Remnants: X. The Hollow Screams

I wore the crown in open light, No shadows needed, no more night. Darius vows—his mind’s my slave, The empire kneels to every word I gave. I laughed atop my throne of sin, Let all of Silberhafen hear my grin. No whispers now, no veiled command— Then news arrives like heaven’s dead end. Darius slams the marble table hard, Messengers tremble, caught off guard. “Rozas stands? Territories reclaimed? Weaklings! Atheron cannot be trusted!” Estel’s banners flew beside her rose, They crushed Atheron, crushed their lows! The empire I meant to bury deep, Now reclaims the land I’d see weep! A second herald, pale and numb, Speaks words that make the throne room dumb: “Red Dragon Empire marches near, Their banners burn—they will be here!” I hear her then—that cursed sound, Rozetria’s laughter, sharp, unbound. It echoes through my poison walls, While Darius shocks and courage falls. I hit the marble, hit the floor, My nails break digging, wanting war! I trembled once… then felt it rise— Mad laughter tearing through my eyes! My perfect plan in burning rain— Rozas rises… spitting my frame! I hate her more than death, than flame— Rozetria lives to curse my name! The puppet kaiser lies still as stone, Red Dragon comes to take my throne. She laughs… she lives… she dares... she defies— So I will laugh back until she dies!