The Castle
Present Time
A large room with minimal lighting, a high ceiling, and a big bed in the center. A huge window with golden edges allows sunlight to pour in. Curtains shimmer in a mix of silver and gold.
He wakes up and sits on his bed, his muscles defined, as if he's been training his body for hundreds of years. His gray hair gleams in the sunlight.
(A knock on the door)
Knocker: Are you awake, sir?
White: Yes, come in.
A maid working in the castle enters, carrying clean clothes. She stands by the door.
White: Why are you standing there? Come closer and place the clothes here.
Maid: Yes, sir. These are your battle clothes for today. They were prepared under Thanos's orders.
White: Damn that fool. Who does he think he is? ... (looks at the girl) Whatever, it doesn't matter. Just put them here and leave.
She approaches, places the clothes on the bed, then steps back, exits the room, and closes the door behind her.
Maid (murmuring): My God, he's so handsome...
White: Damn it, I hate doing this... Damn you, Thanos. And damn you, Bloodot, you demon. It's all because of you.
White gets out of bed and picks up his clothes.
White: (Looking toward where the girl was) Am I really that handsome? Damn this cursed face.
---
The other side of the Castle
A maid is running through the castle corridors...
Maid (to herself): I'm late. I'm doomed...
She runs and opens the door to a room. It's extremely messy, filled with dark energy, and despite the sunny morning, there's no light inside.
Maid: Lord Thanos, the morning has come. You have two hours until your battle. Are you awake?
A dagger made of blood flies toward the maid, grazing her cheek as it passes.
Thanos (sleepy voice): Damn you, you're annoying. Go get my damn clothes now.
The maid quickly exits the room, slams the door shut behind her, and rushes away from it.
Maid (to herself): Why do I have to serve someone like him? They could've assigned me to the other side of the castle...
While running, she bumps into Thea—extremely beautiful, with long black hair so smooth it scratches her cheek as it flows. The sunlight from the hallway windows reflects off her hair. The maid falls from the impact.
The maid looks up and sees Thea.
Maid: I'm sorry, Lady Thea. I didn't mean to.
Thea extends her delicate hand to the maid.
Thea: Are you alright?
The maid grabs her hand, stands up again, and bows apologetically.
Thea: It's okay. I'm fine. Just watch where you're going when you run through the hallways.
Maid: Thank you, Lady Thea.
Maid (thinking): She's so beautiful and graceful... I wish she were my mistress instead of that fool...
Thea smiles, as if she read the maid's mind, and says:
Thea: Go now. Thanos will scold you if you're late.
The maid runs off into the distance.
Thea walks toward one of the hallway windows and quietly opens it, letting in a gentle morning breeze.
Thea: Have you broken the seal? Did you find the boy's location, Naya?
A girl sits below the window on the outside, her face covered with a silver-black mask, wearing all-black clothing.
Naya: I'm still investigating, my lady, but this is what I've found so far.
A thread of blood rises up to the window, with a rolled report paper at its end. Naya holds the thread.
Naya: All the details are here. I'll inform you if I find anything else, my lady...
Thea takes the report.
Thea: Try to find what I asked you as quickly as possible. There's no time.
Naya: Yes, my lady. Also, be cautious of the people around you. They're plotting something.
Naya disappears quietly, and Thea closes the window and heads toward her room.
She enters a gentle-looking room with white walls, a big bed in the center, a large window, extinguished candles everywhere, a small bookshelf full of papers in the corner, and a wardrobe on the other side.
She walks to the bookshelf, sits on the chair, and opens the report Naya gave her.
---
Report Content:
Report on the Hybrid...
The hybrid's demon has been spotted heading north by villagers.
I obtained a description of his appearance, and it seems to be him.
His location is currently the north.
I couldn't contact him, but if you'd like me to go north, just say the word.
That's all for now.
---
Thea looks calmly toward the window, then throws the paper into the air.
Many threads of blood emerge and shred the paper into tiny pieces mid-air.
Thea rises from her seat, walks toward the window, places her hands on it, and draws a circle with blood...
To be continued...