Chapter 17: Waiting in the Shadows

Kente’s POV

Kente sat on a wooden bench outside the Priestess’s big stone house, kicking at the dirt with his boots. The capital’s spires glowed blue-green in the night sky, but he didn’t care about their shine. His tunic—tan with orange and blue—was still messy from the forge, and his pendant felt cold now, like Zuri was far away even though he was just inside. Kente’s stomach twisted. He’d saved Zuri, but now what?

Tamara plopped down next to him, his stick tapping the ground. “Kente, you look sad,” he said, his voice soft. His shell glowed a little, flickering like it felt bad too. “Zuri’s safe with the Priestess, right?”

“Yeah, but for how long?” Kente said, frowning. “That orange glow he had—it scared everyone. The Priestess said they’d decide what to do with him later. What if they think he’s dangerous?”

Chioma leaned against the wall nearby, her gold eyes watching the street. “They won’t hurt him yet,” she said, sounding sure, like a big sister. “Miss Wolo’s with him. She’ll make sure he’s okay until the hearing.”

Kente nodded, but his chest still hurt. “I just got him back,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to lose him again.”

Zuri’s POV

Zuri sat on a straw mat in a small room inside the Priestess’s house. The walls were black stone, carved with glowing blue lines—magic stuff he didn’t understand. His chains were gone, but his wrists still ached, and his torn tunic smelled like ash. The pendant Kente loved hung around his neck, warm again, like a hug from his friend.

The door creaked open, and Miss Wolo walked in, her staff tapping the floor. Her lava eyes glowed soft, not scary like before. “Zuri,” she said, sitting across from him. “That orange power you showed—it’s strong. Where’d it come from?”

“I don’t know,” Zuri said, looking at his hands. They weren’t glowing now, but he felt something warm inside, buzzing like a little fire. “It just happened. The Harvesters tried to take me over, but I fought back. Then this came up.”

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Miss Wolo frowned, thinking. “It’s juju—wild juju,” she said. “Maybe from Old Brass, maybe from you. The Priestess is worried it’s tied to the Harvesters. She’s keeping you here until the elders meet in a few days.”

Zuri’s heart sank. “A meeting?” he asked. “To decide what?”

“Your fate,” she said, her voice serious but kind. “I’ll be there. Kente too. We’ll fight for you.”

Zuri swallowed hard. He didn’t want to be locked up again—or worse.

Chioma’s POV

Chioma stood outside, watching Kente and Tamara talk. The night air was cool, but she felt warm—like Old Brass was still with her, tough and strong. She didn’t like waiting, but Zuri needed time, and so did they. Her gold eyes caught a shadow moving near the spires—fast and sneaky.

“Prophet?” she called softly, hoping it was him. A figure stepped out—Prophet Mirror, his cloak dark against the glow. “Chioma,” he said, his voice quiet. “Kaelon’s still out there. I saw him with that black stone. It’s bad news.”

Chioma’s stomach flipped. “What’s he doing with it?” she asked.

“Trying to wake something,” Prophet said. “Something big and old—Harvester stuff. He’s gone now, but he’ll be back.”

Chioma clenched her fists. “We need Zuri,” she said. “He knows the Harvesters. He can help us stop Kaelon.”

Prophet nodded. “Tell that to the elders,” he said. “Zuri’s power might save us—or scare them more.”

Miss Wolo’s POV

Miss Wolo left Zuri’s room and walked to the Priestess’s big hall. The Priestess sat on a high chair, her robe long and gray, her face old but sharp. Her eyes stared at Miss Wolo like they could see everything.

“Wolo,” the Priestess said, her voice deep. “That boy’s power—it’s not normal. He was with the Harvesters. What if he’s still one of them?”

“He’s not,” Miss Wolo said, holding her staff tight. “I saw him fight it. That orange glow—it’s his, not theirs. He’s from Old Brass, like me. I trust him.”

The Priestess didn’t smile. “Trust isn’t enough,” she said. “The elders will meet in three days. They’ll decide—keep him, lock him up, or worse. Kaelon’s out there too—he’ll want a say.”

Miss Wolo’s lava eyes flared. “Kaelon’s the real danger,” she said. “He’s got that black stone. Zuri can help us stop him.”

“Maybe,” the Priestess said. “For now, he stays here with me. Keep him calm, Wolo. And get ready—we’ve got a fight coming.”

Kaelon’s POV

Kaelon stood on a hill outside the capital, the black stone cold in his hand. It glowed blue, whispering old words he liked—powerful words. The spires shone far off, but he didn’t care about them. He cared about the Harvesters—and what they could do with this stone.

“Zuri got away,” he said to himself, his voice sharp. “But that’s fine. His new power makes him a problem. The elders will see that.” He grinned, mean and sneaky. “I’ll be at that meeting. They’ll give him to me—or I’ll take him.”

He held the stone up, and it pulsed, like something big was waking up under the ground. “Old Brass won’t last,” he said, laughing quietly. “Not when I’m done.”