She floated aimlessly, pain springing forward as blood seeped from the bullet wound at her side. It dyed the ocean water around her, along with the setting sun; this was going to be her last gaze of the living world. Her sight filled with that dreaded color of flesh and rage. So many emotions were running through her mind, though her face probably didn’t show it as she sank in the water. Emotionless and motionless, like a rock carelessly tossed into the green-blue sea. Her vision went black, almost as if she had fallen into a dreamless sleep.

How did she end up like this again?

She tried to remember as she drifted off into the icy darkness of death.

“Duchess Nascha Nilisine Ares,” the Emperor’s voice boomed loudly after he chose her from her family to fight in the great war. “You will hold power over our armies, fighting for Ambrosia as General Ares once did!”

“Yes, your majesty,” she curtsied to him as she stepped away from the ballroom, and others who were being selected.

The war served no purpose other than to show power. Every family, even the Emperor’s, was to give up their children for selection, usually the first-born child. Of course, those with certain “privileges” could easily be exempt, for a large donation or favor towards the royal family. Much like the family of Freya, a distant family from the kingdoms of the north, whose second daughter was the lover of the crown prince. An arrogant, annoying man whom she had met in passing at grand balls, parties, and celebrations. Their first encounter was at age ten, just children being introduced by the surrounding adults. He was fourteen, if she remembered properly, rude, and dismissive of her as she greeted him in respect. Due to his constant humiliation of her family, Nascha began making things difficult for him and slightly for his lover. This deemed her the kingdom's villainess. Becoming strict enemies with the prince and his dear little lover.

She stretched slightly as she waited for a knight to bring up her carriage. She needed to pack her things; tomorrow, they would send her to the battlefield. Hearing the swift footsteps of those behind her, she let out a sigh. The group of young noblewomen was almost like the rhythmic beat of soldiers marching. The giggles sounded like nasally hyenas. They would stay in the kingdom, where the rest of the nobles and civilians go off to war, all in the name of their king. Yet, Nascha held herself up high; she was a warrior and a good soldier.

“Lady Ares,” Lady Freya smiled sweetly at her, bowing to her as the girl was a baroness. “It has been a long time; I did not know you would be here.”

“Of course,” Nascha chuckled slightly. “What would a mistress with no shame to her name know of reporting to the Emperor for the honor of the country?”

Nascha only chuckled at the expression that the prince’s lover gave her, the other ladies coming to her defense as the weak-looking girl cried to them. Smirking as one woman walked up to her, believing herself to be proud. They all did not know the meaning of the word pride. Following the Prince’s lover like mindless little lambs.

“Lady Ares, your ill words are uncalled for,” The Count Hermes’ heir glared at her. “Lady Freya is a kind, noble woman!”

“Yet, in all of my sentences, you have not told me where I am wrong,” Nascha smirked as she walked closer to the countess, who had taken a hesitant step away from her. “Kindness does not account for shame. She is a baroness, you are a countess, yet you believe with the prince by your side that you can escape responsibility.”

She smirked at the bewilderment of the countess; her jaw was slightly open, her brows came together in fear, and her body gave a slight shake as Nascha closed in on her. She was not fond of most of the noble women; many of them were two-faced snakes. Yet they dared to deem her that, to call her the snake for the sin of telling them the truth about themselves. She would not take insults to her or her family lying down, especially from women who were not fighting in honor of their families.

“You, like many of your ‘friends,’ are the first-born children of your families, yet here you are in the center of luxury,” she glared down at the girl, though her face held a malicious smile. “While your brother takes your place in this war, just as I am.”

“I think that is enough, Lady Ares,” Nascha could not help but sigh in annoyance as she stepped away from Lady Hermes.

“Your Highness,” she turned to face him as the surrounding ladies cowered and looked intimidated as the Prince walked over. “What brings you into my conversation with the noble ladies here?”

“I have noticed that my Vanya is upset,” he said, walking forward, glaring at Nascha. “I don’t appreciate your constant bullying of her.”

“Of course, you don’t,” she snorted as her harsh, jeweled eyes glaring back into violet ones. “Yet you won’t stand up against the bullying of the citizens of Ambrosia by these nobles you love so much.”

“Are you implying that I am biased?” The Prince gritted his teeth, his fist tightening at his side, and shivering.

“I am not implying anything of you,” she smirked, as she knew she was getting under his skin. “I am telling you exactly what you are.”

Just as the prince opened his mouth, her carriage pulled up, a smile on her face as she quickly left him standing there while he called after her. She yawned when she was inside the carriage, stretching slightly as it left for her estate.

Once at her family estate, she walked inside her home, greeted by the servants; she slightly deflated as she walked past them and to the lounging room. Her father waited there expectantly, frowning as he knew what news was coming when his oldest child arrived home. She gave a defeated sigh, her heart sinking when she met his eyes.

“They are sending you out?” he spoke softly.

“Yes,” she crossed her arms, turning her head away, so she didn’t have to look him in the eyes again.

“And you’re going?” His own orange eyes looked up at his daughter.

“I am, yes,” she nodded as her jewels looked straight into his orange ones. “Father, you know better than anyone, I am meant to.”

“I……yes, I know.” The hesitation in his voice made her heart squeeze. “I am beside myself; how can any father be happy to send their child off to war like this?”

“Oh, Papa,” she made her way to her father in three big steps. “Please do not worry about that. I will come back.”

“You do not know that, my jewel,” he held her hands in his large ones. “I love you, my dear. I cannot stand the idea of seeing you off to battle for a kingdom that does not care for you.”

“Papa,” she spoke, surprised at her father’s words. “Would you rather we be in our home kingdom? You know better than I do; my cousin would not stand you having power like his.”

“Yes, yes, I know,” he shook his head, a sigh leaving his lungs as he gave his daughter’s hands a small kiss. “Still, this war worries me.”

“As does it worry me, Papa,” she squeezed his large hands. “I hope I am not put with the prince’s people. That idiot will lead us to death.”

“Nascha,” her father’s tone warned her to watch her insults as she spoke them. “You must not antagonize that child. He knows no better than to shun us because of his mother, Queen Sheridan, and his lover.”

"I know, but to insult you so openly," she said, annoyed. “To act as if our family has done nothing for this kingdom. It boils me so.”

“Child, what am I to do with you?” He chuckled. “You hold the fiery spirit of my mother and her jewel eyes as well.”

“And I will be her spirit living on in this generation,” she smiled warmly at her father. “I am a warrior like her and will fight to the bitter end.”

“I know, my dear one,” he chuckled. “Go tell your goodbyes to your mother, your brother, and your sisters.”

“Of course, Papa,” she smiled at him as she left the room.

Walking to the garden after her talk with her father, she saw her mother holding a minor event with only her sisters. With them enjoying lovely, scented tea and pastries. Her mother held all attention; she was second only to the Empress herself as the ruler of the social scene. She was in a lacy white gown, as her sisters were in matching pink and blue. Nascha’s mother’s golden hair cascaded down her back as if the sun itself ran like a stream, eyes as blue as the sky. Her mother was a beautiful woman, with dark skin that her old kingdom’s royals shared. A chuckle left Nascha’s mouth at her sisters, who looked like mini versions of her mother, ran to her, yelling happily that she had returned from the capital of their kingdom.

“Did you bring us a present?” Ulfa chirped as she held onto Nascha’s skirt.

“What did you bring, what did you bring?” Daciana screeched, following her twin as they held onto their older sister.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t stop anywhere for you two, my dears,” she sighed as she kneeled next to them. “But I promise, while I am away, I will send you many things on my travels.”

“So, he is sending you out for his silly war?” Her mother’s bitter voice sounded as she kept her back to her daughter.

“Mother,” she sighed slightly as she stood again and walked to her sweet mother. “It is my duty; I know you do not wish it, but I have to go.”

“I know you do, my little warrior,” her mother frowned into her tea. “You must promise to come home.”

“Of course, I will,” she smiled and hugged her mother tight. “I am an Ares. I will give them hell and come back with victory.”

“That is my girl,” her mother smiled lovingly at her before she left to find her brother at the training grounds.

As the family of Ares, Nascha’s family had massive training grounds filled with the best equipment known in Ambrosia. Soldiers littered the grounds, talking, training, and even making a few bets on fellow soldiers who were dueling. She chuckled, watching a few; these would be the men and women she’d trust with her life. Comrades in arms, fighting and bleeding side by side. They were the pride of Ares.

“Nashca?” a familiar male voice yelled.

A smile spread across her face, wider than before. Hearing the screechy male voice that pitched high then low with every other word. Her brother, the future Duke of the Ares household and a knight-in-training. He looked down at her with a smile, larger than hers, full of teeth, like a gigantic wolf, but with the personality of a beagle.

“Enzo,” she chuckled as he practically bounced. “Brother, look at you, almost of age and yet still bounding up to me like a child.”

“Come on, Nass,” he smiled. “I’m not that bad.”

“You are,” she smiled. “......you know why I’m here, pup.”

Silence filled the air between them. A giant chasm, that’s what it felt like, deep and wide. Filled with a dreadful quiet. Then his lip wobbled, and his arms wrapped around her. A soft sob, only muffled by her clothes. She sighed, heart breaking with each soft whimper and sniffle. Her brother truly had such a gentle heart.

“Please don't say it, Nass.” he hiccuped between shaky breaths. “I don't want you to go.”

Again, silence swallowed them, and all she could do was soothe his fears. Even if she failed at it, that's all she could do.