Chapter 258: Visting Another World With The Girls
The bedroom of Lotus Crown Villa fell silent as Alex extended his hands.
Riya stood to his left, dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans that would be easy to move in, a small backpack slung over one shoulder stuffed with things she had deemed "essential" which, knowing Riya, probably included a camera, a power bank, and of course her smartphone.
Lucy stood to his right, already changed into the pale green silk dress she had been wearing when she left the ancient world. Her butterfly hair ornament was back in place, pinned carefully above her left ear.
"Hold my hands," Alex said. "Don’t let go during the transition."
Riya took his left hand without hesitation. Her grip was firm and steady, though her eyes betrayed an excitement that she was barely containing.
"Will it hurt?" Riya asked.
"No. Did you feel anything last time?"
"No."
Alex glanced at her as if looking at idiot. "So it will be fine this time too."
He focused his mind on the familiar point ....the woods near the Hartwell estate. The same clearing he had used last time, close enough to reach the estate on foot but far enough that no one would see them appear suddenly.
The white light began building around them.
Riya’s grip tightened. Her breath caught, but she didn’t flinch.
Lucy closed her eyes out of habit and leaned slightly into Alex’s side.
The light intensified, wrapping around all three of them in a blinding brilliance that swallowed the bedroom whole.
Then ....whoosh.
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The first thing Riya noticed was the silence.
Deep, ancient, and absolute.
The second thing she noticed was the sky.
It was late afternoon here, the sun hanging low over a canopy of trees unlike any she had seen before.
They were massive, their trunks wider than cars, their branches reaching so high they seemed to merge with the clouds. A flock of birds she couldn’t name burst from the canopy and scattered across a sky that was so blue it almost looked unreal free of modern day pollution.
"Oh," Riya said softly.
That single syllable carried more genuine awe than any elaborate exclamation could have.
Lucy opened her eyes and took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the familiar air of her world. A small, unconscious smile crossed her face.
She was home.
"This way," Alex said, releasing their hands and stepping onto a narrow dirt path that wound through the trees. "The Hartwell estate is about a ten-minute walk from here."
Riya fell into step beside him, her head turning in every direction as she absorbed everything. She reached out and touched the bark of one of the massive trees as they passed, running her fingers across the rough surface.
"They are so big," she murmured, almost to herself.
"Did you think they wouldn’t be?"
"Shut up. Let me have this moment."
Alex smirked but said nothing.
Lucy walked a few steps ahead, her pace quickening with every minute. The closer they got to the estate, the lighter her steps became. By the time the treeline began to thin and the first wooden fence posts of the Hartwell property came into view, she was practically jogging.
"Lucy, slow down," Alex called. "We should...."
But it was too late.
A massive figure had appeared at the edge of the estate grounds, standing near the outer gate like a living watchtower.
Jacob.
The moment he saw Lucy, his stone expression fell. His eyes widened with surprise.
"Miss Lucy," Jacob returned a gesture.
Lucy slowed to a stop in front of him, her eyes already glistening.
"Master Jacob," she said softly. "I’m back."
Jacob dropped to one knee, lowering his massive frame until his head was level with hers.
"Welcome home, Miss Lucy."
Lucy, impatient to go home, nodded quickly.
Alex and Riya reached them a moment later. Jacob rose to his feet and turned to Alex. His expression shifted immediately, looking like a fully trusted subordinate.
"Boss Alex."
"Jacob. How are things here?"
"Stable, Boss. Nathan has been managing the syndicate operations in the market district. The guards have been doubled around the estate since the incident."
Alex nodded. "Good. Any trouble from the bandits?"
Jacob shook his head slowly. "No movement from the bandits since the rescue. Our scouts have been monitoring the routes. There were some skirmishes, nothing we can’t handle."
"They are regrouping," Alex said quietly. "She won’t stay quiet forever. Keep a close watch over things. Nothing should happen this time."
Jacob nodded, then his gaze shifted to Riya, who had been standing beside Alex. He looked at her, then at Alex, then back at her.
His expression remained perfectly neutral, but internally he already knew that she was someone close to Alex.
"Jacob, this is Riya," Alex said simply. "She is very important. Seeing her is like seeing myself. You will take orders from her like you would from me. Notify Nathan too."
Jacob showed absolutely no reaction to this. He simply inclined his head toward Riya in a respectful bow.
"Welcome, Miss Riya."
"Thank you, Master Jacob." Riya returned his nod with a polite smile. "I heard that you are a very good martial artist. Lucy told me you trained her. I am very much looking forward to training under you."
A brief flash of pride passed through his eyes.
"Miss Lucy was a fast learner," he said. "And it will be my honour to teach you too..."
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The interior of the Hartwell estate had not changed since Alex’s last visit, but it felt different somehow.
More alive. After the drought, life was going back on track for the people. The city was flourishing.
The servants who spotted Lucy as she walked through the main hall let out gasps and cries of joy, several of them rushing back to inform their masters.
Mr. Hartwell was in his study when they arrived.
The old man rose from his chair the moment the door opened, and the sight of his granddaughter standing in the doorway made his weathered face light up with joy.
"Grandfather," Lucy cried out, meeting him after so long.
Mr. Hartwell held her tightly, one hand cradling the back of her head, his eyes squeezed shut.
"You’re back," he said, his voice rough.
"I’m safe, Grandfather. I’m sorry I made you worry."
Alex and Riya stood in the doorway, giving them space, and quietly moved to the main hall.