The morning sun barely touched the streets, yet the entire city felt colder than usual.
It wasn't the weather.
It was fear.
Ochieng could feel it in the air, a heavy presence hanging over Emerald City like an unspoken curse.
The Phantom King's return had sent waves through the underworld.
People were whispering. Terrified.
And Ochieng knew—this was only the beginning.
---
A Deadly Invitation
A sleek black envelope was slid under his door.
No name. No return address.
Ochieng picked it up, his instincts sharp.
He opened it.
Inside, a single sheet of paper with a handwritten message.
"Midnight. Black Lotus Club. Come alone. Let's settle unfinished business."
At the bottom, a small emblem—a silver chess piece.
Ochieng's eyes narrowed.
A King.
The Phantom King.
--
The club was alive with music, neon lights flickering over the dance floor.
People moved, laughed, drank.
Oblivious.
Ochieng walked in, his presence unnoticed.
But someone was watching.
A waitress slipped him a drink with a small note beneath the glass.
"Room 7. No weapons. No tricks."
Ochieng smirked.
The Phantom King still had theatrics.
He downed the drink in one sip—then made his way toward the back.
---
Room 7 was dimly lit. The scent of expensive cigars filled the air.
A single man sat in the leather chair, swirling a glass of wine.
He looked up.
And Ochieng's heart slowed.
The face before him was one he had seen die.
One he had buried.
Yet here he was. Alive.
The Phantom King.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," the man said, his lips curving into a smirk.
Ochieng stepped forward, his voice calm but sharp.
"That's because I have."
--
The Phantom King leaned back.
"Things have changed, Ochieng."
"You shouldn't be alive," Ochieng replied, eyes unreadable.
The Phantom King chuckled. "And yet, here I am. Back to finish what we started."
Ochieng's fists clenched. "Why now?"
A pause.
Then, the Phantom King's smirk disappeared.
"Because the world forgot who I was," he said. "And it's time I remind them."
He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"And you, Ochieng… are standing in my way."
Silence.
Then, the Phantom King set a small chess piece on the table.
A black knight.
"Your move," he said.
Ochieng stared at it.
Then, without a word, he turned and walked out.
He didn't need to say anything.
The war had begun.
---