A King, A Throne, A Crown

An explosion of the attack wiped through the army slaughtering everyone.

The soldiers were dead before they even knew what happened.

As if a natural disaster occurred, the lands were barren and the only evidence of a battle was the uncountable soulless bodies.

"This isn't even fun anymore," I sighed to myself aloud. "I mean he didn't even put up a fight."

It didn't take long to find the body of the commander who gave the speech. His eyes were wide open but the shock wasn't even registered on his face, "too weak."

Levels flashed on my status panel indicating the enormous amount of experience I received.

"I don't even feel worthy of this, should I warn my enemies before attacking to at least have some fun?"

Saddened by my strength ruining battles, I stood in the graveyard I had created and waited.

Suddenly Willow appeared next to me.

"Is it done?" I asked absentmindedly.

"No, they have a second army and everyone seems to be gathered in one place. There is no way I would be able to kill anyone without them all being alerted."

"Then let's wrap this up."

Walking hand in hand we made our way through the open field.

Short cut grass that tickled my ankles and a warm hand was all that I could feel at that moment.

'Here we go,' I told myself as I spread my senses outward towards the giant building.

Easily bypassing any protection they might have put up I searched for two main sources. The first being the army of troops and the second being the king.

Shortly a moment later both of the presences were felt on my own and I gave a squeeze to Willow's hand.

"Take us in, I know where they are at." My request was silently granted by the girl and in the next moment, we were in a lavish hallway.

Marble sculptures surrounded us while silver and golden accessories were decorating the walls.

'Monetary value… such as waste. Why spend resources on something that only sparkles? If the king invested in a stronger army he might be able to put up more of a defense.'

I could feel Willow staring into the back of my head so I turned to face her, "your king is down that way." I said pointing towards one end of the hall.

"Do what you wish, I have some bugs to clean up and when I am done I'll come over to you." Saying nothing further I turned back around and went in the opposite direction I had previously pointed.

I leisurely walked down the hall as my footsteps were the only sounds that echoed. I paid no heed to my surroundings. At some point, the sculptures had turned into paintings but I neither looked at them nor cared for whose portrait it was.

So much wealth was being shoved in front of my eyes that it began to annoy me. 'If I had even a single object from here I would be able to eat enough food that it would last me a year. That is if I was still on earth.'

Reminiscing about the past I continued to walk and a couple of minutes later I arrived outside of my destination.

Behind the single door that blocked me were hundreds of soldiers who were armed and ready.

"Haa…"

Letting out a deep sigh I pushed open the door and yet another slaughter began.

***

3 years ago

***

"Pah!"

"Pah!"

"Pah!"

The sounds of punches landing on a punching bag filled the training grounds late into the night.

Sweat dripped down a young girl's body while her hands which were wrapped in bandages began to bleed once again.

The over-excursion of physical attacks left her body aching all over but even then she didn't stop and continued to hit the bag with everything she had.

Her fellow peer had long since gone to bed for the night but her desire to become stronger prevailed and she continued nonstop with punches and kicks.

This was the norm for Willow. She was long abandoned and left in a military-like camp where hundreds of children were forced to practice day after day.

A war had broken out against the beasts. The monsters who tainted the lands were becoming stronger each passing day. In turn, more pressure was put on the children to become stronger even faster.

Drills began to last long into the night and before the sun came up. Tens of students passed out daily yet nothing changed and they continued to grow.

As the days passed uneventfully and Willow trained longer than anyone reserving only a single hour for sleep she began to notice improvements. Her punches got stronger and her kicks were more accurate. She was being a weapon.

One day that was just like any other Willow was participating in a running drill along with her peers when someone suddenly called out her name.

"Yes sir?" She responded as she took formation in front of her squad leader and trainer.

"At ease soldier," her commander had told her and she relaxed only to hear something that changed her life forever. "The king has called for you, make sure to bring honor to humanity!"

***

Present-day

***

Watching the back of the boy she had spent the last couple of days walking away from her, a feeling she had never felt before rose from her heart. All she wanted to do was reach out and grab his hand as she had always done. But she knew that it was no longer possible to do so.

Willow too turned her back to the boy and went in the direction of her king.

The hallway was eerily silent and no guards were to be seen.

Walking down the hallways that she was all so familiar with, she soon arrived at a door that was different compared to the others.

It was decorated with jewels and gems rather than just gold.

She knew what was behind the door and she called her raging heart before pushing it open.

"Hello Willow," a voice called out.

Towards the back of the room sitting high on a beautiful throne was a middle-aged man wearing an equally beautiful crown.

"Hello Willow," he called out once again. "It's nice to see you after such a long time apart."

Willow, whose body was shaking like a kitten in a thunderstorm, responded, "it's only been a couple of months."

"A couple of months too long!" The king answered diligently. "I remember when it was nearly impossible for me to leave your sight and now… now it seems that you don't even wish to see me."

Silence filled the tense room and Willow nervously swallowed hard.

"Hav-have you succeeded?"

"I have."

"That's… good."

Yet another pause occurred and this time it lasted far longer but it was the king who eventually broke the peace.

"Have you come to kill me?"