Shiwaka Kaede

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a glow on the young girl. With a pen in hand, she scribbled something in her notebook, seemingly detached from the bloody chaos outside the palace walls. Beside her, a bag was already packed with supplies someone had prepared for her. As the sounds of combat grew closer, she quietly tucked the pen and notebook into her bag—along with a letter.

Before long, the palace doors were forced open by soldiers. Just as they began breaking into the study, the girl slung the bag over her shoulder and prepared to escape through the window.

"Quick! Don’t let her get away!" "The boss said catching her will earn us a hefty reward!"

The study door burst open, but at that exact moment, the girl was already perched on the windowsill, ready to flee. With moonlight framing her silhouette, she glanced at the soldiers rushing toward her. A glimmer of determination flashed in her eyes.

"Farewell."

With that, she turned and leapt from the high window. Mid-air, she transformed into a nimble cat and disappeared into the forest, leaving the soldiers behind, stunned and immobilized. Left with no choice, they regrouped and rallied reinforcements to pursue her.

Her name was Ruofeng, a noble of the demon clans. After a political coup, her entire family became targets of another faction's relentless hunt. Now, Ruofeng was on the run, fighting for her survival—or perhaps, for that person.

During her escape, Ruofeng began seeking information about a place known as the "Dream Pavilion." Just days ago, she had received a letter from its master, offering her all the aid she might need and warning her of the soldiers' impending arrival.

Today, however, as she continued her search for clues in a nearby town, patrol guards spotted her. Forced to flee again, Ruofeng was relentlessly pursued. The chase pushed her to the edge of a cliff, where the guards finally cornered her.

"Well, Lady Ruofeng, will you confess willingly, or shall we force you to?" "..." "Choose quickly—we don’t have all day."

As the standoff dragged on, a surge of unseen energy erupted from the depths of the forest, striking Ruofeng and sending her plummeting off the cliff.