Phantomscape

A ruined wasteland.

The former glory and solemnity had vanished without a trace. The shattered corridors, collapsed fortresses, silent courtyards—everything seemed as though even the air had fallen silent.

"What happened?"

The girl—Anisphia—opened her eyes wide in astonishment and gazed around her. She clearly knew that she was dreaming. But Anisphia had never experienced such a lucid dream before, one so real that it hardly felt like a dream at all. The Imperial Palace in her memories was in such a state of ruin, utterly broken, as though everything had been destroyed.

"Father? Mother? Duke Granz? Is anyone there?"

Anisphia looked around and called out, but there was not the slightest response. Even her voice seemed to gradually vanish into the depths of the broken corridors, leaving them to fall silent once more.

"Is anyone there?"

At that moment, Anisphia began to panic. She ran forward with all her strength, but even the sound of her footsteps disappeared into the Dark Shadow. The garden outside the corridor was equally withered and desolate. Anisphia had never seen the palace like this before. It was as though not only the palace, but the entire world, had been destroyed.

What had happened?

Anisphia passed through the corridor and arrived at the main hall, but there was not a single person here either. The girl's heart gradually began to fill with panic. She shouted loudly, desperate to receive even the slightest response—anything would be better than being completely alone.

But there was still nothing.

"Bang!"

The girl pushed open the main hall's doors and rushed out of the palace. Then she stared blankly at what lay before her.

Before her, beneath the steps, the once lively and prosperous Royal Capital had likewise become a wasteland. It was as though the city, the country, and