With his eyes still closed, Sai muttered as he attempted to clear his head of the vague confusion. His body throbbed with pain, a constant reminder of his uncertain future.
"Huh... Where am I?" His voice was heavy with discomfort as he whispered. His limbs ached with every attempt to move. He winced and opened his eyes, blinking against the sunshine filtering through the thick canopy above. To his confusion, branches intertwined around him like thin fingers, and he found himself hanging upside down from a tree.
"What the fuck? Why am I here?" His voice trembled with fear as he muttered. He fought against the pain radiating from his body with each movement, desperately trying to untie himself. Clenching his teeth, he cried out, "My whole body freaking hurts," before breaking free and falling to the ground with a loud thud.
He barely had time to regain his breath when a peculiar, deep growl sent a chill up his spine. The rustle of leaves blended with the growls, which seemed to emanate from the shadows, creating an ominous tune. Sai's heart raced, and his eyes darted around.
"What sound is that?" he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Before he could comprehend what was happening, a voice echoed in his mind.
"RUN!"
Eyes wide, he jolted. "Huh?! Who is there?" he yelled into the void, but a chorus of growls answered him as a swarm of hideous creatures emerged from the darkness, their bright eyes fixed on him with savage ferocity.
"What the…?" Sai's throat constricted as he stammered. The animals advanced, their snarls intensifying, making the ground tremble beneath him. Instinctively, his legs moved as adrenaline surged, and he ran without thinking. His pulse raced faster than any sound. The jungle blurred around him.
"Why am I here? No—how am I here?" He ran, unable to focus, until he suddenly stopped. A tall wall of trees, their branches twisted like claws, loomed in front of him. The thunderous boom of a huge waterfall crashed just beyond the wall. Looking back at the advancing creatures, he yelled, "No way this finishes here!"
Summoning his resolve, he gave a defiant middle finger. "I will not be your meal if I am dying anyhow!"
With one last, rash cry, he jumped off the cliff and plunged into the swirling ocean below.
The kingdom was illuminated by the warm, dreamy glow of the setting sun's golden rays. Princess Yumehime walked along the riverbank, her silken dress billowing in the wind. Her watchful knight, Sir Edward, trailed a few steps behind.
"Princess Yumehime," he stated in a quiet but authoritative tone. "Please—do not go near the edge of the river."
She gave him a cheeky smile as she glanced back at him. "You worry too much, Edward. Take a look at it. What might occur?"
A shadow drifted downstream, caught in the glimmering light of the departing sun, as though her words had called it forth. Yumehime gasped, her eyes widening.
"Look, Edward! A body has been discovered."
Sir Edward arrived at her side in a moment, his sharp eyes sweeping the sea. Indeed, there was a figure floating in the river, facedown and still. Without hesitation, he plunged into the current, grunting as he pulled the body to land.
Yumehime's heart raced as she kneeled next to the figure. "Is he...?"
The man strained for air and suddenly coughed, water spluttering from his mouth. Yumehime's eyes widened in shock, and she placed a palm to her mouth.
"He is still alive! However, how did he get here?" she whispered.
Sir Edward furrowed his brow as he examined the man's wounds. "He is not dead yet, but he is in rough condition."
Yumehime's voice was firm as she answered, "We need to treat him immediately and alert Father."
With a nod, Sir Edward effortlessly raised the man onto his shoulders. "Your Highness, I agree. We must move quickly before nightfall."
As they returned to the palace, Yumehime's mind raced with questions. Who was this stranger? And why had he appeared in their kingdom?
King Henry listened intently to Sir Edward's account of the day's events in the magnificent throne room, his sharp eyes darting from Edward to Yumehime, then to the comatose man lying on a stretcher before them. His face grew serious.
"Who is he? And how did he end up in the waters of my kingdom?" the king inquired, his voice calm and measured.
Sir Edward replied, "We do not know, sire. There are no overt signs of any kingdom or loyalty on him. However, it is odd that he survived in such a state."
The stranger's visage caught the king's attention. A second later, he nodded curtly.
"Excellent. Attend to his injuries. I want him brought to me immediately when he wakes up. I will have the answers."
"As you desire, Your Majesty," Sir Edward responded, bowing before exiting the room.
King Henry glanced at Yumehime once Sir Edward had departed. His face shifted into a concerned expression.
"You were close to the river once more, were you not?"
Yumehime looked away, her once confident demeanor faltering. "I did not mean to—"
The king broke off, his tone sharp. "That river is no place for idle strolls. The princess of this kingdom cannot afford such risks."
Yumehime looked down, feeling the sting of his reprimand. "I get it, Dad. I apologize."
King Henry's voice softened despite his harsh words. "Yumehime, I cannot let negligence cost you your life. You must exercise extra caution. Pay attention to Sir Edward's warnings next time."
"I will, Dad," she said softly. "I swear."
Before dismissing her, the king gave her a long, calculating glance. "Good. Get some rest. In the morning, we shall deal with this stranger."
Yumehime departed the throne room, her mind still focused on the enigmatic man from the river.
Yumehime found Queen Eleanor, her mother, embroidering in the family quarters as Prince Leo, her younger brother, played nearby, brandishing a wooden sword. When Leo saw his sister, his face brightened.
"Hime! About the man you found—did Father say anything?"
Yumehime ruffled his hair, forcing a tiny smile. "Not quite yet, Leo. Father wants to know more before making any decisions."
Glancing up, Queen Eleanor studied Yumehime's face. "Yumehime, what is the matter? You look distressed."
Under her mother's tender gaze, Yumehime finally confessed, "Father scolded me for walking near the river again."
Leo, ever curious, scowled. "What did he reprimand you for? You weren't alone, were you?"
"Of course not," Yumehime responded quickly. "But according to Father, it's risky. He's just worried."
Queen Eleanor put down her needlework and gently tucked a lock of hair behind Yumehime's ear. "Yumehime, your father worries because he loves you. He fears anything that could put you in jeopardy, for he bears the burden of this kingdom."
Leo swung his wooden sword with determination. "If I were king, I'd let you travel wherever you wanted!"
Yumehime pulled him into an embrace, laughing. "Leo, thank you. Perhaps when you are older, you'll understand."
Queen Eleanor smiled at her daughter. "Go and rest now. You might find the answers you seek tomorrow."
Yumehime nodded and bid her family farewell. As she made her way to her quarters, the mystery of the visitor from the river lingered in her thoughts, even despite her father's admonition.
Â
Â