Once upon a time, in a prosperous kingdom called Zulu-Kondo, the land flourished and stood as the greatest among its neighboring realms. The people of Zulu-Kondo were apelike in appearance yet mere mortals. Each individual stood at least seven feet tall, gigantic in nature, and possessed exceptional hunting skills.
However, despite their strength and prosperity, they were unaware of the calamity that would soon befall them.
The Reign of King Elyzerudan Π
Zulu-Kondo was ruled by King Elyzerudan, a strict and formidable ruler who had fourteen princes and eight princesses. He governed with an iron fist, making him feared even more than his neighboring counterparts.
In the third month of the year, Elyzerudan began building massive walls around the city, intending to create a single-gate entrance for security. His plans were grand, and his people worked tirelessly to complete them.
Among his subjects was Hankachif, a trusted subordinate and personal adviser. However, unbeknownst to the king, Hankachif secretly allied with three neighboring kingdoms—Camelot, Hipparchus, and Jupar. Their betrayal was well concealed as they plotted to attack Zulu-Kondo once the walls were completed.
Of these three kingdoms, Camelot was the most civilized, while Hipparchus and Jupar were considered barbaric. Jealousy and resentment toward Zulu-Kondo fueled their desire for destruction. As the walls of Zulu-Kondo neared completion, so did the conspirators' plan reach its peak. The three kingdoms waited patiently for the perfect moment to strike.
Inside Zulu-Kondo
By the sixth month of the year, the walls were completed and dedicated to their god, Hamri. In celebration, ten young men were sacrificed to their deity, along with one princess for the purification of the land. The kingdom rejoiced, unaware of the impending doom.
That night, as King Elyzerudan slept, he had a disturbing dream. He saw himself trapped in a cage, surrounded by an angry mob, with Hankachif leading them. Suddenly, a mysterious voice called out, "Elyzerudan, wake up!"
He awoke abruptly, his heart pounding. Though such a vision would shake any man, for some reason, he remained eerily calm. Without hesitation, he donned his war armor, took his sword and shield, and descended into the temple to pray to Hamri.
Meanwhile, Hankachif slipped out of the kingdom and met with his allies at their secret meeting ground. As he arrived, he made a covert gesture, and the armies of Camelot, Hipparchus, and Jupar emerged. Their forces were vast—thirty thousand warriors, including cavalry, chariots, archers, and heavily armed foot soldiers.
Hankachif addressed the warriors with a fiery speech:
"My brothers! King Elyzerudan has humiliated us, oppressed us, and imposed heavy burdens upon us. He looks down on us as if we are nothing! This is the time to strike! The time for vengeance is now!"
His words ignited the fury of the warriors. The three kings stepped forward, reaffirming their pact, and together they marched toward the gates of Zulu-Kondo.
The Attack on Zulu-Kondo
As the enemy forces reached the walls, they began breaking through the gates. At first, no one in Zulu-Kondo noticed, but soon, the sounds of destruction echoed through the kingdom.
Elyzerudan, still deep in prayer, heard the commotion. Sensing betrayal, he rushed to Hankachif's quarters but found them empty. Then, he saw soldiers pouring through the broken walls, their weapons glinting under the moonlight.
At first, he thought it was an illusion, but when he realized the truth, he swiftly climbed the watchtower and rang the battle bell, alerting his warriors.
The kingdom erupted into chaos. Zulu-Kondo's warriors hastily armed themselves, but the thirty-thousand-man army had already infiltrated the city. The invaders split into groups, attacking different provinces simultaneously.
Hankachif raised his sword and gave the command: "Let the war begin!"
The night was filled with the clash of swords, the roar of warriors, and the cries of the innocent.
By 3 AM, ten thousand Zulu-Kondo warriors had perished. Women, children, and the elderly ran in terror, seeking refuge, but there was nowhere to hide. They did not even know who led the attack.
Prince Igem's Return
Meanwhile, Prince Igem, who had been away on a journey, was returning home when he saw Zulu-Kondo burning in the distance. Alarmed, he sent an emissary ahead to scout the situation.
When the scout returned, his face was filled with sorrow.
"My prince, Zulu-Kondo has fallen," he said.
Tears streamed down Igem's face as he listened to the grim report. His men urged him to turn back, and without hesitation, they rode toward his mother's homeland, the Endian Palace, where his father had once ruled.
The Fall of Zulu-Kondo
As dawn approached, Zulu-Kondo lay in ruins. The remaining warriors were either slain or captured. Elyzerudan, severely wounded, was finally taken prisoner by Hankachif.
At sunrise, the armies marched triumphantly into Camelot, celebrating their victory. But behind Hankachif's back, the three kings conspired against him. They lured him into the forest under false pretenses and ordered two guards to assassinate him.
However, Hankachif, ever the warrior, sensed the betrayal. Before his would-be assassins could strike, he swiftly drew his sword and impaled them both. Without hesitation, he fled into the depths of the unknown forest.
Hankachif's Transformation
For three days, Hankachif wandered, exhausted and starving. Eventually, he stumbled into the domain of the Forest Beasts, a tribe of monstrous creatures who ruled the wilderness. They captured him and took him to their high priest.
To Hankachif's astonishment, the priest called him by name and foretold his destiny:
"You will be a great king. You will conquer many lands, and nations will bow before you!"
The beasts saw his potential and decided to make him one of their own. They performed an ancient ritual, granting him immense power. They erased his memories and transformed him into a warrior with supernatural abilities. He was given a legion of beast-warriors—giant creatures that could fly and breathe fire.
With his new army, Hankachif set out to conquer all the kingdoms, including Camelot, Hipparchus, Jupar, and even Zulu-Kondo itself.
The Final War
Back in Camelot, the three kingdoms had merged into one, leaving Zulu-Kondo abandoned. A new ruler, King Hupus, was elected, and one of his first decrees was to publicly execute Elyzerudan.
As Elyzerudan stood before his captors, blinded and awaiting death, the sky darkened. A monstrous roar echoed through the air.
Hankachif had returned.
His beast army descended upon Camelot, raining fire and destruction. The people screamed in terror as Hankachif landed, decapitating King Hupus with a single strike.
The war was swift and brutal. By the time it ended, half of Camelot's population had been annihilated. Elyzerudan was fed to the wolves, and Hankachif declared himself the new king, forgetting Zulu-Kondo's very existence.
The Rise of Prince Igem
Meanwhile, Prince Igem gathered his forces. Swearing vengeance for his fallen family, he prepared for war.
Would he succeed in reclaiming Zulu-Kondo? Or would Hankachif's monstrous reign continue?
The battle was far from over.
(To be continued....