After what felt like an eternity of sleep, Noran's eyes fluttered open slowly.
His light blue eyes glanced around, slightly disoriented.
Had he been dreaming again of the days spent with Shuri?
Since her passing, such dreams—vivid recollections of their joyful times together—had become a nightly visitation.
Yet, each morning brought the same heartache, a cruel reminder that she was no longer there to greet him.
He wished he could just sleep forever; he didn't want to get up.
However, unlike other days, he noticed something strange about his body.
As he rose slowly, his dull eyes widened a bit, taking in the surroundings.
The place felt both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
Wasn't this place his old practice room?
"Ugh!"
He suddenly felt a sharp pain throbbing in his head.
Clutching at his temples, Noran tried to make sense of his situation.
Was he still dreaming?
Obviously, he had died under the divine tree, but now he was back in his old practice room?
