"They've destroyed the prison, my lord," reported one of the king's most trusted soldiers, bowing low before the imposing figure on the throne. The king, a figure of immense power and dark aura, slowly opened his eyes. The weight of his gaze alone was enough to make the soldier feel as though he was carrying a ton of bricks on his shoulders.
"Execute the daughter of that woman," the king commanded in a voice that echoed through the halls, leaving no room for hesitation or mercy.
"As you command, my lord," the soldier replied, retreating quickly to carry out the order.
Word of the execution spread like wildfire, reaching Misaki in her hidden refuge. Her breath caught in her throat, and her hands shook uncontrollably. "How will I rescue my child?" she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
Akhil, standing by her side,"Don't worry. I will protect your daughter," he vowed, his voice firm and resolute.
Old Man Kapil, ever the strategist, turned to Misaki. "Where is the execution to take place?"
Misaki swallowed hard, fighting back her tears. "It's… it's one kilometer away from here."
"Then we don't have much time. We'll save her," Kapil declared, his eyes narrowing with determination.
Without wasting another moment, the group rushed toward the execution site. As they neared their destination, a battalion of the king's soldiers appeared, blocking their path. The soldiers, fully armored and brandishing weapons, stood as a wall of defiance.
Kofi, with his speed unmatched, moved in a blur. In mere seconds, the heads of every single soldier rolled to the ground, leaving a sea of lifeless bodies in his wake.
But as the dust settled, a menacing voice cut through the air. "Oh, so you've joined forces with the intruders, Misaki?"
Misaki froze, her heart pounding in her chest. "Akhil," she whispered, her voice shaking, "that's… that's the king."
Akhil's eyes locked onto the figure before them. The king stood tall, exuding an aura of absolute power. Before Kofi could launch another attack, he suddenly felt an immense pressure on his head, as if the weight of the world was bearing down on him. The force was so overwhelming that Kofi collapsed, gasping for breath.
Old Man Kapil tried to strike, but a wave of inexplicable happiness washed over him, making him lower his guard. Akhil, in turn, was overwhelmed with a profound sadness, his heart sinking as tears filled his eyes.
"You fools," the king sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "I have the ability to control your feelings. You can't defeat me."
The king's eyes narrowed as he stared at Misaki, his voice cold and commanding. "Come with me, Misaki."
Misaki's heart sank. She had no other choice but to comply, knowing that resisting would only bring more harm to her daughter. She followed the king through the winding corridors of the castle, her mind racing with fear and desperation.
As they entered the grand hall, the king turned to her, his expression twisted with malice. "Give me your powers," he demanded, his voice echoing off the stone walls.
Misaki clenched her fists, her resolve unwavering. "I will not give this power to you."
The king let out a chilling laugh, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "I think you've made your choice, Misaki. Look there."
Misaki's gaze followed the king's pointed finger, and her blood ran cold. Her daughter was being dragged to the execution platform, the soldiers readying their weapons. Panic surged through her as she fell to her knees, pleading, "Please, forgive my child! Don't do this!"
But before the executioner could bring down his weapon, a swift movement caught everyone's attention. Kofi, with lightning speed, had appeared out of nowhere, cutting down the soldiers in the execution area. In a blur of motion, he grabbed Misaki's daughter and whisked her to safety.
The king's face contorted with confusion and rage. "How? How did they escape from my control over their feelings?" His voice was filled with disbelief.
Akhil stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the king. "You forgot about one man," he said calmly.
At that moment, Henry emerged from the shadows, moving with deliberate purpose. He approached Misaki and quickly pulled her away from the king's grasp. The king attempted to use his powers, but nothing happened. There was no effect on Henry.
Henry smirked, "I'm surrounded by an invisible shield. Your powers won't reach me."
The king's face twisted in fury. "Fine then, I'll crush you with my bare hands!"
But as the king reached out to grab Henry, his hand was suddenly severed from his arm. He looked down in shock, blood spurting from the stump where his hand had been.
Kofi stood nearby, his blade gleaming with the king's blood. "Are you sure? You don't have any hands left to crush us."
The king roared in rage, his voice shaking the very walls of the castle. "You little brat! I'll kill you!"
But the balance of power had shifted, and the king's arrogance was now his downfall. The once-terrifying ruler was now a crippled and desperate man, his control slipping through his fingers like sand.