The world is vast and ever-turning. Frieren, an ancient elf who commands powerful magic, travels the lands alongside her companions: Fern, a young mage she once saved, and Stark, a sword-wielding warrior they met on their journey.

Years ago, Frieren found Fern when she was just 5 — alone, broken, standing on the edge of a cliff after losing her parents to monsters. She had nothing left and wanted to disappear. But Frieren, calm and kind, took her hand and gave her something else: a reason to keep living — magic.

Later, while battling a powerful dragon, the group met Stark — brave, blunt, and a bit clumsy — who fought with only his blade. He joined them, and together, they began traveling across the world, helping towns and slaying monsters. Over time, Stark began to fall for Fern. Though she pretended not to notice, her glances lingered a little longer than before.

Scene: The Dreamflower Trap

One day, the group encountered a massive glowing flower — ancient and cursed. Known as the Dreamblossom, it puts everyone nearby into an eternal dream using hallucination magic, draining their soul while they sleep.

As they approached it, Frieren and Stark collapsed mid-step — their minds already trapped.

Fern was the only one left awake.

She fought hard, hurling spell after spell — but every time she tried to cut the vines, they regenerated. The tree's thick tendrils wrapped around her ankles, pulling her closer. The final blow came, sharp thorns raised to pierce her chest—

Suddenly...

With a thunderous slash — so fast it was barely visible — the vines split and fell, severed in an instant.

A shadow stood before Fern, tall and quiet. He wore a long black cloak, black pants, and a black cloth covered his eyes. In his hand: a single katana, still dripping with green sap from the dying plant.

The monstrous tree cracked, burned from within, and collapsed into ash.

He didn’t turn around.

Fern stared at the stranger’s back — her heart pounding — then slowly called out.

Fern: “W-Who are you? Why… why did you save me?”