Legacy of Orïsha, #2
Children of Virtue and Vengeance
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: ZÉLIE
Overview
Inan arrives at the temple as Nehanda orders the Iyika’s execution using majacite gas. Jahi counters with wind while Amari pushes Zélie to open the sacred wall. Zélie’s tattoos flare and she unlocks the scroll room, sealing the group inside and cutting off pursuers, but they are now trapped.
Summary
Zélie freezes when Inan confronts the Iyika in the temple hall, struggling to summon rage or magic. Inan tries to halt the soldiers, but Nehanda arrives and overrides him, ordering the Iyika eliminated. A tîtán general unleashes majacite gas, sending a deadly black cloud toward the group.
Jahi reacts first, invoking wind that forms a cyclone and blows the gas and soldiers back, even lifting Inan off his feet. Amid the chaos, Amari grabs Zélie’s hands and presses them to the wall, urging her to open the temple as Lekan once taught. Zélie strains, sensing something missing.
As more tîtáns join and Jahi’s cyclone weakens, Zélie’s tattoos ignite with searing heat. Golden light spreads to her fingers and splits a seam in the wall. She ushers Mâzeli and the others into the scroll room while Jahi retreats as his winds fail.
Nehanda commands the charge as the soldiers rush. Zélie forces the wall to close; it seals with brutal finality, severing a soldier’s arm that falls inside. Exhausted but alive, the Iyika find themselves safe within the scroll room for the moment, yet trapped with no clear escape.
Who Appears
- ZélieStruggles under Inan’s presence; ignites her tattoos to open the scroll room and seals the group inside.
- AmariSteadies Zélie, presses her hands to the wall, and spurs her to unlock the passage.
- InanArrives and orders soldiers not to attack but is overruled by Nehanda; caught in the chaos.
- NehandaBursts in and commands the Iyika’s elimination, deploying majacite gas against them.
- JahiSummons powerful winds to repel majacite gas and soldiers, buying time for the escape.
- Tîtán General with white-streaked braidLeads the assault, manipulating air to drive majacite gas at the Iyika.
- MâzeliEscorted into the scroll room as Zélie opens the wall.
- LekanSpiritual memory and guide; Zélie invokes his teaching to open the wall.