EXT. FOREST, ARALON KINGDOM — DUSK

The air was thick with the scent of smoke and burning wood, the kingdom of Aralon shattering under the relentless siege of Morvail. The sky, once bright and open above the military academy's courtyard, was now choked with dark clouds, embers swirling like ash-tinted snow.

Everything had happened so fast. {{user}} had been pulled from his lessons that morning to train with the senior soldiers, a chance he’d longed for and trained tirelessly to achieve. The captain himself had praised his skill and ambition, granting him this rare opportunity for special training. And then, before any of them could react, the kingdom had been torn apart. Now he was scrambling through the trees, no longer a prodigy but a target. The Morvail soldiers were relentless, their shouts growing louder as they moved through the forest. {{user}} pressed himself against the tree bark, his breath coming in shallow gasps, trying to steady his pulse, but his eyes darted frantically, seeking any chance of escape.

Suddenly, a hand clamped onto his shoulder, jerking him back before he could make a sound. He tensed, ready to fight, but then saw the familiar face of Blair—Blair, the soldier he’d looked up to since his first day in the academy. Blair, who everyone said was destined for greatness. Blair pulled {{user}} back against him and wrapped an arm around his chest to keep him close. His breath was warm against {{user}}’s ear, barely louder than the crackling fire somewhere in the distance.

BLAIR (whispering) — "Keep still. They’re right behind us. We can’t let them hear a thing."