---
Valora darted ahead, her eyes scanning the surroundings with excitement and curiosity. The three of them had been searching for the exit to the Gate for hours now, wandering through the dense forests and eerie paths that twisted unnaturally in this realm. Mordryn kept a careful eye on their surroundings, his senses heightened. He knew they had to be close. After all, this wasn't his first time dealing with powerful portals, but the modern world's version of them was different—more unpredictable.
Suddenly, Valora's voice rang out, full of energy and eagerness.
Valora:
excitedly
"I found it! The portal—it's over here!"
Mordryn and Kang Wo Hu exchanged a glance before quickening their pace, following the young dragon girl as she led them toward the Gate's shimmering entrance. As they approached, the air felt different—lighter, almost as if the oppressive atmosphere of the Gate was thinning. The familiar sight of the swirling portal came into view, casting an ethereal glow on the nearby trees. It felt strange, seeing it again after what felt like weeks in the village.
Kang Wo Hu exhaled a sigh of relief, her body visibly relaxing at the sight of their way out.
Kang Wo Hu:
with a smile
"We finally made it... We're going home."
Mordryn remained silent, his gaze fixed on the portal. For a moment, he felt something stir inside him. This world, this strange place, had once again tested him, pushing him to his limits. But now, standing before the way back to reality, he felt something unexpected.
Relief.
As they stepped closer to the portal, Mordryn realized he was... smiling. A small, almost imperceptible curve of his lips, but it was there. He hadn't smiled in what felt like an eternity. The last time he had truly smiled—genuinely—was back when the world was simpler, before the war, before the betrayals.
Kang Wo Hu, who had been observing him closely, noticed the subtle change in his expression. She raised an eyebrow and smirked playfully.
Kang Wo Hu:
teasingly
"Is it just me, or did I just witness a rare sighting of the great Mordryn... smiling?"
Mordryn blinked in surprise, caught off guard by her words. His smile immediately faded, replaced by his usual stoic expression. He turned to her, his voice steady but with a hint of amusement.
Mordryn:
gruffly
"I don't smile."
Kang Wo Hu chuckled, crossing her arms and giving him a playful nudge.
Kang Wo Hu:
grinning
"You did. I saw it. Maybe you're not as cold as you like to pretend."
Mordryn sighed, shaking his head, though there was a faint glint of something in his eyes—perhaps amusement, or maybe something deeper. He glanced at her, then at Valora, who was standing by the portal, bouncing on her feet, clearly eager to step through.
Mordryn:
"Are you ready to go back? The real world isn't much easier than this one."
Kang Wo Hu gave a determined nod, her eyes reflecting her readiness.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Of course. I think we've earned a little peace, don't you?"
Mordryn didn't respond immediately. He stared at the swirling portal, his mind wandering. Peace. He wondered if that was even possible for someone like him. But he wasn't one to dwell on such thoughts for long. They had survived this place, and now it was time to return to the world outside. Whatever awaited them there, he would face it head-on.
Mordryn:
"Then let's go."
Valora, who had been waiting patiently, beamed at their agreement and skipped toward the portal, eager to leave the Gate behind. She hesitated for a moment before stepping through, glancing back at Mordryn and Kang Wo Hu as if to make sure they were right behind her.
As they all stepped through the portal, the familiar rush of magic enveloped them, pulling them out of the Gate's world and back into reality. The shift was immediate—gone were the shimmering trees and glowing skies, replaced by the bustling, chaotic sounds of the modern world.
---
Scene Transition: Back to Reality
When they emerged, they were standing in the middle of a forested area just outside the city, the same place where they had first entered the Gate. The air felt different—more grounded, more real. Mordryn took a deep breath, feeling the solid ground beneath his feet, the natural scent of the forest surrounding him.
Kang Wo Hu exhaled in relief, stretching her arms after the tense ordeal. Valora looked around in awe, her eyes wide as she took in the sights of the real world.
Valora:
in wonder
"So this is... the outside world?"
Kang Wo Hu chuckled, nodding as she placed a hand on Valora's shoulder.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Yep, welcome to the real world, Valora."
Mordryn, though silent, felt a strange sense of satisfaction seeing Valora's awe. She had been trapped in that otherworldly village for so long, and now she had the chance to experience the world beyond the Gate.
After a moment, Kang Wo Hu turned to Mordryn, giving him a curious look.
Kang Wo Hu:
playfully
"So, what's the plan now, Mr. Hero?"
Mordryn shot her a glance, then shrugged slightly.
Mordryn:
"We go back to your place. Rest. Then... we figure out what comes next."
Kang Wo Hu nodded, clearly in agreement. It had been a long journey, and they deserved some time to recover. She motioned for Valora to follow them as they began the walk back toward the city.
---
Scene Transition: Back at the Luxury House
It didn't take long for them to reach the luxury house Kang Wo Hu called home. The sprawling building stood tall and elegant, a stark contrast to the village they had just left behind. Valora's eyes widened in amazement as they approached, her gaze fixated on the large structure.
Valora:
in awe
"Is this... where you live?"
Kang Wo Hu nodded with a smile.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Yep! It's not much, but it's home."
Mordryn gave her a sideways glance, clearly amused by her understatement. "Not much" was far from the truth—the place was huge, with polished stone steps leading up to a grand entrance. It was the kind of home that would have belonged to royalty in his time.
As they entered the house, the cool air inside was a welcome relief from the heat outside. Kang Wo Hu wasted no time in showing Valora around, introducing her to the various rooms, while Mordryn took a seat in the living area, leaning back with a sigh of exhaustion.
It was strange, being back in such a modern environment after everything that had happened. But as he looked around, he realized that he didn't mind it. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of calm.
As Kang Wo Hu and Valora finished the tour and returned to the living area, Kang Wo Hu gave Mordryn a questioning look.
Kang Wo Hu:
"So, what now? Any more dragons we need to fight? Or can we actually relax for a bit?"
Mordryn glanced at her, then at Valora, who was sitting quietly nearby, her eyes still filled with wonder at her new surroundings. He allowed himself a small, barely noticeable smile.
Mordryn:
"For now... we rest. But there's always more to do."
Kang Wo Hu chuckled, shaking her head.
Kang Wo Hu:
"Always so serious."
Mordryn didn't respond, but the faintest hint of amusement played on his lips.
---
End of Chapter 29