Rovan returned to the sleeping quarters, trying to push the strange encounter with the woman in green from his mind. He needed sleep, but unease gnawed at him.
Unknown to him, one of the emperor's personal mages had followed him back. The mage stood silently in the shadows, watching Rovan slip into the barracks. His eyes glowed faintly, a sign of his magical sight.
But instead of confronting Rovan, the mage left without a word, his steps eerily silent.
The next morning, Rovan was summoned to the main courtyard. A new assignment awaited him—he was to join the emperor's personal guards.
His stomach twisted. Why him? Did they suspect something?
The guards captain barked orders, and Rovan was forced into a line of other men. "You are now protectors of the empire. Prove yourselves worthy, or die trying."
He was then handed new armor—black and gold, heavy with the emperor's crest—and a finely crafted blade. The weight of it made his hand tremble slightly, but he gripped it tightly.
That afternoon, the guards were called to the great hall for a blessing ceremony.
Priests chanted in strange languages, their voices echoing through the high ceiling. Mages stood in a circle, drawing glowing runes in the air. One by one, the guards stepped forward, kneeling as the priests blessed them with holy water and magic.
When it was Rovan's turn, he felt the water burn against his skin. It wasn't painful, but it sent a shiver down his spine. The mage who blessed him paused for a moment, staring at him with an unreadable expression, but said nothing.
The ceremony ended, and they were escorted to the emperor's chambers.
Inside the emperor's room, Rovan's eyes widened. The walls were lined with ancient artifacts and strange, glowing symbols. At the center of the room stood a swirling portal of blue and gold light.
"This," the emperor announced with a smirk, "is the pathway to the gods' domain."
The guards exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared to speak.
"Step forward," the emperor commanded.
Rovan hesitated, but the enforcers behind him shoved the guards forward. One by one, they disappeared into the portal.
When it was Rovan's turn, he clenched his fists and stepped into the swirling light.
The portal felt like being swallowed by a thousand grinding stones. His body felt like it was being stretched, twisted, and crushed all at once.
When he finally emerged, the sensation was so overwhelming he thought he would vomit. Around him, most of the guards fell to their knees, retching and gasping for air.
Rovan, though, held back the urge. His legs wobbled, his breath came in short gasps, and sweat poured down his back, but he forced himself to stay upright.
He looked around. The air was cold, the sky a deep, unnatural gray.
As the group regained their senses, a low rumble shook the ground.
Rovan turned his head, and his heart froze.
In the distance stood figures—giants, easily three times the size of any man. Their skin was rough, like stone, and their eyes glowed like embers.
Beside them were creatures he could not name—beasts with twisted horns, elongated limbs, and sharp, jagged teeth.
The emperor stepped forward, his voice booming. "Our allies have been waiting. Let us begin."
Rovan's heart pounded in his chest. Allies? Or enemies?
And what exactly were they about to begin?
The hall where they were welcomed was grand and eerie, filled with glowing stones and pillars carved with strange creatures. At the center of the room sat a figure unlike anything Rovan had ever seen.
She had the body of a human, clad in intricate gold armor that sparkled like firelight, but her legs ended in sharp, black hooves. Her long, curling horns gleamed like polished obsidian, and her eyes glowed faintly yellow.
The emperor strode confidently toward her, intending to sit beside her on a gold seat. But before he could, she raised one of her hooved feet and placed it on the chair, leaning back with a sneer. Sizing him up with his eyes, she chuckled.
"Not today, emperor," she said, her voice a low, melodic drawl.
The emperor paused, his smile tightening, and chose another seat.
"Following the terms of our pact," the half-human said, her golden nails tapping on the armrest, "do you have one of the blessed for us to consider?"
Rovan stiffened at the mention of the blessed. He focused on keeping his face blank as he stole a glance at the emperor.
The emperor gave a sharp smile, almost too quick. "Not yet, your majesty. But when we find one of the right caliber, you will be the first to know."
The half-human tilted her head, eyes narrowing as if trying to pry the truth from his words. Then she snorted, leaning back lazily.
When the emperor gestured for her to bless the gathering, she waved a hand halfheartedly, muttering something under her breath. A ripple of golden energy flickered in the air and disappeared.
Dinner was served, a strange mix of delicacies Rovan didn't recognize and wouldn't dare taste. The beasts and creatures seated on the opposite side of the room ate noisily, their sharp teeth tearing through meat as blood dripped onto the polished floor.
Rovan ate sparingly, his stomach tight with unease.
When the plates were cleared, the emperor rose, his voice booming. "Now, let us test the mettle of the tributes brought before us!"
Tributes. That's what they called the guards, Rovan thought bitterly.
A circle was cleared in the center of the room, and a heavy iron gate creaked open. From the shadows emerged a beast—its black fur gleaming, its eyes glowing red. Its jaws opened to reveal rows of jagged teeth, and a low growl rumbled through the hall.
"Step forward!" the emperor commanded.
The first man, trembling, was shoved into the circle. He barely raised his weapon before the beast lunged, its claws tearing through his armor as if it were paper. The man screamed, but it ended quickly. Blood splattered across the stone floor.
A second man was pushed forward, his face pale with terror. He fared no better.
The remaining guards stepped back, unwilling to face the monster.
"Cowards!" the emperor roared. His eyes scanned the group, sizing them up with his eyes until it landed on Rovan. "You!"
Rovan's chest tightened. He could feel every gaze in the room turn to him.
He stepped forward, trying to keep his legs steady. His hand tightened around the hilt of his blade as he entered the circle.He could feel his fear rising. One of the things they had taught him at the silent sanctuary was to let go of fear. Fear was an emotion, that could be guided. Rowan tried to guide his fear.
The beast growled low, its red eyes locking onto him.
From the corner of his eye, Rovan saw the half-human queen watching intently, her lips curling into a faint smile. He could not get used this strange liking to violence among this people, but for now, he had to survive somehow, first.
He raised his sword, his heart pounding in his chest. The beast crouched, ready to strike.
The room fell silent as the two faced off.
And then the beast lunged.