WITCHCRAFT — the power to control nature. Once feared. Once hunted. Once misunderstood.
For centuries, those who practiced it were seen as threats—hidden clans, rogue sects, shadowy cults. That was… until one man changed everything. Wyrein Dangruve. He didn't just master witchcraft—he evolved it. In the wake of the apocalyptic Back to Roots War of 2019, Wyrein merged arcane rituals with machines, birthing a new energy source: HOJUN.
For the first time, humanity could manipulate the fabric of nature using both spirit and science. But power always comes with a price. Governments seized HOJUN, restricting it to elite wielders bound by contracts called Functionaries.
🇨🇲 2053 – Central Republic of CameroonAfter global collapse, few nations rose from the ashes. Cameroon—empowered by local spiritualists, the Mahrabou—became a world superpower. Its elite military force, officially the Cameroon Special Defense Force (CSDF), was known by the people as Junju World. Thirteen regions. HOJUN-powered domes. Cities pulsing with mystic energy and whispered legends.
A new generation was emerging—not born of ancient rituals, but of desperation and belief. They weren't Functionaries. They were something more. Superheroes.
📍 Essos, Yaoundé – Friday, July 13th, 2057
The sun crawled over ghetto rooftops, streaming golden light through a broken window into a cluttered bedroom. The alarm buzzed relentlessly. Books, superhero comics, and dirty socks littered the floor. A plate of old piler—plantains and beans—sat untouched in the corner.
A groan escaped the bed. Jase. Short hair, dark skin, crusty eyes. He blinked at the clock. 6:09 AM.
"Shit."
His Chemistry exam was today. He darted to his wardrobe. Empty. Slowly, he turned toward the Mount Kilimanjaro of dirty clothes in the corner.
"No choice."
With all the dignity of a soldier diving into battle, Jase plunged into the mess. Just then, the door swung open.
"Jase! What are you doing?! You're gonna be late!" his father bellowed.
A single hand emerged from the pile, holding a wrinkled uniform like a trophy.
"After your exams, you're cleaning this room. It's disgusting," his dad said, shaking his head as he left.
Jase sniffed the armpit of his shirt. Ugh.
Under the bed, he found his half-used perfume, doused the uniform, quickly ironed it, and checked the time: 6:30 AM. A grin crept across his face. He'd broken his personal record for being late.
After a quick shower, he strapped on his bracelet, paused at his mother's photo, and ran out the door.
🚌 On the Bus
Five minutes later, Jase hopped on and slumped in the back. A pretty girl sat beside him. He glanced at her, then looked away.
"She's beautiful," he thought.
"Don't be a pervert," he scolded himself.
His mind drifted. He had woken at 5:00 AM, but instead of studying, he'd watched KayTik videos and superhero lore. Sleep claimed him mid-ride. A gentle nudge woke him.
"Hey," the girl said softly.
Jase blinked. Was that a sign? A moment? Destiny? Nah—he had an exam to crush.
🏫 School – 7:43 AM
Jase arrived breathless. Laughter erupted as students noticed his lateness. But one boy at the back didn't laugh. Elan. Cold stare.
The invigilator walked over. "Empty your pockets."
"No chip? No tech? No tricks?"
"I don't need to cheat. This exam is cheap."
"The deepest waters are the calmest," the invigilator muttered.
Jase shrugged. "Old man wisdom again?"
"One more word and you lose an hour," snapped the man.
The papers landed. Paper 1, Paper 2. Easy. Jase smiled, feeling the invigilator's gaze burn into his back.
🕓 4:51 PM – After School
Jase strolled home with friends.
"Yo Jase, what did you get for question two?" Cedrik asked.
"School's over, bro. Don't stress me with ancient history."
Ahead, Ngono speed-walked, nose in his notes.
"Don't go reading now. We don't feed the chick on the day of sale!" Jase shouted.
Ngono grinned. "Screw you, walnut!"
Jase laughed. "I'm out. Movies to watch."
🕯️ Meanwhile…
Far away, Elan stopped at a strange shop. "I want a rope," he said, placing 25 FCFA on the counter.
Inside, a dimly lit room reeked of incense and rot. Red cloths, animal skulls, ritual instruments. A man in a crimson robe eyed him.
"The malediction didn't work. Jase came to school," Elan said.
"I know, but something blocked it," the man replied.
"Then amplify it."
"It'll cost 50 FCFA."
"I'll pay when he fails."
The man grinned darkly. "Then tomorrow… is your last chance."
🌅 Saturday Morning – Jase's Mind Drifts
Jase woke before sunrise, reading comics but restless. Flipping through a magazine, he found profiles of Cameroon's top heroes. Hyper X, #7, speed demon causing chaos everywhere. Stadia, #8, fierce and controlling Starlight atoms.
"Maybe if I become a hero, I could date her…" he muttered.
He shook his head. "Stop dreaming. Maybe I'll be homeless tomorrow… but I'll be rich someday."
Bath done, bracelet on, he caught the early bus. By school, students murmured about exams and heroes.
A girl approached: "Hey… can you help me, Ndanga?"
Jase glanced at her, ignored it, muttering about preferring Stadia.
The Dean arrived. "The exam shall begin! No cheating! God is with you."
"Amen," murmured the students.
Papers down. Easy. Jase finished quickly. Invigilator snapped: "Sit down! Revise your work!"
Across the room, Elan smiled, pulling notes from his shoe.
"Sit down, or I'll suspend you for three years!"
SLAP! Jase had slapped the invigilator by accident—or maybe not? Chaos erupted. Teachers grabbed him.
Outside, Jase stormed off. "I don't need you people to become a big guy!"
Night fell. Jase lay in bed, a tear rolling down. Around him, the world warped.
In Obala, the curse master stared into the water bowl. Elan grinned, tossing 75 FCFA.
Jase dreamed of homelessness, shame, and mocking classmates.
And yet… somehow, he couldn't shake the feeling that something extraordinary was about to happen.