Crimson walked with determined steps along the familiar path, leading her away from the quiet village, through the open fields, and deeper into the forest. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long, dark shadows that danced around her as she reached the edge of the Labyrinth. Black, skeletal trees towered above, their branches reaching like gnarled fingers into the twilight sky. She knew this was the point of no return. Her family would be furious, terrified even, but a deep conviction settled in her heart: this was the right thing to do.

She entered the Labyrinth. The path, surprisingly straightforward, twisted and turned, leading her further and further from her old life, closer to the unknown. By the time she emerged into the clearing, the moon hung high and luminous, bathing the scene in an ethereal glow. In the center, a massive black marble slab rested on a platform, flanked by four white pillars carved with the stoic forms of a lion, an eagle, an ox, and a winged man. The air grew still, eerily silent, as if the very forest held its breath. A shiver, both of fear and profound power, traced its way down her spine. Then, a rustle in the leaves to her right. She whipped around, seeing nothing but a fleeting shadow. Her heart pounded.

Suddenly, he was there. Right in front of her. Her breath caught in her throat, eyes wide and locked onto his. He was magnificent, gleaming red-gold, with vast, shimmering wings and a broad, powerful chest. His eyes, an intoxicating blend of green and gold, seemed to pierce her very soul, leaving her utterly captivated by his raw beauty and immense power.

He licked his lips, a deep, resonant voice filling the silent clearing. "Hmm, what have we here?"