love in other world

Episode 9

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the dense forest, Ena, Oliver, Alex, and the magician lady made their way toward their safe place. The locket's soft glow guided their steps, illuminating the winding path ahead. The air was thick with mystery, the rustling leaves whispering secrets only the wind could understand.

The magician lady turned to Ena, curiosity flickering in her wise eyes. "Tell me, how did you end up here?" she asked.

Ena hesitated for a moment before replying, "It's a long story."

The magician lady chuckled. "The path ahead is long too. Keep telling—we’ll reach soon enough."

As they walked, Ena recounted everything—the strange events that led her here, the choices she made, and the dangers she faced. The magician lady listened intently, nodding at times, her expression unreadable. When Ena finished, the magician lady sighed, her voice carrying a knowing tone. "Then you were meant to come here. Fate always finds a way."

Alex, who had been walking ahead, suddenly paused. He glanced around, a look of certainty on his face. "We're close," he declared.

The younger teens looked at him, puzzled. "How do you know?" one of them asked. "We haven’t even seen the ocean yet."

Alex smirked. "I can hear the sound of water. Can’t you?"

Everyone strained their ears, but all they could hear was the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of an unseen bird. They shook their heads.

"You guys have bad ears, that’s all," Alex said with a teasing grin before continuing forward.

Moments later, as they emerged from the dense forest, the vast ocean spread out before them, stretching endlessly under the fading sunlight. The waves crashed against the shore, their rhythmic music filling the air. The teens gasped in awe before breaking into applause.

Alex crossed his arms, satisfied. "See? Told you."

The magician lady stepped forward, her eyes glinting with a quiet confidence. "Now, watch my magic."

She moved closer to the water’s edge, raised her hands, and with a slow, deliberate motion, channeled her energy. The air vibrated, a soft hum filling the space around them. Then, as if responding to an unspoken command, the water shimmered, and a magnificent ship began to rise from the depths. Its wooden frame gleamed under the moonlight, the sails billowing even though there was no wind.

The men who had accompanied them stood frozen, their jaws slack with astonishment. One by one, they snapped out of their daze and began to express their gratitude, their voices filled with admiration and disbelief.

The magician lady turned to Oliver, her gaze softening. "Take care of yourself," she said, her voice laced with both warmth and warning. "And come back."

Oliver chuckled. "If you say so, I won’t die."

With that, the men climbed aboard the ship. As the vessel began to drift away from the shore, the magician lady called out one last time, "Take care!"

Oliver and the others waved back. "Goodbye!" they called, their voices carrying over the waves.

And so, their journey across the vast ocean began, the ship sailing steadily toward the unknown, where fate awaited them on the distant land.

As the golden sun cast its warm glow over the river, Ena and Alex turned their gaze toward Oliver. A teasing smirk played on Alex’s lips as he remarked, "Maybe that was your first kiss."

Oliver blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the comment. Ena, intrigued, glanced between them before asking, "Does that mean you’ve kissed someone before?"

Alex chuckled softly and nodded. "Yes, my mother," he said, his voice light.

Ena let out a small, understanding "Oh," as if piecing together his words.

Oliver, still processing, finally spoke. "She came to me by herself, and I didn’t even realize," he admitted with a casual shrug. But then, shaking off the moment, he straightened and said, "Anyway, we should focus on our work. I’m the captain now, and whenever my hands hurt, you’ll have to take my place, Alex."

Ena’s gaze drifted toward the river, where the water shimmered under the soft hues of the evening sky. A gentle smile formed on her lips as she whispered, "What a beautiful view."

Alex, noticing the wound on her forehead, reminded her, "Now, go change your bandage."

Without a word, Ena stepped into the cabin, where the dim lantern light cast soft shadows on the walls. She carefully removed the old bandage, replacing it with a fresh one. The cool fabric soothed her skin, but her thoughts remained on the peaceful moment outside.

After a while, she rejoined Alex and Oliver, just as the sun began to sink beyond the horizon. The sky was painted in brilliant shades of orange and purple, its beauty reflecting on the rippling water. The three of them stood in silence, taking in the breathtaking sight.

As the last traces of sunlight faded, Oliver spoke, his voice carrying a quiet certainty. "Today is a day we will always remember."

Ena and Alex exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement. In that fleeting moment, surrounded by the endless sky and the gentle rhythm of the river, it felt as if this memory would linger in their hearts forever.