Kasar Jarumi, a land of breathtaking beauty, grassy mountains stretched into the horizon, dotted with flourishing farms. Along its prosperous coastline, fishermen hauled in the ocean's bounty. But deep within the thick tree line of one of its wealthiest forests, a fierce battle raged.
No words were exchanged—only the sharp cracks of lightning echoed through the trees. Jide, a tall, older man with long gray locs and a face weathered by time, stood firm. Once the king of Kasar Jarumi, his presence still carried power. His eyes burned with resentment as the battle paused for a breath.
"What are you doing here..."
Jide asked, his voice low, posture still threatening.
"It hurts to see you look at me that way."
The man across from him replied, grinning with sinister delight.
"You're not happy to see a dead man?"
"A dead man should stay dead."
Jide growled.
They had fought once before. When Jide was king.
"Your words wound me, old friend."
His face began to shift unnaturally.
Jide stepped back, eyes narrowing. The features twisted and reformed—flesh bending into a familiar shape.
When the transformation completed, the man exhaled, as if finally free.
"Kronen?!"
Jide took a step back in his suprise.
"Isn't this a wonderful reunion?"
Kronen sneered.
Rage surged across Jide's face before he steadied himself.
"All these years... I never would've guessed."
"Don't dwell on it, Jide. You're on borrowed time."
Kronen said coldly.
"It's too late."
Those words pierced deeper than any weapon. Fury welled up once more, and Jide began to summon another strike.
---
Unbeknownst to the battle occurring in the distance lied the peaceful capital In the heart of Kasar Jarumi, Karoa'kesh. Home of the majority of the population and home of it's ruler Oga Jarumi and his wife Ife. The heir to the throne is Oba Jarumi, however, this five-year-old boy is unaware of his status in his country as he is raised as an equal to his peers.
His caretaker, bodyguard, and teacher, Simi, is unyielding in her training. They were at it now.
"Oof—!"
Oba grunted as Simi kicked him back mid-lunge.
He sprang to his feet without hesitation and rushed her again.
"That's enough."
She said, raising a hand to halt him.
"You're too focused on winning. You don't even know how you plan to win."
Simi softened, running a hand through his hair.
"But you're improving."
"Most kids don't start training until they're seven."
After practice, they began walking home, preparing for the upcoming Unification Festival—a celebration marking the day Kasar Jarumi was united.
Oba, still unaware of his royal blood, also didn't know the truth about Simi. Though not as powerful as Oga, she was one of the royal family's special guards—elite warriors trained to kill without hesitation.
As they walked, Oba glanced down at the spear strapped to her back.
"I never noticed before... your spear has the same marking thingy as my sword."
"Let me see it"
Simi stopped in her tracks. She was unfamiliar with the marking, but was curious if Oba really had the same markings on his sword.
"Hmm... That's interesting. I'm not sure what it means."
She wasn't lying. She'd never gotten a clear answer about the marking on her weapon—but everyone who had seen it warned her it was a bad sign.
"You okay, Simi?"
"Yes,"
She said quietly. She hated that she could not give Oba the answer he was looking for.
"Just thinking. Let's get ready for the festival."
---
Towering above the capital of Kasar Jarumi stood the Temple of Peace. Lanterns cast a soft, golden glow across the grand hall, their flickering light dancing along intricately carved stone walls.
Oga, the king of Kasar, walked in quiet contemplation beside his younger brother, Oyin—chieftain of the Kaine nations and a political figure in his own right.
Breaking the silence, Oyin spoke casually, though his words carried weight.
"I hear you invited that outsider from Astoria."
Oga's expression didn't change, but a flicker of frustration flashed in his eyes.
"He's the only way I can keep up with Oluko."
"You and Oluko still can't see eye to eye, huh?"
"Not at all."
Their footsteps echoed lightly against the polished stone floor. Oga's thoughts drifted, heavy with duty, regrets, and the widening distance between him and Oluko.
"He couldn't fulfill his responsibilities."
Oga said quietly.
"So I let him leave... with the outsider."
The two brothers reached a breezeway that opened onto a balcony overlooking part of the capital, where the festival below was beginning to stir with color and sound.
Waiting for them was Ife, queen of Kasar. Arms crossed, a playful smirk curved her lips. Her pregnant belly was round.
"Typical of my husband and Oko to be late." Oko means brother in law
As Oga approached, she greeted him with a soft kiss on the cheek, then turned to Oyin.
"And where is my favorite woman?"
Oyin smiled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"She's at home, taking care of your second favorite little person. He's got a cold."
"Aww... my poor baby."
Their moment was interrupted by an attendant, who bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty—the outsider from Astoria is here to see you."
---
Meanwhile, Oba and Simi walked among the buzzing crowd of the Unification Festival. Music and laughter filled the air, but the boy's thoughts were elsewhere.
"I've been thinking, Simi..."
"I didn't know kids could think."
Oba frowned at the dry joke.
"Why do you always go where I go?"
"Because I love taking care of you."
That was a rare softness coming from Simi.
She loved Oba—of that there was never any doubt—but hers was a love expressed in discipline, in sharpened words and unwavering standards. Gentleness wasn't her default.
So when it did appear, even in the smallest gesture or word, it landed heavier. It meant something
Suddenly, Oba's face lit up.
"Hey, look! I see Daddy!"
Simi followed his gaze and sighed.
"Ugh... he's with the outsider."
Kasar Jarumi, proud and guarded, had little trust for political outsiders. Many believed foreign diplomats came with hidden agendas—and the Astorian was no exception.
---
Back on a raised platform near the center of the celebration, Oga stood beside Oyin as the outsider approached. He wore a diplomatic smile and extended a hand.
"I appreciate your willingness to meet with me, Oga."
Oga nodded, acknowledging him with a respectful glance.
The outsider leaned in slightly, voice low but sincere.
"And... if it means anything—he hardly ever takes the ring off."
He rested a hand briefly on Oga's shoulder, then turned and walked away into the crowd.
Oyin watched him leave, unease flickering in his eyes.
"Don't you think it's been long enough?"
Oga exhaled slowly.
"It's been longer than Oba's been alive."
For a moment, the weight of memory bore down on him. Then, he straightened his back.
"One day, that moment will come."
"But today... let's celebrate."
There was resolve in his voice, but something unsettled still lingered.
---
A low rumble echoed through the land as jagged cracks split open the earth. Across Kasar Jarumi, glowing fissures pulsed with an eerie, unnatural light—spreading like veins through the country's soil.
From the depths of these wounds, strange and otherworldly creatures began to emerge. Their bodies twisted and flickered in impossible shapes and colors, defying the natural order. The once-bustling streets fell into a heavy silence. Citizens stood frozen—caught between fear and awe—as the monstrosities poured into their world.
Above the chaos, five figures hovered in the sky like shadows cast by some greater nightmare. Their outlines were cloaked in mystery, but the power radiating from them was unmistakable. Each of them pulsed in sync with the glowing cracks below—connected, somehow, to the very earth tearing itself apart.
At their center stood Koro, the eldest. His sharp gaze scanned the scene below with cold dissatisfaction. To his right loomed Kin, silent and unreadable, her eyes dark and watchful. Kane leaned beside her with a crooked smile—mocking, almost playful. Kaaph, the self-proclaimed prodigy, barely seemed interested, gazing at the chaos with a detached boredom. And then there was Kirah, the youngest. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, fingers twitching eagerly, barely containing the storm inside her.
Koro's voice cut through the tension—stern and commanding.
"The plan is simple. We don't have time to waste."
Each sibling retrieved a small vial, inside which a single gleaming pill shimmered. One dose—an hour of unstoppable power. This wasn't a gift, but a weapon—crafted to amplify their hunger and bend the battlefield to their will.
"Our mission is to find the key. Everything else is expendable."
Kin's lips curled into a twisted smirk as she let the pill fall onto her tongue.
"I like the sound of that. Maybe I'll take a souvenir..."
Her gaze flicked downward at some of the men below.
"I've heard the men of Kasar are quite charming."
Kane chuckled lowly, but said nothing. Kaaph remained distant, and Kirah's grin only widened as power crackled faintly around her.
One by one, they swallowed the pills.
A pulse of unholy energy surged through them. Their auras expanded, warping the air, feeding the fear already gripping the land below.
With no further words, the five siblings descended—falling like stars of ruin—toward a country unaware that its darkest hour had just begun.
---
The ground trembled, low and constant, like something ancient turning beneath the earth. Muffled screams, distant clashes of battle, and the sound of something monstrous pressed into Oba's ears — yet he remained asleep, lost in the haze of a spreading dream.
All across Kasar, spores drifted through the air — pale, glowing, and unnatural. Anyone who inhaled them felt their bodies grow heavy, their eyelids droop. Some collapsed where they stood. Others wandered aimlessly before falling into a deep sleep.
"Oba! Wake up! Oba!"
Ezekiel, one of Oba's mentors, shook him hard. His voice cracked with urgency.
Oba didn't stir.
Ezekiel clenched his jaw.
"Sorry, buddy... this might sting."
Crackling lightning danced along Ezekiel's arm. He pressed his palm to Oba's chest and sent a jolt of electricity through him.
Oba gasped sharply, body convulsing before he shot upright, coughing and wide-eyed.
"Huff... huff..."
"Where's... Simi?"
"We got separated during the attack."
Ezekiel hauled Oba to his feet, steadying him. Then he dropped to one knee to look him square in the eyes, his face grim.
"I'm taking you to the shelter. You need to stay close to me. No matter what happens — do not leave my side."
Oba nodded, breath still shaky.
They ran.
Oba followed Ezekiel through the twisting alleys, his heart pounding louder than the chaos around them. Fires smoldered. Buildings groaned. The streets were a warzone.
His people — the ones who'd smiled at him in the markets, laughed in the courtyards — were now fighting for their lives. Against monsters.
Demons, twisted and shifting, tore through the city like locusts. With every tremor and guttural scream, Oba's fear grew.
Then, out of nowhere, a demon lunged at Ezekiel.
Oba reacted on instinct. A flicker of lightning sparked from his hands as he jumped between them, barely deflecting the creature's claws. The impact sent Oba flying backward, crashing into the dirt.
Ezekiel turned to help, but another demon intercepted him, forcing him into battle.
Oba scrambled, dazed. The first demon reared back to finish him.
A spear flew through the smoke and impaled the creature clean through the chest.
Simi landed beside him, yanking the spear free in a spray of black blood.
"This is madness."
She looked down at Oba, seeing the fear in his eyes. Her voice softened.
"Oba. Are you okay?"
"I... I'm scared..."
Simi knelt beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay. Me and Ezekiel — we're not going anywhere."
"And the k... — your dad, he'll protect all of us. You'll see."
She stood, eyes scanning the burning streets. The night was far from over.
---
Oga, Oyin, and Ife are all standing in a space, watching as the capital is engulfed in chaos. A warrior appears before them with a report.
"I have a report, my king."
"I detect five humans... but something is not right about them."
"I even sense Ajogun."
Oga glanced over the capital, now ensnared in panic and destruction. Thoughts of Oba rushed into his mind.
"Oba?"
"Safe with Simi, my king."
A sigh of relief left Oga's mouth — though brief. Regret washed over him. He wasn't there to protect his son. That thought lingered.
Suddenly, a cold unease shoots down Oga's and Oyin's spines. Oga signals the group to begin moving.
"What about the non-combatants?"
"They're being taken underground to the shelters. The Steel Curtain is on standby, sir."
While continuing their walk, Oyin suddenly sniffs the air — sharply, almost animalistic. Many of Kasar's people possess heightened senses, trained through years of discipline. Oyin's sense of smell was exceptional even among them.
"There's been an off smell for a while..."
Oga looks over, brow furrowed.
"What is it?"
He's confused, unsure of what his brother means.
Oyin walks a few steps forward, then squats down to pluck a small flower pushing up from a crack in the stone. He brings it to his nose, takes a slow sniff — then jerks his head back.
A smirk plays across his lips.
"Your senses have always been dull, brother."
Oyin stands and faces the warrior, his tone shifting to serious.
"Find Kelechi. Have him analyze this. I'm certain he'll find something."
Oga turns to his wife, Ife. Her face is calm, but concern lingers behind her eyes.
"Go to our son, Ife."
She steps forward, cradling his face gently before planting a kiss on his lips.
"Protect us, my king."
She turns and follows the warrior into the dark.
Oyin turns to Oga, voice low and urgent.
"Oga."
Oga's jaw tightens. His gaze doesn't waver.
"I know."
Suddenly, a beam of light shot down near them, scorching the ground.
Oyin and Oga shielded their eyes, the flash forcing a momentary pause.
When they looked up—
They saw them.
Koro, Kane, Kaaph, Kin, and Kirah stood before the two brothers, their silhouettes sharp against the chaos behind them. The air thickened, heavy with the pressure of clashing auras.
"There's only two of them."
"Doesn't matter. We'll kill them both."
Oyin's eyes narrowed in surprise as he caught sight of the youngest—
A child.
"Slow down, Kirah," he muttered, a hint of disbelief in his tone.
Koro stepped forward, calm but commanding.
"There's a minor key nearby. Kaaph."
Kaaph sighed, rolling his neck, arms stretching lazily.
"Fine. I'll go find it."
His gaze snapped up to Oyin, eyes sharp and irritated.
"What the hell are you staring at?"
Kaaph's ability was temporal dominion— He could manipulate time within a radius, distorting perception. To anyone outside his field, it looked like super speed. To those inside, like a nightmare slowed to a crawl.
In an instant, Kaaph moved. His form blurred—then vanished— Only to reappear inches from Oyin, leg arcing for a devastating kick.
Crack.
The blow landed—But Oyin didn't flinch. Didn't even blink.
Kaaph's kick dissipated against him, absorbed completely into Oyin's body.
Oyin's ability, Impact, made him a fortress. Immune to blunt force. Every strike only fed his power. He could release that energy in bursts—or save it for a single, world-ending punch.
The skirmish ignited. Kaaph lashed out again and again—each attack faster than the last. But none of them landed with effect. Oyin stood in the eye of the storm, calm, calculating—Charging.
Meanwhile, Oga stood firm. Unshaken. His gaze locked on the remaining siblings. Their auras screamed destruction—But he didn't back down.
Kin took one step forward. A flash of anticipation in her eyes—
But Koro raised his hand.
"Don't move."
The battlefield held its breath.
Oga's gaze held steady, unwavering and defiant, as the hostile siblings stared him down. The tension between them grew unbearable—silent threats hanging in the air like coiled vipers, ready to strike.
Then—
Kaaph vanished.
Time bent around him, the air warping in his wake as he activated his dominion and bolted to complete his task.
His absence was the signal.
The remaining siblings sprang into action.
The assault began.
Each sibling drew upon their lesser grimoire—ancient tomes etched in dark magic, each bound to their soul. These grimoires were not mere tools, but extensions of their will, pulsing with raw power.
In the rear, Kirah raised her hands, her grimoire glowing faintly.
Vines erupted from the earth, slithering like serpents.
Each one was laced with spores—
Toxic, paralyzing, sleep-inducing.
Beside her stood Kin. Not out of fear—
But out of control.
Her grimoire shimmered with restrained force, allowing her to summon vortexes of elemental energy.
Fire. Water. Wind.
She manipulated them like a tactician plays a board.
No one—not even her siblings—knew the full scope of her abilities.
She preferred it that way.
Kane charged the frontline.
He was always the vanguard.
With a guttural growl, he activated his grimoire, his form twisting into a monstrous beast—fur, fang, and rage.
Koro remained still.
His golden grimoire hovered before him, humming with dark lightning.
He had only ever used that element in combat—
But his siblings knew.
There was more.
They had seen the aftermaths.
Whispers of something far more terrifying beneath the surface.
The battle erupted.
Oga met Koro head-on, his fists crackling with radiant energy.
But even as they clashed, Oga had to dodge and deflect long-range bombardments from Kin's vortexes and Kirah's spore-laced vines.
Oyin was locked in a brutal duel with Kane.
Flesh met steel. Claws scraped against unbreakable skin.
Kane's beast form was savage, unrelenting—
But Oyin's mastery of hand-to-hand combat turned every blow against him.
Each strike only added fuel to the power building beneath Oyin's surface.
Koro and Oga danced around one another in a deadly rhythm.
Lightning crashed against radiant force.
Blows exchanged.
Dodges traded.
For a moment, they seemed to understand one another—
Two warriors, caught in a storm neither of them started.
But the battle was shifting.
Panic began to creep into the siblings.
This was not supposed to be a challenge.
They had expected dominance—
Not resistance.
As Oga and Koro broke apart, holding one another in a wary standoff—
Koro's eyes narrowed.
Without a word, he raised his hand—
And gestured to Kin.
***
The people of Kasar call the invading entities "Ajogun", meaning demon.
The ajogun are residents of the underworld, residents of the underworld address those in the realm who share the space with Kasar as the "Overworld." Throughout time the two worlds have been at constant war, but suddenly in the last 5 generations, humans knowledge and awareness suddenly vanished.
The five siblings are no ordinary humans, they are the children of the god "Kronen," so they are considered demi gods. Their father brokered a deal between the his children and the leaders of the underworld. This deal consisted of finding temporary passage into the overworld in exchange for underworld's keon berry. This berry contained properties that boosted a humans power drastically, but temporarily. Upon consumption of the first berry, the consumer has one hour until the power dissipates. The user's power becomes boosted with every berry they eat, but at a price.
***
Each of the siblings winced as a surge of energy coursed through their veins.
Their grimoires pulsed with new light—dark, violent, alive.
Power flooded their bodies.
Crimson sparks. Violet flares. Golden wisps.
A transformation. A trigger.
This was no longer a battle of testing. This was escalation.
Oga's eyes narrowed.
"Stay sharp, Oyin. The real fight's just begun."
Round two began.
The clash resumed—But now the siblings moved differently.
Sharper. Faster. More fluid.
Every strike was tighter. Every movement calculated. They weren't just attacking—they were coordinating.
This wasn't the chaos of arrogance. This was trained precision. Predators circling.
They had never lacked teamwork. Only power.
And even now— Even now with the force of demi-gods rushing through them— It still wasn't enough.
Not against a king.
Not against a chieftain.
They fought like a storm. But Oga and Oyin stood like mountains.
---
Oba, Simi, and Ezekiel fought through the chaos, dodging falling debris and the relentless pursuit of the Ajogun.
"Damn it,"
Ezekiel growled, scanning the crowded streets.
"All the bunkers are full. We have no choice. Oba needs to get to the palace."
Simi hesitated, biting her lip as she looked at the terrified boy. The palace was far, too far to reach easily, and they couldn't fight while protecting Oba. The Ajogun were unrelenting.
"You're right,"
"We move fast. No unnecessary battles until we get him there."
Ezekiel glanced at Simi.
"You're stronger than I am. I'll carry Oba."
The two nodded at each other, their plan set. Ezekiel knelt, hoisting Oba onto his back.
"Hold tight, kid."
"Yes, sir."
Oba's voice was small but firm.
With no time to waste, they pushed forward, weaving through the wreckage and destruction. The streets were eerily quiet. Simi's brows furrowed as a chill crept down her spine.
"I can still sense the Ajogun,"
"But none are here. It doesn't feel right."
"This is all the more reason to keep moving,"
Ezekiel had a sense of urgency in him.
"We—"
A deafening crash interrupted him. The ground split nearby, and a plume of dust and debris erupted into the air. All three froze, shielding their faces.
From the smoke, a figure emerged. Its appearance made Oba gasp in terror. It was humanoid but grotesque—a head with no face. No eyes, no nose, no mouth, just smooth, unbroken skin.
"S-Simi..."
Oba's voice trembled, his grip tightening on Ezekiel's shoulders. The creature's aura was suffocating, darker than anything they had ever faced.
Simi didn't move. Her body stiffened, and her eyes glazed over as though trapped in a spell.
"Simi! Snap out of it!"
Ezekiel shouted, shaking her.
Her eyes refocused, and she gasped.
"What... happened?"
"You froze,"
Simi hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"It was like... he called to me. He said his name is Kinshin."
Kinshin didn't wait for their recovery. He raised his hand, forming a sphere of dark energy, and hurled it at Ezekiel. The attack struck him in the stomach, detonating on impact and sending both Ezekiel and Oba flying.
Ezekiel groaned as he staggered to his feet, pain lancing through his torso. He spotted Oba lying nearby and stumbled toward him, pulling the boy upright.
"Oba, listen to me."
Oba nodded, his wide eyes locked on Ezekiel's face.
"The schoolhouse isn't far. You'll run there and stay put until we come for you. Do you understand?"
Oba hesitated, his lip trembling. "But—"
"No 'buts.'"
Ezekiel cut him off. His grip on Oba's shoulders tightened.
"Run. Don't look back. If you're chased, you don't stop until you're home. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir,"
His was voice shaking.
"Good."
Ezekiel gave him a push.
"Now go!"
Oba took off, his small figure disappearing into the distance. Ezekiel turned back toward the battle, his face set with determination.
Simi's ability, dark energy, gave her control over shadows and negative energy. She faced Kinshin with a calm ferocity, her power radiating in waves. This was the Simi Ezekiel had heard stories about—the protector chosen for the prince.
Ezekiel returned to find her locked in a brutal clash with Kinshin. The air trembled with each blow, shockwaves rippling through the ground. Ezekiel clenched his fists, realizing he could do nothing but watch.
Kinshin suddenly shifted his attention to Ezekiel, moving with terrifying speed. Before the faceless creature could land a strike, Simi erupted from Ezekiel's shadow. Her blade flashed, severing Kinshin's head in one swift motion. The faceless body crumpled.
Simi turned to Ezekiel,
"Where's Oba?!"
"Heading to the palace,"
"Alone?!"
Her eyes widened in alarm. Without waiting for a response, Simi dashed off, her figure blending into the shadows as she raced to find Oba.
---
Ife had been running for what felt like hours. Her once-pristine attire was stained with blood—none of it her own. The attendant who had escorted her had fallen in a brutal skirmish with Kaaph, proving no match for the Queen of Kasar. Now, she was alone, her resolve focused entirely on finding Oba.
As she turned another corner, more Ajogun appeared in her path.
"I don't have time for this,"
Ife's ability, Vertex Conduit, allowed her to manipulate energy through geometric shapes, each vertex serving as a focal point. The more vertices a shape had, the greater the energy she could unleash. Combined with her mastery of hand-to-hand combat, her powers required precise physical contact to activate.
The Ajogun rushed her, but Ife moved like a storm. Her strikes were methodical, forming triangular marks on each Ajogun's body with every hit. As the final vertex of the triangle completed, an explosion of energy pierced through them, leaving no time for retaliation.
She plowed through the horde with ease, but amidst the chaos, a sharp sting bit into her arm. Looking down, she saw a needle embedded in her skin.
"Petty tricks,"
"I can't waste any more ti—"
Before she could finish, another Ajogun emerged behind her, its body entwined in writhing vines. Spores erupted in her face, filling her lungs with a choking fog.
"Cough, cough... What was tha—"
Her body faltered. Consciousness wavered as her vision blurred.
The vines coiled tighter, their potency unmistakable. These were Kirah's doing—enhanced by her ingestion of a second keon berry, which had made her vines capable of subduing even the strongest Kasar warriors.
Ife stumbled, her legs trembling under the weight of the toxins coursing through her system. Still, she gritted her teeth, forcing herself upright.
"I can't waste my time with this... I need to find Oba,"
Her body wavered, but a faint burst of energy surged through her. Then, like a lifeline, a familiar voice called out from nearby.
"Mommy!"
Ife's eyes widened as Oba rounded the corner, his small frame unmistakable. Seeing him brought clarity amidst the fog clouding her mind. Summoning her strength, she activated her Pentagon Pulse, a self-inflicted energy surge that dissipated foreign toxins from her body. The geometric shape glowed faintly around her, and she exhaled sharply as the fog lifted.
As Oba rushed toward her, Ife's senses gradually returned. But before she could fully recover, a sharp shift in the air froze her in place. Kaaph, his Temporal Dominion nearly enhanced to perfection with his second keon berry, appeared behind her in an instant.
She barely had time to react before his blade pierced through her chest. Pain erupted as her breath caught, and her body began to collapse. Kaaph immediately implanted some foreign object in her chest.
Kaaph's hand lingered for a moment, gripping the object embedded within her. As he extracted it, his gaze briefly met Oba's. For an instant, regret flickered in Kaaph's eyes, but it was quickly buried beneath his mission's resolve. Without a word, he disappeared into the shadows.
Oba stood frozen, his feet rooted to the ground. He couldn't comprehend what he had just witnessed. His mother—his invincible mother—had fallen.
Tears slid silently down his cheeks, his voice too broken to form even a whisper. The weight of the moment pressed down on him, drowning him in a numbing void of grief.
Ife, barely clinging to life, reached out. Her hand trembled—but her voice was steady, gentle.
"Don't cry, Oba..."
Soft words, but they carried the weight of a queen's final command.
Oba's trembling hands reached for hers—but before he could grasp them, her strength faded. The Queen of Kasar, his mother, fell still.
And with her, Oba's world collapsed.
The city of Kasar fell eerily silent. Death hung in the air like mist. The Ajogun—those twisted servants of the underworld—had vanished, retreating into the shadows after fulfilling their cruel purpose.
Oba waited.
He cried out for help, but no one came.
No one answered.
Ezekiel and Simi lay slumped in the streets, unmoving—overcome by the potent, sleep-inducing spores. Even they hadn't been strong enough.
But someone did come.
An attendant spotted him through the smoke and ruin. Her eyes widened. She rushed forward—
Then froze.
"The Queen..."
She dropped to her knees in front of the body. Her arms wrapped around Oba, pulling him close.
"I always knew..."
Oba didn't respond. He sat motionless, his expression blank as the woman held him.
"I'm the prince of this country," he whispered.
"Daddy is the king... and Mommy is the queen."
"...Was the queen."
A change stirred within him—quiet, unexplainable. A weight shifted. Something within him clicked into place.
"Please."
Oba said, still not looking up,
"Take my mom back home."
The attendant hesitated, choking back tears.
"Prince, you need to come with—"
Oba turned to her.
There was no fear in his eyes anymore.
---
The battlefield was a storm of chaos and blood, the skies choked with ash and spores. Oga's breathing was labored, his muscles taut with exhaustion, but his resolve burned brighter than ever. He turned his gaze to his younger brother, Oyin.
"Today, may be the day one of us returns to Ma."
Oyin's eyes widened in horror, already sensing what was about to happen.
Oga stepped closer, his jaw clenched.
"And it won't be you!"
With a roar, he unleashed his Push ability, the force sending Oyin flying through the air like a ragdoll.
"No!"
Oyin's voice cracked as he soared backward. Desperately, he activated his Impact ability, bracing himself for the crash. His body absorbed the collision, releasing stored energy in a devastating burst. The ground erupted beneath him, forming a massive crater.
Immediately afterwards a group of drones circle around Oyin and he immediately recognizes one of Kelechi's creations
As the dust settled, Oyin's voice carried across the battlefield, trembling with anguish.
"Why does it always have to be you protecting me?!"
Tears streamed down his face as he staggered to his feet, fists clenched in helpless rage and finally, Oyin is teleported away.
Oga stood amidst the battlefield, battered and bloodied, yet unyielding. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he steadied himself. Then, his lips curled into a soft, defiant smile.
"Now, let's get down to business."
The fight resumed with ferocity. Oga faced the Wraths of God with unrelenting might, each strike and maneuver a testament to his unwavering will. Even as their combined strength bore down on him, he held his own, refusing to falter.
But the air around him grew heavier, laced with Kirah's insidious spores. They gnawed at his lungs and sapped his strength.
Koro's voice rang out, cold and mocking.
"Looks like you're slowing down, King."
Kin smirked, her vortexes writhing in anticipation.
"The almighty king isn't so invincible after all."
Oga's smile didn't waver. Blood dripped from his temple, his body trembling from exertion, but his eyes burned with resolve.
"It doesn't matter if I die today,"
His voice calm, yet carrying the weight of a thousand storms.
"If even a few of my people survive, I win. If I stop you from finding what you seek, I win."
The Wraths paused for a moment; their confidence shaken by the fire in his words.
"I sense it now."
Oga continued, his grin widening. Almost like he knew something.
"Fear. You've trapped a beast in a corner, and you're about to see why that's a mistake."
Kane, unable to contain his fury, lunged at Oga. But with a fluid motion, Oga countered, sending Kane crashing to the ground. The force of his retaliation was brutal, swift, and final.
"I've already won,"
Oga declared, his voice rising above the din of the battle.
"As long as I have breath to fight, I will ensure my son lives to see tomorrow."
The air around him grew dense, charged with an energy so oppressive it made the Wraths hesitate. Oga spread his stance, grounding himself firmly as he called to Kelechi telepathically.
Kelechi was the chief of science for the country.
"Initiate the Steel Curtain Protocol"
"As you wish."
Even though Oga could not see him currently, he felt the grim expression that laid on kelechi's face.
Oga opened his arms wide, drawing in a deep breath. His gaze turned skyward, as if addressing the heavens themselves.
"I do not believe in revenge,"
"But I entrust my family to do right by our name."
His eyes lowered to the Wraths before him, filled with unyielding determination.
"My wife, I felt her last breath moments ago"
"Kasar Jarumi, remember this land"
"remember this face. Remember the face of the man you fear... and the face of the boy you will come to fear even more."
Energy surged around him, a cataclysmic force building within his body as his abilities reached their zenith.
"My people will rise again."
He declared, his voice now a roar that echoed across the battlefield.
"Remember the name Oga Jarumi!"
He clapped his hands together, the sound reverberating like a thunderclap.
"I WILL WIN!"
With those words, Oga unleashed his ultimate attack: Tsar Bomba.
A blinding explosion erupted from his body, consuming the battlefield in a wave of radiant energy. The siblings were hurled like ragdolls, their bodies crumpling under the devastating force. The land of Kasar trembled, but Oga's precision ensured the damage to his country was minimal.
When the light faded, the battlefield was silent. The demi gods lay unconscious, their once-overwhelming presence reduced to mere remnants. Kane, who had been reckless in his attack, lay lifeless. The remaining Wraths were barely clinging to life.
The battlefield stood still, blanketed in a haunting quiet. Though battered and broken, Oga's final stand had ensured one thing: hope.
Somewhere, Oba was alive. Somewhere, the future of Kasar still burned bright.
And the name Oga Jarumi would echo forever in the record of history.
The battlefield lay in ruins, an eerie silence draping over the carnage like a shroud. Smoke curled lazily into the air, and the ground still radiated the residual heat of Oga's devastating final attack. Despite the destruction, the Wraths of God had been subdued, and Oga still stood—bloodied, battered, and swaying on unsteady legs.
He raised his head, his eyes fixed on the heavens above. His breath came in shallow gasps, but his expression softened, almost serene.
"Ife."
"I will see you again."
For a moment, the battlefield seemed to pause, as if fate itself acknowledged his words. A faint breeze swept through the air, carrying with it the faint scent of her favorite blossoms. He closed his eyes briefly, as if to embrace her memory one last time.
A deep scornful laugh disrupted the calm. A heavy sound. Oga's eyes snapped open, and he turned to face the source.
A figure emerged at the edge of the battlefield. Towering and impossibly imposing, Kronen, the father of the five siblings, stepped into view. His clothes gleamed with an unnatural golden light, and his every step seemed to shake the ground beneath him to Oga. His presence alone suffocated Oga.
"Son of Jide."
He appeared amused
"You really did take after your father, look at my children.... five demigods reduced to such pitiful states."
His gaze soon became distasteful as he continued to sweep over his unconscious children.
"In the end, you're just a man, standing before a god."
Oga straightened his posture, despite the pain wracking his body. His eyes narrowed, and a faint smirk played on his lips.
"Even gods bow to a king"
Kronen moved with terrifying speed, far faster than his massive frame should have allowed. His first strike came like a hurricane, Oga barely had anytime ton block the attach at the expense of the force sending him flying away.
"You're disappointing me your highness"
Kronen began to engage Oga once again, from the shadows around him, his twin shade scythes emerged slashing in a flurry of rapid, unpredictable movements. Oga ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding the deadly blades. Each swing left rifts of darkness hanging in the air, their presence oppressive and suffocating. Oga retaliated with his Push ability, sending bursts of force toward Kronen. The blasts struck the scythes, momentarily deflecting their path, but they seemed to absorb the energy, growing even darker.
One of the scythes grazed Oga's shoulder. He winced as a sharp, burning pain shot through him—the blade didn't just cut; it seared, the shade energy eating into his flesh like acid. Gritting his teeth, Oga countered with a powerful Push, sending Kronen sliding back across the battlefield.
He couldn't help but chuckle
"You really are Jide's son, unfortunately your strength isn't enough to save you."
Oga took a deep breath, centering himself despite the pain.
"It's not about saving myself."
"It's about saving my people. Even if I fall here, you'll never take that from me."
The battlefield became a storm of clashing energies. Kronen's scythes moved like extensions of his will, carving through everything in their path. Oga dodged, parried, and retaliated with precision, his Push ability creating shockwaves that momentarily held the scythes at bay.
But Kronen's onslaught was relentless. Shadows began to creep along the ground, spreading like a living thing. They clawed at Oga's feet, threatening to entangle him and slow his movements.
Kronen smirked, sensing the tide of battle shifting in his favor.
"You're slowing down, son of Jide."
Oga smiled faintly, blood dripping from his lips. His battered form was a testament to his endurance, but his eyes burned with unyielding determination.
"It doesn't matter if I die today, if my people survive, I win. If I stop you from finding what you seek, I win. And as long as I draw breath—"
The air around him grew dense, crackling with unseen power.
"I WILL WIN!"
Oga clapped his hands together, summoning a massive Push that shattered the shadows and sent Kronen skidding backward once again. The sheer force of the attack left a deep crater in the earth, a testament to the king's indomitable will.
Kronen rose, unharmed but no longer amused. His scythes pulsed with an even darker energy, and his expression turned cold.
"You're impressive, son of Jide"
"But this ends now."
With a roar, Kronen unleashed a true glimpse of his almost seemingly limitless power. The battlefield became a storm of energy and destruction, each of his attacks shaking the earth and splitting the skies. Oga fought valiantly, but his body was failing him. Blood poured from his wounds, his vision blurred, and his breaths grew ragged.
Finally, Kronen's fist found its mark. The blow pierced Oga's chest, the force of it lifting him off the ground. Oga gasped, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Kronen held him there for a moment, his expression cold and unfeeling.
"This is the end, son of Jide."
"You fought well, but even kings must fall."
Oga's vision dimmed, but he managed to lift his gaze one last time. He looked past Kronen, past the battlefield, and into the sky above. The clouds parted slightly, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw her—Ife, smiling down at him.
"I'll see you soon."
A faint smile gracing his lips.
Kronen let his body fall, lifeless, to the ground.
Kronen stood over the fallen king, his expression unreadable. He glanced toward the horizon, where the palace loomed in the distance.
"Your son will inherit your defiance."
He muttered, almost to himself.
"He may inherit your strength."
"He will also inherit your death"
But even as he walked away, something lingered in the air—a palpable sense of victory, not for Kronen, but for Oga. The king had fallen, but his spirit remained unbroken, his sacrifice a beacon for those who would rise in his stead.
And so, the name Oga Jarumi would not fade. It would echo, louder than ever, as the world prepared for the dawn of a new era.
Kronen walked over to his children, opening a book, the grand grimoire, he begin to chant and raise his hand.
One by one, his children rose to their feet. Their bodies were weak and heavy, still bearing the toll of their final moments. They had been brought back to life, but only to the state they were in just before death. Such was the limitation of Kronen's resurrection spell—it could restore life only within a certain timeframe after death, and even then, the revival left them far from fully recovered.
Koro stood motionless, shoulders slumped, unable to meet his father's gaze. Kirah broke the heavy silence, running to Kronen and leaping into his arms. Kin sat on the ground, her expression hollow with defeat, while Kane slouched beside her, silent for once.
But Kaaph strode past them, his attention fixed on the lifeless body of Oga.
Standing over the corpse, his face twisted in disgust, Kaaph's siblings watched him warily, wondering what was stirring within his mind. Pride had always been Kaaph's defining trait. He saw himself as the chosen child, and this loss was a bitter humiliation he could not stomach.
"Stupid human"
His anger boiled over. Kaaph lashed out, kicking Oga's body, again and again, each strike fueled by frustration and wounded pride.
Suddenly, something slammed into him, sending him sprawling. When Kaaph scrambled to his feet, his eyes widened as he saw Oba on his knees, looking at their father.
Kaaph moved to confront the boy, but Kronen's voice cut through the tension.
"Stop."
Kronen stepped forward, approaching Oba. His towering presence cast a long shadow over the boy.
"So, you must be the grandson."
Oba rose slowly to his feet, meeting Kronen's gaze. There was no fear in his eyes—just an innocent, yet fierce determination. The air around them felt thick and oppressive, words unnecessary as their eyes locked.
After a moment, Kronen broke the silence.
"One day, boy."
With those three words, he turned and motioned for his children to follow. Without a word, the siblings obeyed, leaving behind the wreckage of the battle.
But Kronen's words echoed in Oba's mind, carving themselves into his very soul.
The country of Kasar Jarumi now lay in ruins. The once-beautiful capital, Karoa'kesh, had been reduced to a graveyard of shattered stone and scorched earth, remnants of the cataclysmic battle that would forever change the nation.
With the king and queen gone, the elders gathered, their faces heavy with grief and resignation. After long deliberation, they made the impossible decision: to urge the remaining citizens to seek refuge in neighboring lands. The population had dwindled to a fraction of its former strength, and the resources to rebuild were gone. In a single night, the once-mighty Kasar Jarumi had become a fading memory, a shadow of its former glory.
The grand burial was somber and heavy, a final farewell to the countless lives lost. Oba, the young prince, now sat alone amidst the wreckage of his world. Resting his head in Simi's lap, his wide eyes were fixed on the twin caskets before him.
The faces of his parents—Oga and Ife—flashed in his mind, vivid and unyielding. Images of the Ajogun swarmed his thoughts, the deafening roars of battle echoing in his ears, and the cold, menacing gaze of Kronen haunted him. His small frame trembled, not from the cold, but from the weight of memories far too heavy for a child to bear.
A shadow fell over him and Simi. Oba blinked, startled, and turned to see a tall figure standing silently behind them.
"It's been a while, Simi."
Simi's head shot up, her breath catching. Her eyes widened, tears welling up before spilling over.
"Oluko…"
Oba watched, bewildered, as Simi rose and embraced the man. She clung to him as though he were a lifeline, her tears soaking into his tunic.
The man crouched before Oba, his expression gentle yet filled with sorrow.
"You must be Oba."
Oba nodded, uncertain, his small hands gripping his knees.
"My name is Oluko, I am deeply sorry about your parents."
Oba studied him, unsure of what to say, his confusion evident in his wide, teary eyes.
Oluko sighed, his gaze distant for a moment.
"From here on out, you'll be with me, alright?"
Oba blinked, his head tilting.
"Why?"
"It must be strange, hearing this from someone you've just met, but the state of the country has changed. It's no longer safe, and I'm the best one to take care of you now."
As the day wore on, Oluko spoke at length with Oba and Simi. He shared stories of his life, his reasons for returning, and his connection to their family. Slowly, Oba's guard began to drop. There was something steady about Oluko, something comforting in his presence.
When the time came, Oba found himself aboard Oluko's ship, staring out at the horizon. Below, Simi and Ezekiel waved goodbye, their faces a bittersweet mixture of pride and sorrow.
"Be brave, Oba."
Simi called to him, her voice cracking.
"We'll see you again one day."
Oba raised a hand in his departure, his heart aching with the weight of leaving the only home he'd ever known.
The ship ascended, the wind whipping through his hair as the land of Kasar Jarumi grew smaller and smaller beneath him. For a brief moment, he turned to steal one last look at Karoa'kesh, the place that had been his world. The ruins glistened in the fading sunlight, a monument to both tragedy and resilience.
Tears traced silent paths down Oba's cheeks. His lips trembled, but he said nothing, holding his emotions tightly within as the ship pierced the sky.
This was the end of his life as a prince and the beginning of the unknown. Whatever lay ahead was a mystery, but Oba felt a spark of determination take root in his heart.
As the ship flew into the horizon, leaving the ruins of Kasar Jarumi behind, Oba clenched his fists and whispered to himself.
"I love you mommy and daddy"