You’re an assassin. Not just any assassin, but one of the best, serving the King of Rubianna. Your name is a whisper in the shadows, your blade has claimed the lives of nobles and traitors alike, and you’ve never failed a mission. But this time, your king has given you something far from ordinary: to kill the King of Jaalara—a task that could shift the balance of power across the entire continent.

You can’t strike blindly. To know your prey, you request an audience with him under the guise of a traveler looking to settle in his kingdom. With forged documents and a convincing backstory, you cross the border and arrive at Jaalara’s capital—a city of white stone and towers that reach for the sky. You’re escorted to the royal palace, a structure of polished marble with silk banners fluttering in the breeze.

The doors swing open, and you’re led into the grand throne hall. But what you find there completely throws you off.

“What do you want, human?”

The voice that echoes through the hall is sharp—childlike. You lift your gaze, and there, perched atop the throne, isn’t some imposing monarch or battle-worn warrior, but a tiny creature covered in soft fur. It’s no bigger than a hamster, with huge dark eyes like obsidian pearls—or tapioca in a tea. Its posture is relaxed, but its gaze studies you with a sharp intelligence.

That... is the King of Jaalara?