The first mistake was breathing.

  The second was resisting.

  When Sky realized what was happening, he was already being dragged into the outer courtyard.

  A horizontal beam dominated the space like a gallows. Two long ropes hung from it. At their ends swayed wooden rods, each holding a basin filled with water, suspended in perfect balance. Not a single drop trembled. They looked like blades, ready to execute the first mistake.

  Sharlok spoke with the same calm of someone announcing the noon temperature.

  ?The rule is simple. You will remain upside down for the entire day, maintaining the balance of the basins. If even one drop touches the ground… the punishment will be repeated tomorrow.?

  Sky went pale.

  ?Wait. The whole day?!?

  Sharlok barely glanced at him, as if that voice were nothing but background noise.

  ?You heard me.?

  A slight nod.

  The ropes tightened.

  Their bodies rotated into the void.

  The Captain walked away without turning back, with the natural ease of someone who considered all of this a simple routine. Something not even worth a second of his time.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  The midday sun burned their skin.

  Sweat poured down Sky’s face, his arm muscles on fire. His hands trembled as he desperately tried to keep the balance.

  ?Damn it… damn it!? he burst out, his voice cracking from the strain.

  ?What are you whining about, clown?!? Shark snarled, his face as red as his hair.

  Sky turned his head slightly, swaying dangerously.

  ?Clown?! We’ve been hanging here for hours with these boulders in our hands!?

  Shark glared at him, pride blazing in his eyes.

  ?Someone who walks around wearing sunglasses even at night… what would you call that??

  Sky clenched his jaw.

  ?Listen, carrot top… it’s only your fault we ended up here!?

  ?Oh, screw—!? Shark growled. ?Who asked you to jump into that fight earlier?!?

  Sky smiled. Bold. Unforgivable.

  ?You didn’t look like you had the numbers on your side.?

  ?I could’ve taken down that cook and his goons by myself!?

  The truth was simple: together they had sent five ordinary soldiers and two cooks straight to the infirmary.

  And, even if they would never admit it, they had earned the silent respect of more than one recruit who had witnessed the fight.

  Day slowly gave way to night.

  The moon was high when Sky and Shark still hung in the air, exhausted, motionless, like dying bats. At some point the body gave in before the will. They fell asleep like that, swaying in the silence.

  At dawn, at the first crow of the rooster, Sky opened his eyes.

  In front of him stood Captain Sharlok. Arms crossed. The gaze of a man who felt nothing.

  Sky swallowed.

  ?…Uh. Good morning??

  Sharlok tilted his head slightly.

  ?You dropped all the water.?

  Sky lowered his gaze. The ground beneath them was soaked. He didn’t even remember letting go. Beside him, Shark was still asleep. Snoring. Completely at peace.

  ?Wait, Captain! I can expla—?

  Sharlok raised a hand. His fingers cracked. A dry sound, like thunder.

  The ropes snapped.

  Sky fell, landing face-first on the ground. Shark crashed down on the back of his head, waking with an inhuman scream.

  Still dazed, Sky lifted his head and saw Sharlok walking away without sparing them a glance.

  His cold voice cut through the air.

  ?Punishment. Repeated.?

  —

  Next Episode — The Path of the Empire