Darien hurried back to his residence, locking every door and window, caught between excitement and unease.
He wondered if the power he held could truly take him home—or if he was bound to remain here forever.
With that thought, he slung on his backpack, checked everything once more, and unleashed his power to tear open a passage.
Darien paused, restraining his haste. He slipped the chalice into his pack, added a few more, and took the box of gold coins.
With everything secure, he stepped forward—and vanished in a flash.
...
"Three days gone, and still no trace of him… I can't forgive myself for this."
Eliana wiped the sweat from her brow and sank onto a rock. She gazed at the green mountains, her chest heavy with guilt.
She had invited her friends to enjoy the cool season on the mountain, but their joyful outing soured when one of them vanished.
Eliana's heart ached with worry. If only she had told Darien to slow down and stay close, he wouldn't have disappeared.
Darien had left a strong impression on her. Not because of looks, but because he was steady, kind, and composed. He never boasted, never raised his voice—simply carried himself with quiet strength. Now, that presence was gone, perhaps forever.
...
"I… I made it back?"
Darien blinked as the familiar air filled his lungs. He was back. Back on Earth. His heart raced when his eyes found Eliana standing there.
He took a step forward, voice trembling. "Eliana—"
"Ahhh!" Startled by the sudden voice, Eliana shrieked and tripped.
Darien's hand caught her wrist just in time.
He released her as soon as she steadied herself, surprised by the speed of his own reflex. Huh… I moved faster than I shouldn't have.
Eliana's eyes widened, her voice trembling.
"You… you're alive!"
Darien chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, yes."
Eliana blinked, then suddenly threw herself into his arms. "Darien! You're alive! I knew you'd make it!"
She held him tightly, sobbing. Darien coughed, nearly choking under the hug.
"Alright, alright… I'm fine. Can you let go for a sec?" he said, struggling.
When he saw her tear-stained face, he sighed. "I'm back… sorry for worrying you, Eliana."
Eliana finally released him, stepping back.
Once sure he was truly Darien and unharmed, she wiped her eyes and gave him a mock scolding: "You idiot! I told you not to rush ahead! Do you have any idea how worried we all were?"
"I'm sorry, Elle. I didn't mean… I mean, I promise this will never happen again."
Darien apologized at once. Judging by Eliana's expression, he had been gone far too long.
Eliana snorted, a small smile forming. She didn't continue her lecture.
No one knew the toll of the last three days. Guilt and fear had nearly crushed her.
Seeing Darien alive and unharmed was all the relief she needed.
Darien was unaccustomed to this level of care. And he had to admit—it felt nice.
"Elle… how long have I been gone? My phone's dead."
"Three days! You were missing for three days! I need to call the sheriff right now to stop the search!"
As Eliana made the call, Darien realized something: the three days he'd spent there matched the three days that had passed here. Time ran the same in both worlds.
"Darien, are you okay?"
She noticed him staring off into the distance.
"I'm fine," he said, snapping back to reality.
Eliana shook her head with a soft chuckle. "You're such a goof."
Rustle—
Voices and footsteps approached. A group of uniformed officers pushed through the underbrush, scanning the area.
Exhausted from days of worry, Eliana leaned on Darien. Gently supporting her, he guided her toward the officers.
---
🔍 Did you know?
- The idea of "time passing differently" between worlds has fascinated humans for centuries. In mythology and folklore—from the Japanese Urashima Taro to European fairy tales—heroes often return from magical lands to find that days, years, or even centuries have passed in the real world while they experienced only moments.
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