Trigger warning : cruelty, not graphic just the thought

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Fist thumping the ground next to her until it began to ache. I wailed and wailed. Like the howl of a wolf for her kin. Only the person I'm trying to reach now is gone. Forever.

'How could I ever meet you again, mother?'

Just as I was mourning her, the screams of people rang in my ears. Sounding no older than a 10 year old female, an innocent cherry like voice that should've uttered a plea for more fruits instead of a plea to be let off.

"Don't kill me- please don't."

If only she knew evil doesn't have a heart.

"Wound her limbs if she struggles. But don't damage her face. She has worth as a slave."

This is the reason behind the notoriousness of the Driston empire. They are cruel people with no code of ethics. Whilst notable villages such as those involved in agricultural, mass fishing or exotic item production gets left behind along cities for levying purposes. Places like these gets plundered, destroyed so that it can be reformed for "better purposes." And its people taken also for that same reason. As if being slaves so they can sit on their thrones fall into that classification.

Upon hearing the orders, the stray girl went completely stiff. Just standing still as they surround her and tie up those tanned hands with a rope. In face of such a thing, I could only grit my teeth hands reaching in for the bow, when-

"Oh- look what we have here! A beautiful young lass, perfect to fill our quota."

The guy leading the group spoke up, his greasy voice and words tangling me up in disgust like the unkempt state of his beard. I presume he had a higher hierarchy than the rest.

"Maybe perfect for a good passionate night ayye."

Someone jeered from the back, his plain intentions as clear as the baldness of the middle aged guy's head. Why someone would sport that hairstyle, I have no idea. But that was the least of my concerns.

"Don't touch the goods. And keep your mouths shut, young lady is coming."

'Young lady?'

Questions churn in my head. I learned about the Driston empire's military as part of my mother's teaching. Despite her academic skills, she was a skilled embroider famed for her works. We'd live in riches if she didn't spend it all on recent books.

The neighboring empire's reigning empress, Lizbeth revolutionized a majority of the military after her husband's passing. The main thing being, the ranks which were originally consisting of simpler divisions now made of infantry troops, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, brigadier, major general, Lieutenant General, general and the emperor.

This was ground breaking enough. Who knew the empress decided it wasn't enough and established the participation of women into the military. Though, they are scarce in comparison to men and mostly still in training.

I stood there watching them view me as goods. Weighing on the scales of my head how I'd survive this dreadful situation. Slaughter way into escape? Beg for mercy? None of that would work. So I just bore further into their scant armour as if I could kill them through it.

"Come here before I break those pretty little legs. And wipe off that dirty blood on your face."

Just as that disgusting voice lands, an idea too crashed into my head. It's risky but the only thing that still has a chance of me surviving with a measurable amount of freedom.

Pretending to succumb into their intimidations. I walk over, wearing the mask of timidity.

"That's enough."

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He commanded, leaving me in a tricky spot.

Until their lecherousness became my stepping stone.

"Oh, come on, let her come closer. What can a little harmless lass like her do."

Eyes still a watery mess from grief, I lowered my head, feet scurrying forward, as though a servant running over for a scolding- the ways I see my neighbors treated whenever merchants buy my mother's works.

That is until I tripped- or pretend to trip.

"Oh careful there deary."

And took the blade around his waist in one flowing arc, shifting quickly to the one with highest priority, twisting hands to aim it to his unguarded neck.

"Captain, Edgar- you wretched girl! Unhand him."

'Captain? Looks like I'm in luck.'

Instead of cowering away, I stared deep into the yelling soldier's dark brown eyes, trying to see my reflection only for it to fail under the cover night.

'Monsters don't eat monsters. It's the does they're after.'

Throwing away all fearful thoughts, I commanded, just like those tax collectors always do. "Take me in as a soldier. Or this man will die."

Laughter echoed across the place. The drops of blood trickling down my hostage's neck almost unreal.

"You would betray your empire?"

Of course, my words was met with a scoff unbelieving me. Either this man isn't as important as I thought he was or the shock a young lass like me would even consider pulling this move.

Still, I kept my stances same. A good negotiator doesn't back down in face of obstacle. They bluff and move forward.

"What is a empire that cannot protect its people? I don't need any grandiose sentiments, just a body that breathes."

This time their faces look more serious, as though they were seriously considering it. A captain may not be able to threaten the royal family, but his sworn brothers, certainly.

The most unexpected thing in this charade was that the one who started rejection again was the guy I pointed a blade to.

"Why would I invite a treacherous wolf into my house?"

To this, I took of my dignity.

'All I needed to do was survive.'

"Even a wolf can be a dog if you tear their fangs off."

With the twist, i won't truly cut them off. Even if I would they'd just regrow sharper, harder. I would take all the nutrient and knowledge from their empire and bite them where it hurts.

'All I need to do is survive.'

"A wolf cannot truly be a wolf until they take off their loyalty and put it beneath the master's feet. I presume yours is that blemished lady over there?"

This despicable guy, still in confident calm, leered at my mother as though she was a pile of rags, igniting furry in the depths of my thundering chest. How dare he look at her that way.

In that careless instance, the rumbling anger gave me away. I was too immature to notice the schemes around me. The way he'd beat my will to utter surrender.

"You- cut that woman's head off and serve it to me with both hands. Then I'll take you in heartily."

If this was a trick to make the blade drop, it nearly succeeded. Only the desire to stay alive was so ingrained, my body automatically kept in composed state despite my frenzied mind.

"How would I know you wouldn't gang on me the moment I let go?"

I questioned, trying to grope my way to escape. There is no crevices, no weak points.

"This is the only way you don't die, young lass."

I stared at my mother's still warm corpse in horror. No I can't do this. The only body I can't walk on. The one thing safeguarding my humanity.

But I stared into their eyes and figured- this is the only choice.

In that moment, all I could think of was my mother's last words. 'Survive.' 'Survive' 'Survive'. So I went and scampered to her dead body. Kneeling down, I haven't even closed her eyes yet due to the disturbance.

She was still staring at me. Yet, ironically, it just reminded me of her hope for me to stay alive.

''Mother- is the only thing I need to do survive?"

I whispered softly, covering her eyes to retain the last vestige of dignity.

'Don't be that doe, my dear'

"I understand.. mother."

I took the blade in my hand, and swiftly detached her restless head from the otherwise peaceful body. Taking it in both my hands, before stretching it over to captain Edgar's direction, both legs kneeling in subservience.

"Keep your end of the deal, you savages."

I grumbled, not managing to keep my temper under control. A feistiness I think I can't ever fully reign in.

"Ayye, don't look at us as though we're some sort of villain young lass. It was your choice." He averted those blue eyes of his to the side, clearly disturbed by the head with dripping blood, "welcome to the Driston empire."

Through the cocoon of death she enveloped me in, I emerged.

I am the monster you made me. Are you satisfied now?