A woman with striking features, short silver hair, and piercing purple eyes sat smoking a cigarette by her window. Her black suit hugged her curves, revealing her cleavage, and an eyepatch covered her right eye. But what truly stood out was her metallic right arm, which she used to hold her cigarette. This woman was Najenda, the former General of the Empire, who had defected to the rebel forces and was now the leader of the elite assassination unit, Night Raid.
As she gazed out the window, Najenda couldn't help but mutter to herself, "What a headache." The news of the Child Emperor's collapse had caused quite a stir throughout the empire.
After receiving the news, the Revolutionary Headquarters held a meeting to discuss the collapse of the Child Emperor. They concluded that no members of the rebel forces were responsible for the monarch's collapse. They decided to temporarily delay any further operations and adopt a wait-and-see approach. They wanted to figure out what the empire would do and react accordingly.
However, a few days later, additional information arrived at the Revolutionary Headquarters. According to the doctors, the Child Emperor collapsed due to his own failing health and was now in a coma.
Najenda was annoyed and questioned the authenticity of the information. It was said to have come from a Revolutionary member within the Capital, but Leone had informed her that Ben had ordered the rebel forces inside the Capital to lay low.
The information had passed through multiple checkpoints without being discovered. This alone had given her great suspicion. She couldn't believe that Budo, the Empire's Great General, could be so lax with his soldiers that he would allow such information to be released.
For fear of being discovered, Najenda had not ordered Leone to return to the capital yet. She could only hope that after the lockdowns were lifted, the revolutionary members within the capital were safe and sound.
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Deep beneath the Capital, in a damp, dimly lit room, the sickening stench of blood and burnt flesh hung heavily in the air. The flicker of multiple torches cast eerie shadows on the walls, illuminating the grotesque sight of multiple bodies piled together in a corner. Each body had multiple burn marks on different parts, some missing limbs with exposed bones, and others with gaping wounds that oozed blood onto the stone floor.
Suddenly, a heart-wrenching scream pierced through the stillness of the room, followed by the sound of chains clanking. A woman hung in the air, her limbs chained to the walls, preventing her from convulsing uncontrollably. Multiple burnt marks and bruises covered her body, a clear sign of prolonged torture. Her face was barely recognizable, covered in wounds and with only her right eye slightly open.
As General Budo stepped forward, his cold eyes locked onto the woman, and he spoke with a hard and unforgiving voice, "Tell me, who else are your fellow rebels?"
The woman being tortured was none other than Annie, the latest spy captured within the walls of the Capital. General Budo stood in front of Annie with a scowl on his face. He had always despised the rebel forces and their constant interference with the empire's affairs. So, when the opportunity to capture their spies presented itself, he did not hesitate.
General Budo had purposely leaked the information about the Child Emperors' current coma diagnosis. He wanted to lure out some rebel forces and someone naive took the bait. The rebel spy was captured once the information was released. It was something Budo was willing to do. Besides, he doubts that he could keep the information about the Emperor's coma for long. Even at this moment, multiple ministers had started using their power to try and lift the martial law that he had enacted.
Unfortunately, this led to Annie's current predicament. After capturing one spy, it led to the capture of another until eventually, they reached her. Seeing the number of spies captured made Budo angry beyond measure, and it eventually led to him taking charge of Annie's interrogation process.
As he stood in front of Annie, Budo's fist was stained with blood, a testament to the brutal tactics he employed during the interrogation. Despite her injuries, Annie remained defiant, refusing to divulge any information about her fellow rebels. Her courage only seemed to anger Budo further, and he resolved to break her will no matter the cost.
Annie's voice emerged in ragged gasps, the effort of speaking causing her great pain. Despite this, she fixed General Budo with a fierce stare, determined to confront him.
"How does it feel, General", she challenged, her words dripping with sarcasm.
"To be unable to protect the emperor due to his own health failing him? You must feel incredibly useless".
Her voice was low and measured, with a hint of a smirk marking her face. Annie continued to hold Budo's gaze, her remaining eye glinting with a mix of pain, anger, and perhaps enjoyment. She refused to look away, even as she sensed the irritation emanating from the general. Budo's brow furrowed, and his jaw tightened visibly, betraying his anger. Annie's question had clearly struck a nerve, but she remained unafraid and determined to stand her ground.
He had been struggling to come to terms with the emperor's illness, feeling helpless and frustrated at his inability to protect the ruler. Annie's barbs only served to stoke the flames of his inner turmoil.
Annie's chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath.
"You talk about honor, duty, and loyalty to the empire, but where is it now?" she spat, her voice dripping with venom.
"The people suffer under the weight of corrupt officials who abuse their power without consequence. How can you call yourself a protector of the empire when you stand idly by and watch as it crumbles before your very eyes?"
Her words echoed through the room, punctuated only by her labored breathing.
"You and the other officials have failed us, General Budo," she continued, her voice shaking with anger.
"You've allowed greed and power to rule the empire, and now it's rotting from the inside out."
Budo's face darkened at the accusations, his jaw clenching tightly as he prepared to respond. But before he could utter a word, Annie cut him off. "And don't you dare try to lecture me about rebellion," she spat, her voice laced with contempt.
"We're fighting for a better future, for a nation where justice and righteousness are more than just empty words. And if that means taking down those who stand in our way, then so be it!"
Budo's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Annie with a steely gaze.
"You speak of justice and righteousness, but you are blinded by your own narrow-mindedness," he retorted.
Suddenly, despite the pain wracking her body, Annie began to laugh uncontrollably, a harsh and bitter sound echoed through the room.
"The emperor's failing health is karma!" she spat out between fits of laughter. "It's a sign from above, a sign that the empire is destined to change for the better!"
"You traitor," General Budo seethed, his voice low and dangerous as electric sparks began to form in his fist.
Annie stood her ground, undaunted. "I am not a traitor," she replied, her voice rising to match his anger. "I am a patriot who loves this empire more than you ever w---"
BANG!
A sudden flash of lightning struck Annie point-blank, the deafening boom drowning out her last words. She fell to the ground, lifeless, her body still smoking from the electric shock.
General Budo paused for a moment, his eyes fixated on Annie's lifeless body. He took a deep breath and summoned the guards to enter the room, their footsteps echoing through the now-silent chamber.
With a commanding voice, Budo issued a series of orders to the guards. "Gather all the corpses and display them at the gates of the capital," he said firmly. "Let it be known that these were spies against the Empire, enemies of the state who met their rightful end."
The guards nodded in silent agreement; their faces expressionless as they carried out Budo's orders. They lifted each body with care, one by one, their movements methodical and precise. It was a macabre scene, the lifeless bodies laid out in rows, a gruesome display of the Empire's power and ruthlessness.
"Lastly," Budo continued, "lift the lockdown of the capital, but maintain strict security around the palace".
He knew that the Empire's enemies would see this display and tremble, knowing that they could be next. And with that, he turned and left the chamber, his mind already focused on the battles to come but now his priority is to remain at the emperor's side, and hope for the best for his recovery.