Previously on Hakuna, the day where the Khanya princess, Nokukhanya Serame, intends to communicate with the fused spirit of Nolitha is at hand. However, the spiritual ritual is delayed as the narrative first visits what happened when the Bridge Clan princess confronted the disgraced Tshabadira King in order to fully make sense of the dire current situation.
Fade in…
The Empty Palace
Nokukhanya was seen walking across the desolate palace grounds of the Tshabadira Clan. She was surrounded by her Royal Squadron, their footsteps crisp against the broken stone pathways. She seemed visibly confused and unsettled by the state of the palace grounds.
"Hakuna never mentioned anything major happening to the main palace itself during the war, only the surrounding territories. Why is there such a profound deficiency of guards? This is their main compound," the Princess said, her voice laced with suspicion.
Noligoa then spoke, her hand instinctively resting on the hilt of her ceremonial weapon. "It is unnerving, Princess. Uncannily quiet. There is absolutely no one here to receive or welcome us. It feels less like a palace and more like a tomb."
As they reached the immense, ornately carved main door, it inexplicably swung open by itself, revealing the dark interior.
The squadron braced themselves, their defensive postures tightening, as the King of the clan, Thlomamo, was the one standing there, having apparently opened the massive door personally. He looked haggard and aged.
King Thlomamo muttered, his voice weak, a stark contrast to his past, booming presence. "Oh, Princess Nokukhanya. I did not expect this visit. What urgent matter brings the venerated Bridge Clan to my humble residence?"
The King did not wait for an answer, instead stepping aside to usher them inside the damaged palace.
…Inside the palace…
Nokukhanya wasted no time on pleasantries, her interrogation beginning instantly as she faced the defeated King. "So, King Thlomamo, are you going to immediately explain how your clan is able to systematically summon and utilize demons, and why you used them as a strategic asset in your war against the Letebele?"
King Thlomamo stammered, awkwardly rubbing his hands. "Hehe, ahh… Princess, it's not as simple as that. We just—"
Nokukhanya continued, her voice gaining authority, not letting the King speak further, her eyes flashing with righteous indignation. "You do realize how absolutely forbidden that practice is? It is a betrayal of the Ancestral Plain and the tribal treaties."
King Thlomamo replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, Princess. I am aware of the prohibitions."
"Your reckless, childish actions have led to this war of yours claiming the life of the Mehlomanelo Clan's Princess—an event that has destabilized the entire region," she said sternly, delivering the devastating charge.
"The Mehlomanelo Clan? I don't remember any part of their involvement in the war. I was fighting the Letebele. How were they even there?" he asked, utterly confused by the mention of the obscure clan.
Nokukhanya replied, stating the confirmed facts with cold detachment. "According to the detailed report given to me by Prince Hakuna Ntlamele, you had a brief but utterly crushing battle with her—losing decisively and starting your war against the Letebele in sheer retaliation for the defeat."
King Thlomamo's eyes widened as the memory snapped into focus—the memory of the young girl with blinding speed who had disarmed him with a single, contemptuous gesture. "You are telling me that little girl, the one who so humiliatingly defeated me, was the Princess of the Mehlomanelo Clan?"
"Yes," Nokukhanya declared, her tone carrying a roaring finality that echoed in the silent hall. "And your own daughter, Rorisang, killed her during the invasion of the Letebele territories."
"Oooohhh," the King muttered, the sound a low, pathetic realization of the massive, catastrophic political and spiritual implications of his war.
"I'm baffled by how playfully you are treating this entire existential situation," Nokukhanya said, noticing his strange, detached calm.
King Thlomamo replied, shrugging weakly. "It was just a w—"
Nokukhanya interjected, her patience evaporating completely. "Enough! King Thlomamo, you have involved a clan under our direct care in your meaningless, pathetic war, in turn thwarting the long-prophesied union between two of the most powerful clans in history. You have done this while using demons of all things, an act of unforgivable darkness. For your complete insolence, the Tshabadira clan will no longer be protected by the Khanya's spiritual influence. And for using forbidden summoning techniques in war, I will confiscate all knowledge you possess about summoning demons, including the crucial artifact you use to control them."
"Well, uhh, about that, Princess…" the King said, wringing his hands again.
"What is it, King Thlomamo? Do not test my patience further," Nokukhanya questioned, her eyes narrowing.
King Thlomamo then spoke, his voice trembling as he revealed his latest humiliation. "Lilith's Rib—that is the name of the artifact. It is the only thing we used. We only summoned demons with it, yes, but it has another, more disturbing property…"
The Philosopher's Confiscation
The scene shifts dramatically in time and atmosphere.
…6 weeks ago…
A cloaked, black-clad man was seen walking with purposeful intent towards the Tshabadira palace entrance.
The landscape seemed dramatically different from Nokukhanya's visit—the grounds were pristine, and the palace had sufficient, armed, and alert guards protecting the entrance.
The first Guard immediately questioned, raising his spear. "Who the hell are you? Halt immediately!"
The second Guard then shouted, more aggressively. "Leave the premises! This is restricted territory!"
The cloaked man stopped and spoke, his voice synthesized and cold. "Oh my, forgive me, my friend. I'm just baffled. You look... defeated."
The first guard attempted to speak, confusion clouding his mind. "Wha—ugh?"
In the blink of an eye—faster than the guards could register a motion—the cloaked man, revealing himself to be The Philosopher by that single, condescending statement, delivered two precise, incapacitating strikes, knocking out both guards instantly as he strode through the entrance.
King Thlomamo was seen sitting on his elaborate throne, staring down the daring, audacious intruder.
"You dare intrude upon my sacred palace, interloper?!" he questioned, his voice echoing in a manner that made him seem far larger and more powerful than his actual defeated state.
The Philosopher calmly retorted, looking around the empty hall. "Quite bold coming from someone who just recently lost a devastating war."
"What do you want, masked villain?" the King questioned, rising from his throne.
The Philosopher then said, looking directly and intensely at the King, the demand cutting through the air. "Lilith's Rib. Hand it over."
"I'm almost impressed by your complete and utter audacity," the King said, trying to buy time.
He raised his arm, signaling six of his most elite, hidden warriors to descend from the rafters, surrounding the Philosopher in a tight, lethal circle.
The Philosopher, displaying a menacing, chilling smile beneath his mask, began his assault with clinical, merciless efficiency.
He grabbed one of the warriors, using his momentum to smash them brutally to the ground. The rest converged on him instantly.
One by one, with terrifying speed and a strange, dark energy, he decimated all six warriors, leaving them unconscious, until only one remained. He seized the final conscious warrior only to use him as a projectile, throwing his heavy body directly towards King Thlomamo, knocking the monarch off his throne.
He then spoke, standing over the fallen King. "You know, I am generally not a fan of repeating myself. I will ask one final time: where is Lilith's Rib?"
He dramatically raised his power, and a pressure—crushing, suffocating, and unlike anything the King had ever felt—overwhelmed King Thlomamo.
King Thlomamo faltered, his will breaking instantly under the force. "Fine, fine! I'll give it to you!"
He quickly cast a subtle, focused retrieval spell, making the ancient, powerful artifact, Lilith's Rib, fall from its hidden repository directly into his outstretched hand.
He then, shaking, handed the artifact to the Philosopher.
The Philosopher inspected the bone, then spoke, his voice dripping with condescension. "Now, King Thlomamo, was that so hard? There was absolutely no need to send your brave dogs to me in the first place. And now, you look… defeated."
King Thlomamo thought to himself, simmering with impotent fury. "What in the Abyss is with that condescending tone? I'll find a way to—"
The Philosopher cut into his thoughts, speaking as if he could read the King's mind. "Hmm. I have decided. I'll adopt your dogs, King. They're coming with me to aid my own mission."
He raised Lilith's Rib high into the air. As the dark power surged through the artifact, all the unconscious warriors scattered around the hall instantly began to writhe and contort, their forms twisting and their flesh ripping as they were transformed into horrific, full-fledged demons.
"Impossible! The Rib could only summon, not convert!" the King muttered, horrified by the true nature of the artifact.
The Philosopher then concluded, his attention already elsewhere. "Although, you did give me plentiful entertainment, King. So, I'll spare you and your daughter, For now."
With a sudden, sharp jolt, the Tshabadira King intensified his gaze, finally realizing the catastrophic magnitude of what he had just lost. Not just power, but his entire standing.
"Good bye, defeated King," the masked man concluded.
He turned and walked away with absolute confidence, the newly formed Tshabadira demons filing silently out of the palace behind him.
The Bridge Clan's New Warning
…Present day, Tshabadira Palace…
"He took it, and he left with my entire standing army," the King said, concluding the astonishing story he had just been forced to tell.
Nokukhanya was visibly shaken. "How does he know about the Rib? How could he possibly know about that forbidden artifact?"
King Thlomamo replied, waving his hand weakly. "No clue. Possible espionage perhaps, but it's entirely futile to question anyone in my court now. They're all gone, Princess, and they're all demons."
"This is fundamentally bad, King Thlomamo. Catastrophically bad," the Princess said, her face pale.
"How so, Princess?" he asked.
Nokukhanya then said, her voice dropping to a serious whisper. "If your statement stands true, that man you speak of, The Philosopher, is currently walking among hundreds of people at the matric camp, surrounded by unsuspecting humans. He could, at a moment's notice, use the Rib to switch any person he touches into one of his own demonic warriors."
The Phahla Ritual
…At Milner Hostel, Master Mokoto's Class…
"Shall we finally begin the Phahla ritual, Prince Hakuna?" Nokukhanya asked, standing before the makeshift ceremonial area, her mind visibly calculating the new threat.
Hakuna then spoke, shifting his weight. "Uhh, yeah, about that…"
Nokukhanya mumbled, sensing an obstruction. "Hmm? Is there a delay?"
Hakuna then said, gesturing to the determined figure standing nearby. "This is Mihlali Hobe. She is one of Princess Nolitha's Royal Squadron, and she needs closure."
"Yes, Prince. I know of her and her position. What is the precise issue?" the Princess questioned, knowing time was short.
Hakuna replied, stepping aside. "She fiercely and desperately wants to be present during the Phahla. She needs to hear Nolitha's voice."
"Very well then. Her need is understandable," she said, granting the request instantly.
Nokukhanya then thought to herself, a brief, silent deliberation. "Should I tell him now about the Rib's true power? No. Finish this quickly. The communication with Nolitha is more vital than the Philosopher's technology. I will tell him immediately after this is concluded."
They moved into Master Mokoto's secluded Class, a training dimension that often served as a neutral space.
Hakuna asked, a detail suddenly occurring to him. "Uhh, is Master Mokoto okay with us using his training dimension like this? It's highly sensitive space."
Nokukhanya replied, smiling faintly. "Yes, Prince. The Mokoto Clan are also under our spiritual care, just like the Mehlomanelo. They are deeply honored, and would much oblige to assisting us with our matters. They provided the space readily."
"Okay then," Hakuna said, a sense of humbling realization washing over him. The world of inter-tribal politics was far smaller and more interconnected than he had ever grasped.
Noligoa stood silently by a small table, holding a meticulously prepared book and pen, ready to act as a scribe.
Hakuna asked, curious about the logistics. "What exactly will she be writing? The full transcript?"
Nokukhanya mumbled, preparing the instruments. "Uhhm—"
Noligoa responded in her stead, her voice professional. "Lady Nokukhanya will not be able to coherently record what will be said, as her body will be entirely used as a vessel for Princess Nolitha to communicate to us. All the necessary political and spiritual questions we need answered are already meticulously written in this book, so you need not worry. Miss Mihlali, you will be given an allotted time to speak privately with the Princess before we begin our official questioning."
Hakuna and Mihlali both nodded in silent agreement, the arrangement satisfying both their needs.
Nokukhanya methodically placed various carefully colored candles around the space in a perfect circle.
"I've always wondered why there are different colors used in ceremonial instances like this. Is it just tradition?" Hakuna murmured with genuine curiosity.
Nokukhanya then patiently explained the science of the spiritual elements. "Well, this white one is similar to the Ancestral Beads, in that it helps us convey our prayers and messages to the Ancestral Plain more clearly, amplifying the intent. This yellow one provides a direct connection between me, the vessel, and Nolitha, the medium—it acts akin to a spiritual bridge. This blue one forms a calming, stable atmosphere around us, comfortable enough to safely house spirits of both the dead and the living. This pink one strengthens that which is sourced from pure Love and devotion, such as your profound Royal Tie. And those two red ones are crucial: they're used to deter and ward off evil spirits, acting as a defense barrier, and they can sometimes be focused to spiritually attack an intruder. There are also black ones, but we certainly don't need to know about them today."
Hakuna murmured, absorbing the technical knowledge. "Oh. That is highly advanced elemental knowledge."
He then thought to himself, a subtle, introspective realization blooming in his mind. "I don't know what it is, but having only known her for a few days, why is it so incredibly easy to talk to Nokukhanya? I feel totally at ease; all my paranoia has faded."
Psycha chimed in, identifying the Princess's dominant spiritual trait. "It's her inherent Talent, vessel. Mother Instinct. She radiates spiritual comfort."
"Self-explanatory, I guess," Hakuna muttered, acknowledging the obvious.
Nokukhanya mumbled, hearing his sudden, quiet remark. "Hmm?"
"Uh, nothing. Just contemplating the complexity of the wards," he muttered, covering his slip.
"Shall we begin, Prince Hakuna?" she asked.
"Yeah. I'm ready," Hakuna said.
They both sat opposite to one another in a precise lotus position, their knees nearly touching.
Nokukhanya burned a fragrant incense in a small bowl, the sweet smoke filling the dimension.
She then said, her voice soft but commanding. "Now, you place your hands in mine, Prince. We must form the spiritual circuit."
He did so, their hands connecting—the first time Hakuna had touched anyone with such complete spiritual vulnerability since Nolitha.
Nokukhanya took a deep, centering breath as her Ancestral Beads began to glow with a brilliant white light. Her aura shifted, the neutral Khanya energy giving way to an ancient, powerful spiritual conduit.
With the ceremonial conditions met, she then began to chant, the language ancient and resonant, clapping her hands in slow increments of two with every pause.
Nokukhanya then chanted, the words flowing effortlessly. "Izinyanya zakwaKhanya, izinyanya zakwaMehlomanelo nezinyanya zakwaLetebele, ndivumeleni ndingene kwiThafa leMinyanya xa ndikhupha intombi yenu uNolitha ukuze ithethe nathi ngeli xeshana lifutshane sinalo."
The White candle began to flicker violently as it slightly intensified its flame. The Blue candle did the same, then the yellow candle flared, achieving a sustained, powerful glow.
Nolitha, now speaking clearly through Nokukhanya's body, her voice feminine, familiar, and filled with a playful warmth, spoke. "Hello, Pappie. It has been too long."
Hakuna's composure instantly broke. "Hey, Mammie. How are you doing?"
"Very good, my Prince. The Bridge clan's princess has an amazing body, so curvy and plump, yet so incredibly fit," she said, her hands roaming freely over Nokukhanya's unsuspecting body parts with pure, unrestrained curiosity.
Hakuna then gently reprimanded, managing a small, pained smile. "Now now, Nolitha, stay focused. Remember why we are here. Someone important needs to see you."
"Mihlali?" Nolitha said, her eyes focusing on the kneeling warrior.
Mihlali then spoke, her voice thick with emotion. "Yes, Princess. I am here."
Nolitha muttered, her expression shifting to one of genuine surprise and adoration. "Oh wow, Mihlali. You've grown up so beautifully. Your energy is immense."
Mihlali replied, tears welling up but her voice resolute. "I'm sure I still don't measure close to your eternal beauty, your highness."
Nolitha argued, her old fire returning. "Nonsense! Don't you ever downplay how stunningly pretty and powerful you are, Mihlali. Oh, hey, hold on, you mind doing me a colossal favor while I'm still corporeal—?"
Hakuna interjected instantly, predicting her mischievous intent. "I am not marrying another woman, Nolitha! Stop trying to set me up!"
Nolitha then relented, rolling her eyes in Nokukhanya's body. "Alright, fine. Sheesh, such a miserable killjoy this one is."
Mihlali chuckled through her tears, the sound a ragged mixture of relief and sorrow.
"Oh no. Mihlali, what's wrong now? Why do you cry?" Nolitha asked, her tone softening instantly.
Mihlali fell completely to her knees, the dam of her composure breaking.
She then spoke, her voice thick with self-recrimination. "I should've been there for you, Princess. I should've said "no" to us staying behind and you would've been here, safe! I've been pinning the blame on Hakuna, on King Thlomamo, on everyone, while all along it's been my fault!"
"Mihlali, stop that instantly," Nolitha commanded.
Mihlali argued, sobbing. "But it's true, Lady Nolitha! My incompetence, my weakness, led to your death! I have not repented for my failure!"
DEATH STARE
The air in the room suddenly dropped ten degrees. Nolitha, using the full spiritual power of Nokukhanya's host body, focused a terrifying wave of pure, divine authority onto Mihlali.
Mihlali thought to herself, trembling under the pressure. "Her power, even channeled through a host, is still as magnificent and terrifying as ever."
Nolitha, after forcefully using her power through Nokukhanya, spoke, her voice cold and absolute. "Mihlali. You did nothing wrong. The decision to save Hakuna's life was made purely by me and no one else. No one is at blame for my passing. Are. We. Clear?"
Mihlali stayed silent, unable to reconcile the grief with the command.
"Are, we, CLEAR?" Nolitha questioned again, the pressure intensifying, overwhelming the warrior instantly.
"Yes, Princess," Mihlali muttered, barely able to breathe.
Nolitha then sighed, the massive pressure dissipating. "Ahh, very well. I am sorry, my dear one. I understand the Khanya clan has highly technical questions for me now."
Noligoa then spoke, still in awe of Nolitha's immediate and terrifying poise. "Uh, yes, Princess. We would like to understand your unique, high-level powers a bit more, for classification purposes."
"Well then, ask away. I have a brief window before I need to leave Nokukhanya's host," Nolitha said.
Hakuna thought to himself, staring at his former love, "It's like I'm sitting right in front of her. I never realized, until this moment, how much I miss her touch."
Noligoa then began the formal inquiry. "Princess Nolitha, could you please explain the precise nature of your Dance of Light training routine?"
Hakuna suddenly uttered, "How did you—?" questioning how the secretive Khanya knew the name of Nolitha's private, secret training regimen.
Nolitha explained, cutting the boy off before he could derail the session. "Well, it's sort of a perfect blend of Yoga and Tai Chi, incorporating both the profound balance and perfect fluidity of Yoga, and the adaptability and sharp, calculated force of Tai Chi. I initially created it to maintain the flow of energy through my Chakra Pathways, allowing me to keep my skills sharpened with minimal training. That is what it was at first—a way to keep me in fighting shape. But then I quickly modified it, morphing it into a unique, highly adaptive fighting style, allowing the user full kinetic strength and a steady flow of Divine Energy, with little to no consumption. As well as blending it with my initial Taekwondo training, it formed Tai Chi Do."
Noligoa muttered, her eyes wide with appreciation. "Fascinating. A unique martial art."
She meticulously wrote the detailed explanation in the book.
She then asked the second question. "Uhm, Princess, what is your specific Talent—the nature of your innate divine power?"
Nolitha replied, shrugging through Nokukhanya's body. "Hmm. I never really found out its official classification. Having never rigorously trained for a while, no one in my court thought it useful to tell me, or help me find out."
"Celesti," Hakuna said instinctively, stating the name of the merged power.
Mihlali muttered, confused. "Huh? What is that?"
Hakuna continued, taking the lead on the technical explanation. "Her Talent is Celesti. She possessed the natural, unprecedented ability to use pure, raw Divine Energy. Some of her abilities allowed her to manipulate the very molecular structure of the atmosphere. Some gave her pure, absolute influence on the minds and wills of beings around her. Essentially, Nolitha's Talent gave her the base powers of a God."
"Incredible," Noligoa said, writing feverishly.
The questions went on for a long time, ranging from her mysterious Royal Tie with Hakuna to why she stopped her rigorous training before the war. All questions were answered clearly, and the spiritual ritual went smoothly, providing closure and crucial intelligence.
…Later that day…
Hakuna and Nokukhanya were seen standing outside Master Mokoto's class, the temporal barrier now fully dissolved.
Nokukhanya, now speaking as herself, the regal Khanya Princess, offered a genuine nod. "Prince Hakuna, I deeply appreciate your cooperation in facilitating that vital communication. Mihlali looks greatly settled as well."
Hakuna replied, his own mind lighter from having spoken to Nolitha. "It's no issue, Princess. The closure was needed. I hope you got all the classified spiritual intelligence you needed for your clan."
"Oh, Prince. I obtained more than enough intelligence, spiritual and political," the princess said, her face regaining a look of deep concern.
Hakuna then said, testing the waters. "I don't know if I should ask, but, how was your trip to the Tshabadira Palace? Did you get the artifact?"
Nokukhanya replied, her voice dropping to a serious whisper. "About that, Prince Hakuna… we have a major, immediate problem that is more pressing than any spiritual bond…"
Fade out…
End of Episode 56.