Fenyang's Pov
I'm running. Faster than I've ever ran before. Bombs explode either side of me and sweat is dripping as my heart explodes in pure adrenaline. I never know I could be so ecstatic yet so terrified of dear life at the same time, feeling like the two poloar opposites are fighting for dominion.
To catch my breath I hide behind a tree and keep quiet. Bent over, hands on my knees and as my head is pounding loudly, I can't be found. Yet, my attempts are in vain as two men grab me by both arms and pull me away. Their grip is tight, I know definite scars will be left after this. They are armed. I'm not. I begin to already give myself up in defeat until I see some arrows being thrown at them. I hope they don't hit me as well by accident. Honestly I'm filled to the brim by utter terror and I have every reason to be.
Unfortunately for me, the arrows weren't enough to stop them. Reached a doggie container they walked me in I am strapped to a seat tightly to secure that I don't escape. It's quite dark and misty in here. I can't recognise the place at all and what I can hardly make out is a small squared building with a high ceiling and one singular window. Emphasis on one as the room feels too bright for the lone window to shine enough light for fill the place. Especially not at this time of day.
"Who are you guys?" I yell in angony with my last breath.
They laugh. One gestures the other something I'm hardly able to pick up on due to the low light. The latter leaves for a few moments and then returns with a person. Someone I know well.
"It's over for you and your kingdom. What utter disappointment you are to your guardians, if only they could see you now! Unfortunately they passed, my deepest condolences". Says one with a sarcastic tone and a sadistic laugh to then lower the tone showing false concern on the last sentence.
"Leave them out of this." I hiss in anger trying the ignore the truth of their words. Had I done more training or paid more attention I wouldn't be where I am now. I feel the metal on my exposed skin as I raise my tone tug against me tighter.
"Let's be clear now, your kingdom is doomed with you here. Now.. we can take over kindly with you handing over your inheritance to us, or we could give a little incentive such as this girl we have captured trying to help you. Your choice."
Their tone is serious and menacing. The man that returned with a person brings Zaffera before my eyes with deep cuts and wounds all over her arms. Her clothes ripped and dirty.
"Leave her out of this she's not part of it, you guys want me!" I exclaim forcing myself up but being held back by the chains they used to strap me to the seat.
"It's your choice you Majesty, you hand over the kingdom to us and she lives or, you keep your dying kingdom and she doesn't." I wonder how he could have such a sadistic expression painted on his face and a cold glare towards a vulnerable person.
"Fenyang, why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell me you were the Head of the kingdom? Why did I have to find out like this?" She screams in pain as the man grips her more tightly to stop her from reaching closer. I want to break free of these chains free and embrace her, apologise to her for the pain I've caused her and take her to safety, but I can't. Repeatedly, I try to break free but fail at every attempt, only to leave more and more bruises on my shoulders. Reality is that my human strength won't be sufficient to break these iron chains and it's too late to take her to safety.
"Time out Master." says one of the two and sword is drawn out from the sheath and aimed towards Zaffera's neck.
"Noooo."
I wake up.
My bed is a mess as I must have tossed and turned all night. It's still really dark outside and my chest is pounding.
I couldn't make a decision. That wasn't real perhaps but, if that was to actually happen what would I do? Would I wait for the time to run out leaving me no choice like I did in that nightmare? I don't ever want to see Zaffera in such a state, so weak and vulnerable and most importantly because of me and my failure as a leader in battle. I scrunch my hair up as I run my hands over my head repeatedly. I need to tell Zaffera who I am. I didn't get a chance to the day before. I was too focused on the fact that I had met someone. Once again I looked over my duties but there's still time. My kingdom isn't being subjugated yet and I can still train for battle. How have I met her yesterday and yet form such an emotional attachment to her? Supposedly is because I'm not used to any of this.
I leave the room and head towards the kitchen downstairs to get some water. My throat is begging me for some liquid in an unquenchable thirst. 3 or 4 jugs of water later I can finally calm down, letting myself fall down in a sitting position against the sink.
I hear steps coming my way and I lean forwards to see who it is. Klaus makes an appearance with a worried look about his face.
"Master, are you okay?"
I nod. "Just a nightmare."
"Oh, another one of those?" he says hinting at the nightmares I used to get about my guardians' passing.
"Not quite this time," I shake my head, "this time I failed the kingdom and got a person I care about killed."
Klaus points at himself with a questioned look and I shake my head once more.
"No, it was a girl I met yesterday. Her name is Zaffera and I don't know her well yet, but enough to consider her my first friend. After you of course." I almost smile at the end.
I get up. "We should go back to sleep now. I will be shadowing the arrows' training tomorrow and it's in both of our interests that we are in the best possible shape. I think I will be inviting Zaffera along with us so you and the arrows can meet her and she could train with us perhaps." This could be a great way to get her training a little in case something like my nightmare hits and she has to defend herself.
"It is unlike protocol to invite a civil to practice but you are the Head of the Kingdom and we follow your decree." He says not totally convinced by my idea but not wanting to oppose my decision either.
Once I'm back in bed I'm not able to fall asleep easily, still shaken up by what my mind has conjured up.
'Sleep Fenyang, dusk is not far from now.' I think hoping it will magically make me tired. As I feel my eyes get heavy I drift away in deep slumber until the morning comes.