The Door Reopens

I. The Return of the Flamebearer

It began with wind.

Not a gust, but a pulling, like the world exhaling.

The Gate at the heart of Nouvo Lakay, still humming with divine scars from the execution, began to glow softly. The crowd gathered, breath held.

Then, from the haze of memory and space—

Zion stepped through.

His cloak was torn. His beard fuller. His hands carried new scars.

But his eyes burned calm as ever.

Papa Legba's door shimmered behind him—and then vanished.

"I'm home," Zion said simply.

The city exhaled all at once.

Some wept.

Some bowed.

A few… hesitated.

But the sky, watching, did not blink.

II. Envoys of the Divine

Within hours, the drums began to speak.

Not just from the city's walls—but from beyond.

Caravans arrived. Processions marched. Skyships descended from wind-silk sails. Dust trails snaked across the hills.

And with them came envoys:

The Twin-Blooded Sage of the Rainwalkers, bearing silver masks of mercy and wrath.

The Mirror-Spoken from the River of Faces, their skin painted in prayers.

The Firehorned Paladin of Uru-Kra, armored in living stone.

The Unseen Daughter of the Moon-Held God, riding a beast made of shadows and starlight.

And others, from gods forgotten by most—some hopeful, some furious, some afraid.

They did not enter with demands.

They came with questions.

"Why was he killed?"

"Who gave permission?"

"What do you seek, Zion?"

And beneath every question was the true one:

"Are you trying to change the divine order?"

III. The City Holds Its Breath

The priestesses gathered again, shoulder to shoulder. Erzulie Freda stood in spirit but did not speak. Even Baron Samedi merely watched.

Ajima remained silent, studying Zion.

Thalia did not kneel.

Seal stood just outside the gate, arms crossed. Watching everything.

And Zion, standing at the Gate's foot, said:

"I do not wish to rule gods.

I wish to protect my people from gods who forget what they are.

If that makes me your enemy—then speak it plainly."

Silence.

The envoys did not answer.

But the world had heard.

IV. Echoes in Other Lands

Far in the Ember Wastes, Kasa held a stone fragment glowing with emberlight. His second trial neared its end—but the winds whispered:

"Zion has returned."

And something in him stirred—not hate, not fear—but recognition.

V. And in the Darkest Depths

In the Devoured's lair, where flesh melted into sigils and memory bled like wine, the whispering cults stirred.

"The false balance is collapsing."

And the Great Devoured laughed.