The three of them had barely left the village square when the King reappeared, as if he had been waiting for this exact moment. His face was more solemn than before, his gaze distant, as if recalling memories from another lifetime.
"There is more I must tell you," the King said, his voice unusually grave. "It concerns a being far older than you can imagine—a force of evil that even the gods feared. His name was Mouzoni."
Akiko, Takeshi, and Riku listened in stunned silence, feeling the weight of the King's words.
"Mouzoni?" Riku echoed, curiosity mingling with apprehension.
The King nodded. "Mouzoni was a devil, a being of unimaginable darkness and cruelty, who walked this land long before humans roamed it. He wielded powers that shook the heavens, bringing terror to gods and mortals alike. This was not simply a mortal enemy, but a creature whose very existence threatened to destroy all life."
"How long ago did this happen?" Takeshi asked, frowning as he tried to grasp the scale of what the King was describing.
"Approximately 53,736,791,072,810 years," the King replied, his voice carrying the weight of ancient history. "The gods gathered their collective strength to confront him, each offering up their most powerful gifts. Together, they managed to strike Mouzoni down, destroying his body and legs in an act of unimaginable force. But even with all their power, they could not fully erase him."
Akiko's eyes widened, her hand instinctively moving to her chest as if she could feel the lingering darkness in the air around them. "So… he's still alive?"
The King gave a slight nod. "In a way, yes. Though he was broken, his head and hands survived, cursed to remain buried beneath the earth, his power sealed away by divine magic. But this is not merely a story to frighten you. Mouzoni's spirit is bound by only the most fragile of seals. If those seals weaken, he could rise again."
Riku swallowed, his voice barely a whisper. "And what happens if he does?"
The King's gaze hardened, his eyes holding a depth of sorrow and warning. "If Mouzoni were to return, his wrath would be unlike anything you have ever known. His remaining hands alone carry the strength to shatter entire mountains. And his head… it contains a mind corrupted by countless eons of hatred. He would seek vengeance, not just on the gods who sealed him, but on all life."
Akiko felt a chill creep down her spine as she realized the scale of the threat before them. She exchanged a glance with Takeshi, who looked equally shaken, though his expression remained determined.
"How can we prevent this?" Takeshi asked, his voice steady.
"There are ancient relics scattered across these lands, remnants of the power the gods used to bind Mouzoni," the King explained. "These relics were hidden to protect the seals, but over time, they were lost or forgotten. It is said that only those with pure intentions can retrieve these relics and reinforce the ancient seals."
"Then we need to find them," Riku said firmly, a look of newfound resolve in his eyes. "If there's a chance we can stop Mouzoni from rising again, we have to try."
The King nodded, a hint of approval in his gaze. "But remember, the path to each relic is dangerous. You will encounter creatures loyal to Mouzoni, remnants of his dark energy. They will try to stop you at every turn."
Akiko clenched her fists, determination hardening her resolve. "We've come this far. If it means protecting our world, then we'll face whatever comes."
The King's expression softened, and he inclined his head in respect. "Then go forth with courage, my friends. Seek out the relics, and may the strength of the gods be with you."
With that, the King faded into the shadows, leaving Akiko, Takeshi, and Riku to face the path ahead. They now carried not only the weight of their own survival but the fate of the world itself. And as they left the village behind, each step felt heavier, burdened with the knowledge that they were venturing into a battle against an ancient evil that even gods had feared.