I lay on the ground, drenched in crimson. My body trembled, drained beyond exhaustion. My face was pale as ash, my lips slick with blood.
Every muscle screamed, every breath seared through me like fire. This pain… no human should ever endure it.
Yet my eyes refused to close.
My body had already surrendered, but my gaze stayed fixed on the moon above—so bright, so mocking. I could feel death creeping closer, the last warmth slipping from my veins. Memories—countless, merciless memories—flashed before me like shards of glass: regret, humiliation, vengeance, betrayal, murder.
I've done it all. And now, here I am—finally paying the price.
_Damn it._
_Not even thirty. No family. No heir. No one to inherit my cursed name._
"Have the memories of your crimes begun to surface?"
The voice was calm, clear—almost gentle. I forced my head to turn, the motion alone nearly tearing me apart.
A man stood there. No younger than thirty, his golden hair flowed like molten sunlight. His frame was tall and honed, strength carved from battle, not vanity. A long black coat, trimmed with gold, clung to him, rippling faintly as if afraid to contain the power beneath. His boots—scarred but unbroken—looked capable of walking through fire itself.
He didn't need a crown. The air itself bowed to him.
Authority bled from his every breath.
Golden eyes met mine—cold, pained, and disappointed.
Of course he would be. That man was my only friend.
"For someone whose blade is buried in my heart," I rasped, glancing at the sword protruding from my chest, "it's only natural my memories come flooding back."
I tried to sit up. Pathetic.
"Help me up, will ya, Agon?"
He hesitated. The first time I'd ever called him by name without deceit. He sighed, stepping forward, and reached out his hand. I took it without thinking.
From the shadows, three others emerged—two women and a man, all wearing the same black-and-gold uniform. Enforcers, not warriors.
"Zultrix."
That voice—soft, melodic, yet laced with frost. My heart clenched. I didn't need to look to know. But when she said my name again, I couldn't ignore it.
Vanessa.
She stepped into the moonlight—silver hair cascading over white robes, blue eyes as calm as glacial seas. She stopped a few meters away. Agon stepped aside for her without a word. When her gaze met mine, I saw it all: the weight of tragedy, the burdens she carried, and the strength to endure them.
She knelt, taking my hand gently. I tried to pull away, weakly, uselessly.
"Stay put, Zultrix," she said, voice quiet but sharp as a blade.
At her command, my body froze. Just like the old days.
Agon chuckled faintly, the sound filled with sorrow.
For a moment, I saw the three of us as we once were—Agon, Vanessa, and me. Friends. Dreamers. Children of war.
But those days were long gone, buried under blood and ashes.
"Agon," a new voice spoke. A woman with chestnut hair approached, her tone hesitant. "What'll happen to Zultrix now?"
Agon glanced at me, his expression unreadable.
"I wanted to kill him for everything he's done. For all the pain he caused. But now…" His fists trembled. "Now I don't know what to do."
"Then let me do it."
A rough voice cut through the night. Kaelen stepped forward, scarred and hardened, an eyepatch covering his right eye. His armor bore the same black and gold, but his rage burned brighter than any metal.
"My men died because of him. My village burned. He called himself king, but he was just a butcher!" His glare was venom. "Justice demands his head, Agon. Or have you forgotten the faces of the fallen?"
Agon's aura flared like a golden inferno. "I've forgotten nothing! His tyranny united the Four Kingdoms. His 'evil' ended a century of war! Do you think this is easy for me? The man I called brother is dying by my hand!"
"A necessary evil," Kaelen spat, "is still evil!"
Then the air itself froze.
Vanessa hadn't moved—but the crushing weight of her power silenced the world. Her voice, calm yet absolute, sliced through the tension.
"Enough. Both of you."
Even Agon bowed his head. Kaelen fell silent.
I almost laughed—two of the strongest men alive, bowing like scolded children. Instead, I coughed up more blood. Vanessa's eyes softened as she resumed healing me, blue light weaving over my broken form. When she finally stood, pity clouded her expression.
"You will not die, Zultrix," she said firmly. "The world needs a villain to execute—and they shall have one."
She looked away, hands trembling.
"A clone will take your place. It will be executed before the public. They will celebrate the death of the Tyrant King. But you—" her voice faltered, "—you will live. Imprisoned in the Silent Keep. That will be your punishment."
A bitter laugh slipped from my throat, turning into a cough.
"Live? You call that living?"
Chains over freedom. Silence over death. A cage over peace.
"I… refuse."
Kaelen smirked, stepping forward, rage flaring.
"You think you're in a position to refuse?" Lightning crackled in his hands. "As if your sins were a joke—!"
I met his gaze, unflinching. My fingers twitched.
_No other way._
My teeth clenched as I bit down.
A sharp crack and rush of bitter liquid filled my mouth
"Zultrix, no!" Vanessa's scream pierced the air.
Fire exploded inside me. My heart turned to a collapsing star. Agon tried to heal me, his hands glowing gold, but the poison had already taken root. Chaos. Shouting. Tears. It was all fading into nothing.
Through the blur, I saw them—Agon, Vanessa. Crying.
That hurt more than dying ever could.
Still… I smiled.
A life in a cage isn't a life worth keeping.
_Live well… Be happy._
And then the moon, the tears, the world—everything—faded into crimson black.
Weightless.
Painless.
Peaceful.
So this… is death.
No wars. No plots. No burdens. Just silence. Just rest.
I almost smiled.
But then—light.
My eyes shot open. Darkness shattered, replaced by blinding gold.
Six armored figures stood before me—knights of pure radiance. Their armor gleamed like sunlight, cloaks of crimson flowing behind them. Etched runes pulsed faintly, whispering ancient vows. Their helms revealed no faces, only glowing eyes—unyielding, eternal.
A chill ran through me.
Enemies? Judges?
I was naked, defenseless.
"This can't be good…"
Before I could move, they raised their swords, stabbing them into the ground as one.
"O Child of Light—seeker of peace amidst endless strife.
O Child of Light—who bore sacrifice as both burden and vow.
Though the world cast upon you the brand of heretic, > Rejoice—for your divine mandate is fulfilled.
Your light has returned to the heavens."
Their voices thundered in unison, echoing through the void.
"Child of Light?" I muttered. "You've got the wrong guy."
Golden light spiraled from their feet, encircling me.
"Wait—wait, hold on—!"
"O Child of Light, may your new journey begin."
The world dissolved. My body fell through endless light. I was in utter shock as I couldn't comprehend what just happened. then questions reached through my mind
Was I going back?
Am I going to live again?
No No No
My last words echoed.
"Whats happening". I was forced down and disappeared into the endless light without any questions answered
Somewhere beyond the void, a dark figure stirred—mist curling around its form. Its eyes glowed white, piercing through the nothingness.
"Former Tyrant… I look forward to seeing your new path and our encounter."
The voice faded. The void swallowed all.