Gaia's Champion Ch. 51 - Teaser (Patreon)

The SUV wove its way through the streets of New Orleans, taking several winding roads that twisted through both familiar and newly developed parts of the city. Aaliyah and Darnell watched as vibrant neighborhoods flashed by, their memories from their past visits mingling with the new life that had blossomed since then. The roads, once damaged and worn by Katrina’s aftermath, now pulsed with energy and resilience, just like the people who had rebuilt this city.

They passed old Creole cottages painted in bright blues and yellows, street performers playing jazz on the corners, and markets bustling with life. As they neared the edge of the Mississippi River, the SUV finally slowed to a stop in front of the Rivershack Tavern, a place that immediately tugged at Aaliyah’s and Darnell’s memories.

Stepping out of the car, the familiar scent of fried food and beer wafted toward them, mingling with the humid night air. The creaky wooden steps of the tavern greeted them like an old friend, and as they made their way inside with their escorts, memories of their past visits surged back. The dim lighting, the rickety bar stools, and the rustic charm of the place hadn’t changed much at all. It felt like walking into a moment frozen in time.

Aaliyah smiled softly, her fingers brushing Darnell’s arm. “Feels like yesterday,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” he agreed, the warmth of the place triggering memories of laughter, drinks, and late-night conversations they’d had with old friends.

As their eyes adjusted to the dim interior, they spotted him. Djimon. Standing near the back of the tavern, the towering figure of a powerfully built man caught their gaze. Bald and solid as ever, Djimon’s presence was impossible to miss. He looked like he was in his thirties, his skin smooth and his neatly trimmed goatee perfectly in place, but Aaliyah and Darnell both knew he was well past forty—his strength and vitality a testament to the power of the magic that ran through him.

The moment Djimon spotted them, his face lit up with a broad, infectious grin. He opened his arms wide, his deep voice booming across the room. “Well, look at this! It’s about damn time!”

Aaliyah and Darnell couldn’t help but smile as they walked toward him, the years melting away as they embraced. Djimon held them both in a tight hug, the warmth of his presence unmistakable.

“It’s been too long,” Djimon said, stepping back to look them over, his eyes twinkling with delight. But then his expression shifted slightly, his gaze sharpening as he studied them more closely. His senses, attuned to magic as only a seasoned Voodoo priest’s could be, seemed to flare.

“Whoa...” Djimon’s eyebrows rose in genuine surprise, and he let out a low whistle. “You two... got yourselves a serious power upgrade since I saw you last.” His grin widened. “I can feel it all over you.”

As they settled into the tavern’s warm, familiar atmosphere, Djimon’s sharp eyes caught a glimmer of something in Aaliyah’s hand—her magical focus. It wasn’t like the simple charms or sigils most witches carried; it resembled a short, compact wand, slender and intricately carved with symbols of the Earth Mother, Gaia. The craftsmanship was unmistakable, and Djimon’s curiosity was piqued.

He gently took Aaliyah’s hand, raising her focus for a closer look, which she allowed. His brow furrowed slightly as he studied the elegant, vine-like engravings along the wood, each etched with care and precision. Djimon’s fingers traced the carvings, recognition dawning in his eyes as he realized what it meant.

“This...” he said slowly, his voice filled with surprise, “this is the work of someone on the Mother’s Path. But how—?” he paused, looking at Aaliyah with newfound respect and a bit of awe. “You’re young. How is it you’ve already advanced so far?”