Sai hesitated, his feet sinking slightly into the soft grass. He had no memory of coming here, yet the world felt oddly familiar, like a half-forgotten dream. The petals of the sakura tree drifted lazily, landing on the surface of a still pond below, rippling outward with each gentle touch.
Ahead, a narrow wooden bridge stretched over the water, leading to a secluded spot where the mysterious woman sat. Steam curled from the delicate teacup in her hands, the scent of jasmine mixing with the crisp spring air. She sipped calmly, as if she had been expecting him all along.
"Sai am I right? This might be our first time meeting each other."
"Yes, I suppose so."
Sai glanced around, taking in the misty landscape. Sakura trees stretched endlessly, their branches heavy with pink blossoms, their roots weaving through the soft earth. Yet, in the center of it all, one tree stood apart—taller, older, its petals drifting in slow, deliberate spirals. It was beneath this lone tree that they stood, the air still, the silence thick yet soothing. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant trickle of water were the only sounds, wrapping the place in an almost unreal tranquility.
"Why am I here, and who are you miss?" Sai politely asks.
"You are dreaming of course." She lifted the delicate cup to her lips, taking a slow sip of jasmine tea. The faint wisp of steam curled into the air before vanishing. Her expression remained unreadable, her gaze calm yet knowing. Setting the cup down with a soft clink, she finally spoke, her voice carrying through the stillness like a ripple on water, seamlessly guiding the conversation forward.
"It matters not of who I am, what matters what will happen in the near future. Your girl, Paige will have a short straw of death. It will happen sooner than you think."
"Huh? How can you tell?"
Sarah tilted her head slightly, a playful glint in her mismatched eyes as her lips curved into an innocent grin. Yet, beneath that harmless smile, something unreadable lingered—an amusement that ran deeper than mere friendliness. The air between them felt lighter, yet charged, as if she knew something he didn't. She said nothing, only watching him with quiet intrigue, waiting for his next move.
Sai's blade sliced through Sarah, but instead of flesh, it met cold glass. Her body shattered, the fragments catching the dim light before vanishing into the mist. His breath quickened, fists clenching as the dream itself began to crack apart.
The world around him distorted, the dream ruptured as his rage reached reality.
Then—darkness.
Sai's eyes snapped open as he jolted upright, his chest heaving. Sweat dripped from his brow, his hands shaking. A guttural scream tore from his throat, raw and unrestrained. Even as reality settled in, the fury remained, burning deep, refusing to fade with the dream.
Sai's breathing slowed as his surroundings came into focus. The soft rise and fall of Paige's breath caught his attention—she was there, asleep at his side, her face peaceful despite his outburst. The sight eased the tension in his chest.
Gently, he reached out, brushing a few strands of hair from her face. His fingers moved slowly, running through her hair, savoring its softness. She stirred slightly, a faint smile forming as she remained lost in her dreams. Watching her, Sai finally felt the anger within him fade, replaced by a quiet sense of warmth and calm.
Sai's gaze drifted to the window, where the moon hung alone in the sky. No stars accompanied it, no clouds veiled its glow—only a faint mist curled behind it, like a whisper in the night. Its pale light bathed the room in a soft, cold glow, casting long shadows along the walls. He exhaled quietly, his mind settling as he watched the stillness of the night, the world outside as silent as his own thoughts.
"Sai?..." Paige stirred, her fingers twitching as her breath hitched. Her eyelids fluttered open, drowsy eyes adjusting to the dim light. The moment she saw Sai awake, her body tensed, then moved with quiet urgency. She shifted carefully off the bed, her bare feet touching the cool floor. With a fleeting glance at him, she turned, steadying herself before hurrying toward the door. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the handle, slipping into the hallway in search of a nurse. "I need to inform the nurse."