Everything was a blur. Where am I?
Through the thick fog, shapes slowly began to appear. As the mist cleared, a familiar place came into view.
Young boys gathered in small groups, pretending to fight with wooden swords. The sight sparked a feeling in Lynn, like she'd seen this before. She tilted her head, confused by the strange sense of familiarity.
To her left, a busy market came into focus, full of smiling faces. Laughter and chatter filled the air.
Just then, an older woman with gray hair walked by, balancing a basket on her head. Inside the basket were pieces of glistening duck meat, slick with oil.
"Oh! Auntie Emil!"
The woman moved quickly, surprising for her size. Lynn called out to her, but as soon as the words left her mouth, confusion rushed over her.
Wait... Auntie Emil? Who is that?
The name felt wrong, and no face came to mind. The woman didn't stop, continuing on her way, her figure disappearing into the crowd.
Suddenly, a tightness gripped Lynn's chest, and a loud buzzing filled her head, as if it might explode.
"Ugh…" she groaned, clutching her head, hands pulling at her hair in panic.
Then, everything changed.
The peaceful scene turned into chaos. Dust swirled in the air, blinding and dizzying.
People rushed in all directions. Lynn's eyes darted around, frantic, until they landed on a young girl standing in front of her.
The girl held a sharp sword, its blade shining in the light, aimed straight at Lynn.
W-What's happening?
The girl, her hair messy and eyes wide, charged at Lynn with a scream full of fury.
"I'll kill you... I'm going to kill you!"
Lynn froze, unable to move, as the girl charged at her, face twisted with rage.
"Uh... aaagh!"
Huff. Huff.
This nightmare... it's just like before.
With a sharp cry, Lynn jolted awake, gasping for air.
"Ugh... ugh..."
Her head pounded, each throb feeling like her skull might split apart. She gripped her hair, damp strands sticking to her sweat-covered face.
As the pain slowly eased, she sat up, panting, her eyes darting around the room. It was just past midnight. Shadows cloaked everything except for the faint streak of moonlight sneaking through the cracked window. The stillness of the night pressed down on her.
Creeeak
She opened the door and stepped into the dim hallway. Wearing white pajamas, she moved quietly, the soft glow of lanterns along the walls lighting her way.
I'm not sure how far I walked after passing the big hall to the left.
Turning a corner, she spotted a glass door ahead. It led to a small terrace, a hidden spot she'd discovered during one of her wanderings. It felt like a secret retreat, a place she could escape to when she needed peace.
Creeeak
Pushing the reddish-brown door open, she stepped onto the terrace. Rose vines climbed the stone walls, their delicate petals catching the pale light. The cool, early morning air swept over her, soft and refreshing. The tension in her chest melted away, and the last bit of her headache faded, like ice thawing in the sun.
What was that dream about?
Lynn leaned forward, resting her arms on the cool stone railing of the terrace. Her gaze drifted to the dark expanse of Bliderin stretching out before her. In the faint light, the distant forest looked eerie, almost foreboding.
I heard the Sahals train there sometimes. I'd love to visit one day.
She tilted her head back, staring at the night sky. It was mid autumn, and the stars sparkled brightly, their sharp clarity unusual and beautiful. Above them, a crescent moon peeked through thin clouds, its silhouette elegant and calming.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, letting a sense of peace settle over her.
"Mmm…"
The cool night air refreshed her, carrying the crispness of dawn mixed with the faint, sweet scent of roses.
Is it a bit chilly?
Her white silk nightgown did little to keep her warm, and the cold began to seep into her skin. Wrapping her arms around herself, she shivered.
"Ugh"
A sudden awareness prickled over her, making her flinch.
Someone's here.
Lynn froze, a tremor running through her body. She'd assumed she was alone and hadn't thought to check the darker corners of the terrace.
What is that?
Is it… a person?
"Nngh… ack."
A chill ran down her spine as she turned around, shuddering.
It's not... an evil spirit, is it?
A story surfaced in her mind, a tale of the Akgwi, terrifying spirits that devour human livers with their monstrous forms. Her chest tightened at the thought.
Swallowing hard, she slowly looked toward the shadows. There, crouched near the wall, was a figure.
Eek! Is that… a person?
She hesitated, inching closer to see more clearly. As her eyes adjusted, the shape came into focus, a man hunched over, his head bowed and his hands clutching his temples.
He's human.
Lynn's heartbeat slowed, but unease lingered. Something about this felt off.
Maybe I should leave... This doesn't feel right.
"Hnngh… ugh."
The man's groans grew louder, filled with pain and distress. Without thinking, Lynn stepped closer.
"Um, excuse me. Are you okay?"
"Urgh… ugh. Go away… just leave."
The voice made Lynn's eyes widen in shock. She didn't hesitate. She crouched beside him and grabbed his arm.
"Hwan! Are you okay?"
"G-go away… Stop. I said stop…"
"Hwan, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"
The man trembled, his hands gripping his head tightly. Lynn now saw clearly it was Hwan. Her heart skipped as his head turned toward her, reacting to her touch and voice.
The soft glow of the crescent moon lit his face.
His eyes, bloodshot and unfocused, shimmered in the faint light. His white shirt was torn and messy, revealing bruises and cuts scattered across his chest. Near his collarbone, a fresh, bloody brand stood out, raw and vivid.
"Hwan…?"
The person in front of her seemed nothing like the Hwan she knew.
Blood streaked his lips, which were cracked and swollen, as though he'd bitten them in pain. Lynn stared in horror as a low, animal-like growl rumbled from his throat.
"Go away. Leave."
He muttered into the empty air, his voice distant and cold.
"Argh… Ngh… I said stop…"
The chilling tone froze her in place. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but she shook his shoulder instead, desperate.
"What's happening? Are you hurt?"
Suddenly, Hwan's dark eyes sharpened, glowing faintly red as they locked onto hers.
The crescent moon reflected in his gaze, sharp and menacing, like a wolf's claw. A faint, unsettling smile curled his bloodied lips.
Lynn felt ice creep through her veins. A shiver ran down her spine, and goosebumps rose on her skin.
Her hands, trembling, slipped away from his shoulders.
Fear choked her voice as she stammered, "Oh, okay. I'll… I'll go, then."
"…"
"It's late… you should go inside too."
Lynn started to stand, keeping her voice steady, when he suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her close.
"Ah!"
She gasped, startled, as she found herself in his arms. His large frame pressed against hers, radiating warmth despite the sweat dampening his trembling body.
"Hwan? What are you"
"Don't go."
His arms tightened around her, his grip strong but desperate.
"Please… don't leave."
His voice was low and shaky, carrying a raw emotion that caught her off guard.
Lynn's body softened as the tension eased. Her lashes fluttered, and she slowly closed her eyes. Gently, she raised a hand to stroke his back, her touch light and comforting.
"Mm-hmm. I'm not going anywhere."
"…"
"It's okay. I'm here."
She felt his trembling slow, his tense muscles beginning to relax. The tight grip on her loosened, and his head dropped onto her shoulder, heavy but calm.
A soft, steady rhythm of his breathing followed, quiet and peaceful, like a faint "snooze, snooze." He had fallen asleep in her arms.