The Wrath of the Unchained-Chapter 116 - The Heart of Light

Khisa and Tesfaye were busy preparing for their trip to the capital city.

"It is about time we talk about the steps going forward," Khisa said, folding a map and placing it inside his satchel.

"Yes," Tesfaye replied, crossing his arms. "But I need to stay behind. Without you here, I must oversee operations."

"Of course," Khisa nodded. "I will take Prince Tadesse with me. I need to update the Emperor about our progress. He’s about to gain even more citizens—we must prepare him accordingly."

Tesfaye hesitated. "Will he have a problem with the slaves? They are officially not citizens yet."

Khisa leaned back slightly, his expression hardening. "The way I see it, most of the people we’ve rescued don’t have homes to return to. Their towns were burned, or they were betrayed by their leaders and sold off. We have no choice but to house them here. Right now, we lack manpower at the port, and in exchange for paid labor, we offer them freedom and dignity. It is a win-win. We can’t get more soldiers from inland; they are tied up in ongoing conflicts. If the Emperor has a problem with them staying here, I will take them with me to Nuri once the war ends."

"This is the first time I have felt hopeful about this war. Even as I held ground at Shewa, at the back of my mind was always, Abyssinia will fall. I was in denial for most of my life, but when you showed up, suddenly another path opened for us." Tesfaye said, looking at him.

"This path that I’ve chosen is not easy, and it will only get harder from here. Right now, we have an opportunity to change our history, if we succeed we will create a massive economic bloc. If they want to trade in our land and our waters they will have to do so on our demands. We can eliminate slave trade in its entirety if we do this right." Khisa said his expression unchanging.

"That is ambitious. If you are right then that means this war will set the stage for our rise. Abyssinia will see a new age thanks to you.

If we do succeed, we won’t have to worry about foreigners in our land again." Tesfaye said.

"You are too short sighted Tesfaye, why do you think they started the slave trade in the first place? It’s because they don’t have enough people and resources in their own countries, our entire continent is rich in resources and minerals. If we mine them and produce them ourselves and sell it to them, we gain powerful allies and our countries are protected. That doesn’t mean that they won’t try to break us either. They will, but if we stand united, if one of us falls another can immediately take its place. We are building something bigger than just two nations."

As the conversation continued, a young soldier burst through the door, panting.

"I’m sorry for the intrusion, Prince Khisa," he said breathlessly. "A man claiming to be part of the Shadow Guard just arrived by sea. He came on a massive ship flying a flag we’ve never seen before. Faizah recognized him immediately and sent me to get you."

Khisa’s heart skipped. His eyes widened.

"They made it," he whispered.

He rushed to the port, his heart thundering with each step.

There, standing tall and proud, was Ndengu. His old friend. His brother.

Khisa didn’t hesitate. Ignoring the eyes of the onlookers, he ran forward and embraced him tightly.

"I’m glad you’re alive, my friend," Khisa said, a rare tear escaping down his cheek.

"Come rest, then we will talk tomorrow."

But Ndengu shook his head. "This can’t wait. We have much to discuss."

Khisa led him to his office. The two sat across from each other, both bearing the weight of years apart and all they had endured.

"First things first," Ndengu said, pulling out a sealed letter. "This is from your father. Also, the ship I brought—it’s yours to use. We have new weapons, supplies, and an entire squad. We brought blacksmiths, carpenters, and a few navy officers from Nuri."

Khisa’s breath caught.

Ndengu continued. "King Lusweti took the port after we left. There was a massive war with the Sultan of Kilwa. They were victorious, but the people were scarred. The King took them in as citizens of Nuri. The former Kilwa navy has now been inducted into our forces. They were already training when we arrived."

He paused, voice lowering with emotion. "Khisa, the King acted on your blueprints immediately. Weapon production began before our feet touched the ground. The gunpowder formula accelerated everything."

Khisa exhaled, overwhelmed. "What about the pirates heading to Nuri?"

"Gone," Ndengu said, smiling. "King Lusweti is incredible. The navy struck before the pirates even reached shore. It was like watching a dance of steel and fire."

He paused, more hesitant now. "I also need to return soon. Naliaka and I made a decision. We’re expanding the Shadow Guard. I’m sorry for not consulting you."

Khisa raised a brow. "Tell me about it."

"We realized twenty is not enough," Ndengu said. "We started a branch called Mkono wa Giza—The Hand of Darkness. Funded by King Lusweti and directly under the royal family. Our mission is covert operations across the kingdom and beyond. We already have recruits. Training will be just as brutal. We only want the best."

Khisa smiled, a mixture of pride and relief washing over him. "You’ve grown up, Ndengu. With you and Naliaka there, I have nothing to worry about. You have my full trust. Handle Mkono wa Giza as you see fit. I won’t interfere. Once this war ends, I’ll rebuild the Shadows. Maybe even rest for a while."

They both laughed.

But the air soon grew heavy. Khisa could feel something lingering.

"Ndengu," he said softly. "What happened out there?"

Ndengu looked away, then back. The spark in his eyes flickered.

"Our mission started secretly in Massawa," he began. "No guards. No back up. No weapons. Just disguises. We were beggars in the streets, hiding among filth and strangers. I couldn’t use my skills. Naliaka and I had to survive by wits alone. We faced attacks, abuse, starvation. There were nights I thought we wouldn’t make it. We saw people die, Khisa. We had to pretend to be nothing, invisible. And I hated it."

His fists clenched. "Every time someone raised their hand at Naliaka and I couldn’t react, I felt like I was dying inside."

Khisa stood, walked around the table, and sat beside him.

"I’m sorry," he said. "I should have never put you in that position. I underestimated the risk."

Ndengu shook his head. "You trusted me with something important. And it led us here. I would do it again. But I had to say it out loud. I needed you to know."

"There were moments," Ndengu continued, voice breaking slightly, "when I wanted to use my skills. When we were attacked, robbed, mocked—but we couldn’t reveal ourselves. Couldn’t risk drawing attention. Naliaka nearly died when a man tried to take her. We barely fought them off."

Khisa’s voice was tight. "Ndengu, I—"

"I know why you did it," Ndengu interrupted. "And I would’ve done it again. But I need you to know... it changed me. The sea, the silence, the helplessness. It got in my bones. Some nights, I still wake up reaching for a weapon that’s not there."

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of unspoken fears now shared and honored.

Khisa rose and pulled Ndengu into a second embrace. "I’m sorry. Truly. I had no idea it would be that bad."

"It’s behind us now," Ndengu said. "And we survived. We have work to do."

As the conversation wound down, Ndengu shared more updates—the government restructuring, Lusweti’s gradual emancipation of enslaved people in nearby regions, and the ambitious new capital city being built with a mixture of stone, timber, and hope.

Eventually, Ndengu left to rest.

Khisa remained in the office and opened the letter from his father.

Dear Khisa,

You cheeky child,

You’re giving your old father too much work. I’ve heard from Naliaka and Ndengu about your achievements in Abyssinia. You, my son, are an incredible man. And I couldn’t be prouder.

As you’ve heard, I haven’t been slacking either. Nuri is growing. Stronger than ever.

If you believe the alliance with Abyssinia will benefit us, you have my full trust to handle the negotiations. In regard to the war, Nuri will back you up the moment you say the word. Our troops are ready, and our navy is unmatched.

The restructuring of the government is going smoothly. Of course, the old men grumble—when don’t they? But you know me, I will never back down from what is right.

By the way, you now have a little sister. Her name is Ayuma. She is the cutest thing. Nothing like her noisy older brother.

Your mother misses you. We all do. Come home soon. Let’s end this war together. Once we succeed, I expect you to stay in Nuri for a few more years. The kingdom needs you, just as much as the world does.

Yours always, Lusweti

Khisa folded the letter, holding it close to his chest for a moment.

He read the letter twice. Then a third time.

The tear he had fought earlier finally slipped down.

"I’m coming home, Baba," he whispered into the silence.

For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to feel peace.