"Fate's Unraveling: A Tale Beyond the Stars"

Chapter 17: The Promise to Return

Chapter 17: The Promise to Return

Miaka’s fever had broken, and as she slowly regained her strength, Hotohori knelt beside her, his face filled with both relief and concern. Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice soft but resolute.

“Miaka,” he began, his gaze locking onto hers, “there’s something I need to tell you… about your world.” He paused, his eyes glistening with a sadness he could barely contain. “I know you’ve come to care deeply for this place and for all of us. But I also know you have loved ones waiting for you beyond these pages. When you’re strong enough… please, promise me you’ll return to them.”

Miaka’s heart ached at his words. She thought of her world—her friends and her family—especially Yui and Isuna, who had started this journey with her. Memories of laughter and whispered secrets flooded her mind, a stark contrast to the incredible, perilous world she now found herself in. Her throat tightened as she thought of them, especially Yui, who she’d last seen in a struggle, and Isuna, whose whereabouts were unknown.

“I promise, Hotohori,” she said softly, her voice determined. “But… I can’t abandon you either. I need to find Yui and Isuna. I need to know they’re safe.”

Hotohori nodded, though a shadow of sorrow lingered in his eyes. A strange glow began to envelop Miaka, gently lifting her from where she sat. Tamahome and Nuriko, who had been watching quietly, looked on in shock and helplessness. As Miaka began to fade, she locked eyes with each of them, feeling the weight of all the promises she’d made.

Just before everything went dark, a flash of blue light shot past her like a comet, streaking back toward the world she was leaving behind. For a moment, Miaka felt her heart race—was that Yui? Or Isuna?

When she opened her eyes again, she was lying on the cold, hard floor of the library, disoriented. The familiar scent of books grounded her, but a deep feeling of unease replaced any relief. As she looked around, her heart sank. Yui and Isuna were nowhere in sight.

“Yui? Isuna?” she called out softly, her voice echoing through the empty library, but there was no response.

The librarian appeared, announcing that the library was closing. Nodding numbly, Miaka placed The Universe of the Four Gods back on the shelf, her fingers lingering for a moment as she fought back tears. Just as she turned to leave, she almost bumped into two of her classmates who had been waiting outside.

“Miaka!” one of them exclaimed. “Where have you been? We were getting worried. Where are Yui and Isuna?”

Miaka blinked in confusion. “You mean… it’s only been two hours?”

“Yeah, since you went inside,” her friend replied. “Where are Yui and Isuna? Weren’t you all together?”

Miaka forced a shaky smile, though her mind was racing. “Oh, they… they must have left without me. I’m sure they’re safe.”

Trying to process the strange reality, Miaka called Yui’s house, only to learn from Yui’s mother that she hadn’t returned home. Dread pooling in her stomach, she called Isuna’s house next, but the unanswered rings confirmed her worst fears.

When she returned home, she went straight to her older brother, Keisuke, desperate to share what she’d been through. Sitting on the couch, Keisuke gave her a look of disbelief as she explained the entire story—the journey, the warriors, and the strange world in the book.

“Wait, you’re telling me you were… inside a book? And Yui and Isuna are still there?” Keisuke’s eyebrows shot up, struggling to keep up.

“Yes!” Miaka replied, her voice thick with worry. “Keisuke, they’re still in danger. I think… I think they might have taken Yui and Isuna back into the book because I left. I have to go back!”