The bunker's stale air cluded with tension as Naia, Kofi, and Adebayo debriefed. Outside, Azuji's dawn chorus masked the unease—the Fracture's pause was a temporary truce.
The Oriri's absence felt like the calm before a storm Naia wasn't sure she could weather.
"The Ori Root's stability won't last," Adebayo said, pouring _kola_ into a cracked cup, the ritual gesture a grounding ritual. "You've delayed their plan, Naia. Now they'll come for you close directly."
Naia's fingers drummed the map placed before them, her mind racing. "What's their endgame?
Why Azuji?"
"Azuji's a nexus," Kofi said, tracing a bad scar on the parchment—the symbol Ayo had etched before vanishing. "If they control the Fracture, they reshape reality… not just here. Everywhere echoes."
Adebayo nodded, grey braids swaying. "Your _ukazi_ is tied to this land, Naia. Your ancestors bound the Fracture once. The Oriri want that power."
Tyra burst in, Mina hot on her heels, breathless. "Guys, check this—the Oriri's hacked comms again. They're broadcasting something to Azuji."
A static hum filled the bunker, followed by Ayo's distorted voice: _"Naia Ebere, surrender. The Fracture's calm is a lie. Without you, Azuji dies… slowly. Meet me at dusk. The old acacia, forest edge. Come alone."_
Naia's jaw tightened strongly.
"They think I'll panic."
"You should," Adebayo said softly. "The acacia's a _gboloko_ tree—a mirror site. If you step in, they'll trap you. But… " He hesitated. "If you don't, they'll unravel Azuji thread by thread."
Kofi's hand closed around hers under the table. "We're not splitting up again."
Naia glanced at the group. "We bait them. Use me as bait, draw them into the open."
Mina's eyes widened. "But if they breach the Fracture—"
"We won't let them," Naia said, resolve hardening. "Jax and Lara, set traps at the acacia—nothing lethal, just slow them. Tyra, keep working on decoding that symbol. Kofi, you're with me. Adebayo, can you shield the Fracture in case things go south?"
The old man nodded, wizened face stern. "I'll anchor it. But Naia, remember: the guardian's power is a debt. You're not just protecting Azuji—you're balancing a scale."
Dusk bled shadows as they approached the acacia, its branches skeletal against a bruised sky.
Naia wore Adebayo's _ogwu_ beads, her _ukazi_ thrinding in sync with the Fracture's hum. Kofi crouched behind a thick root, knife ready. Jax and Lara flanked the clearing, wires stringing invisible tripwires.
Ayo emerged, flanked by six masked figures, her smile a thin slash. "Naia. Alone, as promised."
Naia stepped forward, voice steady. "Call off the Oriri. Azuji's off-limits."
Ayo laughed, eyes flicking to Kofi's hiding spot. "Oh, you misunderstand. This isn't a negotiation term .
You're the key… and the lock. Step into the acacia's shadow, or watch Azuji burn."
The trees creaked, wind rising. Naia felt the Fracture's pull intensify—a pressure valve straining. Ayo raised a hand, and masked figures closed in.
Suddenly, Kofi sprinted left, knife flashing. A tripwire triggered—a blast of chalk powder blinded the Oriri agents. Naia lunged, _ukazi_ energy surging. The acacia glowed blue, roots erupting to bind Ayo's feet.
"You sealed it," Ayo growled, pinned, her mask cracking. "But you can't stop what's coming. The Fracture's a doorway ahead *They'll use you.*"
Naia's power surged, the tree amplifying her intent. "Not if I guard it."
Ayo's form began to unravel, threads snapping. "Then you die first… guardian." The Oriri agents retreated, carrying Ayo's dissolving form. The acacia's glow faded.
Kofi pulled Naia back, breathless. "We need to regroup. They'll return stronger."
As they retreated, a figure detached from the shadows—the woman from the midnight market, veiled in white. "Naia Ebere," she whispered, eyes ancient. "Your trial's just begun. The Oriri aren't the only ones who want balance kept."
Naia's pulse stilled. "Who are you?"
"The threadweaver. Your mother's sister. The Fracture's pause bought time… but the cost is loyalty. Azuji will test you. The Oriri will hunt you."
Kofi's hand tightened around hers. "We're ready."
The woman's gaze lingered. "Then claim your mantle, guardian. The Ori Root's calm is a heartbeat. If you falter, chaos isn't just Azuji's problem… it's yours."
Adebayo awaited at the bunker, face etched. "The Fracture's sealed tighter, but they left a message." He handed Naia a shard etched with a single word: _"Soon."_
Naia's _ukazi_ thrinned, as if anticipating a storm. "Soon means now. We prepare."
Tyra looked up, eyes sharp. "Prepare how? We can't fight shadows forever."
Naia's smile was a stranger's. "We don't fight shadows. We weave light."
The group nodded—a fragile, determined pact. Outside, Azuji's night pulsed, the Fracture's hum a reminder: balance wasn't a victory, it was vigilance.
The Threadweaver vanished, leaving a gift—a crystal pendant, etched with Naia's name in fire.
"Your heartbeat is now the key," the note read. "Guard it."
Naia clipped the pendant, resolve settling like bedrock. "We guard more than Azuji. We guard the thread."
Kofi leaned close as the bunker sealed them in—a cocoon against the dark.
"Hey, protector he whispered.
"Yeah?"
"We're not alone." He smiled, eyes glinning. "We have each other."
The Fracture hummed, patient. Naia felt the soft stir—a promise,