"Soyoung, come with me... let us go somewhere far away from here. We all can build a life together, free from the troubles of this world," Namjun pleaded, his voice trembling with earnestness as he held Soyoung's hands in his.

Soyoung met his gaze, her heart fluttering with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. Yet, she couldn't resist the warmth in his eyes. With a soft smile, she whispered, "Is that truly what you want? To be with me, far from all this?"

Namjun's eyes lit up with unspoken promises and a longing for a future filled with love and tranquillity. "More than anything," he affirmed, his voice filled with a tender sincerity that resonated deep within Soyoung's soul.

Overwhelmed with a rush of emotion, Soyoung nodded, her eyes shining with newfound determination. "Yes, let's go," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper but resonating with unwavering resolve.

A radiant smile spread across Namjun's face, his heart swelling with joy at her acceptance. "Truly?" he asked, his voice barely containing the hope that blossomed within him.

"Yes," she nodded, her voice filled with a newfound sense of freedom and possibility.

Namjun gently guided her out of the palace, their entwined hands a symbol of their unbreakable bond. "Let's go, my love," he whispered, his words a promise of a life filled with endless love and happiness.

Filled with anticipation, Soyoung followed him eagerly, her heart soaring with the promise of a future filled with love and serenity. Yet, their blissful moment was suddenly shattered as a deadly rain of arrows descended upon them, threatening to tear apart their newfound happiness.

In a desperate bid to protect Soyoung, Namjun shielded her with his own body, his eyes blazing with fierce determination as he braved the storm of arrows. Strangely enough, the arrows couldn't pierce him, but each strike inflicted unbearable pain upon Soyoung, her cries of anguish echoing through the chaos.

"Ahh...." Soyoung cried out in agony as an arrow pierced her arm, the searing pain causing her to falter. Namjun's heart clenched with terror as he watched her wounded, helpless before him. Desperation flooded his senses as he pulled her close, shielding her frail form with his own, but the onslaught of arrows continued relentlessly, each strike a cruel reminder of their vulnerability.

"SOYOUNG!!!!" Namjun's voice cracked with anguish as he held her tightly, his hands trembling with fear and despair. Tears blurred his vision as he stared down at her, her once radiant form now marred by the cruel wounds inflicted upon her. Blood pooled around them, staining the ground crimson as their world crumbled around them.

In a desperate attempt to anchor her fading consciousness, Namjun pleaded, his voice choked with emotion, "STAY WITH ME PLEASE!" He clung to her with a desperation born of love, his heart shattering with each agonized breath she took.

Soyoung's gaze met his through a haze of pain, her strength waning with each passing moment. "N-Namjun... y-you n-need t-to l-let m-me go now..." Her words were barely a whisper, but they echoed with a haunting finality that tore at Namjun's soul.

"NO! NO!" Namjun's cry reverberated through the chaos, a futile protest against the cruel hand fate had dealt them. He held her tightly as if by sheer willpower alone he could defy the inevitable, refusing to accept the looming spectre of loss that hung over them.

With trembling hands, Soyoung reached up to cup his tear-streaked cheek, her touch a bittersweet caress against his skin. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, her voice barely a ghost of its former strength, "It has been 16 years, Namjun...."

Confusion clouded Namjun's features as he struggled to comprehend her words, his mind reeling with disbelief. "Huh?!" he gasped, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and confusion.

Soyoung's gaze held his, her eyes brimming with sorrow and resignation. "I am not real...." With those haunting words, her fragile form dissolved into nothingness, leaving Namjun clutching at empty air, his world crumbling around him.

"SOYOUNG?! SOYOUNGGGGG!!!!!!" Namjun's anguished cry echoed through the void.

.

.

.

Namjun's eyes shot open, his heart racing as he jolted upright, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. Disoriented, he scanned his surroundings, his breaths coming in ragged gasps, only to find himself beneath the comforting shade of a tree, the gentle melody of birdsong filling the air.

With a heavy sigh, he ran trembling fingers through his hair, his mind still reeling from the remnants of the nightmare that had plagued his sleep. "Another nightmare...." he sighed.

As if in response to his anguish, a voice broke through the silence, offering solace in the form of water. Namjun's gaze snapped towards the source, finding a man standing before him, a bowl of water in hand, concern etched upon his features.

"Water?!" the man offered, his voice laced with kindness and empathy.

Namjun's throat felt parched, his body aching for relief from the turmoil that had gripped him. With trembling hands, he reached out for the bowl, his fingers brushing against the cool surface of the water. Yet, as he grasped the vessel, his eyes were drawn to an unexpected sight—the gleaming brilliance of his wedding ring, aglow with a radiant blue hue.

He turned his gaze towards the stranger, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Who are you?!" he demanded, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency and uncertainty.

The man met Namjun's gaze with warmth and sincerity, his smile a beacon of kindness amidst the uncertainty that surrounded them. "I am a traveller, sir," he replied, his voice gentle yet filled with a quiet resolve.

Namjun studied the stranger with a mix of suspicion and desperation, his heart still heavy with the weight of his recent nightmare. "Have you happened to see a woman near here?!" he inquired, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency as he searched for any sign of his beloved.

The traveller's expression softened with empathy as he shook his head in response. "No, I have not," he admitted, his eyes reflecting genuine concern for Namjun's plight.

Taking a sip from the offered water, Namjun found himself lost in thought, his gaze fixated on the shimmering brilliance of his wedding ring. Each flicker of light seemed to hold a thousand untold stories, a testament to the love he held dear.

"I saw you distressed in your sleep so I thought you might need help!" the traveller explained, his voice filled with compassion. "My house is just down the hill... do you want to come?"

Namjun hesitated, torn between his desire to be alone with his thoughts and the stranger's genuine offer of hospitality. "Thank you, dear, but I am fine... I do not want to trouble you," he murmured, his voice laced with gratitude yet tinged with reluctance.

The traveller's smile remained unwavering, his eyes twinkling with sincerity. "Oh, it is no trouble... I insist you come with me, sir," he insisted, his words carrying a quiet determination that brooked no argument.

A flicker of warmth spread through Namjun's chest at the stranger's kindness, a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to engulf him. With a hesitant smile, he nodded in acceptance. "Alright," he conceded, pushing himself to his feet.

The man grinned as he led the way, a stream of conversation flowing effortlessly from his lips. Throughout the journey, the man regaled Namjun with tales of his travels, his enthusiasm contagious even in the face of Namjun's quiet reserve. Despite his troubled state of mind, Namjun listened with patience, offering occasional nods and even sharing a smile or two in response to the man's anecdotes.

As they approached the man's humble abode, Namjun's gaze swept over the cosy exterior, a sense of unease creeping into his thoughts. "I did not know there was a house here..." he remarked, his suspicion evident in his tone.

The man chuckled heartily, his laughter echoing through the tranquil surroundings. "Oh, I had it built just last month!" he exclaimed proudly while rummaging through his bag in search of the key. Suddenly realization dawned upon him, his expression shifting from joviality to dismay in an instant. "Oh no!!!!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with panic.

Namjun's brow furrowed with concern as he watched the man's frantic search. "What is wrong?!" he inquired, his voice laced with genuine concern.

"I lost my key....." The man's admission hung in the air, a palpable sense of frustration colouring his words as he grappled with the realization of his predicament.

Namjun's patience remained unwavering as he offered his assistance, his determination to help the man evident in every word he spoke. "It's ok... let us search for the key together," he reassured, his voice steady despite the growing sense of urgency.

The man's eyes lit up with gratitude and disbelief, his expression a mix of astonishment and gratitude. "You are willing to help me?!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with wonder.

"Of course," Namjun replied with a soft smile, his words carrying the weight of sincerity. "You offered me help too... it is only right that I help you too."

With that, they embarked on their search, scouring every nook and cranny where the man had travelled that day. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape, yet still, their search persisted. Despite the mounting frustration, Namjun remained patient, his determination unwavering as they combed through every possible hiding spot.

As the hours stretched on, Namjun couldn't help but notice the man's behaviour becoming increasingly relaxed, almost nonchalant in contrast to the urgency of their task. Sensing something amiss, Namjun approached him, his gaze narrowed with suspicion.

"You're not who you are claiming to be, right?!" he questioned, his voice edged with accusation.

The man's facade faltered, his expression betraying a flicker of surprise before quickly composing himself. "Huh? What do you mean?" he countered, his tone carefully neutral.

Namjun's eyes bore into him, his intuition screaming the truth that lay hidden beneath the stranger's guise. "You're Yeonhwa..."

_______________________________________