CHAPTER 19 RETURN TO THE GREEN ZURU NATION

The weight of responsibility hung heavily on Dodo's shoulders as he made his way through the dense forest, his mind swirling with questions. The Omega helmet, now resting comfortably on his head, had transformed him. He could feel its power surging through him—an energy that was both intoxicating and overwhelming. But with it came an undeniable truth: his life, and the fate of the Green Zuru nation, had changed forever.

Dodo had hoped that the helmet would be a symbol of strength, a means of protecting his people. Instead, it had made him a target. General Draxiz and his Red Zuru soldiers were relentless in their pursuit, and the entire nation was at risk because of it.

"I need to go back," Dodo muttered to himself, his voice barely audible above the sounds of the forest. "I need to know what's become of the Green Zuru kingdom."

The decision was a difficult one. After the attack on his village, Dodo had been hesitant to return. But the path ahead was clear—he couldn't keep running. The Red Zuru nation would come for him, regardless of where he hid. The only chance the Green Zuru people had was for Dodo to confront the situation head-on.

As the weight of his decision settled in, Kyra and Tiv, his two closest friends, stepped beside him. Both had been unwavering in their support, and they now stood ready to help him face whatever awaited them.

"We're with you, Dodo," Kyra said, her voice firm and resolute. The fiery-haired girl had always been a beacon of strength, and her eyes now sparkled with determination. "We won't let you face this alone."

Tiv, the quieter of the two, nodded in agreement. His sharp eyes, always observant, seemed to carry a depth of understanding that went beyond words. He had been with Dodo since childhood, and their bond was unbreakable.

"We go together," Tiv added. "We're family."

Dodo looked at his friends, their loyalty and courage filling him with gratitude. They had been through so much already, and now, with the fate of their entire nation hanging in the balance, they stood ready to face the unknown.

The trio set out toward the Green Zuru nation, their journey filled with both apprehension and resolve. The roads they traveled were familiar, yet they felt different now. Every step seemed to echo with the potential for danger, the looming threat of General Draxiz and his soldiers ever-present.

As they traveled, Dodo's mind wandered back to the moment he had first encountered the Omega helmet. The woman, Sara, had entrusted him with it, believing that he was the next Omega—the warrior who would protect their world. But Dodo had never felt like a warrior. He was just a prince, a young man thrust into a situation he hadn't chosen. Still, the helmet's power called to him, and with it, he felt a sense of purpose he had never known before.

"Do you think the Green Zuru nation is still standing?" Kyra asked, breaking him from his thoughts.

Dodo sighed, his gaze fixed ahead. "I don't know. After everything that's happened, I'm not sure what we'll find when we get there."

The memories of the invasion still haunted him. The soldiers of the Red Zuru nation had descended upon his kingdom with brutal force, burning homes and scattering his people. The once-thriving village was now reduced to rubble, its future uncertain. Dodo had left in haste, believing that he was putting his people at risk by remaining

there. But now, as he returned, he knew he had to face whatever had become of the kingdom—whatever danger lurked there.

Their journey took several days, and as they neared the Green Zuru nation's borders, a deep silence hung in the air. The roads were eerily empty, and the once-vibrant fields that surrounded the village were now barren, the crops withered and dead. It was clear that the kingdom had suffered.

Dodo's heart sank as he approached the outskirts of the village. The once familiar homes were nothing more than charred ruins, the remnants of what had once been a thriving community. The air was thick with the smell of smoke, and the faint echo of distant cries reached Dodo's ears. It was as if the soul of the kingdom had been torn away.

"Is anyone still here?" Kyra asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Dodo scanned the area, his heart heavy with dread. It was impossible to know for sure, but the signs of devastation were everywhere. The once-strong defenses that had protected the Green Zuru kingdom were now shattered, and the people who had called it home were either scattered or gone.

"We have to find out," Dodo said, his voice filled with determination. "We need to know if there's anyone left. And if there is, we'll protect them. We can't let General Draxiz win."

As they ventured deeper into the village, the silence became deafening. The only sound was the crunch of their footsteps against the cracked earth. The trees that once lined the roads were now bent and broken, their leaves strewn across the ground.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from a nearby alleyway. Dodo tensed, his hand instinctively going to the sword at his side. Kyra and Tiv followed suit, ready for whatever might emerge.

From the shadows, a figure appeared—a woman, dressed in tattered clothes, her face covered in soot and dirt. She looked worn and weary, her eyes wide with fear. At first, Dodo thought she might be a survivor, but then he noticed the way she flinched at every sound and movement.

"Who are you?" Dodo asked gently, trying to approach cautiously.

The woman hesitated before speaking. "I… I'm just a survivor. I don't know what happened to the others. The Red Zuru army—they came in the night. They killed so many... Took others away."

Dodo felt a pang of anger surge through him. The Red Zuru nation's cruelty knew no bounds. It wasn't just the battle for the Omega helmet that had led to the destruction of the Green Zuru kingdom—it was a ruthless, calculated attempt to break the people, to wipe them out.

"Do you know if there are others still hiding here?" Tiv asked, his voice soft yet authoritative.

The woman nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "There are a few, hidden in the forest. They're afraid to come out. But they'll need help... they need someone to lead them."

Dodo nodded firmly. "We will help them. We'll rebuild."

And as they set to work, Dodo's resolve only hardened. He may have come to the Green Zuru nation searching for answers, but now he understood something far greater. This was no longer just about the Omega helmet. It was about his people, his kingdom, and the future that lay ahead of them.