KING NABU AND HIS FORBIDDEN BETHROTAL

A KINGDOM IN RUINS

The cries of the Isaki still haunted him, the smell of burnt earth clinging to his robes. His body ached from the possession, but the worst pain lay deep within, guilt.

He had been Kataki's puppet. He had believed he was in control. But now, as the embers died and silence took over, the truth was unbearable. The heir to the throne just wiped out a lineage of warriors, healers and protectors.

His hands trembled as he thought of Mandlavi. Her face, once filled with love for him, now twisted in terror. He had spared her in the end, but at what cost? Her home, her sisters, her child, everything was gone because of him.

The future king of tengaki began to loose his sanity, the guilt of that night never left him as well as the constant murmuring ok kataki in his head. For the first time in his life, the heir to the throne of tengaki, once proud, once feared, felt small.

Like wild fire, the news of the isakis had reached every part of tengaki and soon the ears of the king. Kovu stormed through the halls of the Tengaki palace, his heart pounding with rage. He couldn't believe what he heard about the isakis. the Isakis were no more. Their sacred land, their people, all gone.

He had fallen to his knees when he first heard it, horror sinking into his bones. Mandlavi… Ramna… his child. He had wanted to protect them. But it was too late.

And the one responsible? is His own brother. Kovu didn't hesitate. He found Lahara kneeling in the royal temple head bowed, looking broken. But Kovu didn't care. He grabbed Lahara's robe and yanked him up, their faces inches apart.

"What have you done?!" Kovu's voice cracked with fury.

Kovu face turned pale, his dark eyes red-rimmed with fury and grief. His robe was dishelved, his chest rising and falling with deep, uneven breaths.

"Do you even understand what you've destroyed?!"

Lahara didn't fight back. He only whispered, "I didn't mean for it to happen this way. brother"

But Kovu shook his head.

"You don't get to say that! You don't get to regret it now!" His voice was hoarse with grief. "I loved her, Lahara! And now she's gone!"

"What have you done to the mother of my child"

Lahara flinched at the words.

"Loved her? Did you really love her?

I met her first kovu, you stole her away from me.

I found the isakis and where they dwell, I found mandlavi.

If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have found her.

I was there when she went through the isakis moon, I stood by her and loved her, but what did you do?

You showed up and took her away from me"

"Is that why you killed her, you wiped out all the isakis?

"How could you be so cruel, you claim to love her and yet you did this", kovu said as tears rushed down his eyes.

"You killed my child and the love of my life; I will never forgive you brother".

Kovu's hands shook as he let go.

"You are not my brother. Not anymore."

Its just a matter of time before father hears about this, what do I do he murmured to himself.

(knock on the door)

"Get out I do not wish to see anyone" prince lahara yelled

"I'm sorry your majesty but you have been summoned by your father the king and the rest of the council at the great hall", his maid said.

This was a sensitive case, prince lahara, the heir to the throne of tengaki, took away the balance of the world. King Rua was disappointed at his son but he was the king Afterall and everyone shall obey the rules of tengaki.

Back in the tengaki palace, in the great hall of the palace, the great hall was dimly lit, the golden throne at the far end bathed in flickering torchlight. King Rua sat upon his stone throne, his face unreadable.

His guards had whispered the news, but he had waited for confirmation. Now, the truth stood before him—his son, prince Lahara, had wiped out the Isaki people, the one who had destroyed the balance of the world.

He exhaled slowly. "The Isakis were Tengaki's greatest secret," Rua said, his voice cold. "Without them, the balance is lost."

The council murmured in fear. The Isakis had been powerful seers, healers, and protectors of the land. Their abilities had ensured peace, stability, and power. Their destruction was not just an act of war, it was an act of foolishness.

King Rua studied prince lahara for a long moment before speaking.

"You have cost this kingdom mor than you can possibly understand."

Lahara lowered his gaze

"I was deceived and possessed by kataki"

I don't know so much about the celestial beings but I do know kataki is not one to mess with. He goes after those with evil hearts, so lahara what is it that you're not telling me? The said with his clenched fist against his throne, King Rua said.

"That is all, father" he replied

The council murmured among themselves. Some called for lahara's punishment while others debated what should be done. Kovu stood at the far end of the hall, watched his brother go cold in front of his father.

"The isakis have been of great help to this community, Made ruling for me easy. Now I am old and I can no longer rule this kingdom.

The kingdom cannot afford to crumble and the throne must not be left empty",

Rua said, avoiding eye contact with his son, Kovu and the council.

"Lahara will take the throne" and just as Rua said this the hall fell silent.

"what!!" Kovu and the council exclaimed.

But father, lahara said hesitatingly.

Now more than ever we need a leader. Rua said.

"I can't believe this father, after everything he did, you reward him?" kovu said with extreme shock on his face

You cannot understand the ways of a king at least not yet.

Kovu felt betrayed and never found lahara deserving of the throne but Rua just like Kataki used his son for his own benefit.

As the protectors of the land were eliminated, the kingdom needed reassurance, a symbol of strength amidst chaos. the old king, Rua had asked everyone to get ready for the coronation of the new king, king lahara. Lahara stood at the center of the great hall, Adorned in ceremonial robes. the golden crown gleamed in the torchlight, its weight pressing against his skull.

The tengaki nobles stood in silence, their expression uncertain, whispers filled the room.

"he is to young"

"This is a mistake"

"Did he not destroy the isakis?"

Lahara heard them all whisper, even if he was crumbling inside, he had no choice but to keep a straight face. Just as the whispers were going on in the hall, the high priest stepped forward, holding the sacred sceptre passed on to the kings of tengaki.

"lahara, son of Rua, do you swear to rule this kingdom with wisdom, strength and honour?"

Lahara hesitated. He took a quick glance at the people of tengaki. how can a man like me rule this kingdom, he thought to himself. His hands trembled as he reached for the sceptre

"I swear"

Those words were as heavy as the guilt on him. The crown was placed upon his head. The weight of it felt like a curse.