As they stepped through the portal, a familiar warmth wrapped around them.
"We're finally back," Kame said softly, relief evident in his voice.
The town unfolded before Catia's eyes like a dream painted in living colors. Sunlight spilled across stone-paved streets, children laughed as they ran past, and the air itself felt lighter—gentler. Catia stood still for a moment, taking it all in. The town was beautiful, but more than that, it felt alive.
What caught her attention most wasn't the architecture or the scenery—it was the people.
They smiled. Not the forced kind, not the polite kind. Genuine smiles. People greeted Kame warmly as they passed, waving, bowing their heads, and wishing him well. Catia noticed something curious though—while Kame was constantly acknowledged, Joshen walked beside them almost unnoticed.
She couldn't help herself.
Catia giggled softly and leaned closer. "Hey, Kame," she whispered, "looks like everyone here knows you for your kindness."
Joshen scoffed, folding his arms. "Or maybe they just pity him," he muttered, his tone slightly rude.
Kame ignored the remark and continued walking.
They soon reached the castle they lived in—a grand structure standing proudly at the heart of the town. As they entered, Kame immediately bowed his head.
"Sorry, my lord," he said politely. "I was not at work for three days, and Mr. Joshen—"
"What are you talking about, Kame?" Mr. Gramela interrupted, confusion evident on his face. "You both were only away for three hours."
The words echoed in the hall.
"Three… hours?" Kame repeated.
Joshen's eyes widened slightly. Both of them exchanged glances, their heads spinning. Three days. They were sure of it. Every moment, every hardship—it couldn't have been just three hours.
But Mr. Gramela showed no sign of joking.
With their minds clouded by confusion, the trio stepped back outside the castle. As they walked, Kame tried to steady himself.
"Now we're going to our—" he paused, glancing at Joshen, "—oh, I mean my workplace. Since Master Joshen doesn't do any work."
Joshen smirked. "As it should be."
Kame began his regular drill once they arrived. Everything felt routine, familiar… yet something was off. When the drill ended, Kame froze.
"It's different today," he murmured.
"What is?" Catia asked.
Kame's eyes narrowed. "The timing."
Suddenly, realization struck him like lightning.
They had returned to the castle… and it was already lullaby time.
That wasn't possible.
Joshen clenched his fists. "No way. We didn't come back to your room."
Slowly, the truth settled in.
They hadn't returned naturally.
They had been taken.
Transported.
Not to Kame's room—but to a random place within the town.
And whatever had happened to them… it was definitely far more than three hours.
That night, unease hung heavy in the air.
Joshen demanded the lullaby, his voice firm yet oddly restless. Catia was asked to stay in another room within the castle, despite her reluctance.
"Don't worry," Kame reassured her with a smile. "Nothing will happen."
Yet deep down, none of them truly believed that.
The night passed quietly.
Then the next day.
And the day after that.
Everything was calm. Peaceful. Almost too peaceful.
No strange incidents. No distortions. No portals.
But the silence itself felt unnatural.
Joshen found himself staring at the ceiling late at night, replaying every detail in his mind. The way time bent. The way reality shifted without warning.
Catia wandered the castle halls during the day, watching the people laugh and live their lives, unaware of the cracks forming beneath their world.
Kame continued his work, smiling as always—but something behind his eyes had changed.
Whatever had taken them before was still watching.
And it was waiting.