Betrayal
Given the choice, I would strongly prefer solitude over getting caught up in an unchangeable cause that continually makes my soul sad. The peace of being alone, where thoughts can flow freely and the worries of the world can be put aside, is a choice I would make again and again. I would rather walk the uncertain path of life and I will help the innocent lives that crave hope in the middle of despair.
David, a powerful expert with a reputation that was well-known throughout the empire, had always wanted one thing - to disappear into exile. His journey had been one of courage and self-sacrifice, one where he had fought relentlessly with demons on the dangerous borders of darkness while serving the empire. His bravery was famous, and his loyalty was never in doubt. However, when he returned to the heart of the empire, he stumbled upon a revelation that would shatter his world. His beloved wife, the woman who had stood by his side through countless battles, had become the emperor’s concubine. The anger within him burned brightly, propelling him toward the emperor’s palace with unwavering determination.
As he burst into the emperor’s presence, anger flashed in his eyes. However, what he saw within those grand chambers caused time to stop. His wife, the love of his life, stood gracefully by the emperor’s side. Tears filled his eyes, and his mind faltered in disbelief. The world seemed to fall apart around him as he looked upon this unexpected scene of his own personal tragedy.
Before him stood a woman of breathtaking beauty, her graceful figure emphasized by her position beside the emperor. After studying her for a moment, David’s confused mind registered a detail that pierced his heart - she was pregnant. An indescribable chaos overtook his thoughts, leaving him without words. He could only remain silent and ask the emperor a single question that echoed in the quiet chamber: “Emperor, what is the meaning of this betrayal? I put my life on the line to protect this empire, but for what purpose?”
The emperor laughed, a chilling sound that echoed in the room: “General, you don’t know the depths of the secrets that cover this empire. As for your wife, or should I say, my concubine?” The emperor’s tone was filled with cold amusement.
The word “concubine” ignited a furious fire within David, but his voice was momentarily silenced. Instead, he locked his gaze on the woman by the emperor’s side, her expression as cold and unforgiving as a winter’s night.
The emperor continued: “Let me reveal a truth hidden in shadows. I orchestrated the destruction of your clan. And as for your wife, she was placed by my side to control you. He chuckled coldly. “In your youth, you exhibited unparalleled potential. I nurtured that potential to forge a weapon for my victory. Now that your usefulness has waned, it is time to dispose of you.” The emperor’s eyes gleamed with malevolence.
With the emperor’s final words, an arcane, colossal formation sprung to life. David’s mana was inexplicably drained, leaving him feeling powerless and vulnerable.
David erupted with a thunderous roar: ” If the heavens permit my return, I will deliver upon you all the cruelest torments, especially you. We grew up together, and I never fathomed you’d prove to be such an ungrateful traitor. I aided your family when they were on the brink of ruin, fostering their rise to glory. I treated you as kin, giving my all. But you? You’re nothing more than an ingrate. If fate conspires to grant me another chance, I will ensure you taste the bitterest of despairs.”
The emperor chuckled darkly: “Not even the divine can rescue you now. Regrettably, you are of no further use to me. Men, take him away for execution.”
David was forcefully removed from the chamber, yet not before casting a final gaze filled with hatred at the woman who had betrayed him. But this time, she spoke, her words dripping with icy disdain.
Carla: “You were but a pawn, a plaything. Love for you never found purchase in my heart, not even a sliver. You are nothing more than a pitiful creature, a frog foolishly yearning for the swan’s elusive beauty.”
David’s response was silence, and he left the chamber, escorted by two royal guards. However, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
David was imprisoned, his hands and feet bound with heavy chains. David turned his gaze to the two guards and spoke solemnly: “Are you not terrified of meeting a fate like mine? I gave my all to serve this empire, and yet, it has cruelly betrayed me despite my unwavering devotion.”
The guards replied, their voices heavy with sympathy: “We understand, General, but we are bound by duty. We respect you, but our allegiance is to the emperor’s commands. Failure to comply would bring ruin upon our families. Take this time; tomorrow marks the day of your public execution.”
The guards bid their farewell to David, who sat in solitude, reflecting upon the tragic turn of events.
David’s voice was laden with regret: “I believed I stood on the brink of securing justice for my family, only to realize my own naivety. I never fathomed that the entity I dedicated my life to protect was the very architect of my clan’s downfall. It is a pitiable irony.”
The next morning, the two guards arrived as David lay asleep.
Guard 1, Lukas: “General, it is time to wake.”
David stirred, and the guard swung open the cell door. He stepped out slowly, lost in thought, as he was led to the execution platform.
As David stood on the platform, the emperor’s voice resounded, echoing throughout the empire.
Emperor Matthew: “I, Matthew, Emperor of the Great Land of End, hereby decree the execution of this traitor, David, the last remnant of the Ziet clan.”
The emperor’s proclamation ignited a frenzy of whispers among the citizens who had gathered.
A butcher among the crowd was the first to speak: “What the Ziet clan? A remnant of a legendary lineage, but why would he betray the empire? As far as I know, the clan swore to protect the empire’s people.”
Another citizen voiced surprise: “I’ve heard the legends. They were said to have been obliterated by an enigmatic force, and I believed no survivors remained. But why would he turn against the empire? The clan was known as the empire’s protectors, upholders of peace, and defenders of commoners.”
While the citizens deliberated, the emperor silenced them with a stern command.
Emperor Matthew: “Silence!”
The emperor then directed his attention to David, inviting him to share any last words.
David looked deep into the emperor’s eyes then turned his gaze to the commoners. He smiled faintly and began to speak: “We gave our lives to protect this empire, never fathoming our own impending annihilation...”
Before David could finish, the emperor’s face abruptly changed. He drew his sword with lightning speed, the blade slicing through David’s neck, bringing his words to a sudden, brutal halt. The executioners and the crowd were taken aback by the emperor’s unexpected and ruthless action.
While the audience was still grappling with shock, the emperor commanded the execution to conclude.
Emperor Matthew: “Dismiss!”
People were jolted into motion by the emperor’s order, departing from the scene in silence, unwilling to speak of the shocking events they had witnessed. The two guards who had escorted David now comprehended the truth concealed behind his truncated speech.
Guard 1, Lukas: “Now I understand. It’s as if everything has become clear, unraveling the mysteries of what truly occurred five centuries ago.”
Guard 2, Richard: “Indeed, but it is a fruitless revelation. Even if the truth were to spread, it would not yield benevolent outcomes. Instead, it would sow more discord and death than any good.”
The truth of that day would forever remain buried within the hearts of those who had borne witness, especially those who had unraveled the enigma concealed within the last words of the Guardian.
After his execution, David found himself reborn as a seven-year-old boy named Julius. He inhabited the jungle, living a solitary existence, for his parents had perished in their village during a demon onslaught. Their selfless sacrifice had allowed Julius to escape, with an elder guiding him during those perilous four years. Those early years in the wilderness transformed Julius into an adept hunter, capable of sustaining himself in the unforgiving terrain.
Perched atop a towering mountain, encircled by the vast expanse of the ocean, Julius stood upon a massive rock. His gaze absorbed the breathtaking view before him. In his hand, he clutched a rough-hewn wooden spear, and a bow rested against his back. His attire consisted of animal skins, weathered and resilient.
Yet, in that moment a fragile soul of a person suddenly entered in his body, and he resisted the soul and it was destroyed inside in his body, Suddenly and searing pain gripped his head, as if an invisible vice were squeezing his thoughts. He cried out in agony.
Julius, clutching his head: “Ahhhhh!”
The pain intensified, and he fell to the ground, writhing. Images surged through his mind, each one more vivid than the last. The agony reached an unbearable crescendo until, overwhelmed, he succumbed to unconsciousness.
When he finally awoke, he was astounded to find that he retained memories as if he had lived an entire lifetime. His demeanor had matured, and despite his youthful appearance, there was a wisdom and gravity about him that defied his years.
