CHAPTER 5

On this night, a presence unseen yet deeply felt rippled through the heart of Tengaki. The sky, once painted in hues of gold and amber, darkened into a stormy gray. The wind carried voices, low, echoing whispers that seemed to crawl into the ears of every man, woman, and child.

The voices of the Isakis.

Lahara, the reigning king of Tengaki, stood on his palace balcony, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. His heartbeat was steady, but his mind raced. He knew power in all its forms, strength in battle, command over armies, dominion over people, but this... this was something he could not control.

At his side stood Kovu, his older brother. Kovu's expression was unreadable, but Lahara did not miss the tension in his stance, the flicker of something almost familiar in his eyes as he listened to the haunting voices.

"You hear them too," Lahara murmured.

Kovu exhaled slowly. "I do." His voice was calm, but his fingers curled slightly, betraying unease. "But I don't know what they're saying."

No one did.

The palace guards shifted anxiously in their positions, eyes darting toward the sky, toward the trees where shadows seemed longer, darker than before. The whispers had crept into every corner of the land, and with them, an unspoken fear took root.

The Isakis were long gone—their spirits, their guidance, their protection had all vanished from Tengaki. If they spoke now, what did it mean?

Was it a warning? A curse? Or the arrival of something far greater than they could comprehend?

Lahara was not one to wait for answers to come to him. He turned sharply, barking orders to his men. "Double the guards around the palace. No one enters or leaves without my permission. If the Isakis wish to speak, we will listen, but we will not be unprepared."

His men bowed and rushed to carry out his command. The weight of the night pressed heavier upon Tengaki, but while the people and rulers braced themselves for what was to come, one man already knew the truth.

Tsegunki's heart beat in rhythm with those whispers, each pulse a reminder of his purpose. A child was born, and the land had already begun to feel her presence. Far across the borders, in the distant kingdom of Tengaki, the change was palpable. Lahara, Kovu, and the land itself were unaware of the full weight of what was to come, but Tsegunki understood it clearly.

For years, he had wandered, stripped of what he once was, lost in a world that had little use for fallen beings like him. He had spent nights in the depths of forests where the only sounds were those of unseen creatures and the rustling of ancient trees. He had learned the ways of the land, the secrets whispered between wind and earth. And finally, Tsegunki found his purpose, a chance to redeem himself and rewrite the future.

The journey to Tengaki was long, but he welcomed it. As he rode through the dense wilderness, he felt the land pulse beneath him. The whispers of the Isakis grew stronger, their presence more urgent. Whatever was coming, it would shake the foundation of the world as they knew it.

Back at the palace, King Lahara summoned the elders of Tengaki, kings from neighboring villages, and his elder brother, Kovu. A grand table was set before the rulers, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on their solemn faces. The room buzzed with low murmurs—whispers of uncertainty, of fear, of blame.

Everyone knew Tengaki was at its lowest point, and Lahara's decisions had led them here.

Footsteps.

"The king approaches the hall," a guard announced.

Everyone rose to welcome their king, everyone except King Fakenye.

King Fakenye had never agreed with Rua's decision to make Lahara king. He was a just man, one who believed in serving justice no matter the circumstances. His kingdom shared a border with Tengaki, and if anything happened to Tengaki, his people would be in danger.

Lahara's eyes locked onto him. "King Fakenye, is there a problem?" he asked, crossing his arms in front of him.

"There's none, Your Majesty," Fakenye replied. "I would like us to get straight to the point. The kingdom is at its lowest. We do not have time for mere greetings."

Murmurs of agreement filled the hall.

Lahara sighed, nodding. "Very well."

One of the kings spoke, his voice thick with concern. "Your Majesty, we need to protect our people. We have many questions, but no answers. "How do we save our people when we, the kings, don't even understand what is happening?"

Lahara clenched his jaw. He had no answer. He could only stand there, watching as his fellow rulers questioned themselves.

"Yes, our kingdoms are not safe, especially now that the Isakis are gone," another king added.Fighting among ourselves will not solve anything. We have gathered here for one reason: to protect our families and our lands. Let us put our differences aside and work for the greater good."

Kovu's deep voice cut through the tension. "Spoken like a true king," King Fakenye said with a warm smile.

Lahara immediately felt pushed to the corner despite being the reigning king. He glanced at Kovu, something burning in his chest. Was it anger? Frustration? Or something deeper something darker?

"Kovu," King Fakenye said, his tone measured, "what would you suggest we do?"

Kovu met his brother's gaze steadily. "I am in no position to give orders," he said. "My brother, the king, will decide our course. That is why we are here."

Lahara exhaled sharply, barely containing his irritation.

"Listen, Kovu," King Fakenye interjected. We are here as the men of the kingdom to get to the bottom of this and find a solution. Status has nothing to do with it. If you have an idea, speak."

Kovu turned to Lahara once more, seeing the flicker of rage in his brother's eyes. For a moment, the room was silent, tense, charged with unspoken words and unreadable emotions.

"Very well," Kovu said finally, stepping forward. "I believe the Isakis have returned in some form, but they are not here to aid us. Their voices carry sorrow and unrest. I know we have many questions and want to uncover the truth behind their whispers, but now is not the time. Our family, our people are looking up to us for safety."

"And how do you suggest we do that?" Lahara asked, his voice tight with skepticism.

"Increase security, place task forces at every entrance of every kingdom. Every man and woman would be identified before being granted access. "We are not immortal like them, so we must protect our people the way we know best," Kovu said. "Our women, our children need protection not just the palace."

Gasps filled the room. "I think you're right." Finding out what happened is not important right now."

"So you are saying we hide? "We are kings, not slaves," an elder muttered.

"Madness is ignoring the only solution we have right now," Kovu countered.

Lahara's eyes darkened. But deep down, he knew Kovu was right.

Far beyond the palace walls, Tsegunki rode closer to Tengaki, the whispers of the Isakis calling hI'm hom