The capital of Neyora was renowned for its bustle.
Its people were accustomed to beginning their day at the very break of dawn. Even in the middle of the night, the cries of stray cats and barn animals kept the city from falling silent.
But today was different.
The city had sunk into a heavy silence, as if it had been abandoned. Doors were left ajar, pots of lunch still simmered on stoves, and baskets of fruit arranged for sale remained untouched. It was as though the people had vanished without a trace.
The silence lingered until midmorning, when the sound of a flood of horses approaching the city broke through. Despite the distance, the neighing of horses and the war cries of riders echoed through the streets.
The gates were shattered, and Johan's army stormed the city with triumphant shouts. Wherever they went, they found no living soul—not even a bird.
But it didn't matter. They had won, and now the capital was in their hands. One soldier, seeking revenge on the empty city, set fire to a house. The others, excited by the sight, followed suit one by one.
Yes—this was the punishment for a people who hadn't come to greet them. They kept burning and moved closer to the palace. None of them noticed the figure watching from the tallest window of the palace, gazing down at the terrifying scene.
That person stared at the flames growing larger by the second. He wasn't afraid; he blamed himself for what had happened. He had failed to protect the legacy entrusted to him by his ancestors. Without a doubt, he was the most unworthy emperor Neyora had ever known.
A month earlier, Johan—a small nation—had declared war on Neyora, one of the greatest empires in the land. And look now—less than a month later, they had suffered such a defeat.
All Elias had done was evacuate the city before the enemy arrived. Now, he stood alone in the palace, waiting.
His wife, Anna, had insisted on staying by his side, but Elias refused. Throughout their life together, no love or affection had ever truly formed between them. Elias had always seen her as a friend—nothing more. He couldn't let someone die for a man like him.
He heard footsteps approaching the room.
The time had come. He turned toward the door and raised his sword. If he was going to die, he wanted to do it fighting maybe that would lessen the shame.
The door opened.
Elias froze at the sight of the person standing there:
—What are you doing here?
The woman stepped forward, breathless:
—I came for you.
Elias's surprise quickly turned to fear:
—The soldiers could arrive any moment. Go—get out of here.
She shook her head and looked him straight in the eyes:
—I'm not going anywhere without you.
Elias thought: Why? Why did the one person he cared about most have to be here now?
Daisy continued:
—I knew you'd try something this foolish. Come on, we still have time. The soldiers haven't reached the palace yet.
Daisy had first approached Elias to avenge her parents' death. But everything they'd been through together had led Elias to fall for her—alone. Daisy had always run from that feeling.
So why was she the one trying to save him now?
Elias said anxiously:
—It's too late. The capital's been taken.
Making sure you all survive is the least I can do. Please… go.
But Daisy stepped forward and grabbed his collar:
—You think dying will fix things? You think anything will change? Stop with these stupid thoughts. You're a fool—a damn fool! You want to leave me like everyone else?
Her eyes filled with tears. Her fingers loosened.
Elias feared she might collapse, so he quickly held her by the arms. Her head was bowed, and her voice trembled through her sobs:
—Stay alive… please, just stay alive.
Elias wanted to hold her right then and there,
but he had to decide quickly. Every second that passed narrowed their chance to escape.
He made his choice. After all, Daisy was always stubborn. Maybe this was a chance to start over.
He gently lifted her face with his hand:
—Alright… I'm coming.
A few minutes later, Elias and Daisy, hand in hand, slipped out of the palace. They planned to cross the garden and enter the Empress's wing— there was a hidden passage there.
No soldiers blocked their path, which was strange in itself.
They finally reached the entrance. As they approached, Daisy suddenly stopped, spun around, and looked behind her. A spear flew toward them. Both jumped apart to dodge it.
As soon as the spear hit the ground, a swarm of soldiers rushed in and formed a circle around them.
Elias drew his sword. Daisy grabbed the fallen spear. They stood shoulder to shoulder.
Daisy was a skilled fighter—especially in close combat. There were more than twenty soldiers,
and that worried Elias. Fighting wasn't the goal. Escape was.
A voice rang out from behind the crowd:
—Well, well… look who we have here.
The soldiers parted, and a man who looked like a commander stepped forward. An eyepatch covered one eye. He smirked:
—Sorry to interrupt your romantic moment.
Daisy said:
—Commander Severus. Doesn't your wound still hurt?
Severus scowled and touched the eyepatch:
—News travels fast. But you've been so busy, you missed the most important one.
He gestured to a soldier, who returned with a sack. Severus took it and turned to Daisy:
—Proud of your knight, are you? Why not ask him how he did this to me?
He tossed the sack toward them. It burst open, and something rolled out.
At first Elias saw only a clump of hair— but then realized it was a human head. Its eyes bulged from their sockets, dried blood crusted across the face. Time had distorted its features. It was a horrifying sight.
Daisy whispered:
—Sir Claude…
The head belonged to Claude, the finest royal knight— a man who could take on an entire army alone.
Elias thought: They must've used some filthy trick to defeat him.
Severus said with relish:
—Who would've thought your knight would end up like this? He was nothing but a coward. You should've heard him beg for his life…
Daisy shouted:
—Shut up!
Everyone turned toward her.
—Shut up, you bastard!
Severus glared at her:
—You talk too much.
He yawned:
—I'm bored. Kill them.
The soldiers charged. Elias and Daisy stood back to back. Blades and spears came at them from every direction.
Elias was striking down his third opponent when suddenly, everything stopped.
He turned and saw Daisy pulling a spear from a soldier's body. Her hair was disheveled, one sleeve torn. She bent down and picked up the dead soldier's sword. Now she stood with two weapons in hand.
Severus raised one eyebrow:
—Now this is getting interesting.
He drew his sword and charged toward Daisy.
Elias wanted to fight Severus himself, but the soldiers attacked him again. He could hear Daisy fighting. He had to get to her—fast.
A soldier lunged straight at him. Elias dodged.
And then, everything happened in a single moment.
As he moved aside, a sword came at him from behind. There was no way to escape this one.
But instead of steel, he felt a body—and the sound of someone gasping for breath. He turned quickly— Daisy had fallen into his arms,
a sword buried in her stomach.
Elias dropped his own blade and caught her with both hands.
—Daisy…
She pulled the sword from her body, groaning in pain. Elias was in shock. He had to do something. He had to get her out of there.
The soldiers tried to approach, but Elias shouted:
—Stay back!
Fear gripped every part of him. Daisy coughed, blood spilling from her mouth. Elias whispered:
—Daisy… don't worry. You'll be okay. Just hold on a little longer, alright?
Her eyes were half-open. Her breathing grew slower… and slower.
Elias shook her gently:
—Daisy… please don't leave me. Please…
Her eyes closed, and her final breath drifted softly into the air.
Elias's tears soaked her face. He lifted her lifeless body slightly and held her close.
Then— a cold sensation crept across the back of his neck.
And everything was over.