The Kim dynasty loomed over the land like a shadow—wealthy, ruthless, and feared. War had swept through the kingdoms, leaving devastation in its wake. From distant India, slave traders brought captives: men, women, and children torn from their homes, dragged across oceans to satisfy the whims of the powerful.
When the war ended, most were sent home—but not all. Some were deemed too valuable, too dangerous, or simply… too different.
The battlefield was silent except for the crackling of dying fires. Smoke curled into the sky, carrying with it the scent of blood and damp earth. Soldiers moved among the fallen, barking orders, their boots squelching in the mud.
"Here," one soldier barked, tossing a small bundle of food at the captives. "Eat. In an hour, a ship will come to take you all." His voice was rough, lacking empathy, but laced with authority.
From the distance, Jihoon, the eldest son of the Duke, watched with disdain. His dark eyes gleamed as he sneered, "Here come the pigs. Eat fast—the ship is ready for sale." He laughed, a cruel, hollow sound that made the captives shrink back in fear.
The youngest son, Tarhyung, stepped forward. Unlike Jihoon's calculated cruelty, Tarhyung radiated unpredictable danger. His gaze landed on a defeated enemy soldier, still trembling from the fight. "Hey!" he called, voice cutting through the chaos. "What did your master say? Beg on your knees?" His dark eyes narrowed. "Come here."
Before anyone could react, he fired. The soldier crumpled to the ground. The sound of the gunshot echoed across the battlefield, loud enough to stop hearts. The slaves froze, terror rooting them in place. Some had seen death before, but not like this—so sudden, so deliberate.
When the ship finally docked, a tense procession of captives was herded aboard. They shuffled like shadows, eyes down, bodies aching from chains and fear. And then… there was one more.
A girl lingered, standing apart from the line. Her dark hair clung to her face from sweat and dust, and her wide eyes darted nervously to the men around her. She hesitated, unsure if she should step forward.
A local man, his gaze heavy and lecherous, approached her. "You," he hissed. "Come down. It's okay if you don't want to go." His words dripped with menace. "Now go, captain. She'll stay here."
She swallowed hard. Her chest tightened, fear clawing at her throat. She wanted to run, to vanish into the shadows, but the world around her was a cage of cruelty and power. The ship sailed without her, taking everyone else away, leaving her behind. Alone.
And in that moment, a chill ran down her spine. She was not just a girl left behind—she was a lone spark in a storm of darkness, and destiny had just begun to turn its eyes on her.