"Serve me and be rewarded.
Do good and be blessed."
These are the two core teachings the god ruler of the empire raises every child raised under. But how honest are her words really?
Vermith and his now wife Yonnera spent their young days traveling the country as heroes and mercenaries for hire. With the decision to tie the knot also came the financial burden of settling down. Luckily for them, a massive military operation to a different country had just been commissioned by the empress, one that promised to pay out big for all who joined.
The couple joined their last mission, looking forwards to the future they would spend together. But that future turned dark as the light of their god enveloped all who had pledged themselves to their cause.
When Vermith awoke, he found him and his wife stripped of their freedom, their engagement rings ripped away and replaced with two dark collars around their necks to serve as reminders for the terrible curse that was thrust upon them.
Full of vengeance, the man returned to the empire that had cast him out, determined to earn his wife's freedom and procure her a cure.
That was 10 years ago.
[winner in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]