Every night it flashes through my head. I remember everything. The King's army marched, armed with crossbows, swords, and shields. On horseback and by foot coming closer and closer towards the tower. We were being read a story near the fireplace. It was my favorite because it would remind me of my mother. Though the sudden alert of my father and the rest of the mages standing tall saturated us. They left two commands: to hide in the safe room and not make a sound. And so we did as told. After a while all we heard was the sound of weapons clashing, screams of pain and battle cries. The call of praising their king. Each one praising the empire and king but the one I remember the most was about the one who lead them

“All Hail King Sontron. Long stand the Mono Empire.”

It repeated over and over. The sounds made the other two cry. I knew I was not allowed to speak, but I had to. So I sang to them.

“Watch the wind blow through the night. Listen to the whispering. As you're rocked straight to sleep, hear this lullaby in your ear. See the ocean move its waves as you cross, sailing far away. Oh, all places you will find hold treasures and other divines. But remember wherever you are home is always where family goes. So flow the sea or the wind, climb a mount or swing in the trees. Light a lantern in a cabin or fall in love at the beach.”

I knew I broke the rules, but mother told me that whenever anyone else or I needs a warm lullaby to sing this one. I remember my mother said the sound was about how she met father. I really do enjoy singing it.

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We played some games together. Until things went silent outside. We left the safe room believing it was all over only to be completely wrong at the horror of what was waiting. The ground was stained red, the flags torn and weapons laid beside the corpses of the one who held it. But in front of me I found something I wish I never did. As I laid eyes on it, I fell on my knees, my heart racing as I held it in my hands, the blood had covered it, the heart stopped beating, four limbs were barbarically cut off exposing the bone and flesh that were dangling out of the joint that formerly connected it to the body. Water began to flow down my eyes to my chin as I screamed, begging this all to be just a nightmare.

I remember the pain I felt that day. I mean, how could I ever forget? My heart ached, my body was numb, my scream and cries were so loud it pierced my own ears. But when a figure stepped close I looked up praying that it was aunty. But what I saw was a tall grown man. While placing his crown on his head, I saw his smirk of joy, and I heard his laughter. After everything he did, he didn’t deserve to smile. After everything he took from me… It hurt… it hurt so much… I remember that smile he had, I remember the pain that grew so much in me that I would burst. I felt it grow deep into me, as it unlocked what I still had not learned to control. Magic! Magic at its highest peak. And I say the spark.

My pain and anger created a flame. It was a flame that burnt right through him, his scream of pain and begging for help, begging me to stop. But why would I, he deserved it. Watching him feel the same pain as the crimson flames devoured one limb at a time. He broke four, but as he took his final glance at me I generously gave him the same thing he gave me. I let him see the smirk on my face. The pleasure I felt watching him was more than him watching father, Aunt Clar, and Mr. Carsono. But it wasn't over once his body turned dust. No, They all were involved, they all wanted this. They all helped. I was going to tear them apart until there was nothing left. I would color the thrones crimson red. Yes! How beautiful that would be.