War of The Throne

By Naina Mishra

The heavens were in great joy when the empress bore two children: a daughter named Yin and a son named Kang.Yin was as beautiful as the starry sky, gentle yet powerful, her presence so pure that even withered flowers bloomed in her wake. Kang was born at dawn, fierce and proud, destined to rule the heavens — or so everyone believed.

But Yin’s birth carried a secret. She was illegitimate, the daughter of the Emperor and another woman. Her adoptive mother despised her from the start, and Kang grew up hating her even more.To the heavens, Yin was adored — soldiers, scholars, and spirits bowed to her grace. But in her own home, she was treated like a stranger.

Only her father’s distant kindness kept her going. Every rare glance or small word from him meant the world.

             Yin had gone for spiritual cultivation, meditating and refining her powers, when she noticed her childhood friend, Ping, being attacked by heavenly soldiers.She rushed to save her, but by the time she reached her side, Ping was already wounded, blood staining her robes.Yin’s aura flared, healing Ping’s injuries and bringing her back from the edge of death. The soldiers froze in shock.Ping’s voice trembled. “You shouldn’t have saved me… I am the last heir to the Demon Kingdom. The heavens won’t forgive this.”But Yin didn’t care. “I don’t care what they call you. You’re my friend.”

When the Emperor found out, his fury shook the heavens.“What have you done, Yin?! I told you never to interfere between the realms!” “Father,” Yin cried, “I couldn’t watch my friend die—” “Silence!” His voice thundered. “You’ve brought shame upon us! You are no longer my daughter.” Her adoptive mother smirked. Kang’s eyes glimmered with satisfaction. Tears burned in Yin’s eyes, but she bowed deeply.

“Even if you cast me out, Father… I’ll still love you.”And with that, she was banished.

Years later, the heavens trembled. A shadow returned — stronger, colder, impossible to ignore.Yin stood before the Great Throne of the Three Realms, her armor dark and shining, a crown of celestial feathers glowing above her head.Her laughter echoed through the skies.“I, Yin, daughter of the heavens, claim the throne of the Three Realms! All shall bow before me!” The Emperor’s voice thundered

“You dare mock the heavens? You’ve become consumed by greed!” Her adoptive mother sneered, “She always wanted power. Now she shows her true face.”

Even Kang joined in. “You’ve fallen, sister. You’re nothing but a traitor.” To everyone watching, Yin looked like the perfect villain — heartless, proud, and hungry for power.

Her laughter was wild, echoing like thunder.Centuries passed. Under Yin’s rule, the heavens lived in fear.She was strict, ruthless, and unyielding.People whispered, “The Empress of Shadows will destroy us all.” Even her mother and brother spread rumors of her cruelty.But despite everything, the realms stayed in balance.No wars. No chaos. Just peace — cold, quiet peace.None dared to question why.

Then came the Primordial Dragon — a creature born from the chaos before creation. It tore through the realms, devouring stars, shaking the heavens apart.Yin faced it alone. Her golden armor was shattered, her sword dripping with light and blood.

For the first time, her laughter was gone.“It’s my duty,” she whispered to herself. “For the realms… and for you, Father.”The battle lasted for days. The skies burned red.When Yin could no longer fight, she released her Spiritual Marble, pouring out her very soul to seal the dragon forever.Her body vanished into thin air, leaving nothing behind but the faint shimmer of her power.Ping ran to the Emperor, gasping for breath, her clothes stained with blood and tears.“Your Majesty!” she cried. “Before Yin left… she told me the truth.”The Emperor stared, speechless.Ping’s voice shook. “She heard the voice of the Ancestral Pillar. It said the next ruler of the Three Realms must sacrifice themselves to preserve peace. Yin only acted cruel to carry that burden. Everything — the throne, her laughter, the defiance — it was all to protect us. To protect you, Father.”

The Emperor froze. His eyes filled with tears.“All this time… my daughter was saving us…”Then the Empress leaned close to Kang, whispering softly, a cruel glimmer in her eyes.“She’s gone… finally, our path is clear.”Kang smirked quietly, nodding. “Nothing can stop me now.”

                   A millennium later, the Emperor wandered the realms, searching for fragments of Yin’s shattered soul. Finally, he gathered them all — and she returned.

When Yin opened her eyes, her father was there, older and weaker, but smiling through tears.“Father…” she whispered.He took her hand gently. “I found you… but my Spiritual Marble has cracked. Bringing you back is forbidden — a sin. This is the price I must pay.”Yin’s eyes filled with fear. “No! I can’t lose you again!”He smiled weakly. “You’ve carried enough pain for everyone. Let me carry this one.”Tears ran down his face. “I’m sorry for how I treated you, Yin. You were always my greatest light.”She held his hand tightly. “You were always my world. I never hated you.”His eyes softened. “And you… were my greatest joy.”He faded slowly, turning into light.Yin fell to her knees, crying as the skies turned dark and heavy. The heavens themselves seemed to mourn with her.

Then, through the still air, his voice echoed softly — familiar, warm, eternal.“Yin… I will always stay in your heart. My spirit is one with yours. We are never truly apart.”She closed her eyes, feeling his warmth within her chest.

                    And as the heavens watched, they finally understood — the so-called “greedy empress” was never evil.She was a daughter who loved too deeply, a ruler who carried the sins of the realms, and a soul who gave everything for love.The skies remained gloomy that day, as if the entire universe bowed its head to unconditional love — a bond stronger than life itself.

By Naina Mishra