Three Kings

Immediately after Jai killed Majeed, panic set in. One of their leaders was dead, just like that. Majeed was the weakest of the three, but he was still a leader nonetheless. Now, he was gone.

Before anyone could react, Jai spoke again.

"Zai..."

"Yes, Your Majesty," General Zai replied.

"Tell Hammed to fire at will upon the city. It's time for Bintan to fall," Jai ordered.

Zai looked at Jai, then at the men around her, before replying, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Once General Zai departed, Jai turned to face the men around him.

"This city has acted as if it were untouchable under Ken for far too long. Sultan Rashid and his family have used Bintan's wealth solely for their gain. They have betrayed the faith the crown placed in them and this city to build their power, further detaching themselves from the country. From now on, Bintan will no longer be the isolated city in Wize. I declare Bintan a mine and nothing else. The city itself will cease to exist, and its people will be exterminated."

As soon as he said those words, Jai drew his sabers, and all hell broke loose.

No one could react as swiftly as the God Sword. In the brief moment when he unsheathed his weapons, heads began to roll. His sabers moved with terrifying speed and precision. The men scrambled to organize themselves amidst the chaos.

"Men, get to your stations and prepare for battle!" one of them shouted.

Some soldiers managed to reach the bombardment cannons, ready to fend off the incoming army. However, only a few made it there. Jai moved quickly and lethally, blinking across the battlefield, killing everyone in his path.

"Stop him!" someone screamed.

"Arghhh!!" another cried out as the God Sword severed his arm before slicing him vertically in half.

Jai was just getting started. He destroyed several of the bombardment cannons around the wall, setting the entire area ablaze. Amidst the raging inferno, a loud boom echoed from afar—General Zai had delivered the message, and General Hammed had delivered the first strike.

Hearing the sound, Jai looked at his prey. Some men were still alive. He was about to continue when a spear flew toward him from a distance. He dodged swiftly, and the spear struck the ground, causing cracks to spread from the impact point.

"Hmm," Jai murmured, turning toward the direction from which the weapon had come.

General Khalifa stood before the men. "Get ready to stop the enemy. We will deal with him," she commanded, as Meliesse appeared behind her.

"Oh," Jai said with a smirk as he saw them. "Another challenge..."

"King Jai," General Khalifa said mockingly, bowing slightly.

"I wasn't expecting you to come personally," she added.

"Oh, if it isn't Khalifa. You look great," Jai replied nonchalantly.

Meliesse stared at Jai, sensing something was off. She attempted to use her curse to probe his soul, and that was when it happened.

Abaddon, the entity within Jai, took over without warning.

"What are you doing?" Jai demanded internally.

"I sense someone trying to use my curse on me," Abaddon replied.

In an instant, Jai transformed. His hair turned silver, his eyes glowed purple, and he grew taller. Two additional arms emerged from his sides, and his entire aura changed.

"You," Jai said, pointing at Meliesse. "Ah, Meliesse, it's you, child."

"Lord Abaddon," Meliesse whispered in shock.

"What is that?" General Khalifa asked, equally stunned.

"He's the demon that cursed me" Meliesse replied, barely able to hide her fear.

"Run!" Meliesse screamed, but Jai/Abaddon was too fast.

His sabers struck General Khalifa, who barely blocked in time, preventing her immediate death.

"Come here," Abaddon growled at Meliesse. "Your soul is mine!" he roared, like a crazed beast.

"Shit!" Meliesse cursed, realizing the monster's intent. She shouted to the others, "Everyone, run! Take Khalifa and leave the city!"

"Come here!" Abaddon bellowed. "You owe me your soul, and I've come to collect!"

The monster wielded his twin sabers, summoning four more blades with cursed energy. Now armed with six swords, Abaddon unleashed his power.

"Fifth Sword: Falling Stars," he declared.

A blinding light descended from the heavens. Energy enveloped Abaddon, obliterating everything around him with a deafening explosion.

When the dust settled, the devastation was absolute. Everything and everyone around Abaddon was gone—except for Meliesse, who was still standing. But she wasn't alone; someone was holding onto her, or perhaps it was the other way around.

Abaddon stared at them, intrigued. "It seems you're both still alive... somehow," he said.

General Khalifa, though severely wounded, stood defiantly. "Do you think a curse will be enough to kill me?" she asked.

She prepared to attack, but Meliesse stopped her. "Wait. You can't stop him. It's me he wants. I'll keep him busy—take the chance to escape."

"And abandon my chance for revenge? Never!" Khalifa retorted.

"Look around!" Meliesse snapped. "Do you think you're in any state to win? You're too weak. Even before Jai became... this, you were no match for him. What makes you think righteous fury will make a difference now?"

Khalifa glared at Meliesse, seething, but said nothing.

"Leave before I change my mind," Meliesse insisted.

Khalifa hesitated, looking at the burning city and the unstoppable monster before them. She thought about how many seconds she might last against Jai—likely far fewer than Meliesse. Reluctantly, she turned to leave, knowing she had no choice.

As if sensing her doubt, Meliesse added, "Remember what I told you. If anyone can defeat him, it's him. He has the best chance. Now go. Find him. He will be your sword of vengeance where Burak and everyone else failed."

Khalifa looked back at Meliesse one last time before finally deciding to retreat.