EMPIRE: CAPITAL CITY
ROYAL PALACE
"Head Maid, the Emperor and Empress aren't responding to my calls in their chambers," Martha said, her voice barely above a whisper as she stood before the senior staff.
The Head Maid frowned. Martha had been appointed as a trusted messenger, tasked with delivering vital information to the Emperor. Her failure to elicit a response was unusual.
"Let me see what's going on," the Head Maid replied.
With Martha and three other maids trailing behind her, the Head Maid approached the grand doors of the Emperor's chambers. The cold silence of the palace weighed heavily, broken only by the echo of their footsteps. Shadows cast by the moonlight danced on the walls, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Something felt off.
The Head Maid's heart pounded as she stopped before the massive doors. She hesitated for a moment before summoning her courage and knocking firmly. The sound echoed through the corridor, but no response came.
"Your Majesties?" she called, her voice wavering slightly.
Nothing.
The air grew heavier, thick with an unspoken dread that seemed to press down on them. Her unease deepened. Without wasting another second, she turned to the guards stationed nearby.
"Open the doors," she ordered.
The guards obeyed, pushing the ornate doors open with effort.
What awaited inside was nothing short of a nightmare.
Blood painted the opulent chamber in gruesome patterns, the metallic scent sharp and overwhelming. The Emperor and Empress lay sprawled on the floor, their faces contorted in agony, their lifeless eyes staring into the void.
The Head Maid gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as she stumbled back. Martha let out a strangled cry, collapsing to her knees, while the other maids behind her retched, unable to hold back their terror and nausea.
It was pure horror.
The Head Maid forced herself to turn away from the grisly sight, bile rising in her throat. Questions flooded her mind, each one more frantic than the last. Who could have done this? How did they get past the guards? What will happen to the Empire now?
Her legs felt like they would give out beneath her, but she pushed herself upright. This was no time for panic. She turned to the guards, her voice trembling but firm.
"Notify General Budo immediately," she commanded. "Tell him it's urgent."
The guards nodded and rushed off, leaving the maids to stare helplessly at the scene of devastation.
As the palace descended into chaos, the city outside remained blissfully unaware of the seismic event that would soon upend their lives.
---
NEAR THE SLUMS
The first rays of dawn filtered through the city streets as Leo woke up, stretching lazily on his bed. Yawning, he rubbed his eyes and made his way to the front door, curiosity piqued by the sight of his mother, Liya, heading out.
Clutched in her hands was a small bundle of food, wrapped carefully in cloth.
Leo followed her quietly as she navigated the bustling streets, her steps purposeful. They eventually arrived at a quiet corner, where a frail-looking man sat on a makeshift mat, his tattered clothes hanging off his bony frame.
The man's face was weathered, his expression hollow. Yet his sharp eyes observed everyone who passed, a relic of his days as an imperial soldier.
"Good morning," Liya greeted warmly, holding out the bundle. "I hope this helps."
The man's eyes flicked toward her, scanning her face before snatching the food. He said nothing, diving into the meal as though he hadn't eaten in days.
Leo, who had been watching from a distance, stepped forward to stand beside his mother.
"Good morning, Mom," he said.
"Good morning, dear," Liya replied with a smile. "Let's go home."
As they walked back, Leo couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Mom," he began cautiously, "why do you always feed that man? I've heard the neighbors say he was a soldier who killed his entire family."
Liya halted mid-step. For a moment, she said nothing, her expression thoughtful. Then she knelt beside Leo, pulling him into a gentle embrace.
"You see, my dear," she said softly, "not everyone is as fortunate as we are. Sometimes, people make mistakes—terrible ones—and they end up in situations they can't escape."
Leo frowned, trying to process her words.
Liya continued, "It's easy to label someone as good or bad based on what others say. But wise people look beyond the surface. They try to understand the hidden truths, the reasons behind someone's actions."
Leo stayed silent, struck by the unfamiliar depth in his mother's tone. He had always seen her as cheerful and carefree, but this was a side of her he hadn't encountered before.
"How do you know, Mom?" he asked after a moment. "Who taught you to see people this way?"
Liya chuckled softly. "No one, my dear. No one taught me. This understanding comes from life—from experiencing its highs and lows."
Her gaze softened as she continued, "Your father and I built trust over many years. That's why I accepted his proposal without hesitation. And as for that man… I've passed him on the street countless times. His face always carries the same expression: grief."
She smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from Leo's face. "Everyone has a story, my son. Sometimes, their actions come from a place of pain we can't see. It doesn't make them less human."
Leo pondered her words, his young mind working to grasp their weight. Finally, he nodded. "I think I understand, Mom. At least… a little."
Liya's smile widened. "That's all right, dear. You'll understand more as you grow."
The two of them continued home, Leo deep in thought.
---
Three days later, the capital erupted with shocking news.
"THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS HAVE BEEN ASSASSINATED!"
The words spread like wildfire, shaking the Empire to its core. The people, who had gone about their daily lives in ignorant bliss, now faced an uncertain and terrifying future.
Lines between man and monster would soon blur, and the true cost of the Emperor's fall had only just begun to reveal itself.