Legacy of Orïsha, #2
Children of Virtue and Vengeance
by Tomi Adeyemi
Contents
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR: ZÉLIE
Overview
Zélie wakes burdened by guilt but is affirmed by Mama Agba, who gifts an elder’s collar and urges her to lead. Mama Agba reveals that combining different magics once created majacite and killed its wielders. Re-centered, Zélie conducts Reaper training and dramatically demonstrates the shadows-of-death glider, restoring clan confidence.
Summary
At dawn, chimes rouse Zélie in the sanctuary as guilt over failing Mâzeli at Chândomblé undermines her confidence to lead the Reapers. Mama Agba arrives in an elder’s silver robe, embraces Zélie, and gifts a protective metal collar, insisting that mistakes do not disqualify leadership and that Oya’s ìsípayá marked Zélie worthy.
Prompted by colored threads she saw in her ìsípayá, Zélie asks about combining different magics. Mama Agba recounts a Grounder and Cancer who once fused powers so explosively they created Orïsha’s majacite—and died, warning that sustained mixed magic could be boundless but perilous. Zélie acknowledges the danger and keeps to her current plan.
They watch clans assemble, and Mama Agba recalls her own transcendent ìsípayá. Buoyed, Zélie goes to the third mountain, where she observes Tamers syncing with ryders under Na’imah and Lighters blacking out their temple under Folake, marveling at their progress.
At the Reaper grounds, Mâzeli leads drills with Bimpe and Mári. Zélie introduces Òjìjí ikú—shadows of death—to deepen animation control, clarifying that her past overwhelming power came from sacred amplification and personal grief. For a decisive demonstration, she sprints off a cliff and casts; shadows erupt into a glider that carries her safely to the baths below, momentarily freeing her from pain.
Her flight electrifies onlookers and restores the Reapers’ belief. Teasing Mâzeli to try despite his fear of water, Zélie closes the session in high spirits, having reclaimed authority and inspired her clan.
Who Appears
- ZélieProtagonist; wrestles with guilt, receives elder’s collar, probes mixed-magic lore, then leads Reaper training and glides on shadows of death.
- Mama AgbaMentor and former elder; affirms Zélie’s worthiness, gifts a collar, and shares the deadly history of combining different magics.
- MâzeliZélie’s Second; leads Reaper drills, eager and impulsive, inspired yet nervous when challenged to attempt the shadow glider.
- BimpeReaper trainee; successfully maintains a large animation during drills under Mâzeli’s lead.
- MáriReaper trainee; struggles to hold an animation, bluntly keeps Mâzeli in check during training.
- Na’imahTamer instructor; coaches a Tamer to link with a cheetanaire, demonstrating precise connection before incantation.
- FolakeLighter elder; demonstrates summoning full darkness, impressing trainees and observers.