Chapter 14

Nana, Harith, Lolita and Angela managed to get out without being harmed.

The cold breeze greeted them as they took their exit from the hallway. A waterfall, blooming flowers and swaying trees boomed at their sight. And just like before, the existence of the hallway towards ancient Egypt vanished without a trace.

"Where are we?" Lolita asked as she looked around.

"I hope Harley and Chang'e are alright," Nana stated as she gazed at the place where they came from.

They decided to camp for that day to have some rest and wait for Harley and Chang'e to come back.

Angela suddenly looked across the fall and stood up which made everyone look at the direction she's facing. Slowly, they could see someone walking towards them.

Nana recognized the violet hat, the blond hair and violet cloak of Harley so she immediately crossed and ran towards him.

"Harley! I'm glad you're back!" she cried so hard as she hugged him tight. Harley just stood there, saying nothing as he carries Chang'e on his back. His grim expression saddened Nana for she has never seen him like that before.

"What happened to Chang'e?" Harith asked as they approach them. The genius mage did not answer, he simply looked down.

Just then, Nana noticed his red eyes as if he just cried. She stared at Chang'e who seems to be sleeping peacefully. Her tears welled up. She covered her mouth as hiccups escape from her. She is hoping that her gut feeling is wrong, she is hoping that Chang'e is alive and is only in slumber.

She helped Harley lay Chang'e on the mossy ground. Nana immediately hugged him as her tears fall down her cheeks.

Harith got the gist of what is happening and he knelt down to check Chang'e's heart beat. He held her wrist and checked for a pulse. He found nothing. He checked her breathing but she remained breathless.

"You," he said. He glared at Harley and pulled Nana away from him. He grabbed his collar and landed a powerful jab right on his face.

"You fucking bastard! Why is she dead?!" he yelled as he steps forward again and grab him once more. He landed a punch, then another, and another.

"You're supposed to protect her! Why is she like this?! All you've got is your arrogance! You're just an irresponsible asshole!" Harith cursed as he beat him up.

Harley simply took all the blow for he knew how fucked up he was for letting Chang'e die. The others tried to stop Harith but they couldn't do so for he is way stronger.

Angela watched on the sideline. Every punch that landed on Harley's face built up her negative aura.

"Stop it, Harith!" Lolita said as she tried to pull him away from Harley.

"Stay away from this!" Harith yelled as he pushed her away.

He was about to punch him again but Angela's strings came and wrapped him still. Harith struggled but Angela managed to separate the two and she stood in between them.

"That's enough," she said calmly.

Harley remained on the ground, his cheeks and lips bleeding. He covered his eyes with his arm and gritted his teeth.

"I'm sorry!" he yelled as his tears escape his eyes once again. "I was too weak to protect her, I'm sorry."

Lolita could feel his sincerity. She knew he's crying for his usual masculine voice suddenly broke. That time, she is no longer looking at the genius mage who is capable of anything. All she could see is a vulnerable Harley. She gazed at Chang'e. They do not know what exactly happened but she could feel that what they've encountered must be so hard.

Harley kept on apologizing. He couldn't forgive himself as well for he failed big time. Harith is right, all he got is his arrogance. His intelligence that he had been boasting did nothing.

"I'll never trust you again," Harith claimed as he gazed at Harley with anger.

He took Chang'e's body and did a ritual for she could have a peaceful journey in the afterlife.

First, he cupped some water on his hands and let it flow on Chang'e's forehead. He looked up to the sky and luckily, the moon is still visible. Though he does not know Chang'e in details but he knew she is under the guidance of the moon goddess.

"Bide by the moon

Follow Her glow

By the light of the new

She renews and grows."

As he chanted the ritual, Harley could feel the presence of something powerful. He felt so disgraced of himself for he failed to protect the moon goddess' disciple. Slowly, they all could see that Chang'e starts to fade. Nana's tears got the better of her while Lolita forced herself not to breakdown so she could atleast comfort Nana.

"By the Waxing Quarter

her determination shows

By the Full Moon's light

Her desires she knew

By the Waning Quarter

She ebbs after flow."

The moon goddess took form. Her eyes gazed at the little girl she had granted power to. A smile was formed on her lips as she caressed her face. She raised her arms and Chang'e slowly floats midair.

"By the Light Moon's presence

She returns by her side

Bide by the moon

Follow her glow."

Harith finished the chant and before he could open his eyes, the moon goddess faded from sight together with Chang'e's body.

"She's really gone now," Lolita stated, her mind still trying to comprehend how they lost one of their comrades. She gazed back at Harley who is still lying on the ground with his arm covering his face. She knew he is mad at himself for his hands were clenched tight.

"We lost one of our friends because of someone's carelessness," Harith said, "And that being said, I'm going to find my home by myself."

He turned his back and walked away. Nana wanted to run after him but she hesitated when she saw Harley, still struggling.

"Harith! This ain't the time to split up! No one knows what kind of danger lies before us. We've got to stick together," Lolita said but she was just ignored.

"Harith, wait!" Nana finally called out. "I'm coming with you!"

She ran after him without looking back. She wanted to stay by his side for they are both looking for their old home. Lolita stomped her foot in annoyance before looking at Angela.

"You stick by his side. I have to join the other two, they might get in trouble," she said before running after the two Leonins.

Angela stared at them as they disappear from sight. Harley heard them leave, it may sound gay and unmanly but that moment, he felt broken. He felt like they lost their trust in him. And now, he shall walk through the path of the Enchanted Forest alone.

After some time, he finally collected himself and decided to face the adventure himself.

"Where are we going now?" Angela asked.

"Follow them, of course," Harley replied.

"They lost their trust in me, but I'll make them believe in me again," he said in his mind.

They both ran towards the direction where Harith and the others had taken but as they step into the mossy and humid forest, everything went dark. Angela and Harith immediately held hands so they won't separate for they only have each other to rely on.

Harley brought out his wand and said, "Lumos."

After a while, the tip of his wand created light for them. Harley waved his wand around and just like what he suspected, they are brought into another place.

They suddenly heard a girl giggling but when Harley points his wand at the direction where the sound came from, they saw no one.

"This is bad," he said grimly.

"Why?" Angela asked for she couldn't sense magical presence.

"I could sense a strong dark magic in here. We're in trouble," he replied.

"You're right about that, mister," said someone and with a wave of her wand, the room immediately lit up.

Right before them, a girl with a weird hair color is staring down at them as she stands on an elevated platform.

Half of her hair is violet and the other side is black. She even tied them on a twin-tail ponytail.

"Welcome to the Dark Magic Realm!" she claimed. "I will be your host, Lylia!"

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