The two mages stood guard, their senses alert even in the depths of the night.
In the room, Li Na lay curled up, her chest rising and falling with the rhythm of deep sleep. A slight twist of her body was the only indication of the turmoil within her dreams.
Inside her mind, a scene unfolded. Li Na found herself face to face with her own reflection, but with eyes that glinted like molten gold.
"Give me back my body," she demanded, her voice echoing in the vast emptiness of her subconscious.
"Sorry, can't do that," the golden-eyed Li Na replied with a smirk. "As soon as you gave me access, there was no turning back."
"Why should I strike a deal with you?" the younger Li Na retorted.
"Because I am older and wiser. Plus, I've lived this life," the golden-eyed Li Na stated matter-of-factly.
"And so have I," the younger Li Na shot back. "Don't forget, I was reborn."