The Last Offering

More than a thousand years ago, the human race was on the brink of extinction. Our rulers, driven by greed and envy, sent our sons into a losing battle that was clear for all to see, without any regard for the consequences. The kingdom of Adaford was in ruins, its population decimated. There seemed no hope. The then ruler, Cerdic the Third, had become obsessed with the immortality of the privileged inhabitants of the neighbouring land of Estermond. Instead of making peace for the future of his children, Cerdic kidnapped and forced the only princess of Estermond, Angelica, to become his wife and share the secret of immortality. Angelica chose to end her own life rather than give life to the offspring of a mad man. With Angelica's death, war broke out and the people of Adanford had no chance of survival. The once fertile land was covered in the blood of innocent men and women. The slaughter continued until a brave knight, Bartholomew, murdered Cerdice III and took his place on the throne. No one rebelled against Bartholomew, the people celebrated him as a new hope. However, it was not easy for the new ruler. Soon Estermond sent envoys, with whom, after long negotiations, Bartholomew the First reached an agreement. The terms of the peace were published throughout the country that same day. " I King Bartholomew the First, vow that from this day forward, the people of Adanford will make one sacrifice per lifetime to the current ruler of Estermond, as an expression of loyalty and gratitude to the lives thus saved. The sacrifices will be sent to Estermond ten times, once in every hundred years, to maintain the peace between our nations and to repent our sins. " The last decade of the century of the last sacrifice arrived. The priests brought fifty young orphan girls in front of the current king of Adanford, King Bartholomew X. They lined the girls up and he walked in front of them saying. - One of you will be granted with the honor to protect our nation and to maintain the peace with the kingdom of Estermond at the price of your life. This is a greatest honor one can receive in this country, so do your bests and may the best among you save the country. - Every little girl trembled, except for one. The king stopped in front of her. She had a pale skin, brown hair and golden eyes like a cat's. The little princess stood behind her father looking at the sacrificial lambs and she pulled his trousers. - Daddy... Why is this peasant not crying? - she asked pointing at the peculiar girl. The king picked his daughter up and pinched her cheek. - I have no idea sweetheart, but fear not, one of them will definitely make it. You're too precious to be sent to those monsters. - The Princess hugged her father as they walked away she took another glance at the dirty orphan girl, whose stare sent a shiver down her spine.