CHAPTER 4  THE ATTACK ON THE BLUE SAFARI

Prince Xalor stood at the helm of his massive warship, gazing across the endless expanse of the sea. Beside him, his aunt Princess Aishi watched with an approving nod. Having left the Red Zuru nation weeks ago, Xalor had been commanding his fleet from the seas, carrying out his commanders' orders to seize villages under the control of the remaining nations: Blue, Black, and Yellow.

"The Green Zuru nation has already fallen," Xalor said, gripping the ship's railing. "Now it's time to crush the others."

Aishi, always the strategist, pointed to a map spread on the table before them. "Our next target, Blue Safari, is small and poorly defended. Conquer it, and the Blue Zuru nation will lose a vital outpost."

The commanders aboard the ship nodded in agreement. "We'll strike hard and fast," one of them declared.

"Prepare the troops," Xalor commanded. "Let's make this quick."

As the fleet sailed closer to Blue Safari, Xalor felt a surge of confidence. From his ship, he could see the village's modest defenses—a scattering of armed warriors, barely enough to challenge his army. Victory seemed inevitable.

In Blue Safari, Tiv was the first to notice the dark shapes on the horizon. His heart dropped as he recognized the warships.

"Kyra!" Tiv shouted as he sprinted into the heart of the village. "The Red Zuru fleet is coming!"

Kyra, who was sharpening her spear, stood up immediately. "How far out?"

"They'll be on the shore within the hour," Tiv replied, breathless. "It's a full fleet, Kyra. We're outnumbered."

The villagers scrambled to prepare for the attack. Weapons were gathered, and barricades hastily reinforced. Kyra and Tiv did their best to rally the fighters.

Dodo, who had been training with Elder Kai, rushed to the scene. "I can help," he said urgently.

Kyra shook her head. "You have to hide, Dodo. If they see you and discover the Omega Helmet is still alive, they'll stop at nothing to destroy you."

"I can't just watch this village fall," Dodo protested. "I've already lost my nation—I won't let the same happen here."

"You're not just fighting for this village," Tiv added. "You're fighting for all of us. Stay hidden and protect the helmet. That's how you can help."

Reluctantly, Dodo stepped back as the villagers prepared for battle. But as the Red Zuru fleet's war horns blared from the approaching ships, he clenched his fists, his heart heavy with dread.

The attack began with the thunder of cannon fire. Red Zuru soldiers poured onto the shore, led by their commanders, their weapons glinting in the sunlight. From the deck of his ship, Prince Xalor watched the chaos unfold with satisfaction.

"Crush them," he ordered, his voice calm but filled with malice. "Leave no survivors."

Kyra and Tiv fought valiantly. Kyra's spear struck down wave after wave of enemies, while Tiv's arrows rained down from the rooftops. But the Red Zuru forces were overwhelming, and the defenders were pushed back step by step.

Hidden among the villagers, Dodo's heart pounded as he watched his friends fight. The sight of Kyra being surrounded by soldiers was too much to bear.

"I can't let this happen," Dodo muttered to himself.

Ignoring the advice to stay hidden, Dodo grabbed the Omega Helmet and placed it on his head. The power surged through him, and he stepped onto the battlefield.

With the helmet's energy coursing through him, Dodo cut through the Red Zuru soldiers like a storm. His strikes were swift and devastating, scattering the enemy forces.

From his ship, Xalor's eyes narrowed as he watched the mysterious warrior. "Who is that?" he demanded.

Before his commanders could respond, an arrow whistled through the air, striking Xalor in the stomach. The prince staggered back, clutching the wound, and glared toward the shore.

"Retreat!" Xalor shouted. "Fall back to the ships!"

His forces, demoralized by Dodo's sudden appearance and Tiv's deadly accuracy, began to retreat. The villagers erupted in cheers as the Red Zuru fleet sailed away, leaving behind their wounded and broken weapons.

As the dust settled, Dodo removed the helmet and approached Kyra and Tiv.

"You shouldn't have done that," Kyra said, though her voice was filled with gratitude.

"I couldn't stand by and watch," Dodo replied. "This village is my home now, too."

Tiv clapped him on the shoulder. "You saved us, Dodo. But we need to be ready. They'll come back, and next time, they'll bring even more."

Dodo nodded. "Then we'll be ready. Together."

Though they had won the day, all of them knew the Red Zuru nation would not rest until the Omega Helmet was destroyed.