The Skyborn High Council Chambers—deep within Nairobi Prime's soaring silver towers—buzzed with tension. Tall, regal beings of radiant presence sat around a circular, levitating platform. Their robes shimmered in golds and silvers, and celestial glyphs danced across the room's domed ceiling.
At the head of the council stood Eliadan Muthui, Selasi's father. His voice was calm, but the weight of what he carried made every syllable feel like thunder.
"The readings are undeniable. There's a massive surge of spiritual energy in East Africa. Kenya, to be precise—specifically around the Kakamega region. I believe… Effilim walks again."
The room broke into whispers and murmurs. Eliadan continued, "My daughter, Selasi, is already in the field. She's tracking the vessel. If we can secure him before the Abbysborn move—"
A sharp voice cut through the air. High Judge Tavion, older than most and twice as fierce, slammed his hand on the translucent table.
"Effilim was—and still is—an abomination. If that boy is indeed his vessel, we must neutralize the threat before another war starts!"
A wave of agreement rippled through the room. Tavion sneered, "There is no middle ground in heaven. One is either of the light or of the dark. Lukewarm souls will be spit out."
Eliadan stood firm. "But what if he can choose a different path? What if he isn't like Effilim?"
No one responded. The decision had been made.
The clash of steel rang across the ancient treetops. Selasi moved like lightning—her blade carving arcs of light against the dense air. Her opponent, Aahliya Shenati, fought with animalistic strength, swinging her black, rune-etched mace with brutal precision.
Selasi's locs, tied neatly behind her head, danced with every motion. Her golden armor shimmered faintly, contrasting Aahliya's rugged, matte-black gear and the twisted bandana hiding her demonic horns. They were both beautiful in their own right—perfectly symmetrical faces locked in a furious duel of ideology and power.
Meanwhile, below the hovering battle, Kayen sat surrounded by snarling Hell Hounds—massive beasts with obsidian skin stretched tight over muscles, glowing red eyes, and jagged teeth too large for their maws.
"Use me, you idiot…"
Kayen's eyes darted. "Who's there?!"
"I'm inside your head. Let me help you."
He clutched his temple. Pain lanced through his skull. His left eye darkened to pure black while a faint white glow rimmed the iris of his right. The beasts sensed the shift. They growled louder.
Then, one leapt.
Kayen ducked and rolled, grabbing a nearby stone and smashing it against the hound's snout. Another pounced—he twisted mid-air, using the beast's momentum to throw it into a tree. His body moved with unnatural agility, a subconscious dance of instinct and power.
Up above, the girls paused, sensing the sudden burst of spiritual force.
They turned.
Kayen stood amidst the beasts, holding one by the throat. With a growl of his own, he slammed it into the ground—its body twitched once, then lay still.
"That's… not normal," Selasi murmured.
Aahliya, seeing an opening, rushed towards Selasi -but a white whip streaked from the trees and wrapped around her torso, flinging her into the earth with a loud BOOM. Dirt and debris scattered.
Floating down from the canopy came a bald man in silver-blue armor. His presence was commanding. A massive greatsword lay sheathed on his back, but it was the whip in his right hand that had delivered judgment.
Captain Davis Wilter of the Skyborn Elite.
Selasi's eyes widened. "Captain…"
Before she could speak, his whip lashed again—this time around Kayen's body.
"No!" she shouted.
"He's a threat. We neutralize threats," Davis replied, closing his eyes. White light pulsed down the whip.
Kayen's body went limp. Still breathing… but unconscious.
With calm efficiency, Davis cuffed the unconscious Aahliya and slung her over his shoulder.
"Shouldn't you be on your way?" he asked Selasi coolly.
He dropped Kayen's limp form at her feet. "He was your responsibility. You carry him."
Selasi clenched her jaw. "Captain, I—"
But Davis was already walking away, disappearing into the mist.
Muttering under her breath, Selasi lifted Kayen in her arms. "Trouble seems to follow you," she whispered.
With a great flap of her golden wings, she soared into the sky—leaving the cracked forest behind and behind her Davis followed.