* * * * * * *
(In the past...)
With Asahi's fading words, his body quietly collapsed onto a thick grass bed surrounded by waterfalls. The soft bristles peacefully cushioned his fall. All surrounding heads reeled back in stupefaction, watching as their lord fainted without any explanation.
"Lord Asahi?" Said one as he kneeled.
"Has something happened to you?" Said another.
All followers surrounded them, sharing indistinct murmurs as he lay there. On Kendra's lips arose a fiendish expression. She couldn't express her panic in words, but her actions spoke volumes. She hastily flew both her arms left and right, sprinting over to the resting body in disdain.
"A… Asahi?" A blush rose from her face as she placed her palms against his shoulders and rocked him back and forth. "Asahi, answer me!" And yet there was silence, not even a moan or a murmur could be heard.
