Close your eyes and imagine a world devoid of hunger, where every flower has a chance to bloom — a world resembling heaven, where war solely exists in myths. Can you see it before you? Can you smell the freshly baked bread? The aroma of peace?

Take a stroll through the village. Do you see the happiness in the eyes of the children passing you? Do you see that boy throwing a smile of admiration at you?

Your every day is peaceful yet eventful.

Until recently this utopia was my reality. But now, the world is filled with hunger, war lurks around every corner, and darkness has inhabited all hearts.

I should have been prepared for it. I should have been ready. Even I, who was a part of the shadow of this kingdom, am shaken to the core. Even now, I'm still trembling.

The glory would have been ours, if only her heart hadn't beat. She betrayed us.

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Is this how I meet my end? In a lonely cave with thousands of swords sucking all the blood and life out of me? With only these weapons to see my downfall in this icy darkness? Is that really it? Is that really how it ends?

Pathetic, but exactly how I would have imagined my death. Lonely, cold and bitter. There was nothing I could do. My magic was sealed away, and my own sword was one of many penetrating my body. I tried to move my arm, but no matter what I tried, I couldn't move an inch. I had no strength left. My vision started to blur; the edges grew dark and hazy.

I was stuck here. Even if I wanted to resist, my body didn't allow it. And for what? This stupid war that nobody wanted. A war where only death could be gained. It was all because of her—my master, Her Highness Ayla.

Her foolishness, her blindness, and her arrogance killed not only me, but this whole kingdom. All because of her damned groom. Out of all people, she chose a murderer, a monster, an enemy. She broke her promise to her people. She broke her vow, and this was the result.

Yet she lived happily ever after. She could still live the life of a princess. Willingly locked in an iron tower. Watching us die.

I was bathing in a pool of blood. Before long, I'd be dead. I lifted my eyes to the sky. "Oh, dear God, did you really curse us?"

...

"As if a god would respond." I exhaled my last bit of air out and closed my eyes. I was scared. Who wouldn't be? The end of a human life. Expected, yet unexpected. I wanted to do so much more with my life, yet here I was.
"I wish I could've killed her."

Who would have thought that those would be my last words.

When I woke up, I saw myself looking down at my body. Even in this darkness, I could still identify what was, until recently, my body. I tried to tuck my messy hair away, but my hand passed through where it should have touched. "Ah... I'm really dead."

Before I knew it, I started to tear up.

"Father... Mother... I-I'm sorry."

"I'm sor-ry that I couldn't... save you."

...

"I'm sorry for being useless."

My throat felt dry. Tears rolled down my cheek and before I could wipe them away, they passed through my body, just as insubstantial as my hands. They disappeared.

I died a lone death. For nothing. I did not save nor protect someone, I did not die with glory, I just ... died.

I began to recompose myself. "What now?" I asked with a strained voice. Knowing that nobody could hear me.

"I'll be able to help you with that." Instinctively I reached for my sheath.

I turned around. "Who are you?"

I had let my guard down.

Despite it being dark, I could see the outline of the figure shrouded in darkness. Their figure radiated confidence as they slowly walked towards me.

I heard a soft chuckle. "What are you going to do without a sword?"

I looked at my sheath. I had forgotten about the absence of my weapon.

"There's no need for you to be wary. I'm on your side," the person assured while extending their hand. "I share your goal and your hope." I could not distinguish whether they were male or female. I could only hear the bitter grudge their voice carried.

"I'll help you. I'll let you take revenge. Kill the princess, burn the world, and let your vengeance rule."

The offer sounded sweet, dangerously so. "I won't accept help from someone whose identity I don't even know."

I caught a smirk on their veiled face. "I have many names, but I'm the one you mortals refer to as God."

It struck me as plausible. It was a truth that only God could talk to the souls of the dead. And by my knowledge, I was pretty dead.

"What do you gain from this?" I couldn't help but be suspicious.

It stayed silent for a moment. "Everything and nothing."

"The end is a new beginning."

It didn't answer any of my questions, but who would dare to question God's judgment? They had given me a mission. And I would complete it. Their motive was unclear, but our interests aligned.

I knelt down. "This loyal subject accepts your request." The fire in my eyes had started to burn again. My goal was clear.

God grinned. "I'll do my best to assist you." They placed their hand on my head. My hair started to shine, and the light of a symbol reflected in God's eyes. My forehead felt hot.

"Good luck with your mission." They paused for a second, seeming to be pondering. "But before you go, I have another favour to ask of you. Find something for me."

Before I could ask what I had to search for, I woke up. As if waking from an endless slumber. I did not feel refreshed, or tired. I just felt alive. The fact that my forehead burned, and I could see God's mark on it when I looked at myself in the mirror, proved that it had not been a dream. I got thrown from one hell to another. I still felt the agonizing sensation, the overwhelming smell of swords, earth and blood in my veins.

I felt confused, empty and tired, but I still felt good enough to function. Barely, but I could. My senses felt slow, my brain hurt, my organs felt like they could explode at any moment and my eyes felt strained. It hurt like crazy. But it did confirm one thing; I was alive.

It took me a while to realize where I was. I was neither in a dark cave nor on the battlefield. I woke up in a familiar chamber; a room with little to no decoration. Empty walls, a bed with a worn-out mattress, and pillow. A blanket that could be confused for cheese by the amount of holes it had. By the looks of it, it was a chamber that obviously didn't hold personal attachment.

It was the room I had slept in when I had been Ayla's loyal soldier, her lowly slave who headed her every command. But that was the past. A past that hadn't been that long ago.

How could I have been so ignorant? If the signs weren't enough—the secret messages, the sudden secrets, the rumours, the faraway missions she sent me on, and the changed look in her eyes—then the screams that even now echo in my ears should have been clear enough. Yet I hadn't even the slightest clue. It took me way too much bloodshed to realize.

I opened the window and sighed at my past self while leaning over the railing, hoping to catch even the slightest glimpse of that bastard Ayla. On the other hand, I felt like my emotions would take my body over if I did see her. For now, evading her would be the best.

At this point in time, I hadn't become part of her personal knights yet, so it should be easy enough to avoid her. Hopefully.

I clenched my fist and at that moment I swore to myself. He would pay for what he had done to the kingdom, and so would she. Their sins would be their end. But I needed time. Not only to prepare myself, but also to solve this inner conflict I had. Even when Ayla had betrayed everyone, she still had been my master.

Revenge would come. One way or another.