---
The peaceful silence beneath the shade of the tree lingered for what felt like hours. The two of them, Mordryn and Kang Wo Hu, sat side by side, enjoying the moment of tranquility. But even as they sat there, Mordryn's mind churned, thoughts swirling about the reality they were still in. He had saved the village, defeated Vlord, and brought peace to the people of Valendar once again. But it wasn't real peace. Not yet.
They were still trapped inside the Gate.
Mordryn shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing as he stared up at the sky. The world within the Gate had a strange sense of permanence, yet it wasn't true freedom. He had felt it the moment he woke up—something was wrong. They needed to leave this place, to return to the real world. The weight of his past battles, of the power that had once coursed through his veins, tugged at him. He wasn't the same warrior he had once been, but there was still something more to this journey. He could feel it in his bones.
Turning his head slightly, Mordryn glanced at Kang Wo Hu, who was watching the villagers go about their day. She had been through so much—always standing by his side, even when the world seemed to crumble around them. He owed her more than he could express.
Finally, he spoke, his voice calm but firm.
Mordryn:
quietly, but with purpose
"Kang Wo Hu... it's time."
Kang Wo Hu blinked, turning to face him with a puzzled expression. She tilted her head slightly, unsure of what he meant.
Kang Wo Hu:
time?
"What do you mean?"
Mordryn sighed, his gaze shifting back to the horizon.
Mordryn:
"We need to leave this place. The Gate... the portal we entered... we've been here too long. This village, these people—they're all part of the Gate's creation. We need to get back to the real world."
Kang Wo Hu's eyes widened in realization. It had been so easy to forget the reality of their situation after the chaos of the past few weeks. The village, the battle, Vlord... it had all felt so real. But now that Mordryn mentioned it, she remembered. They were still inside the Gate.
Kang Wo Hu:
hesitantly
"You're right. But... can we really leave? What about the villagers?"
Mordryn shook his head slowly.
Mordryn:
"They'll be fine. They're part of this world. But we don't belong here. We need to find a way out."
Kang Wo Hu fell silent, her expression thoughtful. She had grown attached to the villagers, especially after everything they had been through. But Mordryn was right. This wasn't their world. They needed to return to their own.
Before she could respond, a small voice interrupted their conversation.
Valora:
"Are you leaving?"
Both Mordryn and Kang Wo Hu turned to see Valora standing a few paces away, her wide eyes filled with uncertainty. The little dragon girl, now in her human form, had been quietly observing them. She hesitated for a moment, then slowly approached.
Valora:
pleadingly
"If you're leaving... can I come with you?"
Mordryn raised an eyebrow, surprised by her request. He had expected Valora to stay behind in the village—after all, this was her home now. But there was something in her voice, a sadness that seemed deeper than just wanting to follow them.
Mordryn:
"Why do you want to come with us?"
Valora looked down, her small hands clutching the fabric of her dress nervously. After a moment, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.
Valora:
"I don't... I don't have anyone left. Vlord was my only family, and now... now he's gone. I don't belong here. The villagers... they don't really trust me. Even though I didn't do anything wrong, they still look at me like I'm a monster."
She glanced up at Mordryn, her eyes filled with sadness.
Valora:
pleading
"I don't want to stay here. I want to see the outside world. Please... let me come with you."
Mordryn stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. He could see the pain in her eyes, the loneliness that came from losing her brother, despite everything Vlord had done. Valora wasn't like him. She hadn't been a part of the chaos and destruction. She was just... lost.
Mordryn sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he turned to Kang Wo Hu.
Mordryn:
with a calm tone
"I'll leave this decision to you. If you think she should come with us... then I'll allow it. But it's your call."
Kang Wo Hu blinked, clearly surprised by Mordryn's offer. She hadn't expected him to put such an important decision in her hands. She looked at Valora, who was staring up at her with hopeful eyes, and then back at Mordryn.
Kang Wo Hu knelt down, placing a gentle hand on Valora's shoulder.
Kang Wo Hu:
softly
"Valora... are you sure you want to come with us? The outside world... it's not always safe. There will be dangers out there that you've never faced before. Are you really ready for that?"
Valora nodded quickly, determination shining in her eyes.
Valora:
"I'm not afraid. I'll do whatever it takes. I just... I don't want to be alone anymore."
Kang Wo Hu hesitated for a moment, then smiled softly. She glanced back at Mordryn, giving him a small nod.
Kang Wo Hu:
"I think she should come with us. She deserves a chance."
Mordryn let out a small sigh of acceptance, nodding in agreement.
Mordryn:
"Very well. If you're sure."
Valora's face lit up with joy, her eyes shimmering with gratitude.
Valora:
grinning
"Thank you! I promise I won't be a burden! I'll do my best!"
Mordryn gave a faint smile, though there was a weight in his chest. He had fought dragons, battled against gods, and seen more chaos than most could imagine. And now, he was leading a small, eager dragon girl into the unknown. The world outside the Gate was far from safe, and he knew that their journey was only going to get harder from here.
But if Valora was willing to face it, then so would he.
---
Scene Transition: The Journey Begins
With Valora's decision made, the three of them began to prepare for their departure from the Gate. Mordryn, Kang Wo Hu, and Valora stood at the edge of the village, watching as the villagers went about their day, blissfully unaware of the fact that their world was still within the confines of a powerful portal.
The village elder approached them, bowing his head in gratitude.
Village Elder:
"You've saved us once again, Mordryn. We are forever in your debt. May the gods watch over you on your journey."
Mordryn nodded, giving the elder a respectful nod in return.
Mordryn:
"Thank you. Take care of the village. I doubt we'll meet again."
With that, they turned toward the path that would lead them out of the village and, hopefully, out of the Gate itself.
As they walked, Mordryn couldn't shake the feeling that their journey was far from over. There were still too many unanswered questions, and too many dangers lurking in the shadows. But for now, they had each other. And that was enough.
The path stretched out before them, and as they moved further away from the village, the world around them began to shift. The trees, the sky, everything started to shimmer, as if the very fabric of the Gate was unraveling.
Mordryn glanced at Kang Wo Hu and Valora, determination in his eyes.
Mordryn:
"Let's see what the real world has in store for us."
---
End of Chapter 28