It was night, west of Dusk Town, in a dense forest.
"Da-da-da!"
The urgent sound of hooves echoed through the forest. In the depths of this late night, a carriage team was racing deep into the forest.
Inside the carriage, Julia was leaning on the sofa with her eyes closed, resting. The social engagements over the past few days had left her somewhat fatigued, and soon after boarding the carriage, a wave of drowsiness swept her into sleep.
"Clatter!" Just then, the wheels rolled over a tree root lying across the road and jolted violently.
And with this jolt, Julia inside the carriage awoke.
"Ugh!"
Julia rubbed her sleepy eyes and opened them to look outside the window. The inky night and the pitch-black forest came into view. The surroundings were eerily quiet, as if plunged into a land of the dead.
Julia frowned, suddenly more awake.
She instinctively asked, "Where are we now?"
