The Falling of Kingdoms

Genevieves Dream

There was only fire, its orange and red arms stretching out to flood everything it could touch with its overwhelming heat. People were screaming and running as if they could escape their fate. None looked toward the mountain, none saw her on the hill. She stood at the top, chained to the spot, she pulled and struggled against her bonds as tears streamed down her face. Her blonde hair was dirty and messy falling in her face in clumps, some strands sticking from the tears. She turned her head left and right shaking the hair out of her face as she searched for something to break her bonds. Nothing could be found and she began to panic as the flames roared closer. He stood off to the side, watching her fight against the chains; waiting and watching. His hair fell into his eyes blocking the vibrant green from the outside world. The girl screamed and howled as blood poured from her wounds. The boy approached her, disgust clouding his eyes. Standing behind her her grabbed her throat with his free hand and the girl coughed as air rushed out of her lungs. As the boy pulled his hand back he found it wet with blood and the girl tried to turn to see who was behind her. As she managed to turn her head the boy moved out of her line of vision. Staying just outside the walls of fire that drew closer to them.

He watched her cry out once more, her voice dying in her throat as she coughed up more blood. The blade in his sleeve felt heavy as he slid it down his arm and into his hand. The tip gleamed bright as he inspected its inscription, bello gesta est, scilicet cum, a battle is won with wit. It was true, because of his knowledge he finally got the revenge that his father deserved. He twirled the knife between his fingers deftly as he stood in front the girl. She looked up, her blue eyes brimming with tears as the smoke poured over them both.

He brought the knife to her throat, dragging it faintly along her neck as she tugged back at her bonds once more. He brought the blade up to her hair, cutting pieces off as she grabbed at her chains. A cool breeze swept through the air as he brought the knife up, ready to deliver the final strike. The girl stared up into the unfamiliar face as she slammed her wrists back against the chains, the fuse between her and the rock shattering apart. The girl turned to run, but wasn't fast enough as the butt of the knife smacked against her shoulder. Her collarbone gave out beneath the weight with a sickening crack that echoed through the fires red glare.

The boy glared at her from behind his curtain of hair as she met his gaze with ferocity. She wasn't about to give up this battle no matter what happened, if this was going to be her final hours; she was going to die knowing that she went down fighting. He slashed at her arm, and she clamped down on her lip to keep from howling in pain. She took another shaky step as he jabbed at her side. Getting to her feet the girl ducked as the incoming blade swung at her neck. She grabbed her attackers arm and the blade went spinning out of his hand into the fires outstretched arms.

They both fought with anger and desperation knowing that they both wouldn't walk away from today. The flames licked at their feet as the rest of the land around them turned to ash. With a kick to her stomach the girl fell on her knees in defeat as he stood over her. He had his blade again, as if the fire had brought it back to him. Exhausted and defeated the girl hung her head, awaiting the final blow.

The boy raised the blade for a final time, breathing heavy from combat. This was it, this was his revenge. He looked at his victim as she sat there on her knees her head bent in desperation. The knife fell from his grip and in her lap as the boy stumbled back, almost into the flames.

"I can't" he croaked out, his voice dry and cracked from the soot in the air. She stared up at him before picking up the knife herself and placing it in his hand.

"You must" she told him softly before spreading her arms wide, never closing her eyes. The boys green eyes filled with tears before plunging the knife into her heart.

"I'm sorry" he sobbed as her lifeless body fell forward onto her blade. He sat in the fire as her blood spilled out onto the broken chains and the rock that had formerly been her prison. The boy sat there motionless, letting the fire snag at his feet and hands. He looked up and-