{Sandy Haven – Conflict}
King Rexar lay on the sand, bleeding.
His body was battered, trembling weakly. Tears streamed down his face as his eyes remained open—empty, hollow—listening as the words echoed around him.
Orimo Kuzan… defeated.
Hope no longer lived in his gaze.
Ashryn Witherfall entered the scene.
The crowd erupted.
Claps thundered through the ruined streets as his long, black dusty coat fluttered behind him, moving like a banner of conquest. Ash-grey skin gleamed under the harsh sun, threads carved across his body like marks of something inhuman.
One of the citizens bent down, picked up the fallen crown from the sand—
And placed it gently upon Ashryn's head.
Ashryn smiled.
Then he raised his hand toward the sky and announced, his voice calm, absolute—
"From this moment onward, this country will rise again.
We will stand against any threat.
This land will be reborn—without fear."
The people cheered.
They smiled.
One by one, they fell to their knees, bowing before their hero—eyes burning with admiration, faith, devotion.
The Sandy Haven they once knew was gone.
Soldiers dragged King Rexar away toward the prison. His body barely resisted. His crown—no longer his—was gone.
Princess Amelia was nowhere to be found.
As Rexar was pulled through the sand, he thought weakly—
No matter what… Orimo Kuzan… I will wait for you.
Please… fulfill your promise.
Tears fell into the sand as his shoulders shook.
He knew it.
This country would never be the same again.
Suddenly—
THUD!
A man kicked him hard in the back, sending him crashing face-first into the ground.
"Walk already, you old geezer."
King Rexar groaned.
Slowly—painfully—he pushed himself back up.
And continued walking.