A Blade and an Arrow

The Imperial Guard's Loyalty

n. please, i dont really know what this is.

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Many had always admired the imperial guard's undying loyalty for the royal crown prince of Xianle.

Many had always admired how he's so loyal to the kingdom.

Many had always seen how keen he is as the guard.

Many had always been proud of whoever that they chose him as the imperial guard.

Someone who does not only love the crown prince, but love the kingdom as well.

Someone quick to sacrifice themselves in terms of saving the kingdom.

Someone fast, and eager to protect the prince.

Someone so perfectly fit for the role.

Someone like Feng Xin himself.

The perfect lapdog they say. The perfect dog to just order around as they please, and though he evidently does not like it, would do it either way.

The perfect dog to use as a human shield. To use as a foot rest.

The perfect, naive, stupid dog.

Loyal to a fault. Loyal to no end.

No one can doubt the loyalty of that man for the kingdom.

However, it was always so entertaining to play games. Games that could most likely ruin many friendships, many relationships.

Games that could cause a fall out between best friends.

A game that one have to participate in whether they like it or not. Whether they're in terms with the rules or against it. Whether they're the player itself or the option.

A game that lies between death or life.

"Oh, this is easy." Feng Xin says, clasping his hands behind him obediently. "I just have to choose, right?"

"Yes. Just choose." The royal adviser responds briefly. Infront of them were two nobles. Each standing on a platform with an opening in the middle.

For those that weren't chosen, the platform would open beneath them and they would fall to their "death". Landing on the mattress below them.

Feng Xin easily chose his father's friend's son. Whilst they weren't really close, he really doesn't have any reason to choose the other option as well.

The platform opens, and the noble's surprised scream shot through the air as it closes once the man disappears.

"Next." Two human sized boxes were pushed on the platform as two younger nobles steps out. Both familiar as Feng Xin wraks his mind to atleast remember where he had encountered these two people.

Feng Xin chooses the right. The left, he knew all too well the sins that man did behind him. Belittling and discriminating servants as though he was a perfect god. He scoffs when the man does not even scream as his eyes swiftly lands on the other servants.

Pushing a cart - filled with spikes commonly used to puncture through an animal for an easy kill - toward the stairs leading just beneath the platforms.

Confused, he stares at them until they disappear. A few minutes in and they come right back up with one mattress and empty carts as though they had replaced it with the spikes for whoever to be unlucky enough to not be choosen to fall on it.

Feng Xin feels something in his stomach churn uncomfortably.

"Last round for the imperial guard of Xianle!" Guoshi claps his hands two times, as another two of the human sized boxes were pushed on the platform.