“Basically, there’s only one thing you need to change the past. You must have an unwavering determination, and for that…” Rowena continued, taking a moment to catch her breath. Then she looked back at the waterfall before returning her gaze to Usher. “… the time portal behind the waterfall will return you to the time you desire. You must not hesitate, Alpha. Otherwise, at worst, you’ll be trapped in the past forever.”
It was a huge risk, but Usher was not afraid. He showed his strong resolve.
“Another important thing is that you must be bound to both times.”
Rowena’s confusing statement prompted a spontaneous question from Ayla. “What do you mean, Rowena?”
“I mean that Alpha must have a balance in both the present and the past. When he goes to the past, it’s like he’s in the middle of reality, caught between two dimensions of time. So, balance is needed to keep both worlds stable and harmonious.
Usher shook his head slightly. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean, Rowena. So, what do I have to do to make sure that balance is maintained?”
Instead of answering the question directly, Rowena reached into her pocket and pulled out a small box. She looked at the box for a moment, squeezing it with her fingers as if she needed the strength to speak again.
“You and the present are connected by your bond with Luna, Alpha, and what you need next is a connection in the past. In other words, you must meet Vione in the past and give her this. Each of you must wear this necklace.”
The small box changed hands. Usher accepted it with indescribable emotion. There was a strange sensation that made him hold his breath as he opened the box and saw its contents.
Usher’s eyes instantly widened. Vione, who also saw it, spoke up reflexively.
“My necklace.”
Rowena turned in confusion. “D-Did you say that, Luna?” she asked to confirm. “Your necklace?”
“Yes, it’s my necklace. I lost it when I escaped from the Frostholm Pack’s underground prison. I tried to find it in the forest, but I couldn’t,” Vione replied with similar confusion. Question marks swirled in her head; how could the necklace be in Rowena’s hands? It seemed impossible and she turned to Usher. “Don’t you remember, Usher? You gave me that necklace the night after we argued about Mireya.”
Usher was stunned, his mind racing. He could not deny that the reason for his shock when he saw the necklace was because he remembered clearly; it was Vione’s necklace, and also the necklace worn by the man-a pair of the crescent pendants.
Memories from the past flooded Usher’s mind, and now Vione’s question made his heart seem to stop. If Vione insisted that she had given him the necklace, didn’t that mean that he had misunderstood himself in the past?
Usher closed his eyes, trying to remain calm even as the confusion intensified and made his head throbbing.
On the other hand, hearing Vione’s account brought a faint smile to Rowena’s lips. She said, “Everything returns to its rightful owner in the end.”
“What do you mean, Rowena?” Usher asked afterwards, looking back at the pair of necklaces in the small box. “I don’t understand.”
“I don’t understand either, Alpha. Everything is a mystery, and only the time portal behind Mystoria Falls will lead you to those answers. The sooner you go through the time portal, the sooner you may find the answers,” Rowena explained.
Usher understood. Then he nodded. “Alright. I will enter it now.”
“Good, Alpha, and make sure that Vione in the past continues to wear this necklace no matter what,” Rowena instructed.
Immediately, Usher and Vione locked eyes. It seemed that they understood that this would indeed happen-Vione would continue to wear the necklace no matter what.
After making sure Usher fully understood, Rowena stepped forward toward the waterfall. Her eyes closed and her lips began to move faintly. She recited ancient incantations, causing the environment to react immediately.
The still wind became a whispering breeze, causing leaves to rustle and fall. The soft murmur of the waterfall became a roaring cascade.
Rowena remained in a state of total concentration. Her mind was calm and controlled, her breathing steady even amidst the rebellious air.
The incantations summoned the ancient power that had long been dormant. Her words filled the air, creating magical vibrations that could be felt throughout the forest. Then a golden-blue light slowly emanated from the waterfall, forming a swirling circle amid the thundering water. The long-hidden time portal began to open.
The eyes of Vione, Usher, and Ayla widened as they watched the magical spectacle. They were mesmerized, while Rowena remained steadfast. She continued to recite the incantations, focusing all of her energy on keeping the time portal open. When the incantations were finished, she opened her eyes and looked at the shimmering time portal.
“Alpha,” Rowena said after taking a deep breath. Then she turned to Usher. “This is your time to go.”
Usher was stunned. He did not react to Rowena’s words when he realized that Vione was holding his hand tightly.
Vione knew that the decision to return to the past was more because of her insistence. So, it should not be too hard for her to let Usher go. But the opposite happened.
So, Ayla acted. She took Vione’s body gently so that her grip was loosened.
Usher did not say anything, but his eyes promised Vione many things. I will come back, Vione. No matter what happens, I will always come back to you.
Vione tried to hold back tears. Behind the sadness, she tried to smile, then nodded. I know you’ll always come back to me. So don’t make me wait too long.
Usher prepared himself. He strengthened his resolve to pass through the time portal, and the last thing he heard before the long corridor engulfed his body was:
“Remember, Alpha! Do not let you and your past self know each other. If that happens, the balance of time and space will be upset. Only one Alpha will survive.”
*