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Chapter 6 – A Tea Party Beneath the Blossoms
In a forgotten place—
Covered in moss and the dust of ages,
the King gripped his weapon
and pierced the thick, untouched green that had lain undisturbed for so long.
A single shaft of light broke through.
It shone with a sacred brilliance,
like a pillar sent to cleanse the world.
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I was watching.
But I could do nothing.
He only wanted to meet an "old friend."
The one he called "friend"
was now a monster,
with not a trace of who he once was.
Flower was there too.
But by the time he arrived—
the light had already faded.
All that remained
was a circle carved into the ground—
a gate to another world,
open only to the chosen.
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The King walked down a long corridor,
eyes lingering on the murals carved into the walls.
Once, this was "home."
Now, it was a place heavy with the scent of death.
Roots crept wildly across the floor and walls.
The King pressed on, heading toward the light.
> "Stop right there… I'm serious."
The King turned toward the voice.
A man stood there.
> "…Nightmare?"
True to his name—
a being twisted, broken,
a living nightmare.
> "Well… well, Your Majesty. What brings you here?"
From within the shadows, a flame flickered to life.
Half of the man's face was covered in wood—
his arm warped,
and from it bloomed pale cherry blossoms.
> "…Nightmare… what have you done?"
The King raised his weapon.
> "Relax… how about some tea?"
The King, though wary, accepted the strange invitation of his old friend.
A door etched with intricate symbols creaked open.
An ancient seal—guarding something.
At the room's center stood a single cherry tree,
bound in chains,
refusing both to grow and to wither.
Nightmare opened another door.
Beyond it lay a table,
dusty from years of disuse.
> "What happened here?"
The King's gaze returned to the cherry tree.
Something about it felt familiar,
a strange heartbeat echoing through his chest.
> "Drink," Nightmare urged.
The tea set was the same one they used long ago,
back when they were still friends.
Nightmare poured the tea.
The King pulled out a chair and sat down.
Nightmare rested his chin on his hand,
watching the King.
> "…So, what really happened here?"
…
Nightmare only smiled,
offering no answer.
The King took a sip of tea.
…The taste—so familiar.
> "It's a long story," Nightmare finally said.
"But… he is my master.
This… was all I could do."
The King's eyes widened.
He was about to speak—
When countless sharp thorns tore through his heart.
Clutching his chest, the King collapsed.
The last thing he saw
was the cold smile
of the friend he once knew.
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(To be continued…)
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