I opened my eyes abruptly when I heard my name. The voice, distant and distorted, startled me. I sat up immediately, rubbing my eyes, trying to understand where I was. The floor beneath me was cold and solid, very different from the inside of the tent where I had slept, but I recognized the place instantly.

I was back in that shadowy space. The giant walls surrounded me, and the three portals, usually active, were now dark. Silence reigned. Something had changed.

The voice called me again. It sounded clearer now but still seemed to come from everywhere. I looked toward the other end of the space, the area I had never fully explored.

I quickly got to my feet and started walking toward it. The vastness of the place piqued my curiosity, but I kept moving, guided by the voice. After a few steps, the air began to shift, growing heavier. At the far end, something seemed to stir, a dark figure I immediately recognized. My pulse quickened.

“You!” I shouted, running toward him in anger.

I reached him in seconds and, without thinking, grabbed his clothing with both hands. My fingers clenched tightly as I shook him slightly.

“Where the hell have you been, you idiot?” I shouted, my voice filled with restrained rage. “Let me speak to Selene immediately!”

The dark figure didn’t react at all. His cold, impenetrable eyes watched me with a calmness that only fueled my fury. His voice, however, was low and steady.

“I’ve been trying to contact you all this time,” he said slowly. “But when you lost your memory, it also severed your connection to this space.”

My hands trembled at his words. I released him and stepped back, trying to organize my thoughts. I wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or more frustrated.

“I need you to let me see her,” I said more calmly this time.

The dark figure remained still, watching me. Then he opened his mouth to continue.

“It’s not that simple. If I do that, my time here will be significantly reduced. I’m already weakened from the spell I used to contact you, and forcing this connection further might exhaust me completely.”

I stared at him, biting my lip. I didn’t want excuses. I needed to see her.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Listen carefully.”

I nodded without saying anything, waiting.

“First, understand that this space we’re in exists within you. It’s a reflection formed by your magic of chaos. It’s a place where our minds can connect, but it’s also unstable. Each time we use it, I risk being trapped... I need to leave enough mana to return.”

I frowned, processing what he was saying. I had no idea this place was part of me.

“I also need to tell you that I understand you’re in the Era of the Missing Star,” he continued. “That will serve us for the goal we share.”

“Why is it good that I’m here?” I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.

“There’s one of the Sages in this era,” he replied.

I opened my eyes wide with surprise. “A Sage?! What does that have to do with this?”

“There are several of them, and it’s known that they don’t often interact with mortals. The Sage here is different and has no good intentions. It was he who caused Selene to become trapped within me. And he has the artifact we need to free her.”

My breathing quickened. Surprise and anger flooded me. “Are you saying this Sage is responsible for all of this?” I shouted, almost without realizing it. My mind filled with questions. “Could it be the same one who’s transforming people into those scaly-skinned creatures?”

The dark figure watched me carefully, as if weighing his words. “I can’t confirm that, but what I can tell you is that he’s a being of great power. It wouldn’t be wise to face him alone. The best course would be for us to do it together. If you find him, you’ll need to find a way to force him to travel to the era where we last met so we can confront him on more equal terms.”

“You’re sure we can defeat him together,” I said softly.

“Correct,” the dark figure replied. “The Sages are beings outside of time. They don’t truly die, but there are ways to bind them. Together, we could make it happen.”

I fell silent, my mind trying to process all this. Too many revelations in such a short time.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“My time is running out,” he said then.

I nodded slowly. “Understood. Let’s do this. Let me see her.”

The dark figure raised his hand and placed it against my chest. I felt a cold energy flow into me, as if my entire being was connecting to something greater. I closed my eyes and let myself go.

The transfer was slow and blurry. My surroundings gradually began to change. The shadows faded, and clarity slowly set in. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in my city. The place I knew so well before arriving in this world. I was in the area where Selene and I used to spend so much time together.

I looked around, confused. It was daytime, and the streets were empty. Everything was in order: the cinema, the food stalls, the shops... but there was no one. I walked slowly, peering into the shop windows. The food stores displayed cakes and pastries that looked freshly made. Everything looked untouched, as if time had frozen.

Curious, I entered one of the stores. On a table, I saw a lemon pie, my favorite. I approached it and, after hesitating for a moment, cut a slice. I tasted it, and the flavor was just as I remembered. I closed my eyes, savoring the moment. “It’s as good as always,” I murmured, enjoying every bite.

With the slice of pie still in hand, I stepped out of the store. That’s when I saw her. A figure sitting outside an ice cream shop, wearing an off-shoulder blouse and a skirt. I dropped the pie and ran toward her.

“Selene!!” I shouted with all my strength. She looked up, and when she recognized me, she stood. Her eyes sparkled with joy and emotion. I ran to her, and when I reached her, we embraced tightly.

“I can’t believe you’re back so soon,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion.

So soon. Those words echoed in my mind. For me, it felt like an eternity. I pulled back from the hug without letting go and looked at her intently. My lips formed a soft smile, saying nothing. I leaned in and kissed her. Selene reciprocated, and for that moment, everything else ceased to exist.

When we parted, I took a deep breath. “Selene, have you been okay? How is it that we’re here, in the city?”

She took my hand and smiled. “First, come with me.” She led me to the ice cream shop. We entered, and she went to the counter. She grabbed a cone and looked at me enthusiastically. “Choose a flavor.”

I laughed softly, trying to relax. “Wow, these are the same flavors I remember! Chocolate and pineapple, please.”

“At your service,” she said playfully. Carefully, she scooped the two flavors onto the cone and handed it to me. “Somehow, I can move to all the places I once knew. And this street is one of my favorites. Do you remember?”

“Of course, I remember,” I replied, taking the ice cream. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed this.”

Selene stepped out of the shop with her ice cream and guided me to a table outside. We sat down together, and I took a bite of the ice cream. I closed my eyes, enjoying the flavor as if it were the first time. “Delicious, isn’t it?” she said, laughing softly as she noticed my expression.

I nodded while continuing to eat. She spoke calmly. “Even though I’m alone here, I haven’t felt disheartened. Time here feels different. I can’t tell if hours, days, or even years have passed. It’s a strange sensation.”

I took her hand. “You’re right. And you have no idea how relieved I am that you’re not suffering. That’s been worrying me.”

Suddenly, I began to feel myself fading away. I cursed the moment for giving me so little time with her. I looked at her, alarmed, and squeezed her hand. “Selene, I’m working with someone to get you out of here. Please, hold on. I’m moving heaven and earth so we can be together again.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but her smile remained intact. “I know. I trust you,” she said softly. She paused, and just before I vanished completely, she added, “Come back soon, my love.”

The last thing I saw was her smile, filled with hope and love, before everything dissolved into nothingness.

----------------------------------------

I woke up startled in the tent, breathing heavily. Outside, the bustle of the village brought me back to the present. The sounds of construction continued, and the tower rose imposingly in the distance, halfway finished. I ran a hand over my face, trying to calm down. The encounter had been so real that I knew it wasn’t a dream.

“I can still taste the ice cream in my mouth.”

I stepped out of the tent to clear my head, needing it after so much emotion. From afar, I saw Eldrek and Gronn in front of the lizards’ tent, talking to Zaldrak. Although Zaldrak’s expression always seemed bitter and furious, I didn’t notice any hostility in their conversation.

Thalrik, the leader of the demihumans, spotted me and approached with a friendly gesture.

“Good morning, Darius. Did you sleep well?”

“Um… I tried,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Do you know what they’re talking about?”

Thalrik nodded with a calm expression.

“Eldrek and Gronn volunteered to handle negotiations with Zaldrak. They wanted to ensure everything was clear for the expedition you’ll be joining. I hope it goes well.”

“So do I,” I said, glancing at the tower. “By the way, what’s happened to the rest of the demihumans? I haven’t seen them around lately.”

Thalrik’s face darkened slightly.

“It’s because of the lizards. Their presence has made everyone nervous. They’re afraid to leave their homes, and even some businesses have closed. I’m working to resolve that right now.”

I nodded, understanding the situation.

“Thanks for letting me know. I hope you find a solution soon.”

“I hope so too. Now, I must go. See you later, Darius.”

I watched Thalrik walk away as the sound of construction continued to fill the air. My gaze shifted back to Eldrek and Gronn, who were already walking toward me. In the distance, Zaldrak roared toward the other lizards, as if issuing a war cry, and they all responded with guttural roars of their own.

I moved to meet my towering friends, and they greeted me immediately.

“Everything is ready, Darius. Prepare some provisions; you’ll leave shortly with some of the lizards. Zaldrak and others will remain here to defend the village in case of an attack,” Eldrek said, his tone laced with concern.

“Take Aeryn with you. She’s already used to you,” Gronn added. “And before you leave, stop by Kaerith’s tent. She should have some healing potions ready for you.”

I hesitated at the mention of Kaerith. After what happened yesterday, I doubted she wanted to see me. “Alright, I’ll prepare everything. Don’t worry; I’ll proceed with caution.”

We shook hands, making promises to avoid unnecessary conflicts. But knowing the temperament of the lizards, I doubted I’d be able to keep that promise.

As I walked back to prepare, I couldn’t help but replay the encounter with Selene in my mind. Her smile, her voice, the taste of the ice cream—all of it felt so vivid, so real. And now, I had a clear goal: to face the Sage and retrieve the artifact that could bring her back. No matter the cost, I would succeed.