Dominus the Destroyer

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The Bru-Van Kieu tribe had long dwelled within the vast and hidden depths of Hang Son Doong Cave, their home a place of wonders and danger. But they were not alone. Within the cavern’s shadowed expanse lived the Maku, a formidable race of enormous, ogre-like beasts. Towering over men, the Maku were creatures of unmatched strength and terrifying hunger, devouring anything that crossed their path. For centuries, the two races warred, their enmity written in the bloodstained rocks of the cave. But at last, a truce was struck—a delicate agreement sealed by necessity and wisdom.

The Bru-Van Kieu provided the Maku with an abundance of food and liquor, a tribute that satisfied the beasts’ insatiable appetites and dulled their violent tempers. In return, the Maku acted as guardians, repelling any unwanted outsiders who dared approach the cavern’s entrance. It was an unorthodox peace, but it worked. Over time, traditions emerged, and the two groups began to share more than just survival. They celebrated together in great festivals, where the Maku—massive creatures though they were—became jovial drunks, stumbling about and reveling in a way that made even the bravest warriors laugh.

But the peace was not without its challenges. Young warriors of the Bru-Van Kieu longed to prove their strength, and the Maku, though mighty, respected those with courage. Thus, an ancient rite was revived: a trial by combat. It was an ultimate test of skill, one only a few in history had dared attempt.

Cao Hơn, a young warrior of fifteen, had a dream beyond the cave’s limits—he sought to become a Shaolin monk, a master of martial arts and discipline. But first, he had to prove his worth. Encouraged by Su Phan Khich,  who believed in his potential, Cao requested to challenge a Maku of his age. The tribe gasped in astonishment, but the Maku honored the request, summoning Gwoka—a fifteen-year-old Maku, though ‘boy’ was hardly the word for him. Standing sixteen feet tall, his muscles rippled like carved stone, his presence alone enough to send tremors of fear through the crowd.

As the match began, silence fell over the cave. No tribe member had ever defeated a Maku in combat. But Cao moved like the wind, dodging Gwoka’s monstrous swings with speed and precision. He struck with precision, landing blows at pressure points, using the giant’s own strength against him. The battle was fierce, and though Gwoka’s might was overwhelming, Cao’s discipline and agility allowed him to endure.

In a final, stunning move, Cao redirected Gwoka’s charge, sending the great beast tumbling onto his back. Silence. Then—an uproar. The Bru-Van Kieu erupted in cheers, and even the Maku, stunned at first, soon joined in laughter and applause. Gwoka, defeated but unharmed, grinned widely, accepting the outcome with respect.

For the first time in history, a Bru-Van Kieu warrior had almost bested a Maku, proving that skill and discipline could triumph over sheer power. Cao had earned his honor, not just for himself, but for his people. The celebration that followed lasted for days, a feast unlike any before.

In the heart of Hang Son Doong, where past battles had been waged, a new legend was born. And as Cao Hơn gazed up at the cavern’s ceiling, he knew his journey had only just begun.