Domra, accompanied by his colony, entered the Perebia roofless throne room and bowed deeply.
"Dahra! We've brought him – your father," he announced.
Dahra, seated on his throne, sprang to his feet. His eyes widened in eager anticipation as he hastened toward Domra.
"Where is he? Where's my father?" he demanded.
Just then, a muscular Anthropter emerged from the colony's ranks, bearing an unconscious figure slung over his shoulder like a lifeless burden. Dahra's expression transformed – worry and concern visible on his face.
"What happened to him? Why is he unconscious?"
"He was struck by an unfamiliar weapon from his planet, but as the Jyuran, he healed a couple of hours ago."
Dahra's face contorted in rage. With lightning speed, he grasped Domra's throat, lifting him off the ground.
"I ordered you to bring him unharmed! How could you permit insignificant beings to harm him? What if something had happened to him?"
Dahra's thunderous voice echoed through the throne room, striking fear into the hearts of the colony. They watched in terror as their leader dangled in Dahra's grasp, powerless to intervene.
Domra's attempts at speech were futile, his airway constricted by Dahra's unyielding grip. His eyes pleaded for mercy as his face turned a deep shade of crimson.
Dahra, recognizing the futility of further aggression, relaxed his hold. Domra collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.
"Thank you for sparing me, my lord!" he exclaimed.
Dahra's gaze shifted to Mike, his hand extending to touch his father's limp fingers. And suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over him.
A profound sense of reconnection surged through him as if bridging a chasm that had divided him from his heritage for far too long.
"He looks exhausted. Take him inside and hang him," Dahra said. A gentle smile spread across his face, his green lips curling upward.
Domra, still shaken, hastened to obey, rising from the ground. He led the muscular Anthropter, who bore Mike's limp form, toward the platform of the throne. Together, they navigated the winding path to the rear of the thrones.
A majestic entrance beckoned, leading to the opulent Royal Quarters. As they passed through the doorway, Mike's limp body swayed, a poignant contrast to the grandeur surrounding him.
With a fluid motion, Dahra settled into his throne, his gaze lingering on the departing figures. As the rest of the Anthropter warriors got out of the throne room, Dahra's smile blossomed into a mischievous grin, his green lips stretching across his face.
"Finally, my father has returned," he declared triumphantly.
*****
A few distances from the majestic walls of the Perebia kingdom, an imposing mountain stood sentinel, concealing secrets within its ancient depths.
Deep within the mountain's labyrinthine interior, a vast cavern sprawled, sheltering an underground village.
The cavern's ground was adorned with six venerable Anthropters, collectively known as the Council of Arado – revered guardians who had earned the moniker The Jyuran' Slayers.
These six wise individuals were the most elderly members of the Arado clan, having witnessed the passage of time etch its indelible mark on their lineage.
Legend held that the Council of Arado was blessed – or cursed – with thirteen cycles of life. They would experience the mystifying phenomenon of rebirth, their essence revived, and their wisdom compounded with each successive life, until their thirteenth and final incarnation.
The Council and the clan's sacred purpose was to maintain harmony between the Jyuran and the thrones, ensuring balance and order. They acted as mediators, quelling discord and subduing rogue Jyurans who threatened the fragile peace.
Cat, the most senior member of the Council, possessed unparalleled wisdom garnered from countless lifetimes. The previous day, she had received a profound vision – a revelation that demanded immediate attention and sharing with the Council.
In anticipation of this critical gathering, the Council had agreed to convene within the grand cavern at dawn's break. As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the stage was set for a momentous discussion, one that would shape the destiny of the Arado clan and the realm beyond.
At the front of the cavern, a raised platform protruded from the wall, proudly displaying an emblem of a dove-like creature – an iconic symbol of peace and harmony. The image seemed to radiate serenity as if infusing the space with tranquility.
The cavern itself was bathed in a warm, golden glow, courtesy of the orangish sky's rays streaming through the entrance and strategically placed holes in the walls.
The ingenious design allowed natural light to illuminate the space, highlighting the rough-hewn yet masterfully crafted walls. The ancient architecture told tales of a long-forgotten era, its rugged beauty evoking awe.
As Cat entered the cavern, the murmurs among the council ceased. All eyes turned toward her as she gracefully navigated through the seated members. She ascended to the raised platform, settling into a position of authority.
Six additional Anthropters arrived quietly, their presence signifying their affiliation with the Arado clan. They stood at the rear of the council, observant and motionless, their eyes absorbing every detail.
"Comrades," Cat began, "you're aware of the vision I received yesterday. However, before sharing its significance, I must address a pressing matter." Her gaze swept across the council, engaging each member individually.
"For centuries, we've shouldered the responsibility of the Jyuran' Slayers, operating in the shadows, emerging only when duty beckons. We've safeguarded the thrones, protecting them from rogue Jyurans that threaten the fragile balance of power."
"As we all know, our role as the Jyuran' Slayers demands the ultimate sacrifice: laying down one of our thirteen lives to vanquish a rogue Jyuran, only to reincarnate again, perpetuating the cycle."
"The previous Jyuran, Jran, posed an unprecedented threat. But what's more alarming is that his monstrous offspring, Dahra – sealed away in the witches' blood five centuries ago – was freed forty years ago by the Radham's youngest son."
She stood up and took slow steps toward the edge of the platform, her face cast downward as she continued.
"We're all too familiar with the devastating consequences: the annihilation of the witches and the Royal families."
"Forty years ago, amidst the chaos, we managed to rescue one Royal descendant, but his injuries were so severe that he has remained unconscious, suspended between life and death."
"And as you already know, a kingdom without the Royals is like a child bereft of its mother – unthinkable. Perebia's very existence relies on the Royals' presence."
"Dahra has now reached the pinnacle of power, unopposed and unchallenged. He's systematically eliminated every witch who could potentially stand in his way, rendering any attempt to reseal him futile."
"He has suppressed all neighboring kingdoms beneath his dominance, and soon, there will be no safe haven for us on this planet."
"Is there even a safe place for us now?" Dango, a revered member of the Council, interjected, his expression equally somber.
Though appearing to be around the same age as Cat – comparable to a human in their late 70s – Dango was the youngest of the Jyuran' Slayers, currently living his fourth life.
"So what do you suggest we do now?" Mat, another esteemed Council member inquired.
His dark hair cascaded down to his shoulders, framing a youthful appearance that belied his middle-aged appearance.
He's the second-youngest member among the Jyuran Slayers, he has already lived through six previous lives and is now in his seventh incarnation.
"There are no more witches to seal him; only the Jyuran can vanquish him utterly," Mat continued, his words conveying the desperation of their plight. "Shouldn't we find him? Perhaps our only hope lies in locating him."
"Jran's malevolent spirit, which spawned Dahra, poses an insidious threat. We cannot guarantee the next Jyuran will resist his dark influence. He may succumb to Jran's dark, vengeful soul, risking possession and perpetuating the cycle of destruction."
"The resentment Jran harbors toward the thrones is a toxic legacy, imperiling our very future."
"Even if tracking down the Jyuran is our only recourse, do you genuinely believe we can succeed in locating him, considering Cat's sister has taken the Krara to an unknown location?" Kit, a venerable member of the council, interjected.