The storm of snow and ice never seemed to stop once the great General Esdeath strode into the village. She stood tall, her army at her beck and call behind her. They all feared this blue devil in the guise of a woman.

"Show them no quarter."

It was all she had to say for this army of bloodthirsty killers dressed as soldiers to rampage forward. Esdeath watched with glee as her men began to tear appart the small village before them. This is what awaited those who dared to stand before the mighty empire.

So pathetic. It's no wonder why these people are so weak that they cannot even survive against the empire. To think that they would hide in fear instead of facing their punishment like true warriors... Her eyes narrowed as she felt the presence of someone hiding nearby. She smirked, enjoying the thrill of the hunt. I'll show you how we deal with cowards like you!

The soldiers continued their brutal slaughter as Esdeath herself began to walk towards where Casadel was hidden. The snow beneath her feet crunched with every step she took, making it clear that she was coming closer and closer. There was nowhere for the scared child to run anymore.

Her eyes widened in surprise as the ice ball hit her directly in the center of her chest. However, she did not let out even a grunt in pain. Instead, she simply raised an eyebrow and smiled. Interesting... So you can use magic after all. You may be worth keeping around. Her voice was cold and emotionless as she continued to walk closer to Casadel's hiding spot. The child cowered behind a nearby rock, shivering in fear.

Come out, child. I promise not to harm you... this time. Her voice was still void of any real warmth or compassion, but it seemed less threatening now. Casadel hesitantly peeked out from his hiding spot, keeping the rock between him and Esdeath as much as possible. Well done... you've earned your chance to join us. What is your name?

She watched as the boy tentatively emerged from behind his makeshift shelter, eyes wide with fear and pain etched into his young features. It was then that she felt a pang of... something. Empathy? Pity? Perhaps both. She swallowed hard, fighting against the foreign emotions threatening to surface.

Casadel... I offer you a chance to join us. To become strong, like me. To survive in this harsh world we live in. But know this... if you choose to accept my offer, you must swear an oath to me. You will serve the empire loyally and without question. And if at any time you break that oath... well, let's just say that I won't be nearly as merciful as I am right now. Do we have a deal?

She studied his expression carefully before finally giving a nod back. "Good," she said coldly, but there was something in her voice that didn't quite match the words. "Then welcome... Casadel. I will train you to be strong, like me." With those words, Esdeath turned on her heel and began walking away, leaving the boy alone with her soldiers.

Her heart felt heavy as she did so, a strange sensation she had never experienced before now. Was it guilt? Regret? Perhaps... but there was no time for such foolishness. The battle raged on around them, and she must focus on maintaining order and leading her troops to victory. For the empire, for her father's dream.

Still, deep down inside... a tiny seed of doubt had been planted. One that she would have to learn to live with... or crush beneath the weight of her steely resolve. Only time would tell which path she would choose.

The boy gazed upon the ruined village with an expression that mixed horror and fascination. Even as his heart ached for the loss of innocent life, a part of him was fascinated by the power and might on display before him. It was a dark and twisted duality that Esdeath could not help but notice from the corner of her eye.

"Casadel," she called out calmly, "come here." Her voice was firm but not unkind as he turned back to face her. "You must understand something... This is how the world works. It is a cruel and unforgiving place where only the strong survive. You saw what happens when those who cannot defend themselves try to stand against us. They are weak, just like you once were."

She paused for a moment, studying his reaction carefully before continuing, "But now... now you have a chance to be different. To become strong like me and protect those who cannot protect themselves." Her eyes shone with an icy resolve as she spoke these words

"There it is..." she whispered, her voice barely audible over the roar of battle. "That look... That hunger... You understand now." And with those words, she turned away once more, leading the boy towards the waiting army. He was no longer just another victim of fate; he was a weapon in her arsenal. A tool to be used in her quest for power and dominance over this cruel world.

"Come," she said simply as she began walking briskly through the snow, "We have much to do if we are to restore order to this chaos." The faint smell of burning wood and flesh filled the air around them as they left their past lives behind and embraced a new future... one built on bloodshed and conquest.

Her fingers curled around his, the grip firm but not unkind as she lead him through the snow. Esdeath glanced down at the boy beside her, taking in the determined look in his eyes. There was a time when such a sight would have disgusted her, but now... it filled her with a strange sort of pride. Perhaps this one would survive after all.

"Your friends... They will die today," she said calmly, almost matter-of-factly. "They chose to stand against us, and there is no place for such weakness in our world. You must understand that." She paused, looking him straight in the eye before continuing, "But if you serve me loyally... if you become as strong as I am... then perhaps one day you will be able to protect them from harm. Become their savior instead of their executioner."

Her words hung in the air between them, heavy with weight and significance. Casadel did not respond immediately, still struggling to digest what she had

Casadel's words sent a shiver down her spine. She could feel the hunger in them, the desire for power and dominance that mirrored her own. It was a dangerous thing, this thirst for control... But it was also what made her strong. And if she played her cards right, perhaps it would be what kept her from falling into the same traps as those foolish enough to defy her.

For now, though, there were battles to fight and lands to conquer. She could not afford to get distracted by sentimentality or care for anything other than victory and the survival of the fittest. With a sharp nod, she released his hand and turned back to face the carnage before them. "Then let us finish this," she growled, her voice cold as ice. "For the empire."

And with that, they charged once more into the fray, leaving death and destruction in their wake.

Esdeath glanced briefly at the boy beside her as he uttered these words. She felt a surge of satisfaction at his devotion to her cause and the empire, but it was quickly replaced by disgust for herself. These innocents, their screams... They should have been a reminder to her of what she had become, not something to be enjoyed. But such things were beyond her control; they were part of who she was now.

So instead, she focused on the battlefield, leading her men with ruthless efficiency as they systematically eliminated any resistance. It wasn't until the last soldier fell that she finally allowed herself a moment's pause to survey the carnage in silence.

Around them lay hundreds of bodies, many of them friends and comrades who had died today for their beliefs. For Esdeath... they were merely collateral damage, tools to be used in her quest for power. As she stood there, watching the snow begin to settle over the dead and dying

As she watched Casadel dispatch another survivor, Esdeath felt a flicker of amusement in her chest. It was gratifying to see that the boy had already begun to display his ruthlessness so early on. She knew it wouldn't be long before he surpassed even her own brutality.

"Good work," she said calmly, her voice cold as ice. "Now, let us return to camp. We have much planning and preparation to do for the next battle." Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and began walking back towards their encampment, leaving Casadel to follow in her icy wake.

The night was long, filled with strategy and discussion of tactics as Esdeath schemed on how best to use this newfound warrior at her side. There were still many doubts about his loyalty, but for now, they would have to be put aside. The empire came first; all else second.

As the dawn broke over the horizon

"Casadel..." Her voice was cold as ice as she approached the boy sitting chained to the wall of their tent. She paused, taking in his helplessness and vulnerability before continuing with a faint hint of regret, "I'm afraid I must do this for now. Your training has only just begun, and until you prove yourself fully trustworthy... Well, I cannot risk losing control over you."

Her gaze flickered to the chains before returning to meet his eyes once more. The steel in her voice softened slightly as she asked, "Do you understand?" She didn't wait for an answer, knowing that it really didn't matter. The message had been delivered; now it was up to him to decide how he would respond.

Her lips curled into the slightest smile as she heard his agreement. "Good," she murmured approvingly before stepping back, motioning to one of her soldiers. "See that he is kept chained at all times when we're not training. Is that understood?" The soldier saluted sharply before beginning to lead Casadel away once more, this time with the boy still securely shackled.

Esdeath watched them leave for a moment before turning back towards the map spread out on her makeshift desk. There was much to do today; planning for the next battle and strengthening their defenses against any possible counterattacks from the rebels. As she immersed herself once more in the world of strategy and tactics, she couldn't help but wonder how long it would be until Casadel proved himself truly worthy of her trust... and whether he even could.