Rochelle gathered the tribe around Felicia, who stood in the center of a spellbinding circle. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and a sense of solemnity. Felicia's heart pounded in her chest as she tried to steady her breathing.
"Your first five steps of training will involve revisiting your fondest memory," Rochelle explained.
"My fondest memory?" Felicia echoed, uncertainty creeping into her voice. "I don't think I have one."
"I beg to differ, my dear," Rochelle said with a reassuring smile. "The Dan shall guide you into reliving the moment in time where your heart felt the most at peace. However, in order to come out alive, you will have to handle the twist that shall follow."
"What do you mean by 'twist'?" Felicia asked, her apprehension growing.
"I'm afraid you have to find that out for yourself," Benjermin said. "It is a different experience for everyone, but in order for you to fully inherit the will of the Vodon, you'll have to face it alone."
Latoya quickly grabbed her sister's hands and gave her a heartfelt smile. "Don't worry. I'll be standing outside the circle the whole time. You got this."
Felicia smiled, embracing her sister's touch as she nodded to the priestess to begin the incantation.
"By the might of the lwa, take this mortal to the beyond quarters," Rochelle chanted as the tribe held hands outside of the spellbinding circle that Felicia stood in. The budding spellcaster took a deep breath and closed her eyes, ready for whatever strange trip she was in for.
The room began to spin out of control as Felicia felt her body stand still, yet everything around her became disjointed and twisted. The sensation was dizzying, and she gripped the air as if trying to steady herself.
When Felicia opened her eyes, she found herself in a place that looked much like the French Quarter, only this landscape was composed of translucent infrastructure, and the buildings had a mixed tint of purple, green, and white coloring.
"The French Quarter?" Felicia whispered, her voice trembling with confusion.
"You shouldn't be here, cher," an older man with dark skin, a white beard, and wearing a white and silver cloak with a large sun hat appeared before her, sitting next to the doorway of a nearby saloon that housed a vivacious array of music.
"I can sense the stench of Baku in your blood, child. Clearly, you must be the daughter of Terrence Styng," the man said.
"I'm sorry, sir. But I don't think I know you. Mr.…?"
"Legba. Papa Legba," the elder man interrupted her. "I watch over the doorway of the dead and the living."
Felicia's heart began to race as she processed what she had just heard. "Does that mean I'm dead?"
Papa Legba chuckled softly as Felicia frantically questioned her mortality. "Cher, that tribe has not taught you well. Then again, I'm surprised Bridgette would allow the likes of you to join at all."
"Sir, I know we just met, and I know I am new to voodoo. But I have to get through that door," Felicia said, raising her fist in determination. "Please don't make me have to fight you to get through."
"Don't embarrass yourself. Not even the king voodooist can defeat a lwa alone."
"You're a lwa?" she asked, her voice tinged with awe.
Before she could ask any more questions, Felicia saw a Chinese woman in a purple dress walking past the doorway with a cheerful laugh.
"It can't be her," Felicia muttered.
She ran into the doorway as Papa Legba casually sat in his chair, not even attempting to stop the young voodooist.
As Felicia emerged into the saloon, she found herself surrounded by cheerful people dressed in ballroom dresses and tuxedos. The vigorous sounds of pianos and trumpets filled the atmosphere with an addictive sense of celebration.
"Excuse me. I have to get through," Felicia said as she struggled to maneuver through the vast crowd of people. Finally, she reached the woman in the purple dress as she was conversing with a piano player wearing a white mask covering his eyes.
Felicia's heart beat like the drums playing in the background as she stuttered, addressing the woman in the purple dress. "Momma?"
"Oh, Felicia," the woman said, waving goodbye to her friend. "I thought you were…"
"Now, why are you still awake?" her mother cut her off. "You know that it is past your bedtime."
Before Felicia could ask a question, she quickly noticed that she had somehow been transformed from her teenage form into her five-year-old self.
"What the—?" Felicia asked. "What's going on?"
"Come on, love. Let's get you a snack before going to bed," her mother said as she grabbed Felicia's hand and guided her to the kitchen. In the kitchen, Felicia's mother lifted her up and sat her on the counter as she pulled out a tray of pastries from the oven.
"You know, Felicia, ever since me and your grandparents came to the States, I have been missing fresh mochi more than anything else."
Her mother wrapped one in a napkin and kindly gave it to Felicia. The young girl chose to indulge in whatever fantasy this was.
"How have your studies been going?" her mother asked. "Can you introduce yourself in Chinese yet?"
"是的.我叫费利西亚," Felicia said, her voice small but proud.
"Very good. I'm glad your grandparents have been able to teach you something about our culture while I've worked in the kitchen."
As she finished her dessert, Felicia leaned into her mother's arms, giving her a warm hug. "I missed you, Mama."
"I miss you too, sweetheart. I have thought of you and your sisters every moment since my death."
Felicia's eyes opened in shock, and she pulled away from her mother, suddenly being reverted back to her teenage form. "Your death? So this is an illusion."
"I'm afraid so," her mother said, a sad smile on her face.
The kitchen transformed into a gargantuan, nightmarish version of itself, composed of cracked wood and multiple skulls made of orange stone bursting with flames. The young spellcaster soon found herself surrounded by the same party guests who had filled the saloon before, only this time their eyes and teeth were burning with green flames.
As she turned to her mother, her heart broke to see that she too had taken on a monstrous appearance. "Welcome to your first trial, Felicia," her mother said, her voice echoing with a crackling, otherworldly tone. "You must survive the land of the dead, or be consumed by it."
Felicia's mind raced as she tried to comprehend her surroundings. The once familiar kitchen now loomed over her like a twisted version of itself, filled with menacing spirits. She felt a surge of fear but forced herself to focus. She had to remember that this was a trial, a test of her abilities and resolve.
She glanced around, looking for any means of defense. The spirits began to close in, their green flames flickering ominously. Felicia took a deep breath, remembering the spells she had learned so far.
"Okay, Felicia, think," she whispered to herself. "You've faced worse. You can handle this."
As the spirits approached, Felicia raised her hands and chanted, "Nguvu za nenosaba, nihifadhi."
A shield of purple energy surrounded her, deflecting the spirits' initial attacks. She felt a surge of confidence as she realized her spell had worked. But she knew this was only the beginning.
"Good, cher," a voice echoed, though she couldn't see its source. "You've got spirit. Now, let's see if you can use it."
Felicia's eyes darted around, searching for the voice's origin. Her mother's twisted form stood still, watching her intently. The spirits regrouped, preparing for another assault.
Felicia thought back to her training with Latoya. She needed to be quick and strategic. With a swift motion, she extended her arm and shouted, "Wimbi la moto!"
A wave of blue fire erupted from her palm, incinerating the closest spirits. Their screams filled the air, but Felicia didn't flinch. She moved with purpose, her fear transforming into determination.
"Excellent," the voice continued. "But the real challenge is yet to come."
The ground beneath her began to quake. The spirits that she had thought defeated reformed, stronger and more ferocious than before. Felicia's breath quickened. She needed to find a way out.
She looked at her mother, who stood by the door. "Mom, please. Help me."
Her mother's monstrous face softened slightly. "The way out is through your own heart, Felicia. Trust yourself."
Felicia closed her eyes, centering her thoughts. She could feel the energy of the lwa within her, guiding her. She needed to trust in her own strength and the teachings of her ancestors.
With newfound resolve, she chanted, "Mwanga wa moyo wangu, niongoze."
A radiant light burst from within her, illuminating the entire room. The spirits recoiled, their flames dimming in the presence of her inner light. Felicia focused on the door, visualizing her path to safety.
She began to move, her steps confident and sure. The spirits tried to block her, but her light repelled them. Each step forward strengthened her resolve.
As she reached the door, her mother's voice echoed one last time. "Remember, Felicia, the power of the Vodon lies within you. Trust in it, and you