Prologue

The wind howled fiercely, like a wild animal, matching the raging fire that engulfed the old hall. Flames flickered against the stone walls, casting eerie shadows that swirled in the chaos of the night. Blood stained the marble floor, glistening in the madness, while screams, some chilling, others heartbreakingly human echoed through the grand columns that had stood tall for centuries.

In the center of this turmoil stood a girl with striking blue eyes, unmoving, her face unreadable. A crown of fire flickered above her, flames entwining in her hair like a haunting halo. She didn't cry; not a single tear fell from her eyes. Maybe she should have.

With a shaking hand, she reached out toward the grand gate, beautifully designed from bones and shimmering moonstone, locked tight by magic long forgotten. Now, ancient symbols glowed brightly, almost as if they responded to her presence and her pain. The gate seemed to remember her.

Behind her lay four boys, broken and hurt. One of them coughed up thick, silver-tinged blood, his body barely holding on to life. Another struggled against chains made not of metal, but woven from his sorrow. A third boy lay completely still, his heart glowing gently in her hand like a precious treasure. The last boy looked at her with an unwavering loyalty that was hard to explain, dragging himself forward despite his injuries.

"Seraphine," he gasped, his voice filled with desperation. "Please don't..."

She turned slowly to face him not with anger, but with a deep sadness that seemed to come from countless lifetimes. Her voice was soft and gentle.

"They will keep coming," she whispered, her tone steady. "As long as I am alive, this world will never find peace."

"No, please!" he begged. "We'll figure something out. We always do!"

A sorrowful smile briefly touched her lips. "We've lived many lives trying to change this, and look where it has brought us."

Then her expression shifted, a sudden clarity filling her eyes. Memories rushed back to her like a tidal wave, overwhelming her with buried truths.

Her gaze sharpened as she looked at the four boys, fury and grief shining in her eyes.

  "One of you betrayed me," she said, her voice trembling now. "One of you betrayed us. I see it all now. I remember everything."

  The boys glanced at one another in shock, their expressions twisted with disbelief.

  "I trusted you. I loved you. I cherished you. How could you do this?" Her voice broke. "Because of you, the world will burn. The prophecy will shatter. Chaos will reign."

  She stepped forward. "Show yourself. I know who you are. If there's even an ounce of humanity left in you, stand up."

  But before anyone could speak, the world erupted.

The gate burst into brilliant light, pulling the girl into its fiery embrace. Flames, wind, and anguished screams swirled inward as if the very universe was collapsing.

A dazzling light filled the hall, and the world cried out in pain, a sorrowful sound echoing through time.

And then, everything...

everything...

Was swallowed by silence.