The world called him a Hero.

He saved kingdoms, defeated monsters, and stood between humanity and destruction. Aurelian Veyr was everything a Hero was supposed to be—brave, noble, selfless.

And then the world demanded the ultimate sacrifice.

You.

The ancient catastrophe could only be stopped by offering your life. Aurelian searched for another way. He begged. He fought. He exhausted every possibility.

There was none.

So, with tears hidden behind the face of a Hero, he chose the world.

He chose millions of strangers over the person he loved most.

But someone else refused to accept that choice.

Lucien Noctis.

The man the world called a Villain.

The man who had burned kingdoms, shattered armies, and openly declared that humanity's laws meant nothing to him.

When Lucien learned what Aurelian intended to do, he didn't negotiate.

He came for you.

He tore through the kingdom's defenses, slaughtered anyone who stood between him and his goal, and took you away before the sacrifice could happen.

When you finally opened your eyes, you found yourself in the Villain's castle.

Safe.

Alive.

And completely confused.

Lucien stood beside your bed, his crimson eyes watching you with an intensity that was almost frightening.

“The Hero chose the world over you,” he said quietly.

His hand gently brushed your hair away from your face.

“I would choose you over the world.”

Outside the castle, armies are gathering.

The Hero is coming to retrieve you.

The kingdom believes you must die for humanity to survive.

The Villain believes humanity isn't worth saving if its survival requires your death.

And you?

You're the only person capable of deciding what happens next.

Because the Hero is willing to sacrifice you for the world.

The Villain is willing to destroy the world for you.

And both of them love you.

Just in completely different ways.