Mitsuiri staggered into the Dark One's domain, her once-pristine armor now dented and stained with blood and dirt. She fell to one knee before the obsidian steps leading to his throne of skulls.
"Looks like you fought the wrong person this time, Mitsuiri," the Dark One said with a smirk, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. His voice was deep, cold, and laced with menace.
"I'm sorry, my Lord," she muttered, lowering her head in shame. The weight of failure pressed heavily on her shoulders.
He stood, the sound of his movement sending a chill through the chamber. Shadows swirled around him like living entities, feeding off his dark aura. "Go get yourself cleaned up," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument. "It's time I handle things myself."
Mitsuiri's eyes widened slightly, but she did not dare meet his gaze. "My lor—" She cut herself off, bowing low once more. Without another word, she backed away and disappeared into the darkness, her failure gnawing at her pride.
The Dark One stepped forward, releasing his suffocating, bone-chilling aura. The entire chamber trembled as if the world itself recoiled in fear.
---
Meanwhile, back at the royal castle, chaos was simmering beneath the surface.
In the princess's chambers, a servant had just finished escorting the royal priestess, a regal woman draped in white robes embroidered with golden sigils of protection and prophecy. Her every step was slow and deliberate, giving her the air of someone who walked between worlds.
"Priestess!" The princess's voice trembled, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "What do we do? The kingdom isn't getting any better. You prophesied that a hero would come to save us, but there's been no salvation, only more losses."
The priestess stopped a few feet away, her silver hair glinting in the candlelight. Her gaze was calm and distant, as if she were already peering into the threads of fate. "That is because, my princess, you chose the wrong hero to lead your people to victory."
The princess's face darkened with frustration. "Then what should we do now? Should we summon another group of hero candidates?" Her voice carried the desperation of someone on the brink of despair.
"No," the priestess answered firmly. "The true hero has already been summoned. But he was rejected."
The words hit the princess like a slap. "Rejected? What are you talking about?" Her mind raced. "If it isn't Jacob, then it must be Felix. He was the only other one with potential… but Felix vanished years ago. He must be dead by now."
The priestess shook her head. "No. He lives in the northern forest."
The princess's eyes widened. "There have been reports of a great adventurer traveling from the north. Could it be him? Maybe he's been working from the shadows all this time."
Before they could continue, a royal guard burst into the room. He knelt immediately, his head bowed. "My princess," he said in a breathless tone. "The hero has been sighted. He is approaching the royal castle as we speak."
The princess's heart leaped, though she masked her hope with cold determination. "Good. Capture him at once. Throw him in the dungeon as soon as you have him."
The guard's brow twitched at the unusual command but did not question her. "Understood, Your Highness." He stood and exited the room with a crisp salute.
The priestess turned back to the princess, her gaze now sharper, more urgent. "Do not delay any longer. The hero must be found, or darkness will swallow this kingdom whole."
With that ominous warning, the priestess swept out of the chamber, leaving the princess alone. She sank into her chair, mind swirling with doubt and anxiety. Could Felix really be the one? And if he is… will he forgive us for rejecting him all those years ago?
Outside, storm clouds gathered on the horizon. The winds of destiny were shifting, and soon, fate itself would collide with the will of man.