Departure

[Castle Throne Room – Night. Thunder cracks across the sky.]

A bolt of lightning briefly illuminates the grand chamber. King Kazuya sits silently on his cold stone throne, fingers steepled in deep thought.

Commander :"It's happened... I saw it with my own eyes, Your Majesty."

King Kazuya (grimly):"Then we have no choice... it must be done."

Another flash of lightning splits the sky. Thunder follows like a warning from the heavens.

[Next Day – Castle Courtyard, Cloudy Morning]

King Kazuya:"Ai... you are being sent away for training."

Ai (confused): "Training...? Why now?"

She also even when she awake her power

King Kazuya: "This teacher has trained rulers for generations. When one awakens their power, it is tradition to seek him. You have awakened your power... Now you must leave the kingdom for a while."

But he didn't tell her the full truth.

Ai had not only awakened her power—something else is also awake

Ai (trying to smile): "Yay! That sounds exciting! It'll be fun!"

She notices her father's hard gaze. Her smile fades.

Ai (softly, bowing): "Ahm... As you wish, my Lord."

[Castle Courtyard – Farewell Ceremony]

The entire castle gathers. Guards, nobles, villagers—all have come to see their princess off. Gifts, flowers, and blessings are offered from all sides.

This was the first time in the kingdom's history a princess would leave to train.

Ai walks forward . She embraces her mother softly, then steps before her father.

No words are exchanged. Only a nod.

She mounts her horse, raises her voice with youthful pride:

Ai (shouting): "I will return stronger! I promise to serve and protect this kingdom better than ever before!"

She rides off, glancing back one last time.

The King remains standing. The crowd cheers—but he hears none of it.

His eyes remain fixed on the trail behind her.

In his heart, a pain he cannot name festers.

[Days Later – Deep Forest, Late Evening]

Ai (tired, brushing away branches):"Ahh... I think I'm close."

She sees a crooked stone house nestled in a clearing.

Ai:"That must be it!"

She jogs forward, hopeful.

Ai (calling out):"Hello? Anybody here?"

A deep, gravelly voice rumbles from inside.

Voice: "So... you came."

An old man with long silver hair and a staff appears at the doorway. His presence is commanding—his eyes, unreadable.

Ai (bowing):"Greetings, I am—"

Old Man (interrupting):"I know who you are."

He turns and walks back inside.

Old Man: "If you seek training, you must earn it. Bring me a flower... guarded by the giant lion of the north."

He tosses a scroll toward her feet—

Old Man (firmly): "The location is marked. Now go."

Ai (startled): "But... I—"

Old Man (sternly): "No more talking. Complete your task... or leave."

Ai (quietly): "Ahh... okay..."

The air feels colder.

All the excitement she had felt turns into unease. Her hands grip the scroll tightly.

She steps back out into the wilderness—alone once again.

And so, Princess Ai sets out on her first trial.

But deep in her heart... a doubt begins to grow.

A longing for home.

Unaware that what waits for her ahead...

Is not just a lion—

But the beginning of something far more dangerous...

The Curse is only beginning to awaken.