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Once upon a time, the royal office was practically unused.  Months would pass without Yang or Ruby setting foot in the place.  Even then, they only ducked inside for a quick meeting with one of Vale’s advisors or when searching for a good place to hide from their endless responsibilities.

These days, Yang hardly left the room.  If she wasn’t in her personal chambers, she was in the dining room, the office, or walking between those locations.  Stepping outside the palace had become a forgotten luxury, and she didn’t even bother dreaming about traveling beyond Vale’s tall walls.  There was far too much work to be done, and Vale needed her to do it.

So the ornate, dark, wooden desk, which used to be so clean that it sparkled, was covered in reports, graphs, maps, and numbers that she sometimes only partially grasped.  Those were joined by letters, statements of condition, recounts of events, and - her least favorite - pleas for assistance that might never come.  The situation had grown so dire that she had taken to reading some of the dusty books lining one wall of the room in search of solutions within Vale’s written history.

As it turned out, ruling a kingdom during a time of increasing prosperity was the easiest life would ever get.  Resources were so plentiful that there was more than enough to go around.  The people were happy and content.  Squabbles were so trivial that they took no more than a few days to resolve.

What she wouldn’t give to return to the times when her and Ruby’s responsibilities took no more than a couple of hours per day.  Their best advisors had handled Vale’s daily management.  The decisions left to them involved tradeoffs between popularity and money, not livelihood or lives.

But Yang refused to complain just like Ruby hadn’t made so much as a peep of protest despite the grueling, exhausting work.  No matter how hard they strategized, theorized, or hypothesized, the solutions ranged from bad to awful to absolutely horrendous.  Then there were the repercussions...sometimes, repercussions they hadn’t seen coming that stole the wind from their sails and etched more souls upon their hearts.

Yang didn’t consider herself to be a vain person.  She didn’t have to be in charge - she and Ruby had found the best, brightest minds in Vale and brought them in as advisors for a reason.  They delegated decision-making authority to the people most adept to handle those specific fields for a reason.  But when it came to Vale as a whole...and decisions that impacted everyone from the wealthiest estate owners to the poorest field workers...those judgments were left to her and Ruby alone.  If anyone else seemed more qualified, she would gladly step out of the way.  Doing so would be a relief, actually.

But Vale had been left in her and Ruby’s care, and they took that responsibility seriously.  The people trusted them, hopefully for the actions and choices they had made so far, but also because their family had been in power for generations upon generations.

Academia had its place in running a kingdom.  Intellect was vital to their combined success.  Yet there came a point when words of wisdom only went so far.  Sometimes, people just wanted to hear that everything would be ok.  That they would make it through these trying times and reach prosperity once more.

It was Yang’s job, and Ruby’s, to remain strong for everyone.  Behind the scenes, however, that was becoming a near-impossible task.

“How much time do we have?”

The man sitting across from her, whose dark, forest green hair appeared permanently windswept and whose shirt had only made it half tucked in, shifted in his seat as a puff of air fluttered the haphazard papers clutched in his lap.

“Your Majesty -”

“How much longer?” she repeated before he attempted to wave away the problem with a slew of words and rapid projections.  If she had wanted to remain oblivious, she wouldn’t have called him here to begin with.

“At this rate, six months, if no new conservation efforts are made.”

She sat back in her chair, both stunned by and resigned to the bad news.  For weeks now, it had felt like they were running on fumes as their reserves dwindled and their stockpiles emptied.  Having a timeline though...a definitive number of months remaining...made the situation that much more real.

After dragging on for years, the war had finally bled them dry.  It seemed fitting, in a way, that the battle would end not because an agreement was reached, but because one side had nothing left to fight with.  Now, their hope lay in Atlas running out of energy first.

“What are your recommendations?” she asked, moving past the disturbing news in favor of action.  Something could always be done.  They weren’t out of options yet; they couldn’t be.  If Atlas won, that was the end of life as Vale knew it - and the literal end of life for her and Ruby.

The Mad King would surely give them a worthy sendoff.  Trial by combat, perhaps?  Grand execution?  Unsurprisingly, Yang preferred not knowing how he would remove her from power.  From the way her economic advisor wrung his hands, however, that day might be closer than she liked.

“We could institute more stringent rations -”

“No.”  She and Ruby staunchly opposed that suggestion, so she shook her head before he finished making it.  “We’ve already forced the people to live off scraps.  We can’t take more from them.”

“In that case, more cuts can be made in the palace.”  He shuffled through his papers as he spoke, his mind already processing the task before abruptly returning to her.  “Other than that, I’m afraid our only viable option is sending every able-bodied citizen to the front.”

His dark brown eyes, partially hidden behind a pair of large, round glasses, said how much he abhorred the idea, which was worse than taking food from their mouths.  Fortunately, if that word even applied to their lives anymore, Yang would never consider either.

“Take everything you can from the palace.  Ruby and I don’t need much.”

Once he nodded at the instruction, she looked at her hands and sighed.  If it was only her life at stake, the war would have ended long ago.  But Ruby’s life meant everything...not just to Yang but also to the people of Vale.  Ruby had to make it out of this alive.  Unfortunately, that was a lofty goal when the Mad King wanted them both dead and Ruby would be the first one to sacrifice herself for a stranger.

“We’ll surrender before forcing people to fight.”  Yang met his gaze and offered a determined nod in response to his surprise.  “We won’t put more lives at stake.  We’ll just...do our best and hope that our recent additions can turn the tide.”

Praying that their last-ditch effort worked seemed to be their only viable option.  The continuation of their existence hinged on Cecelia, of all people.  Yang shuddered at the thought.

“So it’s come to this...” she muttered.

“It appears that it has, Your Majesty.”

“What about Atlas?  They must be exhausted, too.”

“Unfortunately, we know very little about their position.  Our scouts have never made it past the walls.”

Given what they did know about Atlas, that news was unsurprising.  The Frozen Kingdom was notoriously secretive and unaccepting of outsiders.  Even before the war severed all communications, Atlas and Vale’s relationship had been one of mutual avoidance rather than cooperation.  What Yang wouldn’t give to return to the days of being ignored…

“Pray that they are,” she replied before shaking her head.  “We can only hope that they run out of steam first or that our new forces win us this war.  Until then, buy as much time as you can, Bartholomew.  Your work is just as important as the commanders on the front lines.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.  I’ll do my best.”

After a quick bow, he flew out of the room with a gust of wind that left the door swinging open behind him.  The guard stationed in the hall glanced into the office before politely closing it, leaving Yang in silence.

Setting her elbows on her knees and burying her face in her hands, she closed her eyes and sighed.  The bad news made her mind race through the choices they made and the paths they hadn’t taken.  What they could have done differently, what they should have done differently, what might have happened...those questions haunted her now more than ever.

She didn’t want to be remembered as ‘the last Queen of Vale.’  She didn’t want her legacy to be that of a failed ruler who ushered in an era of darkness for the people under her rule.  Most importantly, she didn’t want to let Ruby down.

If only she had been better, somehow.  Smarter, more clever...or even just more agreeable with The Mad King of Atlas.  Maybe she could have found a way to work with him, or at least reason with him, and they wouldn’t be in this situation.  Of course, they probably would have been forced to pledge fealty in the process, but wasn’t that better than losing the entire kingdom?

A knock on the door drew her gaze upward, and she straightened her posture while motioning one of the palace stewards inside.  “Your Majesty,” he greeted her with a bow that she quickly waved away.  “I bring news from the Badlands.”

“The Badlands?” she repeated, leaning forward as curiosity got the best of her.  “What is it?”

“The Resistance has suffered a great blow.  Adam Taurus is dead.”

“He’s...dead?”  The messenger nodded, but she gaped for several seconds before adding, “Are you sure?”

“We’re sure,” he replied with another nod.  “The news swept through the Badlands over the past few days, and one of our scouts confirmed - he’s dead.”

Yang sat back in her chair, a scoff of disbelief slipping through her lips.

Adam Taurus was dead?  That seemed impossible.  His power in the Badlands had grown exponentially over the past year, which had been brought to her attention as a brewing issue.  Tired of being used as a battlefield, the settlements had begun rallying behind him and fighting back.

The last thing Vale wanted was a war with the Badlands too, especially when those people had done nothing wrong.  Unfortunately, Yang understood why the Badlands might not feel the same.  It wasn’t surprising that someone emerged from the devastation to take the helm - moments of great weakness offered the greatest opportunities for leaders to make their names, after all.

From what she’d heard, Adam had cemented himself as a vicious, brutal man willing to use violence as a means of psychological warfare.  People feared him, respected him, and followed him.  Those traits, along with reports that he was skilled in combat and strong in spark, had marked him as a potential thorn in their side.

“But how?” Yang finally asked, wondering how a man like that ever met his demise.  “The Phage?”

“No, Your Majesty.  We’ve been told he was killed.”

“By who?”

“Nothing has been confirmed yet -”

“Who do we think?” she pressed, knowing there must be rumors floating around by now.

“His second-in-command,” the man acquiesced.  “Blake Belladonna.  They call her an assassin.”

Plenty of thoughts raced through Yang’s mind as she sorted through the information and tried to determine its impact on Vale.  Adam Taurus was dead, killed by his own right hand.  His death weakened the Resistance, which might be the small break Vale needed.  At the very least, it removed the unpredictable ‘surprises’ he and his forces left along the outskirts.

“She might’ve just done us a favor,” Yang concluded.  “What about the Resistance?”

“She’s in charge now.  They’re rallying around her.”

Tapping her fingers on the arm of the chair, Yang mulled over the news.  Ideally, the Resistance fell apart without its leader, thereby keeping Vale’s soldiers safe.  If the Resistance lived on, they could only hope that the change in leadership resulted in a change in tactics.  But when blood begets blood…

“That could be a problem,” she said, knowing better than to hope for a miracle.  “Keep an eye on it.  I want daily updates.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Once he bowed, she sighed and pushed herself to her feet.  The moment she did so, a sharp spike of pain radiated from her heart all the way down to her feet, making her gasp and stumble forward.  The steward quickly reached out to help, his hands offering a firm, steady hold to keep her upright.

“Your Majesty?”

He was concerned, as anyone should be given the situation, but Yang erased his worry with a light laugh.

“Stood up too fast.”  To prove that she was fine, she stood tall, ignoring the residual heat pulsing through her legs, and smiled.  “Don’t you hate it when that happens?”

When he relaxed and nodded, she patted his shoulder and walked out of the office with the perfect stride she’d honed over time.  But as soon as he couldn’t see her face anymore, she cringed and took slow, deep breaths trying to ease the pain.

By now, she knew that breathing didn’t help.  Sitting down didn’t help, standing up didn’t help.  Sleep didn’t help, medicine didn’t help.  Nothing alleviated the pain.  Her only option was weathering the storm and waiting for the fire to reduce to a dull smolder.  Most of the time, she fought with nothing more than sheer willpower to keep it from crippling her.  When it became too much...she hid in the privacy of her room, where prying eyes wouldn’t witness her weakness.

After several more deep breaths, she clenched her fists and continued to the palace’s front entrance.  Fire still burned through her legs, but she ignored it as best as she could while making one of her limited, semi-public appearances.

The Royal Plaza served as a gathering place for anyone with official business.  The immense, airy room, which was as ornate as it was functional, greeted visitors when entering the palace.  Upon Ruby’s suggestion, several meeting tables staffed by palace advisors had been set up along one side, in front of which lines of civilians formed to discuss various policies and procedures.

Ensuring matters remained orderly and cordial, no fewer than a dozen guards wearing the signature red-and-gold armor of Vale’s Elites patrolled the space.  Stationary guards blocked every doorway and hall, preventing anyone from slipping into the main portion of the palace without proper authorization.  Even more stood watch just outside the towering front doors, which were left open during the day as a means of welcoming Vale’s citizens.

A soft drone of voices filled the air as Yang entered the plaza and picked her path to the front doors.  A pair of Elites immediately noted her presence and stuck close behind her, but she thought nothing of them while observing the room.

No matter how many times she crossed the plaza, its atmosphere never ceased to amaze her.  Equal parts energized, needy, and determined, the mood shifted with the tenor of voices yet somehow always remained...constructive.  This was where Vale’s citizens brought their greatest, most pressing issues - right here, to her doorstep.  This was where their voices would be heard, if not by her directly then by one of the many advisors entrusted with that important task.

Everyone had their own reasons for coming here today.  Everyone had a problem they hoped to resolve.  They needed to be heard - they deserved to be heard.  Maybe no solution could be found, but the palace could offer a forum for them to voice their complaints.  Those complaints would eventually make their way to Yang’s desk, and another difficult decision would be made.  The thought alone made her want to sigh, but she forced a smile and waved at the group of visitors gawking at her.

If Ruby was here, this wouldn’t be quite so daunting.  But Ruby had an effortless ability to keep the atmosphere light and optimistic regardless of the circumstances.  Maybe it was her near-perpetual smile, which was almost guaranteed to put someone at ease.  Or maybe it was the strength of her spark, which flowed from her like a comforting breeze.

The palace wasn’t the same without her, and Yang missed her more and more with each passing day.  They used to spend nearly all of their time together, making decisions and envisioning what Vale’s future would look like.  They had such grand dreams for what the kingdom could become and how their citizens could reach a new level of prosperity, but then...disease, war, and all the bad that came with it.

Ruby’s job was more important than ever as she traveled throughout Vale keeping spirits high.  As much as she refused to admit it, the people loved her more than Yang.  Not that they didn’t love Yang; they did, in their own way.  But Ruby…Ruby was the heart of Vale.  She was compassion and kindness in physical form.  She could be so human yet so regal, and she connected with them in a way Yang could never hope to duplicate.

As much as the palace needed Yang around to prove that everything was alright, the people needed to see Ruby.  And, until Ruby returned, Yang would have to handle everything by herself.

Handling everything by herself used to be a simple demand.  These days, however, her energy was a bit lacking and a full day’s work had become difficult.  Rationally, there was nothing she could do to increase her energy while her internal fire constantly drained it.  But if she convinced herself that she wasn’t actually tired...then pressing on became slightly easier.

The palace needed her to keep things running.  As much as she wanted to sequester herself in her room until Ruby came home, the rest of the world needed to see that she was working and happy and confident in the state of their kingdom.  That small reassurance was the least she could offer, even as her calves protested every step she took.

Part of her wondered what would happen if she didn’t have so much to attend to.  Would she be better off without the stress of an entire kingdom on her shoulders?  Was her duty to Vale keeping her alive, or was the constant pressure chipping away at her fortitude?

Those questions would have to wait for another day, as her attention landed upon a soldier who just appeared at the front doors.  After exchanging several words with the Elites stationed there, he strode inside with an air of confidence suggesting that the other soldiers didn’t faze him in the slightest.

His towering height alone was enough to draw attention, but his shimmering black armor set him apart.  Dark green accents added an element of malice to a battle-scarred uniform that had never been seen in Vale before a month ago.  His armor, his weapons, his eyes...everything about him screamed ‘danger,’ but that was exactly why he was here.

After scanning the room, he met Yang’s gaze and made his way over.  With everyone else hurrying to get out of his path, he made short work of the space between them.

“Queen Xiao Long.”

His bow was quick and his words clipped - the mark of someone not quite loyal.  But she didn’t expect him to be loyal to her.  She knew all too well the type of person he was and who he represented - loyalty to himself above all else.

“I hope you have good news,” she replied, noticing the guards behind her inch closer.  But the man had no interest in harming her - today, at least.  He was just the messenger.

“Several nights ago, we broke through Atlas’ supply line and pushed one of their platoons back through the Badlands.  They’re trying to regroup with their main camp as we speak.”

Yang might have asked for good news, but she never expected to receive it.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”  Another no-nonsense nod.  “The Atlesians folded like cards when we got the drop on them.”

Considering this warrior had probably never told a joke in his life, the report could only be true.  And if true, it was very, very good news.  Good enough that Yang smiled.  That was, of course, until she realized that it couldn’t be the end of the story.

“Let me guess...Cecelia wants to chase them all the way back to Atlas?”

“Yes,” he replied with a stiff nod.  “They’ll be wiped out before reaching the city walls.”

His certainty made Yang laugh and shake her head, both amused by his persona and relieved by the unexpected news.  Vale had desperately needed a positive break in the combat - it figured that someone like Cecelia delivered it.  The price was high, but it would be well worth it if they won the war.

“She extends the invitation to join us,” he added, and Yang laughed again.

“She wants me fighting on the front lines?”

“She will personally ensure your safety,” he stressed, clearly repeating Cecelia’s exact words.  “She guarantees no harm will befall you, but you will be given the opportunity to vent your fury on Atlas’ best armies.”

Surprisingly, the suggestion didn’t sound so bad.  Marching to the front of battle...raining hellfire on those frozen bastards from Atlas...a year ago, it would have been a dream come true.  Today, however...

“That’s very kind of her.  Please tell her that I’ll consider the offer but must pass for now.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he answered, momentarily slipping back into his military persona.

“What about the princess?” Yang asked.

“Last seen almost a week ago.”

“But not since then?”

“No, Ma’am.”

“Good,” Yang sighed as another stress momentarily lifted from her shoulders.  “Maybe she returned to Atlas.”

“It’s likely, but she doesn’t concern us.  She rarely joins the battles on her own accord.”

“Just waiting for an opening…” Yang mused.  “If we give her one, she might march the entire army up to our gates.”

The soldier blew a small puff of smoke through his lips but didn’t outright disagree with her.  “What are your next orders?” he asked instead, as if merely discussing a fight left him itching to return to the battlefield.

No matter how many times Yang told Cecelia to work through the Elites - the men and women with far more military expertise and knowledge of the war - Cecelia insisted on taking her orders from Yang only.  It made sense even if it was bothersome.  With these subtle digs at their military leaders, Cecelia reminded everyone that she wasn’t here to help Vale, and she didn’t answer to Vale.

“Regroup with our main forces for now,” Yang instructed him.  “And ask the commander where he needs you next.  Maybe you can make some headway against their main encampment.”

“We’ll do that right away.”

When he nodded again, Yang responded with one of her own.

“Thank you for the only good news I’ve heard today,” she added, though he probably cared very little for her mood.  “Now, I’m sure you’re anxious to return to the front.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

After another quick bow, he left the plaza just as swiftly as he entered.  His eagerness to return to war never ceased to amaze, but sending someone like him into battle was far easier on Yang’s conscience.  He wanted to be there, she needed him to be there - what more perfect relationship was there than that?

“Excuse me,” she directed to the Elites standing beside her before heading to the nearest bench and sitting down.

Her knees burned fiercely today, but she refused to rub them with her escort keeping such close tabs on her.  Instead, she made the mistake of gently touching upon the fire burning in her heart, only to immediately withdraw when it sent a blaze of fury through her veins.  Leaning forward and burying her head in her hands as the flames swept through her, she focused on her breathing and prayed for it to pass quickly.

As much as she wanted to join the war and fight for Vale, she couldn’t manage it.  The Elites would expect a blaze of glory...and she could deliver it, but at what cost?  She could hardly think about her spark without being crippled by pain.  If she tried using it in battle, it might very well be the end of her.

Besides, every Atlesian Knight and the Princess of Atlas would come after her as soon as they learned she was on the battlefield.  Of course, that was exactly what Cecelia wanted - to draw the entire Atlesian army and a fighter of royal descent her way.  Because that might be a battle worth fighting.

Knowing she couldn’t linger much longer, Yang took another steadying breath before swallowing the lingering pain and forcing herself to her feet.  A reverberation of heat followed her swiftness to action, but she grasped the back of the bench to hold herself steady.

She couldn’t show weakness in public.  Not that sitting was a weakness, but she was hyper-aware of how it appeared.  How could she be the strong, immovable leader of Vale if she had to catch her breath every few minutes?  Focusing on her posture, she straightened her shoulders and smiled at the two Elites watching over her.

“Been a long day, hasn’t it?” she asked and, fortunately, they responded with easy smiles and nods.  Assured that her brief episode had gone unnoticed, she began the long journey back into the palace.  Now that she had made her appearance, she could spend the rest of the day in private without any guilt.

Before leaving the entryway, however, she made a detour to the line of civilians waiting for their turn to speak to one of the many palace advisors.  Their attention quickly shifted to her as she approached, and she threw on one of her best smiles while stopping beside them and saying, “Good afternoon.”

“Y-your Majesty!”

The man in front of her rushed to bow, but she waved off the formality before the rest of the line did the same.

“What brings you here today?” she asked, directing her question to the three men directly in front of her, who appeared to be merchants.

“Nothing,” one of them immediately replied.  The other two were just as quick to shake their heads.  Yang, however, raised her brow.

“Nothing?  You traveled all this way, and have waited in this line for who knows how long...for nothing?”

Caught in the lie, one of them took off his hat and spun it in his hands.  The other shuffled his feet and cleared his throat, leaving the third to speak.

“It’s just...a small problem we’ve been facing…”

“What is it?” she prodded, and he cleared his throat before continuing.

“There’s...well, there’s been more break-ins recently, mostly into our supply rooms.  We were just hoping...that maybe the palace could increase patrols around the town square at night.  It might help protect our wares.”

“That sounds like an issue we’ll have to look into, and increasing patrols is a plausible solution.”

When relief sparked in his eyes, she smiled at his willingness to share his problems with her.  He might think that she didn’t care about something so ‘trivial,’ but she did.  Her job was to make everyone’s lives better, a never-ending yet rewarding task.

“Please give your information to the advisor,” she added, motioning to the front of the line.  “And I’ll speak with them afterward.  We’ll see what we can do.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

With a parting smile, she walked further along the line.

“What about you?” she asked the next person - a young man with stunning hazel green eyes and hair that was such a light blonde that it was nearly white.  “What brings you here today?”

“Your Majesty.”  After bowing, he straightened up and wiped his arm across his brow.  His hands were shaking, and his smile wavered almost as soon as he attempted it.  “It’s..an honor - to meet you -” he fumbled out, looking more distracted with every word.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“I-I’m sorry -”

He got out nothing more before grimacing and falling to his knees.  The sudden movement sent the nearest guards scrambling to Yang’s side, but she motioned them away and knelt beside the young man.  With his forehead pressed to the cold marble floor and his fist clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, a long, painful groan slipped through his lips.

“Are you alright?”

She knew he wasn’t the moment she set her hand on his back - his skin was almost too scalding to touch.  The temperature surrounding him grew hotter and hotter, and his breathing came in large gasps before fading to nothing, only to gasp again.

“Hey,” she tried again, fighting against the foreboding sweeping through her veins.  “Talk to me.  Are you alright?”

The moment he clutched his chest and cried out in anguish, she knew.

“Bring the doctor!” she shouted to the nearest Elite, who rushed off to do as told while she turned back to the young man.  “Hey, listen to me.  You need to breathe, ok?  Just breathe.  Focus on breathing.  Ignore everything else.”

He probably couldn’t even hear her right now, let alone heed her advice.  Instead, he clenched his fists even tighter while curling in on himself and gasping for air.

“Your Majesty.  You shouldn’t be here -”

“We need to help.”  Shrugging off the guard’s hand, she ducked her head to meet the young man’s gaze.  Agony-filled green eyes briefly met hers before squeezing shut.  Another moan cut through the air, the distressed sound pulling at Yang’s heart and increasing her desperation.

“You can do this,” she whispered as his struggle played out in front of her.  “Push it back.  Come on, you can do this.  You have to do this.”

For a split second, it looked like he succeeded.  His breathing slowed, his fingers uncurled, and his eyes opened…then a scalding burst of heat radiated out from him.

“Get him out of here!” one of the guards bellowed.  “Get him out of here now!”

Suddenly, everyone was moving.  Advisors ushered everyone to the edges of the room while wave after wave of heat poured off of the poor boy, whose misery returned with vengeance.  As he crumpled to the floor, two Elites grabbed him by his arms and dragged him toward the doors.

“Wait -”  Yang stood to follow, but more guards blocked her path.

“Your Majesty, you must leave at once.”

“But -”

A tortured howl cut off her argument, stirring one of the guards to take her by the arm and pull her away from the fray.  Her gaze, however, remained on the young man, who the Elites managed to drag just outside the door before dropping hold of him at the top of the steps.  There, he hunched over, his head on the ground while his cries grew excruciatingly loud.  His hands and arms - everything about him took on an angry-red hue, as if a fire burned just underneath his skin.

“We have to help him.”

“There’s nothing we can do.”  When Yang shrugged off the guard’s hand and tried to step around him, he stuck his arm out in front of her.  “Your Majesty!  There’s nothing we can do.”

He was wrong; something could always be done.  There was always another option.  Something other than watching in horror as someone writhed on the ground in pain.  The flames had finally broken free and spread up his arms, turning his skin black as it ate through him limb by limb.

“Help him!” she shouted to the guards by the door, but they were too afraid to approach.  The end was too close.  Seconds later, he threw his head back and screamed as a ball of flame consumed him, forcing Yang to shield her eyes from the burst of light.  A gust of heat blew across her moments after and, by the time she lowered her arm, nothing remained of him but black marks on the step and nearby doorway.

Unspeakable silence followed.  The type of silence that could only be understood by those who just witnessed the unimaginable and couldn't fathom a response.  They couldn't fathom anything but staring, unflinchingly, at the young man’s final resting spot.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” one of the guards whispered.  Only then did she notice the tears streaming down her cheeks, her heart reflecting the sorrow etched on the faces of everyone around her.

He was just standing in line, waiting his turn to speak to someone about a problem, and then…

No one deserved that type of end.  No one.

As the attention of the room shifted to her, seeking out her reaction, she wiped the tears from her eyes and cleared her throat.  Even though she wanted to hug someone and cry for hours, she had to be strong.  They needed her to be strong.

“Please find his family,” she whispered to the nearest guard.  “Send them...send them something.  On behalf of the palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you.”  After one last glance around the entryway, which slowly returned to life - though a more muted version of life than before - she felt the weight on her shoulders more than ever.  “I’ll be in my quarters if anyone needs me...”

Once he nodded, she made her way to the grand staircase leading to the private living quarters.  Each step reminded her of the burning in her knees, but that pain was now nothing compared to the anguish in her heart.

Another life lost too soon, and too horribly.  If only she’d reacted sooner...maybe he could have been spared that torment.  His life didn’t have to end that way.  They could have helped him...saved him from that excruciating pain.  But choosing to end a life was no easier than watching it torn away before their eyes.

Upon reaching the upstairs landing, where far fewer people milled around, she relaxed her posture and headed down the hallway.  More often than ever before, she retreated to her quarters in search of respite or just a few minutes of rest.  Right now, she needed both.

As soon as she walked through the door and heard it click shut behind her, she sighed and felt her shoulders slump.  The pretense was just as exhausting as the pain sometimes, but here she could let down her carefully composed facade.  Here, she could be weak.

Her personal quarters consisted mainly of a large living room where she entertained her most esteemed guests, tantalizingly close to her bedroom.  Connected to the living area was a washroom with a marble bathtub nearly large enough to swim in, a closet holding enough outfits that she could go a full year without repeating, and a changing room, because apparently she needed a separate room in which to change.

She cared about none of those things as she made her way through a set of double doors.  Finding her bed just beyond, she sat down on the edge of it and finally sighed in real relief.

This was where she could be herself, no matter what that meant.  She didn’t have to talk or behave like a queen.  She didn’t have to pretend like she had the answers for everything or knew exactly what she was doing.  She didn’t have to portray endless strength and power when she felt like the burned-out building with only the strongest supports still standing.

She missed the days when she had all the energy in the world.  She used to go hunting all morning, bringing down the biggest, most fearsome beasts Vale had to offer, before using the middle of her day to enact rules and meet with officials, and finally spending her evenings at the parties she routinely frequented.

Everything changed when the war started.  At first, she thought the fighting was stealing her energy.  As time went on, she realized that something far worse than stress was destroying her drive.

The Phage wasn’t picky.  It took whoever it sank its unrelenting claws into.  It was a merciless, vindictive killer.  And it was slowly eating away at her.  Destroying her from the inside out.  Taking her spark, the source of her power, and releasing it into her veins.  From there, the fire was free to do what it wished, and what it wished for was her destruction.

There was no cure - there wasn’t even medicine to slow it down or help the pain - so she could do nothing but fight until it ran its course.  Her death was inevitable, and it would be the same as the one she just witnessed.  She would burn from the inside out, consumed by flames she once had control over.

Maybe someone would grant her mercy not afforded to the young man in the plaza.  Maybe someone would put her out of her misery before she endured such torture, the cries of which still echoed in her ears.  Or maybe she deserved the pain...as recompense for her failure as a leader.

One day, and one day soon, she would face that inescapable fate.  Until then, she would do her best to keep anyone from discovering her secret.  No one could know.  Such a glaring weakness would make it impossible for her to make positive changes in Vale with what little time she had left.

Staring at her hands, where an invisible fire raged through her wrists and fingers, she heard a gasp of pain slip through her lips.  The longer she sat there, the hotter the fire grew.  It seared through her, forcing her to squeeze her eyes shut and beg it to stop.

She hadn’t told Ruby, and she didn’t think she ever could.  She didn’t want Ruby to feel sorry for her or worry about her.  And, selfishly, she didn’t want Ruby to give her that look - that pitying look reserved for those who were ill and dying.

She might be ill and dying, but she had no need for pity.  Her fate was already decided.  The best she could do now was scratch and claw and fight for every day so that she could keep making a difference.  This would all be Ruby’s soon...and the last thing she wanted was to leave her sister with a mess to clean up.