The Sleepwalker (english ver.)

The Wise

A distorted image appeared, outlined by darkness. JiU opened her eyes, making an effort to distinguish the two worried silhouettes staring at her. Yoohyeon's hair fell over the leader's cheeks as she whispered something to Gahyeon. The two girls stopped talking when they noticed that JiU had finally awakened.

- Are you okay? - Yoohyeon asked first

- We were so worried! - the youngest was almost crying at this point

- What happened? - the leader asked, finally conscious.

- You fell in the middle of the circle and we had to end the ceremony quickly. How do you feel now? Did you have a vision? What did you see?

- Let her breathe, Gahyeon, for the Goddess sake! We should call Dami. - she turned her face again to check on JiU, who was now trying to get up from the bed, carefully - She wants to talk to you.

- Dami? Did she manage to complete the spell? - the leader's eyes widened, showing her obvious concern. - Where is Siyeon?

- Stay calm, JiU. Dami will explain everything later. For now, it's good for you to get some rest. The night was hectic...

That said, Yoohyeon left the room with Gahyeon behind her. The girl smiled and waved to the eldest while she sat on the bed, trying to focus on her vision. The weather was fairly pleasant: not too cloudy, not completely sunny. A few rays of sunlight crossed the trees creating a beautiful pattern on the ground covered in leaves. Autumn had just begun, preparing the forest for the harsh winter to come. Dami was taking notes in a small notebook, sitting under a redwood tree. She was trying to create a spell to reverse Siyeon's curse. Every single word could have a huge impact and because of that Dami feared the possible consequences of a brand new spell. However she had enough knowledge to antecipate some of those effects and try to keep the magic under control.

She cared about JiU, but not like the others. JiU had shown an unmeasured power, greater than everything she'd ever seen. She would surely be fine after the ritual. The real reason to be afraid, on the other hand, was her lack of emotional control, which had been harmed since the accident involving Siyeon. She could tell that JiU's vision on the past night had been tough for her. Her thoughts were interrupted by a young voice getting closer. Gahyeon had good news about JiU. With a wide smile on her face, she annouced that the leader had finally wake up. Dami closed the notebook in her hands and got up, brushing the leaves off her dark blue dress and heading towards the shack.

JiU was lost in a pile of seemingly meaningless notes and drawings, still sitting on the bed in the corner of the small room. The dim candle lighting made it a little hard for Dami to see something as she tried to decipher the scribbles from afar. After a while, she carefuly sat down next to JiU.

- How are you?

The leader seemed like she was waking up again from a dream as she recognized her friend.

- Oh, good morning Dami. I feel good now, I guess. I've just fainted, nothing more than ordinary. I'm just hungry to be honest but I want to finish recording everything I can before I eat something...

- I'm glad you're okay, but that's not what I'm asking about. - Dami held her shoulder, encouraging her to speak. - I want to know about the vision you had yesterday. Considering your state I bet it was intense.

- Intense indeed, but not very detailed...

Silence filled the space between the two young witches, until JiU decided to speak.

- I saw Siyeon in an open field. It was a beautiful place, but I couldn't tell if it's part of this forest. It seemed to be far from our shack, at least. She was still a Sleepwalker...

Tears were beginning to fill her brown eyes as she spoke.

- Dami, I'm afraid we can't reverse the curse. You once said that some consequences are deep-seated. What if we can do nothing for Siyeon? What if it's some kind of fate?

Dami hugged her friend, comforting the girl in her lap as she ran her hand through the brown threads.

- If so, please know she has carved out a noble destiny for herself, even if it has a sad ending. She saved a sister from death by putting her own life on the line. There is nothing more sacred and pure than a love like that, JiU. More than any magic, it's the love in Siyeon's heart that can save her soul.

She paused for an instant.

- However, I'm worried that this tragic future ends up sealing your fate too, JiU... You must be careful. We all depend on your leadership. The girls believe and trust your power and that includes me. I also need your presence, your company.

She started to cry too while JiU listened to her in silence.

- You're the sister I love the most, I can't deny it. I'm worried that the spirits could take you away from me too soon...

- Dami, I shouldn't tell you about this but, despite being painful, I ask you to be calm.

- What are you talking about, JiU?

- Well... Besides Siyeon I saw someone else with her on the field. And she was badly hurt, losing a lot of blood. Siyeon held her in her lap crying, as if she felt... Guilty, I would say. She had just bitten the girl's neck and...

Dami didn't need to hear the rest of the story to understand what it was about.

- JiU, do you understand how complicated it is to predict your own death? It gets worse if this prediction involves someone else, someone you are very close to.

- So what? What can I do, Dami? I don't want to do it and I'm not getting away from Siyeon. It's just unfair... She needs me. She needs all of us right now.

- I understand your concern for her too JiU, although I doubt that it comes only from your sense of leadership. I understand that you have a great love for the entire clan, but I also know that you and Siyeon hide feelings that are different from any emotional bond you have with us.

- What do you mean, Dami? - JiU stood up, looking nervous.

- Well, no one needs to be an expert to notice the intimate looks and affection between you.

- Dami smiled, a bit playful, but she soon expressed severity again. - I can see where it will end up and that's the problem. I don't think it's very smart to put Siyeon's resistance to the test, specially if you're going to put you life or others in danger, JiU.

- Do you really believe that Siyeon could posibly do me any harm? You said it just now. Siyeon has a strong heart. No curse could fully darken her soul. I refuse to believe that her company would offer any danger...

- JiU, you were always very cautious and smart. That's why we rely so much on your leadership. - Dami got up from the bed, already heading towards the door. - However, I believe that your feelings can disturb your decisions when it comes to your own life. So please, whatever you decide to do, be careful, okay?

- Dami - JiU quickly called before her friend left the room - Don't talk to the others about this conversation, okay? It makes no sense to worry them now. Everyone is already under a lot of stress with this whole curse thing...

Dami gently nodded in agreement. Unfortunately, their voices passed through the wooden wall. Yoohyeon slipped down the hall to the next room, waiting for Dami to leave so she wouldn't get caught listening to their conversation.