Pain within Bliss; Power and Sacrifice

Adrian sat up cautiously.

The warmth of the bed and her soft arms anchoring him, as the rhythm of his heart rose with every second of her presence. She stirred awake, his sudden movement jolting her from her slumber, yawning with her arms outstretched as her long hair slid across his bare chest and onto the luxurious bed.

Adrian hesitantly locked eyes with her, a wicked grin lifting at the corner of her lips. Her eyes were glinting devilishly, her gaze perplexing, teasing him and commanding his attention all at once. He rose from her side swiftly, letting her remain covered in the sheets.

“My lord, where are you going?”

The woman called out, voice as sweet as honey. Adrian was not used to being addressed as such and completely ignored her as he walked out of the room in a daze. Stepping into the castle corridors, Adrian was taken aback by the scenery he now beheld.

Every step he took echoed against polished marble. Sunlight streamed through stained glass, spilling jewel toned shards across the checkered floors that seemed to shimmer with a vibrance and life of their own. As if in a lucid dream, Adrian’s eyes darted from one opulent detail to the next.

There were towering tapestries clinging to the walls depicting battles he had never heard of, chandeliers that gleamed like captured stars of the most vibrant aura. Intricately crafted mosaics were inlaid into the floor bedazzling him as he strode along the path to nowhere. Golden embroideries streamed along the walls like comets shooting down from the heavens as he walked down a luxurious red carpet that seemed to stretch out for as far as the eye could see.

Servants moved about quietly, bowing with a devotion that made his heart tighten. His eyes shifted as generals approached him with scrolls and maps, frightening him in the process. The authority with which they strode reminded him of his bosses and managers and he had every expectation of being chewed out, feeling like he was living a facade, a man out of place. But their expressions were measured, waiting for his command. Their presence was both reverent and expectant, surprising Adrian who had never been a source of counsel for anyone.

Wait… what? Is this real? I just woke up in bed next to a woman I’ve never seen before…and now this? Everyone is treating me like some sort of royalty... What's going on here??

Moving past the commotion, he sped towards the corridor where he could catch a moment of silence alone. A long and winding, beautifully crafted white marble staircase appeared in front of him. His hands gripped the edge of the marble railing as he paused, dumbfounded. The world around him was staggering, impossibly alive and brimming with an abundance far detached from the reality he was accustomed to. His mind struggled to reconcile the absurdity of it all: the palace, the kingdom, the sense of absolute authority that thrummed through his very being and seemed to justify itself with every breath he took.

And then, pulsing beneath his skin, he could feel it, a current of power that demanded recognition. None of it made sense as he caught sight of his reflection in a giant mirror at the end of the hallway.

Huh?!! Who's that?! Is that … me?

Adrian stared in disbelief, the reflection before him a stranger wearing his name. The man looking back was nothing like the fragile wimp he had left behind in his former life. He was now much taller, his frame broad and well built. Every line of muscle running across his forearms and biceps exploded with a strength and vitality he hadn’t worked for. Long, dark hair cascaded to his shoulders, framing a face which was far too striking and far too handsome for him to accept as his own. He dared not accept it. Tentatively, he raised a hand to his face, his fingertips tracing the sharper contours of his jaw, then drifting higher to brush against the corners of his eyes. His breath caught as the world looked sharper, as if a veil had been torn away. He could see every detail, every shift of light, every iota and atom of measure within his range, without difficulty nor strain. His once dull eyes now shimmered with a deep ocean green, a color so vivid it seemed almost unreal.

Adrian’s mind reeled. How could this be possible? How could a single instant rewrite the very foundation of who he was?

How am I… here? Where even is ‘here’ ?!

He wandered slowly, his steps tentative, touching the smooth walls, the tapestries, the cold stone, as if confirming their existence. Yet everything felt undeniably vivid. A servant lowered her eyes at his gaze, hands folded in silent obedience, and he realized through her actions that she treated him as though he had always been here. Soon enough, his shock gave way to a creeping comprehension as all expected him to belong. Every instinct, every pulse within his veins, whispered sweetly to him, assuring him that he was meant to be king, meant to stride through these halls, command armies, and wield authority as naturally as breathing. Yet he could not entirely shake the disbelief. He walked further, eyes taking in the vastness of the corridors, the silent grandeur of the throne room ahead, the faint echoes of his own heartbeat mingling with the soft shuffle of servants’ feet.

“Your Majesty.”

A young soldier approached, bowing low down on his knees in obedience before Adrian.

“The people await your sermon.”

Behind him, a group of servants emerged, carrying robes of dazzling, preposterous splendor. They carefully draped Adrian in the richest fabrics, each fold shimmering under the light. Soon, the gentle settling of a jewel encrusted crown upon his head was complete. He was guided onto a gorgeous white carpet streaked with golden embroidery, stretching from the grandeur of the throne room toward a balcony that overlooked the city.

The moment he stepped into the open air, sunlight blinded him , obscuring his vision as the bright radiance of daylight contrasted sharply with the dull measured colours of the palace, embroidered with eloquently mesmerising hues. He raised a hand to shield his eyes, blinded for a heartbeat, his eyes tiny slits until his sight gradually returned to him, adjusted to the brilliance.

And then came the shock that struck him deeper than anything thus far.

Spread out beneath him was an ocean of people. The city streets overflowed with a massive crowd that cheered, dancing and celebrating him with every heartbeat that echoed throughout the kingdom. Their voices rose in unison, their joy directed entirely at his presence.

Am I supposed to give them a speech? This is bad… I’ve never been good at public speaking…

Panic shot like a syringe into his mind, however a servant quickly and discreetly handed him a piece of parchment. Relief washed over him as he found it filled with carefully prepared notes for his aid. With the guidance in hand, Adrian began to speak. His speech halted at first, tripping over his own words and sentences but he gradually grew in confidence. To his own astonishment, words poured from his mouth smoothly, almost effortlessly. He had never been as verbose before this moment.

The crowd listened intently, hanging on to every word that he spoke. A pin drop silence overtook the gathering as his speech rallied them, followed in quick succession with their cheers that swelled with each phrase, feeding his confidence, inflating his ego to disgusting levels. For the first time in years, Adrian felt the thrill of being admired.

It was intoxicating.

Later, in the palace baths, the woman from his bed attended him once more. Her hands lingered over the bite mark on his shoulder, tracing it with soft insistence as her lips brushed it lightly.

“From battle?” she whispered, wicked grin sharpening.

“A battle long ago.” Adrian shook his head, smiling faintly as the woman hugged him from behind, adjoining her body to his. The warmth pulsed through him, threading into his veins like liquid fire. Candles around the bath flickered to life, first blue, then gold, shadows twisting along the walls as if watching him beneath the magnificence of the enormous chandelier that hung overhead and overtook the entire bathing arena.

When dressed, he felt the pull again. The same expectant hum that had guided him to the antique store. It threaded through the castle, curling into his chest and commanding his pulse.

And so, a few days passed when reports came of raiders moving through the northern mountains. Adrian was lounging around, twirling his crown on his index finger as a soldier burst into the room 

"Sire we need you in the war room!"

This caused him to sigh as he lazily walked over to  the war room where the generals were arguing, voices rising as Adrian entered.

"Sire at this rate the kingdom will fall!"

One of his general shouted out in panic. Adrian stared him down and walked over to a map on the table, his hand brushing it lightly over the location of the battle. 

In a split second, his mind buzzed causing the council hall to blur around him, a gentle vibration at a certain specific frequency overtaking his vessel, followed by a low, expectant hum that filled his consciousness and emanated from his very soul.

In the blink of an eye, Adrian was swallowed whole by the battlefield. He found himself in the dead of night, filled with nothing but the rampaging orchestral music of warfare and chaos. Torches flared against the dark whilst arrows shrieked overhead, the ground shaking violently with the thumping strides of warriors, screaming over the clashing of steel and bone. And then, on pure instinct alone, he moved, no.. he vanished!

One step and the world folded in front of him, spitting him out amidst the enemy ranks. Before the raider before him could even gasp or blink, Adrian’s blade flashed at lightning speed, cleaving straight through his armor and flesh alike. The unfortunate sod fell in two clean halves, the cut so effortless it stunned even Adrian himself and the strike so powerful and swift that the spewing blood could not catch up to the man's upper half hitting the floor.

Teleportation? The thought slammed into him… how exhilarating!

Again, he blinked and he was gone, reappearing behind another foe. His sword carved through the man’s chest as though slicing a piece of parchment. He stared at his own hands shocked by his abilities as panic erupted amongst the enemy ranks. Raiders stumbled back in fear, hacking pitifully at shadows around themselves, their pantaloons drenched in their excrement and involuntary urination. It was natural as they beheld the sight of their comrades dropping one by one like flies to the invisible and inevitable hand of death.

On the contrary, Adrian's army was astonished, his soldiers statues in the fleeting moments as their eyes darted across the expanse of the battlefield in front of them, their jaws slacking as they watched their king dart across the battlefield like a phantom.

Soon enough, awe turned to fire in their bellies as they rallied behind him, roaring in unison, their swords and fists raised, emboldened by Adrian's superhuman feats. Their war cries echoed across the night as the souls of the deceased rose to the heavens. Adrian was in full flow with excitement, like a child receiving a gift for the first time, drenched fully in the thrill of combat. He felt the truth of it for the first time: he was nigh unstoppable. A wicked smile complimented the bloodthirsty look in his eyes.

Returning to the castle victorious, Adrian was welcomed to a hero's banquet. Wealth and opulence was apparent. An endless feast for as far as the eye could see with every kind of food and drink imaginable, served by a harem of beautiful, scantily clad women, waiting and expectant of his return.

Adrian indulged in the overflow and debauchery wholeheartedly, losing himself in the endless sea of desire as the woman’s grin flashed in his mind, almost mocking. Soon, having had enough of the entertainment, he headed back to sleep with his mistress.

"Sire"

A hooded figure approached Adrian on his way back towards his chambers.

"what is it? It's late!" Adrian responded flatly, now adopting his newfound royal persona in totality.

"It's time. This way please" the cloaked individual guided him.

What does he want now ...

Adrian thought , following mindlessly like a lamb to slaughter.

The servant led him down a narrow path that led to a part of the palace he was unfamiliar with. Approaching what seemed like an ordinary wall, the servant paused, puzzling Adrian. He then pulled on a lantern dropping down a chain fixed to the ceiling, causing the walls to part and reveal a staircase winding downward. Adrian was surprised to find a secret doorway built into the castle and followed the figure into the abyss out of curiosity along the path lined with candles flickering along the walls.

Where is he taking me...

He thought, expecting more opulence from this never ending realm of desire. Soon Adrian found himself in a pitch dark room.

"One moment sire." The Hooded figure assured as he lit a candle and revealed what was inside.

What the hell... This has to be a joke right..

There In front of him was the same chair he had rested on the first time he had entered the realm. Resting on the chair was a young woman, beautiful and resolute. She was not gagged nor blinded, her eyes closed and lost in thought. Following the cloaked figure, Adrian inched closer to her causing her eyes to open. She looked up at him expressionless, emotionless. Her eyes were empty, causing Adrian much discomfort.

Around her in a circle were more servants, cloaked in hoods that hid their identities. One of them approached Adrian with a small box and opened it to reveal a sharp knife. The Hooded figure knelt down before Adrian and lifted the box up with both hands towards the king.

This can't be... They can't be expecting me to do this...

"Sire?"

One of the servants questioned, puzzled at the kings hesitance. That's when Adrian realised that this too was normalcy in their eyes. Crumbling under the weight of expectation and not wanting to abandon this fantastical reality just yet, he reached for the dagger.

It was now in his hands.

He approached, one hesitant footstep at a time as the young woman looked up at him. One of the hooded figures drew closer and grabbed her hair, pulling her head backwards to reveal her neck to the king. The others began to chant in an unfamiliar tongue, reminding Adrian of the chants he had heard when he blacked out in the antique shop.

I can't...be expected to..do something like this…

Adrian argued within himself as the bite mark on his shoulder began to flare with pain

"You must."

The voice returned in his head as he placed the knife next to the woman's throat.

"It must be done. For the protection of our people"

The woman in the chair replied as if reading his thoughts, revealing her contentment with what was happening. Seeing her determination caused Adrian to falter, and without a second thought his hands moved.

The aftermath was brutal. The shock of what had just transpired caused Adrian to use his teleportation to flee immediately. Killing warriors on the battlefield was another matter, but a defenseless young woman? The ordeal traumatised him. The next instant he was on his bed. Next to him was the same woman he had woken up to when he had first arrived within the realm.

"What happened?" She asked him, causing Adrian's eyes to puff up. He buried his head in her chest and cried profusely. He could not believe the monster he had become. She brushed his hair, soothing him as best she could, a devilish grin never fading.

"Doesn't feel nice does it? That’s the price you pay. I can’t believe you let it consume you. How pitiful."

A voice called out from across the room. Wind blew through the open windows  as the curtains flailed about, revealing a menacing shadow hanging by the window sill, it's eyes never leaving Adrian.