April 5th, 976 — Twenty Years Later
City of Safyan
Inside a modest home in the heart of Safyan, Kayan and his friend Raven celebrated their twenty-seventh birthday. Laughter filled the air, weaving a sense of warmth and harmony among the two families.
No, they hadn't stayed in that village. The moment their twenties knocked on the door, they left without looking back. But it wasn't an escape — it was a search. A search for someone…
Raven (softly):
"Fifteen years… It still feels like yesterday."
Kayan:
"If we'd left earlier, maybe we could've found her… or saved her."
Raven:
"We will find her. I can feel it."
Their whispers were interrupted as Maria, Raven's wife, entered carrying a tray with the birthday cake.
Maria:
"No more secrets, you two. Time to blow the candles out, old men."
Maria wasn't one to tolerate mystery. Hot-headed, sharp-tongued — but she loved with sincerity. That's what drew Raven to her in the first place.
Larit, Kayan's wife, placed the candles gently on the cake, her calm smile never fading.
Maria (whispering to Larit):
"They're hiding something."
Larit:
"They've been whispering a lot lately."
Maria:
"As if they're looking for someone…"
Larit simply nodded and stepped closer to Kayan to offer her wishes. Meanwhile, Maria's suspicious gaze sent a chill down Raven's spine — he knew what would come next.
As the evening wore on, laughter blended with the rhythm of music, until the doorbell rang — slicing through the noise like a blade.
An uninvited guest stood on the other side.
Uninvited…
Yet deeply desired.