The black storm above churned with divine wrath, its crimson lightning crackling like the fury of ancient gods.
The Heavenly Tribunal had arrived.
Countless figures cloaked in celestial robes hovered in the air, their eyes radiating cold authority.
One elder whispered in horror, "This trial… it's different. They sent the Grand Adjudicators!"
Even the most powerful warriors in the realm had only ever faced lesser trials.
But for Ochieng—
The gods themselves had come.
---
A figure descended from the storm, its presence crushing the very air.
It was neither man nor beast—its form was shifting, a silhouette of divine law itself.
Its voice echoed like thunder:
"Ochieng. You have taken the throne of a forgotten bloodline."
"The heavens do not acknowledge you."
"Kneel, surrender your power, and you may yet live."
The warriors below trembled.
To defy the heavens was madness.
But Ochieng?
He laughed.
"Kneel? For what?" His golden eyes burned with defiance. "You think I need your approval?"
He stepped forward—
And the skies shook.
---
BOOM!
A pillar of black lightning crashed down, aiming to erase Ochieng from existence.
The ground shattered.
Mountains collapsed.
But when the dust settled—
Ochieng stood untouched.
His hand had caught the divine lightning.
CRACK!
He crushed it.
The celestial figures flinched.
This was not how it was supposed to go.
--
The storm above began to twist violently, as if the heavens themselves were in turmoil.
A second blast of power descended—twice as strong, capable of reducing kingdoms to ash.
Ochieng raised a single finger.
And—
BOOM!
The attack dissipated upon contact.
A moment of silence filled the world.
The Tribunal realized something terrifying.
The throne had not changed Ochieng.
He had changed the throne.
Heaven was no longer the highest authority.
He was.
-
One of the Grand Adjudicators staggered backward.
"This is impossible…"
Another, his voice shaking, uttered, "He… he must be erased."
The storm swirled with fury.
But Ochieng?
He simply took another step forward, his presence commanding.
"The heavens can judge whoever they want."
His golden aura erupted, splitting the storm apart.
"But not me."
---