WHO ARE YOU?

Raizen crossed his arms and leaned against the pillar, casually observing them. There was no open threat in his eyes, but his presence alone was enough to create tension in the air.

"Quite the interesting group you've gathered," he said with a slight smile. "A prince, a shadow, and a warrior. A true little fairy-tale squad."

"Say what you want and get lost," Naru snapped.

"So rude. And here I was, willing to share some useful information."

"Useful information from you?" Kaito interjected sarcastically. "So, should we assume it's half true and twice as deadly?"

Raizen chuckled softly. "Oh, Kaito, always so suspicious. But..." His gaze shifted to Leyla, who hadn't moved an inch. "I think I'm most interested in her."

Before he could take another step forward, Naru, Kaito, and Akihiro simultaneously stepped in front of Leyla, forming a living shield between her and Raizen.

Raizen raised his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. "Relax, boys. I have no intention of hurting her."

"Oh yeah, we totally believe you," Akihiro muttered.

"I wouldn't harm her," Raizen repeated, taking a slow step forward, even though the three of them held their ground. "I know that we all need—"

Then, without paying them any more mind, he took another step and suddenly lowered his voice, speaking directly to Leyla.

"It's been a long time since we last saw each other, you and I."

Leyla blinked, unconsciously clenching her fists.

"Excuse me... what?"

Raizen's smile widened, but something in his eyes shifted—as if he was truly enjoying her shock.

"Ohh, I see you don't remember. They didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"That you're not actually Leyla."

Silence.

Leyla felt her heart pounding in her chest.

"How do you know that?"

"Oh, I know this must sound insane," Raizen continued, as if confiding in her. "But we used to be very close. Something more than just friends, I'd say."

Naru tensed. "You're lying."

"Am I?" Raizen tilted his head. "Wouldn't it be interesting to find out why they erased your memories?"

"No one erased anything!" Leyla said, feeling her palms grow sweaty.

"No?" Raizen took one final step, now nearly face-to-face with her, despite the three of them instinctively shifting to block him. "Then remember me."

Leyla wanted to shout, to tell him to stop, but…

Something flickered inside her mind.

A shadowy figure, distorted voices, the sensation of a familiar touch.

But she couldn't grasp a single clear image.

Raizen smiled.

"You know what I'm talking about, don't you?"

Leyla didn't answer.

"Who are you?" she whispered.

Raizen's smile turned cold.

"The real question is… who are you?"