The sky opened into an expanse of endless blue, with white clouds drifting lazily as if on a leisurely journey. Warm sunlight poured down, each ray piercing through the pristine air, brushing lightly against the ground.
Below stretched an endless garden of flowers, petals swaying with the wind, their vivid colors blending with a faint, sweet fragrance. A breeze passed through, carrying with it a rustling sound, like indistinct whispers.
At the heart of this sea of flowers stood a colossal pillar reaching straight into the heavens. Beneath it was a base of white stone, encircled by slender smaller columns, topped by an intricately carved stone dome. At the very center lay a bed draped in pure white silk, faintly scented with a soothing fragrance — as if mingled with the scent of flowers and some strange, unnameable aroma.
Upon the bed, a man and a woman lay entwined — their bodies bare, yet their faces obscured, as though a veil of mist had intentionally hidden them. The woman lay beneath, the man above, the space between them radiating warmth.
But…
A moment later, everything changed.
The blue sky vanished, giving way to a deep crimson. The clouds thickened into dark, murky masses. The wind's gentle murmur became a fierce howl, and cold rain began to fall — each drop landing on the petals, merging with blotches of spreading red blood. The pleasant fragrance was gone, replaced by a pungent metallic stench that stabbed into the nostrils.
On the bed, the man drew a long sword, its blade glinting with a cold gleam, and drove it straight into the woman's chest. Blood burst forth, staining the white silk, running in streams down onto the stone floor. The woman collapsed, her eyes wide open, as though something left unsaid still lingered there.
---
In a quiet room, the girl jolted awake, cold sweat beading at her temples.
"Was it… only a dream?" She gasped for breath, her hand unconsciously clutching the bedsheet. "But… that feeling, that place, the scent… and that man… who was he?"
Hurried footsteps approached, and a maid rushed in, panic on her face:
"My lady, are you alright?"
"It's nothing… I just had a nightmare."
The maid bowed, visibly relieved.
"Then that's good."
She allowed the maid to begin the usual routine — changing her attire, brushing her hair, adding a touch of powder and rouge, and laying breakfast on the table.
Along the palace's gleaming stone corridor, she happened to meet Neva.
Neva bowed: "Greetings, Princess Tia."
"Hello, Neva. What are you doing?"
"I noticed that Lord Nolavel has stayed in his chambers these past days, and… a few of his slaves have been going in and out."
"I've never seen my royal brother act so strangely. Do you know the reason?"
"I believe that the destruction of the Holy Church… has affected him. It's no surprise that Lord Nolavel despises the Church, but… its ruin may have been caused by a scheme, or by someone… and that has left him in this state."
"You may be right. Let's leave it at that."
"Yes, it is an honor to converse with you."
She continued walking, but as she passed a large window, her gaze stopped. Outside lay the familiar palace garden… still green, still full of flowers. Yet in her eyes, the petals were streaked with blood, with imagined raindrops falling — exactly like in her dream.
"…It was… only a dream."
---
In the great hall of the palace
Light streamed through the tall windows, falling across the stone floor and reflecting on red carpets that stretched toward the throne. Upon the highest step sat Anveo — gaze calm yet cold, posture regal.
Neura, Atom, and Tatra entered. All three knelt, bowing deeply.
Neura:
"Your Majesty."
Atom:
"Your Majesty."
Tatra:
"Your Majesty."
Anveo's voice rang out, deep and commanding:
"You already know why I have summoned you. Now, report everything you have learned."
Neura was first to lift her head:
"With your permission, I will speak. These past days, my soldiers and I have searched every corner of the entire region. The result… nothing remains. All is ash and dust."
Atom followed, his tone heavy:
"On my side, we found a few intruders. But when interrogated… they turned out to be slum dwellers or wandering commoners. None knew anything of value."
Tatra stepped forward, a hand over her chest:
"I have completed the task Your Majesty assigned. My investigation revealed that the Holy Church was destroyed by elemental fire magic of the highest magnitude. Moreover… when I analyzed the residual magic particles, each held an enormous amount of magical energy. When I attempted to make contact with my own magic, it exploded instantly."
Atom frowned:
"With such power… an entire fortress could be leveled. I suspect the work of the Six Demons."
The hall grew tense at the mention of the "Six Demons" — an underground organization deeply rooted in the strongholds, known for trafficking drugs, slaves, humans, and even organs.
Neura smirked, her tone laced with irony:
"Hmph."
Atom narrowed his eyes:
"Neura, what do you mean by that?"
Neura met his gaze:
"The Six Demons destroying the Church makes no sense. According to the Church's own creed, they've always turned a blind eye to illicit slave and human trade. The Six Demons had no reason to act."
Atom turned toward the throne:
"Your Majesty…"
Anveo cut in, looking to Tatra:
"Tatra, can you remove the residual magic?"
Tatra nodded:
"I can, but… it will take a great deal of time."
Anveo shifted his gaze to the other two:
"Neura, Atom — continue investigating. As many times as needed. I have… a sense of unease."
Neura:
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Atom:
"Yes, Your Majesty."
---
In the palace garden
The afternoon sun stretched across white-stone paths. Tia, clad in a thin silk dress, walked lightly among the colorful blossoms. The petals swayed in the wind, releasing a gentle fragrance.
She bent down to pluck one. But as the stem snapped… a dark red drop welled from the break, rolling down the petal like fresh blood.
Tia froze. She let the flower fall to the ground. She plucked another… then another. All the same — red blotches spreading across the petals, like wounds that would never heal.
The wind blew harder, carrying a chill that crept down her spine.
Tia whispered, almost to herself:
"Why…? Why does the flower bleed when I touch it?"