Chapter 1984

In the opulent hall, the atmosphere was heavy with excess and indulgence. Everyone present seemed to lose themselves in the intoxicating atmosphere. At the center of the room, a dancer in a sheer, flowing gown twirled, her movements graceful and enchanting. Someone had already grabbed the dancer, pulling away the thin fabric of her dress and indulging in their desires. No one dared to oppose them. The extravagance, the indulgence, the complete disregard for humanity—this had become the norm. Outside, just beyond the door, was a starkly different scene. Not three steps from the threshold, blood stained the ground, bright and shocking. The musician who had refused to entertain had been cleaved in two by a sword. The maids standing nearby didn't even glance up. Their faces were blank, numb to everything around them. The music that echoed from the hall seemed to have no effect on them. It was as if they hadn't heard it at all. Before long, a scream pierced the air. But the people