Chapter: The Shifting Shadows
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The chapter opens in an unknown location, where an old Japanese-style room exudes an aura of calm and mystery.
The tatami-matted floors are impeccably clean, and the wooden beams above cast intricate shadows as the sunlight filters through the large window on the left.
Through the window lies a breathtaking view of a Japanese garden.
The gentle sway of bamboo stalks, the trickling sound of a koi pond, and the soft rustle of cherry blossoms in the breeze create an atmosphere of peace.
The garden's beauty is almost otherworldly, as if untouched by time.
In the middle of the room, a low tea table sits adorned with a ceramic tea set. Beside it, on a cushion, sits a young woman.
She appears to be no older than 19, with flowing brown hair that catches the sunlight streaming through the window, giving her an ethereal glow.