"Things are not that simple," Mama Sarfowa sighed deeply. "The abosoms — and even other gods and spirits — are often connected to their people, to their worshipers, and even to their motherland. So, when their country is ravaged, and their people die or suffer, they are also affected; the influence can range from being weakened to entering deep slumbers and sometimes even losing their memories and inheritance."
Zane squinted. He hadn't expected colonialism to affect the spiritual world so deeply. "What about America's Beast? What effect did he have in the spiritual world?"
"That vile thing just made everything worse," Mama Sarfowa replied.
"How exactly?"
"Don't worry about it."
"Come on, Ma, it's only a matter of time before I come into contact with it. I must be prepared."
"And I will tell you everything I know, but in due time."
"Fine," Zane said, knowing she wouldn't change his mind no matter what he did.
"Is that it? If so, I'll hang up."
"Yes, that's it."
"Alright, bye. Love you."
"Love you too."
After hanging up, Zane spent more time researching the religion, but he was not satisfied with the information available. So, he decided to contact an expert: his cousin, Ziyad. They chatted for hours before Ziyad ended the conversation to go do something else. Meanwhile, Zane wanted to check on Lysana's situation when he remembered he didn't have the money to pay her yet, so he shelved that idea.
Around 6: 45 PM, he returned to school, gently placing the statue and the candles on the nightstand next to his bed. He usually only put his cellphone and laptop there, so there was plenty of space for everything else. "Should I do it now?" Zane thought as he looked at the altar. He didn't know how long the chat with Anansi was, so he decided to wait until later.
Eight o'clock arrived, and everybody gathered for the daily report. "So, how was it?" Zane started the conversation.
"Not good. This time, we only made a little over 10 crystals each."
"What happened?" Tom Nguyen asked, but Ahmed didn't answer. Instead, his face turned slightly red.
"The man was protectin' his queen," Devonte teased.
"You went hunting with Khadijah?"
"Her hunting partner canceled last minute, so I invited her to come with us," Ahmed explained. "However, I became a little too overprotective and conservative."
"He even hired a healer. That shit was mad expensive."
"Healer? I thought Mages couldn't hunt?" Tom asked.
"It's from the hunting guild. There are mage hunters, but as he said, they are very expensive."
"So, we'll have to compete with these official hunters?" Evans asked.
"Probably," Ahmed nodded.
"That will complicate things."
Zane and Tom Nguyen agreed.
"Oh, by the way, can I invite Khadijah to join our training session?"
"I'll ask the girls, but there shouldn't be an issue," Zane said, nodding. "How about you? How did things turn out with your parents?"
Evans sighed. "What do you think? That shriveling little weasel told them I wasn't helping him, and I had to spend more than 2 hours defending myself."
Tom Nguyen chuckled, and everybody looked at him. "Don't look at me. For some reason, picturing all of this is very funny to me."
Zane shook his head. "So, what happened in the end?"
"I told him unless James can get into the Elite Class, there is little I can do for him."
"That seems like a good way to put an end to their request."
"You would think so, but they told me I had to help him get in, even train with him if necessary."
Zane patted his shoulder: "Well, good luck with that."
"How about you help me?"
"That's not happening." Zane shook his head. Evans immediately wanted to offer a monetary incentive, but he controlled himself. "What about you?"
"Not even for a million dollars," Tom Nguyen stated directly.
"Fine," Evans said, his shoulders slumping.
Tomorrow was a Class Tournament, so nobody wanted to stay too long. Even Zane only did light training after his second meditation session. After training ended, he rushed to the cafeteria for a traditional Ghanaian meal before returning to his dorm. He showered and groomed himself properly before proceeding: he placed the food next to the altar and followed his mother's instructions:
"All praise and honor to Nyame, the Creator and bringer of life. All worship to Asase Ya, the Mother Goddess, who brings us peace, truth, and love. All joy to Anansi, the lover of stories, the bringer of wisdom, the protector of knowledge — and the guardian of my life."
As soon as Zane finished his prayer, he sensed a slight pain on his chest where the tattoo was. And before he could check, his spirit left his body, flying into the cloud for a few seconds before he descended into this unknown place —an unknown world. It was dark, with the only visible light a bonfire less than 3 meters from him. A forest enclaved in darkness hung in the distance, emitting an eerie yet alluring sight.
"Where am I?" Zane thought, trying to remain calm. A sound immediately caught his attention; he glanced at the forest or the darkness — which seemed one and the same — and involuntarily took one step back. Thousands of spiders walked from the forest toward him; they rapidly approached the bonfire, fused, and slowly transformed into a human.
"Lord Anansi?" Zane asked, glancing at the handsome man wearing a colorful kente with a spider pattern. Zane glanced at the man's glowing eyes and the divine aura emanating from him; he felt the urge to kneel.
"Child, my form didn't scare you, did it?" Anansi's soothing voice said.
"No, I'm not afraid of spiders."
"That's right; you're afraid of frogs."
"Scare is a strong word. I just dislike them," Zane said. He can't help it. When he was five, Myk and Alisha once pranked him by putting a frog in his clothes, and he's hated those things ever since.
"Isn't the only class you ever failed because you refused to dissect a frog?"
"I didn't fail, just got a B plus. Biology is overrated anyway."
Anansi laughed; his powerful voice echoed throughout the surroundings. The glow in his eyes dissipated, and his aura retreated, adding a bit of humanity to him. "Sit, let's chat over dinner." The divine spirit sat on the ground, seemingly not minding the conditions. With a wave of his hand, the food Zane had prepared as an offering appeared. Zane was not shy, so he sat opposite him. When Anansi began to eat with his hands, Zane followed suit.
"You know, you were supposed to be one of my greatest stories," Anansi began. "You were supposed to be the one who changed the motherland, to accelerate our progress in the modern era, and maybe even change the entire continent. Unfortunately, that vile B…"
"Was he going to say bitch? Does he blame Cindy for what happened to me?" Zane thought. "Lord, are you sure it's a good idea to reveal you were planning my entire life?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? My goal was to ensure you develop your full potential while also ensuring you didn't forget your roots. Everything else would come naturally."
"That makes sense." Zane nodded. As long as he was successful, he would never forget Ghana and would try his best to help it develop. "Well, life doesn't always go as we plan."
"Child, I know that better than you," Anansi sighed. "The good news is, it's not too late."
"It's not?"
"The arrival of the tower is both a disaster and an opportunity for change. I won't let you miss it."
"Lord, I think you have too much faith in me," Zane sighed. "For all you know, I could die at any moment."
"You won't. I have a feeling that this is the beginning of a great story, and you will play a significant role — maybe even the greatest role."
Zane smiled wryly: "I'm glad you have such faith in me."
Anansi laughed. "I know you don't quite believe me, but that's fine. Time will prove all — it always does."
The two talked for more than an hour until Zane's spirit began to flicker.
"It seems I've kept you for too long," Anansi said. "My apologies."
"It's fine."
"Before you leave, let me give you a blessing."
Anansi stood in front of Zane and gently placed his hands on his forehead, releasing a blue light. Zane didn't feel anything, but he thanked him anyway.
"One more thing: you should not miss next month's ceremony. The blessing I can give you in this state is the lowest tier."
"Wait, next month? Isn't it in December?"
"Something came up, so we decided to move the date," Anansi explained. "And if you can, help Ziyad acquire the necessary materials. This ceremony is going to be a big one, and the expense might be too much for him alone."
"I will."