1297 years ago
Somewhere in Senaiwa
Senaiwa was a land that celebrated love and enthusiasm. Laughter filled its streets, festivals colored its nights, and hope seemed stitched into the air itself. Yet beneath that radiant surface, corruption coiled quietly, and darkness ruled from the shadows.
In those shadows walked a lone assassin.
He moved through the woods of Senaiwa in silence, gathering materials to survive the sleepless nights that followed his work. Every step he took was guided by the orders of the King of Lesiphra, commands he carried like chains around his soul.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, a scream tore through the night.
It came from the eastern woods.
The assassin froze for only a heartbeat before sprinting toward the sound, his instincts burning louder than reason. Whoever it was, they were desperate. Terrified.
He arrived to a sight that widened his eyes.
A woman lay pinned to the ground, a monstrous figure looming over her, claws dug into the earth. The creature slowly turned its head toward the assassin, its eyes narrowing as recognition dawned.
"You again," the monster growled, venom dripping from its voice.
The assassin tightened his grip on his knife.
In one swift motion, he lunged. The monster's eyes widened in shock as steel pierced its back, as if the assassin had appeared from thin air. Blood spilled from the creature's mouth as it staggered forward.
"This is not the end," it snarled. "You will pay for the humiliation you have given me."
Before the assassin could strike again, the monster cast a spell. Space warped, and in an instant, the creature vanished deeper into the woods.
"Have a good night, human," its voice echoed before fading into silence.
The assassin exhaled slowly and turned toward the unconscious woman. He knelt beside her, studying her face beneath the moonlight.
His breath caught.
"So this is the Princess of Senaiwa... isn't it?" he whispered.
As if answering him, the woman stirred. Her eyes snapped open, and she jolted upright with a scream.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
The assassin nearly jumped out of his skin. His heart raced as he flailed his hands in panic.
"It's not what it looks like!" he shouted. "I promise!"
In an instant, the princess summoned magic. A large blade formed in her hands, glowing with energy as she pointed it straight at his chest.
"Don't take another step," she warned coldly. "Or you're dead."
"O-Okay," he replied, forcing calm into his voice while panic screamed inside his head. "Relax."
Without another word, the princess stepped back, then turned and ran.
The assassin didn't move. A confident grin crept across his face.
"You think you're the only one who knows magic?" he muttered. After a brief pause, an idea sparked. "Oh yeah... instantaneous movement."
He cast the spell.
The world blurred, and in a flash, he appeared before her
Only to find himself standing inside a room.
A bedroom.
The princess lay peacefully on a bed, sleeping as if nothing had happened.
"...You've got to be kidding me," he muttered.
Reality hit him hard. His magic had a 120-second cooldown, and now he was stuck. Worse, this place felt wrong.
He searched the room carefully, mapping every corner, every shadow. Then the truth settled in his gut like ice.
This was the monster's hideout.
As he planned his next move, the woman beside him stirred. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes.
"Where am I?" she murmured, confusion clouding her face.
He stared at her. "How do you not know that?"
Her eyes widened when she noticed him.
"Why are you here?!" she shouted. "What did you do to me, pervert?!"
"Woah, easy," he said quickly. "I was trying to surprise you with magic to prove yours was useless. Next thing I know, I'm here and you're unconscious on a bed."
She squinted at him. "Is that so?" she said, sarcasm thick in her tone.
Then realization struck.
"Oh—right. I remember now. I fell into a trap... it had some strange magical energy," she said, scratching her head.
Before they could argue further, the ground began to shake.
Dust fell from the ceiling. Heavy footsteps echoed closer.
Someone—or something—was coming.
And whatever it was, it wasn't friendly.