Chapter 43 : Returning
It was already the last day, and they were going to be summoned back to their world.
Raven, Seraphine, and Lyra stood at the City Hall of Valeria. Over the past month, they had all grown significantly stronger.
Seraphine activated her ability to check her stats.
STATS
Seraphine Ashfall
Level - 160
Strength - 80
Speed - 90
Endurance - 75
IQ - 80
Ability - Queen's Eyes (SSS), Enhanced Reflex (A), Speed Rush (A)
She smirked, satisfied with how much she had improved. Then, her eyes shifted toward Raven as she activated her ability to view his stats.
STATS
Raven Cross
Level - 259
Strength - 90
Speed - 80
Endurance - 100
IQ - 89
Ability - ??, Time's Eye (S)
As expected, Raven had grown immensely, but his face remained troubled. She had noticed his silence over the past few days, how he kept to himself more than usual.
Curious, she turned to look at Lyra.
STATS
Lyra Cross
Level - 189
Strength - 90
Speed - 80
Endurance - 92
IQ - 89
Ability - ??, Cursed Touch (S)
Lyra had also grown stronger, but something about her had changed. Her new ability seemed ominous, and her once warm demeanor had turned cold. Seraphine couldn't help but wonder what had shifted inside her after coming to this world.
She glanced at Raven again. His mind was clearly elsewhere, his thoughts heavy with something he refused to share. Seraphine reached out and touched his hand, her crimson eyes filled with concern.
Lyra's voice broke the moment. "Have you seen Brother and Sister-in-law?"
Raven shook his head. "No. Do you have any news about them?"
Lyra and Seraphine both shook their heads. The uncertainty in their expressions made the unease in Raven's heart grow. The dream he had been seeing—their deaths—haunted him. He was afraid that what he had seen might be real.
Seraphine tightened her grip on his hand. "Raven, can you tell me what's wrong?"
He turned to look at her, forcing a smile. "Nothing. I just want to go home and see Mother."
She didn't believe him, but she didn't press further.
Just then, six powerful figures stepped forward, commanding the attention of everyone present.
Draven of Iron Legion, a towering man with predatory eyes, stood at the front. His voice was steady as he addressed the crowd.
Vexar of Shadow Clan, a pale man with black hair and an unreadable expression, glanced over the gathered warriors, his cold gaze missing nothing.
Nyra of Blood Blades, a fierce woman with amber eyes, crossed her arms with a smirk, exuding confidence and raw strength.
Garrick of Stormbreaker, a rugged and battle-worn leader, surveyed the scene with quiet authority, his deep voice carrying over the murmuring crowd.
Alden of Frostguard, a silver-haired man with an air of wisdom, nodded in approval at those who had survived.
Darius of Warhound, a golden-skinned warrior with sharp eyes, gave an approving glance, his commanding presence impossible to ignore.
Each of them spoke, their voices carrying across the City Hall.
"Today is your last day here. You will soon return to your world, but after one month, you will be summoned back."
"There are many who perished, but those who survived have grown stronger. You will take the power you have gained here back to your original world."
"Be grateful. You stand among those who survived. Now, you can return to your families."
"Do not grow complacent. The real battle is far from over. When you return, we expect to see even greater strength from you."
"Our guilds will support you once you're back here. We will help you climb even higher."
"That is all. We will see you in one month."
The City Hall erupted with laughter, chatter, and mixed emotions. Many were overjoyed to return home, while others carried the weight of loss. The air was filled with celebration and sorrow alike.
But Raven felt nothing but anxiety.
His eyes darted around the hall, searching. Searching for them.
Grim and Aurelia were nowhere to be seen.
His heart pounded. He felt restless, his mind spinning with dark thoughts.
Seraphine noticed. She squeezed his hand gently. "What's wrong?"
Raven didn't answer. Before he could say anything, the world around them began to shift.
And in the next instant, they were no longer in Valeria.
They stood exactly where they had been summoned from.
Luxe Haven Apartment. Room 102.
---
Raven's heart pounded as they arrived back at Luxe Haven Apartment, but the feeling of relief he expected never came. His dark eyes scanned the room frantically, but there was no sign of Grim or Aurelia.
His stomach twisted.
The dream had felt too real. The image of them lying lifeless, their bodies broken, haunted him. Even though he knew it wasn't necessarily a vision of the future, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread.
"Where are they?" Lyra murmured, stepping closer to him.
Seraphine didn't say anything, but she was tense too. She had been watching Raven carefully ever since they arrived, noticing his silence and the way his fists clenched at his sides.
Then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the apartment.
Their mother.
The door to her room flew open, and she rushed toward them.
"Lyra! Raven! Seraphine!" Her voice trembled, her black eyes glistening with tears. "My children!"
She pulled Lyra into a tight embrace, gripping her as though afraid she might disappear again. Her entire body shook with overwhelming relief. Then, as if realizing Seraphine was there too, she reached out and pulled her into the hug as well.
Seraphine stiffened for a moment before slowly relaxing in her arms.
And then, their mother turned to Raven.
Tears streamed down her pale face as she stepped toward him. "My son..."
Raven barely had time to react before she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. He could feel how weak she had become, her fragile body trembling against him. Her white hair, now slightly disheveled, clung to her damp cheeks.
He closed his eyes and exhaled. "Mother..."
For a long moment, none of them spoke. She just held him, as if reassuring herself that he was real. That they had all truly returned.
When she finally pulled away, she wiped at her tears and took a shaky breath. "Where is Grim? And Aurelia?"
Silence filled the room.
Lyra lowered her gaze. Seraphine glanced at Raven. None of them knew what to say.
Raven did. But he stayed quiet.
The front door of the apartment creaked open.
All heads turned.
And then, they stepped inside.
Aurelia entered first, her movements graceful and effortless. But there was something different about her. Something ethereal.
She had always been beautiful, but now… she looked almost otherworldly.
Her long crimson hair cascaded down her back, shining under the dim apartment lights. Her golden eyes carried a depth that hadn't been there before, a glow that made them seem like liquid gold. Her skin, a flawless shade of jade-white, radiated a kind of ancient allure. Even her posture, the way she carried herself, was different—calm, commanding, like a queen returned from battle.
Behind her, Grim followed.
And he, too, was transformed.
His white hair, longer and silkier than before, framed his dangerously handsome face, now even sharper, even more intense. His tall frame—now towering at nearly 200cm—had become leaner, yet somehow more powerful, exuding an aura of quiet destruction.
His skin was even paler than before, but it only enhanced the eerie beauty of his presence. He didn't just look strong.
He looked untouchable.
For a moment, the room was silent.
Aurelia was the first to move. She approached their mother and knelt slightly, her voice soft.
"I am back, Mother."
Their mother's lips parted as she stared at her, taking in every change—the height, the presence, the strange, timeless beauty Aurelia now carried. Then, her hands trembled as she reached forward and touched her face.
"You're taller now, my child…" she whispered, tears forming once again. "What… what happened?"
Aurelia smiled gently. "It was just a little adventure, Mother. Don't worry." Her voice held the same warmth, the same love, but also something else. A weight. A knowing.
Their mother didn't question it further. Instead, she simply broke down and pulled Aurelia into a desperate hug.
"I was afraid," she sobbed. "I was afraid you were all gone…"
Aurelia closed her eyes and embraced her tightly, resting her head against her shoulder like a child seeking comfort. "We're here now, Mother. It's okay. You should calm down."
It took a while, but eventually, their mother did. She wiped at her eyes, taking deep breaths to steady herself. Then, as if realizing something, she straightened and looked at all of them.
"You all were gone for a month… You must be hungry," she said suddenly. "Let me make something for you."
Grim, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"Mother," his voice was steady, deeper than before. "Make something for yourself and these three children. Aurelia and I are busy. We'll be taking our leave."
His mother's eyes widened. "But you just arrived—"
"It's important," Grim interrupted, his tone unwavering. "I'll come back to you soon."
And with that, he turned toward the door.
Aurelia let out a soft sigh before facing their mother again. "Mother, the world is going to change. And we have to make sure it changes for the better." She placed a hand on her shoulder, her golden eyes firm. "That's why he's busy. But don't worry."
Her gaze shifted to Raven, Lyra, and Seraphine.
"You four should enjoy this time together. Take care of Mother. I'll be back tonight."
She stepped back, her eyes lingering on Raven for a moment, before she, too, turned and followed Grim out the door.
And just like that, they were gone again.
Their mother stared after them, her expression unreadable.
---
Raven, his mother, Lyra, and Seraphine remained in the apartment, standing in silence after Grim and Aurelia left. No one spoke, but for Raven, everything felt heavy. Too much was happening at once, and his thoughts refused to settle.
Raven's emotions churned inside him like a storm. He had been preparing himself for the worst, fearing that he had lost his brother and sister-in-law forever. Yet now, they were alive—changed, unrecognizable, but alive. Relief should have washed over him, but instead, confusion took root. His mind was tangled, uncertain whether to trust reality or the haunting images of their deaths that had plagued his dreams.
Breaking the silence, Raven spoke, his voice steady but distant. "Mother, I'll be back after I get fresh. I'm going to my room." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, shutting the door behind him.
Seraphine watched him go, her instincts telling her that something was off. She had been observing Raven carefully, sensing his unease. Then, without warning, her ability activated on its own.
RAVEN CROSS
HAPPY, SAD, CONFUSED, SCARED, RELIEVED
(OVERWHELMED)
Seraphine's eyes widened. It was the first time she had seen emotions so clearly. The words floated in her vision like undeniable truths, exposing what Raven was trying so hard to suppress. He was overwhelmed.
Now, she was certain—something was deeply wrong.
Meanwhile, in his room, Raven shut the door tightly and leaned against it, sliding down until he sat on the floor. His hands covered his face as he struggled to make sense of everything.
"Maybe it was just a dream… maybe I should be happy…"
He gripped his hair tightly, his breathing uneven. The images of Grim and Aurelia's deaths still lingered in his mind, refusing to fade. They were alive now—he had seen them, spoken to them—but the feeling of loss refused to leave him.
Then, a knock on the door.
"Raven, it's me. Open the door."
Seraphine.
Raven exhaled and stood up. He hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Seraphine stepped inside without a word, her gaze locking onto his.
He shut the door behind her, his exhaustion evident in his posture. He sat down on the bed, his head lowered, his emotions still a mess.
Seraphine moved toward him, reaching out and gently touching his face. Her fingers were warm, grounding him. "It's okay, Raven," she whispered. "Everything is okay."
Then, without hesitation, she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his head, holding him close. One hand rested on the back of his head while the other gently pressed against his cheek. She was standing, and he was sitting, but at that moment, the distance between them disappeared.
For a second, Raven did nothing. Then, slowly, he let himself sink into her embrace, closing his eyes. Maybe… maybe this was what he needed.
Seraphine didn't rush him. She simply held him, waiting.
After a long silence, she finally spoke. "What happened? Can you tell me?"
Raven remained quiet for a moment. Then, he exhaled and started talking. He told her everything—about the dream, about seeing Grim and Aurelia's deaths, about the fear that it was real. Seraphine listened in silence, her grip on him tightening slightly. When he finished, she didn't speak right away.
Then, finally, she said, "But they're alive, Raven. You saw them with your own eyes."
Raven exhaled, his voice barely above a whisper. "…Maybe it was just a bad nightmare."
Seraphine nodded, brushing his white hair gently. "Maybe."
But in her heart, she wasn't so sure.
Seraphine cupped Raven's face gently with both hands, tilting his head up so their eyes met—her golden gaze locking onto his deep black eyes. Her voice was soft yet firm as she spoke.
"Maybe what you saw wasn't just a nightmare. It could have been a glimpse of the future," she said. "The fact that they're alive is real, but you didn't see them dying… only injured. Maybe it has something to do with your ability—something you don't fully understand yet. The Time's Eye."
She watched his expression closely, searching for any shift in his emotions. "But don't worry," she continued. "I'll ask my sister what happened, and you should rest assured."
Then, with a gentle movement, she bent down slightly and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
A warmth spread through Raven's chest. He felt lighter—like a burden had been lifted, even if just for a moment. Without thinking, he pulled Seraphine into a tight embrace, his head resting against her chest, his arms wrapped firmly around her waist. It was a comforting embrace—one filled with silent understanding.
Seraphine smiled softly, running her fingers through his white hair. "Mother is waiting," she whispered. "Come down soon… and I don't want to see my boyfriend like this."
Raven let out a small chuckle, rubbing his head against her. "Don't worry. You should go. I'll be down in a few minutes."
Seraphine gave him one last glance before stepping away, leaving him with a newfound sense of calm.