Yera Shumba Tribe
The tribe village was empty. All the houses were vacated, with only dead bodies here and there as a sign of life. All the grand districts of the Yera Shumba were graveyards and ghost towns. However, a large group stood at the center of the village, in the park that was once a sign of regal splendor but now reduced to an execution ground for those who refused to acknowledge their true ruler. An old man sat upon a throne. His dark brown skin was wrinkled, and long white hair shone through the park, reflecting the sun, whilst his dull red eyes seemed to repel it. Next to him was a buff man with bandages covering half his face, with some being visible on his chest. He had three large crimson scorpion tail-like tendrils attached to his back and stood with his arms crossed on his chest.
"All kneel before King Naga," a herald dressed in a gown with snake patterns exclaimed.
The masses began to kneel one by one. None wanted to find the fate that met the people who had once refused that very same order. A fate that was well represented by the occupied gallows that lay behind the throne from which King Naga sat. The old man sat on his seat, smiling lovingly as he moved his head, trying to see each one of his subjects kneel before him.
"My lovely children of the Yera Shumba. It has been over a fortnight since your blessed village faced the brutal fate in the massacre of your rulers." He looked to the side in sadness. "Your King, Gris, was a close friend of mine."
The kneeling people grit their teeth as he spoke, whilst some of the women let their tears flow at the thought of their King.
"We used to jest around, and I'd say one day I will take his life, haha. Who would have known it would come to pass so tragically?" He laughed gently as he reminisced about the pleasant memories.
A man in the crowd sobbed a bit too loud. His eyes widened and his heart rate quickened, and within seconds his back felt the painful sting of a whip.
"Ahhhh!" he cried in pain. The guards moved towards him, kicking some of the kneeling subjects while trying to get close to him.
"No… no… please. I'm sorry," he raised his hands up and begged fearfully.
"No, no," the old man called out gently. "Do not hurt my children. They simply wish to mourn their beloved king. It would be a greater sin if they did not."
The man relaxed a little as the guards returned to their posted positions. He quickly bowed his head in King Naga's direction.
"Tha… tha… thank you L… L… Lord Naga." Drops of sweat gathered on his forehead as his hands gripped the sand.
The old man's charming smile fell slowly, turning into a menacing scowl. He looked at the man directly.
"KING Naga," he corrected.
"Of… of course, my Lord," the man quickly knelt once again, hoping to keep himself away from Naga's gaze.
"Say. It. My Child," King Naga demanded as he tried to smile, but each time it would fall into a frown.
The people who were still kneeling turned their heads to see the man.
"Forgive me, my lord… I… I can't. I am a proud child of the Yera Shumba…"
"Discipline him," Naga commanded before the man had even finished his sentence. The general with scorpion tails on his back nodded once to the soldiers in the crowd.
"And whilst you are one of the Three Kings, making you noble and my lord!" the panicking man screamed as the guards reapproached him with malevolent intent.
"Only a Yera Shumba can be MY King!" The guards grabbed him and dragged him. He kicked and screamed with a shaky voice. "You will never be our King!"
His words of defiance were soon drowned by his cries of pain as the guards took turns whipping him. King Naga smiled softly once more and looked back to the crowd. The people all kept their heads down, not wanting a similar fate. The children started crying as they heard the man getting whipped. Their mothers and guardians quickly tried to hush them with their shivering, unsteady hands and tears dripping from their eyes, as they tried not to attract any attention from the old man.
"Surely you realize, I do not enjoy this. All this blood and tears… it is all so unnecessary."
People flinched as they heard the whips in the background, and they looked at the earth floor, sweat dripping heavily as some even began to pant from fear.
"But either way, failure to recognize hierarchy is a known path towards anarchy. And I will not fail my old friend by letting his kingdom descend into anarchy. I owe him at least that much." He stretched his arms towards the people in benevolence as a tear dropped from his eyes.
"So until a worthy ruler has been decided, the Yera Nzou and Yera Shato agree that I shall rule over you. A heavy burden indeed, but one I shall make sure will lead us into a better future for my children, for you, for all of us." He smiled lovingly as he looked at the crowd of kneeling subjects.
When he finished speaking, four guards lifted his throne up onto their shoulders, ready to take him back to his tribe. He waved goodbye slowly as he left the people. The general remained behind and stepped forward. The Yera Shato soldiers swarmed around the kneeling crowd. His breathy, hoarse voice sounded as he slowly instructed,
"DRAAAW!" The soldiers all took out their whips with practiced unison.
He grinned as he looked at the crowd of shaking men and women, pupils dilating, he spoke in a louder voice, "COMMENCE!"
A woman holding her baby looked up to see what was happening. She froze and shook profusely, covering her child using her body as a shield.
"PLEASE NOOOO!" she screamed as whips cracked. One after another.
Each one landed on a different victim each time as screams filled the village, and they all begged for mercy and reprieve. The defiant man was loaded onto a gallows, ready to be executed by the Yera Shato soldiers, while screams of whippings filled the air. As the four Yera Shato men carried King Naga away, he let his hand out. The guards instantly stopped their onslaught.
King Naga smiled softly. "Remember. I love you all. I am your king, I ought to. My children."