The eerie silence of Iwabi Village was shattered by a cacophony of guttural voices, low and rhythmic, chanting like a dark hymn. "More souls for the Lord… More souls for the Lord…" The chant resonated through the burning remains of the village, carried on the acrid wind as three black, formless creatures roamed among the ruins.
Their presence was a nightmarish blend of shadows and malice, their unshaped bodies shifting as they devoured the lingering spirits of the villagers. Wisps of ethereal light were pulled from the lifeless bodies scattered across the village, vanishing into the creatures' gaping maws.
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The Fight for a Soul
Jambaza and Mwizi froze at the edge of the carnage, their triumphant escape forgotten in an instant. The older boy's usually sharp wit faltered as his wide eyes took in the horrific scene. One of the creatures loomed over an elderly woman, her frail body trembling as she screamed, "Please! Someone help me!"
Mwizi gasped, his face draining of color. "That's Grandmother!"
Before Jambaza could stop him, Mwizi's small frame blurred with the force of a Lightning Step, a trail of sand kicking up in his wake. "Wait, Mwizi!" Jambaza shouted, but the boy was already there, his fist slamming into the creature's face with all the force his tiny body could muster.
The creature didn't even flinch. Its featureless head turned slowly, eerie eyes forming out of the darkness to glare at the child. Within its gaze, countless faces of the dead seemed to writhe, their silent screams visible but not heard.
"What the hell is this thing?" Jambaza muttered as he appeared beside Mwizi, his own Lightning Step barely keeping pace. "It withstood my punch?"
Fueled by anger and desperation, Jambaza unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one faster and harder than the last. "Take this! And this!" His fists blurred, the force of his blows cracking the ground beneath him. But the creature barely budged, its twisted form reforming with each impact.
With a guttural growl, the monster's voice dripped with malice as it repeated, "More souls for the Lord…"
Its eyes glowed brighter, and it let out a bone-chilling scream—"GRAAAAAAW!"—a sound so horrific it echoed for kilometers, shaking the ground and reverberating through the air.
---
The Heroes Hear the Cry
Far across the dunes, the heroes jolted as the sound reached them. The camels brayed in distress, stamping their hooves as the caravan ground to a halt.
Faida was the first to speak, her voice sharp with alarm. "That scream—it's coming from the east!"
Astou shivered, gripping her reins tightly. "I have a bad feeling about this. Something terrible is happening."
Hawa, ever resolute, drew her sword and pointed toward the horizon. "We're going. That sound might mean the Moonstone is there. And if not, someone's in danger. We can't ignore it."
Sefu nodded, his gaze steely. "She's right. Lives might be at stake."
The caravan rider hesitated, his face pale. "If you go that way, I'll have to leave you at a point. The camels won't go near whatever made that sound."
Hawa gave a curt nod. "Understood. Take us as far as you can."
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The Pursuit and a Warning
Back in Iwabi, Jambaza and Mwizi ran through the wreckage, the three shadow creatures pursuing them relentlessly. Each time one of the creatures closed in, Jambaza used the village's layout to his advantage, leading them through collapsed buildings and hidden tunnels.
Meanwhile, Mwizi crouched by their grandmother, his small hands shaking as he reached out to her. "Grandmother! Are you okay?"
The elderly woman coughed weakly, her wrinkled hand trembling as it reached for his cheek. "Mwizi, my brave boy… You need to stay with Jambaza. He needs you now more than ever."
"But I—" Mwizi began, tears streaming down his face.
She cut him off, her voice hoarse but firm. "Listen to me, child. You must recover the pieces of your mind before it's too late. Unlock your true self. You are the last hope for Jambaza… and yourself."
Mwizi blinked, confused. "What do you mean by pieces? What am I supposed to recover?"
His grandmother smiled faintly, her voice soft. "You'll understand when the time comes. Now go. Help your brother."
---
A New Foe Appears
Jambaza, panting heavily, led the creatures to the outskirts of the village. His body was strained from overusing Lightning Step, his limbs trembling with exhaustion.
Just as he thought he had bought them a moment's reprieve, a new shadowy figure appeared. This one was larger, its wings stretching out like those of a nightmarish owl. Its red eyes gleamed with intelligence and malice.
"No," Jambaza whispered, his heart sinking.
The winged creature descended with terrifying speed, its talons outstretched. Jambaza braced himself for the impact, but just as the creature closed in, Mwizi appeared beside him, grabbing his hand.
"Hold on!" Mwizi shouted.
With every ounce of strength he had left, Mwizi unleashed a Lightning Step so powerful it sent both of them hurtling several kilometers away, far beyond the village. The sheer force of the technique left a trail of scorched sand in their wake, creating a barrier that temporarily halted the creatures' advance.
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A Terrifying Transformation
Back in the village, the three shadow creatures merged with the winged figure, their forms twisting and writhing until they became a single monstrous entity. The new demon towered over the ruins, its massive wings blotting out the moonlight as it let out a roar that shook the desert. Its aura was suffocating, a dark energy radiating with murderous intent.
In the desert, far from the destruction, Mwizi and Jambaza collapsed onto the sand, their breaths ragged. Mwizi's small frame trembled as he looked back toward the village. "What is that thing? It's going to kill us!"
Jambaza, his body battered and bruised, managed a weak smile. "Why did you follow me, you idiot? I was handling it."
Mwizi glared at him, tears pooling in his eyes. "You weren't handling it! I couldn't just leave you to die. You're my best friend… my brother. I'll always protect you."
Jambaza's stern expression softened, and for a moment, his grin returned. "You're a stubborn little punk, you know that?" He reached over and ruffled Mwizi's hair. "Alright then. We fight together, brother."
But the moment was short-lived. The giant demon had followed them, its terrifying form looming in the distance. It moved with horrifying speed, and before Jambaza could react, its massive claws struck, severing his right arm and left leg in a single, brutal swipe.
The sands were stained red as Jambaza collapsed, his screams echoing through the desert.
---
The Awakening of Mwizi
"JAMBAZA!" Mwizi screamed, falling to his knees. His small hands tried to staunch the bleeding, but the sight of his friend's broken body shattered him.
Behind him, the demon loomed, its voice dripping with malice. "Let me eat your souls, mortals," it hissed, its grin filled with dark delight.
Frozen in despair, Mwizi's mind raced with memories of Jambaza—of their childhood, their struggles, their bond. Each memory led him deeper into his own consciousness, until he stood before a massive door, bound with chains.
A voice echoed in his mind: "King… unlock your true self."
As the demon closed in, Mwizi's eyes snapped open, glowing with fiery intensity. Flames erupted around him, rising higher and wilder, engulfing the desert in a terrifying inferno.
Jambaza, barely conscious, stared in awe. "Mwizi… what's happening to you?"
The flames roared, and Mwizi's small frame stood at their center, unrecognizable in his newfound power.