Ochieng took another step toward the throne.
And the world resisted.
BOOM!
A force unlike any other crashed down upon him, pressing against his shoulders like the weight of a thousand mountains.
The warriors behind him gasped as they were instantly forced to their knees, their faces turning pale.
But Ochieng?
He kept walking.
Each step he took shattered the invisible force that tried to break him.
The throne was not just a seat of power.
It was a test.
One that had crushed countless before him.
But he was not like them.
---
As Ochieng reached the base of the throne, the golden inscriptions above it began to glow.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
A blinding light exploded outward, and phantom figures appeared in the air, surrounding him.
They were ancient kings.
The rulers who had once sat on this throne.
Their eyes burned with divine light as they stared down at him.
One of them, a towering figure clad in black and gold armor, stepped forward.
"You are not worthy." His voice was like rolling thunder. "Turn back now, and we will not erase you from existence."
Ochieng smirked.
"Erase me?" He chuckled, cracking his knuckles. "Try it."
The ancient kings exchanged glances.
Then—
They attacked.
---
SHOOM!
A blade of golden energy slashed toward Ochieng, aiming to cleave him in half.
But just before it could reach him—
He vanished.
And in the next moment—
CRACK!
Ochieng appeared behind the ancient king, his fist smashing into his back.
The armored king stumbled forward, his eyes widening in shock.
The other spirits surged forward.
Some wielded swords.
Some unleashed torrents of fire and lightning.
Some moved faster than sound itself.
But Ochieng met them all head-on.
A step forward.
A punch to the gut.
A kick to the ribs.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
One by one, the ancient kings fell.
Their divine bodies flickered, their souls trembling.
Ochieng wiped the blood from his lip and smirked.
"Is that all?"
The last remaining spirit, an old man with piercing eyes, stared at him.
Then, he laughed.
"You remind me of him… the first King."
His voice echoed, fading away.
And just like that—
The spirits vanished.
The throne stood unguarded.
Waiting for him.
---
Ochieng did not hesitate.
He turned—
And sat upon the throne.
Instantly—
BOOM!
A wave of pure golden energy exploded outward, shaking the entire realm.
The sky split open.
The ground cracked.
Lightning fell like rain.
And within Ochieng's body—
Something awakened.
His blood roared. His soul burned.
And deep within him… a forgotten power stirred.
The golden-robed elders, watching from above, had only one thought in their minds.
A king has returned.
---