Naya felt as if she were dreaming. She found herself in the middle of an open field where the air was crisp and fragrant with the scent of wildflowers.
Here, the grass, vibrant and lush, was greener than any she had ever seen, almost glowing under the bright, azure sky. The place felt almost magical, with a serene atmosphere that seemed to hum with a life she had never seen before.
The wind blew gently, swaying the grass and flowers in a soothing rhythm, carrying a sweet melody that seemed to float on the breeze.
A woman was singing in the distance, her voice soft and melodious, like a lullaby carried by the wind. With some hesitation, Naya followed the enchanting sound. It led her to a grand oak tree, its ancient branches stretching wide and casting dappled shadows on the ground. Beyond it, a river flowed, its waters sparkling in the sunlight and sending a cool breeze that caressed Naya’s face and filled her lungs with freshness.
As she neared the tree, Naya couldn't help but wonder who the singer was. Somehow, it sounded familiar to her but she also knew she had never encountered a woman with such an angelic voice like this one before.
Taking a few more steps, Naya finally saw the woman. She had her back to Naya, hiding her face, wearing a flowing yellow dress that fluttered in the breeze, her long brown hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of silk.
She was humming a lullaby, her voice sweet and tender, one hand gently resting on her rounded belly. It was then Naya realized this was a mother singing to her unborn child.
The song grew clearer, each word uttered with a gentleness that strangely felt familiar.
"My little one, this world is a cold place, but with your touch, it will be warm again. My little one, the flowers will soon dry, but with your touch, they will bloom again."
A warmth spread through Naya's chest, filling her with a sense of peace and nostalgia. But the warmth vanished abruptly as she found herself on the edge of a mountain.
The air was thin and sharp, stinging her lungs with each breath. Blood stained her stomach where she had been stabbed by a silver knife, the cold steel making her wince and shiver.
The pain was excruciating, a fiery agony that radiated through her body.
Everything was a blur.
She looked down, seeing blood pouring from her wound, the crimson liquid stark against her pale skin. Her head spun, her vision heavy and dimming, her senses overwhelmed by the smell of iron and the throbbing pain.
The sound of her heartbeat pounded in her ears, a frantic, irregular rhythm, mixed with the fierce clashes of two wolves fighting nearby. Teeth against teeth, claws against claws, their ferocious growls and the biting, tearing sounds made her heart race wildly.
The growls echoed through the air, mingling with the rushing sound of the waterfall.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind hit her, whipping her hair around her face and knocking her off balance. She slipped, falling through the air.
Cold, harsh water embraced her as darkness filled her vision, mind, and heart.
The impact with the water was like hitting a solid wall, the shock of the icy temperature making her gasp and struggle for breath.
The roar of the waterfall was deafening, and the churning water dragged her down, wrapping around her like icy fingers. Her heartbeat faltered and then stopped, plunging everything into an eerie silence—until she heard his voice.
"Naya!"
Slowly, Naya’s eyes fluttered open. Beneath the dark, cold water, she saw a figure swimming toward her with fierce determination. The person fought through the turbulent current, relentless and strong.
As he drew closer, the moon's glow filtered through the water, casting an ethereal light on his deep forest green eyes. His gaze locked onto Naya’s as he pulled her close to his body, the warmth of his touch contrasting sharply with the surrounding cold.
Under the relentless, frigid waterfall, he leaned in, his breath mingling with hers, and claimed her lips in a desperate, life-affirming kiss.