Chapter 13
Tomorrow would mark the third night since the Lunar Sigil severance ritual.
Just one more moonlit night to endure.
Thome looked down at Theo, whose anxious expression mirrored his own troubled heart. “She’ll return soon,” he assured softly.
Yet as this final night drew near, Thorne found no solace; instead, anxiety clawed deeper into his chest. These past nights, he’d felt Selene’s soul presence fade more acutely than anyone else.
But there was nothing he could do except walt passively beneath the oppressive darkness.
At last, the third night arrived.
When midnight fell, sleep eluded Thorne completely. Wrapping himself in a cloak, he wandered out into the moonlit streets without a clear destination, hoping against hope he might glimpse her figure around a familiar corner.
From midnight until dawn, Thorne searched tirelessly, visiting every place Selene had loved, from the Lunar Healing Tower to the Spirit Relay Chamber where she once spent much time.
Yet he found no trace of Selene.
A growing panic gnawed at his heart.
It had never been like this before.
Previously, when Selene was reborn, she always returned swiftly to his side, and no matter how much she changed, he always recognized her immediately..
As dawn broke, exhausted and defeated, Thorne reluctantly returned to the Lunar Healing Tower.
Inside, Marina had recovered remarkably well. Her complexion regained its color, and she moved gracefully, greeting Thorne with joyful eyes. “Thorne, have you come to visit me?”
Thorne distractedly scanried his surroundings, searching for Selene’s familiar presence among the tribe members.
It was only when Marina gently tugged at his sleeve that he snapped back to attention, mumbling a distracted reply.
Suddenly, a woman resembling Selene passed by. Thorne instinctively rose, ready to pursue, but Marina gripped his wrist tightly, pouting. “Thorne, why do you always ignore me?”
Thorne harshly pulled free and urgently called, “Selene!”
He rushed toward the figure, grasping her hand desperately.
The woman turned, alarmed, pulling away sharply, “Who are you?
Cold realization poured over Thorne like ice water.
It wasn’t Selene.
Thorne stood frozen, watching the stranger walk away, his mind filled with relentless questions. Where was Selene? Why hadn’t she appeared yet?
Meanwhile, Marina Stumbled, eyes brimming with tears. Moira quickly helped her up, glaring accusingly at Thorne. “Thorne, what are you doing? Marina has only just completed the soul fusion ritual! Do you wish to endanger her again?”
Marina immediately interjected softly, “Mother, it’s not Thorne’s fault. He’s just worried about Selene. We don’t know where she’s Cone.”
Moira’s expression darkened. “Who knows where she ran off to? She didn’t even show her face during your ritual. It would be better if she disappeared forever!”
Chapter 13
At these words, Thorne’s eyes flashed dangerously red, and he growled sharply, “Enough!”
Moira flinched, never having seen Thorne like this. She stammered, “Am I wrong? Has Selene shown any concern since Marina’s ritual? She’s nothing but a cold–hearted, selfish creature. She should never have been born, and I hope she never returns!”
Thorne’s face paled, his fists clenching tightly as he whispered vehemently, “No… She will return.”
His haunted expression frightened even Moira.
Returning home, Theo anxiously rushed over. “Has mother returned?”
Thorne did not respond, heading directly to Selene’s room.
Standing by her bedside, he noticed the picture frame that had once contained their only photograph now stood empty. Torn pieces lay scattered in the trash nearby.
Selene had torn it apart before she left.
A sudden realization struck Thorne with brutal clarity. He knelt down, scooping up the scattered fragments, his hands trembling as he desperately tried to piece them back together.
Yet, no matter how he tried, he could never restore the image to its former completeness.
Chapter 13
