Whispers Of The Shadows (Danmachi)

Chapter 0 (Sample)

My eyes were cold, heavy. Yet even so, I simply couldn't close them; doing so would mean certain death. "Ha! is that..'" as I struggled to even gasp for air, I continued even despite the onslaught of pain in my sternum. "All you've got!?" I spew out in such a way that even my opponents could call my bluff, after all, even if I'd been defeated, tortured, or even killed. I wouldn't let a pitiful side of myself show, especially in front of the multiple people cornering me that I had once called "friends." Some would call it foolishness or arrogance to stand up despite knowing the outcome, and maybe it was, but...

"This is the end of your line, Cromel." A deep voice interrupted my thoughts; the man who had spoken right now was someone of a giant stature, standing at an astonishing 7 feet, with a tick-black beard dripping down from his face almost all the way to his pectoralis in length. Dark crimson eyes filled with pity gazed upon me. This man—if I could even call him that—was once the best friend of mine, almost like a brother.

Raised from the slums, we had both climbed up to high positions within the kingdom. There was so much more I could say about him, such as the shared memories when we both fought together in the army or when his daughter had nearly been killed if not for me. But that was enough. I could feel it. Death was stretching ever so closer. I wasn't going to spend it reminiscing about the past and what I'd experienced with my once-best friend, Don.

"So? Why aren't you killing me already?" I inquired at Don with each movement at my lips, causing immense distraught to my body or what was left of it anyway.

"It's not too late; you can still live if, right here and now, in front of all the citizens of Dranavia, you confess to your crimes of working with the rebels and planning to overthrow the central power, and then maybe the Head can give you a lighter sentence and a chance for trial." Don spoke.

"Cmon, old friend, I thought you were smarter than that; do you really think after everything I've done to help this nation prosper, I'd resort to siding with those monsters?" I shot back. His furrows rose, as my voice, but then slowly his face changed to acceptance or rather annoyance.

"Then so be it, for the crimes of several accounts of terrorism, bribery, manslaughter, and reblion against the patriarchy, by using the authority of the head of the royal guards. Cromel of Ashvale, you are hereby sentenced to immediate execution, without trial!" Motioning for the guards to circle around me, he stepped closer and closer, unsheaving his sword and pointing it at my face.

"I will at least give you the mercy of speaking your last words, former friend." He said it with a slight hint of emotion.I thought clearly about what I wanted to say; a few moments passed by and then.

"Fuck you." I pulled my remaining arm that had not yet been cut off by one of the guards and made an obscene gesture, smirking.

Then my world blurred, not being able to even see the sword that I had now felt pierce my chest, steadily and yet slowly coldness overtook my body, and the world went dark...

A/N: Hey guys, it's the author here! I just wanted to say that this is just a sample chapter, and you shouldn't expect any future chapters unless, of course, this is widely supported. In which if it is i'll do my best to publish more chapters.