A massive doorway stood in the middle of the grand hall, inviting the visitors to a new journey. Aiko and Ren followed the archer inside.  It was a vast space, to say the least. Warm light radiated from the windows, while the warmth from the fireplace served as a beacon of comfort, soothing Aiko’s wary heart. The walls were covered in a warm brown color, completely different from the outside scenery. Each brick was placed with such dignity that created the ideal welcoming place. The floor was a rustic parquet with a mix of homely yellows and browns. At the center of the room, there was a long wooden bar that shone brightly under the suspended chandelier supporting about a dozen candles made of animal fat. The air was thick with the scent of booze and noisy chatter. Laughter and the loud happy music soaked the place, inspiring the listeners to enjoy and dance to the beat. There were hand-crafted wooden tables and chairs scattered all around the grand space. But,

[Edo period – Tokyo, Japan]   A large, symmetrical house stood tall in the midst of a massive garden. Its thatched roof was quite impressive, covering more than half the size of the whole structure. Its slightly curved edges extended beyond the walls, forming an oversized cover for the veranda. These long eaves gave the house such a unique dimness and a perfect soothing atmosphere. The sliding doors were wide open, allowing fresh air and the smell of water from the nearby pond to replenish the senses. A young woman sat on the floor in the middle of a vast room, looking at her own reflection in a small mirror she held in her hands. Her long straight and charcoal black hair reached the floor, covering her entire back like a silk blanket. Another younger girl approached the woman. She too sat on the floor and started combing the woman’s already well-kept hair. The silence caressed their skin, like a gentle wind. Lovely birdsong came sweetly from the

The cool draft and almost freezing temperatures woke Aiko from her deep slumber. It was the type of cold that reached into her bones as if her body was a door left wide open to an icy breeze. Although it was midday, the prison cells looked darker than a moonless night. Probably because the clouds partly covered the sun outside. The girl immediately felt a piercing pain radiating from the back of her head. The soles of her feet were completely healed from the glass shards she stepped onto, but her head wasn’t doing so well. Her vision was blurry too. Yet, she could see a figure of a woman sitting close to her, resting her chin on her right hand. -        “Ouch…Kana, is that you?” -        “Yes.” -        “Ren! Where is he?” – Aiko panicked. -        “He is here. He is fine too.” The youn

A bitter wind swept the prison hall. The flames that rose were now devouring the palace. Loose light illuminated the scorched ground outside, signaling the blaze was too close for comfort. To Aiko and Ren, the unpleasant temperatures felt like being stuck inside an oven set on high heat. Their mouths ran dry. Their eyes felt heavy. Soon, the air will be too difficult to breathe.-        “Kana!”- Aiko’s heart wavered. She was terrified.In that moment, she needed the sorceress by her side. They both did. Ren was just as scared as she was. His tiny body took a heavy hit earlier. Letting that heat come any closer would only make things worse. The pup quickly cuddled Aiko and brushed his fur against her cheeks. -        “Stand back!”Kana quickly pushed the two to the farthest corner of the room. She shielded them with her body once again.

[Outskirts of Azidora]   Loud chatter swirled in a crowded space, accompanied by the stagnant smell of freshly baked bread, soup, and meat. A hint of fragrances built solid notes of moss, bark, and woody oils. The tavern was centuries-old but well-kept. It was a fancy place, sort of like a time capsule made to worship a single female statue - a hand-carved figure with realistic features. The full-length sculpture of a stunning young woman stood tall in the middle of the tavern. Countless scrolls and hand-painted images decorated the walls. Each paper glued to the wood created the perfect image of Elidy’s accomplishments. How she stopped the 5,000-year war. How she brought forth a new era of peace and prosperity. How she revamped the elven kingdom in her image. There was also a dedicated space at the end of the tavern for storing historical specimens. These relics proved her glory. Most stood in glass display cases specifically made for them. Ther