Blood. Blood is all that remained once the battle had ceased. I stood triumphant, overlooking my victory. Mother would be so proud, a pang of sadness bloomed in my chest. Cora, my maid, who had become my companion stood beside me. I could feel something brewing. No matter how she hid it I could feel the anger and hatred radiating from within her. It took me by surprise as she had always been quiet, never showing any strong emotions. I decided to question her odd behavior, "Cora, my friend, are you well? Is something the matter?"
"Yes, Your Highness," she spit out practically choking on the words, "You, your kingdom, and your abominable people, are the problem."
I whirled around, shock written all over my face, "Wha-" But I was too late. The dagger she had unsheathed was already logged into my back, and I went down hard.
"Penelope, I truly am sorry, but it had to be done. You slaughtered my people, burned my villages, and all with great pleasure as you laughed about it in the palace. This had to be done."
Finally, everything fell into place, Cora was the enemy, "Traitor!" I spit on my last dying breath as blood filled my mouth.
She leaned down and whispered, "What a pretty little flower, what a pretty little Poppy. Pick it and watch it bleed, not so pretty any longer. Little Poppy"
No! No! The world blurred and began to spin, my eyes shut, my body went numb, and my final thought was of him.
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The ground began to rumble, the world shook, something hard had struck my head as my eyes flew open. Something wet dripped down my face, with a metallic taste I knew it was blood. I jumped to my feet and was greeted by rubble and debris. I whirled around searching for Cora, she was nowhere to be found. I gazed down at my feet and noticed I was in an open, stone casket. "What the-"
Blasts met my ears as they began to receive sound once more, with a shock I realized this must be the royal mausoleum, and the stone roof was about the cave. My paralyzed legs sprang into action as I flew through the front entrance. Those same legs almost gave way. The world was in ruins once more.
Fires burned on the hills of Hella, smoke billowed into the sky, where the final battle had been. And, "Oh my Gods." Some sort of monstrous contraptions were scattered over the valley firing flaming blasts which blew the hills to pieces. Men holding strange weapons ran into battle, so much death.
My mind wasn't able to process what I had done next. An unearthly panic took hold of me as the idea of him, Leo, my love being in that horrendous place. My legs took off. I sprinted into the midst of the battle. I unsheath my sword, thankful by some miracle it had hung by my side. Instinct was the only thing that guided my moves. I took down men on both sides, not knowing the difference between a friend, foe, or neither. The only word which left my lips was, "Leo." He must be here, he had to be. And if one of these men, and their wicked weapons took his life, no one would live to see the light of day again.
For a brief second, I was in a clearing of the men and something landed at my feet. The world froze, suddenly a hand wrapped around my waist. And together with this unexpected savior, I flew through the air. The man took the brunt of the fall as a wall of smoking, heat, and debris flew our way. I shielded my face and when finally I came to my senses I took in the scene.
Men lay scattered over the valley with wounds from my sword, and a rather handsome gentleman stood above me. He reached out his hand to help me up but I got up on my own.
"What were you thinking! Going out like that, wearing whatever the gods you're wearing! Completely and utterly outnumbered."
"My attire, thank you very much, is the finest armor of our day. And I was handling myself perfectly before you stepped in." I looked him up and down and scoffed, "You clearly have no idea who you are speaking to. I am Heir to the royal throne of Teresan. And you will identify whether you are friend or foe and we will deal with your people accordingly."
