Baku's commanding presence sent chills down Felicia's spine as the fallen lwa unleashed dark spirits resembling decaying skeletons surging with red flames. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and ash, and the ground trembled beneath their feet.
"Are you sure bringing your sis was a wise move, cher?" an albino young man with blonde dreadlocks said as he cast a magical shield in front of them.
"I didn't have much choice, Carmen," Latoya replied, her voice tense with concentration. The skeletons leaped into the sky, spewing their crimson flames to incinerate them. "Kuhama kwa moto huu," Latoya chanted, projecting a purple aurora from her hands. The flames curved away from the voodooists and consumed the skeletons instead.
As the skeletons collapsed into pieces, Carmen urged the girls to join the rest of the tribe. "Guys, look," Felicia said, pointing at the scorched skeletons that swirled into a twister, forming an eight-foot chimera composed of six arms and three skulls facing different directions.
"Carmen. Girls!" Benjermin shouted, seeing his followers in peril and separated from the rest of the tribe. But before the king voodooist could save them, Baku grew in size, towering like a skyscraper, and grabbed Benjermin.
"You are a pitiful successor, grandson of Laveau," Baku said, his voice echoing like thunder. "The Baron was a fool for thinking you could be the next spi boy."
"Spi boy?" Felicia asked just as the massive skeleton roared, unleashing several fireballs from the sky.
"Shred hizi fireball," Carmen chanted, projecting multiple swirling blades of energy to destroy the skeleton's attack. But one of the fireballs hit the ground in front of the young voodooists, causing Latoya and Carmen to be knocked to the ground, badly injured.
"Latoya!" Felicia cried as she ran to her sister, only to be grabbed by the bone-exposed monster.
"No!" Benjermin yelled. The elder voodooist's eyes glowed with white energy as he flexed his arms to break free from Baku's grip. The king soared through the sky, striking the flaming monster with his staff, setting off an outburst of mystic radiation that disoriented the beast and freed Felicia.
"Help me!" the girl screamed as she fell six stories to the ground. But as the king flew to save her, Baku slammed Benjermin to the ground.
"Truly pathetic," the vile lwa smirked.
Just as it seemed that Felicia was about to hit the hard pavement, her necklace transformed into a topaz amulet shaped like a bee. Suddenly, a surge of energy coursed through her mind as she chanted, "Cushion kuanguka kwangu."
A faint aurora of gold energy emerged around her body, safely placing her on the ground. "How did I know how to do that?" Felicia asked as she looked at her trembling hands.
Baku observed the budding spellcaster cast her first spell and gave a sinister smile. "Perfect," the dark lwa called back his corrupt spirits as he vanished ominously into the shadows.
The tribe regrouped after struggling to keep back the horde of spirits, helping their king to his feet and tending to Latoya and Carmen. "My king," Felicia ran to him as Rochelle joined her.
"I am fine, my dear," the king said as Emmitt approached them, carrying a young man who shared a striking resemblance to him and his father.
"Emmitt? Dad?" the young man said.
"Hello, Calvin," Benjermin replied, a sense of tension filling the air.
Rochelle asked Calvin to excuse them to tend to the injured voodooists. "Wait, where's my fiancée?" Calvin said, looking toward the tribe until he spotted Latoya being carried into a portal. "Latoya. Let me see her."
"Sorry, little bro. But you know the rules," Emmitt said as he pointed two fingers at his brother's forehead before chanting, "Kulala kwa saa moja."
Calvin's eyes dilated just as he began to fall under a trance, leaving him unconscious. "Leave him by the sidewalk," Rochelle said. "Our tribe will have this area restored by the time he comes to."
Emmitt nodded, leaving his brother against a building close by and whispered, "Keep Sammy safe."
The tribe began to retreat, leaving the battlefield. Felicia walked up to Emmitt and asked, "Sorry for eavesdropping, but is Calvin and Latoya really engaged?"
Emmitt nodded as he placed his arm around Felicia's shoulders. "Yes, she is. But for Sammy's sake, I wish they reconsidered."
"Who's Sammy?" Felicia asked, her curiosity piqued.
Emmitt kneeled down to Felicia before answering, "He is your nephew."
Felicia's eyes widened in shock as she processed this new information. "My nephew? But how—"
Before she could finish, Emmitt stood up and guided her back towards the group. "There's much you need to learn, Felicia. But for now, we must focus on healing and preparing for the next battle."
As they walked through the portal, Felicia felt a mix of emotions—fear, confusion, and a newfound sense of responsibility. The weight of her family's legacy and the dangers that lay ahead pressed heavily on her shoulders.
Back at the Sanctuary, Rochelle gathered the tribe in a healing circle, her voice calm and soothing as she chanted healing spells. The room filled with a soft, warm light, and the wounds of the injured began to mend.
Felicia watched in awe as the tribe worked together, their unity and strength evident in every action. Despite the chaos and danger they had just faced, there was a sense of hope and determination that permeated the air.
"Felicia," Rochelle called, beckoning her to join the circle. "Come, sit with us. You need to recover your strength as well."
Felicia nodded and took her place in the circle, closing her eyes and allowing the healing energy to wash over her. As the warmth enveloped her, she felt a sense of peace and clarity. She knew that her journey was just beginning and that there were many challenges ahead, but she was ready to face them.
After the healing session, the tribe gathered for a meeting. King Benjermin stood at the center, his presence commanding and reassuring. "We have faced a great threat today, but we will not be deterred. Baku may have retreated, but he will return. We must be ready."
The tribe members nodded in agreement, their faces resolute. "We have much to discuss and plan," Benjermin continued. "But first, we must address the situation with Calvin and Latoya."
Emmitt stepped forward, his expression serious. "Father, Calvin was attacked by dark spirits when he went to see his fiancée. We need to ensure their safety."
Benjermin nodded. "Agreed. Latoya and Calvin's relationship complicates matters, but we cannot ignore the fact that they are both targets now."
Felicia felt a pang of worry for her sister and her new-found nephew. She looked at Emmitt, hoping for some reassurance. He gave her a small, comforting smile and squeezed her shoulder.
"Rochelle, Latoya, and I will work on protective spells for Calvin and Latoya," Benjermin said. "In the meantime, we must fortify our defenses and prepare for Baku's return."
The tribe members dispersed, each with their own tasks to complete. Felicia found herself standing alone for a moment, taking in the enormity of the situation. She had so many questions and so much to learn, but she knew she wasn't alone.
Latoya approached her, looking tired but determined. "Are you okay, Felicia?"
Felicia nodded. "I think so. It's just a lot to take in."
"I know," Latoya said, putting an arm around her sister. "But we'll get through this together. You're stronger than you realize, and you have a family here who will support you."
Felicia took comfort in her sister's words and the warmth of her embrace. She knew that the path ahead would be difficult, but she was ready to face it with her newfound family by her side.
As the tribe worked to prepare for the next battle, Felicia felt a growing sense of purpose. She was part of something much larger than herself, and she was determined to honor her family's legacy and protect those she cared about.
The night grew darker, and the stars shone brightly above the Sanctuary. Felicia stood by a window, looking out at the sky, her mind filled with thoughts of the battles to come and the family she had only just begun to understand.
A knock on the door broke her reverie. Emmitt entered, his expression serious. "Felicia, there's something you need to see."
She followed him to a small room where Rochelle and Benjermin were waiting. On a table lay an ancient book, its pages filled with intricate symbols and spells.
"This is the Book of Laveau," Benjermin said. "It contains the knowledge and power of our ancestors. You are ready to begin your training."
Felicia felt a surge of excitement and trepidation. She stepped forward, placing her hand on the book. The symbols glowed faintly under her touch, and she felt a connection to the past, to her grandmother, and to the legacy she was now a part of.
"Welcome to your new life, Felicia," Rochelle said with a smile. "Let's begin."
As Felicia delved into the ancient texts, the weight of her family's history and the responsibility she now bore became clear.
She knew that the road ahead would be fraught with danger, but she was ready to embrace her destiny.
The night was long, and the work was just beginning. But Felicia felt a sense of hope and determination. She was no longer alone. She had a family, a purpose, and a future to fight for.
And so, under the watchful eyes of her ancestors, Felicia Styng began her journey into the world of voodoo, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.