The group advanced in silence across the battered lands, their footsteps crushing the dust and dry grass under the setting sun. The last fight against the Aloktan mercenaries had left its marks—both visible and invisible. Alaric's gaze had darkened, his body still bearing the scars of battle, but it was his mind that seemed most troubled. Kael had tried to understand what his friend was going through, but Alaric remained locked in a heavy, almost unsettling silence.
Kimpa Vita and Luther walked at the back of the group, slightly apart from the others. They seemed absorbed in a silent conversation, communicating more through gestures and glances than words. Their bond was strong, palpable, even in this war-torn world where every moment could shift into chaos.
Despite the weight of the situation, Kimpa Vita maintained a natural poise. Her movements were graceful, her beauty striking, yet there was a flicker of worry in her eyes. Her fiancé, Luther, had noticed this change. Ever since they left the fortress, something seemed to weigh on her more than just the mission.
They stopped briefly at the top of a hill overlooking a desolate landscape. Ahead of them, in the distance, the first hills of Mbanza, Kimpa Vita's homeland, began to emerge. The air was dry, but it carried the remnants of an ancient magic, as if the very earth still echoed with a distant past.
"You're thinking about your return, aren't you?" Luther asked softly, placing a comforting hand on Kimpa's shoulder.
She sighed, turning her gaze toward the distant mountains, her jaw clenched. "Yes... and no. I'm thinking about what it means."
Luther knew that the political situation in Mbanza was far from simple. As a priestess and direct descendant of the royal lineage, Kimpa was destined to reclaim the throne. Yet, she had chosen to leave her people to marry Luther, an outsider, and the resulting political tensions were far from resolved.
"Do you regret leaving?" he asked, his voice carrying a shadow of sadness.
Kimpa turned her face toward him, her features softened by a sad smile. "No. It's not you, Luther. It's everything that comes with it… Mbanza is a matriarchal society, where women rule—not by inheritance of power, but by the strength of their will, wisdom, and their connection to the divine. And I'm supposed to be the next one. Yet, I ran away from that duty. For you."
She placed her hand on his, her fingers trembling slightly under the weight of her confession. "But I couldn't have foreseen that my departure would bring so much chaos. In my absence, others have claimed the throne, seizing the opportunity of my weakness to divide my people. And now, even if I return, I know they won't accept a king who isn't one of them."
Luther gently squeezed her hand, but his face remained marked by concern. He knew the customs of Mbanza well. Being an outsider in this society was a challenge in itself, but marrying a royal priestess made the situation even more precarious.
"They'll listen to you, Kimpa. They'll respect you for who you are. No matter where I come from, as long as you stand beside me."
Kimpa Vita turned away, a bitter smile touching her lips. "The traditions run deep in Mbanza. Deeper than you think. They revere our customs, and those customs say that the husband of a priestess must be of Mbanza blood. They'll never see you as anything more than an... outsider."
A heavy silence settled between them. Kimpa looked back toward the distant mountains, wondering if her people would ever accept her choice or if she would be forced to choose between her duty and her love.
Luther hesitated before speaking again, fully aware of the gravity of the situation. "So, what will you do?"
"I'll take back what's mine," she replied, her gaze suddenly filled with determination. "I am the priestess of Mbanza, and I can no longer run from my responsibilities. We must return to the land and reunite my people. They need me to restore balance, and I can't shy away from that anymore."
She paused, then added more softly, "But I want you by my side. No matter what they say, I chose you, and I'm not going to bend to their archaic wills."
Luther gave her a faint smile. "I'll be with you, no matter what."
Their exchange didn't go unnoticed. A little further away, Kael observed in silence, fully aware of the weight of the responsibilities on Kimpa Vita's shoulders. This wasn't the first time he had found himself in a situation where personal and political stakes intertwined. But this time, it felt different, more intense. Mbanza was tied to Eyoma, Alaric's homeland, and although the link was ancient, Kael sensed there was something deeper to uncover.
Mbanza and Kimuisi, Alaric's village, shared a common history. Centuries ago, Kimuisi had been under Mbanza's influence, but the pride of the people of Kimuisi had driven them to separate, to claim their independence and to pretend to be Eyoma in its entirety. This historical fracture had left its mark, and the pride of Alaric's people stemmed from this ancient rivalry with Mbanza. A forgotten link, but one deeply rooted in their respective cultures.
The wind blew lightly, lifting dust around them as Alaric walked further ahead, silent and thoughtful. He had heard their conversation too, but he didn't want to intervene. He remembered the stories from his childhood, tales of a time when Kimuisi and Mbanza were one nation. He also remembered the pride of his people, a pride that had led to their downfall.
Alaric knew he had to help Kimpa reclaim her throne. It wasn't just a matter of honor for her, but also for him—a way to restore balance in this fractured world.
They continued their march, but something had changed. Kimpa Vita and Luther walked hand in hand now, more united than ever, while Alaric, Kael, and the others prepared for the challenges ahead.
The silence deepened as Alaric was lost in his thoughts. Kimpa Vita and Luther, though united by love, were also caught in the wheels of power and duty. And Alaric understood that burden all too well.
Kankourang, the school of mages, was their next destination. But the road to Mbanza and Kimpa Vita's throne would be far more perilous than they imagined.