For Vione, time stopped the moment Usher disappeared from her sight. The time portal didn’t just suck Usher in, it took half of his soul as well. Her world stopped, everything seemed frozen without Usher by her side.
Vione felt her heart empty, as if she had lost an irreplaceable piece. Every step she took felt heavy, as if the gravity of the earth was pulling her down with undeniable force.
Emptiness engulfed her, and Vione tried to find peace. But it was all in vain when a black hole in her chest rebelled and swallowed her whole. She found herself buried in darkness, with the only light emanating from the sweet memories of Usher, shining brightly like a star.
“I beg you, Moon Goddess. Protect Usher.”
It could be said that Vione never really left the Mystoria Waterfall. She stayed there for a long time, only occasionally returning to Rowena’s house when her body was exhausted from waiting.
Vione continued to wait for Usher’s return. She kept looking at the waterfall, hoping that the time portal would reappear as a sign that Usher would return. But days passed without any certainty.
Desperation began to set in. Worries slowly appeared. Vione clenched her hands, then asked, “Usher will be okay, won’t he, Ayla?”
Ayla turned. As usual, she accompanied Vione wherever she went, never leaving her alone. As much as Vione cared about Usher, Ayla cared about Vione’s well-being.
“Luna,” Ayla whispered as she approached. She draped a cloak over Vione’s shoulders. “Alpha will be fine. You don’t need to worry.”
To be honest, Ayla doubted her own words. She also questioned Usher’s condition. But lying was the only way to reassure Vione. She hoped the lie would become reality.
Something made Ayla furrow her brow for a moment. It was the change in Vione’s expression. “What is it, Luna?”
Vione didn’t answer immediately; instead, she clutched her left breast for a moment. She held her breath, her gaze fixed on the Mystoria Waterfall. Then her eyes slowly widened. “Usher,” she whispered softly. “Usher is back.”
Ayla’s mouth opened. She wanted to ask again, but Vione was already on her way. She left Ayla behind and approached the Mystoria Waterfall.
Vione’s footsteps stopped when the wind suddenly blew unexpectedly, like a storm ready to sweep everything around. She raised both hands to shield her eyes, and at the same time, she saw golden-blue shimmering lights everywhere.
Vione became more and more certain that her intuition was right. Her waiting would soon come to an end. So, she strengthened her legs and forced herself to keep walking.
“Luna!”
Ayla tried to prevent Vione’s intention, not wanting to risk Vione’s safety. But it seemed that Vione thought differently. Vione wasn’t thinking about safety or anything else when she saw a circle appear in the middle of the waterfall.
The time portal reappeared after days of waiting in uncertainty. Vione’s heart raced and impatience filled her mind. She bit her lower lip to strengthen her resolve, and a moment later, her anticipation truly ended.
“Usher!”
Usher’s figure was hurled out of the time portal. His body floated and almost landed on the jagged rocks if Vione hadn’t caught him quickly.
Vione held Usher tightly. Her hands clasped him tightly. Joy surged and filled her heart, if only briefly. The smile that had appeared on Vione’s face vanished instantly when she felt how weak Usher’s body was. She turned in a belated realization: Usher wasn’t responding to her at all. He didn’t mention her name or return her hug.
Usher fainted. In an instant, Vione’s joy turned to uncontrollable worry.
“Usher!”
*
Countless soothing phrases echoed in Vione’s mind. She continued to push down the growing fear that made her heart beat uncomfortably. Her body trembled, then began to sweat coldly. She also felt suffocated, causing her to take deep breaths.
Unfortunately, Vione’s distress only increased. The air felt like sharp needles piercing her lungs. She groaned under the onslaught of relentless worry.
It seemed that Vione had truly reached the end of her patience. She had waited for Usher’s return for days, and now his return brought another fear.
Vione was sure that something bad would happen to Usher. She vividly remembered his cold and powerless body earlier. Usher was truly exhausted, as if he had no strength left, which made her think for a moment that he was lifeless.
Luckily, Usher was still breathing. He was still alive, but that didn’t mean all was well.
Vione’s worries resurfaced as Rowena hurriedly prepared some herbs. Rowena brewed them into a medicine and promptly administered it to Usher, with a hint of overpowering.
Vione was nearly driven mad by the uncertainty and fear. Logic kept reminding her to hold back, at least until Rowena had finished examining Usher’s condition. But time passed agonizingly. Now she couldn’t wait any longer. So, she asked in a quiet voice, “Rowena, how is Usher?”
Rowena finished her examination of Usher. She straightened the blanket that covered Usher’s body before turning to Vione. “He’s fine. He’s just exhausted, which is normal for those who cross the time portal.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course.” Rowena stood up and reassured Vione. “You don’t need to worry. Alpha just needs time to rest. I’m sure he’ll wake up before sunrise tomorrow.”
There was still plenty of time before the day changed. Even the sun hadn’t fully risen above the eastern horizon. So, Vione clasped her hands with the conviction that the most important thing was Usher’s well-being. Waiting a little longer wasn’t a big deal to her.
Vione took a long breath. She managed to suppress her slight fear. “Thank you, Rowena,” she said and reached for Rowena’s hands. She held Rowena’s fingers earnestly. “I really don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Rowena was taken aback by the look directed at her clasped hands. She remained silent for a moment before finally taking a breath and blinking once. Her previously bowed head lifted as a faint smile appeared. “I’m glad I could help you, Luna,” she said, returning Vione’s grasp. “Now, let’s wait for the Alpha. I’m sure you’ll be the first person he wants to see when he wakes up.”
*