Love and war

The last battle.

I stand atop the hill, gazing out at the soldiers who have pledged their lives to me. My chest tightens as I recall the early days of my reign, when I fought tooth and nail to prove I was worthy of their respect—of their loyalty. Now, I watch them fight for me, without hesitation, ready to lay everything on the line for our home. As the battle rages below, I slowly don my helmet and raise my sword high into the air. My battle cry echoes across the field, a rallying call to carry them through this treacherous fight.

We are outnumbered—there's no denying that—but it won't stop me. This is what I was trained for as queen: to give everything for the safety of my people—of Gladimous. I grip the reins and ride down the hill, plunging into the chaos. As I charge, I reach deep into my heart, letting my power spread like wildfire to those still standing, offering them strength and speed. But even as I fight, a sharp, persistent ache stabs at my chest, like needles with every life lost. My people are dying.

When I reach the battlefield, I cut down ten men in rapid succession before my horse collapses beneath me. I hit the ground hard but roll quickly, thrusting my sword into another enemy's chest before leaping back to my feet. There's no time to think. With a swift incantation, I send out another wave of power, this time offering healing to those who still draw breath—giving them one more chance to fight. But I can feel my strength faltering. The energy inside me is slipping away, like sand through my fingers. I have to keep going. I have to keep giving, or we will lose everything.

Focus. I steady myself, turning to face the next wave of enemies rushing toward me. Sliding through the mud, I strike low, taking out their legs, and finish with a sweeping fire spell that wraps around their throats, twisting until it severs their heads from their bodies. For a moment, I stand victorious, but the piercing ache in my heart intensifies. I can't save them all. No matter how hard I fight, my people are still falling. If I push too far, I'll lose myself in this battle.

What do I do now?

Keep fighting. Keep giving everything, I tell myself. They need you. He needs you.

I scan the battlefield, searching for a familiar face. My heart lifts slightly when I spot him across the field, moving through the enemy with the grace and precision I've always admired. Of course, he fights beautifully. I charge forward, cutting down anyone who dares stand in my way, desperate to reach him.

But then something pulls at my gut—a nauseating, sickening tug that stops me dead in my tracks. I look around, trying to find the source of this strange, suffocating energy. My eyes sweep the battlefield—he's gone. Panic surges as I follow the tether of power, tracing it back to its source. I seize hold of it and reach deep into its dark energy.

And then I see him. Standing atop a distant hill. Ben.

I send out another wave of healing, my power barely holding. "Hold on, everyone. Fight for our people." I blink, and in the next heartbeat, I'm standing behind him. "What the hell?" I say, my voice raw with confusion and anger.

He turns slowly, a smug smile curling on his lips, the one I've always despised. "Ah, Lila. So powerful. Too clever for your own good, aren't you?" His smirk cuts through me deeper than any sword could.

"What are you doing, Ben?" I demand, tightening my grip on my sword. "If you're not here to help, then get out of my way. Leave this battle to me." I plant my feet, readying myself for a strike. He's my brother, but I won't hesitate to cut him down.

He laughs—a cold, maniacal sound that sends a chill through my blood. Something is wrong, terribly wrong, but I charge at him anyway. My sword pierces his chest clean through his heart, but he doesn't flinch. His knees buckle, and he crumples to the ground. And as he falls, a final, sharp pain pierces my heart—and then, silence.

I look down at him, tears blurring my vision. What have I done?

"I knew you hated me," Ben whispers, his voice fading. "But I hope it was worth it. Live with this pain, Lila. Let it consume you." His lips curl one final time as he spits, "Fuck you."

His body goes still, lifeless, and suddenly—I feel nothing. No connection. No life. No one.

I stumble to the edge of the hill, staring down at the battlefield, hope clawing at my throat. My knees buckle as the horror sinks in. My people, my army—they're all gone. The soldiers wearing my colors lie still, lifeless, while the enemy remains standing. "No!" My scream rips through the air. "This can't be happening! I was so stupid!" I tear off my helmet, wiping my eyes with trembling hands. Of course. How could I have been so blind? He made a pact. His death—my people's death. They were bound together. And I walked right into it.

Anger surges inside me, hot and burning, spreading from my head to my feet. The air around me crackles, and my body begins to rise, weightless. My eyes burn with an intense yellow light, and I can feel the deaths of my people crawling over my skin, feeding me power. I will avenge them. I will make sure of it.

The energy builds inside me, coiling in my gut like a storm about to break. Then I think of him—the one who promised he wouldn't die, the one who swore we'd live out our days in peace. He's gone. I was foolish to believe him, to believe we had a future. The final thread of restraint snaps, and the power pours out of me, a deadly force surging toward the battlefield.

It moves like a snake, swift and precise, finding its targets: the enemies who took my people from me. They try to run, but my power seeps into them, snuffing out their lives. One by one, they fall, gasping for air until no one is left standing.

As the last of my power dissipates, I float back down to the ground, drained and empty. I look out at the battlefield—at the lifeless bodies of my people. "I'm sorry," I whisper. "I couldn't do more for you." I collapse onto the ground, my body growing cold.

Rolling onto my back, I gaze up at the sky one last time. "May my land and my people live on. Know that we won today."

I close my eyes, and the world fades into darkness.