The city of Dumasi, the heart of the Weshantu kingdom, lay nestled along the banks of a tributary of the Zenubian Sea. The city sprawled in fractal patterns that resembled the unfolding petals of a sacred lotus, with each district carefully arranged in harmonious symmetry around the grand Central Courtyard. The polished white plaster of the walls made from crushed seashells and lime, gleamed brilliantly under the late afternoon sun.
Far from all the pomp of the central courtyard, firmly rooted in a cavity within the lotus resided the heart of Dumasi, the Ayane market.
This marketplace bustled with life, its earthy streets lined with vibrant stalls shaded by thatched canopies. Merchants called out to passersby, their voices competing with the rhythmic beats of distant drums and the occasional laughter of children darting through the crowds. The air was rich with the mingling scents of roasted plantains, spiced meats, and fresh river fish, blending seamlessly with the fragrance of blooming hibiscus from nearby gardens.
Near the center of the marketplace stood Prince Kwaku , dressed in his tunic, woven with vibrant blues and deep golds, draped elegantly over his lean frame. He leaned casually on his sheathed ceremonial blade, a playful smirk on his face as he addressed a stout merchant with a deep, booming voice.
"This fish, good sir, you claim it is fresh?" Kwaku asked, holding up a large, glistening tilapia. "It looks like it made its journey here from the afterlife."
The crowd erupted into laughter, and even the merchant, a burly man with a belly that seemed to shake with his every word, let out a hearty chuckle. "Your Highness, if that fish is from the afterlife, it must have swum there and back just this morning! Only the best for your royal table."
Behind Kwaku, the royal guards, clad in their splendid Weshantu garments—vivid patterned tunics and beaded headpieces—joined in the banter. One of the guards, a tall man with a deep voice named Afu, stepped forward and gestured dramatically
"And what of these mangoes, Merchant Adanu? Are they as sweet as you claim, or are you trying to pass off goat feed to our noble prince?"
The crowd roared again, the merchant placing his hands on his hips in mock offense. "Goat feed? Goat feed? Afu, you wound me! These mangoes are so sweet, the gods themselves would trade their ambrosia for a taste."
"Is that so?" another guard, a shorter, stockier woman named Miremba, chimed in, her tone filled with humor. "I think the gods would rather trade for that necklace you're wearing. It might be the only valuable thing in your stall."
Adanu clutched his beaded necklace dramatically, his eyes wide with feigned indignation. "You accuse me of wearing the only treasure here? I'll have you know, my wife agrees."
The laughter that followed was loud and unrestrained, the warmth of the exchange drawing smiles even from those who had only stopped to witness the lively interaction.
Some leagues from the market lie the Zanak River. As the merchant said, it was so often the source of freshest fish in the land. Unlike the marketplace the busy river was quiet on this day. With a few thatched boats still floating about.
One fisherman, Dalo, noticed something unusual. His boat rocked lightly, as if caught in a tide he could not see.
Leaning over the edge, he peered into the dark water, the reflection of the sky above broken by subtle movements below.
Then he saw it.
A glint of fluorescent green, shimmering like polished jade, appeared just beneath the surface. It moved with deliberate grace, and as it emerged into clearer view, Dalo's breath caught in his throat. The thing was massive—larger than any creature he had ever seen. Scales the size of shields rippled as it slithered through the depths, a pattern of swirling luminescence glowing faintly in the dimming light.
"Garida," he whispered, the name barely leaving his lips before the serpent erupted from the water.
The marketplace descended into chaos as Garida's massive form towered above the city. Its body, a sinuous blend of shimmering scales and pulsating light, coiled through the air, casting a shadow over the panicked crowd. The serpent's eyes glowed with an unnatural fire, and its roar—like the grinding of stone—sent people scrambling for shelter. Screams tore through the marketplace as the serpent moved with terrifying speed, its tail sweeping through stalls and sending goods flying.
The Prince moved swiftly through the crumbling marketplace, guiding panicked citizens toward escape routes.As the serpent's tail struck another row of stalls, sending debris flying, Kwaku spotted a child frozen in fear beneath a collapsing wooden beam.
Without hesitation, he dashed forward, throwing his body between the child and the falling structure. Using his blade, he deflected a piece of debris, shielding the child as he lifted them into his arms.
"Go!" he urged the mother, who had stumbled nearby. "Take him and run!"
The mother hesitated only a moment before grabbing her child and fleeing toward safety.
"Form a line!" Afu commanded, his deep voice cutting through the chaos. The soldiers moved quickly, drawing ornate crossbows from within their robes, each carved with intricate symbols of Weshantu craftsmanship. They formed a unified front to shield the prince, their eyes steady despite the terror of the beast before them.
A drumbeat echoed through the air, its rhythm rallying their resolve. In unison, a hundred poison-tipped bolts shot toward Garida. The glowing tips shifted from bright orange to a menacing deep blue as they streaked through the sky. The bolts struck Garida's armored scales in rapid succession, each impact erupting in bursts of flame and smoke. Dust and debris blanketed the already devastated marketplace, momentarily obscuring the serpent's massive form.
The silence that followed was brief. Before the soldiers could react, Garida's colossal tail burst through the cloud of dust like a scythe. It swept across the line, sending men flying like scattered leaves. Afu's severed upper body landed with a sickening thud at the prince's feet, his lifeless eyes still holding the determination of his final stand.
"Hold your positions!" shouted Miremba, her voice unwavering even as the horror unfolded around her. She led a team of spear-wielding guards onto the rooftops, their forms silhouetted against the twilight. With a sharp whistle, dozens of grappling spears launched through the air, their enchanted tips embedding themselves between Garida's thick scales. The spearmen heaved as counterweights locked into place, their combined strength slowly pulling the serpent's thrashing form downward.
The prince, no longer willing to stand idle, drew an ornate drum from his robes. Its surface shimmered with ancient inscriptions. With deliberate precision, he tapped out a rhythm that seemed to resonate with the very air around them. In response, four cloaked figures materialized, appearing at the cardinal points surrounding the prince.
"Trap that snake!" Prince Kwaku commanded, his voice sharp with determination. "I will use its skin to decorate my palace walls."
The cloaked figures nodded, their movements swift and purposeful. Meanwhile, Garida continued its relentless struggle, each thrash sending men flying and splintering the buildings around it. The serpent's roars were a cacophony of rage and defiance, reverberating through the marketplace.
The cloaked figures reached into their robes and withdrew enchanted beads, each pulsating with an eerie light. With synchronized movements, they hurled the beads toward the beast. As they flew through the air, the beads expanded, transforming into massive glowing chains that wrapped around Garida's body, binding it at its neck, midsection, and tail. Even its massive maw was forced shut by the enchanted restraints.
The crowd erupted in a cheer as Garida, now immobilized, collapsed onto the outskirts of the marketplace. Its immense form crushed nearby structures, sending clouds of dust and debris into the air. Hundreds of soldiers flooded the area, surrounding the beast with drawn weapons.
Prince Kwaku stepped forward, unsheathing his sword—a heavy, curved blade designed for decapitation. He waded through the chaos, his figure outlined against the settling dust. As he approached the restrained serpent, he raised his sword high.
"Garida!" he bellowed, his voice carrying over the din. "Today, you die."
The soldiers roared in approval, their cheers drowning out the distant cries of the wounded. Kwaku leaped into the air, his blade aimed at the vulnerable underside of Garida's neck.
Garida's eyes snapped open, its pupils glowing with a sinister light. Time seemed to slow as the prince descended toward the serpent.
A deep, guttural sound emanated from its core, growing into an ear-splitting roar. The air around it shimmered as a green aura enveloped its massive form. The enchanted chains began to vibrate violently before shattering into fragments of light. The cloaked figures, their magic undone, screamed as they were consumed by bursts of flame.
The serpent's aura expanded outward in a pulse of raw energy, lifting soldiers, debris, and even the prince into the air. The shockwave sent Miremba and her rooftop guards tumbling to the ground. The once-coordinated assault descended into chaos.
As the dust settled, Garida's form emerged, its scales glowing with renewed vitality. The beast reared its head, its forked tongue flicking as it let out a low, cryptic hiss that seemed almost like speech.
Prince Kwaku, was surprised but his spirit unbroken, climbed to his feet. He wiped blood from his brow and pointed his sword at the serpent. "You think this is over?" he shouted. "My palace isn't good enough for you? Fine! I'll use your scales to make sandals for the whole kingdom, you miserable worm!"
Garida's unblinking gaze met the prince's, its body coiling in preparation. The serpent let out another hiss, its meaning lost but its intent unmistakable.
The soldiers rallied, their weapons raised as they charged forward. But Garida reclined, its massive body undulating as a deep rumble built from within its belly. The sound grew, resonating through the air as the beast's maw began to glow.
The prince gripped his sword tighter, his heart pounding as he stared into the abyss of Garida's gaping mouth.