The Kurigali quarter in the slums was unlike any other place. What used to be a six-kilometer-long, two-kilometer-wide park filled with overgrown trees and wild flora had become home to the Kurigali. Unlike other groups, they hadn't taken over existing buildings. Instead, they'd built their own village right within the park, forming a unique mini-society.

  From afar, their huts and straw roofs appeared as clusters of brown dots sprinkled among the foliage. Intricately constructed wooden bridges connected one treehouse to another, some strung between the trees, others spanning small, shallow lakes that had formed where the old park's ponds used to be.

  Although it was technically still part of the slums, and anyone could enter the park, a clear boundary separated the Kurigali Quarter from the rest of the city.

  The entire quarter was self-sufficient. Many of the fruits and vegetables out in the markets came from here. Fii couldn't count the times she'd seen Kurigali traders bring in produce using large wheelbarrows.

  She'd never been curious enough to go see what their quarter actually looked like, though. But standing at its border, her nerves were all abuzz. She wasn't exactly looking forward to going in.

  As for the superstitions and rumors surrounding the Kurigali people... well, they were hard to ignore. And frankly, kind of scary.

  "Thanks for walking me this far," she said to Quinn, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

  "Sure, no prob. Need moral support, you know? Wouldn't want you to get spooked and bail." He laughed, then shrugged. "Hey, you've got superpowers. Nothin' can take you down, right?"

  She stuck out her tongue at him. "Yeah, yeah. Powers or not, can't fight magic. That's how it works."

  He made a dramatic sigh, complete with a shake of his head. "Seriously? They've probably just got poison and psychedelics on hand to mess with people. Nothing paranormal about that. Trust me, you'll be fine."

  Fii puffed out her cheeks. "Gimme a break! I'll scream and run if they start getting spooky or something. Like, worst-case scenario, I just run away."

  "You're a Super, Fii. Act like it."

  She punched his arm playfully. "Screw you."

  Quinn let out a soft chuckle. "You too. Anyway, got work with Rao today, so I gotta go. Be safe out there."

  "You know me."

  He grinned. "Yeah, that's exactly why I said it."

  She gave him a quick hug and kiss before watching him make his way back to the Rust Market. With her hands resting on her hips, she let out a heavy sigh.

  "Here goes nothing."

  The moment she stepped into the park, a slight tingle danced across her skin. Whether it was just her anxiety playing tricks on her or a genuine energy shift in the air, she couldn't tell. The only thing she knew for sure was that the atmosphere here was different from the rest of the slums.

  Here, the cool shade from the trees created an odd sense of isolation. Everywhere she looked, it was green upon green: the grass, the bushes, the leaves of the trees. She was glad to leave the unrelenting heat of the afternoon sun behind. It was noticeably cooler beneath the tree canopy.

  "Focus, focus." She breathed in deeply. "They're just... nice people who want to keep to themselves. Yep. That's all."

  The path before her, barely a trail at all, wound between tall trees and patches of overgrown bushes. With no concrete paths to follow, she had to make her way forward the best she could. Occasionally, her shoes would sink a little into the soft, moist soil beneath, prompting her to move a bit faster through those spots to avoid mud.

  It was silent here—not the comfortable, lazy quiet of an empty street but something deeper, as though even the usual city sounds were muffled and swallowed up by the trees. Every rustling leaf and snapping twig sounded incredibly loud. Fii tried to keep moving forward, hoping to come across someone, anyone, soon.

  As she ventured further in, the trail became narrower and the undergrowth denser. Leaves and twigs crunched underneath her shoes.

  "So creepy... I really don't like this," she muttered to herself.

  She could see traces of the Kurigali's presence in the environment: small idols carved into tree trunks, painted with intricate patterns of dark red and black, and wooden wind chimes hung from branches, their soft clinking nearly lost in the forest's soft breeze.

  Trekking through the area was difficult. Fii had to use her gravikinesis to break through a few bushes or find her way across a couple of streams. It was like the park's landscape was actively trying to keep her away from its heart.

  She hadn't been nervous like this in ages—not even when she'd first encountered the gangs, or when she'd confronted Prime.

  Though, in retrospect, maybe she should've been more worried when she'd met Prime. She could have easily been killed that day.

  Suddenly, as she was navigating her way around a particularly thick clump of bushes, the rustling sound of leaves and snapping twigs filled her ears. Turning to where it was coming from, her eyes went wide and her throat tightened as three men emerged from the bushes. She'd found who she was looking for, alright.

  They wore loose garments woven from coarse fabric, dyed in earthen hues that blended with their surroundings. Their faces were obscured by masks made of animal skulls and painted with ominous patterns. These weren't some spooky statues. They were real people.

  In their hands, they brandished what appeared to be simple spears, their tips glowing with an eerie luminescence. They might've looked like normal sticks sharpened to a point, but that weird glow made her nervous.

  One of them stepped forward, slightly taller than the others, his voice muffled behind his mask. "Kashü-lo vo, tala-no. Mi heya la-tere?"

  She had absolutely no idea what that meant. Her heart raced, and her palms turned sweaty. "Uh, hey? Hi. I come in peace. Don't kill or curse me or something, okay?"

  The leader tilted his head as though waiting for an explanation. A murmur of conversation passed between the three men, their words impossible for Fii to understand.

  "We're, uh, not going to have a good conversation, are we?" she asked, scratching the back of her head.

  As she took a cautious step back, one of the spears zipped past, whistling as it sliced through the air and impaled the ground right where her foot had been just moments ago.

  Her hand immediately covered her heart. "Woah! Easy, easy there!"

  She raised her hands defensively, preparing to use her power, if needed.

  Then, from behind the trees, another figure emerged—a woman dressed in a flowing tunic the color of moss, her long, braided hair bound with charms and feathers that swayed gently as she moved. Her skin was dark, and her face was adorned with intricate tattoos in hues of green and black.

  As she approached, the three men with spears stepped back, giving her a small nod of respect. She spoke in a low voice, her tone soothing yet firm. "Why have you come to our quarter?"

  "Oh, thank god. Someone I can actually talk to!" Fii said, feeling some of her nervousness melt away. Her voice grew slightly more confident. "My name is Fii. I, uh, was told I might be part-Kurigali. Half-Kurigali. Maybe. And, um, I'm looking for information and a guide."

  She paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Like, not necessarily a guide into the quarter—although I'm not opposed to that—but more like a guide through the badlands. I really need to get to Merraco, and I was hoping the Kurigali might, you know, offer some help."

  She punctuated her monologue with a halfhearted chuckle, glancing nervously at the three men who stood nearby. "Sorry if I've, uh, interrupted anything. I didn't really know where I should have gone in here to ask questions."

  The woman seemed to consider Fii's words for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly as she turned to the three men and said something in their language, gesturing towards Fii as she did so. The three of them lowered their spears, stepping back further.

  Her attention back on Fii, the woman said, "Who are your parents?"

  Fii's shoulders slumped as she let out a soft sigh. "I, uh, don't really know. Never met my dad, and my mom disappeared six years ago, I think. My memory's a bit fuzzy on the details. I don't remember her face at all. Or her name, for that matter."

  The woman nodded and tilted her head. "Curious."

  She motioned for the masked men to retreat, and they did, disappearing back into the underbrush. "We Kurigali know ourselves well. You may call me Barathi. Come, follow me. We have a means to discern your claim."

  Fii hesitated for a moment, her eyes scanning the shadows of the trees for any remaining masked figures. Finding none, she followed the woman.

  Barathi led her along a narrow path through the park, their journey marked by the crunching of dead leaves and the occasional flutter of wings in the canopy above. Fii felt a lot more relaxed than she had just minutes ago. Even the sounds of the forest seemed less eerie now.

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  Before long, they arrived at a wooden bridge suspended by sturdy ropes over a small pond. On the other side, several small wooden houses were nestled in the shadows of the trees.

  Stepping onto the bridge, Fii couldn't help but marvel at its craftsmanship. The wooden planks underfoot were smooth and carefully joined. She leaned over to peek into the pond, her eyes widening as she caught sight of colorful fish swimming among the lily pads below, their scales glimmering in the sunlight.

  "This place is amazing," she murmured, her steps quickening to keep up with Barathi.

  Her guide offered a small smile. "It's home. Or rather, the closest thing to it we have in the slums."

  Crossing the bridge, they reached a cluster of houses. One house, in particular, stood out from the rest, situated under a massive tree. Its wooden walls and thatched roof were decorated with carvings and trinkets, making it feel more like a sacred space than a home. Before it, several Kurigali were engrossed in conversation with each other, their voices blending into a rhythmic, melodious hum.

  "Come, follow me," Barathi invited, gesturing towards the group. The closer they got, the more nervous Fii felt. She could see the curious and occasionally wary glances the Kurigali cast her way. Feeling self-conscious, she made sure to step carefully and to not accidentally knock into anyone.

  As they passed through the small cluster of houses, she caught glimpses of daily life among the people here. Children darted between the trees, their laughter blending with the soft hum of conversation. Some adults sat in small circles, weaving baskets from reeds or grinding herbs in stone bowls. Others were stringing colorful beads or polishing wooden trinkets, their hands moving with practiced ease.

  "So... now that we're talking..." Fii said, swallowing, "Is there something I should... I don't know, avoid doing? You know, out of respect or... whatever. I don't want to screw this up."

  Barathi gave her a thoughtful look, as if pondering where to start.

  "Your concern for respect is a good start," she replied, offering a small nod. "Kurigali customs are deeply tied to reverence—reverence for the land, for the spirits, for the traditions of our people. Here, we walk with both the seen and unseen, and it is important to carry ourselves with humility in their presence."

  Fii nodded along, trying to process this. "Right, got it. So... humility. Check."

  Wait, did she just say 'unseen'? What did that mean?

  "This isn't some warning about 'walking wrong' or something and ending up cursed, right?" she asked, her voice going a little high. "I mean, that's not an actual thing, right?"

  "Perhaps. Who is to say?"

  Her cryptic response did nothing to calm Fii's nerves. "What's that supposed to mean?"

  Barathi's lips twitched with a small smile, though her eyes remained serious. "Follow me closely and stay silent when we enter the Mambo's presence. She is... well, let us say she speaks to those the rest of us cannot see."

  "Uhhh..." Fii blinked a couple times, then nodded. "Sounds like I'm about to meet someone who could read me like an open book."

  Barathi said nothing in response, simply resuming her path through the cluster of houses. Fii couldn't help but notice how each building seemed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. Vines and leaves wrapped around the structures as though they had grown there naturally, and little charms dangled from the doorframes—carved animals, feathers, stones painted with symbols—all shifting in the light breeze.

  Finally, they reached the hut under the massive tree. Barathi paused at the entrance, lifting the charm-laden drape that served as a door. Inside, the air was scented with an earthy aroma, a blend of damp soil, greenery, and something sweet and pungent that Fii couldn't quite place. The light from outside seeped in through small openings in the roof and walls, casting dappled patterns on the floor.

  In the center of the hut, an old woman sat cross-legged on the floor, her skin marked with a spiderweb of tattoos in intricate patterns. She held a necklace in her hands, her eyes closed, a low hum resonating from her throat.

  Barathi whispered to Fii before they approached, "This is Mambo Naya. She is one of our most respected elders and the spiritual heart of our people. If she's in a trance, wait quietly until she emerges."

  The Mambo's neck and wrists were adorned with an array of bracelets, beads, and charms, each clicking and clacking softly with her every move. Her hair, wild and silver, cascaded down her shoulders, with colorful beads and small bones woven into her locks.

  For several minutes, they stood there, Fii trying to be respectful despite her growing discomfort. She wasn't sure if the heaviness in the room was real or her mind playing tricks on her, but it felt almost suffocating.

  Finally, just as Fii's discomfort had turned into a quiet fidgeting, the Mambo's eyes opened, her gaze landing on Fii, sharp and penetrating, but not unkind.

  "My, my," the old woman's voice crackled, but not without warmth, "What have we here? Not often we have a visitor, especially one such as yourself, child."

  "Um, hi," Fii managed, her voice coming out softer than she intended, almost shy. "I'm, uh, Fii. Pleased to... meet you. Ma'am? Mambo?" She glanced nervously at Barathi, who offered an encouraging nod.

  "So polite," Mambo Naya chuckled softly, the sound rich and resonant. "Come closer, child. Let me look at you properly. Do not be afraid."

  Fii hesitated for a brief moment before stepping forward. Mambo Naya extended her hands, palms upturned, beckoning Fii closer. Despite a lingering apprehension, Fii placed her hands in the old woman's grasp. The Mambo's skin was rough and weathered, but her touch was gentle, almost comforting.

  Mambo Naya's eyes scanned Fii's face as if reading a story written in her features. "Ah, yes, I see," she murmured to herself. "Yes, yes..."

  Fii tried not to squirm under the intense scrutiny, her own eyes darting to the patterns etched into the old woman's skin. In the dim light of the hut, the intricate tattoos seemed to come alive, shifting and swirling with a life of their own.

  Mambo Naya turned Fii's hands in hers, tracing the lines of her palm, fingers drifting across her skin with a feather-light touch.

  "You've come to us with a fractured spirit," Mambo Naya spoke softly, her gaze still locked onto Fii's. "You carry the essence of our people, but it is tangled with something else."

  "Um, is that another way of saying that I'm half-Kurigali?"

  The old woman seemed to consider this, a smile creasing her face. "Your blood carries the link to us. But the ways of the spirit are not so simple. There is something in you that feels... different. Powerful. And lost."

  "Uh..." Fii blinked a few times, then shot a nervous glance at Barathi. "That's probably the power. I'm a Super. Yeah."

  Barathi's eyebrows went up, and Mambo Naya tilted her head, still holding Fii's hand in hers. "Super?"

  "Uhh... It's like a special ability. You know, powers and stuff. I have superpowers. I mean, just gravity. I can control gravity. It's kinda scary when I really let loose. Not gonna lie." She laughed nervously. "But I'm sure you already knew that, what with the whole... spirit stuff..."

  Barathi glanced at Fii, then turned back to the Mambo, her tone respectful as she began speaking in the Kurigali tongue.

  "Mambo Naya, Super na zürakalu vo, ta kura züra lo lu," she explained softly, gesturing to Fii.

  Mambo Naya's expression softened, her eyes settling thoughtfully on Fii. She responded in the same lyrical language, her voice carrying a weight of understanding. "Ah, kura'le heya? Ta tala vo na lu heya-ri."

  Fii could only catch fragments of their exchange, her attention drawn to the subtle shifts in their tones and the way Barathi's voice softened with respect. She glanced from Barathi to Mambo Naya, hoping to find some hint of meaning in their expressions.

  Barathi looked to Fii, translating, "What you call a Super, we know as zürakalu, which in our tongue means a bearer of strength and light."

  "Oh. Cool," Fii remarked, eyes flitting between the two. "Yeah, that's me. Kind of."

  Mambo Naya chuckled at her reply before returning her attention to Fii's hands. She gently pressed her fingers against various points on Fii's palm and wrist, as though searching for something.

  "So, you hold the strength of the unseen—the pull that binds us to the earth and to each other," she stated, her tone suggesting a deeper understanding. Suddenly, her eyes snapped back to Fii's. "You said your name is Fii?"

  "Uh, yeah, why?"

  Mambo Naya gave a small nod, her mouth turned in a kind of half-smile. "Fii... your name holds meaning in our language. 'Fi' alone means 'hidden'—a veil, the unseen. But 'Fii', with the emphasis on the end, it means 'hidden strength'... strength of the unseen."

  "Oh, so it's just a coincidence then."

  "Coincidence? No," the Mambo shook her head. "There are no coincidences, only connections waiting to be seen. Your name and your power align, child. That is not by chance."

  "...Oh, okay then. Sure."

  She never really gave her name much thought, honestly. It's just what she'd always been called, nothing more. Just Fii.

  But now? Maybe it was the warm, scratchy timbre of Mambo Naya's voice, or the way Barathi looked at her, or maybe it was the smells and the sounds of the Kurigali all around, but it made her feel... strangely at home. It made her feel like she belonged here.

  The old woman's grip on Fii's hands tightened gently, her thumb tracing a line across Fii's palm. "Your journey here is not an accident either. The spirits have guided you, just as they speak through your actions. And these spirits tell me that you have come here for a reason beyond your ancestry. Speak to me, child, of your purpose."

  "Well..." Fii began, drawing in a deep breath. She tried to keep her voice steady. "I'm trying to save someone. A friend. Someone who's very important to me. She's also... a bit of a superhero in her own way."

  The words, once started, seemed to flow from her with unexpected ease. She told them about Edith, her abduction, and her desperate need for a guide to reach Merraco.

  After her explanation, Mambo Naya leaned back, a thoughtful expression on her face. She exchanged a glance with Barathi, and they shared a few quiet words in their native tongue.

  Finally, the Mambo turned to Fii, her expression set in a stern but not unkind manner, "What you ask for is no simple request. Guiding you through the Wastes is a perilous journey, and even with a guide, there is no guarantee of success or safety. Are you prepared to face such risks for this person you seek to rescue?"

  "Yes, I am." Her voice came out steadier this time, more certain. There was no hesitation in her answer.

  "Very well," the Mambo said with a small nod. "Then we shall assist you. However, I have a condition."

  Fii tensed slightly, her hands gripping the edges of her shirt. "A condition?"

  Mambo Naya looked at her with an intense, unwavering gaze. "Before we provide you with a guide, you must first pledge to honor us and to learn the ways of the Kurigali. It is not just about the journey; it is about understanding, respecting, and preserving our traditions. Only then can we ensure the true meaning of your Kurigali heritage is passed on, whether you are wholly of our blood or not."

  She released Fii's hands, leaning forward, her eyes seemingly peering into Fii's soul. "Your spirit, child, is fragmented. It seeks unity. We can help you mend it, but you must be willing to accept our ways."

  Fii could feel the weight of Mambo Naya's stare boring into her. A knot tightened in her chest. She had known seeking the Kurigali's help would be risky, but she hadn't thought it might also involve digging into her own identity and whatever 'spirit' the Mambo was referring to.

  A part of her was still scared about the whole... voodoo aspect of things, but at the same time, it felt like a part of her had always been calling out to find her roots and learn more about this piece of herself. Edith was worth any risk—and maybe a bit of soul-searching wasn't too high a price either.

  Drawing in a deep breath, Fii nodded her agreement. "Alright. I'll do it."

  Mambo Naya's expression softened, a smile playing across her wrinkled features. "That is wise. We will prepare a hut for you here, so you may begin your tutelage under Barathi and other mentors we shall choose for you. In time, when we deem you ready, you will have your guide. May the Loa guide your path, child."

  Barathi stepped forward, extending a hand toward Fii, a look of quiet pride in her eyes. "Come. You've taken the first step to honoring both your friend and your bloodline. There's a special bathing ritual we'll need to prepare for you first."

  Fii swallowed nervously but nodded. "O-okay, sure... nothing weird, right? No... like... animal sacrifice or anything?"

  Barathi laughed, her rich voice filling the hut. "No, nothing like that. Don't worry, it's just a traditional cleansing."

  Fii blushed and took Barathi's hand, and together they stepped out of the hut.