Jade and Ark had been inseparable since childhood. From building sandcastles at the beach to fighting imaginary dragons in the woods, they had always been side by side. Ark was the energetic one, always quick to jump into action, while Jade was the brains—smart, cautious, and thoughtful. Though they were different in many ways, they complemented each other perfectly, forming an unbreakable bond of friendship and, secretly, love.
"Do you think we'll still be this close in college?" Jade asked one day as they lay under the stars on the rooftop of Ark's home.
Ark grinned, his eyes twinkling. "Of course. We'll take over the campus. You, with your top grades, and me… well, I'll be your bodyguard." He flexed his arm, making Jade giggle.
She nudged him. "You'll be more than that, Ark."
A flicker of hope passed through Ark's eyes, but he masked it with a smile. "Yeah, we'll be unstoppable."
When the time came to apply for college, they chose the same university. Ark, with his determination, and Jade, with her intellect, were both accepted into a prestigious program. The tuition fees were enormous, but they weren't worried. Both came from wealthy families involved in the pharmaceutical business, one of the most powerful industries in the world.
However, Ark's family, the Levisons, was hiding a secret. His uncle, Richard Levison, had been running the family business, but his greed and reckless decisions had driven the company to the brink of ruin. Richard had been involved in embezzlement, illegal deals, and producing substandard medicine. Despite his father's repeated attempts to steer the company in a better direction, Richard refused to listen.
One evening, Ark entered the kitchen to find his father, usually so strong and confident, looking utterly defeated. "Dad, is everything okay?" Ark asked, his voice filled with concern.
His father looked up, his eyes tired. "Son, your uncle… he's ruined us. The company's bankrupt. We've lost everything."
Ark's heart sank. "What? But—how?"
His father's voice trembled as he explained. "Your uncle… he made deals with dangerous people. And now, they want their money back. We're in danger, Ark."
Ark felt the weight of his world collapse. Everything he had dreamed of—his future with Jade, their plans for college—was slipping away. He tried to speak, but his throat felt tight.
His father placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll find a way. But it's going to be hard."
Later that night, Ark met with Jade at their favorite ice cream shop, the place where they'd shared countless memories. As he recounted his family's downfall, Jade held his hand, offering comfort. "I'm so sorry, Ark. We'll get through this together."
Before he could respond, his phone buzzed. The news had broken: Levison Pharmaceuticals Declares Bankruptcy Amidst Scandal. Reporters detailed his uncle's crimes, and Ark's face went pale.
Suddenly, the shop was swarmed with journalists, their cameras flashing. Jade grabbed Ark's hand. "We need to get out of here."
They fled through the back door, running down narrow alleys to escape. As they paused to catch their breath, a group of men emerged from the shadows—gang members his uncle had crossed. They demanded to know Richard's whereabouts, and when Ark refused to answer, they turned their focus on Jade.
She was dragged away and tortured, their cruelty knowing no bounds. Ark, beaten and weakened, was forced to watch as they tried to break him through her suffering. Her cries echoed in his ears, each one tearing his soul apart.
When they finally left, Ark, with the last of his strength, dragged himself across the ground. His vision blurred, and his body felt like it was on fire, but he pushed forward, inch by inch, until he reached her side. Her face was pale, her body still. Trembling, he reached out, his fingers brushing hers.
"Jade…" His voice was barely a whisper, choked with pain and sorrow. "I'm so sorry… I should have protected you…"
As tears streamed down his face, he forced out the words he had held back for so long. "I love you, Jade… I've always loved you…"
The world around him faded, the darkness pulling him under. But before everything went black, an ethereal glow surrounded them. An ancient spell circle appeared beneath their bodies, its symbols glowing with an otherworldly light. The energy surged, lifting their souls, and for a moment, the pain disappeared.
The blinding light of the spell circle faded, and Ark felt himself being lowered onto soft, cool grass. The familiar sounds of the city—honking cars, distant sirens—were gone, replaced by a gentle breeze and the rustling of leaves. The pain in his ribs had vanished, replaced with a strange numbness. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
Above him, a vast, clear sky stretched endlessly, the sun casting a warm glow over everything. It was nothing like the city skyline he was used to. He took in a deep breath, the air fresh and crisp, filling his lungs in a way that felt foreign yet comforting.
Ark turned his head and saw Jade lying beside him, the bruises and cuts that had marred her face gone, her skin unblemished and radiant. Relief washed over him, and he reached out, his hand shaking as he touched her cheek.
"Jade…" he whispered, his voice barely holding back the emotion that surged within him. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, confusion clouded her gaze before recognition set in.
"Ark?" she murmured, her voice soft. She sat up, looking around at the unfamiliar landscape, then back at him. "Where are we?"
Ark sat up, wincing as he realized that his wounds were gone, yet he felt strangely exhausted. He scanned their surroundings—a vast meadow with towering trees in the distance and mountains that seemed to touch the sky. The air buzzed with life, filled with the sounds of birds and creatures he couldn't identify.
"I… I don't know," Ark replied. "But… we're alive." He grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly, as if afraid to let go.
Jade's eyes met his, and they both held onto each other, feeling the weight of what they had just survived. "It's… beautiful," she said softly, looking around with a sense of wonder.
He nodded, but then a sudden realization hit him. "Jade… we're not in New York anymore." He glanced down at himself, his eyes widening. They were both completely naked, the remnants of their former life left behind. His cheeks flushed, and he quickly turned away. "Uh… we should… find some clothes."
Jade's face reddened, and she turned her head as well. "Right. We need to figure out where we are first."
They stood up cautiously, using the tall grass to cover themselves. The sight before them was unlike anything they had ever seen—dragons soared in the distant sky, their wings casting shadows over the mountains, while strange, vibrant flowers bloomed all around them, their petals shimmering under the sunlight.
"It's like something out of a fantasy novel," Jade whispered.
Ark nodded, a faint smile forming despite the situation. "Well, looks like we've been Isekaied."
Jade laughed, a sound that felt like a balm after everything they had endured. "Of all the things to say… but you're right. We need to figure out where we are and what to do next."
He took her hand again, this time not letting go. "Whatever this place is, we'll get through it together."
Jade squeezed his hand, her eyes full of determination. "Always."
In the dimly lit throne room, shadows danced along the stone walls as torches flickered, casting an eerie glow. The air was thick with the scent of incense and old parchment. King Mortimer, clad in his regal robes, lounged on his grand throne. His fingers drummed against the armrest, a restless rhythm, as seven women knelt around him, each vying for his attention.
The king's wives—his trophies—were arrayed at his feet like obedient dogs, their eyes empty of any light beyond a desperate need to please. They wore silk gowns that shimmered under the torchlight, designed to accentuate their beauty, but the way they moved was mechanical, almost robotic. Their hands, delicate and practiced, worked to massage his shoulders, arms, and legs, each one taking her assigned place as if fulfilling a duty rather than sharing affection.
King Mortimer's expression was one of boredom as they pampered him. He hardly acknowledged their presence, treating them as little more than accessories—ornaments that adorned his throne. They had been chosen for their beauty and obedience, selected like treasures to enhance his power and status, not as companions. To him, they were trophies, living proof of his dominance and wealth, and they acted accordingly—silently, submissively, and without a shred of will.
As the women massaged him, their eyes remained downcast, not daring to look directly at the king. When he shifted or made a slight movement, they reacted instantly, adjusting their positions like well-trained pets, eager to serve. It was as if they knew that even the slightest mistake could cost them their place—or worse.
Suddenly, the large doors creaked open, and a figure draped in a flowing, dark purple cloak entered the room. The women didn't move; their focus remained on the king as they continued their mechanical motions. But the atmosphere in the throne room shifted as Anna, the king's most loyal and feared witch, made her entrance. Her steps were light, almost like a whisper, as she moved with an unnatural grace, her presence commanding attention.
King Mortimer barely glanced at his wives, snapping his fingers once. Instantly, they withdrew, lowering themselves even further to the floor, their hands folded in their laps as they watched Anna's approach with a mixture of fear and curiosity. They knew their place was to remain silent, nothing more than decorations in the background.
Anna's pale, flawless face held an otherworldly beauty, her eyes alight with a predatory gleam as she approached. "Your Majesty," she purred, her voice silky and sweet, yet carrying an undertone of something sinister. The wives shivered at her voice, as if even they could sense the danger that lurked beneath her elegant exterior.
"Speak, Anna. What news do you bring?" the king asked, his voice cold and detached as his wives resumed their positions, hands poised but no longer in motion, waiting for their next command. They knew their fate was tied to his whims, and for now, they were content to be nothing more than obedient pets.
Anna's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. "I have sensed something… remarkable, my king. A surge of demonic power, one unlike anything I have felt in centuries." She paused, savoring the words as if tasting their significance. "It emanates from the far eastern wasteland."
The king's eyes darkened, and he leaned forward, his interest piqued. "The eastern wasteland? That barren place hasn't had any activity for decades."
Anna nodded slowly. "Indeed, but this is no ordinary presence. It is strong—almost overwhelming. I ventured to the edge of the wasteland myself, and the mana there is potent, unlike anything I've ever encountered." Her eyes glowed with a dangerous fascination. "It's as if a new power has awakened."
The king frowned, his fingers ceasing their restless movement. "Are you certain it's demonic?"
"Beyond any doubt," Anna said, a spark of excitement flickering in her eyes. "It bears the unmistakable signature of a high-ranking demon. Perhaps… even a Demon King." Her voice dropped to a whisper, as if speaking the words too loudly would summon the presence itself.
King Mortimer's expression hardened. "A Demon King? Impossible. The last one perished long ago. Their kind has been in hiding for years."
Anna smirked, a hint of malice playing on her lips. "Or so we thought. But this presence… it is powerful, my king. I could feel its mana from miles away. If left unchecked, it could become a threat to your reign."
The king's eyes narrowed. "And what of this presence? Do you believe it has taken form?"
Anna nodded. "Yes. It feels… new, as if recently awakened. It is raw and unrefined, yet it holds potential—enormous potential." She licked her lips, as if savoring the thought of consuming such a powerful mana source. "It is young, inexperienced. If we strike now, we can seize it before it becomes a true threat."
Mortimer's face remained impassive, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of calculation. "And what do you propose?"
Anna tilted her head, her expression coy. "Allow me to investigate further, my king. If this demon truly is as powerful as I suspect, it would be a great asset—or a worthy prey." She touched her own cheek, her eyes glinting with greed. "Its mana could sustain my beauty for a thousand years."
The king leaned back, considering her words. He knew of Anna's obsession with beauty, how she hunted and drained the mana of those she deemed worthy, using their life essence to maintain her ageless appearance. It was a dangerous hunger, but one that had served him well over the years.
"Very well," he said after a moment. "But proceed with caution. If this presence is as strong as you claim, we cannot afford to be reckless. I will not have my kingdom threatened by the return of demonic power."
Anna bowed deeply, her eyes glinting with a mix of excitement and hunger. "As you wish, my king. I shall bring you the truth—and the head of this demon, if necessary." With that, she turned and glided out of the throne room, her cloak trailing behind her like a shadow.
As the doors closed behind her, King Mortimer's gaze lingered, his mind already plotting. If what Anna had sensed was true, the kingdom could face a power shift unlike any they had seen in centuries. But if anyone could uncover the truth, it was Anna—and she always got what she wanted.