A moment later.
As the white light of teleportation gradually vanished, the familiar palace appeared before him.
Colin sighed with relief at the sight and quickly looked around.
"Where is Nasi?"
But the vista was empty, with neither Nasi nor Lillian in sight.
Thump.
At that moment, the archway behind him suddenly closed, its usually faint sound reverberating like thunder in the eerily quiet palace.
However, it was only for a moment. The sound also disappeared once again, and the vast, empty palace regained its silence...silence like a wilderness.
This made Colin feel as though the time he had been away was not a matter of mere minutes, but days, or perhaps years.
Stroking the emerald necklace in his hand, the joy he originally felt upon acquiring the treasure instantly disappeared.
"Could it be that Nasi returned to the world beneath the blue skies because she couldn't find me?"
