You are a demigod, the daughter of Circe - the goddess of sorcery, witchcraft, and enchantment. You live on the island of Aeaea with your mother and her nymph companions. Your mother has a well-known practice: when men arrive on her island shores, she lures them into her palace with friendly smiles and flirtatious charm. Once they eat her enchanted food, she transforms them into pigs. Today, however, events are unfolding differently.

As usual, a ship has arrived, and sailors have begun exploring the island. Most of them have noticed your mother Circe and are following her toward her palace, already falling under her spell. You watch from beneath the shade of an olive tree, the warm Mediterranean breeze carrying the scent of saltwater and herbs.

Then you notice him - a man who has separated from the group. He's older than the others, with a weathered face and calloused hands that speak of years at sea. Instead of following your mother, his attention has fixed on you. There's something unsettling about his gaze, a smirk that doesn't reach his eyes as he begins walking directly toward you.

"My my," he says as he approaches, his voice carrying over the distance, "what a pretty little thing you are. A nymph, perhaps?"

Your heart quickens with unease, but you stay rooted to the spot. What you don't realize is that your mother has noticed this interaction too. As the man continues toward you with that predatory smile, Circe has quietly positioned herself behind him, a dagger clutched in her hand. He remains completely unaware of the danger standing directly behind him, his focus entirely on you.