ZEUS

Beneath the relentless downpour, I moved swiftly and silently through the drenched day, the cold raindrops splattering against my skin. The relentless rain enveloped me, drenching the world in an eerie shroud of mist. An enigmatic figure, shrouded in secrecy, had assigned me the ominous task of eliminating the crown prince with the utmost urgency.

My heart pounded as I ventured further into the shadowed corridors of the palace grounds, navigating the treacherous path to my target. The challenge lay in approaching the prince, for he was constantly encircled by vigilant guards in gleaming armor, like loyal hounds guarding their master.

To carry out my mission smoothly, I had no choice but to engage in combat with those guards. They were a formidable force, but my well-honed skills as an assassin guided my every move. My sword felt like an extension of myself, its gleaming blade thirsting for the taste of blood. As crimson droplets stained its surface, it showed no mercy, piercing the flesh until each guard met their end.

Amid the grim task of dispatching these hapless individuals, I glimpsed the crown prince darting through the chaos. Seizing the opportunity, I followed him swiftly and effortlessly. His hidden figure sought refuge behind a colossal tree, oblivious to my presence. The illusion of safety wrapped around him, shielding him from the peril that lurked in my shadow.

Suddenly, he emerged, his eyes widening in astonishment as they met mine. A multitude of emotions played across his face, with one exception.

Fear.

"Who are you? Who sent you to end my life?" he inquired with an unexpected display of courage.

I positioned my blade at his throat, allowing it to draw a shallow cut. "Are you truly eager to know? Some things are better left unsaid, but if you persist..." I replied, punctuating my words with a smirk.

With the intention of instilling fear, I recognized all too well that our bloodlines were not strangers to it.

His shock was palpable, his eyes widening further upon hearing the revelations I unveiled. After a moment of bowing his head, he met my gaze once more. "Why do you delay? Why not end me now?" he questioned, devoid of visible emotion.

I lowered the mask that had hidden my face, replacing it with a smirk. "I shall not," I declared, evoking renewed surprise from the crown prince. Our conversation resembled ordinary discourse, discussing matters of grave consequence.

"Why? Such a command is born of royal decree," he challenged.

Lowering the sword that had once threatened his life, I responded, "Let me share a fact. I typically deny my victims the chance to speak before their demise."

"And yet, is it not your duty to slay me? Why, then, do you spare me?" he persisted.

A fleeting laugh escaped me as I declared, "Though known as Death, an agent entrusted with the art of extinguishing life, I retain the power to choose. My mind remains sharp, enabling me to discern which lives deserve to be snuffed out and which merit the mercy of continued existence." Gazing into the distance, I concluded, "Thus, I urge you to flee. Distance yourself from the palace, forsaking the avarice of your brother. Seek solace in a life of peace, Your Majesty."

Simultaneously shedding tears and offering a fragile smile, he vowed, "I shall find a way to repay your kindness, even if it takes an eternity." With that, he vanished into the distance, seeking sanctuary as far away as his feet could carry him.

Indeed, Prince, never return to this cursed place. Your safety remains elusive as long as the insatiable king thrives.

Disobeying the commands of the man I had loyally served since my youth marked a first for me. My work had always been a well-orchestrated dance of precision, leaving no room for error. However, the prince's worthiness of life surpassed that of any soul residing within the palace. His virtues, combined with his mother's compassionate act of saving my brother's life and treating him as her own, shielded him from the fate he unknowingly sought.

Yes, that prince is my brother, his true lineage concealed. The truth of his past remained locked away, lest it taint his present existence.

To the prince who had ordered the demise of an innocent in pursuit of his own greed, I vowed that no more lives would be claimed to satisfy his desires. I pledged disobedience to his every command, keeping the truth hidden from his ears.

"Have you completed your duty? Has the crown prince met his end, my loyal servant?" the prince asked coldly.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I have carried out your command. He tried to escape, but I thrust my blade into his body before he fell from the precipice," I replied.

A twisted smile spread across his face as he nodded in approval. One of his attendants presented him with a sword—the very weapon I had used to take numerous lives during the war. He then ordered, “Now, as a testament to your unwavering loyalty, I order you to die... Now," the prince declared with chilling finality.

I met his gaze without a trace of fear or confusion, for I believed this to be the culmination of my journey. His malevolent smile persisted, fueling my loathing. If only I could carve a grotesque grin from ear to ear, I would have done so without hesitation. My eyes fixated on the sword before me, my own existence momentarily forgotten. My sole concern was to save my brother from the clutches of this power-hungry monster.

With bloodied, weary hands, I grasped the sword, locking eyes with him, my gaze smoldering with unending hatred. A smirk danced upon my lips, matched by an unflinchingly lethal stare.

"This blade will serve as a constant reminder of your insatiable greed. May its presence inflict upon you the agony of a hundred stabs, each delivered by those you callously dispatched in pursuit of excessive power. May it burden your very being until the day you draw breath once more," I silently intoned.

With a resolute thrust, I impaled the sword into my chest, collapsing to the ground.

At least my brother is now free from the clutches of greed, and at least I have accomplished one righteous deed before my demise.

Perhaps that will suffice... or so I hope.

----

➳ "The life of a sinner shall be reborn. Their sins have been noted, and their punishment predetermined. The second life shall eclipse the sorrowful existence of those who suffered due to their actions." ➳

----

A deafening thunderclap shattered the tranquil air, its powerful echo stirring fragments of recollection. As I awakened, the memories flooded back, and I found myself in an opulent chamber filled with a myriad of gilded objects.

Naked and huddled in a corner, I pondered the surreal happenings that had transpired. My last memory was plunging a sword into my chest at the command of the avaricious king, yet here I stood, very much alive.

The room's chill seemed to seep into my bones, my breath visible in the frigid air. The walls of the chamber were adorned with intricate golden tapestries, each telling a story of opulence and grandeur. The furniture, ornate and gilded, bore the weight of countless tales. The room exuded an aura of extravagance that was difficult to comprehend, as though I had been transported to another world altogether.

In a moment of recognition, my finger pointed resolutely towards a familiar sight—a necklace that had lingered in my thoughts since my past life. Suspended in the air, it hovered before me, held in place by an unseen force. I gazed at it with curiosity, wondering how and why this relic had found its way here.

"Why is this object here?" I questioned, my finger outstretched.

The necklace responded, mirroring the movements of my finger, as if it had a mystical connection to my being. It pulsed with an otherworldly energy, its presence mesmerizing and foreboding. A growing realization dawned upon me—I possessed abilities that surpassed my previous comprehension.

"Inconceivable," I muttered, my brow furrowing in perplexity. "Where does this newfound power come from?"

As the necklace drew nearer to the tip of my finger, an inexplicable sensation permeated the air. It crackled like lightning, scorching my hand with intense pain. Nevertheless, I gripped onto it with determination, exploring the mysterious golden realm that surrounded me. It was as if I had been transported to another dimension.

A woman's voice broke the silence, her soothing tone providing guidance and insight. The sound seemed to emanate from the very walls themselves, as though the chamber itself were a living entity.

"Believe that you are reborn, transformed into a being possessing magical prowess. Your life shall not be easily extinguished," the voice conveyed, its words resonating with an ethereal quality.

My brow furrowed deeper, and I questioned the voice with a mixture of anguish and curiosity, "What is happening in this bewildering moment? Where am I?"

"In this realm, you reside within a golden vessel," the voice replied calmly, as if this revelation should bring clarity.

"A golden vessel?" I echoed, incredulous, my gaze sweeping across the room's opulence.

"Indeed," the voice responded serenely.

Though its demeanor remained composed, every uttered word pierced my mind, straining against the confines of my skull. Memories waned, their fragments fading until only a hazy specter of my past remained. "Help me," I murmured, pain etched deeply within my voice.

"Nay, it is for you alone to find solace. Three hundred years shall you endure within this vessel until your master arrives to liberate you from this confinement," the voice disclosed, its words carrying an otherworldly weight.

"Why must this befall me? Why is my past obscured?" I questioned, my voice trembling with shattered resolve.

"The punishment has only just begun, a precursor to your eventual annihilation. Only one person exists who can absolve you of this fate. Once freed from the vessel, you shall serve as a slave to your master," the voice elucidated.

"Master?" I queried.

"Your second life is bound to fulfill her desires and obey her every command. Whenever summoned, you are compelled to answer, executing her bidding without hesitation. A notebook shall manifest upon your reunion, chronicling the accomplishments achieved through your assistance. When its pages are depleted, it shall vanish, signifying the end," the voice imparted. The necklace floated before me, its significance undeniable. "This necklace," it emphasized.

"The touch is unbearable, as though it sears my very being!" I exclaimed, struggling to maintain my grip.

"Indeed, only your master can handle it unscathed. Nevertheless, you must safeguard it. Employ protective measures when you wield it yourself, though limitations remain," the voice calmly counseled.

"For what purpose does this item serve?" I pondered aloud.

"All shall be revealed in due time. When the hour is ripe, Guardian, the answers you seek shall come to light," the voice concluded. Silence enshrouded me, my futile entreaties for further guidance met with an unyielding void.

Contemplating the enigma enveloping my existence, an unrelenting ache throbbed within my skull. Stripped of the tapestry of my memories, comprehension eluded me, slipping through my grasp like ethereal wisps. If only remnants of my past lingered, I might decipher the significance of this punishing ordeal and the enigmatic force responsible for bestowing it upon me. Alas, the path ahead seemed shrouded in uncertainty, and my unending queries remained unanswered within this golden prison.