The sun was rising amidst beautiful hills. Sun rays of the breaking dawn pierced through the morning fog to expose the lush greenery and the mesmerizing view of the hills and the valley below. A woman, elegantly dressed in golden, was standing on the edge of a cliff with her back to this beautiful scenery. Despite her disheveled hair and blood stains on her face, the rising sun behind her seemed to form a halo, enhancing her beauty.
Hundreds of people surrounded her with all kinds of weapons. She stood against them with a bloodied sword in her hand. Even when being cornered she faced them without an ounce of fear. She looked at the people besieging her and smiled. The people flinched. Although she was alone, no one dared to step forward.
The woman locked eyes with a man on a horse back. He looked like a brave, young warrior. He was the leader of the group.
"Give up Your Majesty! You have massacred hundreds of men without even giving any reasonable explanation. You encouraged criminals and killed all the four Governors. You killed many loyal officials on whim. Your cruelty had reached its limits. Although your sins are unforgivable, we will let you live if you abdicate the throne to me and leave this city," he said.
"You don't have to do this", he added slowly, almost inaudible to anyone.
After a moment of silence, the woman laughed. The people unknowingly took a step back.
"Aziel Kaz, I took you in and raised you, but you dare rebel against me? I did nothing wrong! I am the Empress of this Kingdom! I do not need to explain my actions to anyone. I can kill whoever I want, whenever I want!" she declared.
She looked at the people who went still when she spoke.
"Even now, none of you dare to fight me, what throne are you demanding?" she mocked them.
"So you finally admit to it," a man said as he came forward.
Their eyes locked. She stopped smiling.
"Lev Dewei, you shouldn't have come here", she said slowly.
"You killed my father, Abiri Arlo! Did you really expect me to not come here?" he said as he pointed his sword towards her. He was angry but also seemed to be in pain as he spoke.
The crowd started shouting, "Kill her! Kill the tyrant queen!" repeatedly. Lev took a step forward; Abiri did not move but gave him a sad smile. The crowd went silent again.
"I just want to know why. Why did you kill my father? He was so loyal to you. Even when no one understood your actions he always said you had your reasons. Why did you have to kill him?" tears streamed from Lev's eyes.
Abiri lost the smile. She looked at Aziel who averted his eyes.
She smiled again but her eyes were sad, "Even at a time like this you ask for an explanation?" she said.
She took a deep breath and looked straight into his eyes and said, "There is no reason. He died because I wanted him dead."
She dropped her sword. Before Lev could react, an arrow flew past Aziel and pierced Abiri in the chest. Even before anyone realized what happened, Abiri fell off the cliff.