Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: The Crimson Decree

The year is 1485. Eldoria, a land steeped in ancient tradition and shadowed by a pact forged in blood. Every fifty years, the human kingdom of Akiyama offers one of its princesses as a sacrifice to the vampire realm of Yamada. This grim exchange ensures protection against the werewolves, demons, and other creatures lurking in the night.Hana Akiyama, the only princess born in her generation, had always known her fate. From her first breath, she was destined to be a pawn in a deadly game. Now, at the cusp of womanhood, the reality of her impending doom crashed upon her like a tidal wave."Why me?" she often whispered to the wind as she stood on the palace balcony, overlooking the lush, green hills of her homeland. The question echoed in her heart, unanswered and heavy.Her mother, Queen Samara Akiyama, tried to offer solace, but her words rang hollow. "It is for the good of the kingdom, Hana. You are saving our people."But Hana saw the fear in her mother's eyes, the desperation masked by royal composure. Her father, King Sanji Akiyama, was a stoic figure, his face etched with the weight of his decision. He loved his daughter, but his duty to his kingdom outweighed his paternal instincts."I won't go," Hana declared one evening, her voice trembling but resolute. "There has to be another way."Her parents exchanged a look of weary resignation. "There is no other way, Hana," her father said, his voice firm. "The treaty is ancient, unbreakable."But Hana refused to accept her fate. She confided in her loyal friend, Miha White, a spirited girl with a sharp mind and an even sharper tongue. Miha had been Hana's confidante since childhood, and her unwavering loyalty was a beacon in her darkening world."We'll find a way out of this," Miha vowed, her eyes blazing with determination. "I won't let them take you."Together, they hatched a plan, a desperate gamble against impossible odds. Hana would feign compliance, travel to the vampire kingdom, and then escape. It was a long shot, but it was the only hope they had.The day of the offering arrived, cloaked in somber ceremony. Hana, dressed in a gown of crimson and gold, stood before her people, her heart pounding in her chest. She forced a smile, trying to project an image of strength and acceptance."I go willingly," she announced, her voice clear and strong. "For the good of Akiyama."But inside, she was terrified. As she stepped into the ornate carriage, she caught Miha's eye. A silent promise passed between them – a promise of defiance, of hope, of survival.The journey to the vampire kingdom was long and arduous. The carriage traveled through dark forests and desolate plains, the air growing colder with each passing mile. Hana clutched a small dagger hidden beneath her gown, her only weapon against the unknown horrors that awaited her.Finally, they arrived at the gates of Yamada, a towering fortress of black stone that seemed to pierce the sky. The gates creaked open, revealing a world of shadows and secrets. Hana took a deep breath and stepped out of the carriage, ready to face her destiny, or rather, to defy it.