I stared at the public standing before me, waiting for my rolling head on ground or—maybe a roasting skewers kind of scene.
I heard someone say that the citizens had gathered here since morning for this special execution. They were staring, pointing and talking like watching a play. Children sat on their fathers shoulders and swinging their legs.
An execution sells better when it feels like an entertainment.
It had been an hour standing, my hands bound behind my back, wrists raw and painful From chains. Special kind actually—meant to Stop me from not using my powers. I saw my sword kept on a stool near me, but I couldn't reach it. That knight with red hair was watching me like a hawk. Oh how I wanted strangle him.
Then the crier stepped forward holding a scroll, empire's flag drawn on it. Citizens bowed to show respect to royalty.
"By decree of his Imperial majesty," he announced, " Asset registration number 99 is hereby stripped of status and sentenced to death for treason against the empire."
Asset. A disposable property. That's what we are to emperor. Not a hero. Not a warrior. A registered asset.
I lifted my head and glanced at priest who stood there like a statue, glaring at me. He stepped forward towards me and sighed before he spoke.
"Do you deny the charges?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes."
The crier stiffened and a ripple went through the crowd. Most of them were afraid, some were happy and few of them were ready to protest.
He closed his eyes and this time I saw the real him— My best friend. Who used to talk about god and justice.
"I am asking again. Do you deny the charges?" He asked once more. This time he came closer and spoke quietly so that only I could hear him. " please, I am begging you, Caelan. Just say no, and I will ask for mercy in front of his majesty. I can't lose you. Please." His voice broke at the end.
"Then chose the right side Edrin. " I said.
He couldn't. I knew that. He wouldn't do that. His stupid loyalty towards emperor ruined him, yet he didn't realize what he was doing.
He poked my stomach with his index finger. I knew what he was doing. I could feel his divine power entering inside me.
This idiot.
He was making sure I wouldn't feel any pain. Then he stepped back.
Silence washed over the capital's square and then we all heard them—the other registered assets coming towards us.
98 fake heros,disposable assets just like me. The difference was— they accepted it and I didn't.
They stopped before us and bowed to Edrin, then looked at me.
" We hope you will find the right path in afterlife. " they said simultaneously.
Whatever bullshit came out of their mouths didn't match their expressions. Their eyes looked hollow and broken.
I was guilty.
I had shown them hope— hope of breaking these chains. They had chosen my side, fought beside me.
And now it was over.
The chains tightened further and making it harder to breathe. I could see the mark of strangulation their necks.
They were sent here by him.
That fucking coward.
I remember the registration ceremony— how young I had been kneeling as they branded my name as Asset 99 in that ledger which was older than that bastard sitting on his throne.
The Citizens had cheered back then, not knowing that the hero ceremony was just a lie. It was darker than that.
You belong to me. He'd said, just loud enough for his assets to hear.
Today, he didn't came. That coward.
Edrin stepped closer and this time I saw his eyes well up. He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. I understood everything.
"Remember that day when I told you that if died before you, I'd definitely become ghost and haunt you?" I chuckled at the silly memory.
"You better do that." He quietly said and patted my head two times. His way of showing affection.
And then i felt it, my body burning.
I didn't feel pain thanks to Edrin.
My eyes darted to every face trying to memorize them. My seniors, who were holding their tears back and then I saw her—in the corner. That fierce lady. I forgot her name, though.
And with the thought of girl , I realized I was dying virgin.
I felt so many emotions. So many thoughts crowded my head.
Memories of childhood. Of Edrin and me playing.
Regret over not eating one more chicken leg from my favorite restaurant.
Did I leave the stove on at home? Who knows. I think I did.
My sweet neighbor who used to yell at me all the time. She wasn't that bad.
That shitty prince and princess. I hope they suffer and may thunder strike them, worms crawls into their clothes, rats chew up their hairs.
And the emperor—no.
I want to kill him. It should be me. Not someone else.
Then everything went black