《Blood pearls- the vermilion that kills》


 Vermilion moths

    Historical fiction with alterations to history. Such as names of countries, empires, weapons, military structure.


    __________


    All it took was a step out of the forest to see the world collapse. Years and years of memories decimated to nothingness, an entire lifetime burnt to ash. The village - Northon dwindling back into a time civilization hasn''t graced it. It was by a stroke of luck that I was absent during the incident. Yet instead of being glad, the thought of my awaiting mother flashed, and it took all I had to not scream.


    Contrary to what I was expecting, no remorse came as I dropped the still prey in my hands- two rabbits and one fairly large pheasant- whose patterns was unmarred by the shot with the only red spot being the pierced head and its naturally occurring dots across luscious brown feathers. All the delight derived from the constancy of my aim wiped by an avalanche of fear and worry.


    ''Please be safe, mother.''


    I ran to the source of destruction, feet sprinting as though it too had caught on fire. Everything was dancing in raucous noise. The crackling of burning wood. The chaotic screams. The patches of grass underneath. And even the gasping of my shivering mouth.


    ''Please, please, please.''


    Still- by the time I arrived, all was too late. The home I used to live in. The home mother would sew clothes. The home we''d cook the games I hunted. Was a rambling mess of indistinguishable red and brown.


    I looked around. But all I could see was the corpses on the floor. One struck by arrow. The other by merciless swing of the sword. From afar I can hear the gallop of horses and the flutter of a flag Castelon green flag. On it engraved in gold, the balance of justice and atop it an eagle in vermilion.


    ''The Driston empire is invading. Not only our petty village but also farther cities.''


    Amidst the repulsive odor of scorched meat and unharmoniously sweet scent of wood, I could only stare in hopelessness as the jaws of fire took away the minuscule buildings one by one. Reignited embers creeping up on unresisting walls and rooftops. Wood segments falling apart everywhere, making the vermilion monstrousity look like a beast slowly dismembering its prey.


    "Mother- Mother! Where are you?" I ran around the blistering streets, checking every nook and cranny. Panic running through my veins. Nearly lunging into the flaming buildings out of desperation.


    It wasn''t until around the exact time that was needed for newly poured tea to go cold, that I found what I was seeking in all the ways I was afraid of. My mother''s river like voice joining in the chorus of screams. Her running body falling on the harsh, dirty ground. The washed down cloth on her thin torso blood red.


    All because of a soldier who doesn''t even know how to swing his swords right. One look was all I needed to tell that he was a conscripted soldier who just recently learned the way of the blade. At most one year of training.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    ''They are added secretly trained civilians from nearby borders to add fighting force whilst avoiding notice.''


    My legs jerked forwards; intending to brace her fall, but even faster was my trained arms and eyes, that reached out for the bow and arrow hanging on my back. Two seconds of resentful aiming, a millisecond wasted controlling the anger rampaging through my blood.


    In utter bloodlust- I released the shot. And relished as it hit the lanky soldier clad in bare minimum armour- right in the neck where no risks can be taken. I dyed him in the same color he afflicted on my mother with less pain. For a moment I regretted not slowly bleeding him to death.


    But that regret was quickly replaced by the concern I had for my poor mother. Holding the bow in my left arm, I supported my mother''s weak body with my right arm. Feeling the breath slowly leave her weak body as though she was slowly slipping through my hands.


    "Everything is alright now," the hands pressing on to the wound clutched stronger, yet it did nothing against the gushing flow of blood. "You don''t need to fear anymore, mother."


    And yet in the carress of her utterly thin and slowly lifeless arms, that have began to decay into emptiness ever since father was conscripted into the army- I could sense acceptance. Moths of death crawling on every spot she touched on my face.


    "Oh, my poor Adriel, you are the one who don''t need to fear anymore." The desire to pry of her hand emerged, but rememberance that this is most probably the last held me back. "Without me, there is nothing weighing you down. You are free to survive."


    ''What is a survivor without what they wanted to protect?'' My throat went dry, barely containing the protest yearning to escape. ''No! This can''t be the end.'' In denial of the warm liquid seeping on to my skin and the smell of iron in the air, I tried convincing myself that we could still live together.


    As if knowing my inner thoughts, mother simply shook her head strongly, uttering her last words, "Listen to me, Adriel. I have spent the entirety of my life in contentment and Joy. The only regret I have is not seeing you grow. Now that I am on the brink of death, all I want is for you to have the chance to grow."


    "Mother-" I cut her speech of, the desperation in my eyes signaling her to stop speaking. To not let this be our last conversation. To not force me to live alone in this cold, cruel world.


    But my refusal was met with a firmer refusal. There is nothing stronger than the love of a mother. As I watch mother use her death to push me into living, I understood.


    "Live on, Adriel. Even if you have to walk into the mud. Even if your hands get stained and bones follow your every step. You have to live on."


    The sound of footstep approaches. Reinforcement? Despite every instinct yelling at me to run, I stayed. For the last time I would be able to see mother breathe.


    "The world is not a good place for the merciful people. Your father¡­ and I, we didn''t knew that. That is the reason why we suffer and get trampled on."


    Despite the sound of people running to this place, I lost all my focus to her words. My parents always were an oddity in this simple, rural village. A mother who reads, a father who is a master at swords and arrows. It always made me wonder if they were truly villagers at birth.


    "Monsters don''t eat monsters. It''s the does they''re after." Her words start slurring, eyes no longer peering into me. I didn''t know it at the time, but all she saw was probably darkness. I realized, the time has come, this sentence will be the last. Just as I was expecting it to be -''I love you,'' an entirely different sentence came out of her withered lips.


    "Don''t be that doe, my dear."


    Cold air; Colder hands; colder heart. Today is the 27th day of the ninth month of year 1837 AD. Many would remember this as the day war between the Driston and Krelrya empire started after the treaty was broken. But in my heart, it would forever be the day I lost the person I cherished alongside the definition of love.

 Chapter 2 -deadliest type of wolves

    Trigger warning : cruelty, not graphic just the thought


    _____


    Fist thumping the ground next to her until it began to ache. I wailed and wailed. Like the howl of a wolf for her kin. Only the person I''m trying to reach now is gone. Forever.


    ''How could I ever meet you again, mother?''


    Just as I was mourning her, the screams of people rang in my ears. Sounding no older than a 10 year old female, an innocent cherry like voice that should''ve uttered a plea for more fruits instead of a plea to be let off.


    "Don''t kill me- please don''t."


    If only she knew evil doesn''t have a heart.


    "Wound her limbs if she struggles. But don''t damage her face. She has worth as a slave."


    This is the reason behind the notoriousness of the Driston empire. They are cruel people with no code of ethics. Whilst notable villages such as those involved in agricultural, mass fishing or exotic item production gets left behind along cities for levying purposes.  Places like these gets plundered, destroyed so that it can be reformed for "better purposes." And its people taken also for that same reason. As if being slaves so they can sit on their thrones fall into that classification.


    Upon hearing the orders, the stray girl went completely stiff. Just standing still as they surround her and tie up those tanned hands with a rope. In face of such a thing, I could only grit my teeth hands reaching in for the bow, when-


    "Oh- look what we have here! A beautiful young lass, perfect to fill our quota."


    The guy leading the group spoke up, his greasy voice and words tangling me up in disgust like the unkempt state of his beard. I presume he had a higher hierarchy than the rest.


    "Maybe perfect for a good passionate night ayye."


    Someone jeered from the back, his plain intentions as clear as the baldness of the middle aged guy''s head. Why someone would sport that hairstyle, I have no idea. But that was the least of my concerns.


    "Don''t touch the goods. And keep your mouths shut, young lady is coming."


    ''Young lady?''


    Questions churn in my head. I learned about the Driston empire''s military as part of my mother''s teaching. Despite her academic skills, she was a skilled embroider famed for her works. We''d live in riches if she didn''t spend it all on recent books.


    The neighboring empire''s reigning empress, Lizbeth revolutionized a majority of the military after her husband''s passing. The main thing being, the ranks which were originally consisting of simpler divisions now made of infantry troops, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant colonel, colonel, brigadier, major general, Lieutenant General, general and the emperor.


    This was ground breaking enough. Who knew the empress decided it wasn''t enough and established the participation of women into the military. Though, they are scarce in comparison to men and mostly still in training.


    I stood there watching them view me as goods. Weighing on the scales of my head how I''d survive this dreadful situation. Slaughter way into escape? Beg for mercy? None of that would work. So I just bore further into their scant armour as if I could kill them through it.


    "Come here before I break those pretty little legs. And wipe off that dirty blood on your face."


    Just as that disgusting voice lands, an idea too crashed into my head. It''s risky but the only thing that still has a chance of me surviving with a measurable amount of freedom.


    Pretending to succumb into their intimidations. I walk over, wearing the mask of timidity.


    "That''s enough."Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    He commanded, leaving me in a tricky spot.


    Until their lecherousness became my stepping stone.


    "Oh, come on, let her come closer. What can a little harmless lass like her do."


    Eyes still a watery mess from grief, I lowered my head, feet scurrying forward, as though a servant running over for a scolding- the ways I see my neighbors treated whenever merchants buy my mother''s works.


    That is until I tripped- or pretend to trip.


    "Oh careful there deary."


    And took the blade around his waist in one flowing arc, shifting quickly to the one with highest priority, twisting hands to aim it to his unguarded neck.


    "Captain, Edgar- you wretched girl! Unhand him."


    ''Captain? Looks like I''m in luck.''


    Instead of cowering away, I stared deep into the yelling soldier''s dark brown eyes, trying to see my reflection only for it to fail under the cover night.


    ''Monsters don''t eat monsters. It''s the does they''re after.''


    Throwing away all fearful thoughts, I commanded, just like those tax collectors always do. "Take me in as a soldier. Or this man will die."


    Laughter echoed across the place. The drops of blood trickling down my hostage''s neck almost unreal.


    "You would betray your empire?"


    Of course, my words was met with a scoff unbelieving me. Either this man isn''t as important as I thought he was or the shock a young lass like me would even consider pulling this move.


    Still, I kept my stances same. A good negotiator doesn''t back down in face of obstacle. They bluff and move forward.


    "What is a empire that cannot protect its people? I don''t need any grandiose sentiments, just a body that breathes."


    This time their faces look more serious, as though they were seriously considering it. A captain may not be able to threaten the royal family, but his sworn brothers, certainly.


    The most unexpected thing in this charade was that the one who started rejection again was the guy I pointed a blade to.


    "Why would I invite a treacherous wolf into my house?"


    To this, I took of my dignity.


    ''All I needed to do was survive.''


    "Even a wolf can be a dog if you tear their fangs off."


    With the twist, i won''t truly cut them off. Even if I would they''d just regrow sharper, harder. I would take all the nutrient and knowledge from their empire and bite them where it hurts.


    ''All I need to do is survive.''


    "A wolf cannot truly be a wolf until they take off their loyalty and put it beneath the master''s feet. I presume yours is that blemished lady over there?"


    This despicable guy, still in confident calm, leered at my mother as though she was a pile of rags, igniting furry in the depths of my thundering chest. How dare he look at her that way.


    In that careless instance, the rumbling anger gave me away. I was too immature to notice the schemes around me. The way he''d beat my will to utter surrender.


    "You- cut that woman''s head off and serve it to me with both hands. Then I''ll take you in heartily."


    If this was a trick to make the blade drop, it nearly succeeded. Only the desire to stay alive was so ingrained, my body automatically kept in composed state despite my frenzied mind.


    "How would I know you wouldn''t gang on me the moment I let go?"


    I questioned, trying to grope my way to escape. There is no crevices, no weak points.


    "This is the only way you don''t die, young lass."


    I stared at my mother''s still warm corpse in horror. No I can''t do this. The only body I can''t walk on. The one thing safeguarding my humanity.


    But I stared into their eyes and figured- this is the only choice.


    In that moment, all I could think of was my mother''s last words. ''Survive.'' ''Survive'' ''Survive''. So I went and scampered to her dead body. Kneeling down, I haven''t even closed her eyes yet due to the disturbance.


    She was still staring at me. Yet, ironically, it just reminded me of her hope for me to stay alive.


    ''''Mother- is the only thing I need to do survive?"


    I whispered softly, covering her eyes to retain the last vestige of dignity.


    ''Don''t be that doe, my dear''


    "I understand.. mother."


    I took the blade in my hand, and swiftly detached her restless head from the otherwise peaceful body. Taking it in both my hands, before stretching it over to captain Edgar''s direction, both legs kneeling in subservience.


    "Keep your end of the deal, you savages."


    I grumbled, not managing to keep my temper under control. A feistiness I think I can''t ever fully reign in.


    "Ayye, don''t look at us as though we''re some sort of villain young lass. It was your choice." He averted those blue eyes of his to the side, clearly disturbed by the head with dripping blood, "welcome to the Driston empire."


    Through the cocoon of death she enveloped me in, I emerged.


    I am the monster you made me. Are you satisfied now?

 Chapter 3 - glitching farewell

    Puke have yet dried from the stained corner of my lips, when another wave of vomit comes over me. I had no choice but to let them witness my weakness as I retch all over the grass. A possible chip in my plan, but still a weakness I was glad to still possess.


    ''Monster. Monster. Monster.''


    What have I done? It was the only road to revenge. But I couldn''t have done it. To dismember the helpless corpse of my beloved. With my own sinful hands.


    ''Dirty. Dirty. Dirty.''


    I wipe my hands on the patch of grass on the eastern side that''s not covered in whatever was in my lunch. Again and again, with such severity until the blades of grass cut my hand.


    ''You monster child.''


    Now there is no way to return. I have become worse than what I detest. A disgusting vile creature. No longer worthy of being called human.


    "Are you done lass? Why do it if you''re just going to collapse under the stress? Waste of time."


    The man with piercing blue eyes, like the edge of a truly chilled iceberg, scoffed. Everything I had trampled over for a chance of surviving a joke in his eyes.


    The soldiers under his control were however not so rude as demonstrated by the reprimand given by a relatively younger man with soft chestnut hair.


    "Captain- I think you''re being too harsh on her."


    But the rotten fruit definitely outweighs the good ones in this group. In spite of all the grime on and around me, the perverted men from earlier still sent me a wink.


    "Heartless lass, visit me and I''ll make you forget about all this."


    I do not think I can ever truly forget.


    This hatred. This vengeance. This resentment.


    To them. To their empire. And above all to myself.


    But if I stop here, if I bare my true feelings, my revenge would fail before it begins.


    "I simply ate- blergh  the wrong lunch. This w- be gone in n- time."


    ''No- there was nothing wrong with the homemade pie I had this morning. And everything to do with the sin I committed. The sensation of flesh being cut. The trickle of blood. The way her head looked like hanging on my hand. Oh the horrors- what have I done.'' The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "Then hurry up and stand, we have to go."


    Captain Edgar commanded, prickling stares on my body like a flurry of daggers. I clutched the grass as though that would make me shrink. But, held the fear in. Turning it into anger.


    The sight of my mother decapitated body and the head loosely attached to her by air fills my eyes. I am left with a want of giving her a proper burial. Only to be flooded by the same voice.


    ''Don''t be that doe, my dear.''


    ''But I can''t simply leave you mother.''


    Against my better judgement, the first thing I yelled as I stood up from a pool of a vomit was the crying of a helpless young girl held in the hands of a more powerful figure. A baby animal at the mercy of it''s hunters.


    "Wait- at least let me bury my mother."


    Forgetting, they evoke no pity in those who wield the weapon of slaughter.


    "There is simply no time to let you do so."


    No. I have desecrated her body in the worst way possible. There is no way I''m letting her corpse be food for insects and dogs or whatever creature is wondering in the wild. She deserves better than that.


    I stuck myself out for them to bid in disdain.


    For them to throw away in anger.


    Anything is better than wild animals  feasting on her.


    "My mind will not be at rest as long as her body is still scattered in the wilderness." I bite down the choke that was coming, ''hold it down, hold it, be the monster she wanted you to be,''


    "Do you really want the dog in your midst to turn into a wolf? A man who has less honor than a lass like me. Who would have guessed?"


    My goading taunt was met with utter indifference. Not even the slightest of anger or humiliation. All I have become is a jester that jumps at a script that reaches no one.


    "Then burn her. That is the most we can do for you."


    I held back my reconccuring tears, that started to flow out of my eyes at the thought of the last reminder of her gone in the flames. If I could I would''ve frozen her in ice. Keep her with me at all times.


    But now I have to destroy her corpse in the wilderness with no way to bring her along.


    ''Is flames any better than animals?''


    I surrendered in ridicule for a moment, before snapping on to reality. At least her corpse will not be a mangled mess at the teeth of vicious beings. Let her be gone in beauty. The way she would''ve wanted to.


    Humans like their dogs submissive. But I can''t muster any of it right now. So I stay silent. Just a nod to indicate that I was going to do it.


    "¡­."


    The first thing I did was gather leaves from nearby trees to cover up her body. Then lighting it up with the match inside my pocket- an invention that was popularized forwards a dozens of years ago.


    "Come now. We don''t have time to wait. Young lady should''ve almost arrived by now."


    The rabbit hole just gets worse. This spiral to mad sadness never ends. Every inch of me screaming, ''But mother has yet to be fully cremated-''. Then I looked into those ruthless eyes and realized they''d leave me if I dawdled and my revenge would end here.


    ''Farewell mother.''


    I said, unknowing the ghost of guilt will never truly live and by so she would never truly die.


    With the ingrained image of vermilion devouring her corpse, I vowed deep in my heart, I will rob of you everything you hold dear, as you did to me.


    Accursed Driston empire.