No one in the palace could move.
The knights, the servants, the people watching—
all of them stood frozen, forced to witness the horror unfolding before them.
Then the king shouted, his voice breaking,
"Do it. Just do it."
Elizabeth shook her head violently, crying.
"I can't… I just can't do it, Father."
The king smiled weakly through the blood on his forehead.
"It's okay, Eliz."
He lowered his head until his forehead touched the ground.
Blood stained the floor beneath him.
"If I offer my arm," he said,
"will you spare them?"
The sealed man stared at him, expressionless.
"I will think about it."
His voice held no emotion.
After the king pleaded with her, Elizabeth finally nodded.
Her hands shook as she picked up the sword once more.
The king stepped forward and extended his arm, ready to accept it.
Elizabeth raised the sword into the air.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" she repeated, over and over.
She was about to strike—
"Stop."
The sealed man's voice cut through the air.
Elizabeth froze.
The queen gasped in relief, her legs nearly giving out.
For a brief moment, they thought it had been only a test.
Then the sealed man spoke again.
"Again with the apologies?" he said coldly.
"Not in one strike."
A small smile formed on his lips.
"Cut it slowly."
"Very… slowly."
Terror struck Elizabeth and the queen the moment they heard his words.
Their bodies trembled uncontrollably.
Elizabeth stood frozen, unable to move.
Unable to raise the sword.
The sealed man tilted his head slightly.
"Oh?" he said.
"You don't wish to do it?"
"Then I shall kill everyone in this kingdom instead."
Before Elizabeth could break completely, the king spoke firmly.
"Don't wait, my lovely daughter," he said gently.
"It won't hurt."
He forced a small laugh.
Elizabeth let out a broken cry.
Tears blurred her vision as she slowly brought the sword down.
Her hands shook as she began to cut—slowly, painfully.
Memories flooded her mind:
her father carrying her on his shoulders,
holding her hand as she learned to walk,
playing with the very arm she was now cutting.
No one could bear to watch.
The queen turned her face away, sobbing.
The knights, ministers, and people present lowered their heads,
their hearts filled with sorrow, guilt, and horror.
Blood splattered across Elizabeth's face,
onto the queen's trembling form,
and at the feet of the sealed man.
The floor and walls were stained in silence.
Silence fell, heavy and hollow.
Only the sound of flesh and bone shattering broke it.
Elizabeth went completely blank, her eyes wide and unseeing.