I. The Arrival
The morning mist was still thick when the scouts returned with news: the new tribe had made camp—not in attack, but at a respectful distance.
Zion gathered his inner circle. They approached cautiously but with open hearts.
From the edge of the marsh, figures emerged—tall, lean, adorned in blue and green, their skin glistening with the sheen of the wetlands.
Their leader stepped forward, a woman with eyes like still water and a calm smile.
She spoke clearly:
"We come as friends, bearing gifts and seeking to trade."
II. The Tribe of Ondine
They called themselves the Ondine—named for the spirits of water and healing. Their god was Dlo-Mwen, the ancient water deity who protected life and trade, honored with ceremonies of song and dance.
Unlike Nouvo Lakay's fiery pantheon, the Ondine worshipped the flow of rivers, the shifting tides, and the healing power of rain.
They carried baskets of rare herbs, polished shells, and woven cloth dyed with deep blues.
III. The Second Sigil
As the tribes exchanged cautious greetings, a sudden shimmer passed over Zion's skin.
A new sigil, glowing like liquid silver, emerged on his forearm.
The power surged inside him—a bond not only with the land but now with the beasts of water and air.
From the nearby woods, two magnificent creatures appeared—a sleek, silver-furred panther with eyes like sapphires, and a great hawk with wings shimmering like river waves.
They bowed their heads to Zion, recognizing their new bond.
IV. A New Alliance
Zion looked to the Ondine leader.
"We welcome you," he said. "And in this time of uncertainty, allies are stronger than walls."
The two tribes began to trade stories, knowledge, and gifts—plants that healed, stones that sang when held.
The Lwa, though silent still, seemed to watch through Zion's new bond, as the air itself hummed with possibility.
V. Preparing for Tomorrow
That night, as the fires of both tribes burned bright side by side, Zion felt a quiet strength grow within him.
The second sigil was not just a sign—it was a promise.
A promise that Nouvo Lakay would rise stronger, not alone, but with friends—old gods and new allies alike