Chapter Text
The princess’s breath came in hurried, terrified breaths as she ran through the forest. The sound of hooves hurriedly approaching reminded her of the closeness of death. She knew tonight would mark another end for her, another painful death to add to the list. She knew she would die, but she wouldn’t make it easy.
Or, so she thought.
She hardly had time to think before she was on the ground, a lapse in focus causing her to trip. She groaned and drew herself up to her knees, an aching pain spreading over her body.
Her pursuer quickly found her, the constant sound of hooves on dirt finally ending. The princess looked up slowly, tears brimming her eyes as she was greeted with the sight of none other than the Lord of Darkness himself.
“Well, well, well,” he drawled, slowly stepping towards her. He was in no rush. He knew she wouldn’t flee, or rather, couldn’t. “What have we here? The magnificent Princess Kenny, strong and beautiful… finally struck down.”
Kenny scowled at him, but didn’t speak. He huffed out a laugh before continuing. “I take pride in being the one to do this, you know. Many a man have had their chance, but you’ve managed to weasel your way out of it every time.” Suddenly, the sword in his hands was pointed at the princess. “Not this time.”
“Why?” Kenny asked, staring up at the other. “Why would you do this, Clyde? We trained together!” She took a breath before continuing, eyes cast to the ground. “What happened to you was awful, I won’t deny it, but I had no part in it! It was the fault of The Wizard Ki-”
She was cut off by Clyde grabbing her collar and slamming her into a tree. She let out a strangled groan as he leaned in close, anger radiating from him. “Do not speak the name of that impudent roach!” He snarled, pushing her farther back, the rough bark digging into her back. “I know what happened. The entire kingdom knows! That’s why I’m doing this. You will all perish.”
“You’re better than this, Clyde,” Kenny grunted, grabbing Clyde’s wrist. “Violence for violence is the rule of beasts.”
Clyde drew himself up, dropping Kenny against the tree. He glowered down at her and raised his sword. “Then a beast I shall be. Goodbye.”
With one, clean movement, he brought his sword down. Kenny let out a blood-curdling scream as the sword pierced her middle, a familiar pain shooting through her body. Clyde watched the blood drip down to pool on the ground as his adversary slumped against the tree.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence.
Then, there was faint, choked laughter. Clyde’s eyes widened as Kenny reached up with weak hands to grab the blade of the sword still buried in her abdomen. Blood dripped down her hands and the blade as she held it tightly, looking up at Clyde with crazed eyes.
A smile curled on her lips as she let out another huff of laughter. Clyde’s grip on the sword loosened, taken aback by the princess’s laughter.
“Can you feel your heart burning? Can you feel the struggle within?” She hissed, eyes and smile wide, even as blood dripped from her mouth. “The fear within me is beyond anything your soul can make. You cannot kill me in a way that matters.”
Clyde stumbled backwards, bloodied sword in hand. Kenny’s hands rested on her still-bleeding wound as she kept her eyes trained on his terrified face. “Bury me shallow, for I will return. And when I do, you will regret the day you were created. I swear it.”
With that, she slumped against the tree, light draining from her eyes. Clyde stood on wobbling legs, gasping for breath. No matter how impossible her promise seemed, Clyde believed it.
And, more so, he feared it.