Chapter: The First Betrayal
"Dad… what is that?" Akem asked softly. "Is that a ship? It looks like a floating city."
Shaka stared out across the sea, stunned. The ships of Maroo were humble fishing vessels, crafted for survival, not dominance. What stood on the horizon was something else entirely — a steel mountain drifting across the ocean.
"Son… I've never seen anything like this before," Shaka said quietly.
Far in the distance, the colossal vessel battled violent winds and towering waves. The storm pushed against it relentlessly, forcing it to turn away, retreating back toward the horizon.
"We need to return to the village," Shaka said at last. "I must inform the elders."
---
They rode swiftly on horseback, cutting through the land until they reached the council chambers. Shaka wasted no time.
"Brothers and sisters," he declared, "a massive ship — the size of a mountain — seeks our shores. The winds and waves themselves resist it."
An elderly man rose slowly to his feet.
"The Goddesses warned us of this," Imaru said gravely. "We must never allow them passage into the Kingdom of Maroo."
A younger voice cut through the chamber.
"With respect, Imaru, we do not know their intentions," said Rami. "They may offer knowledge… trade… opportunity. We should not close our minds out of fear."
Imaru slammed his staff against the floor.
"Fool! You would defy the Goddesses themselves? Blasphemy! I will not hear it.*"
The chamber erupted into chaos. Voices clashed. Accusations flew. All seven council members argued — all except Shaka.
"ENOUGH!"
Silence fell instantly.
"Division will only weaken us," Shaka said firmly. "It will solve nothing."
Akem, standing quietly at the back, felt pride swell in his chest. His father's authority was undeniable.
"For now," Shaka continued, "follow me. I will show you the ship."
---
At the seafront, the council stood frozen in disbelief as the steel colossus loomed in the distance.
"It's… like a floating city," said Afenfi, her voice barely above a whisper.
"A monstrosity," Imaru spat. "This can only mean trouble."
The ship fought the sea once more before slowly turning away, vanishing beyond the horizon.
"Did they leave?" Akem asked innocently.
"No," Imaru replied. "They will return when the weather favors them."
"What will we do?"
Imaru scoffed. "What can we do? Did you see the size of that thing?"
He raised his hands toward the sky.
"We will pray. The Goddesses will protect us."
The council agreed.
"There is no need to frighten the village," Imaru said. "We will say it was a smaller vessel lost at sea. Seni Beach is now forbidden."
His gaze turned to Akem.
"And you will tell no one."
"He won't," Shaka said calmly. "He's my son."
---
The explanation was given to the villagers. Many accepted it. Others whispered in doubt — no ship they knew could produce such a thunderous sound.
Weeks passed.
The ship continued to return, always turned away by the sea.
Imaru restricted all maritime travel. But Rami's curiosity grew unbearable.
One night, he took a small boat and approached within two hundred meters of the vessel. He was mesmerized — gold and jewels engraved into its hull, massive cannons lining its sides.
For the first time, Rami felt the world beyond Maroo calling to him.
He returned to shore, restless. He imagined wealth. Power. Escape. A life beyond this island — beyond planet Zee.
The next night, he ventured out again.
This time, the sea shattered his boat.
Rami was rescued by the foreigners.
Though language separated them, meaning did not. They fed him, showed him gold, diamonds, platinum. They placed a bag of coins in his hands.
They wanted Maroo's resources.
When one foreigner pointed at Rami, then at ten bags of coins, Rami recoiled in insult. He shook his head sharply.
"No."
They misunderstood — thinking of trade, not slavery.
Hands were shaken.
Rami returned to Maroo under cover of darkness, guiding two foreigners through the village. Plans were made. Resources were taken. Payments followed.
Confidence bloomed.
---
Rami went to the House of Healing to see Shankeka.
And there he saw her — kissing Hakeem.
Akem's older brother.
Shaka's son.
Rami's heart shattered.
For five years he had imagined her beside him. The future he believed was destined collapsed into bitterness. Resentment took root.
Later that night, Rami waited in the shadows.
"Hakeem," he called softly. "I need your help."
"What's wrong?" Hakeem asked, concerned.
"There's a massive ship off the coast," Rami said urgently. "They mean to harm us. We must stop them."
"We should tell the council—"
"No," Rami interrupted. "We do this alone."
He showed Hakeem the rescue boat.
"They're weak. I defeated two of them easily."
" Plus we are only sneaking on board to stink their ship, the less of us the better and easier it will be" proclaims Rami
After a pause, Hakeem nodded. "Alright. Let's end this."
---
When they reached the vessel, Hakeem froze. Its size stole his breath.
They climbed aboard.
Fifty soldiers awaited them — swords drawn, guns raised.
In one swift motion, Rami shoved Hakeem forward and gestured for payment.
Laughter erupted as bags of coins hit the deck.
Hakeem finally understood.
Fear crushed him. His body refused to move. His heart beat felt as if it was in his throat, such was his emotions.
He fought. Screamed.
Then darkness.
---
Rami turned away as Hakeem was dragged below deck.
He nodded to the foreigners and stepped back into the boat. His heart felt heavy with guilt, his mind racing. The 2 hour journey back to coast of Maroo calmed his emotions.
He had committed the ultimate betrayal.
And this was only the beginning.