*Capital of Thalassian Concord- Arcadia*
--- That night marked Elara's 17th birthday. She spent it quietly, choosing to dine at a small restaurant in the capital. She didn't join her brother. Following dinner, she strolled through the market, experiencing a strange sense of unease.
Someone was following her.
Before she could react, a hand grabbed her arm and dragged her into a carriage.
"Who the hell are you__" Panic gripped her, but she quickly realised the man was Cassius.
"Be careful Ela, there are some masked people who followed you" His urgency was palpable as the carriage sped through the streets. Elara looked through the window and spoke. Her expression changed.
"Where are we heading? This is not Duke mansion's way." The carriage heading away from the duke's mansion.
The carriage deviates off the road, heading toward the West, where mountains are located. Suddenly, magic users ambushed them, attacking with relentless force. Despite Cassius fighting valiantly, his opponents gravely injured him. The attackers pushed their carriage off a cliff, laughing as they left the siblings to their fate.
"CRASH!"
The man stood at the edge of the Cliff, peering into the endless abyss below. His voice was unwavering.
"They're dead. No one survives on this cliff."
Beside him, the second man let out a dry chuckle, crossing his arms. There was no pity in his tone—only absolute certainty. "Obviously. Anyone who falls into that abyss is as good as erased from existence."
As the carriage crashed, Elara screamed. Dark energy swirled around her, enveloping her in its chaotic embrace. She lost consciousness as the world went dark.
***
ONE MONTH LATER
The Empire mourned the deaths of the duke's children. The discovery of their belongings in a remote cave confirmed their fate. Duke Larousse and Crown Prince Keal searched tirelessly, but hope waned each day.
****
Dark Death Forest—West
--- Deep in a dense forest, a girl ran for her life, her breaths ragged. "Ha... ha... Why does it seem as though I'm in a survival game?" she muttered, glancing over her shoulder at the wild beasts chasing her. "Catch me if you can, you filthy beasts!" she shouted, climbing a tree.
The branch snapped, sending her tumbling down—only to be caught by a man in a white and blue suit. His emerald eyes sparkled with irritation. "If you want to die, do it somewhere else," he scolded, setting her down.
Elara caught her breath, thanking him reluctantly. "I wasn't trying to die. I came here for an herb to heal my brother."
The man smirked. "Whoever told you that was either a liar or a fool. This forest is no place for someone like you."
Elara straightened, glaring at him. "Huh.. someone like me? Is that the way you talk with someone when you just met?"
The man's expression shifted. "Yup, I love it that way, talking to people who come to this forest trying to end their precious lives"
"I already told you," Elara snapped, though her voice wavered. "I wasn't trying something like that." 'Why does everyone always assume the worst?'
The man's laugh was unexpected- warm and rich like honey. "Ah yes, yes… I believe you now… don't be angry, little lady."
'But your face clearly said that you don't believe me,' Elara realized as her expression changed.
"Thank you for saving me, mister." Elara bowed and showed gratitude for saving her; in a dark forest, where no human lives, Elara wandered around searching for medicines and herbs for her brother.
'A whole month, I've spent an entire month in this godforsaken forest, fighting off beasts, with not a single human in sight, and now, of all things, I ran into him? Arrogant, and completely out of place.'
'Just my damn luck.'
'One minute, if I asked him where I am?; he'll answer me right… right..'
Elara and her brother fell on a cliff. Somehow they survived. But didn't return to their home. Cassius was the one who was most injured; he was unconscious for an entire month.
But Elara didn't ask him a reason for her dignity, and she didn't want to become the laughingstock of that arrogant man.
The man stepped at and asked Elara, "What are you doing here?" his voice carried both curiosity and suspicion. "And most important thing… who are you?" his mouth started to question like rapid fire.
"I could ask you the same," she replied, her tone calm yet guarded.
The man scoffed, crossing his arms. "Are you also one of the empire's ugly nobles?" "You don't look like someone who belongs in the dark forest, are you?"
In his tone of hate for the empire, the noble's family is crystal clear, showing that if Elara said she was an aristocrat, he would get rid of her in the meantime.
'If I say yes, I'm noble; I don't know what he did to me. Before becoming stronger, I must hide my identity now.'
"I don't eat you if you say you were the ugly noble." The man's tone was mocking Elara.
"I'm Elara. Nice to meet you, mister." Elara introduced her name but didn't reveal her surname.
"You mean that cold-blooded daughter who was dead, that Elara Larousse?" The man in his presence was not ordinary, so he started guessing who is she.
"Is she patent that name?" Elara's facial expression changed, and she immediately replied. "In the entire world, there are many girls named Elara. And I'm one of that girls"
"Sure, Sure…"
A low, mocking laugh escaped Orian as he stepped closer, the sound reverberating in the eerie stillness of the forest. "Well, you've piqued my interest. I am Orian, Master of the Magic Tower." He raised an eyebrow and asked, "What brings you to the heart of death itself?"
Elara's gaze turned icy, her voice unflinching. "I was looking for some herbs, but I couldn't find them."
"But wild beasts have found you... haha," Orian smirked, laughing. "What kind of medicine were you searching for? May I know? I'm a Magus, and I can help you find it."
"I'll find it myself. I don't need—"
"Is it so hard to ask someone for help?"
Elara refused his offer; she knew that kindness often came at a price. But Orian suddenly insisted, "I just want to help. I have to save those who live in this place."
"Ah, I apologized for my rudeness. I'm searching for an herb that can heal my brother and bring him back from his long unconsciousness."
"Then bring your brother to the Magic Tower. If you take this path, you'll find me there. I'll treat your brother."
"Excuse me, Lady Elara."
Without waiting for Elara's response, he left her standing in the forest. The atmosphere grew heavy as she stepped toward the dark depths where danger loomed. She hesitated for a moment before stopping.
Standing in front of the dungeon, she sighed, smiled, and went inside. The dark dungeon suddenly brightened as Elara carefully descended the stairs, one step at a time.
a soft, warm smile on her face as Elara greeted her brother, who lay in bed.
"I'm home, brother,"