Matriarch From Hell

~Prologue~

The land of Aris once flourished mightily. Holding a kingdom high and powerful amongst the rest. Respected throughout the land, as they were known for their skills. To not only battle without fallbacks or surrenders. But to fight for the glory of it's own people.
However, a storm rages in the kingdom. The queen of Aris, Elri Kladstone, had brought home a wife. Reining from the island of Torabi, she was now set to be her queen. Alessia Nanami. Heir to the Torabi throne. Yet her kind words hid darkness. As evil began to fester inside of her. Leaving the kingdom under a hierarchy. Which held an iron fist from hell.
Alessia corrupted her so called beloved, after slaughtering the village. Soon only a few groups remained. But the survivors would be imprisoned. Forced to work hard labor. And be trained day and night to fight wars. Leaving every alliance they once had challenged by this woman's malevolence. Now with the war from Hell arising, there seems to be no answers. Only questions.

~The Day Before The Massacre~

{Winter}

Normal February weather consisted of brisk winds, snow storms, and barely any sun. But, today was not one of those days. Sunlight shined brightly, as the clouds parted. Warming the normally cold village.
"Morning Karis"!
I looked over, and smiled. Kira ran over, whilst her satchel swung by her side.
"Yakira, it's 7:00am. I have never known you to be up this early on"?
She smiled.
"Miss Keziah asked if I would help her with the horses. And you know me, I could not resist an offer to see Tomlin".
I cocked my head slightly.
"Is he as handsome as most ladies say"?
She looked to me confused. Shortly, realization hit her. With a tinted face, she shook her head.
"No, Tomlin is out of my interests. Besides, I mean the beautiful brown and white horse".
I chuckled.
"Trust me, I know. I just like to tease you".
She reached up to mess with my hair, but I only moved back. A sigh escaped her lips, as she shook her head.
"One of these days I will be taller than you".
I smiled, soon handing her a muffin.
"When that day comes, you can ruffle my hair all you want".
With a slight reach, I messed her hair up.
"Until then, that's my job".
After a while, Kira went to help Miss Ziah, and her horses. Leaving me to wander the village. I have lived alone ever since my family died. Note, I was an only child, so I never missed much. But it still hurts a bit more once in a while. So now I try and help wherever I'm needed.
"Karis, can you give me a hand"?
I ran over, and helped the blacksmith with his toolbox.
"What's in here, an anvil"?
He chuckled.
"We would need more help to lift something that massive. These are just a few pieces of armor the queen asked me to create for her".
I nodded, looking into the castle area.
"How has the queen been"?
Silas shrugged. We set the crate into the carriage.
"Elri is a unique woman. Than again, so is her wife".
I smiled.
"So, King Dante didn't work for her after all"?
Silas chuckled.
"He offered her a steel plating, and she took him to The rocky mountain ".
I sighed in amusement.
"Let's just hope the chefs don't mix those two up in the delivery".
Silas patted my shoulder, and set off.
"Keep an eye on Alannah. I should be back by midnight".
I nodded. Soon locking up the shop.
Time usually flew around here. So, I decided to stop by the pub.
"Ello there beauty".
I sighed lightly, continuing to walk. But, his footsteps matched mine.
"Oh come on. I know you miss me Kari".
He placed his hand onto my shoulder. I looked into his dark blue eyes.
"My name is Karis, Virgil. And I haven't missed you. But I bet the ladies on the side have".
I continued to the pub.
"Mind if I join you"?
I shrugged.
"Free kingdom".
As we entered, Lucinda and Vernon welcomed us.
"What is the man whore doing with the lovely Karis"?
I hugged Vernon.
"He wanted to have a drink with me. Thinking he could get me drunk and loose".
Lucinda chuckled.
"Jokes on ye Virgil. Karis doesn't drink".
Virgil shrugged.
"I have a lady at home. It was just nice to see an old friend".
A Jameson and cider soon sat in front of us.
"Too old memories"?
I shook my head, slightly chuckling.
"How about a fresh start".
He smiled.
"Sláinte".
After a few hours of chatting, Virgil surprisingly stayed sober. Maybe the immature boy I once knew grew up.
Finally.
"So, how are you and Kira"?
I sipped my cider, soon cracking my neck.
"Pretty well. She says that once the kingdom has enough to pay for jobs, she plans build us a house".
He smiled.
"I was always jealous at how you smiled with Kira. But then I realized it was rare that you ever smiled. And it was nice, even if I could never achieve it, I'm happy she could".
I smiled.
"What about your lady? Is she the dream girl you have always wanted"?
He pulled out a small box. Inside revealed a beautiful gold band. A diamond embedded in the middle.
"Do you think she will like it"?
I placed my hand onto his.
"She'd love it".
Midnight was close by, and it was time to get back. So, I found myself sitting in wooden chair. Rocking steadily, as the beautiful stars shined. Slowly my eyes shut. Leaving sleep to take over.
"Everyone run, the queen is attacking"!!
My body was awoken by smoke, and screams. As I looked around, the village was in a blaze. The soldiers killed anyone they caught. Yet I noticed a bar windowed carriage line. Woman and children were being shoved in. Families were torn apart.
"Mama"!
My heart raced. And the boy who cried for his mother, was shot in the chest with an arrow. I could only watch in horror, or die trying to be a hero.
"Karis"!!
I looked over, watching as Kira searched frantically for me. Leaving me run out into the snow storm.
"Yakira"!!
She looked over. Soon sprinting towards me without breaking our gaze.
"Karis"!!
I reached out to grab her hand. Yet within a moment, she was on her knees. A javelin piercing out of her chest.
"No"!!
As her body fell back, I pulled away the bloody spear. Carefully I put pressure on her wound. Only to realize blood was already trickling down her chin.
"Stay with me Yakira! Your going to be okay"!!
Tears welled up in her weak eyes. Slowly her hand reached up to my cheek.
"I finally had enough money for our house. It would be so beautiful. Surrounded by nature. We would have our own horses. And possibly share our home with another".
I smiled weakly, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"I know. It would be perfect".
She smiled slightly. Yet the color in her once bright eyes, had now faded. Her hand fell limply from my cheek. I only looked down at her once more. To give her one final kiss, whilst closing her lifeless eyes. Snow pricked my cheeks. Smoke burned my lungs. And a dagger pierced my heart. Slowly, I managed to get onto my feet. Treading dizzily, in a path of no return.
"Captain! There's movement in the east end"!!
I heard people come towards me. Most would run in this case. But, I accepted death. Yakira was gone. Taken by the kingdom we once called our home.
"By the orders of Queen Alessia, we have fulfilled our duty"!
As they grew closer, I slowly fell. Everything went dark after that. My body was numb. Freezing almost. Yet, I still had the same scene flashing across my eyes. Now forever haunting me.
"My queen"!
Alessia and Elri soon faced us. The soldier threw me to the ground. Blood trickled down my nose. My jaw swollen from the impact. As I looked up, Alessia stood in front of me. Insanity filled her dark eyes. She smirked. Holding my face up to hers. Examining me in a way.
"She will make a fine member of our new society. And with training, she will be perfect".
My head fell once more. Leaving me in a mixed state. The pain my body felt fueled the rage boiling in my heart. Soon enough it will make me snap. But how far could I go whilst seeing red?
"What is your name young lady".
The soldiers pulled me up. Letting me face them.
"Karis Fuyrk".
Elri only nodded. Looking back to the window.
"You were with a girl out there. She died, did she not"?
I looked back out into the snow.
"She was my girlfriend. Her name was Yakira".
My words must have hit Elri, as sadness filled her eyes. But Alessia cupped her face, distracting Elri once more.
"Take her to the chambers. Get her presentable and find her a job. We no longer need her. Especially a simple sob story".
They nodded, leading me outside. As we walked, I noticed familiar faces. Miss Keziah, Lucinda, Silas, and a few others. Except for Vernon and Virgil. They must not have made it. You could see the sadness in Lucinda's eyes. Miss Keziah lost her husband years ago, but she saw Kira as a daughter. And Silas lost his sons. His daughter sat beside him. Holding onto his arm, as if her life depended on it. It made me sick. All of this did. Innocent people died because of bloodlust. So now I must pledge just one simple thing. I will avenge the fallen ones. Even if it kills me.