Only a few thin stripes of the late-afternoon Sun’s blood-red rays were able to permeate through the billowing smoke, which darkened and dirtied the white clouds above. As they touched the ground, they cast long shadows over the land, accentuating the gloom even further.
Like a constellation of pale stars in the night, the half-darkness was broken by faint orange flames, emanating from the houses of a small lonely settlement nearby. The streets laid empty and still, the only movement was the gentle sway of thrown-open doors, which hung limply after the homes they were attached to were hurriedly abandoned. A few tattered banners fluttered softly in the wind, heralding the village as the rightful domain of the Sun.
The dark figures marching next to the hamlet paid little heed to this. Their matte armor seemed to almost completely absorb the light falling onto them and only the layers of dirt on it, the rust-blotches of dried blood caked on their fangs, and their seeking predatory eyes gave their presence any discernible shape and form.
Though most decided to run for the woods, some stayed behind hoping and praying that their insignificant village had nothing to offer to the marauding hordes. Upon seeing that the band marched past the town seemingly uninterested, a few windows glinted as the light reflected off the eyes of the bravest few, who dared catch a glance of the invaders.
Suddenly it felt like the air itself froze. The black-clad soldiers almost imperceptibly cast their eyes towards the ground and some hunched ever so slightly, perhaps in fear, perhaps as a way of silent reverence towards the creature arriving at the scene. Or perhaps both and rightfully so:
She was Command given form.
Her black coat shone faintly in the weak sunlight as she slowly made her way towards the front of the army, placing one iron-clad hoof in front of the other with such nonchalance as if she was merely taking a stroll in a park, instead of leading a force of hundreds. As she walked, the Moon, colored red by the smoke and distant fires, slowly rose behind her. To the nearby witnesses it appeared as if it hung behind her as a bloody halo.
Her cold teal eyes slowly turned towards the village, surveying the scene, passing from house to house. Seeing the desolation her venomous lips curled into a thin, jagged smile. Soon enough the whole land would be cleansed and molded into her image.
And yet, somewhere deep in the darkness of her soul, a mote of light struggled against the suffocating void. With a weak echo it screamed of dying innocents and senseless vengeance into the prideful silence around it. It made her imminent victory feel sour for a moment.
She shook her head and finished her survey, letting the taste of bile recede from her tongue. Turning around, her gaze eventually stopped at one of her soldiers, whom instinctually shuddered from feeling the burning, black slits upon his back.
“I tire of this pointless tour. Tell me of this land and its riches,” she commanded while stopping in her tracks. Like being yanked back by an invisible leash, the entire army halted in step with her. Her voice was deep and warm, yet it sent a shiver up on anyone’s spine who had heard her.
The addressed warrior slowly turned around and bowed.
“My Queen,” he spoke with a voice wavering from reverence. “This domain is truly wonderful. It’s ripe for the harvest and rich in veins. It is perfect to serve as the crown jewel of your empire.”
She deigned him a small nod, which he reciprocated by taking half a step back.
“I see. And how good is its crop? Did watering the earth so generously with blood yield the results I was hoping for?”
“Yes-s, my Queen,” he replied, bowing his head a little. “As you can see, even in such a remote hovel as this one, the nation stands in silent adoration for you.”
The Queen nodded again, though her mind seemed to be elsewhere.
“Very good, dismissed. Now then, where is the traitor I so desire to meet?”
The soldier bowed one more time and quickly disappeared into the rest of the army. Another took his place, speaking in a tone similar.
“My Queen, he wishes to meet you in his home to give you proper worship.” As he said these words, he subtly winced, expecting punishment for being the bearer of bad news. “Please allow me to take his head as an apology.”
The Queen looked at him impassively and the two stood in silence interrupted only by the soft popping of flames around them. Finally she let out a short, disdainful chuckle causing the entire army to close its eyes for a second in fear.
“Very well. I shall see this traitor in his own den then. Lead me to him!” she snapped and the addressed warrior scurried away to take charge. The army began moving again.
Upon noticing that the invaders were leaving, relief began seeping into the homes. Some of their cowering dwellers even dared to cast their eyes on the Queen, who was smiling again. Without even bothering to stop she waved one of her hooves dismissively towards the banners. “Oh yes, burn this village to the ground. If they’re so fond of the Sun, surely they won’t mind its little cousin.”
The budding relief wilted into panic as a black tide enveloped the village, breaking into homes and dragging out those hoping for sanctuary. As the soldiers cast torches upon them, the hay ceilings lit almost immediately and an inferno soon roared into life.
By the time the villagers’ kicking and screaming faded, the roaring flames spread all over the village, destroying everything they had. Not that anyone was left to mourn it.
The hours passed and the flames eventually went out. Utter silence filled what was once a vibrant village. The army left, taking everything and leaving nothing but skeletal remains of burned out homes and corpses in their path.