The border of Creyog fell behind them at sunset.
No resistance.
No battle.
Only silence.
Eren walked in chains between armored soldiers. His hands were bound in iron. His face was calm.
Ahead, the capital rose from the hills like a black crown.
Necergo.
Tall stone towers. Massive iron gates. Banners of King Platy waving in the wind.
When the gates opened, the people were already waiting.
Whispers followed him.
"That's him…"
"The boy who killed soldiers…"
"He doesn't look afraid…"
Eren did not look at them.
He looked at the palace.
---
The Throne Hall
The doors opened with a deep echo.
Marble floors. High pillars. Torches burning along the walls. At the far end, seated above everyone —
King Platy.
Silver crown. Cold eyes. A ruler who had never been questioned.
Eren was forced to his knees.
(Soldier: Kneel properly!)
(Eren: I am kneeling.)
(King Platy: So this is the child.)
(Neler: Yes, Your Majesty. He eliminated six of our men.)
(King Platy: Six trained soldiers… defeated by a boy.)
(Eren: They entered my home.)
(King Platy: And that gives you the right to spill royal blood?)
(Eren: They spilled first.)
The hall shifted. Murmurs.
(King Platy: You speak boldly for someone in chains.)
(Eren: Chains don't make you right.)
Silence.
Even the torches seemed quieter.
(King Platy: Do you understand where you stand?)
(Eren: In front of a king.)
(King Platy: And do you understand what that means?)
(Eren: That you decide my death.)
(King Platy: Correct.)
He stood.
His voice carried through the hall like a blade.
(King Platy: At sunrise, three days from now, you will be hanged in the central square of Necergo. Let every citizen witness what happens to those who defy Creyog.)
(Soldier: Long live King Platy!)
The hall echoed.
Eren slowly raised his head.
(Eren: Make sure they all come.)
The king narrowed his eyes.
(King Platy: Take him away.)
The chains tightened.
The doors closed behind him.
---
Night One – The Cell
The underground prison was cold and damp.
A single torch flickered beyond iron bars.
The door slammed shut.
Metal echoed.
For a while, there was only silence.
Then footsteps.
A guard stopped in front of the cell.
(Guard: You're quieter than most.)
(Eren: Most beg?)
(Guard: Most scream.)
(Eren: I won't.)
The guard studied him.
(Guard: You killed trained men. How?)
(Eren: They underestimated me.)
(Guard: And now?)
(Eren: Now your king is underestimating me.)
The guard scoffed.
(Guard: You're a boy in chains.)
(Eren: For now.)
The torch flickered violently for a second.
The guard noticed.
(Guard: Strange draft down here…)
Eren closed his eyes.
He wasn't afraid.
He was waiting.
---
Day Two – Rumors
Necergo buzzed with anticipation.
Merchants spoke about the execution. Children argued about where to stand to see better. Soldiers constructed the wooden platform in the central square.
In the cell, Eren sat still.
The same guard returned with food.
(Guard: The platform is almost finished.)
(Eren: Good.)
(Guard: Good?)
(Eren: It should be strong.)
(Guard: You won't break it.)
(Eren: No. But something might.)
The guard hesitated.
(Guard: You talk like you know something.)
(Eren: Don't stand too close tomorrow.)
(Guard: To what?)
Eren looked up.
(Eren: To me.)
The torch flared again.
This time stronger.
The guard stepped back.
---
Night Two – Rain Over Necergo
Rain pounded the city.
Thunder rolled across the sky.
Water dripped through cracks in the prison ceiling.
The guard returned one last time.
(Guard: Tomorrow is your last sunrise.)
(Eren: No.)
(Guard: No?)
(Eren: Tomorrow is the first.)
(Guard: First what?)
(Eren: First crack in your king's crown.)
The guard stared at him.
(Guard: You're not normal.)
(Eren: I know.)
Suddenly—
The walls trembled slightly.
Just for a second.
The guard stiffened.
(Guard: Did you feel that?)
(Eren: Yes.)
(Guard: What was it?)
Eren opened his eyes.
They seemed different in the dim light.
(Eren: It's waking up.)
The torch exploded.
Darkness swallowed the cell.
---
The Day of Hanging
Morning came bright and cold.
The entire capital gathered in the central square.
Thousands of eyes.
Whispers everywhere.
"There he is…"
"He doesn't look scared…"
The wooden platform stood tall.
The rope swayed gently in the wind.
King Platy watched from the palace balcony above the square.
Eren was led up the steps.
Chains removed.
Hands tied.
(Executioner: Any last words?)
Eren looked at the crowd.
At the king.
At the sky.
(Eren: Watch carefully.)
(King Platy: Proceed.)
The lever was pulled.
The platform dropped.
The rope tightened.
And then—
CRACK.
The rope snapped.
Gasps erupted.
The ground shook violently.
Soldiers fell to their knees.
The wooden platform split down the middle.
(Captain: Protect the king!)
(King Platy: What is happening?!)
The earth beneath the square fractured.
Black cracks spread outward like veins.
The sky darkened unnaturally.
Wind howled.
A pressure filled the air.
Eren landed on his feet.
Untouched.
Chains shattered around him.
(Soldier: It's him!)
(King Platy: Impossible!)
(Eren: You wanted everyone to see.)
The cracks deepened.
A deafening roar echoed from below the city itself.
Buildings trembled.
People screamed and scattered.
(Neler: This is not an external attack!)
(King Platy: Then what is it?!)
Neler stared at Eren.
(Neler: It's responding to him…)
Eren's voice was calm.
(Eren: You built your kingdom on fear.)
The square split open.
Dark energy surged upward like a storm breaking through the earth.
(Eren: Now feel it.)
The balcony beneath King Platy cracked.
He stumbled back.
(King Platy: Stop this!)
(Eren: You had your judgment.)
The wind spiraled violently around the square.
Soldiers were thrown aside.
Armor shattered.
The capital of Creyog trembled under something ancient.
Something awakened.
Eren stood at the center.
Not screaming.
Not raging.
Just standing.
And the people of Necergo realized—
The execution was never his.
It was theirs.