Rivan stared at Lunaria — her silver hair glinting under the purple sky, the red symbols on her dress glowing faintly. She looked like a spirit from a forgotten myth, yet her gaze was sharp... painfully human.
"You said I destroyed this world?" he asked, voice shaky.
Lunaria nodded slowly.
"Yes. In your past life. You were the catalyst."
"But I don't even remember who I am!"
"That's how the Cursed Realm works," she replied. "It breaks you. Then shows you why."
The wind howled. Far in the distance, a bell tolled — low and wrong, like a funeral hymn played backwards. Rivan felt a sudden pain in his chest. A symbol — glowing faintly — appeared on his palm.
"What the hell—"
"Your curse is awakening," Lunaria said. "And so are the others."
He turned. Shadows moved — long, clawed, and limping toward him.
"Run," she said. "You're not ready to fight them. Not yet."
He hesitated. "Why are you helping me?"
Lunaria looked away. "Because… I loved you once."