for her and Nwa Wa to sit and for Mulweri and Adofo to stand behind them. They watch as the Fonlander known as Kafou is shrouded in black magic that he cast with his hands to build comfortable structures for the refugees of the Rip to inhabit while they decide on their permanent destination in the wake of the destruction of their home existence. There are other Fonlanders helping with the construction on many platforms and it is proceeding quickly, efficiently. It is a wonder to watch and the 4Warriors have sat for longer than any of them meant to, watching the simple rectangular structures assemble from the stuff of the platform.
“You were right,” Djallon says, “they really don’t need us.”
Nwa Wa just nods.
“I can’t believe this is the end of it,” Adofo says. “The thing we were assembled to do is done. And we failed, we may as well have not even been there, but I have to say that I am better on the other side of it. And I am ready for the next battle in this war. I’m determined to show that blight my might. It will regret the day that it decided to threaten all of existence.”
“I agree with the last things you said,” Mulweri says. “We didn’t fail. We are alive, we assisted in the greater battle, we got a proper measure of the enemy. We were destined to assemble at this most pivotal moment in the history of the Fonlands and we have more than risen to the occasion. The battle to come will be hard fought and I do not doubt our fortitude.”
“You will be down one warrior,” Nwa Wa says and Djallon turns to look at her. “Yes, you heard me. I cannot face it again, not after what happened.”
“You are the the longest serving 4Warrior,” Mulweri protests, “we need your experience.”
“Are you angry that you were controlled?” Adofo asks. “It shouldn’t make you feel inferior to us because we could resist it, we all have our vulnerabilities.”
“Shut up, you idiot,” Nwa Wa hisses. “I have never and would never feel inferior to a simpleton like you. It wasn’t pleasant to be controlled, but I will admit something to you all. What it offered, what she offered, was so tempting that once I had it, I couldn’t imagine giving it up. Maybe I am kidding myself, but I felt like I could have resisted it, maybe broken free of it with time, but I didn’t want to.”
“What did it offer you?” Djallon asks. She is concerned for her friend. They had a rocky start to their collaboration, but after everything, they all have come to care for one another.
“Immortality,” Nwa Wa says. “We Fonlanders live for a long time, but we do expire, this life will end, and I was content with that before she showed me what I could do with infinite time. She has emptied entire existences and she gives them to the ones who serve her and earn a retirement where they can shape existence to be anything they want. It was a temptation that I find too hard to resist if confronted with again. I have a feeling that the 4Warriors will be asked to travel with the party that goes to the source of our enemy and I cannot be part of that.”
A silence settles over them and they watch the construction in front of them.
“You can still be part of the team,” Djallon says eventually. “Like Mulweri said, your experience is needed and appreciated. Help us find your replacement and tell us everything you know about the enemy we face.”
Nwa Wa nods. “The first thing I will do is cast a spell to make you immune to the magic of its name. If you have heard it, I will erase it, and you will not be subject to it. Then we will find my replacement.”
PRL Serials 