The edges of K-noon[1] were suffocatingly dense, a forest where the sunlight barely touched the ground. Shadows hung like curtains between twisted trunks, and every step sounded like a threat. Through this chaos, a young man in his late teens bolted, lungs burning, heart hammering like a war drum.
He could hear it behind him—the relentless pursuit of something unseen. Panic clawed at him, sharp and unyielding. In desperation, he clapped his hands, and jagged stones erupted from the earth, forming a crude barrier that shattered against the undergrowth with a resounding crack. He didn't wait. He ran.
Soon, the forest ended abruptly. Before him, the sea stretched wide and merciless. Waves crashed against jagged rocks, mocking him with their deafening roar. Frantically, he scanned the shoreline, but there was no path, no way forward. His gaze lifted to the horizon, where a thick, rolling mist met the water. Within it, shadows moved—something enormous hiding behind the fog.
He inhaled sharply. And then, as if drawn by some force, he stepped into the mist.
<
The mist wrapped around him like a living thing, obscuring everything. Every step felt uncertain. The path back had vanished, leaving only disorientation. Then, beneath his foot, a faint whistle of wind—a sudden, unnatural shift—made him jump. His body tensed as the breeze intensified, whipping around him violently.
He spun, catching movement behind him, then turned again. A flash of white streaked past—fast, almost spectral. His knees trembled. Fear gripped him, paralyzing him momentarily… before an invisible hand slammed him down, darkness pressing into his vision, a sharp sting at the back of his neck the last thing he felt.
Inside the grand Council Hall of the island, tension hung thick, heavier than the stone walls themselves. The Island Leader sat with his elders, robes rustling softly as they murmured among themselves. Two female warriors stood rigidly before them, eyes fixed on the ground, knowing they faced judgment.
"This is outrageous , how could this have happened ." Elder one began
"The last time an outsider stepped foot on this island," Elder Two says, voice cold, "it ended in bloodshed and slavery. We cannot allow such negligence again."
"You were stationed at the gate, monitoring all threats.then how come?" Elder Three added, his gaze sharp.
"I… I am sorry, my elders," the female warrior began, voice trembling. "Alysha needed a pass… she was unwell, so I scouted for her. Only for a moment—but when I returned, the pathway… it had already formed."
"Outrageous!" Elder One barked. "Because of her negligence, an outsider has breached our defenses!"
"If anyone must be punished, let it be me. Alysha is innocent," she pleaded.
Alysha, standing nearby, whispered Orica's name, her voice soft, sympathetic, torn between duty and compassion. The elders' expressions shifted, a flicker of pity and disbelief crossing their faces.
"My lead [2]and elders," Elder Four muttered, voice low and dark, "I say we kill the outsider." Quiet agreement rippled through the hall.
The door slammed open, a gust of cold wind announcing the arrival of a masked figure clad in leetus [3]fur,[4] white and imposing. "And then what?" he said, voice calm, yet carrying the weight of authority. "Leave the pathway open for our enemies? We cannot allow history to repeat itself."
He patted the young warriors' heads gently. "You are not to be punished. You may leave."
All eyes turned to the figure now revealed: Chief, a man of calm authority, not the Island Leader but a figure whose word carried weight. With a slight wave, he dismissed the two warriors.
"What brings you here, Chief?" Elder Five asked.
"The same thing you seek a solution for—and it is certainly not killing," he replied, eyes steady, assessing each elder in turn.
"Then what do you suggest?" Elder One pressed.
"Convince him to sink the pathway," Chief answered, his tone matter-of-fact.
A tense silence settled over the hall. Elder Six's voice cut through the quiet: "And if he refuses? Then what?"
"I say we kill him!" Elder One roared, the sound echoing off the stone walls.
Chief remained unflinching. "Reason with me. I understand the horrors of the past—but we do not kill those who come seeking help."
"And how do you know?" the Island Leader challenged.
"This man arrived broken and hurt," Chief said, sympathy softening his features.
The leader considered this. "I am touched by your mercy… but he has paved a way for our enemies. And for this your girls will guard the pathway overnight."
Chief nodded"I understand, but will consider fixing the pathway first , I have my generals talking him into it " . The elders chuckled quietly.
"Is there a problem? Did I say something wrong?" Chief asked, scanning the room.
"Is Neon among them?" Elder Four asked.
"Yes," Chief replied.
"Just so you know—he can be… unpredictable toward outsiders," Elder Four warned.
"I see. Elder Kakah, remain calm. My generals do not act with violence lightly," Chief reassured him.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the island, the young man awoke, cold and dazed. Chains bit into his wrists and knees, his gag muffling frustrated grunts. His eyes blinked open to dim light, muscles screaming with tension.
Footsteps echoed, deliberate and menacing. Two figures entered: one marked by a deep scar across his cheek, the other masked. Gareth's eyes flared with hatred.
The scarred man grabbed him roughly, forcing him into a chair, removing the gag. "Name, lad," he demanded.
"Gareth… I—I only came here be—"
A sudden punch stopped him. Blood dripped from his lips.
"I only asked you for your name , nothing else " the man repeated, voice like stone.
"who sent you here "again asking another question
"that's-ts what I'm trying to say , I was been chased my way her- "again another punch.Gareth faltered.
"Enough!" a commanding voice rang out—Chief had arrived. The female warriors snapped to attention.
"I gave you a permission to approach an outsider and talk sense to him, not attack him!" Chief scolded.
"Predictable," muttered the masked figure.
"Deo, you were supposed to ensure everything went as planned," Chief said sharply.
"Not my fault. He needed someone to punch," Deo quipped, the man wearing the mask.
Neon stepped forward. "We can handle this—"
"No. Not while this madness unfolds," Chief interrupted, restraining Neon, lifting Gareth with careful strength.
"Put him down!" Neon demanded. Gareth hit the floor hard, but Chief moved swiftly to steady him.
"Apologies—my associates can be… enthusiastic," Chief said calmly.
Gareth spat blood. "Keep your apologies. You attacked me first—I'm innocent!"
Chief silenced him.
"don't do it don't show your face "alarmed deo but chief went on anyway and took off his mask.
"wait how did you know he would take it off?" Neon asked.
"How many times do we have to go through this conversation," Deo interrupted.
Chief spoke again, voice firm yet calm. "I am Chief—not the Island Leader, though one exists. Gareth, you have brought issues along your journey. The dry land you crafted to reach this island… must be restored. Understood?"
Gareth stared, recognition flickering in his eyes. "It's… you? , i mean your .....hmm"
"Aha!" Chief grinned. But before Gareth could speak further, Deo struck him unconscious.
"What gives?" Chief muttered, tension radiating from the room.
Deo smirked. "I'll not wait for him to speak—it was obvious what he was going to say."
???:<[Argh!!!Stop messing with the script!]> a voice muttered from nowhere in Deo's mind.
"F*** you!" Deo shot back, earning a sharp glare from Crescent, restoring order.
"Tell me what's happening," Crescent demanded.
"Something big is approaching," Deo warned. An alarm blared, and a female warrior burst in.
"Expert [5]Omega!" she announced.
"Shit," Crescent muttered, tension gripping every soul in the room.
[1] a continent that would yet or sonner be explained
[2] Short for MY LEADER
[3] The leetus is a creature of striking presence, a predator both feared and revered in the islands’ lore. Roughly the size of a large bear, its bulk is muscular and imposing, yet it moves with a feline grace that belies its mass. Its fur is thick and bristly, naturally white, streaked with subtle silver patterns that shimmer in moonlight—giving it an almost ethereal, ghostlike appearance.Its head is broad, with high, jagged cheekbones and sharp, intelligent eyes that glint like polished amber, always alert, always calculating. Massive claws extend from its paws, black as obsidian, capable of rending wood or stone if provoked. Despite its terrifying physicality, the leetus carries an air of wisdom; its posture and deliberate movements suggest a creature aware of both predator and protector roles.When it moves through the forest, the underbrush bends around it, almost respectfully. A low, resonant growl emanates from its throat—not just a sound, but a vibration that seems to echo through
[4] the ground, warning those nearby. Its voice carries a strange intelligence, capable of imitation and nuanced tones, which many islanders interpret as a form of communication.Legends say the leetus can sense intruders and intentions alike, often appearing where the balance of power is threatened. Rarely aggressive without cause, but when provoked or commanded, it is a nearly unstoppable force—both guardian and weapon, embodying the ferocity and wisdom of the wild.
[5] it's a ranking id