Marionette Queen (An Anigomi Original Story)

Chapter One: A Fateful Encounter

Annie

I used to think that life was a gift, something that all living things had a right to. How to live that life was their choice, and if you constantly made the wrong decisions throughout your life, then that is the life you will continue to live.

But the harsh truth of this world is that life doesn't give a fuck about you in the slightest.

You could do everything right down to the last little thing, making every right choice possible, and life will throw you a curveball and send you spiraling into hell and back. But you just have to keep going, no matter how much resistance the world gives you.

The streets of Copperfeld were bustling with people from all walks of life; humans, youkai and elementals alike coming together in celebration of Queen Vanessa's birthday. Her royal highness makes her way through the country every year and spends a few days in each town. During that time, the people do their best to prepare for her arrival and give her the best experience possible.

To many citizens of this country, Vanessa is a righteous ruler who freed us from the tyranny of our old one. A beautiful youkai woman who ascended to the throne a few years ago, she claims that she only wishes to spend her birthday among those she cares for most. Her subjects.

But the few that haven't become blind see her for what she truly is: A demonic woman with a cruel heart and insatiable bloodlust.

Copperfeld is a small town in the southwest region of Malthan Las, a little farther out into the country than most. It was built a few decades ago as an expansion of the kingdom, after the late king realized that the area was rich with iron and other minerals. He had a settlement built that solely focuses on the output of ore, which attracted many a blacksmith to the town.

Due to this, however, the town itself isn't as developed as the more populated cities such as Smaragdstadt or Sternenopal. Don't even get me started on Aufsteigen; the capital city of the kingdom is said to have streets of platinum and homes built with the purest white marble.

Meanwhile, Copperfeld is filled with dirt roads and wooden buildings, save for the more-than-occasional blacksmith which are made of stone. Normally the town looks about as bland as a bandit camp, but due to the upcoming festivities the townsfolk are doing their best to dress up the place.

"OI! Get back here you damn rat!"

I turn towards the source of the cry, a man yelling from a market stall and shaking his fist at a hooded figure racing in my direction. Many people start to move out of their way, but the figure follows the crowd, slipping around and darting towards the outer gates of the city. He's trying to lose himself in the crowd, I think to myself, mentally sighing in disappointment. He should know better than to wear such suspicious clothing like that, if he's a true thief.

I tap my foot and pull my hair up into a ponytail, ignoring the sudden glances I receive as bright lights encase my boots. I can't help but grin as mechanical noises echo from the shoes, wheels coming from the soles and giving me a few extra inches of height. The wheels themselves begin to glow, faint neon colors flashing as the rest of the lights die down.

I lunge forward on my skates, speeding around bystanders at an alarming speed as I chase after the thief. It's easy enough to bob and weave around the tangled masses, the sea parting to give me a straight shot to my target. Not even a few seconds later, my hand grasps the back of the figure's cloak and tugs them down, causing them to hit the ground with a loud thud.

"W-What the hell...?" A gruff voice whimpers from the bundle of cloth, but I'm already pinning him to the ground and taking hold of the item in his hands: a coin pouch, and a heavy one at that.