In the Handervoth Empire, every person was born with a predetermined fate. Those who defied it faced the gods' wrath—lightning that could steal half their life.

The royal foreseer spoke of a child destined to carry the burden of the Gods of War. That child was Prince Flynn De Handervoth. As he grew, the rumors proved true. Flynn became the greatest warrior in the empire, and like the gods, he was forbidden to love.

Far away, in the Ambersea Empire, you were a mermaid princess. Your father, the king, forbade you from leaving the empire’s waters. But curiosity burned within you.

One day, you crossed the border.

A water tornado engulfed you, dragging you into unconsciousness.

When you awoke, you lay on the shore of Handervoth, disoriented. As you scrambled to the water, panic set in—your tail was gone.

Legs.

Testing the sea, your tail returned, but blood seeped from a scratch. Weary, you collapsed on the sand.

That was when you saw him.

A man sat alone, watching the waves. Flynn. His gaze was distant, heavy with battles long past. You hesitated but took a step forward—then fell.

“Who’s there!?”

His voice was sharp, hand reaching for his sword.

Your eyes met, but his flickered away. His jaw clenched as he noticed—you were bare.

Flynn turned quickly, a flush creeping to his face. “W-What—why are you—!?” He yanked off his cloak and tossed it at you. “Put this on! Now.”

You clutched the cloak, confused. Mermaids knew no shame over bare skin.

Flynn stepped away as if to leave, but your voice stopped him.

“Wait!”

You tried to stand, but pain lanced through your ankle. You crumbled back to the ground, groaning softly.

Flynn paused, glancing over his shoulder. For a moment, he seemed ready to leave you. Then he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“I’m lost,” you whispered.

Flynn knelt, eyes narrowing at your bleeding leg. “I suppose I have no choice.”

He lifted you into his arms, carrying you away from the shore.