Thank you for reading on ! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!Tarik felt anxious as he stood among the gathered crowd, everyone waiting for something to happen. The air was thick with anticipation, and he could sense the weight of their gazes upon him. This was not his home; he had never truly belonged here, and the thought of returning felt like a distant dream. "I should never have been here in the first place," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't believe I can go back." "Lissana won't come back either, will she?" someone asked, their tone heavy with resignation. "I don't believe it," Tarik replied, frustration bubbling within him.noveldrama"I hate this situation." "Our paths crossed by destiny," another voice chimed in, "but we were never meant to walk together." "True," Tarik conceded, "but after walking together, we took different paths." "Are you speaking of Lissana?" the voice pressed. "Yes," he admitted, his heart aching at the thought. "If I didn't have to decide, I would give you some advice before I go," the voice continued. Tarik stood expectantly, eager to hear what wisdom might come next. "That's the only thing I can say," Maya decided, stepping forward. "You truly love Lissana, don't you?No matter how far apart you are, love will always unite you. Even if you fight a thousand times to be with her, you can't laugh it off." "If the queen heard what you were saying to me, I'm sure she'd be very displeased," Tarik replied, a hint of worry creeping into his voice. "That's exactly why I won't decide for you," Maya said firmly. "But I've been in your place, and I wish someone had told me it was okay to abandon everything for the person I love." "I can't abandon everything for her," Tarik protested."There's a great weight on my shoulders." "You choose whether to carry that weight or not," Maya replied. "Think about what you truly want, more than what everyone else expects from you." To Tarik, everyone seemed to echo the same sentiment: he should give up on Lissana, that they were not destined to be together, that they belonged to different worlds. But Maya was the first to suggest the opposite-that if he wanted a future with her, he should fight for it. Maya knew she wasn't in a position to encourage him, and if her words reached the queen, it could spell trouble.Still, she felt for Tarik, who appeared devastated at the thought of never seeing Lissana again. She lightly pressed her shoulder against his and said, "Think carefully before making any decisions." "I will," he replied, gratitude evident in his voice. "Thank you." "Stay strong. I hope we can see each other again. If you ever need help, you know where to find me." Maya nodded, her heart heavy as she prepared to leave. As she passed by Tarik, she embraced him gently. "Take care of Lissana for me," she said, her voice soft. "I will," he promised, sincerity in his eyes."Just make sure you don't get into trouble." "I'll do my best," Maya replied, stepping away as she headed toward the garden. She approached one of the servants, eager to inform the queen of her departure. Meanwhile, Fay was making her way to the palace to update the queen on the army preparations when she spotted Maya in the garden with her suitcases. "Are you returning to the human kingdom?" Fay asked, concern etched on her face. "Yes," Maya replied. "I can't stay here any longer.The queen has made it clear; I must be where I belong, where I chose to be." "It seems the queen's actions are harsh, but it's not as simple as that," Fay said, trying to understand. "I lost, and I didn't take it badly," Maya admitted. "You're right; I must be in the place I've chosen. I can't keep going like this." "We will leave soon, and I hope I won't have to see you on the battlefield," Fay said, her voice laced with worry. "I'll be careful," Maya reassured her. "Just promise me you won't die.My wife is still too young; I won't let you go without a fight." Maya smiled, knowing Fay meant it as a joke, but she understood the depth of Fay's love for her wife. As the portal opened, Maya bid farewell to Fay, her heart heavy with the weight of their parting. Before crossing through the portal, Tarik rushed toward them, calling out for Maya to stop. "Get to the south side," he urged. "You could put your mirror away," he added, noticing the valuable artifact in her hand. "This mirror doesn't belong to me; it's Abril's," Maya replied, hesitating."Please take good care of it," she said, seeing the pleading look in Tarik's eyes. She couldn't refuse him. "Fine, I'll leave it with you," she conceded. "Thank you so much. I will take good care of it," Tarik promised, relief washing over him as he accepted the mirror. After handing it over, Maya stepped through the portal, leaving Tarik behind. Fay turned to her wife, curiosity piqued. "What do you want with that mirror?" "I want to stay informed about what's happening in the human kingdom. The doors of Hades will open soon, and I want to be prepared for when it happens," Maya explained."You shouldn't be in contact with Lissana," Fay cautioned. "Why not? She's my friend," Maya replied, her tone defensive. "Is it really just friendship?" Fay pressed, sensing the deeper connection. Tarik fell silent, knowing that his silence confirmed what Fay suspected. "Tarik..." Fay began, but he interrupted. "I must be firm; the queen is waiting for me," he said, steeling himself. "I'm going to see her too," Fay replied, determination in her voice. When Tarik entered the throne room, he felt the weight of the elders' gazes upon him. He took his place beside the queen and spoke."Your Majesty summoned me," he said, bowing slightly. "Yes, what I have to discuss is something you should know," the queen replied, her tone serious. "What is it, Your Majesty?" Tarik asked, his heart racing. "It concerns our kingdom. Time will flow differently if we don't align with the human realm," she explained. Murmurs rippled through the gathered elders, fear evident on their faces. "Can you tell me why?" one elder asked, his voice trembling. "It's because of the war we're about to start," the queen declared."We must be in the same timeline to be prepared for anything that may happen." Fay was equally surprised, as were the other elders present. Only the first guardian remained unfazed. One elder spoke up, "My queen, I truly believe this is the best course of action." "Yes," the queen affirmed. "Our enemy is strong, and we will need all our power to win. So prepare yourselves; the war is upon us."