Timeless | rorasa

Chapter 11: The Past Lives and The Present Connection

Rora tossed and turned in her sleep, her mind once again pulling her into the depths of a vivid dream. This time, the dream was more intense than ever before-so real that she could almost feel the cool breeze brushing against her skin, hear the faint rustling of leaves, and sense the palpable tension in the air. The scene that unfolded before her was unlike any of her previous dreams, which had always been fragmented, blurred, and elusive. But now, everything was crystal clear.

She found herself standing in a grand courtyard, surrounded by towering walls of ancient stone. The sky above was tinged with the soft hues of twilight, casting a golden glow over the scene. Rora's gaze drifted down to her reflection in a small, tranquil pool of water nearby. Her heart skipped a beat as she noticed the jagged scar that marred her face, running from just below her right eye to her upper left lip-a scar she had seen in her dreams before but never this clearly. It was as if she had lived with this scar for years, its presence both familiar and haunting.

Before she could process the sight, a gentle voice called her name-"Dain"-filling her with a warmth that chased away the initial shock of the scar. She turned slowly, her breath catching in her throat as she beheld the person standing a few feet away.

It was Asa. The same Asa who lived with her now, dressed in elegant royal attire that radiated an otherworldly beauty, just like when she first saw Asa inside her house. Her hair was adorned with delicate jewels, and a flowing gown hugged her figure, giving her an air of regal grace. The princess's eyes were filled with a deep, unspoken emotion, and in that moment, Rora knew without a doubt that this was the same Asa she had seen in her dreams before-only now, the faceless girl had a name, a form, and a history.

"Asa..." Rora's voice trembled, as if speaking the name aloud would break the fragile reality of the dream. But Asa smiled at her, a smile so tender and full of love that it felt like a balm to Rora's soul.

"Dain, we must be careful," Asa whispered, stepping closer. Her voice was filled with urgency, as if she knew something terrible was about to happen. "They must not find us here."

Rora's heart pounded in her chest, a mix of confusion and a strange sense of déjà vu washing over her. "Why do I know you? Why does this all feel so familiar?"

Asa's expression grew pained, and she reached out, gently touching the scar on Rora's face. "Because you do know me, Dain. We've known each other for lifetimes, across realms and realities. This... this is just one of our many lives together."

Rora struggled to comprehend Asa's words. Everything felt so real, yet so impossible. "But why now? Why am I dreaming of this only now?"

Asa's gaze softened, filled with a sorrow that tugged at Rora's heart. "Because something is awakening within you, a memory buried deep in your soul. The bond we share is strong, and it's beginning to resurface now that we're together again in this life."

The sound of footsteps echoed through the courtyard, and Asa's expression turned fearful. "We have to go, Dain. They're coming for us."

Before Rora could respond, the dream began to blur, the edges of reality fading into a swirl of colors and sounds. She reached out for Asa, desperate to hold on to her, but the world around her dissolved, leaving her grasping at nothing.

Rora awoke with a start, her heart racing and her body drenched in sweat. The lingering emotions from the dream clung to her, leaving her shaken and disoriented. She sat up in bed, trying to steady her breath, but the image of Asa in her royal attire, the sound of her voice, and the feel of her touch were all too vivid to dismiss as just a dream.

"This can't just be a dream," Rora whispered to herself, her voice trembling with the weight of realization. "It felt too real, like... like something that actually happened."

Her mind raced with questions-why had she only started dreaming of this now? What did it mean for her and Asa in the present? And why did the scar on her dream-self feel so significant?

As she tried to piece together the fragments of the dream, one thing became painfully clear: the connection between her and Asa ran deeper than she had ever imagined. It wasn't just a coincidence that Asa had appeared in her life-there was a history between them, a bond that transcended time and space.

Rora's thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on her door. "Rora? Are you awake?"

It was Asa's voice-gentle and filled with concern. Rora's heart ached as she remembered the dream. "Yes, I'm awake," she called out, trying to keep her voice steady.

The door creaked open, and Asa stepped in, her expression a blend of concern and gentle grace. "Is everything well, Rora?" she inquired, her tone both warm and composed. "I heard you speaking in your slumber and wished to ensure you are alright."

Rora forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Just a bad dream, that's all."

Asa's brow furrowed slightly, her royal poise softened by genuine concern. "Is something troubling you? If you wish, I am here to listen."

Rora hesitated, unsure of how to explain the dream to Asa. Would she even believe it? But the urge to share her fears and confusion with Asa was overwhelming. "It was... about you," Rora finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Asa's eyes widened slightly, but she remained silent, waiting for Rora to continue.

"In the dream, you were... different," Rora said, struggling to find the right words. "You were a princess, just like in those stories you told me, but it felt so real, like it wasn't just a story. And there was something between us, something more than what we have now. It's like we've known each other for a long time."

Asa's expression softened as she sat beside Rora on the bed. "I believe your words, Rora," she said gently, her tone a blend of regal warmth and casual empathy. "Perhaps these dreams are meant to convey something important to us."

Rora looked into Asa's eyes, feeling a strange sense of comfort in her words. "Do you think it's possible? That we knew each other in another life?"

Asa reached out and took Rora's hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "I'm not entirely certain of what these dreams mean," she said gently, blending her regal grace with a touch of casual comfort. "But I think we should explore this together. There's something important here, and we should find out what it is."

Rora nodded, her resolve strengthening. "You're right. We need to figure this out-together."

As they sat there, hand in hand, Rora felt a newfound determination to uncover the truth behind the dreams. The scar, the princess, the memories-they were all pieces of a puzzle that she and Asa were meant to solve. And no matter what the answers were, Rora knew one thing for certain: she would protect Asa, just as she had in the dream, no matter what it took.

---

Meanwhile, Minju was eager to delve deeper into the story of Princess Asa and Dain, but she found herself occupied with recording sessions for her group's comeback. As she worked, her thoughts continually drifted back to her recent discoveries. She had foreseen that Rora would encounter someone who would break her heart, but she hadn't anticipated it unfolding in this way.

Minju had uncovered a startling revelation: Rora bore an uncanny resemblance to Dain, Princess Asa's lover. This discovery led her to consider the possibility of reincarnation. If Rora was indeed Dain's reincarnation, who could be Princess Asa's? What had become of her now that her other self existed in the same timeline?

Lost in thought, Minju continued with her recording, her focus divided between the task at hand and the profound mystery that had captivated her imagination. She was determined to uncover the truth, aware that there were more secrets to unravel and connections to explore.