My heart stopped as I saw one of the enemies stab his sword into my horse's leg. The animal's cry of pain echoed through the air. I pulled desperately on the reins to keep him standing, but an arrow lodged near his belly. My horse neighed again, louder this time, before collapsing beneath me. I was thrown forward, rolling hard on the ground.
The pain overwhelmed me, but the adrenaline pushed me to try to get up. Still, my legs wouldn't respond. I tried to crawl, pulling my body through the dust, but nothing seemed to work. I could hear the sound of the enemies' hooves getting closer.
-No... no..., I whispered, breathless, as I fought to stay conscious. My mind refused to give in to panic, but my body was betrayed by terror.
Boots appeared in my field of vision. I looked up with difficulty and saw several enemy soldiers slowly surrounding me, their weapons drawn, hard and merciless looks on their faces.
-What do you want from me?, I asked in as firm a voice as I could, trying to hide the fear in my tone. My heart was pounding, but I refused to show my vulnerability. "Leave my soldiers. They are not responsible for... anything."
One of them, a man with an icy gaze, stepped forward and looked at me with a disdainful smile.
-We don't need them, he said with a shrug. "If you come with us, Highness, we will let them go."
I stared at him, my fists clenched against the earth. "And what guarantee do I have that you will keep your word?" I asked, challenging his gaze. "You are nothing more than cowards, opportunists who prey on the innocent."
The soldier laughed, a cold, sinister laugh that chilled my blood. "This is not about words, Your Highness. This is about power. You come with us, and we no longer need to slaughter your men. Refuse, and..." He leaned toward me, his voice dropping to a cruel whisper, "you will see them all fall one by one to our blades."
My stomach twisted at his words, and I felt my breathing quicken. My soldiers, these men who had risked their lives for me... I could not let them die for me.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, to think quickly. If I surrendered, they would have what they wanted, but my men would be safe.
I looked up at the enemy standing above me. "Okay... I'll come with you. But let them go, all of them, without exception."
The soldier smiled, a cruel and satisfied smile. "Very well. We have a deal."
I gritted my teeth, anger and frustration boiling inside me, but I knew it was the only option to save my men.
One of the enemies then grabbed me roughly by the arm, forcing me to stand despite the pain throughout my body. I winced, but I would not give them the satisfaction of seeing my weakness.
-Your Highness you are making the right choice, said the man sneered tightening his grip on my arm.
I stared at him defiantly. "If you hurt them in the slightest, I swear you will pay for it."
They laughed at my threat, but I remained determined, my mind refusing to give in to fear despite the discomfort and pain. My eyes searched desperately for a sign of my soldiers, hoping they were out of danger, but everything seemed blurry, confused.
-Take him away, one of the enemy leaders ordered.
As they dragged me through the dust, my strength slowly left me. Every step was a struggle, every breath became more labored. I couldn't hold on any longer. My body was weakening visibly, and before I could protest, everything became blurry. My eyelids grew heavy, my legs gave way beneath me.
-Highness! Highness!, I heard one of the enemy soldiers shout, but I no longer had the strength to respond. My mind disconnected from reality, and a black wave crashed over me.
Before I completely fell unconscious, a thought crossed my mind, haunting me.
Who was Sheng Xing really in this world?