"Wha…?" Her voice was faint, like a leaf drifting down. She wanted to rise, but the world had already carried her away. Kaivan gazed at her sleeping face and whispered, "I love you, Thivi…"
From the shadows between the trees, a man stepped forward, William, the wielder of Omnidream. He approached quietly, eyes fixed on Thivi lying serenely upon the grass. His expression was calm, yet his smile carried a chilling satisfaction.
"A broken heart is the finest door to control a dream," he murmured, lips curving slightly.
Beside him stood a woman in a black hood. Her eyes said nothing, yet asked everything. "And then?"
William opened a small leather pouch, pulling out a tiny bottle and a folded letter. He handed them to her. "Place these beside her. The letter will guide the rest. We'll return to the villa once her task is done."
The hooded woman nodded silently. Kneeling beside Thivi, she set down the letter and the bottle near the sleeping girl. William tilted his head to the stars above, a cold smile spreading on his face.
"Tonight will be unforgettable for them," he murmured, satisfaction in his voice. Then he and the woman disappeared into the forest shadows.
The night deepened, the wind turning sharp and cold. Amid the stillness, Thivi lay caught within a beautiful illusion, one that felt too real. Within it, she felt love, warmth, and acceptance. Yet darkness crept behind that dream.
When dawn's dew still clung to the grass, Thivi's eyes fluttered open. Her breaths came slow, steady, as her consciousness returned. The scent of damp earth filled the air. Her vision cleared, revealing shapes around her.
Her heart jumped when she noticed a small letter and bottle beside her. With trembling fingers, she reached for the letter. The handwriting was neat:
"Thivi, later mix this into the drinks and give it to everyone, including me. I want to sleep peacefully. Don't tell anyone. You should drink it too and sleep beside me."
Thivi stared at the letter for a long while. The words pierced her deeply, resonating with something fragile inside. A faint smile touched her lips, warm, serene. She picked up the bottle, studied the liquid, then slipped it into her pocket.
Her steps were steady as she walked toward the villa. Trees stood tall on both sides, their shadows swaying under the moonlight. Every step felt certain now. No hesitation. Only one purpose, to carry out his request.
She pushed the door open gently. The hinges creaked, letting the villa's warmth spill into the cool night. Inside, the fire crackled softly in the fireplace, its glow painting amber reflections on the wooden walls. The soft murmur of voices echoed, her friends were still awake. Her gaze fell upon Zinnia, lounging casually on the sofa.
"Zinnia," Thivi said softly. "I'll make some tea for everyone, if that's okay?"
Zinnia looked over, studying her briefly before nodding with a small smile. "Tea's in the box by the stove. Water's ready."
Thivi nodded and walked into the kitchen, her steps calm but deliberate. She opened the tea box, picked several sachets, and set them neatly on the table. Steam rose from the kettle, carrying a soothing aroma.
From her pocket, she pulled out the small bottle. Her hands trembled slightly as she unscrewed the lid, but there was no hesitation. The fine powder fell silently into the cups, vanishing without a trace. She stirred gently, arranged the cups on a tray, and returned to the living room.
"Warm tea for everyone," she said with a gentle smile.
Frans took his first, followed by Radit, Felicia, Ethan, and Zinnia. Thivi's gaze wandered across their faces, one by one, she watched them sip the tea she had prepared. Quietly, she exhaled.
"Thank you, Thivi," Felicia said, blowing on her cup before taking a slow sip. "It's perfect for a night like this."
They enjoyed their warm tea in silence until drowsiness began to take hold, one by one. Frans was the first to fall asleep, leaning back on the sofa with steady breaths. Radit yawned wide, trying to stay awake, but soon his head drooped weakly. Felicia tried to speak, but her voice faded along with the unstoppable pull of sleep.
Kaivan still resisted, though his eyelids felt heavy. For a moment, he looked at Thivi, as if he wanted to say something. But before his lips could part, his eyes closed slowly, and his breathing softened.
Thivi watched them and smiled faintly. She lifted her cup and took the last sip of tea. Sleep began to wrap around her body, and she lay down beside Kaivan, resting her head on his warm chest.
Beneath the dim light and the slumbering bodies, Thivi smiled. The night felt perfect, as if every wound and worry had been swept away by the wind of dreams. Yet behind that calm, something darker waited.
The night wrapped the villa in a blanket of cold and silence. Moonlight danced across the wooden floor, hiding the shadows that crept slowly within. Between the soft whispers of the wind, faint footsteps approached, carrying a threat from the dark.
From the shadows, William emerged, tall, calm, with sharp eyes. The bearer of Omnidream walked without a sound, followed by several figures dressed in black, blending seamlessly with the night. They stopped at the threshold of the living room, and a sly smile appeared on William's face as he took in the scene before him.
Bodies lay in the deceptive peace of sleep. Kaivan, Radit, Felicia, Ethan, Zinnia, Frans, and Thivi, all unconscious, unsuspecting. Some on the sofa, some on the floor. The Tome of Omnicent rested on a small table, not far from Kaivan's hand.
William took a photo from his pocket, studying the faces in the picture and in reality. These were the ones who had ruined his plans in Purwakarta. Folding the photo, his satisfied smile grew wider.
"They're asleep," he whispered. "Tie them up, one by one. Separate Kaivan from the Tome of Omnicent. We begin now."