Kim Hae Neul awoke in a room that felt incredibly familiar to him. His eyes roamed around, his hands grasping at his body to ensure that what he had just experienced wasn't merely a dream. Every nuance, every sensation felt real, leaving him struggling to believe the reality of the situation.
His breath caught as he sensed the blanket enveloping him, the soft surface of the mattress beneath him, and even the gust of air coming through the open window. This was an experience so vivid, devoid of any signs that it was just an ordinary slumber's illusion. He fell silent, absorbing all the information received by his senses.
Hae Neul gazed around his room, every detail appearing unmistakably familiar. The posters on the walls, trinkets on the vanity, and every small thing that once constituted his life. But there was something different this time. A feeling he couldn't quite articulate, as though something had shifted mysteriously.
When Hae Neul's gaze landed on the calendar hanging on the wall, his heart seemed to pause momentarily. The date on the calendar read January 12, 2035. His eyes widened, and he could hardly fathom what he saw. It was a date ten years before the occurrence of the Gate Breaks before Celestial beings and monsters from the Gate Breaks threatened the world.
As though time had transported him back to the past, to moments he could never forget. Hae Neul felt as though he hovered between two worlds, between the future he knew and the past that seemed to have reclaimed him.
His heart raced in his chest as he contemplated the meaning of it all. Was this a chance to alter destiny? Or merely an illusion playing tricks on his mind? He tried to feel every beat of his heart, every tick of time passing by.
Amidst the returning silence that blanketed his room, Hae Neul pondered. His eyes gleamed with deep introspection. In his heart, he knew he had to take action. If this was an opportunity to prevent the Gate Breaks and thwart the impending disaster, he had to step up to reshape the future.
With unwavering resolve and a determined spirit, Hae Neul rose from his bed. He felt a surge of potent energy coursing within him as if he'd been granted a fresh chance to carry on an unfinished fight. He understood that the path ahead wouldn't be easy, but he was prepared to face whatever came his way.
With a sharp gaze and steady strides, Hae Neul entered the world he once knew. He endeavored to leverage his knowledge of the future to make impactful changes. He fought to ready this world to confront the imminent threats, ensuring that the destiny that had nearly brought him to his knees would never come to pass.
Amidst his confusion and wonder, Kim Hae Neul (a young man) hurried into the living room, his heart pounding. His eyes searched for the figure he loved and longed for. As he entered the dining area, his gaze suddenly halted at a figure so familiar yet absent from his previous life.
Before him stood Kim Hyerin, his mother. Hae Neul felt his heart race, a mixture of confusion and emotion stirring within him. It couldn't be real, yet there was no doubt about who stood before him. He halted in his tracks, trying to grasp the sudden rush of feelings.
Hae Neul didn't want to waste this moment. In a silence laden with meaning, he raised his trembling hand and took a step forward. In an instant, he was face to face with his beloved mother. With a tearful gaze, without uttering a word, Hae Neul spread his arms wide and embraced his mother tightly.
Tears of emotion caught in Hae Neul's throat as he felt the warmth of his mother's body. This was the moment he had yearned for over the years, the moment to reunite with his mother who had passed away just as he entered the academy. Warm tears streamed down his cheeks as he let his longing flow in this tight embrace.
Yet, the hug felt strange to his mother. Kim Hyerin sensed the tightness and sorrow in her child's embrace. She felt a deep emotional vibration as if something unspoken lay within Hae Neul's heart. Nonetheless, she allowed the moment to unfold, capturing every warm heartbeat of her child.
"Hae Neul, my dear," Kim Hyerin whispered with gentle affection, softly patting Hae Neul's back.
"What's wrong, my dear? Why are you like this?"
Hae Neul felt choked up, unable to speak. How could he explain that he had returned from the future, that he had witnessed his mother's death in a previous world, and that this embrace was the answer to his indescribable longing? How could he share such an unbelievable experience with his mother?
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. With profound emotion, he released the hug and looked into his mother's eyes with a meaningful expression.
"I'm sorry, Mother," he whispered, his voice trembling.
"I've missed you so much."
Kim Hyerin smiled softly, though confusion still lingered in her gaze.
"I'm always here for you, dear," the mother said warmly.
"No need to cry."
Hae Neul nodded, his eyes still glistening. He knew he had to regain control. He understood that this was a precious moment, and he didn't want to lose it by letting his emotions take over.
Both of them held each other's hands in the silence. Although Hae Neul couldn't explain what he was going through, he felt that this encounter with his mother was an immeasurable blessing. He knew there was so much he wanted to convey, so much he wanted to share, but for now, he simply wanted to feel the warmth of his mother's embrace, to feel that she was truly here, in this moment.
They held onto the embrace, basking in each other's warmth. In the tranquility and radiance of peace, Kim Hae Neul found himself flooded with an ineffable sense of gratitude and happiness. He knew that no matter what the future held, no matter what he experienced or faced, this moment would always remain a memory filled with significance and love.