Emperor's Reckoning

The evening was approaching as the sun had let its last shed of light for the day. Acute and disciplined people were closing their shops while some just opened theirs. Horses came and go as merchants and traveling companions just got back from a journey from afar. Their expressions were desolate as the looming war was upon them. Despite the bustling market, they still made a deficit as the journey to the other three kingdoms would be too much dangerous for the safety of their goods. However, one man was standing at the top of the building brooding over the city as it closed for the night and let the life of those living in the dark hour thrive.

His eyes were sharp as he hid in the shadow of the night. No one could catch a glimpse of his face, not even when he decided to move did they felt the change of wind. For the sleepless night, there was nothing that could stop his advances before he disappeared and vanished completely without a sound.

Standing in front of the cave where the prison of the kingdom was built. The young man yawned as he walked in without a care in the world. His face was a little bit smug as he slightly raised his chin before putting the rest of his head to his arms. He whistled freely, the sound reverberated the silent prison and he entered it like it was his own home. His footsteps didn't catch the attention of the junior guard since his presence alone was sufficient.

(He walked in and out like nothing! As my duty of the prison guard, how come I lost to someone whose status is beneath me?! Beneath the civilian even!) thought the junior as he could only watch him past him by once again. The rattle in his armor could only heighten the wide trembling gaze that he had. He couldn't turn around as his feet stuck on the ground to a pressure that was of his own fear. The fright and flight mode instantly shut down his motoric senses as not even his pupils could be moved.

Approaching the cell that was meant to him, he took a glance and saw it empty and dusty. There was nothing but cobwebs all over the edges of the room.

"Heh," he smirked as he went past the room and went to the opposite one.

Pushing the cell open, the slight creak caught the occupant's surprise before he went in toward the spot where there was a light that illuminating but not from a torch. The beautiful jade fireflies hovering freely around the figure on which his eyes laid upon.

The silver tray was neatly placed on the side as the glimmer of the metal shone. Empty bowls, empty plates, not a single noticeable spot of broth could be seen. Bones of chickens and even ribs were neatly placed on that tray. The silverware that was used to eat the grand fiesta was on the place where it belonged. The empty gourds were standing as only the aroma of the wine was left in there.

(She cleaned the entire food? Damn, I never thought she could do it. The wine too?!) thought Lyon despite his face was still retaining that iconic smirk of his. Taking his last step before stopping his tracks, he crossed his arm as his face was revealed clearly to her eyes.

"You did it," complemented Lyon with a dumb grin on his face.

Cecile was having her cheeks puffed before she swallowed down the last part of her meal through her throat. Hearing his whistle the poor woman acted in haste and gobbled them up ruthlessly despite feeling that her stomach begged her to stop else she died.

Lyon casually sat down before looking at her with a smile on his face.

"W-W-What?"

Looking at his face that was naturally had a hint of pervertedness, she was bound to her fright. With those words that made the gods went to hell just to write his name, her imagination could only run wild and went infinite. Bound by the chains that restricted her freedom she couldn't run, let alone fight. She might have a slight chance against an ordinary cultivator, but against the young man in front of her, she had a higher chance of being a queen than touching his hair.

"Nothing, c'mon, let's make you beautiful."

"What?"

Cecile was slightly confused by his words before her imagination sparked and made her eyebrows furrowed. Fright was apparent before Lyon laughed as he reached out his hand toward her wrist, specifically one of the chains that bound her.

Cecile naturally pulled out but Lyon was not having any of it before catching her hand and pulled her in. (Ah! His strength is unbelievable! I can't even budge! Am I, am I going to get ravaged?!) her thought ran too fast that the desolate and sorrow in her eyes were present as she looked down. The emotion inside her was gone without a trace as her disappointment against the world had peaked. Everything grayed out before a loud thud was heard.

"Huh?" she muttered. Her eyes caught a glimpse of metal that she would have never thought it would be on the ground.

Lyon let go of her hand before reaching the other without caring what she felt. The red bruise on her wrist was apparent as the skin tone also differed because of the tight chain.  Her eyes opened wide as she looked at the red spot and the unfamiliar freedom that she had.

*THUD!

Another thud ensued as another chain was unlocked. There was no stopping Lyon as he knelt down with a smile. Reaching out for her ankle he undid the chain that bound her leg before finally went to the last one.

The last thud brought her freedom of movement back but before she could gather her emotions, Lyon stood up and yawning to the fullest as he stretched his arm to reach the sky. He turned around before saying, "C'mon follow me."

Lyon went on back and left the illuminating light. It was easy steps for him but for her it was different.

Her breath was getting heavier and heavier as her heart slightly thumped harder than it used to be. Her figure was basked in the light and beyond the darkness was an even greater place that she used to run free. However, she took her hand on top of her chest as she remembered the scorn of the people. She suddenly took half a step back as her heart raced.

Being bound meant that she wouldn't be able to taste the world, but being unbound would mean to receive those scorns and insults of the people. No matter what she said, nobody believed her. She was a nobody, a homeless orphan. She couldn't even remember her parents that gave birth to her. Watching those among her peers from the corner of a wall, she wanted that warmth a warmth of a family. The laughter of the children as they had no care for the food they will eat later in the day. A comfy bed to sleep, a friend to trust, a partner to spend the rest of her life with. All of those were nothing but fluttering dreams for her. However.

She believed in it, the single shred of hope even if it was so thing that one squint couldn't even catch it a glimpse, she held on to it. Chances after chances, she eventually got it, she still remembered the excitement when she got a job. Her morale increased, her status increased, people started to see her in a different light, until... that happened.

Chained in the cell she realized that nobody was actually smiling at her back then. They all fake, nothing but fakes. She was a scapegoat, a huge one. It was planned from the very beginning. With how her status was, she was perfect. She had no one on her back, she didn't have the power to retaliate, she was desperate. A golden egg for those who were smart enough to use her.

"Hmm?" Lyon turned around before looking at her doubting herself. His eyebrows furrowed before his killing intent slightly slipped out and went the opposite way of his gaze.

The junior guard felt the sudden intense wave before he threw up to his disbelief. He was heavily panting as he couldn't even blink (What was that?!).

Lyon let out a sigh before he put up a smile and asked the auburn woman.

"What are you doing?"

Her ears slightly twitched before she looked in front and seeing the young man with his aloof and lazy look.

She shook her head and couldn't answer his question with words. She tried to hide her trembling legs but with his eyes that were trained by the twelve beings, it was in plain sight. She closed her eyes as her heart rumbled, but she could hear footsteps approaching.

"Cecile...."

Her trembling eyes slowly opened before the first thing she saw was an open hand. Her sight slowly broadened before she saw his smiling face that was so pure she herself couldn't believe the crime he had committed against the kingdom's face. She tried to reach his hand but the incredible anxiety crept in before she retracted her hand.

*Grab!

He grabbed ahold of her fingers before he turned around and not minding her surprised expression, "Let's go!"

He took the first step forward before Cecile closed her eyes tight as she entered the darkness. Her foot finally stepped on the other side as that strong hand still hold on to hers with no sign of letting her go. She gradually opened her eyes as her feet were forced to pace to not stumble. Beyond the gate beyond the puking guard, she finally saw lights, lights that were not from the moon. (The city...).