1 A Bloody massacre

Chapter 1: A Bloody massacre

A chilly breeze swept the insides of the Royal capital of Ling Dynasty, filling it with frigid winds, which the likes of were only heard about in the city of the dead, these winds as if possessed were amplifying the mournful wails sounding non-stop from the city's streets.

Dark flames were spreading throughout the capital, turning the fleeing citizens into charred corpses littering the ground, while dark shadows could be seen rushing everywhere, harvesting the lives of every living-being they come across, and clashing with the surviving imperial guards who were trying desperately to save the citizens.

In another part of the capital, a heaven angering scene could be seen. Women ranging from mature ladies to small girls were being ravaged and abused by creepy looking soldiers. these soldiers possessed bloody tattoos plastered all over their faces with spooky bones growing from every joint in their body. They were enjoying a devilish act while using small blades to carve bizarre characters and runes on the women's bodies. Every time one of the women succumbed to death. These soldiers will skewer them with a huge pole, then start chanting an eerie prayer, as if performing a blood offering or some unknown evil ritual.

These brutal scenes were occurring everywhere throughout the capital, presenting a lifelike scene directly from hell and bringing the definition of brutality into another new level, these deeds didn't solely affect the humans inhabiting the imperial capital, but similarly affected every living being there, turning the capital into a city of ghosts.

Strangely, except for some destroyed buildings here and there, the other buildings were intact without a scratch, giving the impression that the Dark flames spreading inside the capital were conscious. These Dark flames were only pursuing those that have life force, while leaving non-living things intact, accentuating that this night's brutality was an unprecedented one.

While all of this was happening; deep underground below the imperial palace inside a secret tunnel, many fleeing silhouettes could be seen disappearing non-stop in the faint light reflected on the tunnel's walls. Panicked shrieks accompanied by the sound of muscles getting torn by cold weapons was echoing without a stop. A nauseating stench of burned corpses and torn limps could be smelled everywhere inside the tunnel, abruptly a furious roar reverberated inside the tunnel, followed by an explosion symbolizing the death of yet another loyal guard of the Ling royal family.

"Dragos you f**king bastard, how dare you betray his majesty and conspire with those damnable wretches to destroy the Ling Dynasty?".

A furious howl echoed in the tunnel, causing some stones to fall from the ceiling. Following this roar was the emergence of an unyielding figure who emits an air of power and vitality, whose gaze was glued to a thin-looking middle-aged man while exuding a bone-chilling hatred and unmasked killing intent.

The thin-looking man turned his head and looked at this strong old man. A smile filled with scorn and contempt could be seen playing on his lips, with that twisted expressions he started licking his blood-covered blade, which he used to kill the last standing guard accompanying the fleeing royal members.

"General Dyldemer... oh general Dyldemer, Who would have thought that the first and most prominent general of the Ling Dynasty would be a mentally retarded person? "

A gloating expression appeared on Dragos's face as he approached the sturdy old man while proceeding with his mockery.

"Are you an idiot, or did the blood rush into your old head, turning you into a retard? Oh! Oh! let me think; maybe your head was beaten so much that you turned into an idiot".

After saying those words, a playful glint flashed in Dragos's eyes as if he was a cat playing with its prey before finishing it off. Contrary to his expectations, the old man didn't rage after hearing those words, but his eyes were becoming colder after hearing each word, this coldness was representing the General's suppressed killing intent and readiness to fight at any moment.

Seeing such a reaction, Dragos cursed under his breath, because he knew very well that he wasn't a match for a cool-headed General then a crafty look appeared in his eyes while he started laughing hysterically, causing a frown to appear on the General's face.

" Are you perhaps, curious to know why I'm laughing so jovially, right now?" A sinister expression emerged on Dragos's face, then he continued: "let me tell you... I just remembered that astounded face of your ****old Emperor when I stabbed him in the heart. That disbelieving look in his eyes, signifying his despair and unwillingness to die, was simply priceless".

Hearing those words, the General couldn't contain the killing intent suppressed in his heart anymore, causing him to clench his fists tightly that blood started flowing down from his fists.

From between gritted teeth, a muffled voice laced with a murderous aura started sounding inside the cave revealing a shocking piece of information.

"Didn't his highness rescue you from the verge of death, and brought you back to be his close confidant haven't his majesty provided you with the best resources possible to improve your powers and might, but you son of a b*tch stabbed him in the back and brought the enemies inside his city, helping them massacring the royal family and eradicating all the citizens inside the capital"

Hearing the General's roar, and seeing the killing intent leaking from his entire being. A joyous expression could be seen in the depths of Dragos's eyes, but he hid it quickly to avoid alerting the General about his evil intentions.

Suddenly, a childish but firm voice interrupted them from behind the General saying: "Uncle Dyldemer, don't be fooled by this traitor's acting. He is trying to anger you into fighting him. Then, he will drag this fight on until his accomplices finish slaughtering all of our royal brethren. After that, they will surround you together to kill you, or even capture you alive if possible".

Only after hearing this voice; did Dragos remember the presence of the young prince on the general's back. After being stunned for a brief moment due to his plot being seen through so easily by a brat under the age of 6 years old, Dragos directed a scorching gaze filled with desire towards the small prince, wanting nothing but to bounce on him and bring his little head back to present it as an offering for his superiors.

Feeling the scorching gaze directed towards him, Arslan trembled and felt goosebumps spread all over his little body, prompting him to hide behind the general while saying: " Dragos, why are you looking at me like this? I'm a straight prince with straight orientation, so don't include me in the dirty fantasies playing in your head".

Dragos nearly vomited blood, after hearing those words and seeing the wary and disgusted expression on Arslan's face, he became so furious that he felt his intestines turning black from anger.

Taking a deep breath Dragos gritted his teeth to suppress the blood rushing to his throat, throwing a venomous gaze towards Arslan, he stopped talking altogether and started chanting a bizarre and eerie chant, following this, a terrible pressure started descending on all the remnants of the Ling royal family. Causing those with a weaker constitution to explode directly into a mist of blood.

Seeing an increasing number of survivors turn into bloody mist, the general felt hopelessness enveloping his heart, but a small fist clinging tightly to his ropes woke him up from that feeling. Turning his head to take a look he saw a pretty pair of eyes were staring at him. Witnessing the reliant look coming from those eyes, he released a reluctant roar while a golden radiance started condensing around him, making the space twist and churn.

A determined look appeared on his face causing the golden glow surrounding him to turn brighter and brighter, Bushing the evil pressure back inch by inch and providing the dozen survivors a breathing chance, the general started talking to the small prince, with a gentle and loving expression he said: " Little wolf, from now on you must take care of yourself, uncle won't be able to protect you anymore. I hope that one day you could become the strongest expert in this Astunian continent when that day comes don't forget to avenge your father and the Ling Dynasty. Can you fulfill this simple wish of a dying old man?".

A grieved look appeared on Arslan's little face and his eyes were brimming with tears when he saw the General's condition and heard what possibly could be his last words and taking into account that the General wasn't even caring about his own life, but he was entrusting him with his legacy and dreams while sacrificing himself in the process. The prince swallowed his sorrows and nodded his head firmly, in an unspoken answer acknowledging his uncle's last wish.

Seeing this, a dazzling smile graced the General's aging face after it, he turned again to face their horrifying foe while straightening his back, the last thing Arslan saw was a huge golden glow comparable to the sun enveloping him and teleporting him away before he lost consciousness while a faint voice could be heard lingering on his ears 'live well my child you are our only hope'.