Fire. Smoke. The screams of victory, of loss. Battering rams against solid keep doors. Is this what war is? How are you supposed to describe it? Sasuke wasn't sure. Not anymore. How many wars until every kingdom and every piece of land is in peace? Sasuke wasn't sure about that either. Rubble falls, coating the once clean floor. How many meetings were held? How many loyal soldiers were knighted? A king should know... Surely.
Sasuke sat upon his throne, nestled in the far south of the large open room. Statues that once stood tall, crumbled. Space that used to be filled with adoring citizens, empty. A beautiful kingdom with strong ties and a strong family to guide it now swallowed in the fiery revenge in the form of a siege to take back the crown.
Sasuke grew impatient. This wasn't how things were supposed to go. He shouldn't be here. Is this all there is? A strict upbringing, limited contact with anyone other than for business and an arranged marriage? All of that and for what? So he could sit in a keep and listen to the screams of his people as kingdoms he thought were allied take advantage of the siege? He hoped not but... That's what everything was pointing towards.
The screams of the common people didn't bother him anymore, they just became white noise. A background soundtrack that had repeat way too much. The slashing of metal against metal echoed just outside the door, but it was slowing. There were only so many knights in his army that stayed loyal. Many fled, for their safety or the safety of their family. Only few stayed behind. Sasuke didn't mind, he had given them the option. He wasn't planning to survive the attack anyway.
Truth is, Sasuke didn't care anymore. He didn't care for being king. He didn't care for himself. His wife and children, both sons and daughters, had already fled the kingdom. They were safe. Another king will take care of them. So Sasuke sat on his throne surrounded by memories, regrets and accomplishments. He had the option to leave with them, but he was king now. He would be labelled cowardly as he was meant to fight and protect his country till the end.
Sasuke let out a deep sigh. He wondered how different life would be if he was born as someone else, not a prince. Would he be safe? Would the siege even happen? Probably not... It was rumours about him that started the fight in the first place. Regret rushed through his core, was it his stupid behaviour that was risking and ending the lives of so many innocent people? Even if not, how long until another king made the same mistake? Sasuke rested his head promptly on his hand. What makes a king? Family, of course but... What really makes a king? Sasuke couldn't figure out the answer. He was only king because his father was king and his fathers father was king. That's all this was, a long line of one family who happened to have power. Sasuke didn't get a choice, especially not as a young boy.
Sasuke remembered the day he became king. The goals and dreams he had set himself. The challenges he knew he would face. They all seemed so distant now, so pointless and unachievable. He glanced down towards the floor and his eye caught the glimpse of a pin nestled in his tunic. The pin resembled a young lamb, fresh out of its mothers womb. Memories of a young prince and a young stonemason came rushing back. His biggest regret but... It didn't matter now. Sasuke rose from his throne, his crown sat upon his head. Hands fell upon the hilt of his sword. He tightened his grip on both the pin and the hilt as he pulled the carbon-steel sword from the scabbard attached to his thigh.
It wouldn't be long until the enemy breached the castle. Sasuke stepped towards the large doors, the only things keeping him safe. He didn't care anymore. This would be his last battle, and after that it's up to the gods to judge him.
I feel like I have a little explaining to do. So I basically took a lot of time off, I haven't been writing on my normal site nevermind here but I recently revamped this 7 year old laptop and I found so many old plans I never got around to writing so I figured I would start again. It's a great way to get rid of stress and especially during what's happening in the world. I know I said I wouldn't be uploading anything to fanfiction anymore but I figured I'd go back on that cause I built a little family here and I don't really want to throw that away. This story will also be on archive of our own but I really wanted to upload it here too so I hope this made your day a little better cause writing this prologue has honestly helped mine:)