Inside a dimly lit chamber, golden fireflies danced beneath the leaves of a palm tree growing from the center of the room. The soft flicker of their glow painted shifting shadows on the stone walls, lending the place an air of ancient serenity.
Seated in the middle, a man sat cross-legged with eyes closed. His presence was unnatural, vast, timeless. The fireflies swirled around him like pilgrims before a god, as if drawn to something within him they couldn't resist.
Then—
"Whoosh!"
His eyes snapped open, piercing and cold. The fireflies scattered instantly.
"Someone uninvited just slipped out," he muttered, voice low yet chilling.
From the side, a hunched old man with grey hair stepped forward, a crafty grin etched onto his wrinkled face.
"May I track them down for you, Your Excellency?"
The seated man gave a slight nod.
"Go. Find out who it is."
"As you wish," the old man replied, bowing deeply before vanishing into the shadows.
