Leaving the room and following the hallway is the easy part. The hardest part is the silence that follows. My mind and soul linger back to that room. To my family. I can’t look back, not knowing what I need to do. Seeing that all my wishes and desires will only bring ruin to the world around me, and not to those who deserve it. Making me the destroyer of what we have all achieved against our enslavers. That with me being around, freedom will never happen. A horrible thought to linger on.

  The blue lights illuminate my path once more, only turning off when I walk past them like they acknowledge my exit. Every step towards the entrance of the tomb is colder than the last. A brutal reminder of my own mortality, and how it will soon come to a close.

  ‘By my command, I order this door to be opened!’ An old voice echoed from the entrance. The Shaman is here. I can recognise his tone from anywhere. He tries to open the door and fails every time, like this place refuses to give him entry. It makes sense. He is dishonest, someone who can’t or won’t take a stand on any issue. A moral coward of the highest order. He might put up a show, but he will not lift a finger for anyone. He can’t fight any battle, or perhaps, he cannot fight at all.

  But I don’t care, not anymore. I am tired of it all, what I have been through, the battles I have fought. There is already an idea, I just need to figure out how to make it happen. It’s the least I can do. There is no doubt Alex will struggle with the news, but if he takes it well and steps up...

  No, after what I did to him, I think the choice should be an easy one for him. I prefer it to be like that; if it means I have to be cold to him till the very end, then so be it. He is a good kid, and he needs to focus on what is important. His family. Alex would make an amazing father. Young, but I believe he can do it.

  The old Shaman made another chant, ‘by my command, I order this door to be opened.’

  This time, the stone door obeys, but only because I require an exit.This tomb will not answer to an outdated fool. As it swings open, everyone outside, every Dog sighs in relief the moment I step outside into the snowy field.

  ‘The king returns!’ Someone shouts, which is followed by a thunderous cheer. Their king returns from the tomb, their hero survives a Cinari trap. It feels empty, a hollow victory. They won’t know it, not yet, that is.

  The Shaman approaches me with a grin. I can tell he has something to say. ‘Not many who entered the Tomb come out alive and unharmed. Hopefully it has given you a different view of the world.’

  Of course, he will say that, such a valuable piece of advice. ‘Why are you here?’

  Jackle speaks up to answer my question. ‘He just appeared here and tried to open the door. We didn’t object…’

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  I raise my hand to tell him that it's enough. I know why my Dogs will allow him to try to open the door; they are loyal and will do anything to keep me alive. But the Shaman has ulterior motives. I want his answer, even if it is a lie.

  The Shaman chuckles, ‘I want to get you out of the tomb.’

  Whatever you say, pal. He might be telling me the truth. But how he phrases his words tells me there is more to it than he wants. I shake my head at him. I don’t have time to debate him. He gave me an answer, and that is all that matters for now.

  ‘Then you can leave, all is sorted.’

  Before I can make my way to my tent, the Shaman calls me out, stopping me in my tracks. ‘What did you see?’

  ‘Nothing worth remembering.’ That is all he needs to know, a lie, yes, but one that should satisfy the old bastard.

  He calls out again, wanting to ask more questions or engage in some sort of meaningless conversation. As soon as it became clear I do not care or wish to engage, he relents and leaves my camp. There is no point for him to continue pestering me.

  I need to start planning; giving the reins to Alex won’t be easy. Not when he is on the other side of the island. The change has to be convincing. I have the injuries to show I am incapable of a lot of tasks, but there is more to the puzzle.

  The Dogs, my people, will have to eventually accept the fact that I will step down and turn myself over to the Cinari. The war will end, but not in a way I envision it ending. Essentially, their king will die. Beheaded by the enemy for the prospect of peace. None of them will understand or accept it.

  It will be hard to accept this sort of conclusion to a war. The Cinari might take pride at first, but I doubt they will, as I will be the one to hand myself over. It will be I who chooses how the war will end. Peace through sacrifice. My head so Alex can do what I am unable to. Build a future.

  As I sit alone in my tent, I reach out to grab May’s belt buckle. Typically, it should be a father’s dream to have their child proud of them. To be an example they want to be. I carried what remained of her for so long, killed in her name. I became a Cinari. The very monster that murdered her. She will never look up to me or view me as the father I once was. Nor do I deserve her forgiveness.

  But I can do what is right. What will be required of me. The first steps for our freedom will always be paved with blood, and the first steps towards peace will be paved with mine.

  I’m sorry, May. I let you down. And I think it is time I say goodbye.