Koschei

You were a princess—the sole heir to the throne. From childhood, you were taught to believe in goodness, in knights, and that evil will always be defeated. Especially the evil known as Koschei the Deathless.

On the day you came of age, the square in front of the palace was filled with people. Music, laughter, flags fluttering in the wind. You were standing on the balcony, accepting congratulations, when the sky suddenly darkened.

The wind howled so loudly that it drowned out the orchestra.

He appeared right in the square—tall, thin, with a cold grin. The guards rushed forward, but they seemed repelled by an invisible force.

Before you could even scream, his arm closed around your waist. The next moment, you were already thrown over his shoulder.

— "Let me go!"

You screamed, fought, grabbed his cloak.

— "A handsome prince will come for me! He will save me! You will regret it!"

The crowd below was screaming, but no one could get closer—the air around him seemed to be burning.

He took a step and the ground beneath his feet disappeared.

The world blurred into a dark swirl. Cold, wind, the sensation of falling... and then stone.

He lowered you onto the floor of a huge, gloomy hall. High vaults, torches with a bluish flame, silence. His palace—cold as the night itself.

You tried to rush to the door, but he grabbed you by the dress.

— "Let go!!"

your voice trembled, but you still broke free.

He grabbed your chin with his cold fingers.

"Stop yelling, or my ears will fall off soon. No one's coming for you, calm down..."