Tale of the Prince

What was once the Capital of Long lay eternally in ruins. With protruding spikes as tall as proper buildings, fires that persisted after decades, and streets that had been converted into marshland through rising water levels, it was practically uninhabitable.

Lifting the pickaxe well above his head, the person then struck down with as much force as he could muster. The resounding metallic clang resonated throughout the area as if to mock him for his inability.

"As I thought", the person muttered. Despite using as much as strength as he could muster, the spike didn't dent. Now he understood why nobody tried to harvest the spikes of pure silver. Even if they were valuable, no one could remove them as they were too heavy, and they were too formidable to be separated.

Continuing onwards to where the Imperial palace was, the person began to ruminate.

Once again, I stand before the place where history was made. Just like other children, I was brought up on stories of heroes and greatness. However unlike other children, the tale most told and best known was about my father. Even though that tale was somehow the least believable out of all of them, I believed it. If not for father's transformation, I wouldn't have though.

He then stopped and stood before the site they called, "The Convergence of the Four Beasts". As he was about to scale the cliff to reach the crater, the entire rock face crumbled. The last thing that Shen saw was a huge mass of decayed white fur.

______

He remembered that the tale had always started in the same way. With the introduction of a once celebrated general converted into a merciless and bloodthirsty monster.

Finally reaching the forefront of the battle, the soldier stood and gaped in shock at the scene before him. A battlefield strewn with the corpses of the fallen and at the center, a demon that seemed to be burning. Donning the armor of the Great General, the demon then lifted his victim into the air with a surreptitious smirk.

The leader of the opposition's visage contorted in horror as he was effortlessly lifted up. Despite the multitude of arrows scattered throughout his armor, the general's iron grip did not decrease in intensity. A single swing of his sword would sweep the battlefield in the same manner that a reaper's scythe would reap souls and his war cry sent a shiver down even the most battle hardened veteran's spine. Leading the assault, he was the embodiment of carnage itself.

"I yi-eld", the person croaked out with dark red blood dripping from a corner of their mouth.

"Now you yield?", General Lanye said in an amused tone.

"I yield. Please.. just stop this"

"Why should I?", the General stated with a sickening grin.

"The only ones left are women and children!", the leader exclaimed.

Hearing this the soldier next to the General abruptly paused as if he was about to ponder the morality of his actions. As if sensing his thoughts, the General placed his hand on the soldier's shoulder and said in a regretful tone, "These are the Emperor's orders".

"Lay siege to the fortress!"

_______

Months passed and Lanye's battles only intensified. The Great General had surpassed his former glory and people would talk of his valiance in battle like bards reciting heroic tales. Finally, the Emperor had enough. Suppression through military means was impossible as the other generals had always admired him and General Lanye was undoubtedly the strongest man in the entire nation. However, he had already caught wind of General Lanye's actions and could not tolerate it anymore as there would be dire consequences even if he did nothing.

"To think the Great General would slander this Emperor so maliciously and extensively", the Emperor stated in a frosty tone that was slowly being infected by his fury.

General Lanye then raised his head and looked at the Emperor. He then smiled and said, "It is the Emperor that has stated we must use all means to achieve victory"

"IMPRISON THIS MONSTER!"

It was then known to the public that he revoked Da Lan's position and imprisoned him for heinous war crimes. Unsurprisingly, the public did not believe this.

"The Great General has committed heinous war crimes? Way to defame someone, oh great Emperor"

"He saved my son during the Battle of Eigon. I refuse to listen to allegations against my benefactor!"

The capital was in an uproar as news of Da Lan's imprisonment spread. The Great General who was renown for his military prowess and loyalty to the country was imprisoned for war crimes!? The current Emperor already had a reputation for being a conniving backstabber. How else had he obtained the throne?

The Crown Prince disappearing and the previous Emperor dying had been too much of a coincidence. The Empress Dowager had also committed suicide out of nowhere despite not being affectionate with the recently deceased Emperor as it was a purely political marriage that generated no warmth. A certain someone was then invited to the palace.

_______

The tale then went on to the introduction of the true Crown Prince.

For a very long time, he hid in the country of Zin. When his father became aware of the fact that his uncle was plotting against him with plans to usurp the throne, he sent the unknowing Xin away. As he resided in the Tan Palace, his studious behavior and willingness to improve allowed him to establish friendly relations with Zin's royal family. Xin had fit in so well that the people felt that Xin was already a part of the royal family and the fact that his name was so similar to the country only helped that impression. To his surprise, a month after he had arrived, the royal family asked about Riri. He had often doted on Riri and always felt that their affection for each other surpassed the affection present in the typical sibling relationship.

Deciding to confide to him, the Royal Family of Zin then revealed that Riri was actually their long-lost daughter. This information alleviated Xin greatly as he could marry Riri without breaking any taboos. He had yearned to reunite with her, but his uncle already usurped the throne and the Army of Zin currently had to deal with other invading countries which included Long.

He then steeled himself and focused on studying war tactics, politics, and began to train himself physically. The handsome Crown Prince of Zin who devoted his time and effort to overthrow the corrupt Emperor of Long was what he became known for. Due to his looks and position, he had many suitors to the point that they were in the thousands and the majority were qualified for one of his status. He had rejected them all though as the memory of Riri had always resurfaced and the feeling of nostalgia overwhelmed him.