Present Day
In a quiet village surrounded by lush green fields, a group of children gathered in a circle, their eyes wide with concern. A baby rabbit was trapped, coiled tightly in the grip of a snake. The children, too afraid to act, looked around helplessly.
Not far from them, Sita stood poised with her bow, practicing her archery in the clearing. She was a vision of grace and strength—soft yet fierce. Her long black hair swayed gently in the wind, and her large eyes sparkled like stars under the golden sun. She was the kind of girl who looked like she belonged to poetry, yet held the courage of a warrior.
In the blink of an eye, she pulled back her arrow and released it. It hit her target perfectly, splitting the wooden dummy in two. As she turned, she noticed the children huddled near the rabbit. Her gaze followed theirs—then she saw the snake.
Without hesitation, she drew another arrow and shot it with swift precision. The arrow landed near the snake, scaring it off into the bushes. The baby rabbit was saved.
The children ran to her joyfully, hugging her legs and planting quick kisses on her hands. Sita knelt down and gave them a warm smile, brushing their hair affectionately.
Just then, Ivaan—a tall, kind-eyed man in his late twenties—approached. He was like an older brother to Sita, having raised her after her parents passed.
"Sita, come on," he called gently. "It's time for the evening prayer."
She nodded and stood up, brushing off the dust from her robes. Together, they walked to the nearby Buddhist temple, its golden rooftop glinting in the fading light of dusk.
Inside the temple, Sita offered a graceful dance as a form of worship, her movements fluid and reverent. The chants of the monks echoed around her as the incense filled the air—soft, sacred, and timeless.
---
Meanwhile… Modern-Day Seoul
A completely different world unfolded.
Thousands of spectators filled the racing arena in downtown Seoul. The roar of engines, the electric tension, and the blinding lights created a world that was loud, fast, and unforgiving.
"This is it!" the announcer screamed into the mic. "A fierce showdown between Arena Monster and the rising star Tae-hyun! What a battle!"
The race was neck and neck. Tires screeched as the cars sped around the final corner. With a final surge of adrenaline, Tae-hyun hit the accelerator, swerving past his rival and crossing the finish line.
The crowd erupted. People screamed his name, pushing past barriers to get closer to their new hero. Cameras flashed, fans shouted.
His manager grabbed his arm quickly. "Tae-hyun, this way—hurry!"
They pushed through the chaos and into the safety of the VIP lounge, away from the frenzy of flashing lights and cheering fans.
But even in his moment of victory, Tae-hyun's eyes flicked upward toward the sky—as if he were searching for something more.
Something missing.
Later That Night…
After the evening prayers and her graceful offering of dance, Sita returned to her room. The temple was quiet now, bathed in the silver glow of moonlight. The air smelled faintly of sandalwood and lotus petals, and the only sound was the soft rustle of wind through paper lanterns outside her window.
She laid down on her bed, hoping for peaceful rest. But peace didn't always come easily.
It happened again.
The same dream.
The same nightmare.
She was lying down—motionless. Her body cold. And above her, someone with a blurred face was crying uncontrollably. The voice was choked, desperate.
"Please... wake up… please don't leave me alone," the person sobbed, clutching her as if trying to hold her soul together.
Tears.
Shaking hands.
A cry that felt like it came from the end of the world.
Sita woke up with a gasp, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her nightdress clung to her skin, damp with sweat. Her hands trembled as she sat up, and only then did she realize—there were real tears slipping down her cheeks.
She had cried in her sleep.
Again.
She wiped her face slowly, her eyes still haunted by the dream.
Unable to calm her heart, she stood up and stepped outside. The cool night breeze greeted her like a silent friend. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting the air wash over her, trying to shake off the ache in her chest.
Above her, the stars blinked in silence.
Somewhere in the world, a boy looked up at the same sky…
And something inside him stirred—without knowing why.
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TO BE CONTINUED...