1214-02-22
Chirp!
It's late, I thought to myself, glancing toward the window.
My eyes wandered across the room. A cozy fire to the right, and Waran people sat talking amongst themselves as I sat at the bar, waiting.
The city, Kima, was in a stressful situation. The forces of Ahk had recently invaded, and the emperor had retreated. The forces remained outside the city, though the siege had only started mere hours ago, and yet the people of the city were nervous. What would the emperor do? How would the emperor react?
I took a drink as I sat down, the birds singing blissfully unaware of the current situation. The foolish king of Ahk—many wondered what he was like, and so did I.
Soldiers had stormed the city, aligning any house or home they could get their hands on. Those who lived in Kima were forced to evacuate.
The emperor stood in a small palace in the city, where the previous king had stayed. In truth, this was the closest many of us had been to the emperor.
I had seen him earlier as he walked the city. He had an intense aura around him. Despite what others thought, he was actually a woman, but no one knew her face—it was hidden behind a dragon-faced mask of blue and white. She was skinnier than I thought she'd be.
I looked into a mirror by my side, taking in my jet-black hair and dark green eyes with specks of gold. My hair was held up with a butterfly pin. Kima was the city I had known for most of my life. I had come here when I was young, and now the same war had followed me. Or at least that's what I told her.
"Liliko," a voice called from behind.
I turned to see Itsu, her white hair a stark contrast to mine, her blue eyes glowing in the lantern light, evidence of her being a true Wara.
"I'm late," she sighed.
I smiled. "I'm glad you made it."
"Yeah, the city's swamped," she added.
She sat down next to me. We enjoyed whatever they had. The emperor had told bars and taverns the same thing: reserve food for the soldiers; they were more important. The citizens knew what would happen next.
Before we could talk more…
RING!
The sound of an all-too-familiar bell echoed through the dimly lit city. The bell was a warning, a message that all of us knew too well: the emperor wanted us. The people of Kima stood frozen for a moment, eyes darting nervously toward the source of the tolling, already knowing what it meant. It wasn't just an announcement—it was a command. The city, which had been filled with quiet murmurs and hushed conversations, suddenly became tense, each person aware of the uncertainty that loomed over them.
"Ahh, I just got here," Utsu complained, putting down her fork.
As the townspeople filed out of the bar, one by one, the crowd grew thicker. Hundreds, no, thousands of people flooded through the city streets, the once-quiet city of stone and marble now a mass of motion. We walked in silence. The only sounds the shuffle of feet on the cobblestone and the soft murmur of worried voices. Children tugged at their parents' sleeves. Others grumbled and complained. Their fear was palpable, the weight of the emperor's decision hanging heavy over us all. Whatever happened next would decide the fate of many lives.
We were all brought to the center of the town, where the crowd thickened, pushing and pulling as people rushed to the location. The town was eerily silent now, so quiet that we could hear the soldiers speaking to one another, their voices low and urgent. It was a silence that filled the air with tension, the calm before the storm.
The emperor stood tall at the center, guards surrounding him on all sides. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold, carrying over the gathered crowd.
"There is not enough food for all of you," the emperor declared, his words cutting through the silence. "I have heard your complaints. Those who are not able-bodied will be sent outside the city. The rest will stay and fight, for only the strong will survive." The crowd gasped, but before any more could be said, the guards drew their weapons in a swift motion, silencing the murmurs of dissent. "You will not be killed," the emperor added, his tone unwavering. "But if you wish to earn favor, bring me the head of Adrian Kundra, and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams. Var, Ance, riches—more than you could ever spend. Bring me his head, and you shall have everything."
Utsu turned to me, a smirk playing on her lips. "That should be easy for you," she said,looking towards me.
The guards started pushing us, one by one, toward the front. People stumbled, old men fell, and knees scraped against the rough cobblestones as we were shoved forward. The air was thick with tension, the cries of the weak and elderly mixing with the steady march of boots on stone. We were herded like cattle toward the doors, the soldiers relentless in their advance.
Outside the city, soldiers adorned in red leather, covered in black armor, descended upon us. The emblem of a cross was etched into their helmets, gleaming in the pale light. They drew their weapons, the sharp clang of metal filling the air. The man at the front of the group was different, though—he stood taller, commanding, his presence almost tangible. A golden glow could be seen seeping out from beneath his helmet, the radiance almost enough to make one think it was a trick of the light. But as he pulled off his helmet, the light revealed his true form: Adrian Kundra.
I had heard tales of him—stories that spoke of his power, his aura that could freeze the heart of even the bravest soldier. And now, here he was in front of me, a living legend.
"Is this the emperor's plan?" Adrian's voice rang out, loud and clear, though no one replied. His tone was calm, but it held an undeniable authority that made even the soldiers stiffen.
"Voss," he commanded, looking at one of his men. "Pat them down, one by one. Then bring them to our encampment."
Hours passed before we were led to the front of the encampment. The surroundings were flat, open plains as far as the eye could see. Hundreds of tents had been set up, the canvas billowing in the wind, stark against the endless horizon. The soldiers moved efficiently, checking the elderly, the children, anyone who might be hiding weapons. I watched as Utsu went first, her eyes sharp, but she was undeterred. Once done, they directed her to the left, into the encampment.
It was my turn.
I was nervous.
My heart pounded in my chest.
The soldiers moved with practiced ease as they patted me down. I could barely focus on anything except the cold gleam of their armor, the hard, unyielding metal that seemed to press in on me from all sides. And then, Adrian appeared again, standing near the man from before—his brown hair catching the sun, flowing in the breeze. He was taller than the other soldier, more imposing, with eyes the color of gold that seemed to pierce right through me.
I quickly looked away, trying not to draw attention. But it was too late. He had already noticed me. He approached me slowly. He took the butterfly pin from my hair. My long black hair cascaded down.
Adrian's fingers pulled on the pin, and in a swift motion, revealed a concealed knife hidden beneath. My breath caught in my throat.
"Oh, that's a bitter knife," I forced out with a nervous laugh. "It couldn't hurt a fly."
But Adrian's golden eyes never left me. His gaze was intense. I could feel the weight of his scrutiny like a blade pressing against my soul.
Voss and Adrian exchanged a few words. Adrian's golden eyes flickered over to me as Voss spoke. The soldiers had stopped patting me down. I stood there. Frozen.
Adrian stepped closer. He didn't seem in a hurry. His fingers brushed lightly over the knife
"Is she really a threat?" Voss asked, his voice thick with suspicion.
Adrian didn't answer right away.
"You're nervous," Adrian said, his voice low, almost teasing. "Why?"
"I'm not nervous." I said.
"I've seen people in far worse positions than you," Adrian remarked, his tone almost mocking. "And none of them were as nervous as you."
Voss stepped forward, his voice cutting through the thick silence. "She's just a girl, Adrian. She's useless?"
"Useless!" I yelled
He stepped back, giving me space, as if deciding what to do with me. The air around us felt heavy.
"If your end comes from a mere dagger," I finally said, "then perhaps you are not worthy to live."
The air grew heavy as my voice echoed, fading into silence. For a moment, no one spoke.
Adrian's eyes lingered on me, unreadable, before he turned with deliberate calm. He tossed the pin into the air. I barely had time to react as it landed gently in my hand.
The guards around me shifted, and pushed me towards the encampment. They gave me a number. "42"