The empire of Helios had seen better days in the past. Known for its wise kings and queens, as well as the wealth that surrounded the kingdom. Its most precious possession had once been the White Lotus Priestess. It is said she was a blessing provided by the heavens to the humane world. The priestess was recognized and appreciated for her purifying powers but everything changed when 150 years ago a cursed gate was opened. No one knows where the gate came from or who had summoned it but what is known is that it caused a catastrophe like no other known in human history. The gate was an open path for vicious monsters to flood the human realm. It had cost the lives of thousands, including the White Lotus Priestess who used her life force to seal it. Before her death, she made sure to protect a small portion of her soul so that she could be reborn and finish her job of destroying the gate in its entirety. It is known that the priestess will be reborn in a chosen “vessel” who after the time is right, will give up her body to allow the priestess to come back and save humanity from destruction.

This is where our story begins, or is it truly the beginning? I was there from what I perceived as the “beginning” but that will be up to you to decide. The story of a young and frightened girl whose destiny had been marked from the day she was born. A story that has your typical monsters, warriors, fights between good and evil, and maybe a bit of romance. It may be something you have read in fantasy books but to me, this story is a testimony that even the smallest change can mark the difference between life and death.

***

Aphillas, the empire’s capital city was being greeted by a rainy night. Soldiers stayed vigilant on top of the city’s walls. Anakin, captain of the division who was up for duty on the wall tonight, felt restless. His wife and young daughter were waiting for him at home. He always told his little girl that he would see her in the morning, but now he had his doubts. He looked around at his soldiers who, though very attentive to their surroundings, seemed to think about the same fear. Some of them prayed that no inconveniences would take place tonight. The rain was not their best friend, especially at night. Anakin heard the tinkling sounds the drops made against their metal armor. Tick…tick…tick…tick was heard in a gloomy symphony.

A young soldier approached, bringing him back from his thoughts at home.

“Sir, do you think anything will happen tonight?”

Anakin looked over at the young lad and let out a small sigh.

“I do not know. I hope things stay as they are. The last thing we need right now are monsters attacking the city.”

Other than the rain, things were quiet. This was good of course, but too much quiet also meant bad news.

“Is something on your mind?”

The young man looked down for a moment and bit his lip, unsure as if to express his concerns. He seemed to be just a bit over 18, inexperienced to battle and its monstrosities.

“What is your name boy?” Anakin asked in an attempt to make the young man feel more at ease.

“Cygnus, sir,” the soldier answered as he timidly looked up.

He smiled at Cygnus.

“Well, Cygnus, what seems to be the problem?”

Cygnus opened his mouth and closed it again. He looked around for a few moments, finally deciding to get closer, and whispered.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“You see sir, I’ve heard that the emperor’s illness has worsened all of a sudden. I’ve heard rumors that he has been cursed.”

Anakin looked at Cygnus for a moment not knowing what to say. Cursed? The emperor?

“And where did you hear that exactly?” he asked raising his eyebrow.

Cygnus looked around nervously.

“Among the recruits, sir. This is also something that has been talked about among the commoners. Most of us come from that type of background, so it wasn’t rare to hear a few whispers here and there about the king’s situation.”

Anakin wondered how such rumors had spread to the commoners. How come he hadn’t heard about this? Then again, he was not the type of person to care much about what people talked about on the streets. After such long night shifts, all he wanted was to go home, hug his wife and daughter, and sleep in his bed.

“I should probably inform the crown prince about this.”

It was possible that the crown prince, Victor, already knew about these rumors. Still, Anakin wanted to report it just in case it helped the crown prince keep in mind just how much the rumors had spread. After all, these rumors had to do with the stability of the royal family and the empire. Though they seemed small and insignificant, Anakin knew just how much damage rumors could do to a person, and even more to an empire such as Helios. Though Emperor Edward was a good and wise king, there were still those who coveted his position and would start any type of fire to burn down his throne.

He replied to the young soldier,

“I do not know where those rumors came from. I know even less whether they are true or not. Whatever the case may be, you must know Cygnus, that nothing changes the fact that we must protect the Emperor and his people. Remember this soldier, unless you have confirmed the story to be true with your own eyes and ears, don’t get swallowed into the fire of others. You will only get burned.”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help but worry about it,” Cygnus said as he looked into the darkness of the night.

The rain wasn’t ceasing any time soon. The storm was probably going to get stronger as the night proceeded. Cygnus couldn’t help but think that a bigger storm was approaching. That storm was not bringing raindrops with it, but blood and death.

Cygnus shook his head at this sudden thought,

“What am I thinking? Things will get better. After all, the day of Rebirth is approaching. Once the White Lotus Priestess returns, this nightmare will be over…”

Cygnus's eyes widened for a moment. The priestess…once she comes back things will be over…once she comes back…IF she comes back. Cygnus shivered at the possibility that the priestess might not return. Everything was in place though. The “vessel” had been found years ago and was protected in a location that only the royal family and other few knew about. The day was approaching for the “vessel” to give up herself to give way for the priestess to return.

But what if things didn’t work out?

“Soldier…?”

What if even that was a lie?

“Soldier…”

What if there was no “vessel?” No one had seen her until now after all,

“Soldier!”

Cygnus started to feel cold sweat running down his back.

“Cygnus!” Anakin called out as he placed both his hands on Cygnus’ shoulders.

Cygnus looked at him surprised for a moment and then realized he had spaced out.

“I’m sorry sir, I was just…I…”

Anakin looked into Cygnus’ eyes.

“Look, I understand you are worried and scared. We all are. I also understand that you have a lot of questions. I do too. Still, the answers aren’t always going to be given to us when we want them. Some answers take time. Sometimes it’s better to never know what the answers are. I will tell you one thing; as long as you don’t forget who are and what you are fighting for, then that is all that matters. We are soldiers Cygnus. We protect the people we love, the people we care about. We are given orders and we obey. It’s that simple.”

Cygnus was taken back for a moment by his words. He had seen Anakin from a distance before and did not know how to feel about having such a cold-looking man be his captain. He was surprised at how his words made him feel at ease.

Cygnus straightened himself up, raised his right hand to his forehead, and confidently said,

“Yes sir!”

Anakin nodded and gave a salute back to the young soldier.

Suddenly…

“CAPTAIN!!! We have a three-headed snake coming!”