The next day, when Syaoran opened his eyes, the soft morning rays made him flinch. He squinted, smiled faintly, and turned to his side. Fang was still asleep, her breath even, her expression peaceful.
He chuckled softly and cupped her cheeks gently with his hands. Unable to resist, he began pulling at her cheeks, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Fang blinked awake, narrowing her eyes at him.
"Syaoran, what are you doing with my cheeks? They're not jelly."
He grinned. "But Fang, your cheeks are really soft." He tugged them again.
Fang gave him a light slap on the face and sat up. "Syaoran, shall we return to the Lycan Clan?"
Syaoran looked at her, then nodded slowly. "It's still morning, though. We can only open the pathway at night when the full moon appears."
Fang smirked. "Don't worry. You've got me now. Let's eat breakfast first, and then we'll head back."
Syaoran, slightly confused but obedient, followed her lead.
—
Meanwhile, in the Lycan Clan, the Queen sat on the throne, presiding over the royal assembly. Her eyes were distant, her soul heavy. Syaoran's grandfather noticed her quiet despair and smirked knowingly from his seat beside her.
As the assembly concluded, the ministers bowed and exited. The Queen remained seated, her posture strained, her gaze fixed ahead.
Her maid approached her gently. "My Queen, you look pale. Are you feeling unwell?"
The Queen sighed and lifted her head just as the grandfather walked toward her. She stood and respectfully bowed.
He chuckled, nodding. "Why the long face, my Queen? Has the clan fallen into ruin?"
"Father, don't joke," she replied, exasperated. "I'm worried. Syaoran hasn't returned after all these years. I wonder how he's doing..."
Her eyes lingered on the empty throne beside her.
The grandfather smiled, stroking his beard. "Even before, His Majesty vanished for years... and returned. But this time"—he raised his index finger—"his return will be a happy occasion for our clan."
He turned with a chuckle and walked away, leaving the Queen stunned.
"Father—wait! What do you mean by happy occasion? When will he return?" she called, but he didn't turn back.
The Queen pouted. "He always drops a bomb when I'm sad and makes me panic."
Her maid giggled. "My Queen, forgive me, but your father's words always come true. If he says so now, it must be real. Let's just wait—fate will play its game."
The Queen stared down the hallway he had disappeared into, her heart whispering, Please let Syaoran and Fang return safely...
—
Back on Earth, as Fang and Syaoran finished breakfast, she stood and smiled. "Syaoran, let's go to the Lycan Clan."
He pulled her into his lap, catching her off guard. Her eyes widened.
"Syaoran! Why are you suddenly being clingy?"
"I missed you," he said softly, cupping her face. "Now that you're back, I don't want to be alone anymore. I want to spend every moment with you."
Fang chuckled shyly, touching his cheek. "But your family must be worried..."
"I know," he nodded. "But Fang, the portal only opens during the full moon—"
She rolled her eyes. "Did you study anything about mythical spells as a child? Even I knew this while growing up in the Lycan Realm."
Syaoran pouted. "You're a goddess. Of course you know everything. And for the record, I'm still King of the Lycan Clan."
Fang laughed, stood, and stretched out her hand to him. He took it with a smile.
They stood beneath the sun. Fang closed her eyes and whispered ancient words:
---
"Sol et lux, cadite sub noctis velo.
Terra, contice. Luna regina, surge et viam ostende.
Per umbras et silvam sacram,
aperi portam ad Cladem Lycanorum."
---
As the final words left her lips, the sun dimmed. Silence fell. The moon burst forth in sudden brilliance, casting a glowing path through the forest.
Syaoran stared in awe. Fang raised an eyebrow proudly. The moonlight wrapped around them—and in a blink, they were gone.
The moon faded. The sun returned.
—
Back in the Lycan realm, the night sky shimmered. Moonlight bathed the mountaintop as Fang and Syaoran landed gently on the earth.
They opened their eyes and exchanged a smile.
"That spell was incredible," Syaoran said. "Can you teach me? I want to visit the Earth Realm too."
Fang chuckled. "We're staying here now. What's the point of going back and forth?"
Syaoran teased, "I think you lost your mind a little when we were teleported. Don't forget—Earth is where we met!"
Fang rolled her eyes. "You're starting to sound old."
"I'm not old!" he gasped. "I'm only 998 years old. It's just the white hair. And you said it looked handsome!"
He chased her playfully as she burst into laughter.
—
At the palace gates, they arrived outside the Queen's chambers.
Fang turned to him nervously. "Syaoran... the Queen will be happy to see us, but I'm a little scared. It's been so long."
He squeezed her hand. "Just be yourself."
They looked into each other's eyes, nodded in unison, and knocked.
Inside, the Queen gazed out the window at the moon. She heard the knock and called, "I don't want dinner. Just leave it at the door."
Fang and Syaoran looked at each other, stifling laughter. Fang knocked again.
Annoyed, the Queen approached and opened the door.
There, standing before her, were her son and the girl she thought lost to the moonlight.
She froze, blinking. Slowly, she raised her hand to their faces, unsure if they were real or figments of grief.
"Mother," Syaoran said gently. "We've returned."
"My Queen," Fang whispered with a smile. "It's been a long time."
Tears welled in the Queen's eyes. Her voice trembled.
"Fang... Syaoran… At last… you two have returned."
She pulled them into her embrace, and beneath the moon's watchful eye, the family that had waited so long was finally whole again.