CHAPTER 3

SAPPHIRE 

I expected him to rip out my heart there and then. 

Every second that passed as I stood rooted to the floor was excruciating. 

Like I was going to die any moment without warning. 

As if things could not be worsened, the human lunged herself at him, her aim definite. 

He grabbed her by the throat before she could even get close to him. 

He looked at her in amusement “For a pathetic human, your audacity is surprising.” 

Her face flushed red as she kicked her legs in the air, struggling to release herself from his grip. 

If he didn’t let her go soon, she would die. 

“P-please m-my lord, s-spare her, please!” My voice trembled as I pleaded on my knees. 

He eyed me for a second and let her body drop to the floor. 

She began to frantically gasp for air and cough, the boldness she embodied a moment ago had been blanketed by fear.

He immediately grabbed us by the arm and dragged us to the centre of the camp. 

“Line up!” He commanded 

The captives jerked up from the floor and stood aright. 

He pointed at the human beside me “This human was bold enough to attempt to stab me. So let’s test how strong she really is,” He smirked and squatted to her level and whispered “let’s see how long you last” 

Her blood shot eyes widened as he signaled three other soldiers in our direction. 

“You,” he pointed at me “Rise” 

I stood up quickly, my weak frame shaking terribly as tears shamelessly fell from my face. 

He stood in front of me and grabbed my face harshly, I winced from the pain. 

“If you take your eyes off for even a second, you’ll join her.” He warned. 

The three soldiers began to rip her clothes off.

“No,no, NO!!! Get away from me!!!” She protested as they had their way with her in the most gruesome and gut wrenching manner.

Bile rose to my throat, but I could not look away. I could feel his eyes on me, watching me, waiting for me to make the mistake and cower. 

And beneath the light of the torches, I finally saw her face.

She was the one whose father was killed by one of the soldiers. 

And now, she would meet a more gruesome fate. 

Her screams and screeches tore through the air and my heart. 

My eyes bled for her and my knees shook beneath me, threatening to give up. 

And then there was silence. 

It was louder than her cries. 

She was not moving. Her eyes had lost their light. 

But that did not stop them from feasting till they were full. 

They continued to defile her even in death. 

“Obey and you won’t end up like her” his whisper caused deadly chills to run up my spine. 

He faced the captives, “No one touches her body. If you do, you meet the same fate” He stated firmly and marched back to his tent. 

When he was out of sight, I fell to my knees. 

Why he didn’t drag me along? I don’t know. But I was grateful to the goddess he didn't.

Everyone acted like there wasn’t a corpse laying in front of us and resumed whatever task they were given beforehand. 

But I couldn’t. 

She was so foolishly stubborn. She had a drive I had not seen even in some wolves. She was a weak human and yet, she chose to fight, knowing fully well she would die.

Why? 

I have not encountered many humans in my life, but I doubt they’re all like this - foolishly brave. 

“I’m surprised you were spared. The goddess has favored you tonight” a male voice called out from behind me. 

I did not turn to him, my eyes remained fixated on the bare lifeless human before me. 

“You should go back to your station, before you end up like her” He spoke again and I paid him no heed. 

I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together tightly. “Hail all mighty goddess, I beg you on behalf of this soul, grant her peace in the afterlife” 

“Humans don’t belong in our afterlife, your prayer is pointless.” he deadpanned and sat right beside me.

“Out of polite formality, it must be done, “ I paused, eyeing her face intently “I didn’t even know her name.” 

“And yet here you are, weeping over someone you barely even knew.” He said. 

“That’s what happens when you have a heart.” I snapped 

“And having a heart will get you killed. If you want to survive, think of yourself alone.” He retorted 

“And Is that how the goddess made us? To be alone? To be so unkind to each other ? Is this how she designed us to be?” I questioned, my voice low. 

He sighed “she’s the only one who can give you an answer” 

We knelt there in silence, my heart heavy as I stared at her lifeless body. 

“And just in case I’m the next to die, I’m bujok.” He said nonchalantly as he stretched out his hand. 

“Sapphire.” I answered softly. 

He raised his brow “why would they name you after a stone? Did your father work in the mines?” 

“No, he said when he found me, he saw something in the sky - a sign from the goddess he would always say,” I chuckled, “Something that reminded him of the stone, sapphire” I said, a small smile grown on my face.

My father would tell me that story over and over again anytime I felt inadequate, incomplete. 

He would tell me the greatest and most perfect gift the goddess ever gifted him, was me. 

“Well my father was a bastard who took pleasure in tormenting me. He didn’t even think twice before giving me up, not that I expected other wise” He scoffed 

“Fear can control us to do things we were not designed to do.” I whisper, turning to the corpse in front of me. 

“I - “ He paused and abruptly knelt and bowed his head. 

Why was he kneeling?  

“Sapphire, kneel!” He urged, his forehead kissing the ground. 

I looked around me and everyone else was kneeling. 

What was going on? Was someone coming?

Before I knew what was happening, a huge slap threw me to the floor. 

The world began to spin, and a scent hit my nose, one I know all too well.

Blood. 

“How dare you raise your head when royalty approaches?” The soldier yelled. 

Royalty? 

Here? In the camp? 

“I-I did-n’t know” my voice quivered. 

He grabbed my hand violently and dragged me

“Please! Spare me! Please!” My cries reached deaf ears. 

I did not attempt to struggle, it would be futile. 

Suddenly he came to a stop, another soldier blocking his path “what did she do?” 

“Sir! She showed no respect for the royal family.” He said firmly.

“I’ll punish her accordingly.” The soldier responded.

Once the other soldier left me to my fate, he squatted to my level and examined me carefully with his eyes. 

Then he… smiled? 

“It’s really you, you survived.”