The forest behind Shi Feng felt unreal—like something out of a half-forgotten dream. Quiet, but not the peaceful kind. More like the trees were watching. More like the stars were listening.
Ren didn't say anything as he followed her.
Her—the fox girl, the masked illusion, the "trickster spirit" people whispered about like she was some bedtime story.
But she walked like she owned the night.
"You're not scared," she said suddenly, turning slightly, the soft jingle of her anklets breaking the silence. "Most people would be running away from a fox spirit by now."
Ren shrugged. "You're not that scary."
Her laugh—light and kind of mocking—echoed in the air. "Bold words for a mortal."
"And yet, you're still talking to me."
She looked over her shoulder and grinned like she knew something he didn't. "Maybe I just like messing with you."
And then the whole forest around them... changed. Just like that.
The trees faded. The air got warmer. Fireflies buzzed lazily like they had nowhere better to be. One second they were walking through woods—and the next, they were in a garden filled with moonflowers, soft music in the distance, stars brighter than he'd ever seen before.
"What the—?" Ren blinked. "Where are we?"
"My turn," she said, spinning slowly on her heel, arms spread like she was showing off. "This is where I start playing."
She looked different now. No mask. Just a soft expression and eyes that looked way too tired for someone who called herself immortal.
"I used to meet someone here," she said quietly, sitting by a little pond that shimmered like melted glass. "A long time ago. He used to write my name in the dirt. Said I had a laugh like windchimes."
Ren didn't say anything. He just watched her, the way her fingers trailed through the water even though it wasn't real.
"I almost stayed for him," she whispered. "Almost."
She looked up at him. No tricks in her gaze this time. Just something weirdly real.
"You ever wanted to stay for someone, even when you knew you shouldn't?"
Ren hesitated. "Once."
She smiled, but it looked a little sad. "Guess that makes two of us."
Then—just like that—the garden vanished. The cold forest came rushing back. The stars dimmed.
Doo doo yeng stood, brushing dust.
"Well?" she asked, playful again. "Did your heart race?"
Ren smirked. "I think you'll have to try harder than that."
She laughed and for a second, he wondered if he'd just fallen into a trap.