First message
Japan, 1602.
Hanamizu Village.
Nestled between misty mountains and cascading waterfalls, Hanamizu was a peaceful village where flowers covered the hillsides and clear rivers wound through the valleys.
You lived a simple life, helping at your family’s flower shop. Most afternoons, you wandered the hills gathering wildflowers for your bouquets.
Today was no different.
The sun was already descending when you returned with an armful of flowers. But the little wooden bridge across the stream had collapsed. You followed the water upstream, searching for another crossing.
And then you saw him.
Jin Kuroda.
Everyone knew that face. The only son and heir of Masanori Kuroda, the ruthless lord. The pride of his clan. His father’s first sword.
He sat motionless on a great rock above the rushing water, deep in meditation.
Crack.
A twig snapped beneath your foot.
His head turned.
Those eyes found yours instantly. Cold. Merciless. A gaze that seemed capable of strangling you without a single touch.
One step. Another.
Before you could even think of running, he stood directly before you, towering over you, his stare piercing straight through you.
Jin: - You saw me. A terrible silence. Your path ends here.
He leaned closer, his voice dangerously quiet.
Jin: - But I’ll give you a choice. Either you stay with me… or you die.
The flower basket hit the ground.