Chương 18: Cherry Blossoms Swaying

The sweet smell of cherry blossoms filled the air, despite the fact that it was not spring. Miles of cherry trees encapsulated the floating island surrounded by wispy clouds. Tranquility. So fleeting, yet so powerful.

A delicate bloom can be the onset of a typhoon.

Each flower was in full bloom; death could not take these petals. A slight breeze blew across the island. The rich branches drooping with flowers sagged and shifted.

A whirlwind of pink, much like rain on a stormy day.

On the edge of the island, there was a meadow filled with colourful wildflowers and gently swaying grass. The perfect place to watch a sunset like the one today.

The Heavens seemed to have lost another artist, for tonight's sunset was riveting; swirls of orange, red and yellow that gave a warm glow onto the pale pink flowers.

The petals that had barely graced the ground seemed to have a life of its own, all swirling together; they gathered at a single point: the meadow.

A single girl stood, her hands outstretched, face bathing in the rays of the sun; eyes closed. Her pale pink hair flew gracefully behind her, twisting and curling under the gentle storm. The corner of her lips turned up.

"How long are you going to hide there?" she asked.

Taehyung jumped down from the bough of a nearby cherry tree. Visually, he was the direct opposite, dressing in all black compared to her pale palette. His movements were graceful and silent, but his mind was whirling.

He could not control his body. It was like he was sitting in the backseat, unable to do anything but watch as the driver controlled his body.

Taehyung leaned against the thick trunk of the tree. "When did you guess I was here?"

She rolled her eyes. "Since you arrived. This is my domain, yet you think you can sneak past me?"

Taehyung's voice was thick with admiration. "You've improved once again."

She chuckled, and lazily opened one eye to glance at him.

"And you? Still refusing to practise?"

Taehyung scoffed. "Not refusing. Just waiting for the right time."

"As if there's a difference."

With that, her lazy aura changed to sharp and dangerous in an instant. She gathered the petals, shaping them with her power into a massive pale pink sword. Lifting her hand, the sword moved along with her actions, whizzing towards Taehyung.

The wind around the island turned into a gale, thrashing the branches of the cherry blossoms. More and more petals fell, covering the ground with a pink carpet.

The sword flew closer and closer to Taehyung. Letting out a deep sigh, he held up his hand. The sword froze in front of his palm.

Taehyung concentrated, and pushed with his power. The sword quickly dissolved back into cherry blossoms, fluttering onto the ground.

Inwardly, Taehyung had to admit that was pretty cool. After thinking a bit, Taehyung had come to a realisation that this was a dream, and that this was a memory from Jin Tai Heng.

The girl smiled wryly.

"Now I see why."

"Of course. I'm your older brother, Jin Ying Hua. Can't protect you if you end up being stronger than me now, can I?" Taehyung responded teasingly.

All of a sudden, Taehyung was thrusted into the driver's seat.

The beautiful scenery twisted, all the cherry blossoms gone. Leaving only the deathly bare branches of the trees behind. The wildflowers, the long grass, the warm sunset were all leached of their colour.

Death left its trace on every part of the island. A thick eerie mist covered the ground, and dark clouds covered the sky. Angry rumbles filled the sky.

Jin Ying Hua's face contorted in anger. Her pale pink hair turned silver, and her clothes were covered with a layer of dirt and golden blood. Numerous wounds littered her body, rips appearing in her pale dress.

"Oh? And where was this protection of yours, Jin Tai Heng, when I died?" she spat out.

"Why did you kill me? Did you enjoy it? Seeing my broken body filled with holes?"

With every question, Jin Ying Hua took a step closer to Taehyung, her pale feet dragging on the muddy ground. More and more wounds kept appearing, and silver blood poured out of her. Every step, she grew more and more weak, a hand on her chest where the silvery starlight gushed the most.

Taehyung's heart thumped wildly in his chest. He quickly took a few steps back, holding up his hands.

"What do you mean? Why would I kill you?" he said shakily.

Goosebumps covered his body. Fear curled up inside his stomach, making itself at home within this nightmare. His legs trembled as he stared in horror at the amount of blood pouring out of her body, leaving a trail behind.

Jin Ying Hua paused. Her face turned thoughtful.

"You are not Jin Tai Heng."

She lunged towards Taehyung, who closed his eyes and hoped for the best. It was just a dream in the end, and he would wake up straight after this. Maybe get a cup of water, then go back to a dreamless sleep.

Nothing came. No hands tearing at his skin, no wails of a ghoul haunting his mind. Instead, the smell of cherry blossoms once again filled his senses.

When Taehyung gingerly opened his eyes, the beautiful flower-filled island was back. Tranquility and peace. The warm setting rays of the sunset caused him to squint as he looked for Jin Ying Hua.

She was not far. She stood at the edge of the island, her back towards Taehyung. The epitome of beauty and grace, not a single strand of hair was out of place.

Taehyung could not help but feel a sense of dread and unease wash over him.

Jin Ying Hua turned around, her soft face lit up with a warm smile. Something about her drew Taehyung in; there was no stopping his movements as he walked slowly towards her, his eyes drawn to her deep pink orbs.

She held out her hand, beckoning for him to come.

"Won't you stay with me here?" she asked, her voice sweet and tender. Like the first bloom in spring, like the chirp of a newborn bird.

Her face scrunched up into a pitiful expression.

"Please, I'm so lonely! If you stay here in my world, then I would never be lonely again."

Taehyung nodded absentmindedly.

He reached out to take her hand.

Right before their fingertips touched, Taehyung ripped himself out of his hypnotised state and glared fiercely at Jin Ying Hua.

"I will not stay. I am not here for you," he hissed.

He almost got sucked in. Into her honeyed lies, her promises. Taehyung was only a visitor in this world. Helping her find revenge was not his duty. Finding out his past, as tempting it was, was something he did not have to do.

He was here for one thing and one thing only.

To find his family before they died, and to restore their memories. To go back to their world as a group of seven, and to finish their US tour. To perform at Citi Field, together, and not like when he was alone.

Jin Ying Hua's bright eyes turned dull. She tilted her head.

"Is that so?" she said sweetly, venom hidden underneath.

She took a step closer to Taehyung, leaning closer. Taehyung stared back, unafraid. This was just a dream, right? Whatever Jin Ying Hua did here, would have no effect on him when he woke up in the morning.

Jin Ying Hua's lips twisted into a sick smile. Taehyung suddenly felt chills down his back. His heart rate spiked and he needed to move back, to get away from her before--

"Too late," she whispered.

Everything turned dark.

Jin Tai Heng woke up, gasping for breath.