CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: ZÉLIE

As the Iyika prepare to infiltrate Chândomblé, Zélie steels herself against thoughts of Inan and receives a newly enhanced, bladed staff from Tahir. She reassures a fearful Mâzeli, vowing to protect him. Nâo summons dense fog, and Amari signals the small team to begin their covert approach.

Moving blind through the shroud, Jahi silences their steps while soldiers patrol the nearby iron bridge. At Amari’s order, Kâmarū and Tahir sink the group down the mountain on an earthen platform. Kâmarū then shapes floating steps across a vast chasm; one by one they cross, with Zélie guiding Mâzeli despite triggering memories of past losses.

On the far ledge, Amari tasks Tahir to return and be ready to destroy the bridge if the troops advance, even if the team doesn’t make it back. Kâmarū begins tunneling into the mountain, and Zélie walks beside him, learning of his early training from his father and his fear-fueled sense of responsibility.

Encouraged by Kâmarū’s resolve, Zélie commits to arming and training her Reapers once they obtain the scrolls. The tunnel finally breaks onto metallic stone—the temple’s wall—where Amari rallies the group to push forward and take the scrolls, fully aware of the peril that awaits inside.