The cool evening breeze swept past Alsie as she stood before the swirling blue portal. Her fingers trembled, and her chest felt painfully tight. The cold air bit into her skin, but it was nothing compared to the hollow ache inside her.
Why did it have to end like this?
With a deep breath, Alsie stepped through the portal. The world blurred for a moment before she emerged on the other side — standing before a row of carriages lined along a dirt road. The travelers were preparing to move, their murmurs blending with the rustling of trees.
The sight of familiar faces should have brought her comfort. Instead, it only reminded her of what she had left behind.
"Alsie?" Multiple voices called out suddenly.
She turned to see Lindsey rushing toward her, with Touya and Su not far behind, their faces lighting up with joy.
"Sis!" Lindsey cried, throwing her arms around Alsie. "I've been worried sick! Where have you been?"
Alsie stiffened at the warmth of her sister's embrace. It felt safe… yet unbearable. She barely managed to return the hug before stepping back.
"I…" Alsie tried to speak but found her voice cracking.
"You look awful," Lindsey said softly, her smile fading. "What happened?"
Touya approached, glancing between them. "If something's troubling you, we can talk later. Why don't you get some rest?"
"I'm fine," Alsie muttered.
Touya frowned but nodded, sensing her reluctance. "Alright. We'll leave you two alone." With that, he walked back to the carriages, giving Alsie some space.
But Lindsey didn't move. She crossed her arms, her expression firm.
"I'm not going anywhere," Lindsey said. "I know something's wrong. Sis, you've been crying."
"I'm fine," Alsie shot back, but her voice broke on the last word.
"You're not." Lindsey stepped closer. "Please… just tell me."
For a moment, Alsie tried to hold it in. The pressure swelled in her chest like a rising tide — but then, it broke.
"It's John…" Alsie's voice wavered, and her eyes stung. "He… he hid things from us... from me."
Lindsey's eyes widened. "Wait… what?"
Through stuttered words and shaky breaths, Alsie explained everything — John's origins, his lies, and the guilt she felt for blaming him. Each word dragged out the ache in her chest, and before she knew it, the tears started flowing.
"I know why he did what he did, but… I didn't even let him explain properly," Alsie sobbed. "I just left… like he didn't matter… like all those months meant nothing."
Lindsey knelt beside her, gently taking her hand. "Hey… hey, listen to me," she said softly. "You're hurting, but you're not thinking clearly."
Alsie wiped her eyes. "He lied to us, Lindsey…"
"He lied because he was scared," Lindsey said. "If what you said is true, then wouldn't you have done the same if you didn't know who to trust? He was from a different world, surrounded by strangers. Of course he kept it to himself."
"I know…" Alsie choked out. "But I still left him alone."
"Then make it right," Lindsey urged. "You're still here. He's still here — you can fix this."
"But…"
"No buts," Lindsey said firmly. "I'll talk to Touya. We'll go find him."
"Thank you…" Alsie whispered, her voice barely audible.
"No more tears," Lindsey said with a small smile. "You're stronger than this."
For the first time in hours, Alsie allowed herself to believe that maybe… just maybe… she hadn't lost John for good.
---
Yumina stood inside the great hall of the Belfast Palace, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. The familiar walls, the warmth of the chandeliers — none of it brought her comfort now.
Her mother, the Queen, entered the room in a rush.
"Yumina!" The Queen's voice carried both relief and concern. "I heard you returned. Are you alright?"
Yumina turned slowly, her face pale and eyes red.
"I'm fine," Yumina whispered, but her voice betrayed her.
"You don't look fine." Her mother approached her, reaching out to touch her cheek. "What happened?"
Suddenly, Yumina lunged forward, hugging her mother tightly. Her tears flowed freely as she sobbed into her shoulder.
"It's… John," Yumina said, her voice breaking. "Why would he do that, Mother…?"
The Queen's brow furrowed. "I don't understand."
Through trembling breaths, Yumina told her everything — about John's past, his hidden identity, and his plans to return home.
"I… I thought we were important to him," Yumina choked. "I thought I mattered… but I guess I was wrong."
"Yumina…" Her mother's voice softened. "You know that's not true."
"But he lied to us!" Yumina cried. "He didn't trust us enough to tell the truth!"
The Queen held her daughter's hand tightly. "Sweetheart… imagine if you were in his place. Alone, surrounded by strangers, with no idea what they might do if they learned the truth. Would you have trusted anyone so easily?"
Yumina's face crumbled. "But I trusted him."
"And he trusted you too," her mother said gently. "He stayed with you for months. He fought beside you, laughed with you, shared his life with you. Those feelings weren't a lie."
The Queen wiped a tear from Yumina's face.
"I think he likes you," she said softly. "He just didn't know how to say it."
Yumina's lip trembled. "I can't just… let him go like this."
"Then don't."
The Queen stepped back. "Go to him. Don't waste the chance to say what's in your heart. And don't worry, you're not alone. Your father and I will go with you."
"Thank you," she whispered.
---
The cold night air bit at their skin as Alsie, Yumina, Touya, Lindsey, Su, the Queen, and King Belfast stood before the empty clearing where John's camp had once been. The capsule house was gone — no trace of John or his belongings remained.
"He's... not here," Alsie murmured, her heart sinking.
But then, Touya noticed something — a small letter resting on a stone near the center of the clearing. He walked over and carefully unfolded it.
"Is it from John?" Yumina asked anxiously.
Touya read the letter aloud:
> "I'm sorry.
By the time you read this, I'll be gone. I wanted to see the place where we started our adventure.
In six days, I'll leave this world behind — back to where I came from.
If you want to see me one last time… please come to the Old Royal Capital Ruins.
I don't expect forgiveness. But I'd like to say goodbye properly.
—John"
The words seemed to linger in the air, heavy and final.
"He's leaving…" Yumina whispered.
"I was too harsh…" Alsie murmured. "I didn't even let him speak…"
Yumina wiped her face roughly. "We have six days," she said, her voice hard with determination. "We're going to find him."
The King let out a low chuckle. "I suppose I should start practicing my 'wise father' speech too. Or should I just let my sword do the talking?"
"You could try both," Su quipped.
Despite the tension, a few chuckles broke through.
Their sorrow still hung in the air like a heavy cloud, but beneath it… there was hope.
They still had time.
And this time, they wouldn't let John leave without knowing how much he meant to them.
( This is the best emotional scene, I could come up with. Well, I tried my best. I hope you will like it.)