The capital city of Elaria was bright and full of life. Bells rang from towers, and market streets overflowed with people. Flags of the Holy Order waved in the wind. Children played with wooden swords, pretending to be heroes. No one knew that danger had already crept into their golden streets.
In a grand hall at the center of the city, the Hero of Light stood tall. His name was Rael. His armor shone like the sun, and his eyes glowed with holy energy. The priests said he was chosen. The people believed he could do no wrong.
But Rael was troubled.
For weeks, he had been having strange dreams—visions of a shadowy figure watching him. A voice whispered things that made no sense. Warnings. Questions. Doubt.
"Who are you really fighting for?" the voice had asked last night.
Rael gripped the sword at his side. The same sword that had cut down hundreds of monsters. But why did victory feel so... hollow?
---
In a quiet tavern near the city's edge, a stranger in a hood sat alone. He drank nothing. He spoke to no one. But when he looked up, the firelight caught the glint of violet eyes.
Yuu watched the city with a calm, curious gaze. He had arrived days ago. Not to attack. Not to destroy. But to observe.
He had planted a seed in Rael's mind through the system. A small change in code. A question buried deep in a dream. The effects were already showing.
Rael had started ignoring orders. He had visited places outside his mission path. He had begun to wonder what the prophecy didn't say.
Yuu smiled.
It would not be long before the cracks widened.
A barmaid walked past, glancing at him. "You're not from around here, are you?" she asked.
"No," Yuu replied softly. "Just watching the game."
She laughed nervously and walked away. When she turned back, the seat was empty.
Yuu was already gone.
Outside, he walked through the city, unseen by all. His presence hidden by a passive skill—Veil of Obscurity. He paused near the temple of the prophecy. There, a statue of the Hero stood tall.
He looked up at it.
"How many stories were carved in stone before the truth could speak?"
He turned away, leaving behind only footsteps no one could remember.
---