BROKEN

Chapter 1: The Whisper of the Sea

You stand on the edge of a grassy cliff, the wind tousling your hair as it carries the scent of salt and blooming flowers. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a golden hue across the landscape. Below, waves crash rhythmically against the rocks, a soothing symphony that contrasts sharply with the turmoil brewing within you.

"Hi there, my love," a soft voice breaks through the chaos in your mind. You turn, your heart racing, and there she is—Elena, standing with the sunlight framing her delicate features. Her presence feels like a warm embrace, grounding you in a world that often spins out of control.

"Hhi," you manage to stammer, a smile creeping onto your face despite the worries that gnaw at you. She steps closer, the scent of blossoms and soap enveloping you, intoxicating and familiar.

"Isn't it beautiful?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with a light that seems to rival the sun. She gestures towards the sea, and for a moment, you forget about the weight on your shoulders, the responsibilities of being a king in a world that demands too much.

"Yeah, it is." You feel a sudden warmth against your legs, an overwhelming sense of comfort that calms your racing heart. You look down, expecting to see a pet or something equally mundane, but instead, you find her presence wrapping around you like a gentle wave.

"Do you remember when we came here as children?" she asks, her voice a melody that dances on the breeze. "We used to pretend we were pirates, searching for treasure."

You chuckle, the sound mingling with the sea breeze. "I do! You always insisted on being the captain, barking orders at me."

Elena laughs, a sound that makes your heart flip. "And you followed them like a loyal first mate. Even back then, you were so easy to manipulate."

"Maybe I just wanted to be close to you," you say, your voice softening.

The wind picks up, swirling around you both, and for a moment, time seems to stand still. You lock eyes, and in that instant, the world fades away, leaving just the two of you. But then, just as quickly, the moment shatters.

"Wait," she whispers, her brow furrowing. "What's happening?"

You glance around, a chill creeping into the air. "I... I don't know."

The ground beneath you feels unsteady, and you reach out to grasp her hand. But as your fingers brush against hers, she begins to fade, her form becoming translucent like mist in the morning light.

"Nooo!!" you scream, panic clawing at your throat. "Elena!"

You reach for her, heart pounding as the wind howls around you, each gust a reminder of her slipping away. "Don't leave me!"

But she drifts further, the warmth of her presence replaced by an icy emptiness. "I'm sorry..." she whispers, her voice becoming a mere echo in the wind. "I have to go..."

Your knees buckle as despair washes over you. You drop to the ground, the grass beneath you cold and unyielding. "Why?! Why did you have to leave?!" The question reverberates in the silence, unanswered.

Then, the world shifts.

###

You blink, and suddenly you're not on the cliff anymore. You're standing in the ruins of your kingdom, a battlefield strewn with the lifeless bodies of your people. The smell of blood hangs thick in the air, and the sun shines down—a cruel reminder of the beauty that now feels so distant.

"No..." you gasp, the sight overwhelming. Innocents lie around you, man, woman, and child, their faces frozen in expressions of terror. "What happened?"

You stagger forward, the weight of grief settling on your shoulders like a heavy cloak. Tears well in your eyes as you take in the devastation. "I'm sorry. I am so sorry," you cry, your voice breaking. The words tumble from your lips, a prayer to a god that seems deaf to your suffering.

You fall to your knees at the entrance of your city, the gates broken and splintered. "Why?!" you scream, your voice raw with anguish. "They didn't do anything! They weren't part of this!"

The silence mocks you, and you feel your heart harden with anger. "Why did you let this happen?!" you shout to the heavens, your fists pounding the ground in frustration. "You call yourselves gods, but you let this slaughter occur!"

As if in response, a voice breaks through the emptiness, low and smooth. "Hello there, my king. They finally let go of you."

You whip around, eyes wide. "Who's there?"

"You seek answers," the voice continues, echoing in the desolation. "You want to serve a god who doesn't pray for the innocent."

Your heart races as you recognize the tone. It draws you in, curiosity battling with fear. "Who are you?" you demand, scanning the ruins for the source.

"I am someone willing to give you protection from the vicious gods," the voice replies, and you slowly make your way toward the remnants of your castle, a place once filled with hope, now reduced to rubble.

You step into the heart of the ruin, where shadows cling to the walls like memories. And then you see him. Standing tall and imposing, a figure with one horn jutting from his forehead, fangs barely visible when he speaks. His eyes are as dark as the abyss, yet they hold a strange warmth that seems to pierce through your despair.

"It can't be..." you whisper, the realization dawning on you. "You're... you're the devil."

"Yes, that's me," he says, a sly smile creeping across his lips. "But the stories you know are a lie."

Your heart races again, this time with a mix of fear and intrigue. "You're supposed to be a monster. Why are you here?"

"I come with a proposition," he replies, stepping closer. "You've lost everything, but you still possess something valuable—your will to fight."

"Fight?" you echo, confusion swirling in your mind. "What do you want with me?"

"I want you to reclaim what was taken from you," he says, his voice low and conspiratorial. "You have a chance to take vengeance on the gods who abandoned you."

"Vengeance?" The word tastes bitter on your tongue. "What do you know about my suffering?"

"I know everything," he replies, his gaze piercing into yours. "I know the pain of loss, the anger that festers when the innocent are sacrificed. You have the power to change your fate. All you need to do is accept my help."

You falter, doubt creeping in. "What do you want in return?"

"Your allegiance," he says simply, the weight of his words heavy in the air. "Together, we can turn the tides."

Your breath hitches. The idea is intoxicating, yet terrifying. "But you're a devil. Why should I trust you?"

He chuckles softly, a sound that sends shivers down your spine. "Trust is a fragile thing, isn't it? But sometimes, the darkness is the only path to true light."

You stare at him, the remnants of your kingdom swirling around you. The devastation, the loss—it all feels insurmountable. But deep down, a flicker of hope ignites. "What if you're lying?"

"Then you'll be no worse off than you are now," he replies, his expression unwavering. "But if you're willing to take that leap, I promise you, I can show you a power beyond your dreams."

Silence envelops you as you weigh his words, the remnants of your shattered world pressing down on you. You glance at the bodies lying around, the echoes of their lives cut short.

"Tell me," you say, your voice steady, "what must I do?"

The devil's smile widens, a glint of something darker sparkling in his eyes. "Let us begin the journey to reclaim what is rightfully yours."

And with that, you step into the shadows, your heart pounding with the weight of the choice you've just made. The path ahead is uncertain, but one thing is clear—you will not rest until you have your vengeance.