Midnight.
Guest bedroom, Theodore mansion.
Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.
***************
In a dimly lit bedroom in the Theodore mansion, Helena sat huddled beneath a threadbare blanket, her thoughts drifting back to a time when life was filled with adventure and wonder.
Memories flood her mind, recalling the days of her youth when she and her mother traversed the vast empire, of Critic-Ishire, each journey had been a tapestry woven with new experiences and cherished moments.
She remembered the thrill of exploring grand cities and quaint villages, of tasting exotic cuisines and hearing tales of distant lands.
Despite the constant shadow of an unknown pursuer looming over them, one her mother told her about, her mother's unwavering courage and reassuring presence shielded her from fear.
Yet, even amidst the excitement of their travels, her mother's solemn warnings about the mysterious figure remained a haunting chorus.
