Glaring angrily at the distant rock castle from where melody came out, Kent stood up.
His hand rested on the cold, lifeless shoulder of Fatty Ben, his most trusted friend. The sight of Ben standing like a stone statue, eyes vacant and body stiff, sent a sharp pang through Kent's chest.
His knuckles tightened, and a wave of helpless frustration washed over him. The haunting melody still drifted in the air, tugging at the edges of his mind, but unlike his companions, Kent remained unaffected.
"Oh, so sad… is this fat guy your friend?" Suddenly a soft, mocking voice echoed behind him. Kent's head snapped around, his gaze locking onto a peculiar figure hovering lazily in mid-air.
A girl—no older than fifteen in appearance—draped in oversized, dark robes floated beside him. Her bushy hair tumbled past her waist like a waterfall of shadows, with wild curls sticking out as if they had a mind of their own.
