RED-EYED PRINCESS

Chapter 1: Fujino Shizuka

Prologue

Since ancient times, numerous cultures and civilizations have believed in the prophecy of the Red-Eyed Divine, a powerful being whose long-awaited return has finally come to pass, marking the end of the blissful paradise known as Eden. It is said that these fiery beings shall emerge from the ashes of the old world and take their place as rulers of the new, and that the fate of all living beings rests in the hands of this mighty entity. The arrival of the Red-Eyed Divine has been foretold in countless legends and myths, and now that it has come to fruition, many are both awed and fearful of what the future holds.

-Nostradama's last prophecy

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After a tumultuous typhoon swept through Tori City, the sun emerged from behind the clouds, illuminating the busy streets with a warm, golden light. The vibrant hues of the sunset painted the sky, casting a mesmerizing glow on the surrounding clouds. The rain-soaked leaves of trees sparkled in the sunlight, each raindrop reflecting a miniature rainbow as they gently swayed in the cool breeze.

As the hours ticked by, the once quiet and peaceful streets of the bustling metropolis grew more and more crowded with a flurry of activity. Cars honked impatiently as they jostled for space on the congested roads, while pedestrians hurriedly weaved their way through the throngs of people in a hurry to get to their destinations.

Meanwhile, a group of six menacing-looking men, dressed in Yakuza-style attire, close in on a young female student who finds herself trapped in an isolated alley. Despite the overwhelming sense of danger that looms over her, she manages to remain poised and composed, not allowing fear to overtake her.

"Step aside. please."

With a composed demeanor, she politely asked the person in front of her to move aside and make way for her.

The group of menacing thugs jeered at the young girl, taunting her with their words. "Hey, we've been waiting for you all day," they sneered. "Do you think we're going to let you pass here unscathed?"

"Hmph . . ."

As the girl approached the group of menacing-looking thugs, her confident stride betrayed nothing of the fear that churned in her stomach. Their leader, a burly man with a shaved head and a sneer that threatened to split his face in two, stepped forward to meet her. His companions, brandishing wooden bats, flanked him menacingly. The girl, undaunted, stopped in front of him and locked eyes with him. Her black student uniform contrasted sharply with the dingy alleyway they stood in. With a voice as cold as the night air, she spoke just five words: "Get out of my way."

As the petite girl bravely stood up to their leader, five young men erupted into fits of uncontrollable laughter. Despite her small stature, the girl didn't back down, confronting the leader with unwavering determination. The sound of the guys' laughter echoed through the alleyway, but the girl remained undeterred, standing her ground with a fierce and fearless resolve.

The leader smiled and made a remark about the physical dissimilarities between them, asking, "Are you blind or something?"

The young girl's dangerous grin remained unchanged as she brazenly taunted her much larger opponent, seemingly unfazed by the potential danger. With a seemingly callous disregard for any consequences, she continued to challenge them, her words dripping with defiance. "Are you deaf then?" she replied, her eyes never leaving her opponent's.

The leader stood tall, his menacing presence sending shivers down the spines of those around him. His underlings snickered, their weapons held with casual ease as they surrounded their target. "You're messing with the wrong guy," the leader growled, his voice low and dangerous, as the group closed in.