Trapped in shadow, an all-encompassing darkness was all the eye could see. Regret, pain, and sorrow filled my mind. What have I done to deserve this? The answer is quite simple, yet I cannot recall it.

For years, I have been imprisoned in this realm of nightmares and shadows, reliving that fateful day over and over and over again. That day I had lost the one I truly loved.

Memories of a time long before my birth had plagued this realm as well. They gave me vague images and scenarios that seemingly felt familiar.

My name… name… does it matter now that I'm forever trapped in this infernal place? Do I deserve a name, do I deserve my name? Questions that I cannot answer, not yet anyway.

Years upon years I have wondered if I truly had a name, that I had masked my true identity that even I cannot recall. Two words, two words always echo through my thoughts. Lord Protector. Is that what I am or what I was?

The truth hides from me, taunting me throughout the years. A letter, neatly rolled up in hand. It bore the royal seal. I knew this letter, yet I can't recall.

Another name plagues my thoughts. Daud. Thinking of the name fills me with fury and sadness… but why?

Before all this ever happened, I remember living another life with another name. Things were much simpler. I read the journal that laid upon my desk, detailing the memories I have long forgotten.

Though the world around me shifts and changes to repeat the same day, the items I interact with do not. They stay where I last place them and this journal acts no different than any other object.

I opened the journal at a random page, only to be met with blank pages. I let out a sigh as my head rested upon my hands.

“You seem troubled, old friend. Having problems with your memory?” That voice, familiar as the wretched realm I reside in. Through the darkness of my room he appeared, dark as the Void itself.

“Quite the problem considering your mentality.” The being said. I grunted in response.

“Don't act so savage, I merely came to converse with you.” He said, hovering closer before sitting on a chair that happened to move for him.

“I will not speak to the likes of you.” I growled. He clasped his hands together.

“My dear friend, if you don't speak then how will you remember?” He asked. Silence greeted the both of us. I thought it over before coming to the conclusion of agreeing.

“Now let us begin.” With those words, I looked back onto the journal and began reading out loud.

For one to understand my predicament, one must start from the beginning.To begin, my days as a child.

I was born into a lower class family in Karnaca, a city in the island of Minat. Life was well at first, yet it didn't last - my father, a lumber worker, suffered a work related accident that cost him his life, and it was since then that I spent my childhood years fighting in the streets. I used to hurt others for money, or even steal the money to avoid doing the job - and I was good at it. Others have found out about my father’s death, and it was greeted with laughter.

Bullied for being fatherless and raised by my mother, I knew I had to change my ways eventually, and I did at the age of sixteen.

The Blade Verbena, an annual sword duel festival. It was by chance that I was allowed to participate. My first match was over in under a minute, I had won, and this went on for the entirety of the tournament until I faced a certain teen by the name of Daud. The final match took more than anyone had ever anticipated. Both myself and Daud were evenly matched until Daud made the mistake of thrusting his blade towards me twice.

Countering the second thrust, this made his sword fly off his hand with a single swipe and I was declared the winner of both the match as well as the tournament.

For winning the tournament, I was offered a position in the Grand Minatonian Guard, as an officer no less. It was an honor for me to be able to join the guard but with my sudden position as Officer, there were some other guard that were outraged (but a single threat from the Duke had silenced these outrages).

My time in the guard was life changing, from a lawbreaker to a guard enforcing the law, and I had showed an amazing amount of professionalism. After two years of service, Theodanis Abele, the Duke of Minat, became highly impressed by my skill, and on the 28th day of the Month of Rain, I was sent to Canterlot to serve the Emperor Euhorn Faust as a political gesture.

Once I had arrived, I had been assigned to guard the emperor himself as he went on his routine walk through the city of Canterlot. During this, he and I conversed after he told me that he wished to know more about me, the young Minatonian Officer.

He showed interest in me as well as sympathy for my childhood. He had informed me that he is need of a reliable man to take the role of Royal protector, that I had fitted perfectly for the role but needed time to prove it - and so I did.

After a long and eventful year, the emperor bestowed upon me the title of Royal Protector to his daughter, Lauren Faust. I was honored to be given that title as well as being known as the first Royal Protector born outside of Canterlot.

Word of my new title spread like wildfire throughout the Isles, a tremendous achievement some said while others abhor the idea of an outsider as Royal Protector. I was given a high social status as well; yet I cared not for it, as it brought attention to myself in a more undesirable manner.

I was at the age of nineteen, three years after winning the Blade Verbena, and my life started to change for the better after I met the Raven haired beauty, Lady Lauren Faust, heir to the throne.

Her beauty was unparalleled. She was kind and generous to all guards and citizens alike. I was no exception. On my first day as the Royal Protector, she insisted in me calling her by name instead by her full title. Eventually we became friends and after two years, we became more.

On the year 1823, we became lovers in secret, keeping our feelings away from the public - but that didn't stop rumors from spreading all throughout the palace and city. It was blossoming relationship between us but tragedy struck only two years later. Lauren’s father, Emperor Euhorn, had passed away during the month of Darkness.

“And as a result of his death, your beloved-”

“Became the new empress.” I finished his sentence. The shadowy being only sat there as he continued to stare.

“I can only assume that the two of you were always together ever since.” He said in a guessing manner. I closed my journal as I remembered more and more without it.

“Yes, I was by her side throughout her rule and could only be seen next to her as the following months after Euhorn’s passing were spent in sadness.” I explained to him. I could see his head nod slightly.

“You were there to comfort her over her loss.” He said to which I nodded.

“Yes, I was.” I said. The white dots known as his eyes disappeared for a short second before appearing again.

“But one night, things escalated into intimacy between two lovers, correct?” He asked, though he knew the answer already. I remained silent, but he took this as the answer he expected.

“I don't know what you may be thinking, but I will not use any of this information against you - you know this.” He said while I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“Yes, and as a result, nine months later she gave birth to our two beautiful daughters.” He did not speak afterwards, only nodding. He stood up from his chair before speaking.

“It was delightful time but I must go, so many things to do in so little time.” Without another word, he vanished, and left me with the comfort of the Void as it shifted and change into a familiar scene.

The walls around me vanished and left only water. The ground I stood on was replaced by the wooden interior of the familiar boat and two men were aboard with me.

One of the men had just hopped onto the boat before looking at the man on the controls.

“Take us straight to Canterlot palace. Lord Corvo has news for the Empress and we've come along way.” With those words, the boat began to move.

Regret, pain and sorrow filled my mind. What have I done to deserve this? The answer is quite simple, I have tainted my hands with another's blood.

Author's Note

Hello, I hope you enjoyed this little thing, couldn't get it out of my head and wrote about instead