Victoria Tiger
The carriage followed a dirt road close to the Empire of Mythos' border. The Empire—my homeland—is a secluded nation, rarely interacting with the outside world. Its border is a towering wall of cloud, stretching from the ground all the way above the skies. No one enters, and outsiders know little beyond myths: a land of riches, a land of dragons, blessed by them.
Some myths are true. Some aren't.
I inserted my Hashi into the black marble ball. It shot into the sky, exploding into a brilliant star of light. The carriage driver stared at it, confused. I just watched it fade from the sky.
I didn't fully understand what I'd done until I heard it—a dragon's roar. Then another. A group of dragons burst from the wall of cloud and soared toward the spot where the light had appeared.
I jumped off the carriage, waving and crying to get their attention. The dragon riders spotted me and landed. One of them asked my name—and I told him, though my voice was cracked and half-broken.
They were Dragon Knights—one of the most feared divisions in the world. That's why Mythos is called the land of dragons.
They brought me into the Aurora territory through the mountains. When I arrived at the noble house, the guards stopped me, but once I introduced myself, chaos erupted. The Tiger Royal House sent a carriage to fetch me immediately.
Trapped in my own mind, I tried to process what had happened. I forced myself not to turn away from reality. When we arrived at the palace, everything was noise and movement. My mother—barely recognizable after so long—cried as she embraced me. I was washed, pampered, treated like glass.
After about a week of trying to adjust, I was summoned to the throne room by King Flora Tiger. The head of a Royal house whether it's male or female it doesn't matter they get the title of King, a King stands above all there for the Head is King no matter the gender.
The throne room was massive and ornate. Tiger beasts wandered freely through it. Gold pillars lined the walls, and weapons of past kings pierced the floor like trophies. Her Majesty sat on the throne, the atmosphere around her seething with restrained fury.
"Victoria," she called.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Do you remember those who kidnapped you?"
"No. I was unconscious when it happened," I said smoothly.
She clicked her tongue, clearly dissatisfied.
"What do you plan on doing now?" she asked.
"I plan to get stronger."
"And why is that?"
"So I may slaughter those who took from me," I answered, clenching my fists.
She stared at me. "I'm not opposed to gaining power—that is the way of the Tiger—but power gained through pain is a tragic thing, don't you think?"
"With all due respect," I said, my voice cold, almost like Killian's, "power is power. It all comes down to how you wield it."
Her eyes narrowed, then softened with interest. "And who taught you that?"
"My master and my friend. Killian."
"I hope I can meet him someday," she said with a small smile.
"Me too," I replied, my eyes dropping to the floor.
"Victoria, I truly apologize for what happened. I wish I could have saved you."
"There's no need, Your Majesty."
"You may go and rest," she said with a wave of her hand.
As I left the throne room, I made a vow to myself: I will do whatever I want, on my terms.
I ran through everything Killian taught me:
Power is power—no matter how ugly, no matter how evil—it is still power.
It's not about how much power you have, but how you use it.
If you wield a weapon, you must be ready to kill—and ready to be killed.
Fear is normal. Let it drive you, not break you.
Always remember the basics.
All beings have faults. See them. Know them. Use them. Kill them.
I dyed the ends of my hair red—to remind myself of the time I backstabbed my friend.
Then I began training.
Every morning, I trained my body. Then I hunted with bow and arrow. Then sparred in melee combat with the castle knights. I told them to go all out. That's when I really realized the gap in our strength.
My body was weak—but I had speed, flexibility. Killian once said hunters used poison to weaken prey. That gave me an idea.
So, I began researching poison. At night.
Yeah. Crazy, right? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. I was having fun.
My mother's gaze began to change. She tried to discourage me, saying a lady shouldn't fight.
Screw that.
She doesn't know how much I've lost.
Her eyes—once warm—now held disappointment. Disgust.