The sun was setting over the Independent Country of Silamia, the war with their neighbor Kingdom Prawa.
The general of the kingdom's army, Maximilian has been sneakily traversing the enemy territory, he knew every hiding spot, every path, every bush. His black hair merged with the darkness that came with the night. He stopped at the garden of the palace, even as an independent country without a king, Silamia still had powerful figures leading the country. This mansion belonged to the Tripur, a family known for their religious devotion and generosity towards the poor.
Of course no family came without dirty secrets. Humming in the garden walked a young green haired woman. She wore a beautiful black lace dress, flowery decor all over it. Slowly she sat down on a wooden bench, her back to the overgrown walls.
From above the wall, Max jumped to sit down next to her. “As always on time, Marta” he smiled at her. He wore a dark brown tunic and pants, tailored just for him to fit his double arms that split at the elbow.
“Aren't your people concerned about your disappearances?” Her voice stern and without emotion. Yet her fingers were fidgeting.
“Eh, I told them I take these walks to think of new strategies. They know I can take care of myself” he was proud of himself.
Max's eyes wandered around her body, he slowly got closer. “A little birdy told me that your parents want to marry you out for the safety of your family~” teasingly he commented, only making her tense.
“None of your business” she just answered, giving him a rude stare.
“Hmph, of course it is, I think there is only one guy you should marry” he grabbed her head, making her stare at him. “Come on, you cannot deny me now and pretend like there was nothing between us”
Marta sighed, her hands taking his hands away. “It's wrong and…” she tensed even more “You're killing my people, it felt wrong to kiss someone who commits such crimes” she started walking again.
Max got up following her a few steps behind “Do you think I want to? We are losing people too over a bit of ground. The king is stubborn, won't take any peace negotiations in”
“But you control your actions, don't you?” Her question lingered as she plucked a black rose up.
“I- well, yes” he sped up to catch up to her. “But I have a plan, I think I found something that could end this once and for all” with excitement he pulled out a small necklace with a cracked blue crystal “I found it in a forest, it feels like it's calling me and I can feel how powerful it is”
The woman stopped, her eyes widening as she saw the necklace “You should throw it away, you don't know what you're dealing with” a bit of frustration with care broke out of her.
“And do you know? It's like whispering to me, promising me that it can end the war, make us happy! We could be together!” He was filled with hope, desperation to finally end the war. “It's been years of fighting and I just want it to end”
The rose fell to the ground “It's a powerful religious artifact, I read about it in my studies. I cannot allow you to keep it” she quickly turned to grab the necklace from him but he already pocketed it.
“Now now, finders keepers.” he taunted her “If you want it then meet me tomorrow in the forest. I'll consider your… concerns”
He grinned and then with a swift motion climbed up the wall. Disappearing into the night.
The general sat down in his tent, the necklace in his hands. His eyes stared at it, feeling as it called for him.
“Why is she against it? Doesn't she want us to be happy?” His thoughts wandered around, filling up with questions. Emotions passed through his head like a tornado, while whispers echoed in the background.
“I can help you, just let me in…” they repeated over and over, overwhelming him. With his shaky body he grabbed the necklace and finally put it on.
First, nothing. Silence.
Then, a stinging pain through his left eye and chest. Max doubled down onto the floor, the pain the only thing he could feel until he passed out.
Darkness hugged him around, taking him deep inside his consciousness. The familiar voice greeted him.
“Welcome~” The voice had the hint of sadistic happiness. Max shivered as someone touched his back, he turned in the void of his mind to see himself in black and white.
“What the- who are you?” The general immediately was suspicious, getting into a defensive position just in case.
The other him tapped its chin, “I am the avatar of this power source. I take the form of its owner and you my dear has just become that” It spread its arms “Welcome to your ascension, dear~”
Maximilian looked flabbergasted, he heard tales of power sources before. They were rare gifts bestowed by the gods, getting your hands on one was almost impossible. “That cannot be…. Or can it? Prove it!” He demanded.
The being warped, suddenly appearing behind Max. “Can't you feel it yourself? The power getting into your chest?” It touched where his heart was, deep blue magic flowing around. “We are going to have so much fun together”
—
—
Marta walked in circles around her room, frustrated and worried. Her family worried about her change of behavior. A knock went off as the butler asked through the door “My Lady, your family is waiting for you to eat breakfast.”
The door opened and he was a bit surprised to see her in such a state. A messy hair, still in yesterday's clothes. Then the voice filled with irritation “I'm good, tell them to start without me”
*slam* The door closed as she came back to her frustration. Her thoughts were filled with so many questions.
“Why won't he listen to me? Doesn't he love me? Doesn't he trust me? I need to stop him before he does something stupid”
The young lady got herself together, getting herself presentable, then putting on her less noble cloak. She pulled out the rope she kept in her closet and used it to go down to the garden. The last thing she wanted was having to deal with her family.
—
—
The Prawa kingdom's camps were stationed near the border, it was a bit of a walk but Marta didn't care. She walked through the main roads, no one dared to stop her. Even as she passed the border, enemies didn't attack.
Her steps into the main camp silenced everyone, her voice louder than any battle they fought. “General Maximilian” she called him.
All of the soldiers looked at the big tent of their general, they haven't seen him since he came back from his walk yesterday. Yet her voice was able to summon him out.
Max came out, a small scar appearing on his left eye. He was in his snow blue uniform, walking towards her with a coldness he had never shown to her before. “Lady Marta” he answered back.
Her purple eyes immediately locked into his, shooting him a worried glare. “You…. You didn't listen” she wasn't sure what she felt, disappointment, maybe.
The general finally stood in front of her, taking off her hood to look at her clearly. “Darling, now we can be together till the end of time” he gave her a smile but it was wrong.
Marta pushed away from him in anger and betrayal. A sword materializing in her hand. “I'm sorry my love but I cannot let you-” she staggered back as a giant black spike pierced her torso.
Max strolled closer as her body started bleeding with a dark purple liquid. When he got close enough he leaned over and kissed her as blood went out of her mouth.
“Don't worry, we will meet again soon”
She collapsed to the ground as the spike retreated. All the voices around her are merging into gibberish. The last thing she saw was the camp cheering and the general retreating back to his tent.
—
—
After the lady died, the country of Silamia was in shambles, everything falling apart. In less than a year almost all of the ground was taken by the kingdom of Prawa. They were ruthless, the general killing anyone who got in his way.
The last city, Sila, the capital of Silamia, was the only one left. Some magical protective barrier keeping any danger away to this day. The King of Prawa had to finally give up, making peace with the now independent city of Sila.
Legends say The General Maximilian disappeared after the barrier stopped him from taking Sila. His body was never found.
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