(Flashback: Ten Years Ago)

  In the Midblade Kingdom, Prince Axel's room was shrouded in mystery, forbidden to anyone but its young owner.

  The future heir to the throne had earned a reputation for his solitary nature, spending hours locked away from the prying eyes of court life.

  Rumors swirled among servants and nobles alike.

  Some believed Axel studied politics and warfare, preparing himself for the throne.

  Others whispered about darker pursuits, tales of poisons, blades, and forbidden texts.

  In truth, Axel spent his days honing skills that both fascinated and frightened him.

  He brewed poisons of various kinds, crafted weapons of intricate design, and devoured books on philosophy, strategy, and the human condition.

  Though his interests were far from ordinary, Axel was not truly alone.

  A girl with short black hair and striking purple eyes often joined him in his sanctuary.

  At fifteen, she was the same age as Axel, but her spirit was as wild as his was calculated.

  She, too, was an outcast, a misfit who found solace in his company.

  Their bond was a fusion of chaos and understanding.

  While others might have seen madness in their actions, they saw only clarity.

  The world outside was irrelevant—they had each other.

  Together, they created a reality where their shared delusions felt like home.

  ---

  (Present Day)

  Axel and Ivy rode along the coastline, the sun dipping low over the horizon.

  Diego's hooves pounded against the dirt, carrying them closer to their destination.

  Axel had been here once before, and the smuggler's cave would be easy to find again.

  As they approached a bend in the road, they spotted a group of knights on horseback in the distance on the opposite road.

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  The shimmering armor and royal banners marked them as the king's guard from Sungalepore.

  Among them rode the king himself, heading directly toward Neverport.

  Axel's lips curled into a sly grin, "I hope you're ready for this, Becca," he murmured.

  Ivy's arms tightened around his waist, her jealousy simmering just below the surface.

  Axel glanced back at her and chuckled, "There's no need to be jealous, Ivy. You've always been my number one."

  Her scowl melted into a pleased smile as she ruffled his hair affectionately.

  ---

  (An Hour Later)

  The cave loomed ahead, its jagged entrance half-hidden by dense foliage.

  Inside, three ships were docked, two of them small and worn, but the third was a larger, sturdier vessel that stood out among the rest.

  A crew of smugglers busily loaded goods onto the ships, their voices echoing through the cavern.

  Axel surveyed the scene, already formulating a plan, "We can take two ships," he said, his eyes fixed on the largest one. "Do you still remember how to sail?"

  Ivy nodded confidently, giving him a thumbs-up.

  Axel smirked and ruffled her hair before tapping her on the back, "Alright, pudding. You know what to do—give them hell."

  Ivy's smile turned predatory as she slinked into the shadows, heading toward the smugglers.

  Moments later, she stumbled into view, clutching her side and feigning exhaustion, "Help... please," she gasped, collapsing to the ground.

  "Who the hell is that?" one of the smugglers called out, approaching cautiously.

  She didn't respond, her body limp as she played the part of a wounded runaway.

  A woman stepped forward, kneeling beside Ivy and lifting her into her arms.

  "Looks like a stray," the woman called back to the others, "Probably got abandoned by her family. Poor thing."

  As the woman carried Ivy toward the group, she noticed something strange—the girl's eyes were fixed on her, glowing faintly with a violet hue, "Hey, are you okay?"

  But Ivy didn't hear her. In her mind, the woman's face transformed into that of her mother, sneering with disdain.

  The memory of her mother's voice echoed in her head: "You'll never be loved. You're nothing but a failure—a dog chasing after a prince who doesn't care about you."

  The words ignited a fury within her. Before the smuggler could react, Ivy's clawed hand slashed across her throat. Blood sprayed across the ground as the woman fell, lifeless.

  The others froze, stunned by the sudden violence.

  Ivy crouched over the body, cradling the woman's severed head as if it were a cherished possession.

  Then, with a flick of her wrist, she tossed it into the water, watching it sink beneath the waves.

  Dragging her claws along the ground, Ivy began to hum a haunting tune. Her vision twisted, reducing the remaining smugglers to featureless silhouettes with black crosses where their faces should have been.

  Suddenly, screams erupted from the ships—Axel had begun his assault.

  Using the chaos to her advantage, Ivy lunged at the smugglers, her claws cutting through them with wild precision. They scrambled to defend themselves, but her speed and ferocity overwhelmed them.

  Meanwhile, Axel moved methodically aboard the ships, dispatching the crew with calculated strikes. His twin blades gleamed in the dim light, cutting down anyone who crossed his path. Together, they left no escape for the smugglers.

  ---

  When the bloodshed finally ceased, the cave was eerily silent. Ivy stood amidst the carnage, her breathing heavy, her claws dripping with blood.

  Axel approached her from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. "You're perfect, Ivy," he whispered softly, his voice steady and reassuring. "No one will ever take you from me. I promise."

  Ivy turned to face him, her violet eyes locking onto his. Her vision was clear. She didn't see a distorted figure or a faceless shadow. She saw Axel, the boy who had accepted her madness and made her feel whole.

  In his arms, surrounded by blood and chaos, Ivy smiled.