Orahime's Palace
In a distant and mysterious land, far removed from the ordinary world, stood Orahime's Palace—home to the descendants of Orahime. It was here that destiny quietly sharpened its claws.
Upon the ancient throne sat King Ali, his posture heavy, his eyes hollow. The weight of the crown pressed deeper into him with every passing day.
Maria…
Ever since her passing, nothing had been right.
Handling the responsibilities of a king while carrying the grief of a widower had drained the life from him. Ruling a kingdom, raising a child, and bearing a burden that was never meant to be his—it was all too much.
A familiar voice broke through his thoughts.
"Father."
Ali looked up, startled. "Zanu? I didn't see you there."
Standing before him was Zanu, his daughter—strong, sharp-eyed, and far wiser than her years.
"I'm tired of watching you suffer," she said firmly. "This burden was never yours. It belongs to Alex."
Ali stared at her, confused.
"I had some of my men investigate Mauja," Zanu continued. "And her son. His name is Alex. He's alive… somewhere in Sumdem. He left the orphanage before my men could reach him."
She stepped closer. "Grant me permission to go to the outer world and bring him back."
Ali sighed deeply. "Zanu… I know you're trying to help me. But we don't even know if Alex is alive anymore."
"Then let me find out," she pressed. "Grant me permission—"
"Zanu, my child, I—"
She looked straight into his eyes. "Don't you get it, Dad? You're going to die if you keep sitting on that throne. It isn't yours. It was never yours. It belongs to the chosen one."
Ali's breath hitched.
"Can't you see?" she continued softly. "Your lifeline shortens every time you sit there."
Ali clenched his fists. "I can't just watch this kingdom crumble without a king."
"You have to," Zanu said firmly. "What matters more—your people, or me?"
Silence filled the hall.
"Let me go," she said. "There's a chance—"
"The outside world is evil," Ali interrupted. "They will destroy you the way they destroyed Mauja."
Zanu didn't flinch. "One of us has to face it eventually. One of us must carry this burden for the sake of this kingdom."
She paused. "I don't know much about Mauja… but I know she was brave."
Zanu lifted her chin. "I'll soon be crowned queen, Father. Don't you think this queen can handle the outside world?"
Ali shook his head slowly. "This stubborn nature of yours will be the cause of your early demise. You're too young. I can't lose you the way I lost Mauja."
She stepped closer, her voice gentler now. "Dad, trust me. Don't overthink this."
She placed a hand over her heart. "I promise—as the daughter of Ali, and the future queen of this kingdom—I will bring Alex, the rightful heir, back to this palace."
A faint smile touched her lips. "Besides… the only person who can kill me is Alex."
Ali exhaled, defeated.
"There's nothing I can say that will change your mind," he said quietly. "All I ask is this—when things get hard, come home. There's no place safer than home."
He smiled sadly. "Please don't do anything reckless. You're all I have left."
"I will," Zanu replied softly. "I promise."
She turned toward the exit. "I've already packed my things. I'll be on my way."
With one last smile, she left the hall.
Ali remained seated. Slowly, he pulled out a small locket from his pocket. Inside was a picture of Maria, smiling gently, with a toddler Zanu in her arms.
"If only you were here," he whispered, "to see how grown your baby girl has become."
His voice broke. "Zanu… please be safe."
The palace fell silent once more—but destiny had already begun to move.