The capital woke to screams
Ruvan walked barefoot down the marble avenue. Dawn light bathed his bloodstained skin in gold. Shadows rippled across cobblestones behind him, swirling with each silent step. Merchants frozen mid-packing, slaves dropping baskets, guards fumbling at sword hilts all turned toward him as he passed
None spoke. None dared. The shadows whispered louder than screams
He reached the noble district. Ivory towers rose like spears into cloudless sky. Banners of crimson and gold fluttered lazily from stone balconies. Servants in silver livery swept marble steps clean of rose petals scattered the night before by concubines. Musicians tuned lutes beneath sculpted archways. Their songs died as Ruvan approached
He stepped up broad stairs lined with golden braziers. Shadows spread behind him like a living tide. Two guards at the arched entrance lowered halberds across his path
Halt
Their voices quivered
Ruvan lifted his gaze. Shadows rose up from the marble, wrapping around halberd shafts and crushing steel like dry reeds. Both guards screamed once before shadows slammed them against the pillars. Their helmets caved inward with wet cracks. Bodies dropped limp upon polished stone
He stepped over them and entered the palace
Inside lay a vast hall glittering with dawnlit chandeliers. Noble families gathered around obsidian tables laden with steaming platters. Roasted quail glazed in honey and spices. Fresh loaves split open with melted butter dripping down crusts. Decanters of violet wine poured into crystal goblets that caught the morning sun in jeweled fragments
Laughter rang out. A young nobleman raised his goblet in a drunken salute to an older lord, slurring a joke about temple priests and virgin offerings. His words died as shadows crawled up the table legs and coiled around his throat. Crystal shattered upon marble as he was lifted into the air. His feet kicked helplessly above roasted meats
Screams erupted. Chairs scraped back in frantic chaos. Nobles tripped over trailing silks and servants sprinted for side halls. Shadows rippled across the floor, overtaking them before they reached the doors. Darkness swallowed bodies, snapping bone beneath black coils. Blood sprayed across tapestries depicting gods blessing royal bloodlines
Ruvan walked forward. Shadows parted before him, leaving corpses folded upon themselves in silent reverence. He reached the long banquet table. Nobles who still lived crawled away on hands and knees, faces streaked with tears and wine
A duke clutched his chest, gasping prayers to a god whose painted visage stared down from ceiling frescoes. Ruvan stepped on his hand as he passed. Bones crunched beneath his heel. The duke screamed once before shadows pulled him beneath the table, leaving only a streak of blood across white marble
At the head of the table sat an old woman draped in gold and emeralds. Her lips trembled as she whispered
Have mercy
Ruvan tilted his head. Shadows curled around his ankles
Mercy is for gods. And there are no gods here
Darkness erupted upward, slicing her into ribbons of silk and flesh. Her jeweled crown rolled across the table before dropping to marble with a hollow clink
He turned away. Shadows swallowed platters of steaming meats, goblets of wine, loaves of bread. Only bones remained upon polished table lengths
He walked deeper into the palace. Long corridors lined with paintings of dead emperors. Tapestries depicting wars won and cities razed fluttered under silent shadow winds. Servants and guards fled at his approach. None escaped. Shadows dragged them into black silence, leaving only bloodstained footprints behind him
At the end of the corridor stood double doors carved with gold filigree. He pushed them open
Inside sprawled a grand ballroom. Crystal chandeliers glittered above polished marble floors where nobles danced in swirling silks and velvets. An orchestra played upon a dais, notes trembling beneath dawn rays spilling through stained glass
Music faltered as Ruvan entered. Shadows spread outward from his feet, slithering across marble in silent threat. The dancers stopped mid-step, frozen with terror
A noblewoman in sapphire silks screamed. Her voice echoed across vaulted ceilings. That single sound unleashed panic. Dancers fled in all directions. Shadows rose to meet them, slamming bodies against columns, crushing ribs, ripping limbs free in sprays of blood. Musicians dropped instruments, screams mingling with discordant notes as darkness overtook the dais
Ruvan walked forward. Shadows parted before him like reverent subjects. A nobleman crawled across marble, leaving streaks of blood from shattered knees. He reached for Ruvan's bare foot, voice choking with tears
Please spare me I have children
Ruvan knelt down. Shadows rippled around his shoulders. He placed his palm upon the nobleman's forehead. The man whimpered as darkness seeped into his skin. Veins blackened. Eyes rolled back. His body convulsed once before falling limp, smoke rising from his mouth
Ruvan rose. Shadows slithered down the ballroom steps as he ascended the dais. The conductor cowered behind toppled music stands. Ruvan placed his hand upon the grand piano. Darkness pulsed into the polished wood. Strings snapped within. Black veins spread across ivory keys until the entire instrument collapsed inward upon itself like rotting fruit
He turned to face the silent ballroom. Blood pooled across marble, reflecting crystal chandeliers in distorted patterns
He raised his voice
This is your empire's requiem
His words echoed across columns and frescoes
He left the ballroom. Shadows followed in his wake. He walked through silent halls strewn with bodies and blood. Servants huddled in corners whispered prayers that went unheard. Children hid beneath tables, trembling with silent tears. Shadows spared them, trailing after Ruvan like silent hounds
He reached the palace balcony. Dawn burned hot across the capital now. Rooftops shimmered under rising sun. Smoke curled from temple towers blackened by collapsed idols. Streets ran red where shadows dragged priests into death's silence
He looked down upon the city and spoke
This is the first morning of your last days
Shadows spread from his feet down palace walls and across cobbled streets. Merchants screamed as darkness swallowed stalls. Horses reared and toppled carts. Guards dropped swords and fled before shadow tendrils impaled them through iron plate
He stepped onto the balcony rail. Wind tugged at his bloodstained hair. Shadows coiled around his ankles like loyal chains
He raised his gaze to the burning horizon
Today I feast upon your fear
Tomorrow I will drink your hope
And when nothing remains I will become the sin etched into your blood for generations unborn
He stepped forward into empty air
Shadows rose to catch him