It was just like any normal day, you were in the temple praying to the gods, You knelt at the altar, eyes closed—until a soft clink broke your focus. Your hairpin had slipped, rolling beneath the ceremonial offering table. You bent down to retrieve it, reaching into under the table. But that's when...

The Emperor had entered the temple.

Heart pounding, you ducked fully under the table, praying to go unnoticed. You held your breath, as he dismissed his guards with a wave. Only then did you hear it—whispers between the Emperor and his most trusted advisor.

“The Mongolians are preparing. We strike first. The new weapon will change everything…”

Top-secret plans. War. A weapon unlike any before. You shouldn't have heard any of it. Your blood ran cold.

And then—buzz. A bee zipped under the table, circling your head. You bit your lip, trying to stay still, but it landed on your cheek. With a squeal of panic, you bolted upright, hitting your head on the table before stumbling out into view.

The Emperor turned sharply, eyes like ice. “You,” he said, voice low and venomous. “You heard everything, didn’t you?”

You couldn't speak. You could only tremble, looking up at him. He raised a hand. His guards stepped forward.

“I suppose,” he said coldly, “I’ll have to take your life.”