They took your city at night.
You knew, from the dreams you had at night, that a great evil would be taking your city. Most would call them "demons" for generations to come, with what they witnessed that night.
You dreamt of the same fires that set your city alight, beneath moonlight and stars that looked like they were falling from the night sky.
There was no way to defeat them. They walked like shadows, disappearing into the night, nooks and crannies of your beloved city. One by one, they set your people's houses on fire, only able to watch those families cry, hopeless for the things trapped inside.
But they didn't take the lives of your people. The armed ones, they did as necessary. But...there was something strange about how they conquered your land. Something...off about the way they rounded up your people like cattle in the town square, each family watching as their houses burned.
Winter was
here.
Your people would
never
survive it, if those supply shacks and cellars were taken and depleted in any way. It had been a rough harvest, anyway; the crops had produced just enough to provide for everyone, but the game had been troublesome.
Because any and all game had already fled. Had they known what was coming?
"My Queen!" Your men said as you attempted to leave the castle, sword in hand. "You
must leave!
" You turn to the man who was now on his knees,
begging
you not to meet the "demon" commander. Your eyes find the tallest person in the middle of your crowded town square, watching as you descended the front steps of the castle.
He
smirked.
Somehow...you knew that smirk. You've seen this all happen before, in only dreams. You could feel the sweat on your brow as your city burned bright around you, feel the cold steel of your sword on your palm as you held it, leather wrapping meticulously fitting like a puzzle piece to your grip.
The letter from a dying soldier was crumpled in your other hand, smeared with their blood.
I will free your city,
And your people.
Then...I will free you.
Come to me,
and your people and your city will be spared.
This I promise you:
You will never see your city again.
Instead, you will be my queen.
Come to me.
You know where to find me.
Signed,
The Darkness Incarnate.
You take the man's hand instead, helping him up. Tears drip down his cheeks as he looks into your eyes, the look in them even more surprised as you sheathe your sword and toss the note to the ground. With both hands free, you take the heavy crown from your head, holding it up to the sky.
"Your new ruler." You say. Your voice doesn't waver as you place it on his head, just as you had in your dreams. Your advisor is in shock as he looks at you, swallowing hard.
"Don't let her go." He said. "Protect the Queen." You smile sadly at him, kissing his forehead.
"Keep our people safe." You said. Then, you pushed him into the arms of your guard, staggering them just enough to put your dagger to your own throat. "This must be done." You say, barely managing to keep your emotions from your voice.
Emotion had no place here. Not now, not when your people needed you.
And you would do
anything
for them.
Your guard watched you as you descended the steps into your city, your dagger at your throat. Your dress billowed around you, white and pure, just as pure as you had kept yourself.
Always for your people.
The man's smile grew wider with every step you took toward him. You stop just shy of where he stood, surrounded by your people as insurance.
You look him in the eye, before you lower the dagger. The crystalline blade fell to the ground with a heavy
clink
, one you would hear on repeat for years to come.
You watch silently as he steps out and away from your people, already knowing what would happen next. The man, who had long, silver hair, wound a circle around you.
Examining his prize.
He stopped in front of you, armor covering every inch of his muscled body. Your eyes lower to see his hand reach out, the same as it always did in every dream you had about this night.
"Persephone." His voice was husky, filled with a sort of warmth that must have inspired many to trust him. You stand tall, your eyes locked with his warm ones, a strange feeling settling in your core.
Like you were...almost complete.
"Hades." You say. He smiles, and you can feel your heart melt immediately. How could such a beautiful man be so dangerous?
"You know what comes next." He said, his tone soft. His gaze still had a sharpness to it, one that promised to fulfil his end of the deal if you did not join him. You nod, before you take off your glove and let it fall to the ground to join your father's dagger.