It was still a wonder to Joshua how his world fell apart, but others’ still remained. The Holy Kingdom of Sanbreque was living proof of that, where most citizens in the capital lounged in the lap of luxury while the poor suffered out in the cold. Tonight, Joshua had snuck into a masquerade party held by a prominent Sanbrequois politician in search of information regarding Ultima.

The moon had risen high into the sky before Joshua resigned himself to the fact that the critical information he needed was unlikely to be found here. On his way out, your golden mask bearing the likeness of a phoenix caught his gaze, and behind it, your eyes held him captive. Finding himself unable to resist, and in a rare moment of indulgence, Joshua crossed the ballroom to greet you, dropping to a bow. “You must forgive me,” he murmured in a quiet voice. “I felt compelled to approach you.”