2. Morals or Mercy

"My People. As you have heard the Striker Kingdom is still attacking us. But remain calm, our Light Sages are retracting the attacks and the Dark Sages are sending their troops in safe directions away from our Kingdom. We advice that many of you who live by the dry lands move to the water area in Salo town. We will not wound a single person of their Nation, It is in our people's legacy to keep peace. War is NOT an option." People crowded around the stage listening in to their Kings words, desperate for good news.

It had been seven years after the Striker Kingdom had attacked. Over two hundred body's had been buried in the Angelic Kingdom. And only one from the Strikers, because one of their soilders made it across and tried to kill the queen.

The Angelic kingdom offers peace and prosperity but the Strkiker kingdom still wound yield. Vixens burns was healed by a light sage, but spots around her face still shown much lighter and pasty. The Princess Hope has not come out of the castle after the first attack. Daisy is long gone deep into the forest. The people who were burned ashes are kept in a jar buried in the town where they died, dozens of flowers are there. A special garden was made for the people caught in the first attack.

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"Prince James! Your father would like to speak to you." A servant said bowing his head before the prince. James a high strong young man was turning eighteen today. As tradition goes in the Striker Kingdom every new young man must kill one man in there eighteenth birthday. Normally it's a servant. James looked back to the one who called him and sighed.

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-James POV-

I walk down from the balcony and toward the closet to prepare myself for the ceremony. I pick a black shirt with gold trims around each brim and tuck it in to my tight black pants. I put over me a deep red cape. I turn to walk and catch Miles blushing and stares to the floor. My own face heats up and I cough a little to calm down.

"Let's go." I say tryig to sound as stern as possible. Miles has been My main servant for five years. He would watch me in the gardens, during my training and other activities I do. Most of them leading up to being the next ruler. He is not my Much older than me and unlike most take his job very seriously. I appreciate him.

I walk by and see the remaining staff walk quickly to the thrown room all looking back at me with fear in their eyes. Good. They should fear me. My first kill was when I was nine. I shot down a dear when my father took me hunting. I chocked a man for spilling tea on my younger sister. My father even named me after our great lands founder. James Striker.

I was born to lead. Born to fight and win. Make a name for myself in history books. Be a warrior. And never disappoint my father.

I am ready. I am ready for today. I hope. No not Hope, Hope is only a fools wish, something one with no power has. I have not hope, but will, the will and power to change and bend my future and the ones of those around me. I can control whatever I please, at least that's what I've been told. I just wish the life of a man wasn't in my control.

I walk in to see my sister standing next to my Mothers thrown, both of them looking at me with smiles. Even trough I have dirty blonde hair unlike my family there's one thing my sister and I definitely get from my mother. Blue eyes. A silent prayer going through my head, hopping my sister Mara Can look away. I see my fathers court behind him and so many other people.

"Your Majesty, Prince James has arrived." I looked up to see my fathers cold stare towards me, his eyes cold and black. My breath hitches as he steps of his thrown and walks twoards me. I can't mess up today. I can't. I feel myself losse balance while standing from the pure urge to run. Run out of this room down the hall and far far away.

To the side of me it was giant windows open wide and crowds all around watching. Like this is some wonderful game and not someone about to be killed.

"My son. Today is the day you become not just a real man. But a real fighter. Your first kill, first taste of Human blood. It's a thrill to say the least. And an honor to use the very sword I used for mine. It's the same one that The James Striker used to stab his own servant for being born in the horid place known as Angleic."

I will personally shine the shoes of every servant in this room just to not kill one of them. "And we never wipe of the blood from the sword." I am going to be sick. "Now it's time." Oh boy.

I grab the sword, I can feel my hands shaking, everything feels like it's going to fast. To fast for me. I can't do this. I-I. I have to do this. I was trained to crush all doubts. For every line I stepped out of I was wacked and rightfully so. The stupid thing in my head telling me not to do this will go away one day.

"All servants line up!" My father orderd and they did, watching Miles join the line only made me more sick. He would have to see this. I mouthed oh so slowly to him, 'Close your eyes.' And he did. I don't know why. Mabey it's the fact that he's a great servant. Or mabey something eles... but even the thought of him watching sent chills down my spine.

I walked forward and looked amoung them. I saw one servant in pitcular. He was old already, and he spilled everything. It seems he might even have a heart attack at this very- a loop hole. For once in my life I am glad Miles made me take the health course.

I walk twoards him as I can visibly see the signs of a pre-attack. "This one." All the others stepped back relief on there faces. I just need to time this right...

5, I grab the sword from my father and look and the blood stained metal, 4, The handle is old and made from copper it's cool to the touch almost like it can never be warm, 3, I see my father turn around and nod for my mother to turn her face, 2, I raise it to his neck terrified of what was to happen next. But I already know.

1.

I slice across his neck, quick and painless.... because at that very moment he Alredy lost most feeling in his body. A quick spasm, had helped the kill.

I step away as my sister and father Cheer with sick Joy. I feel my eyes welling with tears, even if I haven't technically killed him I can't know for sure. I plaster on a fake smile for my father out of the Conner of my eyes I can see Miles, his eyes open and wide. As my father turns around for everyone to cheer and make a stupid speech a single tear falls from my face. A sign of weakness. That the whole world will never know.

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