Luxcia's P.O.V
I lay on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling of the room I'd been staying in inside the palace.
It had already been two months since I somehow ended up in this world.
A quiet sigh escaped my lips as exhaustion and homesickness settled heavily in my chest.
I wanted this mission to end already.
I wanted to go home.
I let out a small laugh after remembering that no one was even waiting for me back in my own world.
Who would even look for me there?
I got up from the bed and stepped outside my room. The palace hallways were silent, as if the entire place had fallen asleep. As I walked through the endless corridors, I looked around me.
No matter how many times I'd seen this place, it still amazed me.
Even with its overwhelming shades of red and black, the palace was still breathtaking.
While wandering around, I suddenly stopped when a woman approached me.
She was beautiful.
Her black hair was cut short, and she wore an elegant black gown with a gothic style to it. She looked like one of the nobles of this kingdom. Her posture was graceful, but there was something cold and unsettling about her presence.
"Are you Luxcia?" she asked coldly.
I nodded slowly, and she smiled.
A smile I couldn't understand.
A chill instantly ran down my spine, as if something inside me was whispering...
Stay away from her.
"If you're really the chosen one, then why are you still doing nothing?"
I frowned, confused by what she meant.
"W-What do you mean?"
"Why haven't you searched for this kingdom's Circle of Power yet?"
Before I could answer, she suddenly stepped closer. Her presence felt suffocating, like the air around me was being crushed.
"So the chosen one is useless after all," she continued. "If you think you're here just to enjoy yourself, then you might as well leave."
"You've got it wrong. I want to help this worl-"
I couldn't finish my sentence.
She suddenly smirked.
A cruel, mocking smirk.
Then she shoved me with all her strength.
I was thrown backward and slammed hard onto the floor. Pain shot through my entire body. Blood escaped my mouth as my hands trembled violently.
W-Who is she?
Why is she doing this?
"Save the world?" she said while walking toward me again. "Are you joking? You can't even save yourself. What makes you think you can save this world?"
Something inside me burned.
Fear. Anger. Shame.
But more than anything...
Determination.
I forced myself to stand despite the pain shaking my body. I glared at her, clenching my fists tightly.
"I don't know why you're doing this," I said while struggling to keep myself upright, my knees trembling painfully, "but I'll prove to you that I can save this world!"
"Really?" she replied with her arms crossed and an amused smile on her lips. "Then why don't you retrieve the Circle of Power… alone?"
I frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Why are you waiting for the Queen's orders before acting? They want to make you stronger before throwing you into battle, so they keep delaying everything. But we're running out of time, Luxcia. The enemies are close to taking the Third King. And if we keep waiting for you to grow stronger… it'll already be too late."
She smiled again.
Not a warm smile.
A dangerous one.
I clenched my fists tighter. My chest burned with anger, fear, and determination.
"Where is the Circle of Power?"
Her smile darkened.
"It's in the Exoturu Forest. At midnight, a carriage will be waiting outside the kingdom. It'll take you there."
I stared at her intensely. "Why are you doing this?"
She walked closer before answering coldly.
"Why? Simple. I don't want our world to be saved by a weak mortal. I want to see if you're truly worthy of being called 'the chosen one.' Prove it, Luxcia. Prove yourself."
I stared back at her. I didn't know whether she was an enemy or an ally.
But one thing was certain.
"I'll prove it to you," I answered firmly.
Without another word, I turned around and walked away. Every step felt heavy, and the pain in my body still lingered. But I didn't care anymore. Even while limping, I forced myself to keep moving forward.
I would do everything I could.
Everything.
To save this world.
Third Person P.O.V
A young girl quietly walked through the dark hallway of the palace. Every step she took was careful, as if she didn't want to make even the slightest sound.
She stopped beside an old vase resting on a pedestal and briefly looked around to make sure no one was watching.
Slowly, she pressed the hidden mechanism behind the vase.
A loud rumble echoed through the hallway.
Part of the wall suddenly slid open, revealing a secret passage hidden behind the stone.
The girl stepped inside the hidden chamber. A narrow staircase made of old stone and wood led downward. Without hesitation, she descended, her shadow flickering beneath the weak torchlight lining the walls.
At the very bottom stood a wooden door carved with strange symbols. She pushed it open, revealing a massive cave-like chamber.
At the center stood a gigantic black crystal, glowing faintly in the darkness as though it possessed a life and energy of its own.
The girl immediately knelt, lowering her head respectfully.
Moments later, a cold and deep voice echoed throughout the chamber, coming directly from within the black crystal.
"Did you succeed in your mission, Bernadette?"
The girl smiled and slowly lifted her head.
"Yes, Your Majesty," she answered. "I'm certain Luxcia will go to Exoturu Forest… alone."
A terrifying silence followed before the voice spoke again.
"Excellent… Prepare yourself. You must kill the chosen one."
Bernadette's smile widened into something sinister filled with hidden delight and cruelty.
"As you command, Your Majesty."
A sinister smile spread across her lips.
Luxcia's P.O.V
I was inside my room now.
Quiet.
The lamp's dim light barely softened the heaviness clouding my thoughts. I was still hesitating whether I should really go to the forest.
I wanted to tell Elaine everything that happened but I didn't want her to worry. She might even try to stop me.
I sighed while staring at the clock.
11:50 PM.
Midnight was close.
I didn't have time to hesitate anymore.
I needed to save this world. Besides, no one ever told me I wasn't allowed to retrieve the Circle of Power alone.
And more importantly…
I was the only one capable of obtaining it.
I quickly stood up and changed clothes. I wore my black t-shirt, denim jacket, and black pants. I pulled on my boots and grabbed my bow.
I also wore the Lierex around my neck.
Carefully, I stepped out of my room. Several vampires were still walking through the hallways, so I tried my best not to make any noise. Every step I took out of the palace was slow but determined.
But the moment I reached the gate, I suddenly froze.
"Lulu?"
That voice was familiar.
Steven.
I turned around and saw him standing in the darkness before he walked closer.
"What are you doing out here this late? I thought you were sleeping in your room."
D*ng.
"H-Huh? Ahm… I couldn't sleep," I answered awkwardly. "So I just came outside to get some fresh air…"
I forced a smile, but I already knew he wasn't convinced. His eyes immediately landed on my clothes and the bow I was carrying.
"Why are you bringing a bow with you?" he asked, confusion obvious on his face.
I knew it…
"Why? Is that not allowed?" I forced myself to reply casually. "I just want to practice. Anyway, I should get going. Bye!"
I immediately turned around and started running, but...
"Wait! Where are you even going?"
I stopped and reluctantly faced him again.
"Just nearby. Don't follow me, Steven. You still have work to do, right? I can handle myself. I'll come back."
I gave him a small smile and waved before running off again before he could ask more questions.
Thankfully, he didn't follow me.
I let out a long sigh.
As I walked through the darkness, I looked around nervously.
Where's the carriage that woman mentioned? It should be somewhere outside the kingdom…
There's no turning back now, Luxcia. You can't run away anymore.
Then I finally saw it.
A black carriage stood waiting in the distance, strange symbols carved along its sides. Without saying a word, I approached and climbed inside. The coachman remained silent, his head lowered as he guided the carriage forward.
As the carriage moved, we traveled through dark and silent roads. The cold wind pierced through me, as if every gust seeped straight into my bones.
I wrapped my arms around myself and pressed a hand against my chest.
I'm scared…
Is this really the right thing to do?
Several minutes later, the carriage finally stopped. The coachman silently opened the door for me.
The moment I stepped outside, an icy wind struck my skin.
I slowly looked around.
The forest was dark.
Good thing I brought my phone.
I quickly turned on the flashlight.
A chill suddenly crawled down my spine.
Right in front of me…
The Exoturu Forest.
Am I really doing the right thing?
I just hope I succeed and that nothing bad happens to me.