After a long and grueling year, we finally arrive at Mbanza, Kimpa Vita's homeland. The magnitude of the sacred city crushes me the moment my eyes fall on its ancient walls, covered in mystical symbols carved into the emerald stone of the mountains. An enchanting landscape, where nature seems to blend seamlessly with the architecture, surrounds the city. But something is off.
The air is dense, saturated with an ancient magic—heavy, almost suffocating. It's not just the beauty of Mbanza that overwhelms me. No, it's the strange and unsettling feeling that everything here is imbued with the presence of the Anciens, those mysterious entities we've heard about throughout our journey. It's as if their energy floats in the air, present in every breath, every movement. An invisible veil envelops the city, making each step uncertain.
Kimpa Vita had told us much about Mbanza during our travels, but seeing it with my own eyes surpasses anything I could have imagined. The towers seem to emerge from the forests, like natural extensions of the land itself, and the statues of ancient rulers, carved into the rock, appear larger than life. The tiered rooftops are covered in creeping vines and exotic flowers. This city is a perfect blend of nature's power and mastery of the mystical arts.
Yet, there's a palpable tension in the air. Suspicious gazes turn toward us the moment we arrive. Whispered murmurs follow us down the cobblestone streets. Mbanza, once flourishing and united, is now divided. The marks of internal conflict are visible everywhere: barricaded houses, closed shops, and citizens hurrying home while casting nervous glances around.
Factions have formed, and rumors spread relentlessly. Some are ready to support Kimpa Vita, the rightful heir to the throne, in her quest to save her fiancé, Luther, and restore peace to Mbanza. Others view her as a traitor, a princess who abandoned her people for a foreigner, a man from distant lands. Their mistrust of Luther, a man of foreign origin, is evident in the icy stares and acidic words some don't hesitate to whisper aloud.
My Sylvan Knight instincts awaken. We're being watched. Eyes lurking in the shadows of the alleys, furtive movements in the trees—all point to the fact that the situation in Mbanza is far from stable. Kael, by my side, seems less concerned about this hostility. His eyes glisten with excitement as he senses the magical energy saturating the air. "This is incredible, Alaric. Do you feel it?" he whispers. "There are remnants of ancient rituals everywhere here. Every stone, every breath of wind carries fragments of a magic I've never seen before."
I nod, but my mind remains alert. Danger is everywhere, and though we've arrived in Mbanza, this place that was supposed to be our refuge is quickly starting to resemble a golden prison.
Kimpa Vita stands tall and proud in front of the massive door of the inn where we are to stay before our meeting with the Sages of Mbanza tomorrow. Luther, beside her, looks more fragile than ever. His face bears the marks of his captivity. His drawn features and haunted eyes reveal deep scars. Yet he struggles to maintain his dignity, never once complaining.
"Tomorrow, we will meet the Sages," Kimpa says, breaking the silence. "We must convince them of the urgency of the situation. Mbanza is on the brink of falling to the Mpaya and their allies from Alokta. We must act quickly."
Alokta. That name echoes in my mind, recalling memories of Kwame and the mysteries surrounding that nation. Every step we take seems to bring us closer to that ever-present threat, yet the answers remain elusive.
The next morning, the meeting with the Sages
The council chamber is as grand as one would expect for a place where decisions are made for an entire sacred city. The walls, carefully sculpted, are covered with frescoes depicting the legends and myths of Mbanza. The faces of past rulers watch us, stern, while symbols from another era glow faintly, as if the stones themselves are alive.
Five Sages sit before us. One of them, an elderly man with a white beard, Sage Damba, speaks first. His gaze is piercing, almost intimidating. "Kimpa Vita," he begins, his voice deep. "You've returned, but at what cost? You abandoned Mbanza, your people, to follow a foreigner. And now you return with strangers. What are we to make of this?"
A murmur ripples through the room. The hostility in Damba's voice is obvious, but I also sense something else… fear. He knows the events unfolding here are more than just internal politics.
Kimpa remains calm, though I can see her fists clench slightly. "I never abandoned my people. I left Mbanza to save the one I love and to find a solution to the conflict that threatens our land. You know as well as I do that the Mpaya and Alokta are preparing their attack. Mbanza is in danger, and if we do nothing, this city will fall into their hands."
The debate flares up. Some Sages seem willing to listen to Kimpa, while others, influenced by Damba, remain closed off, distrustful. Kael and I stand back, watching the power plays. Damba, despite his sage-like appearance, seems to be the main obstacle to Kimpa's return to the throne. And something tells me his opposition isn't based solely on moral principles.
Then, a sudden voice interrupts the debate. A messenger bursts in, out of breath. "Alarming news, Sages! A village south of Mbanza has been attacked... Mercenaries, bearing unknown insignia... But their fighting techniques resemble those of the warriors of Alokta."
A heavy silence falls over the room. Alokta. That name surfaces again, like a dark shadow creeping over us.
Kimpa, her face tense, addresses the council. "If we do nothing, these mercenaries won't stop there. They will seek to divide our people and take control of our resources. We must unite before it's too late."
The Sages exchange worried glances. The situation is critical, and even those who doubted Kimpa now understand the threat is real.
But Damba remains silent. His dark eyes seem to assess the situation, searching for another outcome, another truth. And at that moment, I realize: Damba is hiding something. And I sense it's directly tied to Alokta.
Night falls over Mbanza
Back at the inn, I settle on the balcony, watching the lights of the city below. The city, which seemed peaceful and majestic upon our arrival, now reveals itself as a place of intrigue, betrayal, and hidden secrets. Kimpa Vita, despite her legitimate claim, must now fight to regain the trust of her people. And I must figure out how to navigate this labyrinth of lies and magic.
I think of Lira. If she were here, what would she say? Would she have already figured out what's going on beneath the surface? My thoughts also drift to Kwame, and I wonder what role he plays in all of this. Is he merely a temporary ally, or part of something much bigger?
My reflections are interrupted by Kimpa Vita as she approaches silently. She places a hand on my shoulder. "Alaric, tomorrow will be crucial. If the Sages refuse to support us, we'll have to find another way. But no matter what happens, we can't turn back."
I nod, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. This quest is far from over, and the sacrifices we'll have to make to reach our goals will only grow heavier.
The future of Mbanza is uncertain, as is my own. But one thing is clear: the battle is only just beginning.