Prologue: The Bad Ending

The memories of my childhood are etched in my mind, harking back to the days when life was simpler, and the kingdom of Elysia was a place of peace and wonder. Our family mansion, a grand structure, stood majestically, surrounded by lush gardens and a sprawling backyard.

But amidst all that splendor, one thing held a special place in my heart—the old oak tree. Its ancient branches stretched out like welcoming arms, and its leaves whispered secrets in the wind. Underneath its sheltering boughs, my best friend Catherine Fairbourne and I, along with my loyal childhood friend, Tatiana Tremaine, forged unforgettable memories.

Our mothers, Lady Isabella Tremaine and Lady Eliza Fairbourne, were the best of friends, and they raised us like sisters. It was a time of laughter, companionship, and happiness, and I cherished every single moment spent with Catherine. She had a fiery spirit and unwavering loyalty that always brought light to my life, and I could never imagine a world without her.

However, life has a way of throwing curveballs, and tragedy struck when I turned ten. A dreadful plague ravaged our kingdom, and my dear mother, Lady Isabella, fell ill. Despite our desperate attempts to save her, she passed away, leaving a void in my heart that could never be filled. In the wake of this immense loss, my father, General Lucius Tremaine, took a stern approach and sent me to the prestigious Silvercrest Academy. Perhaps he hoped it would offer a brighter future for me, but it felt like he was trying to distance himself from the memories of my mother.

As I entered the academy, I couldn't help but feel a little out of place. My magical abilities were average at best compared to the exceptional talents of my peers. Nevertheless, I chose to stay, not wanting to burden my father any further. I remained within the confines of the academy, unaware of the world beyond its walls, and my father's aloofness only reinforced my belief that I needed to become stronger to earn his approval and protect what was left of our family.

In the midst of my academy life, an unexpected twist of fate brought Catherine back into my life. She had been away honing her skills in various disciplines, ranging from sports and academics to combat and magic. Her talents seemed almost otherworldly, and while I should have felt proud to have such a remarkable best friend, I couldn't help but feel a pang of inadequacy. She excelled in everything she did, and sometimes, it felt like I was just a mere shadow in her brilliant presence.

Yet, despite my insecurities, I couldn't have been prouder of Catherine's achievements. She was a prodigy, and I admired her from the depths of my heart. When we practiced magic together, she always guided me with patience, never once making me feel inferior. As we spent more time together, I cherished every moment, dreaming of a future where we'd remain inseparable, facing the world side by side.

Time flew by, and before we knew it, we turned sixteen. Our lives took an unexpected and drastic turn. The once-peaceful world we knew was shattered into chaos and conflict. The very academy that was supposed to be a haven for us came under attack by unknown forces, and in the blink of an eye, we were branded as traitors by our own country. The betrayal cut deep, shaking the foundations of our trust and leaving us with no choice but to flee and seek refuge in a neutral country.

There, we encountered a group of valiant heroes determined to restore peace to our world. Driven by a shared purpose, we joined forces with them, forming an alliance to combat the malevolence threatening to engulf the world in darkness.

Our journey to bring peace back into the world was no easy feat. We faced countless challenges and adversities along the way, but with every trial, the bond between Catherine and me grew stronger. Together, we overcame obstacles, forged unforgettable memories, and shared countless laughs amidst the darkness.

Yet, even in the midst of chaos, a part of me yearned for the innocence of the past. I longed for the carefree days, when life was simpler, and the world was not engulfed in the flames of war. I wondered if we could ever return to those moments, but our reality was far from that wish.

In one of our most critical missions, we received information about a place that held the key to restoring peace and driving away the malevolence that had taken root in people's hearts. Fueled by the belief that we could make a difference, we set out with our group to reach that sacred location.

However, as we approached the place, an uneasy feeling gnawed at my heart. It was as if something important was missing, something we had overlooked. I couldn't shake off the dreadful thought that this mission might cost us dearly.

Amidst the chaos of our arrival, I spotted Catherine. Surprise and concern registered on her face as I hastily explained our escape plan. But as the building continued to collapse around us, I felt a sharp, searing pain in my abdomen. Blood trickled down my side, and I realized that I had been stabbed.

"Tatiana, you're... you're the reason why our world collapsed!" Catherine cried out, her voice trembling with anger and sorrow.

The dagger was still thrust into my abdomen as I looked at her, a weak smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Hehe, what a blunder, right Catherine?" I managed to utter a weak laugh, trying to mask the pain that consumed me.

"What are you saying? Did you finally admit it?" Her voice quivered, her grip on the knife tightening.

"I didn't mean to fall onto the knife, it was an accident," I said, wincing as the pain intensified.

But deep down, I knew the truth. My clumsiness had endangered both of us, and I couldn't shake off the guilt that weighed heavily on my heart.

"…Tatiana, you're the one behind all this!" Catherine whispered, her voice barely audible as tears streamed down her cheeks.

As I looked into her tear-filled eyes, I realized that she had figured out the truth. She knew that the events that had led us to this moment were somehow connected to me, though I couldn't quite grasp the extent of my involvement.

"No, Catherine, it's not like that," I protested, trying to reach out to her, but my strength was waning.

Taken aback, Catherine seems to snap out of her rage, her tear-filled eyes widening with shock and regret for her accusations. In that moment, she knew I would never willingly bring harm to anyone.

"Wait, please, Tatiana, you have to stay with me," Catherine pleaded, her voice breaking.

But I knew my fate had been sealed the moment the dagger pierced my body. The pain was unbearable, but I could never bear to see Catherine suffer for my mistakes.

"...Catherine, all of this wasn't your fault," I reassured her, my voice growing weaker as darkness threatened to consume me.

Images of our joyful childhood flashed before my eyes. The days we spent running through the gardens, laughing without a care in the world, and dreaming of a future where we'd conquer every challenge together.

"We're always best friends forever, right, Catherine?" I managed to utter, hoping she could hear my final words before unconsciousness claimed me.

As I drifted into darkness, a mysterious voice welcomed me to Crossroad, referring to me as "Lady Tatiana Tremaine, the one who brought calamity." Little did I know that my story was far from over. This was only the beginning of a new and unforeseen journey, where fate would twist and turn in unexpected ways.

In that moment, as I lost my life, the world's end began, and I found myself transported to another world, not knowing what awaited me beyond the realms of life and death.

My heart ached for Catherine as my vision blurred and the world around me faded into darkness. I hoped with all my being that she would find the strength to continue the fight for peace and that the truth of my innocence would eventually come to light. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I clung to the memories of our friendship, knowing that my time with her was slipping away.

In the moments before I succumbed to unconsciousness, I whispered a silent prayer for Catherine's safety and happiness. I wanted her to remember the joy we shared, the bond we forged, and the promise we made to be best friends forever.

-Prologue End-