After the council of Plutus's allies, the agreement was sealed: the god of wealth would cross paths again, for what would be the last time.
The very next day, the sanctuary's atmosphere was charged with a mystical anticipation. Johnny, the avatar of Plutus, approached his grandmother, his heart pounding, to ask her which ancient goddess she embodied. Her explanation was clear: she was the avatar of Osun, the ancient Orisha goddess of fresh waters, the same one who had made a troubling appearance towards the end of the council.
Plutus addressed Osun, praying for her to guide him to Mali. Since she was the mistress of the rivers, she did not hesitate. She summoned a freshwater shark and ordered it to escort Plutus to the banks of the majestic Niger River.
Before the departure, an anxious Johnny called out to Plutus: "Will we hear any news of Roxane once you're there?" Plutus reassured him in a calm voice: "She will inevitably be there. Don't worry." He handed them an eye-shaped necklace. This talisman would allow Johnny, DJ, and the other gods to see and hear him during his crucial meeting with Mammon and his avatar. Reassured, Johnny smiled and let Plutus embark on the path of destiny.
As Plutus walked away, Ogun, the fearsome god of War, advanced towards Johnny and his friend, his gaze piercing.
"You there! ... The avatar of Plutus! Do you know how to fight?" Ogun thundered.
Johnny stammered, disconcerted: "Uh... Well... Not really!"
A dry laugh escaped Ogun. "And you hope to lead a war with your silly smile and your baby-rat face, is that it?"
"Hey, old man, I won't allow that!" retorted Johnny, bravado masking his fear. "I don't know how to do anything, but don't underestimate me, grandpa!"
"Hmph... Come here, boy. Show me that Plutus wasn't wrong... But if you fail, I'll be forced to kill you!" he roared, a flash of danger in his eyes. "Hurry up and come down to join me, you useless thing!"
Despite the terror, Johnny could not back down from the Ancient Gods. He showed a forced recklessness, swallowing his saliva and leaping down the stairs to land in the center of the sanctuary.
Seeing him descend, Ogun began to laugh. He read palpable fear in the young man's eyes, but also a tiny spark of courage.
"Are you serious, boy? Your hands are shaking. You know that once the fight starts, you won't be able to back out..."
Interrupting the god, Johnny replied in a tense voice, his forehead already beaded with sweat: "Hey, grandpa, stop the incessant chatter! Get ready, I'm coming!"
"I like you, in any case. You don't lack swagger, but it's not enough, boy! Come on, I'm waiting for you!" cried Ogun.
Then, Johnny began to shout and rushed towards him, letting out an expression in the local Ivorian language: "Faut me bouais!" His fist raised, he lunged at Ogun.
Meanwhile, Mammon and Roxane had arrived in Libya to meet Tanit. In the capital, Tripoli, Mammon settled Roxane in a five-star luxury hotel, the Sheraton Tripoli, telling her he was going out "for some air."
In reality, he was going to meet Tanit. He hailed a taxi right in front of the hotel. As soon as he got in, a strange conversation began with the driver.
"Sir, good evening, I'm going to the..." Mammon began.
The driver immediately replied: "Hello, my dearest! I've missed you! To what do I owe the honor of your visit to my beloved city?"
"Tanit! Oh, my dearest!" replied Mammon, recognizing the voice. "Ahhh, your voice cools the lava of loneliness that has flowed in my heart for a lustrum! I've missed you too."
"I guess I don't need to give you my itinerary, since you're behind the wheel, my beauty!" added Mammon, a smile on his lips.
When the taxi started, a sphere of light appeared in front of the vehicle. The taxi entered it and instantly disappeared.
It reappeared in front of a gigantic castle, guarded by sentinels posted everywhere. As Mammon walked towards the entrance, the guards prostrated themselves before him with every step. Arriving at the main door, barely had he crossed the last step when the door opened by itself.
Mammon was so overjoyed that gold coins sprang from his hands: a sign of honor he hadn't received in an eternity. The goddess Tanit, ravishing Mammon's heart, ushered him into her living room. She then appeared, right in front of him, dressed in erotic and exciting underwear; a provocation that Mammon did not take lightly. He kissed her passionately, and they locked themselves in the room.
Meanwhile, Johnny and Ogun continued their fight. The young avatar was utterly exhausted, unable to move a single finger.
"You're not so cocky now, are you, boy? Your courage is not bad, though," said Ogun. "Starting tomorrow, and until Plutus returns, I will be your master, and your training has just begun!"
Ogun continued: "You have no particular style, and you don't know how to use Plutus's power yet, in my opinion."
"What? The power? What power?" asked Johnny, breathless and almost in tears.
"You don't know it yet, but you possess an extraordinary physical strength within you, as well as the ability of creation and other things. You can even summon spirits, like animals or others... You have an infinite fragment of Plutus's power in you, and I am going to help you use it."
Johnny's eyes lit up: "Oh yes, yes! So, you're not going to kill me?"
"Far from it, boy. Your tenacity and courage remind me of a young man, once upon a time. You have potential, believe me. Ask Khonsu to heal your wounds. We'll resume tomorrow."
"Ahh, yeah! Already, nooo..." murmured Johnny. He was so exhausted that he fainted on the sanctuary floor. Ogun walked past him, leaving him there.
In Tanit's boudoir, the goddess asked: "Tell me, my dear sweet friend, what exactly do you want from me?"
"I know you're aware. Do you find my cause just, or not?" Mammon questioned.
"I will always be with you, but on one condition," replied Tanit. "That you let me retrieve the ring you gave me during our first meeting, and that you be indebted to me for life, my very dear. Is it a deal?"
Mammon smiled: "That doesn't bother me, flame of my heart's source! Deal concluded." He added: "You're coming with me to Mali. I have a comrade to see, Tanit."
Meanwhile, Era healed Johnny's wounds. Roxane continued to wait at the Sheraton Tripoli, unaware that Mammon had succeeded in convincing Tanit and sealing a deal with her. The goddess would be by his side for the war. The duo was now preparing to head to Mali.
What will happen in Mali? Will Mammon listen to reason, or will Plutus's journey be a miserable failure?
The next chapter will give us more details.