A Sacrifice

Lysandra's fists clenched, her knuckles white. 

Her jaw tightened, her face contorted, nearly but not completely letting those ice walls fall for even a moment. Selene was not just her commander; she was her closest confidante, her advisor, almost akin to a sister. 

She was, after the death of her parents, almost all that she had left. She had been there for her since they were children, offering guidance, support, and unwavering loyalty. 

She was all that was left.

But now, she was about to be no more than a memory. 

This was all expected, it seemed all pre-determined.

She now had to choose between her closest friend, and her kingdoms survival.

And so, knowing it was what must happen, Queen Lysandra replied:

"I had no knowledge of Lady Selene's betrayal," she said, her voice filled with carefully constructed anger and disappointment. "I am greatly angered and disheartened to learn of it now. It is not only a blemish on what is most sacred within our family name, but has spat upon the good graces of his majesty. She will see justice for it, but so does my land now face the dishonor. A blemish that cannot be repaired in the simple exchange of one's death."

The Emperor sighed, feigning regret, but Kaelen could see the glint of anger in his eyes, his plans had been spoiled by kaelen display. 

"Such treason cannot go unpunished," the emperor said, and all went silent. It was known what was soon to come.

He continued "For her treason, Lady Selene is to be sentenced to death, here and now. To see a spectacle for any and all looking towards a future disrespect on our great dominion." 

Without a moment of resistance, Selene walked, her movements calm and resigned. She walked towards the center of the hall, her head held high, and knelt before the Emperor, her face serene.

The Emperor's smile, however, did not change. 

It made what was soon to happen even more sinister. "As Prince Kaelen was the one to bring this treachery to light," the Emperor said, his gaze shifting to Kaelen, "he should be the one to take her head. Let him be seen as a champion of the dominion in todays gathering."

A collective gasp swept through the hall. 

This was far beyond what even they had expected. It felt like a declaration that Kaelens life was forfeit, should he have declined. 

Kaelen nodded, his face a mask of icy composure, despite the turmoil raging within him. He stepped forward, taking a long, sharp sword from one of the guards. The weight of the weapon felt heavy in his hand, a symbol of the deadly game he had begun to play. 

He felt nothing but slight pity, he barely even knew this person but with this small death and sacrifice more would be available for the people of Valerion, maybe she, or Kaelen himself, were both being used. 

He walked towards Selene, his footsteps echoing in the tense silence of the hall. She knelt before him, her back straight, her expression calm and accepting. He moved to her side, raising the sword high above his head. 

The blade gleamed in the torchlight, reflecting the fear and anticipation in the eyes of the onlookers.

As Kaelen positioned the sword above her head, he leaned close, whispering into her ear, "I found out tonight that the Emperor was already aware of your kingdoms activities, if i did not do this, he would have exposed it himself, destroying both Velarion and Caldris."

Upon hearing these words, something shifted within Selene's face. Her rigid anger slowly dissolved, replaced by a quiet acceptance. "Then I am glad that I could die in place of my kingdom and queen," she whispered back, her voice barely audible. 

She lifted her head, turning towards Lysandra, her eyes locking with the Queen's. A faint smile touched her lips. "My last wish to you, Ash Prince…" she said, her voice stronger now, directed at Kaelen but meant for Lysandra and him. "…don't let Velarion die too quickly…don't let her die."

Kaelen could not see her gaze, but his own hardend with a grim resolve. His heart was thundering but that was no longer in importance to his own duty, at the very least that duty existed as far as he knew it should.

"I won't," he said, his voice clear and unwavering.

With a swift, brutal movement, he brought the sword down, severing Selene's head from her body. 

The blade sliced through flesh and bone, the sound echoing through the hall. Selene's head tumbled to the floor, her eyes still locked on Lysandra, and rolled to a stop, leaving a trail of blood in its wake. 

"…After all, it's in my best interest Velarion lives on," Kaelen muttered to himself, his voice low and almost lost in the stunned silence as Selene's body crumbled to the ground, her lifeblood staining the marble floor.

He turned towards the Emperor, his movements sharp and precise. He slammed his right fist against his chest, the sound echoing in the sudden stillness. He threw his arm out in a crisp salute, his gaze unwavering. 

"Long live the Dominion of Aurathos!" he shouted, his voice ringing with a feigned fervor that belied the turmoil within him.

The entire hall echoed his salute. "Long live the Dominion of Aurathos!" they responded, their voices a chorus of obligation and fear.

As the chant filled the room, Kaelen felt a coldness settle in his chest, a growing awareness of the monster he had become. 

The faces before him blurred, merging into a sea of ambition, fear, and self-preservation. 

'Even in another life… I can't escape the monster I became,' he thought, his heart heavy with a darkness he had tried so desperately to fight, but could barely even push back at times. 

Maybe fighting against it, only helped prove that the darkness was always within his grasp. 

Then, the System flickered in his vision, a stark, emotionless presence in the midst of the chaos and turmoil:

[Task Complete: Incite Chaos.]

[Reward: New Ability Unlocked: Shadow Step.]

The hall remained in stunned silence, the only sound now was the blood dripping across the room. The silence held for a moment, even the night wind was afraid to breathe.