There was a beauty about her that did more than captivate men; it completely overwhelmed and entranced them. Everything about her was extraordinary, from her bright blue sparkling eyes to the way she carried herself in elegance and strength, like a goddess whispered about from ages before. Asim had been sent to free her from the beast of Emerald Hollow, a dragon born of obsidian and flame and bound to dark cave where the princess had been imprisoned. Only by sacrificing his left arm to obtain the Spear of Morning could he do this, and by giving his own flesh and blood he was able to throw the mighty weapon with all his might straight into the eye of the monster and bring it tumbling to the ground in a cloud of smoke and destruction. Asim had fought valiantly, but our story begins after this great battle when he crawled into the Emerald Caverns and found the Princess, trapped perfectly in time and lying face up in a shallow pool of water.
"Princess ...Princess!" The man rushed to her side and with his one arm lifted her out of the water and dragged her onto a nearby rock. It took only a few seconds for her to begin to come to. Her bright eyes fluttered open, and her golden face turned to the young man with an expression of confusion and fear, "...you...You're not real...you're a dream, another dream...I'm asleep! Still...still sleeping?"
"Princess Anora," Asim helped her into a sitting position and threw himself onto the ground in front of her in a low bow, "I'm real. I promise you this. I have fought the beast who guarded you, and it's dead. The water has kept you sleeping, but I have awoken you. My name is Asim Kharzak, I am a royal guard from the Kingdom of Madat."
"My Kingdom is Hillende," Anora muttured.
"Hillende fell to your enemies upon your disappearance, your highness...two hundred ago. Many of your people joined with the kingdom of Madat. Your sister's descendant is wed to our King." Asim explained.
Anora stared at him, her bright eyes locked on his face as the pieces all came together, "It was she who sent you for me...my sister's offspring. Little Elke...what this child's name?"
"Her Majesty, Empress Kastille A-Madat I, wife of Emperor Hamar A-Madat, ruler of the desert kingdom and it's tribes."
Silence filled the Emerald Cave for many seconds before the Princess spoke again, her voice no longer quiet and reserved but suddenly low and with a strength that came from one who knew power, "Are you at war, Asim Kharzak?"
Asim glanced up at her and was taken aback by the way she glared at him. Her eyes had gone icy and her golden complexion had faded into an ashy gray. Blackness cascaded down her long brown locks like water, staining every strand of hair until she looked nothing like herself before.
"Princess?" he breathed.
"Are you at war?"
"Yes..."
"Then why has she called for me? Can she not bear children? Is she seeking one to rule after her blood has dried up and her husband has chosen new bride?"
"She has birthed two princes....seeks your guidance, highness. You were - are a legend in our kingdom. One of good will, and kindness, and knowledge. She hoped to meet with you and-"
An earsplitting screech burst from her throat and echoed through every chamber of the caverns, bringing Asim to his elbow and knees while pain pierced his head and made him wail. She went silent after a few seconds and stared at him, "Good will? Kindness? Asim Kharzak - I am a Queen of war. I have seen the beginning of a Kingdom and been the fall of so many others. I brought Grayland to it's knees before even seizing the throne for my own, and I ensured the fate of each soul who dared speak against me would be sealed in blood and cartilage."
Asim looked to the woman as an icy fear overcame him and he knew, in that exact moment that he had made a horrible mistake.
"You were trapped...But the Spear of Morning-"
"That's right. The Spear of Mourning. A weapon of pain, and grief, and hatred so immense it could bring down any curse that Everilde bitch could cast on me." Anora mused with a sickening smirk, "You have served me well, Asim Kharzak. You have awoken me - and for that you shall be rewarded. Bow to your new Queen. Her Majesty, Empress Anora A-Madat, conquerer of the nine kingdoms and immortal ruler of all that meets her eye.Bow to me."
His blood ran cold, the world around him darkened and he knew his kingdom was as good as dead. At his hands the wrong monster had been slayed, and it was Asim's foolishness that brought about the end. But he could still stop it. With his one arm he grabbed a dagger at this side and in lunged upwards, towards the princess - but Anora's hand met his throat and her fingers tightened as they seared his flesh. He let out a strangled cry - but even he couldn't hear over her laughter, "On your knees, darling."