The Author's POV

"It's becoming quieter in here."

I glanced around the empty streets of Ashton City, feeling a sense of desolation settle within me.

It was eerily quiet as if the very air had been sucked out of the city. The once-bustling metropolis had been reduced to a ghost town, with the population dwindling day by day.

The aftermath of the war with the Monolith had taken its toll on the city, and the current migration had made the situation return to what it once was.

"Haa..."

I sighed, my gaze drifting toward the portal that stood before me. Jin was standing in front of it, flanked by a few familiar figures - Emma, Amanda, and Melissa.

I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at the thought of their impending departure. They were leaving for Immorra... A place I worked so hard to develop and make into the best place to live in...

I really wanted to go.

"Why aren't you coming with us?"

Jin's voice interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to face him.

"I've got a few things that I need to do over here, and I can't go there."

I replied, my tone neutral. It was only half the truth, but I couldn't reveal the real reason why I couldn't accompany them to Immorra.

Jezebeth was still out there, somewhere, and he was relentless in his pursuit of me. His ability to track me down made it impossible for me to stay in one place for too long.

This was especially so after I gained Kevin's power.

If I were to go to Immorra, there was a high chance that he would find out my whereabouts and hunt me down.

I couldn't risk putting Amanda and the others in danger, which left me with no choice but to stay behind and keep Jezebeth's attention diverted from them.

"When will you be coming?"

Emma's voice rang, and I smiled at her.

"I will probably not be coming for long. Perhaps once every week, and I'll stay at most for a couple of days over there... You see, there's a lot of things that I need to do here, and I can't stay there for very long."

Emma looked at Amanda, her skepticism apparent. I knew she didn't believe me, but I couldn't blame her.

I really was hiding something.

"Only once a week?"

Emma's voice was tinged with confusion, and I felt a pang of guilt in my chest when she looked at Amanda.

"...And you're okay with this? You do know that we'll be gone for about five years. Are you okay with only seeing him once every couple of months?"

Amanda shook her head, her expression normal.

"No...but I understand where he's coming from, so I can only accept the situation."

I felt a surge of gratitude toward Amanda.

As expected of her... She really was understanding.

"Uhh...okay," Emma said, looking defeated. "You do whatever you want. I won't interfere in your matters."

With that, she turned and handed her identification to one of the guards who stood watch over the portal. The check wasn't very long, but it felt like an eternity. I watched as Emma, Amanda, and Jin stepped through the portal, disappearing from sight.

"See you in a week, then."

"Bye."

"Have a safe trip."

my

of loneliness settled within me. The thought of being alone in Ashton City

had a mission to fulfill, and I couldn't let anything get

"Huuu."

from the portal, the sound of my

work to

***

what are

stood there, quietly staring

so

for some time now, and he couldn't help but

for what felt like an eternity, lost

patient expression. Finally, after what seemed like hours,

not wanting to

couldn't help

he were walking into a safe haven meant just for him. He wasn't the only one who felt this way, either. Everyone's expression was somewhat similar as if they were all

came down to the fact that they were all still too

were still far from strong enough to be of any help to Ren. He was carrying the entire burden by himself and trying to keep them

bear, and Jin didn't envy him for

"I don't like it..."

barely audible over

want to feel like a burden, and when he looked around and stared at the others, he could see that they were having

hummed and shimmered as they approached it, and Jin couldn't help but feel a sense of

got five years... Five years to

Woom! Woom!

warped, and he appeared in the middle of a large

Ashton City, but it was at the same time different. The towering trees, the other races, and

taking in

went about their business. It

reminded himself of how Ren looked before he left, and the scenery before him didn't look as lively as

go to our

look at her. She looked absolutely normal at the moment. Perhaps, out of everyone, she was the one that seemed the calmest, and when Jin thought about it,

had always

certain box, he retrieved a cigarette and placed it in his

*Puff*

drag, feeling the

A certain demoness appeared within his mind at the

she's doing at the

she saw him again like this, would she throw a fit, or would

"He."

and shook

Arrogant Demoness.

he opened his eyes again, he saw Melissa looking

did you start

asked, pointing at

Jin smiled faintly.

a habit," he said, taking another drag. "It helps

"Oh, I see."

nodded, her interest in the topic quickly waning. She surveyed the city that surrounded them and

go to our

considered it for a moment before

we should. I need to

took another drag from his cigarette before flicking

"Lead the way."

speak as if I