Erza's voice shifted, becoming slower, deeper, like the telling of an ancient story passed down through generations.
"I will tell you," she said, her violet eyes fixed on some distant point that only she could see.
"But I will not repeat it. And I will not tolerate pity from a mere human."
Yuuta nodded silently.
Erza sighed, long and heavy, and began.
"Before you know about my past, you must understand my homeland. My kingdom lies in the southern reaches of the Atlantica Continent, a land known as Frost Death. The snow there never melts. The storms are so fierce that even the bravest warriors avoid engaging in battle on its soil. Many dragons have wondered how any living creature could survive there, let alone build a kingdom. But we did. We thrived. And the Atlantis Kingdom came to rule the entire continent."
She paused, her fingers tracing the arm of the sofa as if she could feel the cold of her homeland through the worn fabric.
