Middle of the Night
I woke up suddenly, my head resting against the wooden frame of the carriage. The darkness outside pressed in tightly, broken only by the faint, flickering glow of lanterns swaying gently from the roof.
For a moment, I thought it was a dream—just another illusion in a restless night. But as the cold air seeped in through the thin curtains and the wood beneath me creaked with movement, I realized with a jolt: this was real.
The carriage rocked violently over uneven ground. My body swayed with it, my mind still dazed. I leaned forward and called out, "Stop the carriage!"
No answer.
"Who's driving? Stop—right now!"
Silence. Not even a whisper from the driver.
Only the rhythmic pounding of hooves against the road, like the relentless beating of a war drum, filled the air. A sense of dread crept over me, curling around my spine like smoke.
Then I heard it—faint voices, urgent and fearful, carried on the wind.
> "The palace is on fire… The flames have reached the Emperor's chamber…"
The words struck like lightning.
My chest tightened. My breathing quickened. Fear gripped me so tightly that I could barely move.
> No—no, this can't be happening.
I scrambled toward the door, yanking at the latch. It was stuck. Panic clawed at me as I looked around, heart hammering.
With no other choice, I forced open the narrow carriage window and leapt.
The night air rushed past me. My body hit the ground hard, pain shooting up my arm. But I pushed myself up and ran.
I didn't know who had taken me. I didn't care.
All I knew was that I had to get to the Emperor.
My feet pounded the cobblestone road, heart roaring in my ears. The sky above glowed orange now, the flames rising high enough to light the heavens.
Emperor's Chamber
When I arrived, smoke stung my eyes and throat. The thick scent of burning wood and cloth filled the air.
There were people outside—but something about them felt wrong. Their movements were clumsy, chaotic. They weren't trying to help. They were just… standing there. Some shouting, some running in circles, their eyes wide with fear and confusion.
I knew I couldn't trust them. So I ducked behind the side wall and crept closer, my back pressed against the cool stone. I found a window—half-shattered—and looked inside.
What I saw made my blood run cold.
My father—the Emperor—had collapsed on the ground.
And standing over him… was a tall, shadowed figure. His face obscured, his voice low but sharp, almost like he was questioning him. Demanding something.
The flames hadn't yet reached the chamber fully, but they licked hungrily at the wooden door, dancing dangerously close.
I took a deep breath, gritting my teeth. I have to stop this. I reached for the window frame, ready to climb inside.
But before I could lift myself through—
CRACK.
Pain exploded at the back of my head.
My vision blurred. The world twisted sideways as I collapsed to the ground. My ears rang, my limbs refused to move.
Through the haze, a voice spoke. Quiet. Cold. Familiar.
I couldn't see him—but I knew that voice.
> It's him…
When I opened my eyes again, the room was unfamiliar.
The air was damp and heavy with the scent of mildew. The wooden walls looked old, close to crumbling. A small window let in a sliver of moonlight. I was lying on a rough mat, covered by a tattered blanket.
I sat up slowly, my body aching.
> Where am I?
I looked around the room—empty. Quiet.
I opened my mouth to speak, but no sound came out. My throat was dry. My fear, heavier.
> Who brought me here?
> And why...?