His expression changed. The earth had given him a sign, and he lifted his eyes to the night sky and fixed them on the full moon. “No matter what I do, humanity and its desires will never be truly separated. What I’ve done today is only a temporary solution. In the end, chaos will return as long as people are ruled by their desires.”
Ignatius closed his eyes in despair. What use was infinite magic if he couldn’t save the world from its inevitable collapse? He couldn’t live forever. He couldn’t protect the world forever. And so…
Ignatius’ eyes opened again, now glimmering with a faint hope. Perhaps, if he could store his magical power in something, there might still be a way to preserve peace in the world for the ages to come.
Full moon, Ignatius whispered in his heart as a glimmer of hope filled his mind. I entrust to you all that I am.
Ignatius prepared himself. He steeled his resolve, took a deep breath, and quieted the thoughts that swirled with endless possibilities.
The ritual he was about to perform was no ordinary one. It was a ritual of the highest form of magic-a ritual of sacrifice, not only for himself, but for the future of the world. If he succeeded, his power would be bound to the full moon, an eternal cycle of nature. But if he failed, his magic would be destroyed along with his body, leaving the world unprotected.
Ignatius raised his hands, feeling the flow of magical energy from the heart of the universe. Standing before the waterfall, he traced ancient symbols in the air, shimmering in silver light.
The light began to swirl, forming a circle that grew brighter and more concentrated. In his mind, Ignatius pictured the full moon, always reflecting a soft yet powerful glow, becoming the eternal vessel for all his magic.
“The only way to keep hope alive in this world …,” Ignatius whispered to himself as he pulled a necklace with a simple stone pendant from his robes. This necklace would be the chosen vessel for his magic. “… is to leave a part of myself for eternity.”
He clasped the necklace tightly in his right hand and pressed it to his chest. A surge of blue-golden light radiated from his body. The core of his magic-the source of all the power he had nurtured and protected for centuries-was being disturbed.
Ignatius trembled. His very soul trembled. But he stood firm, and with a decisive movement, he channeled his ancient power into the stone pendant. The blue-golden light sparkled within the silver circle, flowing like water seeking its final destination. Every drop of that power was absorbed by the full moon that shone brightly in the night sky.
Ignatius collapsed. His body slumped to the ground, drained as the ancient, boundless magic he once held had left him, stored in the moon and symbolized in the necklace he still held.
It took some time for Ignatius to recover from the exhaustion that paralyzed his entire body. He could hardly move, not even to breathe.
Ignatius lay powerless, drenched in sweat, but a smile spread across his face. Now he felt a sense of peace, knowing that his power would remain usable even though he would no longer be in this world.
Moon necklace. Ignatius took a deep breath. He raised his hand, revealing the transformed moon necklace. The stone that once adorned it had become a pendant of the full moon. You are my last hope for this world. With you, my descendants will have the power to return to the past through the waterfall. They will have the chance to save this world from destruction.
At that moment, the blue-golden light began to glow brilliantly again. Ignatius was startled and jumped to his feet as a flurry of thoughts flooded his mind. He had performed the ritual perfectly; there shouldn’t be any residual magical waves.
Looking around, he confirmed that the magic was indeed coming from him. “What is happening?” He asked, his confusion growing. “Why is my magic…” His words hung in the air as he realized that the magic was coming from the waterfall. Suddenly, his face changed. “It can’t be.”
Ignatius’ disbelief at what was unfolding was overwhelming. The moon necklace in his hand had vanished, only to reappear from behind the waterfall, accompanied by the presence of a woman!
*
Everything felt dark. Everything was painfully stifling. Vione felt like she was being swallowed by the oppressive noise around her. Pain and loss gnawed at her soul, creating a void that was hard to fill. Memories flooded back-wrong choices, unspoken words, and severed connections.
Fear enveloped Vione’s heart, pulling her into a maze of uncertainty. Various worries arose, questioning whether she could return to the place she called home. She might fail again. She might push her limits and end up in an unknown time. She might never see Rowena again.
Vione felt increasingly trapped by a whirlwind of thoughts that swirled endlessly in her mind. The suffocating situation pressed down on her.
Yet, in the midst of the oppressive darkness, she felt a glimmer of hope, as if something was trying to pierce the gloom. She thought that perhaps there was some happiness waiting in this sadness; that there was strength hidden in despair. That was why she had to keep fighting, to persevere-not only for herself, but for everyone who depended on her.
Right, Vione affirmed as she opened her eyes, which she hadn’t realized were closed. I have to keep trying for them.
At that moment, Vione felt the magic within the time portal rebel violently. She was tossed and hurled, crashing through the roaring cascade of water-the waterfall.
Vione gasped for breath, coughing against the cold that enveloped her body. Her bones felt loose, and she struggled to free herself from the waterfall’s grip. Her situation was chaotic-soaked to the skin, hair clinging to her face, water running from her fingertips.
Desperately, Vione tried to distance herself from the powerful currents, stepping carefully and regulating her breathing. But just as she began to regain her composure, a voice echoed around her.
“Who are you?”
*