The stone door opened.
Then a scene unlike anything Li Wei had ever seen appeared before him.
A lavish, glittering hall, bustling crowds-it looked as though a grand banquet was underway. People from far and wide filled the room, all wearing clothes Li Wei had never seen before. They looked rather like ancient Greek styles, though. Yes, like the ones in murals...
"Where are we?"
Just then, Katie's voice came from beside him. Li Wei turned and discovered that not only she, but Ovelia and Annie as well, were standing next to him with bewildered expressions, looking around curiously.
"Mr. Li Wei? What's going on? I remember I was asleep just a moment ago..."
Katie looked around in confusion, while Annie frowned and considered for a moment.
"Are we in a dream?"
"That's right."
But the answer came not from Li Wei, but from an unexpected, leisurely voice. Hearing it, Li Wei raised an eyebrow and looked toward its source. On a stand not far away, a woman dressed like a cat lay with her arms crossed, her tail swishing as she grinned at them.
The Cheshire Cat.
"You again?"
"Yes, me again."
The Cheshire Cat giggled at Li Wei.
"But unfortunately, it's me, and yet it isn't."
"What does that mean?"
"It means the one here really is me, but I have nothing to do with this dream, so it isn't me, either."
"You mean you weren't the one who dragged us into this dream?"
"Of course. I'm just a dream observer. See? Like the Cheshire Cat, I simply watch with a grin. That's all..."
"Then what exactly is this dream...?"
"Ah, greetings, honored guests."
Just as Li Wei was about to ask more, an enthusiastic servant approached, forcing him to turn his attention to the man.
"Welcome to