The blade felt heavier than usual. Auryn held Cinderfang horizontally. Testing it's weight. Which felt like that of a small star.
Was it the blade's resistance or the weight of what he was about to do with it? Violet flames flickered along steel mocking and yet encouraging his confliction.
Seven hundred faces stared up from the courtyard below with Marten awaiting his sealed fate.
One swing was all it took. One swing and a life was gone.
Auryn had taken life before but this felt different. It wasn't a bid for survival but a statement. A statement to be witnessed by seven hundred spectators. To be witnessed by her.
Auryn made his way into the courtyard. It was made up of high stone walls that enclosed the space. Separating it from the rest of the town.
Alongside the walls were gothic arches carved with dragon scales and cobblestone ground made smooth by centuries of executions just like this.
At the north-end of the yard was a statue of Ignaris. Twenty feet tall. The Dragon God in humanoid form. Stone flames rising from outstretched hands. Darkened by age.
The centre of attraction and the literal center of the courtyard was a temporary wooden platform. A simple executioners block, elevated for all to see.
The audience packed tight. Restlessness rippling through them in waves. They were mostly humans. Commoners in wool and nobles in silk.
Some elves could be seen as well. Their distinctive ears visible alongside an elegant poise, standing apart with merchant and scholarly bearings.
Amongst the crowd were also a handful of dragon nobility. Scales visible on necks and arms. Standing further back. Cold eyes staring down on the others. A sense of superiority with how they carried themselves.
The atmosphere was a mix of fear, anticipation and anger.
Commoners murmured. "Traitor deserves it." Most of the nobles were pale. This was so sudden and unexpected to them. Martens was their friend, neighbours with some others.
Auryn sighed softly while he climbed up the platform steps.The wood creaked under his boots with each step.
He arrived at the top with cold eyes staring down at the congregation. Willing to bear the weight of what they were to witness.
In no time, a priest approached. An old man in red and gold robes. Flame symbol embroidered on his chest, sleeves and his forehead.
He bowed. "Your Highness. Shall I proceed?"
Auryn nodded, aware of his intent.
"You may"
The guards dragged Marten forward. He'd aged overnight. Eyes were red and swollen. From weeping and lack of sleep.
The crowd stirred, some jeered. Others were simply silent. Forced to his knees, Marten's head fell on the block. Face haggard and defeated.
Auryn's spoke with clarity. His eyes travelling amongst the crowd.
"Marten Khuff. Convicted of treason. Conspiracy with foreign powers. Attempted murder of a dragon prince." He paused. His tone became even calmer than usual.
"Sentence: Death."
The crowd burst into murmurs while others cheered. Nobles shifted uncomfortably. The first execution by a prince in years.
Marten looked up with desperate eyes.
"Your Highness, please! My wife! My children! They knew nothing!"
His voice cracked. "Castor threatened them! I had no choice!"
Some in the crowd felt sympathy but Auryn's response was firm. "Your family will not be punished. They are innocent."
For a brief moment, relief flickered in Marten's eyes.
"But you are not." The relief died as quickly as it saw the light of day.
Marten's expression changed. Death was certain. Bitter acceptance settling over his features.
He leaned forward with cracked voice loud enough for the front rows to hear.
"You think Vaedon doesn't know? He's been watching you."
"You're not the same.I see it. Everyone sees it." With a bitter smile, he continued...
"When he comes for you... and he will... you'll remember my name."
The crowd watched as the priest stepped forward. Hand on Marten's head. Voice solemn.
"May the Flame receive you. May the Dragon god judge your soul with mercy." The priest stepped down as Auryn reached into empty air.
His hands balled into a fist and space broke into golden ripples of light. He reached into the breach and pulled.
Violet flames erupted as Cinderfang emerged in his grip.
The crowd gasped. Each with their own reaction. The humans eyes widened in shock and the dragons stiffened in place. Elves leaned forward with sudden interest.
This was Cinderfang. The dragon-killer. A Blade of Legend that burned those who tried to wield it. It's essence to eradicate the very building block of this empire.
But Auryn held it steady. Ignoring the burns and pain. This was a statement to all who witnessed.
He raised the blade overhead as violet flames roared along the edges.
I'm about to kill a man. Who begged. He has children. And I'm doing it anyway.
His hand trembled slightly.
Is this necessary? He introspected. He couldn't fully understand why his mind was fighting his intention.
This was necessary for Authority to be established and Marten was merely paying the price of betrayal.
Auryn's hand steadied and the blade descended. Violet fire traced an arc through air.
SHAAK—THUMP
Steel met flesh as flames cauterized instantly. No blood sprayed dramatically. It was a fast and clean slash.
The head separated while the rest of the body slumped forward. Auryn felt it, the weight of finality. The head rolling down the platform.
What followed was nerve wrecking silence then reactions rippled through the crowd.
Commoners cheered. "Justice!"
"The prince is strong!" Awe mixed with fear.
Nobles went numb. Some looked away in horror. Others stared at him with terror. He could kill us too
The smaller dragon houses respected his strength but the unease of him possessing Cinderfang lingered.
After a while the crowd slowly dispersed while the body was removed leaving small bloodstains on wood. Evidence of what happened there.
Auryn had dismissed Cinderfang. Violet flames retreated Into the void. He stood alone. Staring at the blood.
Fingers traced the cold steel of his Amulet.
Emilia. Would you still recognize me. I executed a man. Felt his life disappear and yet i wouldn't mind doing it again, whenever necessary...
He looked toward the castle. His people moving through streets beyond. The show was over and their daily life continued.
He didn't feel triumphant neither guilty. Just heavy. Then suddenly a familiar gold shimmer appeared.
[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: EXECUTIONER]
[ Rank Progress: 34% → 42%]
[ Skill Evolution unlocked: Author's Eyes Upgraded.]
[Lie detection: Auras now flicker during falsehood. Deception becomes visible. ]
"Nothing hides from the eyes of the Author"
The notification faded. Auryn's eyes lingered at the empty space where it had been.
The system didn't just reward his survival anymore. It rewarded his rulership. I executed a man. And grew stronger for it.
Is this what it means to be a dragon?
He waited for an answer but there was none. He turned and walked toward the castle entrance. Guards watching him approach.
But from within the castle itself. Lyra waited with amber eyes watching him from a window.