Leona sat stiffly atop a wooden barrel near the ship's inner deck, arms folded tight across her chest like armor she refused to remove. Her chin was lifted in practiced defiance, lips pursed in a pout that tried—poorly—to hide the way her eyes kept drifting toward the edge of the ship.
Toward him.
Reider stood apart from everyone else, exactly where she had first seen him after falling from the sky—at the railing, facing the endless ocean. The wind tugged at his pale hair, lifting it gently, almost reverently, as though the world itself treated him with caution. His posture was relaxed, hands resting loosely at his sides, gaze fixed on the horizon with a stillness that felt unnatural.
He didn't look like a savior.
He didn't look like a king.
He didn't look like anything at all.
And yet, something about him made Leona's skin prickle every time she looked his way.
"Alright," Vael said, breaking the silence.
She stood directly in front of Leona now, arms crossed, expression calm but unyielding. Mei was beside her, hands folded politely. Eryndra leaned against a crate with her usual lazy confidence, while Zera stood a step back, eyes sharp and unreadable.
Vael's voice was level, carrying authority without force.
"Princess. You want to explain who you are, and why you dropped out of the sky onto our ship?"
Leona clicked her tongue and turned her head away dramatically, silver hair swishing over her shoulder.
"Hmph. Like you deserve to know."
Zera didn't even blink.
"Then I guess we toss you overboard."
The words landed flat. Casual. Deadly.
Leona froze.
Her face drained of color as her mind instantly filled with vivid images of cold, endless water swallowing her whole. She spun back around, eyes wide, panic breaking straight through her act.
"W-Wait! You can't!" she yelped. "I'm too important!"
Eryndra pushed off the crate and leaned forward, grinning like a predator who'd just heard something amusing.
"Important how, exactly?"
Leona hesitated—just a heartbeat—then straightened. Her shoulders squared, her chin lifted higher, and the familiar weight of royal pride settled back into place.
She placed one hand over her chest in a practiced, regal gesture.
"I am Leona Eldross," she declared, voice ringing with confidence. "Second princess of the Kingdom of Eldross."
The reaction was immediate.
Mei blinked, eyes widening slightly.
"Princess…?"
Vael's gaze sharpened, reassessing her from head to toe.
Zera, however, only narrowed her eyes.
"And what's a princess doing falling out of the sky and picking fights with people who could crush her?"
The question struck deeper than Leona expected.
Her confident posture faltered. Just a little.
She exhaled slowly, shoulders sinking as something heavy dragged itself to the surface.
"Because my kingdom…" Her voice softened. "Is under demon control."
The air shifted.
Eryndra's grin vanished. Vael's expression turned hard. Even Mei's gentle face grew tense.
Leona lowered herself back onto the barrel, fingers gripping the edge as if anchoring herself.
"They took everything," she said quietly. "My family. My people. We prayed to our god—Orion—for salvation. For anyone… anyone strong enough to save us."
Mei stepped closer, her voice warm and careful.
"That's why you went searching?"
Leona nodded, arms wrapping around herself.
"My sister and I were desperate. I was sent out—to find help. A hero. A miracle."
Vael studied her for a long moment before speaking.
"And you've been praying to Orion."
Leona looked up, confused.
"Yes. Why?"
Vael's lips curved—not playful this time, but knowing. She glanced toward the railing, toward the lone figure standing against the sea.
"Because Orion already answered."
Leona frowned.
"What?"
Mei followed Vael's gaze and smiled gently.
"Reider," she said. "He was sent by Orion."
Leona's breath caught.
She turned slowly, eyes locking onto Reider's back. Her heart skipped—then slammed painfully against her ribs.
Him?
Zera smirked.
"Still think you're the strongest one here?"
Leona swallowed, her earlier bravado crumbling under the weight of realization.
"That guy…?"
Eryndra crossed her arms.
"He's the reason we're still alive."
Leona stared at Reider, memories replaying in her mind—the way her magic had failed, how he'd caught her without effort, how utterly indifferent he'd been.
Vael sat beside her.
"If Orion sent him," she said, "then he's stronger than the demons you're facing."
Leona's fingers trembled slightly.
So that's why my magic didn't work…
Hope—small, fragile, dangerous—sparked in her chest.
Eryndra nudged her.
"Still think you can charm him?"
Leona flushed.
"I-I wasn't serious!"
Zera's smirk deepened.
"Sure."
Vael stood.
"Welcome to the team, princess."
Leona exhaled, tension easing just a bit.
"…Thanks."
Later, when the mood had settled and the ocean stretched quietly around them, Leona spoke again.
"My sister and I… are the only ones left."
Mei turned to her.
"Your sister?"
"Eleanor," Leona said softly. "She's queen now. Or… she was. The demons captured her."
Zera stiffened.
"They took the queen?"
Leona clenched her skirt.
"She's trapped in the castle. I couldn't save her."
Vael leaned forward.
"Who's leading them?"
Leona hesitated.
"One of them," she whispered. "One of the strongest demons there… is Lucian's sister."
The moment the name left her mouth, the ship shuddered.
Not physically—but spiritually.
A pressure rolled through the air like a gathering storm. The windows rattled. The wind screamed.
Eryndra's eyes widened.
"This feeling…"
Vael went still.
"…Even calm, he's furious."
Zera turned sharply toward the deck.
Outside, Reider stood unmoving—but the wind howled around him, whipping the sea into violent waves.
His eyes burned cold.
Lucian's sister.
Back inside, Leona stared at them, confused and afraid.
"What's wrong?"
Vael inhaled slowly.
"You said the wrong name."
Mei nodded.
"He has history with Lucian."
Leona's voice trembled.
"But Lucian was human—"
Eryndra's smile was bitter.
"He was a monster. And now we know it runs in the family."
Zera nodded.
"That explains the chaos."
Leona whispered,
"She's worse."
Everyone turned to her.
"She plays with souls," Leona said, shaking. "She took my knight captain's soul… right in front of me."
Eryndra clenched her fists.
"And you survived that alone?"
Leona nodded.
"…I had no one."
Vael placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Not anymore."
Mei smiled.
"You have us."
Zera added,
"And him."
Leona looked toward Reider once more—standing alone, the sea trembling beneath his presence.
Please, she thought. Save her.
Outside, the waves crashed violently as Reider's aura surged.
His gaze narrowed.
Lucian's sister…
The ocean glowed faintly beneath him, as if even the sea feared what was coming.
And somewhere far away, a demon queen unknowingly smiled—
Unaware that destiny had already set its blade in motion.