Chapter 3: Brody Botcherman

Four years after the gods decided to grant the Royals a 60% power boost, the ruler of the Royal Council, King Luminai Botcherman, invited every Royal from across the realm to the East Continent for a grand meeting. Upon arrival, the Royals took their seats and waited for King Luminai to appear. The room was adorned with golden cat statues affixed to the walls, along with several uncanny-looking cat paintings scattered across the room.

A four-year-old boy, dressed in golden royal attire with an irritated expression, walked in and bowed before them. "My father will arrive in a few minutes. Please be patient," he said before standing next to his father's throne, which faced the assembled Royals.

After a few minutes, King Luminai arrived, his face beaming with a cheerful expression. As he walked up to his throne and sat down, a Royal—King Drax of the South—shot up from his seat, his face burning red with fury. He clenched his jaw and fists.

"WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? YOU DO KNOW WE HAVE OTHER BUSINESS TO ATTEND TO?"

The room erupted in frustration as other Royals voiced their annoyance at being kept waiting for a meeting he had called.

King Luminai quickly apologized, his expression shifting to one of regret. The room gradually settled, but before anyone could speak again, he made a statement that silenced the entire hall.

"If you do not wish to attend this meeting, you are free to leave. But know this—doing so will make you an enemy of the East," he declared with authority.

The tension in the room hung thick, but no one dared to move.

"Good. Now that we've settled that, let's get to the reason I called you all here. I have an important announcement."

Before he could continue, King Drax of the North Continent interrupted, his face full of irritation.

"If this is truly an important meeting, why is there a child here? A kid has no place in a gathering like this. What if he carelessly spreads our discussion to his friends?"

King Luminai responded calmly but firmly. "Brody is my sole heir. One day, he will rule the East and even oversee the Royal Embassy. Regardless of his age, he must learn about our kingdom."

With that settled, he continued, "I assume you are all aware that it has been four years since the gods granted us Royals our incredible powers. We immediately passed a secret law to conceal this from the public. However, I believe it is time for a change of plan."

Suddenly, Brody rolled his eyes and scoffed. His irritated voice cut through the silence.

"Such a stupid plan. Get smarter."

The Royals froze in shock, their faces twisted in disbelief. It was as if their souls had left their bodies.

One of them shouted, "Is this the son of Luminai the Great?! This is a disgrace! This boy is supposed to be the future king of the strongest nation in our realm?"

Whispers and murmurs filled the room as the Royals gossiped about Brody's impulsive and improper behavior.

King Luminai's face darkened, his embarrassment and anger evident. He clenched his fists against his throne, his body trembling as he struggled to maintain his composure. Finally, in a sharp but controlled tone, he ordered,

"BRODY, GO TO YOUR ROOM. NOW!"

Brody, unfazed, rolled his eyes and made a disgusted face.

"Fine. Whatever… Dad."

Without another word, he left the council room.

---

Inside his room—a vast, airy space with golden walls, valuable treasures, and a grand queen-sized bed—Brody let his frustration explode. He trashed the place, tearing down paintings, smashing vases, and tossing his bed into disarray. His rage consumed him until his eyes landed on one particular painting—one of his late mother.

He froze.

A flood of memories hit him like a tidal wave. He saw her smiling face, her gentle touch… and then, the horrifying vision of her brutal murder by masked men on her 30th birthday.

Brody's fury slowly crumbled into sorrow. His body trembled, his breaths came in shuddering gasps.

"HATE… HATE… HATE… I HATE YOU, FATHER… YOU COULDN'T EVEN GIVE MOM A PROPER BURIAL!"

Tears poured down his face as he collapsed onto his bed, sobbing uncontrollably until exhaustion finally pulled him into sleep.

---

In the middle of the night, a strange noise stirred Brody from his sleep.

He sat up, his heart pounding as he scanned the room. Nothing.

"Maybe it's just my imagination," he muttered uneasily, trying to shake off the feeling.

Just as he was about to lie back down—he saw it.

A masked figure, cloaked in black, standing inside his room.

Before he could scream for help—darkness consumed him.

The next morning, chaos erupted in the palace. Brody was missing.

The entire nation was thrown into a state of emergency. The Royal Palace ordered a lockdown.

Brody had vanished.