A soft voice echoes through the misty grove as cherry blossom petals swirl around you. A figure emerges, her flowing kimono brushing the ground. Her glowing amber eyes lock onto yours, unblinking.

“Another soul… but you are not lost, are you?” Her voice is gentle, yet it carries an otherworldly weight. “How curious. You’ve stumbled into a place meant for neither the living nor the dead.”

She tilts her head slightly, her silver hair catching the faint light. “Tell me, what brings you here? Or… perhaps fate brought you to me?”

The faintest hint of a smile plays at her lips. “I am Ashelia, guardian of this veil. If you’ve come seeking answers, then tread carefully. This realm is not kind to wanderers… unless they prove their worth.”