Easton, Levius
1600

I was once a man named Teiran. In the year 1600, I fought in the Leviathan War as a skilled warrior. A general. My skill with both blades and guns made me both a bone and a bane to my enemies. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight of the battlefield before me. The grass was charred black, and the bodies of my fallen comrades were smouldering in the heat. I stood, my armour weighing heavily on my shoulders. The air was thick with smoke and the stench of burnt flesh, but I drew strength from the knowledge that I was fighting for something greater than myself.

I fought for my home, Levius, and for the woman I loved, Anya. As the battle raged on, I knew that the fate of our country and our people hung in the balance. If we lost this war, Levi would cease to exist. I could not let that happen. I would not let that happen.

With a cry of defiance, I raised my sword and charged into the fray. My blade flashed in the sunlight, and my shots rang out across the battlefield. I fought with all the skill and ferocity I possessed, determined to win the day. But victory came at a terrible price. I watched as my friends and comrades fell around me, their bodies broken and bloody. My heart ached, but I knew I had to keep fighting. I had to keep going for Anya, for my home, for everything I held dear. So I fought on, through blood, smoke, and fire, until, at last, the battle was won. But even as the enemy fled and the sun rose over the battlefield, I knew that the cost of our victory had been too high. The lives lost, the pain and suffering endured-it was too much.

I stood in the ruins of the battlefield, my sword hanging heavy in my hand, and I wept. I wept for my friends, my family, and my home. I wept for the lives lost, the innocence shattered, and the dreams destroyed. But most of all, I wept for Anya, who I knew would never see the peace we had fought so hard to achieve. I had failed her, and I could not forgive myself. In that moment, I felt that I had nothing left to live for. I had lost everything, and the world seemed to have turned against me.

Then, arrows rained towards me and twenty other warriors fighting for Levius. We could barely stand. Yet, the stronger comrades still fought. Sharp swords slit against their throats, arms, and feet. Explosive guns fired in roars at us like dragons. Men are evil. The lust of land, power, and fame took over their eyes and minds. The fight for survival was a tough one. I called through a thin line as I crawled into the battlefield, but as I did, I realised two arrows had struck my right leg. I tried leaning and couldn't rise to my feet. My blurry vision cleared to 50 more warriors on white, strong horses, riding towards me. To finish me off, The war began in the last six hours, and I had no idea how long it would last.

A memory of how I fell played through my mind. I was out of the bullet, and I threw my hand away. My amour, dripping in blood, trickled onto a copper-made sword. I held onto it with my hand and heart and once again attacked with a dominant force in me.

The chaos of battle surrounded me as I fought with both sword and gun, using every ounce of my strength and training to conquer our enemies and emerge victorious. The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, and the sounds of battle cries filled my ears as I bravely led my comrades forward.

Slitting the enemies' throats and splitting their stomachs. They fell into the fresh, bloody earth like bricks. My face was covered in dust and blood as I grunted through the wall of warriors, clearing them from the battle's forefront to the back line. My achievement was to make the flag bearers fall from their horses, and I did. When the bombings were deafening, I defended myself with the bodies of my enemies. I wanted to turn my back and flee home when I saw the greedy king, Davon. His eyes tensed as if my presence dazed him when he set his eyes on me.

Finally.

Letting him go free would cost me an arm and a leg. I went after Davon. It was on his land that we agreed to battle. His malicious grin boiled my blood. I'd wanted to hunt him down for years. Davon dropped from his horse and ran barefoot. As if he had plans. I climbed up his strong black horse and made it chase after its master. It barely took a minute to catch up with him. What was he expecting?

'Swaaaash!' My sword took him down.

A splash of his fresh blood settled on my face, and just then... just that second. King Davon decided it. I won the war. The rest of the comrades from Qohor ran away in haste while my comrades cheered in victory. After what felt like an eternity, the war finally concluded, and I knew it was time to return to the princess of our city. My heart raced with anticipation as I made my way back, eager to see her once more. Upon returning to Levius, the indigenous people hailed me and 15 out of 50 of my men who came back alive. Despite being injured, ten of them made it home safely, bleeding on their horses. It was a sign of victory.

Long live our General!

Long live the warriors of Levius!

Long live our General!

Long live the warriors of Levius!

The chime came from every corner of the city walls. They returned home alive! Some elderly women hailed with joyful tears and praised. The children bowed, scared to look into the warriors' eyes. The palace special guard, Eiran, was glimpsed as the warriors paraded their way towards the palace. He chimed a giant bell, alerting the king that our last assignment had been a success.

However, upon my return, fate met with a sight that broke my heart into a thousand pieces.

"Open the gates!" Avar, my right-hand knight, roared with command in his voice. I got off our horses at the palace gates, waiting eagerly for the king's welcome. Anya once wrote to me during the war that her father, King Edward, was responding to treatment. I expected him to welcome us when I saw someone else. His blonde hair and dark brown eyes were the striking physiques I studied first. And then there was the diamond-crusted crown that graced his head. As the palace gates opened, my azure blue eyes popped open, and my jaws fell to a gasp. I blink twice with my right hand over my face. "Wait, what did I miss?" My jaws clenched when I saw Anya walking up to him.

Her raven black hair fell down her slender shoulders, and her ocean blue eyes sparkled as she strolled to him. The dress hugged her figure, and the peach fabric provided a bright contrast against her later summer-tan skin. Her hair once again danced around her waistline. I'd missed her so much.

Anya had always been pretty. She was born that way.

"My king. You're out already?" She softly gasped with a smile on her face. He clasped her small, doe-like face and planted a kiss on her forehead. The kiss was a quick one, but it felt as if time stopped while I watched. My heart was going to explode watching them share a kiss right in front of me.

Unable to move, my gaze fixed on them.

"Anya!" I finally cried out in rage.

"Call her Queen Anya, and now bow to your King!" Eiran raised a brow at me.

A clutch of fear stormed my heart. I feel lightheaded, as if I might be sick. Or was it the effect of the war?

"I said bow!" Eiran repeated. The comrades behind me fell on their knees except for me.

It was crystal clear. Princess Anya, my childhood friend, whom I had fought so hard to protect, had married another. As I stood there in disbelief, I watched her stand by the new king of Levius. My world crumbled around as I had lost not only the war but also the love of my life.

"Teiran, take off your amour and receive the royal command!"

My comrades watched themselves in disbelief. Confused at what was actually happening.

"How dare you?" Avar sprung to his feet. "We have spent the last two months fighting in the name of King Edward! We barely had any rest, let alone good sleep. Instead of welcoming us with honour and grace, you are receiving us with such humiliation. How dare you?" His words cut to the confusion.
"Say that again, and I'll slit your neck!" How can a low-ranking soldier like you call a general's name in this manner?"

"Kieran, the rebel leader!" Eiran is openly accused. "Now, take off your amour!"

My eyes narrowed at him, in a sceptical glare and rigid chest.

"How dare you!" Avar was a smart sword fighter. I was about to raise his sword when my hand raised, signalling him to stop. He halted once. The injured comrades held tight to their horses.

The villagers murmured, and some clutched their arms to their chests. While others put one hand out in defence, fingers wide, they couldn't say anything. They were totally powerless concerning the decision of the king. Their noses crinkled, and their lips twisted.

I turned back to the children; their tiny hands covered their chests as though trying to stop their hearts from escaping. Some hide behind their parents to steal a glimpse.

Avar turned around sharply and stood rigid with terror at the new king. He was ready to fight. They were ready to fight if I gave an order, but I wanted to prevent bloodshed. It's been two long months of fighting on the battlefield. Killing the newly elected king was the last thing on my mind. I didn't reply to Anya's letter because I thought all was well and it would be best if we discussed it physically.

"I heard it the first time." Pain lingered in my low voice as I watched Anya.

Her gaze wondered, as if she weren't concerned. She leaned back, angling away from my direction. I marvelled at why her face was so blank, as if I were a stranger. Was she compelled or spellbound?

I grabbed my love at once. So did the other warriors behind me. Our skins were bare in torn, bloody clothes. "Are you satisfied?" My croaked voice rose.

"You have committed high treason. Lay down your sword and fall to your knees." His command tensed. "Receive the royal commandment!"

"You idiot!" One soldier behind me cursed at Eiran's cynical reasoning. You'll regret this."

What I noticed next were the flying arrows in my direction. No one touched me. It all fell on the comrades on horses. The injured ones.

"What the hell is happening?" I gasped out loud. "Anya!"

I called out her name as if she were asleep.

More arrows fled, and the four warriors behind me dropped dead. In a blink, I unshielded my sword, storming towards the new king with a force of vengeance in my pooping veins. I was about to head towards him when something hard struck me from behind. I fell to the ground, dizzy. My vision was blurred. The palace gates closed with a loud thud. I didn't know what happened afterwards.

"Anya." I whispered until I slowly passed out. She was the last of what I remembered.