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𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 :
" Yul, where are you?───Yul-ah"
Her voice danced through the trees, light and carefree, as a young girl stepped into the sunlit forest. Dew clung to the grass, and early blossoms peeked shyly from their branches. It was the kind of morning that felt like a secret waiting to be discovered.
Na-ra skipped over the rocks, one hand lifting the hem of her dress to keep it clean. The forest was her favorite place when the world still felt warm. She wasn't looking for anything in particular-just him. She always found him somewhere quiet, sword in hand, gaze connected to miles away.
But instead of the boy, she found something else.
A soft rustle in the leaves. A faint, broken flutter.
She turned and saw it-an injured bird, small and still, lying helpless on the forest floor. Her eyes widened in worry, and without hesitation, she knelt beside it, scooping it gently into her hands. Blood darkened the feathers near its wing.
" I'll fix you," she whispered, as though promising the bird or herself.
Setting the creature on a smooth rock, she stood and sprinted back the way she came, recalling where she had seen the healing herbs. Her fingers trembled as she tore a few leaves and crushed them for the sap. When she returned, she applied it carefully, brows furrowed in concentration. The wound wasn't deep. Just painful.
"You'll be okay now," she murmured, cradling the bird in a soft leaf nest.
She stood again, brushing her hands on her dress, ready to resume her search. But as she turned, her breath caught in her throat.
A blade hovered inches from her neck.
Her breath caught in her chest as she stared down the blade-its cold edge hovered just a hair from her throat. The sunlight flickered through the leaves above, dancing across the steel. She didn't move. Couldn't.
"What did you do to my bird?!" The voice rang out-sharp and furious, echoing through the forest. Only then did Na-ra dare to look up at the figure behind the blade.
A girl, about her age, stood before her with fire in her eyes. Her hands were steady, her grip strong-palms roughened with the calluses of long training. She had a striking face: sharp, beautiful, and hardened. But it was her eyes that stunned Na-ra most. They were intense, cold, and filled with distrust.
"Answer me!" the girl barked. "Or I'll cut your throat right here!"
The blade inched closer. It still hadn't touched her, but the threat was too real. Na-ra winced, flinching slightly despite herself. Her heart pounded. Not out of fear-but rather confusion.
