2. First encounter
**After struggling to fight back the assassins, Maeve grabbed a sword and fought with every ounce of strength she had left. Her movements were swift and precise, but the sheer number of attackers began to overwhelm her. She panted heavily, her energy waning as the fight dragged on. Finally, with a final, desperate swing, she defeated the last assassin.**
The guards continued their search, drawn by the sounds of battle. As the last foe fell, Maeve felt her strength ebb away. Exhaustion overcame her, and she collapsed, her vision fading to black just as the guards found her.
---
**Scene Change: The Princess' Room**
Cornor stood by the bedside, his pale blue hair catching the light as he looked down at Maeve with concern. "How is she?" he asked the royal physician, who was finishing his examination.
The physician, an elderly man with a gentle demeanor, looked up. "Her Highness will be just fine. Luckily, the cut on her arm wasn't that deep. But I advise she takes it easy for the next few days."
Cornor nodded. "You may leave now."
The physician bowed. "Of course, Your Highness." He gathered his things and quietly left the room.
Maeve slowly regained consciousness, her eyelids fluttering open. "Where am I?" she murmured, disoriented.
Cornor stepped closer. "You're finally up. Let's just get this over with, Kira."
Maeve's eyes widened. "You knew?"
"Of course I did. I could recognize my sister anywhere," Cornor replied, his expression softening slightly.
"So, are you planning on sending me back?" Maeve asked, sitting up slowly.
"Not anytime soon," Cornor said.
Maeve frowned. "What do you want?"
Cornor sighed, taking a seat beside her. "I want to propose a negotiation."
Maeve looked puzzled. "I'm confused."
"It's easy, actually. You see—" Cornor began, launching into a detailed explanation.
After a long discussion, Maeve shook her head. "You really think I'll pretend to be the crowned princess for a while?"
Cornor's expression turned serious. "It's either that, or you never get to know what happened to your mother. I happened to hear that you're tracking me down."
"My mother? How do I know you're telling me the truth?" Maeve asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.
Cornor leaned in slightly. "Let's just say that Amara and my parents were really close friends. It's your choice." With that, he stood up and left the room.
---
**Cassandra's Entrance**
Cassandra, a striking figure with pale pink hair and blue eyes, entered the room. "Good to see you again, Yamira," she said, her tone polite but firm.
Maeve looked at her, trying to piece things together. *So this must be Cassandra,* she thought. "So, what brings you here?"
Cassandra's expression remained neutral. "I'm here by the demon lord's order."
Maeve blinked. "Demon lord?"
"The break's almost over and you have to go back to Hell," Cassandra explained matter-of-factly.
"You mean, Hell's High?" Maeve asked, her confusion growing.
Cassandra nodded. "You're also His Majesty's close friend. If he becomes aware of your amnesia, your kingdom will surely suffer. So, I'm here to make you familiar with everyone around you."
Maeve tried to process this information. "It can't be that bad."
---
**Scene Change: Training Grounds**
Maeve stood in the training grounds, facing a formidable opponent. She sighed inwardly. "I stand corrected," she muttered, bracing herself.
Cassandra observed from the sidelines. "At Hell, only the strongest can survive. And to do that, you'll have to be as strong as always."
"But," Maeve whispered urgently, "I lost my powers a month ago. You know, no longer a guardian."
Cassandra's eyes narrowed as she noticed Maeve's necklace. "You have the exact same necklace as her."
Maeve hesitated. "Well, she is this universe's version of me."
Cassandra reached out and touched the necklace. "You sure about that?"
Maeve gulped, feeling a chill run down her spine.
---
**Later**
Maeve dodged a blast from her opponent, frustration and determination warring within her. *Come on, you've got this, just focus,* she told herself.
Cassandra, watching intently, boosted the ghoul's energy. "Last chance," she called out.
Summoning every bit of strength she had left, Maeve focused her energy and managed to slice the ghoul in half. She let out a breath of relief. "Finally."
Cassandra nodded in approval. "Not bad, but from now on, use this." She handed Maeve a small piece of a gem.
Maeve looked at it curiously. "What is it?"
"Just place it at the center of your necklace and you'll find out," Cassandra instructed.
Maeve did as she was told, placing the gem on her necklace. Suddenly, a silver, floating ice guardian spirit appeared before her.
Maeve's eyes widened in disbelief. "Is that an—"
Cassandra nodded. "Ice beast? That's your guardian spirit."
"No way," Maeve whispered, awe-struck.
The spirit introduced itself. "You must be Kira. Pleasure to meet you."
Maeve frowned. "Wait, isn't the spirit guardian supposed to always be with the owner at all times?"
The spirit nodded. "Well, she left me behind to make sure nobody interrupted her vacation."
Maeve sighed. "And how is this supposed to help me?"
Cassandra explained, "In Hell, you can only use dark magic. Silver here will be your guide."
Maeve nodded slowly. "Is that everything?"
"I think so. We leave tonight," Cassandra said.
"For school?" Maeve asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Exactly," Cassandra confirmed.
---
**Later that Night**
Maeve looked around nervously. "So how are we going to get there?"
Cassandra smiled. "Teleportation, of course."
Maeve's eyes widened. "That's actually a thing?!"
"What did you think we were going to use?" Cassandra teased.
"Never mind," Maeve muttered.
"Just hang on tight," Cassandra instructed as she initiated the teleportation.
---
**Scene Change: Another Land, a Better-Looking Version of Hell**
They arrived in a new land, a place that looked surprisingly beautiful for Hell. Maeve's mouth dropped open. "No way."
Cassandra smirked. "Come on," she said, dragging Maeve along.
---
**Meanwhile**
An advisor approached the throne, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty, word has spread that the eighth duke's niece has just arrived."
Cole, with his platinum hair and blue eyes, faced the window, his expression unreadable. "And where will she be staying?"
"At the duke's residence, of course. Why do you ask?" the advisor inquired.
---
**Later that Night**
Maeve sat up in bed, her thoughts a jumble. She decided to take a walk to clear her mind.
Silver, her guardian spirit, appeared beside her. "Where are you going at this hour?"
"Just taking a walk. Wanna tag along?" Maeve asked, already heading for the door.
"But it's not safe out there. If anything happens to you, I'll be responsible," Silver protested.
"Relax. Besides, if you come along, I'll be much safer, don't you think?" Maeve argued.
Silver hesitated. "But—"
"Come on," Maeve insisted, and they headed outside.
---
**Scene Changes to Outside**
Maeve balanced on the surrounding wall, feeling a strange sense of freedom.
Silver hovered nearby. "I think that's enough walking for now."
Maeve continued walking, ignoring the warning. "See, I'm perfectly fi—" she began, but lost her balance and slipped.
Before she hit the ground, she landed in someone's arms. Startled, she looked up to see a stranger's face.
Silver quickly disappeared, leaving Maeve alone with the stranger.
Maeve looked at the stranger stunned.