haka Zulu gazes into the blinding stare of the Waking Eye. On the horizon below, the expanse of The Great Divide opens up before him.
At his side is Nileen. Third Conscience of The Great Divide. Daughter of the Waking Eye.
Sundiata. Fifth Conscience of The Great Divide. Brother of the Third Conscience. Resurrected from the dead.
Nicodemus. Fourth Conscience of The Great Divide. Protector of the Sangoma and master to the acolytes.
Sundiata, Nileen whispers in her brother’s thoughts, what will transpire here — it will change everything.
It must change everything. No matter the cost. Sundiata turns to look down into his sisters eyes.
The Waking Eye shines on us, he tells her, but her light is overshadowed by the evil of the First Conscience. He must fall.
Nicodemus steps between them and places his strong powerful hands on both of their shoulders.
We stand as one. We fight as one, so that the light will shine even brighter tomorrow.
Shaka Zulu turns back to look at his allies, but says nothing.
His thoughts are on the coming battle. His muscles and tendons flex in response to his visualizing each thrust of his assegai, each blow with his shield, and his newfound powers forged in The Great Divide itself.
The warrior king sees himself through to victory in every step of his minds eye, ending with the blood shed of the First Conscience and his proclaiming the beginning of his reign over this vast new kingdom.
Casting his eyes back towards the horizon, he begins to advance towards the center of the metropolis. Towards the ones who felled Godongwana.
Each step towards the battle as sure as he pictured it moments before.