Akachi walked with one hand resting on his chest. The Axé emitted by the spiritual key was intense. The mystical object seemed to convey to the boy the uncertainty of the future. The young medium felt that something important was at stake. It was like walking through a dark tunnel without seeing the end.

The Guardian Ori, who was connected to Azekel's grandson, also felt his anguish. The spirit understood that Akachi's path was full of battles. Fights he hadn't asked to fight, nor had he even had time to prepare for them. The boy had come out of his paralyzed state to fight Ojwang. He had been separated from his family, with no time to enjoy his new condition.

The group walked in silence to the headquarters of the Ilu Nla Liberation Movement command. Spin Bomb couldn't stand it any longer and decided to speak up.

"Mashal came back without the other two. He rushed in wanting to talk to you, Akachi."

"Wait! Weren't you the one who told Fadala and me you were here? There's no way he could have known."

"I don't know that, but he already knew. Nobody told."

They both entered the headquarters. The medium realized that Fadala was already there, standing on the left, behind Feruzi. His arms were crossed, one foot was against the wall, his head was down and he looked very concentrated. Mashal was sitting on cushions with Feruzi. They were both smoking pipes. In front of them was an induction cooktop. Coffee was boiling in the kettle.

All the rebels were excused from the meeting. They would talk for a long time and in privacy.

Akachi and Azekel greeted their hosts. The pair sat facing the ex-sages. Spin Bomb sat next to his albino master. Mashal had a friendly countenance, but his Axé flow was disturbed, something imperceptible to ordinary people, but Azekel and his grandson could tell.

Mashal ceremoniously picked up rustic-shaped cups made of white clay and poured generous doses of coffee into them with a copper ladle. The cups were distributed from right to left. The smell of caffeine rose and filled the room. Spin Bomb blew into his cup, the smoke spiraling quickly through the air.

Feruzi raised an eyebrow, dismayed at the rudeness, and grumbled:

"Is that manners?"

"I'm sorry, but this Colombian here is very hot."

"He's not Colombian, he's Ethiopian."

Everyone turns to Fadala. He remains in his impassive sphinx statue posture. Spin Bomb narrowed his eyes and retorted ironically:

"As well as being a hitman, you're also a coffee sommelier?"

Bong, Feruzi smacked the girl upside the head. The artisan dropped her cup on the floor and began to smooth her head to ease the pain.

"Respect your elders, my dear apprentice."

Akachi and Azekel kept their inquiring eyes on Mashal. The pair looked at each other. The young medium declared:

"You're preparing us for bad news."

Mashal sighed. He sipped his cup and replied:

"While you were trying to infiltrate the Grand Arena tournament, we were on the move. Feruzi trained Spin Bomb so that she could better protect herself, and in return, she taught us how to make firework swords. Which is proving very useful for us. Your grandfather Azekel has kept the leadership in the camp…"

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Mashal paused again. That annoyed Akachi, he wanted the other to get to the point.

"Go on, don't make us anxious."

"You're right, I apologize. I won't take up any more of your time. I was leading a sabotage group. We were installing homemade explosives in public buildings…"

The ex-sage described his meeting with the Sage of the Law. Azekel was surprised that his son Adisa had been kidnapped. Akachi wasn't surprised; he seemed enraged by the medium. The Circle of Sages were acting cowardly. They used his father to take back the Spiritual Key of Faith. But not just anyone could use it.

Spiritual keys were linked to the sage's ancestry. To use one of them, you had to be in the blood and spiritual line of those who had gone before you. A sage could not use two or more spiritual keys at the same time. He didn't understand what they would do with the Spiritual Key of Faith.

"What will they do with my key if they get their hands on it?"

"They believe they are the last line of defense against Ojwang. They want to get possession of all the keys to prevent our enemy from using them."

Fadala noticed that Ojwang had a great interest in the spirit keys. However, he wasn't a medium. He couldn't use them.

"Is there any possibility that the acting president has found some method of using the spirit keys for his own benefit, Mr. Mashal?"

"Yes, but we can't identify the method. Perhaps Adisa could help us. He was the chief scientist in the service of General Jitujeusi."

"Don't blame my father!"

"I'm not blaming anyone, young man. That's a fact. Many of the weapons that killed my people were designed by Adisa's hands. He is an accomplice and a victim of the circumstances in equal measure."

Akachi emitted Axé so intensely and uncontrollably that the whole environment around him heaved. Azekel put a hand on his forearm and calmed him down. He couldn't allow despair at that moment.

"It's a low blow to use my son as a bargaining chip. He needs to be rescued."

Fadala uncrossed his arms. He walked two steps forward and lit a cigarette. He picked up a clay cup and handed it to Mashal, who promptly poured himself some coffee. He sipped the bitter drink and reflected cautiously.

"This all smells like a trap. Is there any real guarantee that Akachi's father is with them? How could the Phalanx let its greatest scientist escape like this? How did a member of the Circle of Sages find you?"

"Well, Fadala, I don't doubt that the Circle of Sages is with Adisa. The sage Hakim was the messenger, he's a bold and annoying medium, but too sincere to resort to lies. Ojwang and his watchdog Jitujeusi are on a diplomatic mission abroad, the Armed Forces wouldn't alert them at a time like this. The other generals must be in confrontation. Our sources tell us that Gahiji and Jitujeusi are in conflict. About Hakim meeting me, well, it's an old suspicion, but I think our most important source is a double agent, maybe a triple agent."

Feruzi hissed for the other to shut up. An experienced gambler doesn't want to reveal all his cards.

"We need to rescue my father."

"Absolutely, Akachi. But we need a plan of action."

"You have an army here, Mr. Feruzi. We can't waste any time."

"They're not mediums like you and me, young man. They won't stand a chance against the Circle of Sages. We'll be wasting lives for nothing. You, Mashal and I are not enough to handle the five sages. Fadala, this isn't your battle, don't feel obliged to come with us. Spin Bomb, you're not ready yet."

Fadala removed a pistol from its holster and showed it to those present in a gesture of good faith.

"Don't worry, my pistols will be at your service in this battle."

Spin Bomb stood up and waved his arms. He slammed a closed fist into his other palm. He winked at Akachi.

"Hey, what's this about me not being ready? I'll go anyway!"

"Great, we've already got six with Grandpa Azekel."

On hearing the proposal, the old man turned his face away, embarrassed. He looked ashamed. Akachi put a hand on his grandfather's shoulder to comfort him. The man removed his grandson's hand and plunged his face into his hands. The grandson understood nothing of this reaction.

"Grandpa, what's going on?"

"I… snif, I won't… snif-snif."

"Why not? My father is at risk, he's your son, remember? What do you mean you're not going?"

Feruzi let out a long sigh. It was time Akachi knew a few things about his grandfather and father.

"It's not that he doesn't want to, he can't. He shouldn't, in my opinion."

Everyone turned to Feruzi. Mashal nodded. That made Akachi frustrated. He couldn't accept that his grandfather was the only one to be cowed. No matter how many differences Azekel and Adisa had in the past, they were still father and son. When they met again, there would be time for forgiveness.

"I don't understand. In fact, I can't accept it. My grandfather and I were supposed to fight together to save my father."

"Akachi…"

"No, old friend, let me explain."

Feruzi raised a finger and pointed to the Spiritual Key of Faith on Akachi's chest.

"Your grandfather refused the key for the sake of his son, who refused the key for the sake of science in order to save you. This had consequences. Azekel lost his mediumistic abilities because the key was rejected twice. The power of the ancestors contained in it punished him. If he goes with us, he'll be an easy target. His grandfather made that sacrifice to save his life."

Akachi's eyes bulged. A sepulchral silence fell over the room. Spin Bomb rolled her eyes, embarrassed by her own mistrust. Fadala, for his part, lowered his eyes. An honest man had been judged too hastily.