1 Chapter-1-The Empty Cell

"ha hah ha..."The bitter and sad laugh echoed the dark room.

The source of this pathetic laugh was none other than me, captured & awaiting execution. Such is the fate of a war prisoner, the dried blood on lips & my broken fingers were the proof that my only hope for survival, the information I held was already exhausted.

I used to think I would probably last quite a while if I were ever taken in Artia's grace(A popular saying in this world which suggests torture or bad treatment, originating from famous folklore about a deceptive and cruel goddess) but I gave in too soon.

Even more disappointed in myself I let out a sad smile, 'smile if it gets bad, laugh if it gets worse' such were the teaching of my kind old man, maybe they were what kept my sanity from being the feed of the horrors of war.

The ground being riddled with corpses of both men and beasts; painted with brown of the rotting blood and surviving which many would consider a blessing turned out to be retribution in disguise.

'No I can't regret living' was a single voice among the many of strife, why did this thought came to me, this tenacious will to live? Is it common to all?

Even the slight hint of being special gave me hope, 'maybe I could survive.'

No I can't, I can't hope so carelessly, wasn't this carelessness that landed me in this pit, wasn't this hope that made me join the army, weren't these delusions that made me despair, yes I must numb my senses for the helplessness that lies at my feet.

The door opened, and a week light peeked from the hallway revealing the dirt and blood on the floor.

A man in half-plate armour bearing the arrogant crest of the Trinada Kingdom, the lion with a condescending pose, looking down on all it ruled, entered and unlocked the chains that bound me to the wall.

"Stand up," said the man coldly

I tried, but there was no strength in my legs

"stand the bloody fuck up!" I felt a sharp pain in my stomach

Weirdly enough, the body that I thought had no strength to talk, in fear of pain- mustered enough strength to stand.

I knew the drill and offered him my hands; I didn't like pain.

Dragged outside what awaited me were a sun shining so bright that it hurt my eyes which had now become familiar with the dark, and a wagon into which I was forced.

It was hot in the wagon, which made me remember the cold in the cell with nostalgia.

Looking around, I saw some familiar faces- some war comrades including one who was a general, being horrible with names I didn't remember his, but he was certainly someone who stood out.

'maybe'

All of us had a similar decorum which included both our clothes and our expressions excluding one, a young man sitting in front of my far right. Only he had a face of 'a man who would resist', he would rather fight than flee. I pitied him for having hope.

'maybe'

I envied him for having determination.

'maybe'

Our caravan started being surrounded by trees, passing through a path carved into the forest.

'maybe'

We arrived at a crossroad and due to the shaking caused by the unusually bad path the caravan had to slow down.

'maybe'

And we crossed the 'unusual' path, and even the trees surrounding us became scarce as the forest abandoned us and with itself- took 'hope'.

My jaw began to shake, to suppress which I bit my lips while looking down and then appeared a sad smile as if mocking this superficial hope of mine.

And onward we went towards that dreadful city, Bellstall, whose name I only remember because I overheard a couple of guards talking about their family there.

There were golden farmland surrounding the walled city, and then without any prior warning as if being struck by an arrow in the dark, I heard a scream.