"Enough!" Chief Lisun's voice cut through the air like a blade, sharp and commanding.
Assistant Panda, feeling the sting of the reprimand, lowered his head, his large, expressive eyes flickering with a mix of guilt and defiance. He wrapped his tail around his legs in a submissive gesture, though his posture betrayed a deep-seated resentment.
Rara's gaze swept over the field, taking in the array of figures scattered across it. "Who are they?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity as she nodded toward the various groups.
Chief Lisun's finger traced the groups like a teacher pointing out elements on a map. "The people over there," he began, gesturing toward a cluster dressed in uniform attire adorned with bird feather hats and tribal white markings.
"They are the ones performing the ritual today. They are the White Tribals family. Apart from them, there are also the Black Tribals, the Red Tribals, and the Green Tribals. Each group will perform their rituals in sequence: red, green, black, and white."
Rara noticed the contrast between the groups. The White Tribals exuded an air of solemnity, their ceremonial attire stark against the vibrant, celebratory colors of the others. "And what about the bucket and the prisoner?" she inquired, her eyes narrowing in intrigue.
Chief Lisun's expression grew serious. "The bucket contains tiger's blood, used to circle the stone and the prisoner. This is to create a barrier between himself and us. They've also brought gongs to accompany the ritual, and four sacred daggers."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "The sacred daggers are not meant to harm the prisoner. Instead, they are wielded in a ceremonial dance believed to summon the fogs of punishment and bring judgment upon the prisoner."
A shiver ran down Rara's spine as she glanced at the White Tribals. Their intense gaze seemed to pierce through her, making her feel like a mere spectator in a grand, unsettling performance.
Chief Lisun pointed towards a group of people engaged in lively conversation, their faces animated with excitement. "The man with three red dots on his head is Head Reagan, the court's head. Beside him, with the black lips, is Assistant Black."
Rara took in the details of the distinguished guests. The man in the golden-lined mantle and black attire was Prince Ing Sudu from Kaca's Kingdom, his regal bearing underscored by the mantle's opulence.
The woman in the white snow fur dress, Princess Devure Locetag from Ropok Kingdom, exuded an ethereal grace, her presence a stark contrast to the harsher elements of the ritual.
Her eyes then fell upon the man with the golden mask and robe, Prince Pangaman Pose from Sitaga Kingdom, whose elaborate attire suggested a rich, storied heritage.
The final prince, Liron Sarun from Bohung Kingdom, stood out with his red blindfold and robe, a striking figure in the crowd.
Rara's mouth fell open in awe. The figures she had read about were now right before her, their presence both intimidating and fascinating.
Chief Lisun continued, his tone shifting to one of somber respect. "King Magdon and Queen Lustia, along with Prince Ariel, are accompanied by their four black-clothed guards. These men are the king's personal guard, known for their unmatched prowess."
He pointed to each of them as he spoke. "The man with the long hair tied back is called Blade. He wields a blue sword that gleams ominously under the sun. The short-haired man, Fang, is armed with two daggers—one on each side of his waist. The man with the whip is known as Lash, and the one who carries nothing is called Iron."
Rara frowned in frustration. "So many people and names. How am I supposed to remember them all?"
'Hara, you better remember all of this!'
'You're idle, and I'm busy.'
Chief Lisun continued, his voice steady. "There are also six ministers, each identified by a pendant corresponding to their role."
"Rael Torin, the Agriculture Minister, wears the Rice Pendant."
"Alaric Thorne, the Commerce Minister, has the Money Pendant."
"Selene Voss, the Communication Minister, carries the Phone Pendant."
" Garrick Stone, the Defence Minister, has the Shield Pendant."
"Elara Wynn, the Education Minister, wears the Book Pendant."
"Dorian Hayes, the Justice Minister, has the Hammer Pendant."
Rara tried to keep track, her mind racing as she absorbed the information.
Finally, Chief Lisun turned his attention to the last group. "The six representing the Middle-Kingdom wear half-decorated, half-plain clothes. The six from the Small-Kingdom or commoners wear their simplest garments."
She subconsciously cracked her neck and stretched, a sign of the nervous energy building within her. Assistant Panda, his patience wearing thin, was visibly irritated by her yawn, but Chief Lisun's stern gaze kept him silent.
"It's time!" The leader of the White Tribals family announced, his voice booming with authority as he stepped forward, commanding immediate attention.
The four black-clothed guards behind the king and queen removed the black cloth from the large wooden box. The box, once covered, now revealed its grim contents as 'it' was dragged toward the stone in the center of the field.
Rara's heart raced as she squinted to see more clearly. Though the distance blurred the details, her gaze locked onto the figure emerging from the box—a white-haired old man.
Her breath caught in her throat. Bun Kukkinos!
Desperation surged through her, and she started to step forward, but Chief Lisun's firm grip stopped her. Ignoring his hold, she pushed his hand aside with a forceful shove and ran towards the stone.
As she neared, her vision locked onto the old man, now shackled to the stone with metal chains. A surge of panic fueled her actions.
"Let go of me! Let go!" Rara screamed, her voice breaking as she struggled violently against Chief Lisun's grasp. Her panicked eyes were fixed on Bun Kukkinos, her only focus amidst the chaos.
Her struggles drew the attention of everyone around her. She lifted her foot and stomped on Chief Lisun's leg, her boot making a solid thud against his flesh. Chief Lisun's grip tightened as he gritted his teeth, caught off guard by the intensity of her resistance.
Rara's frantic punches and kicks were driven by sheer desperation. Chief Lisun, stunned by the force of her blows and the sharpness of her long nails as they scratched his cheek, struggled to maintain control.
The sight of his bleeding cheek only seemed to fuel Rara's fervor. She gripped the back of his neck, leaning in with her teeth bared in a primal display of aggression.
Suddenly, something in her gaze shifted. Her eyes flickered with a new, disturbing clarity, and she began to choke Chief Lisun with a renewed ferocity.
Assistant Panda, witnessing the escalation, sprang into action. He attempted to pry Rara's hands away from Chief Lisun, but a powerful kick sent him sprawling, rendering him momentarily ineffective.
The scene erupted into a frenzy as the ritual's gravity loomed over them, each moment unfolding with intense, palpable urgency.
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