Lord Protector, Master Assassin, The Masked Felon and Father. Those are the titles I have held for years but I failed to protect, I never killed, my identity is known and I don't deserve to be a Father.
Lord Protector, Master Assassin, The Masked Felon and Father. Those are the titles I have held for years but I failed to protect, I never killed, my identity is known and I don't deserve to be a Father.
A Protector needs to defend the Empress, yet I have failed and at the cost of my belove's life. An assassin is contracted to find and kill a selected target but I never killed.
A Masked Felon's identity is to be unknown by all, yet the citizens know of my actions. A father is supposed to protect their children with his own life, I haven't, I watched helplessly as they took my daughters away.
Betrayed by those I thought as comrades, I was sentence to death for a crime I did not commit but I escaped and met the few people who were still loyal. One by one, the traitors fell and were given their punishment but once I took back the throne for my eldest daughter, I was betrayed once again and left to rot in the waters.
But I came back, determined to save my daughters before it was too late. I had reached the man behind the second betrayal and was informed of his plan to use my eldest daughter and execute the other.
Furious I was to hear this, I drove the blade in hand through his heart, killing him. It was after I had pulled my blade out was that I saw my two daughters holding runes.
It was then I had realized that I was being banished and accepted my fate and now reside in the Void, reliving the fateful day over and over again.
Trapped in shadow, an all-encompassing darkness was all the eye could see. Regret, pain, and sorrow filled my mind. What have I done to deserve this? The answer is quite simple, yet I cannot recall it.
For years, I have been imprisoned in this realm of nightmares and shadows, reliving that fateful day over and over and over again. That day I had lost the one I truly loved.
Memories of a time long before my birth had plagued this realm as well. They gave me vague images and scenarios that seemingly felt familiar.
My name… name… does it matter now that I'm forever trapped in this infernal place? Do I deserve a name, do I deserve my name? Questions that I cannot answer, not yet anyway.
Years upon years I have wondered if I truly had a name, that I had masked my true identity that even I cannot recall. Two words, two words always echo through my thoughts. Lord Protector. Is that what I am or what I was?
The truth hides from me, taunting me throughout the years. A letter, neatly rolled up in hand. It bore the royal seal. I knew this letter, yet I can't recall.
Another name plagues my thoughts. Daud. Thinking of the name fills me with fury and sadness… but why?
Before all this ever happened, I remember living another life with another name. Things were much simpler. I read the journal that laid upon my desk, detailing the memories I have long forgotten.
Though the world around me shifts and changes to repeat the same day, the items I interact with do not. They stay where I last place them and this journal acts no different than any other object.
I opened the journal at a random page, only to be met with blank pages. I let out a sigh as my head rested upon my hands.
“You seem troubled, old friend. Having problems with your memory?” That voice, familiar as the wretched realm I reside in. Through the darkness of my room he appeared, dark as the Void itself. “Quite the problem considering your mentality.” The being said. I grunted in response.
“Don't act so savage, I merely came to converse with you.” He said, hovering closer before sitting on a chair that happened to move for him.
“I will not speak to the likes of you.” I growled. He clasped his hands together.
“My dear friend, if you don't speak then how will you remember?” He asked. Silence greeted the both of us. I thought it over before coming to the conclusion of agreeing.
“Now let us begin.” With those words, I looked back onto the journal and began reading out loud.
For one to understand my predicament, one must start from the beginning.To begin, my days as a child.
I was born into a lower class family in Karnaca, a city in the island of Minat. Life was well at first, yet it didn't last - my father, a lumber worker, suffered a work related accident that cost him his life, and it was since then that I spent my childhood years fighting in the streets. I used to hurt others for money, or even steal the money to avoid doing the job - and I was good at it. Others have found out about my father’s death, and it was greeted with laughter.
Bullied for being fatherless and raised by my mother, I knew I had to change my ways eventually, and I did at the age of sixteen.
The Blade Verbena, an annual sword duel festival. It was by chance that I was allowed to participate. My first match was over in under a minute, I had won, and this went on for the entirety of the tournament until I faced a certain teen by the name of Daud. The final match took more than anyone had ever anticipated. Both myself and Daud were evenly matched until Daud made the mistake of thrusting his blade towards me twice.
Countering the second thrust, this made his sword fly off his hand with a single swipe and I was declared the winner of both the match as well as the tournament.
For winning the tournament, I was offered a position in the Grand Minatonian Guard, as an officer no less. It was an honor for me to be able to join the guard but with my sudden position as Officer, there were some other guard that were outraged (but a single threat from the Duke had silenced these outrages).
My time in the guard was life changing, from a lawbreaker to a guard enforcing the law, and I had showed an amazing amount of professionalism. After two years of service, Theodanis Abele, the Duke of Minat, became highly impressed by my skill, and on the 28th day of the Month of Rain, I was sent to Canterlot to serve the Emperor Euhorn Faust as a political gesture.
Once I had arrived, I had been assigned to guard the emperor himself as he went on his routine walk through the city of Canterlot. During this, he and I conversed after he told me that he wished to know more about me, the young Minatonian Officer.
He showed interest in me as well as sympathy for my childhood. He had informed me that he is need of a reliable man to take the role of Royal protector, that I had fitted perfectly for the role but needed time to prove it - and so I did.
After a long and eventful year, the emperor bestowed upon me the title of Royal Protector to his daughter, Lauren Faust. I was honored to be given that title as well as being known as the first Royal Protector born outside of Canterlot.
Word of my new title spread like wildfire throughout the Isles, a tremendous achievement some said while others abhor the idea of an outsider as Royal Protector. I was given a high social status as well; yet I cared not for it, as it brought attention to myself in a more undesirable manner.
I was at the age of nineteen, three years after winning the Blade Verbena, and my life started to change for the better after I met the Raven haired beauty, Lady Lauren Faust, heir to the throne.
Her beauty was unparalleled. She was kind and generous to all guards and citizens alike. I was no exception. On my first day as the Royal Protector, she insisted in me calling her by name instead by her full title. Eventually we became friends and after two years, we became more.
On the year 1823, we became lovers in secret, keeping our feelings away from the public - but that didn't stop rumors from spreading all throughout the palace and city. It was blossoming relationship between us but tragedy struck only two years later. Lauren’s father, Emperor Euhorn, had passed away during the month of Darkness.
“And as a result of his death, your beloved-”
“Became the new empress.” I finished his sentence. The shadowy being only sat there as he continued to stare.
“I can only assume that the two of you were always together ever since.” He said in a guessing manner. I closed my journal as I remembered more and more without it.
“Yes, I was by her side throughout her rule and could only be seen next to her as the following months after Euhorn’s passing were spent in sadness.” I explained to him. I could see his head nod slightly.
“You were there to comfort her over her loss.” He said to which I nodded.
“Yes, I was.” I said. The white dots known as his eyes disappeared for a short second before appearing again.
“But one night, things escalated into intimacy between two lovers, correct?” He asked, though he knew the answer already. I remained silent, but he took this as the answer he expected.
“I don't know what you may be thinking, but I will not use any of this information against you - you know this.” He said while I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
“Yes, and as a result, nine months later she gave birth to our two beautiful daughters.” He did not speak afterwards, only nodding. He stood up from his chair before speaking.
“It was delightful time but I must go, so many things to do in so little time.” Without another word, he vanished, and left me with the comfort of the Void as it shifted and change into a familiar scene.
The walls around me vanished and left only water. The ground I stood on was replaced by the wooden interior of the familiar boat and two men were aboard with me.
One of the men had just hopped onto the boat before looking at the man on the controls.
“Take us straight to Canterlot palace. Lord Corvo has news for the Empress and we've come along way.” With those words, the boat began to move.
Regret, pain and sorrow filled my mind. What have I done to deserve this? The answer is quite simple, I have tainted my hands with another's blood.
Losing someone or something that was loved or cared deeply about is very painful, excruciating at most. It gives the feeling of the world collapsing around you, hearing and seeing the horrible truth. Some say the wound that was given by the loss of another would heal through time but that is not the case for Celeste, Empress of the Equinn.
The room was dark with exception of a small lamp, shining onto the desk as the Empress worked. It was nearing midnight and like many nights before, she showed no sign of resting. Servants and guards alike have grown to respect her more than before, after seeing her work non-stop for three days.
Of course this caused worry to some while others saw this as normal work. There were some servants, those who served the former Empress Lauren, know the reason as to why Empress Celeste has been locking herself in her study for these past days.
As Celeste ripped and crumbled another page from the journal laying on her desk, she let out a frustrated groan as she rested her on her hands. She let out mumbles of pure frustration before raising her head and setting her gaze on the portrait of a familiar man.
The man was none other than The Royal Protector and father figure, Corvo Attano. It was made days after his demise, the demise that was brought by her own hands. She remembers the events clear as day only to wish to forever forget that day.
She focused back down onto the journal only see that the pages were stained by water. Looking up, Celeste scanned the ceiling of her personal study only find nothing.
Another droplet landed on the open journal, gaining the attention of the Empress. She looked down to find a newly made stain before seeing another one.
That is when she noticed that her vision was blurring. She wiped her eyes, feeling the tears as she did.
“Come on, Celeste. We mustn't be late.” The Empress recognized that voice. It was the beautiful and soothing voice of her mother.
She blinked once, the room now had trees. She blinked again and the wooden floor beneath her was replaced by a dirt road. She blinked a third time and whatever was left of her study disappeared. She stood in the middle of a familiar dirt path. This was the path to her mother's personal garden.
“Celeste.” The voice called out from behind her. Turning around, she took notice of two things.
The first being her height. Shrunk down to the height of a child but not only that, her age reduced as well.
The second was that this woman that stood in front of her and called her name was indeed her mother. With a smile donning her lips, this was indeed her mother.
Shocked, was the first she felt before happiness, for seeing her mother once more but then sadness and sorrow. Knowing that this must've been a dream, Celeste only felt more tears well up but a foreign hand gently wiped her eyes with a thumb.
“Are you alright, my sweet child?” The angelic like voice of her mother greeted her eyes. The same hand cupped her left cheek. Nodding, her mother smiled before hearing the sounds of sword clashing.
“Come, we don't want to be late do we?” Her mother's hand left Celeste’s cheek. With only the shake of Celeste's head, they began walking down the seemingly endless path. Silence filled the air between the two as they walked.
It felt like hours of walking and the sounds of swords clashing were still distant with no sign of it getting closer. The occasional bird chirping and leaf blowing would be heard. Then they stopped.
Celeste looked around her surroundings, seeing nothing different. The trees by the dirt path blocked out the view to the sky, only allowing a few rays of sunlight to appear from through the leafs.
Look behind her, Celeste saw a newly formed bench and sat on it without question. Her mother sat next to her with a smile as she looked towards a tree. To Celeste’s confusion, her mother waved.
“Mommy, what are you looking at?” She asked. Her mother turned to look at her, the smile never leaving.
“Can you not see?” She asked. The smile faltered only slightly as she asked. Celeste shook her head at the question. Celeste felt a pair of hands lift her up and placed onto her mother's lap.
“Look ahead.” Her mother said and Celeste did just that and what she surprised her. What used to be trees and grass was now marble and wood.
The sound of swords clashing brought her attention towards two men at the center. Their in the middle a duel. A guard and a familiar man. Both fought with prowess but the man showed to signs of slowing down whilst the guard did.
“Point!” Another guard yelled, signaling the mans win as the tip of his blade laid atop the guard's shoulder.
Celeste couldn't help but smile. The man her gaze sat upon was non other than Corvo Attano, her hero, her protector and role model. With a toothy smile, Celeste waved at the man.
“Corvo!” She yelled, gaining the man's attention. He waved back with a smile of his own. With a blink of her eyes, Celeste suddenly found herself in the arms of Corvo.
“It's good to see you too, Celeste but couldn't you wait for your mother?” His voice was gruff but soothing in a way only Celeste understood.
“You should've seen her when we arrived.” The voice of her mother sounded behind her. Celeste felt herself being lifted up as Corvo straightened up.
“Hello Corvo.” Her mother greeted with smile.
“Hello to you too, your highness.” Corvo said with a smile of his own. They started to converse with one another while Celeste clung onto Corvo. For what felt like hours Celeste shown no signs of letting go of the man who carried her.
“I miss you.” Celestewhispered in a hushed tone as tear slowly streamed down her cheek and onto Corvo’s shoulder. She was surprised to feel both Corvo and her mother's hands on each of her shoulders.
“We miss you too, there will never be a moment when we won't.” The said in perfect unison as Celeste’s vision slowly went white.
Celeste’s eyes lazily opened only hiss and close them again. The light of the sun shone through the curtains of the large window behind her.
Slowly, Celeste raised her head from the desk she slept on before looking to see if there was a mess only to find nothing. With sigh she leaned back onto the chair before rubbing her eyes.
She stood up from her chair and turned towards the curtains before taking a hold of them then fully opening them. The once dark study now lit by the light of the morning sunrise.
Looking out the window, she saw her mother's garden being properly kept by the old gardener. A set of knocks brought The Empress from her thoughts.
With haste Celeste went to answer the door, almost tripping as she did. A mental note to pick up the mess of books.
Reaching the door and grabbing the handle, she then pulled the door open and looked at the person responsible for the knocking. It was a guard.
“Lady Luna requests to see you at the dining hall.” He informed. Celeste nodded before dismissing the guard. Looking back at her desk, Celeste saw that her lamp had been turned off and with that she left to see her dearest sister.
~Ω~
The infernal bell rang once more as woman in my arms, Lauren as she sighed her last breath of air. I held with an expressionless face, knowing that I am unable to change this event.
The echoing shouts and footsteps of the Guards swarming the gazebo greeted my ears as I placed the body down gently as I did so countless times before. I then stood up from my kneeling position before noticing the Spymaster walking up to me with a few guards in tow. His words muffled by the many shouts, only as he stood a foot away from me that his words were clear as day but I've heard them before.
“So that's it then… You've given up after all this time.” His voice echoed around me as everything was slowed down to a crawl. “The great Corvo Attano, finally accepts the truth. How unexpected of you.”
After those words were said, the silence began to settle in once more and the slow yell of my arrest was the only thing I heard. I stood unmoving and uncaring as my surroundings shattered like glass, leaving me in what looked to be a shattered bit of the Palace Gardens.
“You have surprised me once again, Corvo.” The voice spoke closer than before. Glancing behind me, I was greeted with the gaze of the being that keeps me here in this realm. The Outsider. He who is one with the Void, the very man that keeps me here. Whether to torture me with the ever repeating cycle that I had grown accustomed to or to speak as if we were acquaintances.
“I'm done trying.” Were the first words I had spoken before looking down the other side of the marble railings, seeing nothing but the endless Void below. “I know that no matter what I do, it will always end the same way. With Lauren dying in my arms.” I added, gripping the marble in anger. I glanced back as I heard the sound of feet touching the marble floor.
“You've done many things, Corvo. The least I'd ever expect from you was to give up.” Spoke the Outsider as he leaned onto the marble railing beside me. “To quite honest, I'd expect another twenty or so years before you would've gone mental.” He added before pushing himself off the railing just as it crumbled out of existence. I did not reply to the man beside me as he turned to face the gazebo behind me.
“Maybe it's time.” Said the Outsider. I ignored his words and looked up as what appeared to be a broken piece of the pub floated over me. He let out a hum in deep thought. “Hmm, perhaps it is.” He spoke in cryptic manner before snapping his fingers.
It was then I felt something grip onto my foot. I quickly looked down only to see a shadowy claw grip my foot as another claw gripped the other. Before I knew it, fifty or more of those hands had grabbed onto me and began to pull me under.
“What is the meaning of this!?” I said as I struggled for my freedom. I looked up at the Outsider as he began to walk away from the scene. “What are you doing to me!?” I yelled in anger as half my body disappeared into the floor while more claws began to take hold of my head, stopping me from moving it.
“May we meet again soon, Corvo.” Spoke the Outsider, raising his left hand and waved it before closing it into a fist. Seconds after he did that, my vision turned dark and my consciousness slipped away shortly after. The last thing I felt was pressure being put onto me and pain unfamiliar to me.
