Old Tropes

The Elephant Bird folded its wings and became a giant rocket, going so fast that they barely got wet as they shot through the falls. They landed in a massive cave that was lit in hot orange from burning lava at the back of the cave.

The bird placed them gently on the floor and waddled away from them toward a pile of rocks. The pile rose from the floor, and they realized it was a snake, much bigger than the Elephant Bird.

Ayana turned to run, but Kembe smiled. He recognized Danh, the god of unity, the belt around the world that kept everything from spinning away.

Next to Danh was an altar with human-sized steps cut into its side. Suspended in air above the altar was a golden crown. It looked like Danh wanted one of them to climb those stairs, but which one? And what would happen when they got there?

Before Ayana and Kembe could move, Nganga leapt forward, knocking them to the ground and bounding up the altar. With a fierce look of triumph on his face, he placed his head in the crown. Instantly, a brilliant beam of light came down from above, transfixing Nganga where he stood.