Night of the Kings

Inmates at MACA Prison create their own unique set of rules that govern their lives. Among these, a crucial mandate states that a Dangôro must end his own life if he becomes too ill to lead.

Blackbeard, the reigning Dangôro, faces increasing pressure from his ambitious subordinate Lass as his health declines. This puts Blackbeard at a moral quandary regarding his potential fate.

To buy himself time, Blackbeard promises the inmates that he will appoint a new Roman to entertain them with stories. This raises hopes among the prisoners ahead of the anticipated red moon.

A new inmate, a thief linked to the notorious 'Microbe' gang, enters MACA and is placed in Blackbeard’s cell block. After an impactful discussion, Blackbeard chooses him as the new Roman.

As the red moon rises, prisoners gather around Roman, eager to hear his story. Roman, initially hesitant, starts to narrate the tale of Zama King amidst the palpable excitement.

During a meal break, Roman receives a dire warning: he must keep the story going until dawn or suffer severe consequences. This sets him on a dangerous course of storytelling.

Roman recounts a captivating tale about Zama's childhood, detailing the hardships he faced after his mother’s death, and his relationship with Soni, his blind father who becomes a cunning advisor.

Tragedy strikes when Koby, a trusted advisor to Blackbeard, is murdered in the prison. This horrific event plunges the inmates into a state of deep mourning and heightens tensions amongst the factions.

In a private dialogue with Half-Mad, Blackbeard is pressured to name a successor. However, his determination to leave a legacy through violence leads him into despair, culminating in his suicide.

Continuing his tale, Roman describes Soni's escape from a failed battle and their subsequent life in the slums of Abidjan. This narrative reveals how Zama rises to power against a backdrop of struggle.

As dawn approaches, Roman skillfully introduces a twist in Zama's narrative, revealing he was a foundling. This clever maneuver seeks to delay his own impending fate.

Amidst Roman's storytelling, a violent conflict breaks out between factions led by Lass and Half-Mad. This chaotic struggle highlights the desperate fight for power within the prison's walls.

In a bid to quell the uprising, the prison warden Nivaquine opens fire on the inmates. The tragedy results in numerous deaths, including that of Half-Mad, escalating the chaos even further.

With the first light of day breaking, Roman finds himself a silent observer amid the aftermath of violence and strife. The intricate power dynamics and personal sacrifices become painfully clear as he reflects on his fate.