Blood was shed on the face of earth as Zetia executed Hwan's worshippers, she rose from ashes and became the greatest power ever witnessed in years. Henry in the shadows watch his kingdom being torn in half, with Hwan and the other supreme beings gone Zetia was unstoppable.
New established kings bowed their heads as she walked her way to Hwan's seat, humans once again had dominated the realm. King Uriah suffered huge loss of population as Zetia harvested their sword to empower herself.
Wrath corpses of Isiah and King Cyrus were standing beside her, these two were formidable. In her robes made from silk and gold, Zetia looked beautiful. Zetia tapping her seat said, "You may be seated." The kings all took their humble seats, they were all from noble households.
King Qin stood from his seat and said, "My Lord, all inconvenience has been dealt with, each being lives at your mercy…" "This is just the beginning, we have to prepare for great war that's is yet to come. When he awakes do you think he will spare us? We have to make him be at our mercy." Zetia smashed the cup in her hand.
Walking down her seat she said, "I might have acquired the seat for now but time will come when l have to fight to keep it and my life. There are rogues amongst the people of the west, I need them gone before the crack of dawn."
King Qin standing from his seat said, "My Lord, the more we shed blood the more hatred we incur. Maybe we should scare them and convert…" "My orders are not for discussion! I leave the rest to you king Qin." Zetia felt a sharp headache, as she walked out the kings felt a shiver up their spines.
When King Uriah returned to the palace, he saw his wife offering prayers in the temple. A tablet with Eva's name had incense burning, his wife Queen Lea said, "Are you happy living in a world where we are puppets with strings attached to a woman? Her hands are stained with innocent blood…my daughter's blood Uriah."
Uriah was even ashamed to pray for his daughter's soul, "We have to send Prince Flame to the main palace in preparation for battle." Bowing her head she replied, "Will you kill your son too? Wasn't our daughter enough to secure your throne?"
Uriah with an angry tone replied, "I am trying to protect this family and kingdom! Do you think I am proud of my own situation…every day when I look at that tablet, I wish my name was engraved on it!" Standing on her feet Lea replied, "You are protecting yourself and killing everyone…I will live to shove the tablet with your name in the toilet because you make me sick! The day you killed ."
Prince Flame was standing on the doorway listening to his parents argue, his mother grabbed his arm as they walked away. A maid holding a child walked inside the temple, "My King, I have brought the child given unto me by the guard." Holding the child in his arms he replied, "You are the most beautiful child ever…I remember your mother wanted to name you Junta."
The maid was ordered to raise Junta in the walls of the palace disguised as a maid's child. Maria in the disguise of a maid and Henry as a guard raised Junta together undetected. It was a blessing for Maria to raise a child as her own since as a woman she couldn't bear her own.
Henry was worried the identity of Junta would be exposed to the world and Zetia, to protect him he made a mask to cover up his face. A ten-year-old Junta looking at Henry said, "Dad, why should I wear this mask?" Henry looking at the cute little boy replied, "This mask will protect you my little boy from greater evil roaming on this earth. Never review your face to anyone…promise me."
Growing up Junta was nicknamed the Masked Freak, he spent all his days training with his father and playing with Maria at night fall. The distinct uniqueness of his eyes was beautiful and mesmerising, he had one gold eye and the other was crystal blue. Junta was among the select candidate to join the force in training.
Henry was extremely worried, but he trusted Junta was grown and strong enough to take care of himself, he kissed his eighteen-year-old son on the forehead before bidding him goodbye.
The selected candidates would participate in a life or death competition to secure a place beside Zetia. Only a few knew her face, the warriors knelt on the ground with their heads buried on the ground as she walked up to her throne. Zetia dressed in a sexy outfit which exposed the beauty of her skin and body.
Zetia with a wave of a head ordered the warriors to stand on their feet, her eyes were cold and intimidating. Emperor Qin was announced in the palace ad he made an entrance with his two sons. Emperor Qin look at the audience after paying his respects, "Welcome to the main palace, it is an honour to be before lord Zetia. You are warriors entrusted by your kingdoms to fight alongside her Majesty on the upcoming fight with the demon. With our might we shall protect our land!"
Raising their fists, the army echoed, "With our might and lives we shall protect our land." The son on the left side of Qin kept his eyes glued at Junta.
Emperor Qin pointing his head on the most handsome man, with eyes like an emerald and his skin white and flawless said, "This is the chief-in command, Prince Takato. He is the strongest amongst, he shall be looking out for the successful candidates." Junta and his eyes met.
His older brother on the left was named Talin, he might have been older, but his power was inferior to his younger brother's. Zetia standing on her feet said, "I welcome you to this palace, I look forward seeing you all in action. Prince Takato escort me to my room."
As they were walking down the pavement Takato bowed his head and said, "I am heading to the east wing to address the candidates, the competition will commence in two days." Zetia looking at him replied, "Till when will you continue to resist me Prince Takato, perhaps are you in love with someone else?"
With a smile on his face Takato replied, "No maiden can equate to your beauty, however I am reserving myself to someone my heart captures. Have a pleasant day." "An insult and a compliment in one sentence, how bold of you Takato. I shall have my fun without you Commander." Zetia waved her hand as she walked away.
Flame was close with Junta, he went straight to his room after the briefing. Flame said, "It is refreshing to have someone familiar in these walls. I guess your mother cried when she was separated from you. I feel jealous with the bond your family shares." Junta unpacking his clothes replied, "My father cried more than her, I promised to visit once every month."
Takato leaned on the door as he listened to the gentle voice of Junta, bowing his head Flame said, "Greeting commander." Junta followed pursuit, with a warm kind voice he replied, "Prince Flame your presence is needed in the hall."
After Flame left Takato looked at Junta and said, "What is your name? You can raise your head when you are talking to me." Junta introduced himself, "Your parents must be pleased with what you have achieved, I look forward working with you." Junta's room was beside Takato's, pointing at his room he said, "I am your neighbour, reach out to me if you need help."
Junta got lost whilst scouting the palace, he found himself standing in the midst of the garden filled with beautiful white roses. In the midst of the garden he saw a person dressed in white, "Honey, you should walk slowly." A gentle voice came from his behind, "My love, I have been looking for you everywhere…both of us missed you! The baby…" The tap on the shoulder awakened him back to reality, "Junta, are you perhaps lost?"
When he snapped back the garden was deserted, he bowed and replied, "My apologies for wondering around, I wanted to familiarise myself with the environment." Takato offered to give him a tour, in his company Takato felt an unfamiliar feeling that was warm and soothing.
King Qin disturbed their tour, they entered the study room, "Your duty isn't to give tour guides to candidates, this war is far greater, and our lives are on the line! With each passing day the demon grew stronger and stronger instead of giving tour guides you should be upgrading your skills!" Takato clenched his fists and bowed his head to apologise.
Talin entered after his father had left, he handed him a sword and said, "It is unusual for you to miss practise, were you playing around with a maiden?" Takato sighed and replied, "I shall head to the training ground first." "You have to be careful, this is important for everyone." Talin grew curious to know who had piqued the interest of his brother.
Freshman watched as the superiors battled, their skills were on another level. All fell on the feet of Takato, Zetia clapping her hands said, "You seem quite in the mood today Commander, do you mind if I make a wedger?"
Takato lowered his sword and replied, "I am grateful to your comments but how can l stand up to your divine powers…" "Will you turn down the invitation of mine Prince Takato?" Zetia drawing out her sword glared at Takato. When his father nodded his head he replied, "I thank you for the opportunity."
Zetia was faster than he wind her skills were exceptional and flawless but Takato wasn't an easy target. To provoke Takato she used only one hand to deflect all his attacks. Swords clicked as the two endless attacked each other. Junta's eyes sparkled as his eyes were glued on Takato. Painting from exhaustion Takato dropped his sword on the ground, "A pheasant can never win against a noble, thank you for sparing time to educate me."
Junta locked his doors and windows, he removed his mask and placed it on the table. Looking at his reflection he was a spitting image of his father, after washing himself and putting ointment on his face and put the mask back on before sleeping on his bed.
Junta felt his feet getting colder and colder, he opened his eyes and saw a man dressed in black robes…beneath his feet was a pool of blood. The man had immeasurable powers, his wrath and anger drove him insane…as this man drew closer and closer his mask crumbled into pieces as it fell on the ground, with a warm hand on his face the soft voice said, "I have found you my…"
Junta awakened from the nightmare, he drank a glass of water and went back to sleep after reading a book. A sound from a zither despaired his troubles and frustration, since he was young that sound and the scent, he never uncovered its source always pacify his soul.