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History is written by the victors.
- ORIGIN UNKNOWN
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“The Queen’s Cage. Some call it a brutal, primal gladiator sport that should be left behind like the sins of our ancestors. Others call it a much needed tradition for the ascension of the worthy. Some even ask - what really happens behind those bars, where the Chosen of the Gods are made to fight? And why are we not allowed to see it, yet only allowed to applaud the Victors?”
“Controversial,” spat the Censor. “Next.”
The Writer’s speech halted, and she faced the man dressed in the Imperial’s golden yellow with a pained look. “But it draws attention,” she protested, “it fits the criteria, I looked it over-”
The robed man standing behind the podium didn’t flinch, his expression only hardening. “I said, next.”
And so the Writer slunked away, and another took her place.
“The Queen’s Cage. A display of the true glory of the Olympians and our Empire of Eternity. A game of a waltz to the music of our ancestors. The winners are rewarded not just a seat to the Imperial Throne, but a chance to conduct a symphony of their own, to dance a tango of a patriot and live the night with a gliding sound of the revellazo.”
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“Flowery. Coercive. Takes the metaphor too far,” the silver-haired Censor said. “Next.”
“Coercive? I-”
This Writer cut himself off as he saw the Censor’s eyes flicker in warning.
“We are releasing an Imperial paper on the Cage’s Victor, not an advertisement to try and get Chosen and get yourself killed.” The older man’s words were biting. “Next.”
Another Writer, this time one without the curious light in their eyes.
“Imperial Princess Seraphina Queenscage. We know nothing about her, just as we know nothing about what happens behind the bars of the Cage when the doors close. But we do know that she is now sixth in line to the Golden Throne, and currently the most talked about person in the Empire, a duke’s daughter.”
The Writer’s eyes glowed, and they smiled just as the Censor flinched.
“Cagekeeper,” the old man hissed, clambering to his feet.
The Cagekeeper’s smile grew wider. Their golden eyes were leaking with light, like orbs made out of the sun, haunting and unnatural.
“What they don’t tell you is that Seraphina Marksman Queenscage killed five people by her own hands and watched as those who trusted her died. She has done much worse than murder - she has tortured, betrayed, kidnapped, backstabbed. We, watchers of the Footage, call her the Marionette-Maker.”
The Cagekeeper blinked as the Censor's fists curled.
“The Last Person Standing, the Liar, the winner of the Hundredth Queen’s Cage, Seraphina the Insatiable,” they said.
The Watcher’s lips curled.
“What did she say? ‘The Queen’s Cage. Some call it a brutal, primal gladiator sport that should be left behind like the sins of our ancestors. Others call it a much needed tradition for the ascension of the worthy. Some even ask - what really happens behind those bars, where the Chosen of the Gods are made to fight? And why are we not allowed to see it, yet only allowed to applaud the Victors?’” they quoted. A dry laugh that shook the world to its bones.
“It is because history is written by the Victors. And if you do not win, you lose.”
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