ASH

Each step that I take was heavy.

The body of my dead old friend in my arms was getting heavier and colder. He was no longer warm like I used to. The scent that he had a while ago was not warm and refreshing anymore. His heartbeat that I can hear every time he was in my arms, I can no longer hear.

There were no tears left in my eyes. It was like all my emotions were no longer inside of me. All I can feel was anger and guilt.

The bright and sunny sky turns dim. The dark clouds loomed over the horizon.

While I was on my way to the palace, some people were glancing in my direction and whispering to each other. Some avoided going with me or avoided being in the same direction as me. And some got scared of me and quickly avoid me seeing I am carrying a dead body in my arms.

But, that didn't bother me.

I stopped walking when I felt something drip on my cheeks. I looked up at the sky and noticed that it was starting to rain. Aside from me, still standing under the rain and getting wet, the people started to run away from the rain and quickly took shelter.

The body I was carrying got heavier and colder to the touch. The blood on the body was being wiped away by the rain, and the floor where I'm standing had a pool of blood.

I think the sky is mourning for me. It knows what I'm feeling right now, and knows what will I do from now on.

I silently chuckled and looked at the face of my old friend. The Elliot that I am looking at now was no longer smiling. But, he was still beautiful even when his eyes closed.

I got inside the palace a moment later, and the guards saw me. They knew what was happening and let me into the throne room where I saw the King having fun with his mistresses.

When he saw me and the body in my arms, his smile widened.

"Dame Ashlyn! Finally, you're here!" he happily greeted me. Besides him, there were officials and nobles inside. There were some of them I can recognize especially the Duke of the West, and the head captain. They were too surprised to see me. The moment they lay their eyes on me and Elliot, they sadly looked away and grit their teeth.

"I called all the officials to announce this beautiful moment. You never disappoint me, Dame Ashlyn", he said. The tone of his voice makes me irritated. And the way he said those words makes my adrenaline boil.

'I'm sorry, Elliot. But, I can't hold on any longer.'

I dropped the body on the floor and took my sword out of its sheath and look at the king.

"Your majesty... no... I should never call you that because you don't deserve that title," I said.

"What? What did you say to me, Dame Ashlyn?" his tone changed, and look at me, frowning.

I scoffed and coldly look at him. He flinched when our eyes meet.

"I had enough of this game of yours, you bastard. And I think it's time to end this," I swing my sword back and forth and slowly walk toward his direction. "Prepare to meet your end!"

I slowly ran towards him.

"GUARDS!" he shouted. The guards that surrounds the room quickly leaped on their feet and ran in my direction. The nobles that were inside the room started to scream and ran away from the fight.

The Duke of the West and the head captain stay behind.

"She always jumps into action without warning us," the Duke sighed.

"I'm glad that I was aware of what was happening," the head captain raised his right hand, "my fellow knights, attack and defend Dame Ashlyn!" he swing downward his hand and shouted with a loud voice.

The door burst open, and there were lots of knights carrying their swords, running, and quickly going into a fight with the guards.

I block the incoming sword with my sword and pushed it away with all my strength, slicing the guards in front of me.

I swing my sword to my right and slash down another guard. I continued to slash my enemy as I ran towards the king.

I saw him stand up and was about to leave us but, I will NEVER allow it.

"Don't you dare run away from me, you bastard," I leaped and grabbed the dagger around my waist and throw it swiftly towards him, hitting him on his back.

"Ah!" he stumbled on the floor and grunted in pain. It was a matter of time before I can reach him.

I pick a sword on the floor and twisted it in my hand.

 (She's like this)

I cut down the guards that were on my way and I was getting nearer to the King.

"Dame Ashlyn, behind you!" I heard someone scream my name. I quickly turn around and was about to cover myself with my sword when they fell on the floor in front of me, dead.

I saw the Duke and he smiled at me. "Go, I will take care of your back. Kill the king and end this madness once and for all."

I nodded and turn back at the king and, charged like greased lightning.

The king was terrified when he saw me approaching him. He tried to stand up but, he keep falling on his knees.

"Huff...huff..." he was panting heavily as he tried his best to stand up.

"Don't tire yourself, MY KING. If I were you, just sit down or the poison will spread faster if you keep moving", I was there standing near him. He slowly looked up at me.

"Poi... son?"

"Yes," I knelt to look at him closely. "I always carry the dagger that contains poison with me. And thankfully, I was able to put it to good use."

"Why... you..." he suddenly coughed of blood. He looks at his hand terrified.

"It's entertaining to see you like this, cousin. But, I cannot wait to clean up this mess," I stand up and point the tip of my sword at his throat. "Do you have any last words?"

"I am the King of Oryn! How dare you-"

"Goodbye," I raised my sword and swiftly cut his head. His head flies over the ceiling and falls on the floor. His body spluttered blood on me. I wiped my face and turn around to face the people in this room.

"Enough! Your king is dead!" I exclaimed. They all stopped attacking each other and looked at me.

I looked at them one by one. Half of these people were happy and victorious while the other half were defeated and terrified.

"Duke of the West!" I exclaimed his name and he looked at me confusedly. He stand in front of me and smiled.

"What is it, your ma-"

"I will not claim the throne," I said which he reacted surprisingly.

"What do you mean? You win the battle, so you must-"

"Look what I've done, Duke. I killed the high priest, and that is unforgivable. The Church won't support someone like me who killed their high priest. No matter how much my contribution was, this is not something forgivable. We don't even know what will happen to me once Heaven punishes me and I don't want this kingdom to be affected by my action and besides," I patted his shoulder and smiled at him.

"I believed in you. I believed that you will do well in guiding this kingdom in the right direction. I only help you achieve it by defeating the king."

He looked at me with hesitation in his eyes.

"Believed in yourself, Duke. And I know I pick the right guy for the job. I won't pick you if I didn't see any potential in you."

"I know but, there is also the head captain. He was trusted and most loyal to the former Queen. He can also be able to guide this kingdom," he said.

"About that part, how about we ask him about it," I said and looked behind him. The Duke also looked behind him and there was the guy that we're just talking about. He was standing there, smiling at us.

"Dame Ashlyn already approach me first, and also offer me this position but, I declined," he said in a matter-of-fact.

"Why?" the Duke asked and grabbed him by his shoulder. "I believed that you can do it."

"Thank you, Duke, for believing in me. But, just like Dame, I want to protect this kingdom not on the throne but outside the palace," he glance between me and the Duke and smiled from ear to ear. "And I believed that you will do well in guiding this kingdom, just like Dame Ashlyn said."

The Duke looked at the two of us and sighed. He scratched the back of his head and let out a laugh.

"You two really," he stood between me and the captain, and put both of his arms around the two of us. "are amazing friends and amazing allies. I'm glad to have you two by my side."

I'm glad that everything works out. I was afraid that my plan will not succeed but, I guess I was lucky enough to win. I glance down at Elliot on the floor and sadly looked away.

'Don't worry Elliot, I will repent for my sin against the Heaven's and accept any punishment from them.'

I looked outside the window, and look up at the sky. 'Sister, I did well, right? I protected your people and the kingdom. And from now on, a new ruler will guide Oryn in the right direction.'

And this was the start of the new era of the Oryn Kingdom.

For three months, I help rebuild the kingdom together with the Duke, or the new king, and the head captain or the new titled Duke. We clean the kingdom by eradicating the rats and snakes of the kingdoms. It took us a month to do this, and another month for helping the people who were affected by the king's poor behavior of not managing well its people. They thank us for changing everything. And lastly, was the Church of Oryn. I only help in the shadows because I know how they despised me for what I did.

The people that Elliot help, mourn for him. Everyone gathered for his death memorial and I was there hiding from them. I only discovered that someone replace Elliot, as the new priest. However, there was a difference between the two. Elliot was chosen by the Heaven's and this new priest was chosen by the former priest - that are humans.

I searched for Alex, but I was told that he left the church and gone somewhere far away. I guess he didn't want to be around me or to be at the same place as me. He respected and loved Elliot more than anyone. When he saw me kill Elliot, his world break down. He loves the two of us but, I hurt his feelings. He must have hated me now.

I looked over the hills and contemplate for a moment the beautiful scenery in front of me as the sun goes down.

This is the last time that I will see this beautiful scenery. I closed my eyes and feel the cold breeze on my skin.

I heard heavily armored footsteps behind me as they step on the dried leaves on the ground, making a crunchy sound.

"Dame Ashlyn, you called me?" it was the voice of the man that my sister trusted the most.

I opened my eyes and turn around to look at his muscular build.

"I have the last mission for you, head captain or should I call you Duke now?" I said laughingly.

"I prefer it if you call me, head captain, Dame," he answered. We look at each other for a few seconds and laughed.

"I think I will miss you, captain," I mumbled but I guess he heard it because he was looking at me surprisingly, and shyly looked away.

"We see each other every day so why would you say that, Dame?"

"Because of the last mission I will say to you, captain," I said. He slowly looked at me and his face turns serious.

"I don't get what you mean, Dame."

"Captain," I draw out my sword and place it on top of both of my palms. The hilt on my right palm, and the blade on my left.

"Grabbed my sword and..." I looked down and tightly closed my eyes. This order will surely hunt him, and I am sorry for that but, I have to.

"Dame?" there was confusion in the tone of his voice.

I opened my eyes and sighed. I straightly looked at him and smiled.

"I want you to pierce me with this sword," I said. He shockingly looks at the sword and me.

"Dame, I will not-"

"This is an order, captain. And don't worry, you will not be accused of murder. I already sent a letter to the King, and I think he is reading it now. And I guess, he will run towards here any moment now. So, please, before he reaches us," I reached out my arms to him and sadly smiled.

"Dame... I..."

This must be what Elliot feels when he asked this of me. And this is how I reacted to his plea. Now, we are even, Elliot.

I grabbed his hand and placed the sword on his hand, tightly.

"I'm sorry if this will hunt you, and I know this is terrible but, this is how I will repay my sin, captain. This is my last order," I said. I can feel that his hands were shaking. I slowly guide his hand and the sword towards my chest.

"Dame, you're the worst of all the knights, I swear," he started to cry, and shakily hold the sword. I chuckled at his remarks and look at the palace behind him. This is farewell, Oryn.

"Aaaaahhhh!!!!!" he closed his eyes and swiftly push the sword. I can feel the blade of the sword pierced inside my chest.

"Ah," I slowly fell as I felt the sharping pain inside of me. I coughed blood and slowly lost my consciousness. I saw the captain crying above me as he hold me in his arms.

My vision started to get blurry and I can't feel my body anymore. It was like I was floating. I slowly started to get sleepy and slowly the darkness covered my vision.

"I guess this is the end then,' I thought.

But, this was only the beginning of my long-time suffering.