CHAPTER 10. FAREWELL

Sandra, in her desperate run, tried to distance herself from the threats that were constantly stalking her. In the middle of the forest's silence that was once so peaceful, now only the rumble of Nagara's footsteps echoed.

The woman finally found her only salvation, a giant tree that stood tall, a remnant of nature's glory that had withstood the devastation caused by Nagara's cruel actions. The tree became the only silent witness to the destruction that had occurred.

With a gasp, Sandra ran towards the giant tree, shivering and sweating coldly. With strong determination, she groped for the hole located in the center of the tree, a place where she hoped to hide from Nagara's sharp eyes. Her heart pounded as she crept inside, silently praying that Nagara wouldn't find her.

However, it didn't take long before there was an eerie echoing sound, a sound that came from Nagara's cursed lips. "Come out, human!" he cried angrily. "You can't hide from Nagara!"

Sandra closed her mouth tightly, holding her breath so the demon could not hear her gasping voice. Her body trembled, sweat ran down her face, and the tremors of her heart intensified as Nagara's voice drew closer as if the torture would soon arrive.

Nagara coldly threatened, "If you surrender yourself to me, then I will speed up the process of your death."

In the darkness of the tree that is her only hiding place, Sandra contemplates the difficult choices ahead of her as the destruction of the forest and the terror of Nagara continue to rage.

Sandra, in the darkness of hiding in the giant tree, suddenly heard a sound that made her cringe. It was a sound of pain, a sound that came from the snake demon king who continued to lurk. Her heart was beating fast, not daring to peek out, afraid that this might be a cunning trap that had been prepared for her.

The demon's screams of pain grew louder and more heartbreaking as if all the destruction he carried with him had also struck him. The earth shook violently, jolted by the giant snake demon's tormented body. Sandra felt the tremors creep up to her tree hideout, making her worried that the tree would collapse if it continued to be shaken by the snake demon king's madness.

In the state of uncertainty that shackled her mind, Sandra wondered, "Is he really in pain? Is this a sign that perhaps the giant snake is experiencing great suffering?"

In her heart, he was both worried for her safety and hoping that the demon's condition would continue. She couldn't help but hope that the giant snake would die from the pain.

When Nagara's long screams stopped, Sandra felt relieved for a moment and began to hope that, finally, the demon had died. Her heart was filled with a bit of hope, and with a feeling of fear, she slowly ventured to peek outside. However, her guess turned out to be wrong.

The snake demon king was still alive, and his angry expression was evident as he faced anything nearby. However, the dust haze surrounding the demon faded Sandra's vision even further. Despite this, her determination to find out what was happening outside was still very strong.

From her cramped hiding place, Sandra watched intently as the fierce battle unfolded. She held her breath, afraid to make a sound, when finally, the snake demon king was defeated and killed. Relief enveloped Sandra's heart because the demon who had targeted her was finally defeated.

However, that happiness was soon replaced by panic when she saw the flames that the scaly demon had lit before his last breath. The fire quickly spread, creeping with a lust for destruction, and quickly approached the large tree that had become Sandra's hiding place. Black smoke enveloped the surroundings, making her cough with difficulty breathing.

"I have to find a safe place immediately!" Sandra hissed in a state of panic. Quickly, she ran out of the hiding place that had now become a deadly trap.

Sandra's steps stopped, and despair washed over her as the flames surrounded her violently. Panic seized her mind, and she realized no place was safe from this destructive element. Along with that, a thick haze of smoke had obscured her vision, making the world feel even darker and bleaker.

Sandra screamed for help, even though she knew that no one could hear her or save her in this strange and remote place. She felt alone, wasted amid endless calamity. Her body grew weaker as the oxygen supply began to dwindle, and finally, with all her strength drained, she lay on the ground, continuing to scream for help.

"Anyone, help me!" she cried out in overwhelming desperation. At this critical moment, Sandra sharply remembered why she was in this terrible place. Softly, she uttered, "I curse you, Alex and Sarah."

Amidst the feelings of fear that crept up on her, Sandra's heart was torn apart by the waves of grief that hit her. The betrayal of the person she once loved left deep scars.

"Alex, I still love you so much. But you have such a heart for me!" she whispered to herself, caught between the feelings of unfading love and burning hatred.

The all-consuming heat of the smoldering fire was getting closer, causing Sandra's pale skin to turn red from the intense heat. She felt herself almost unable to survive anymore, almost giving in to a dark destiny, when suddenly, like a miracle that appeared amid darkness, something came to save her.

“Stop singing when you're about to become roast meat!" Sandra's eyes opened wide, seeing the arrival of the man she recognized as Diego.

“You came to save me?" she asked in a voice full of admiration and relief.

Diego just rolled his eyes as he let out a long sigh. "Then what else did I come here for, to brave the flames? To become roast meat with-." His words were interrupted when Sandra suddenly grabbed him in an unexpectedly warm embrace.

Sandra, with tears in her eyes, could only say, "Thank you for helping me!" Her voice was full of emotion and gratitude to Diego for being her savior at a crucial time.

Diego, though transfixed in that brief warm embrace, felt as if his world had changed the moment Sandra let go. A loss he had long felt, a loss of the warm embrace of those he loved. However, reality was now calling him with Sandra's question that broke his reverie.

“Then how can we survive this big fire?" Sandra asked with a face full of uncertainty, reminding Diego of the challenging task that awaited them.

“Just trust me with everything," Diego said firmly and confidently. His face reflected an unwavering determination.

Sandra nodded, entrusting her safety to the wolf prince who had become her savior. "I will entrust myself to you, Diego."

Diego instructed Sandra, "You just need to close your eyes and don't open them until I ask you to."

Sandra immediately closed her eyes, obeying Diego's command. She felt her body lift, spinning in the darkness, and after that, she knew nothing else, like in a dream.

Finally, Diego told her to reopen her eyes. "We've arrived. You can open your eyes!" Diego said with a smile on his face.

Sandra slowly opened her eyes, and what she saw mesmerized her heart. The orange light of dusk shines in the sky, the cool breeze caresses her beautiful face, and the sound of calm waves fills her ears.

"This is so beautiful. Where are we now, Diego?" asked Sandra, her face shining with admiration.

But Diego's answer surprised her, "Of course, we're on the beach."

“It turns out that in this place full of prohibitions, there is a beautiful beach, just like in my world," Sandra said with great surprise.

Diego shook his head as he explained, "It's not off limits, Sandra. This beach is in your world."

Sandra couldn't believe what she was hearing, shocked into speechlessness. "Are you kidding me?"

Diego explained gently, "No, we're already out of the ban area."

Sandra couldn't help but ask, "How come? Didn't you say there was no way out of that place?"

Diego smiled as if he had a big secret. "True. But I found a way out. It's just that it will be a secret for me."

Sandra no longer asked about the secret way out of the ban. What mattered most to her now was that she had arrived where she was supposed to be. Relief and happiness pervaded her heart, feeling close to freedom.

"Then I have to go home and keep my promise to you," Sandra said as she grasped Diego's arm excitedly. She planned to take her new friend home to fulfill her promise.

Diego pulled his arm away from Sandra. The man scratched his head as if he was thinking about something heavy. "Sorry, Sandra. Maybe next time I collect your promise. From now on, we have to part ways Here. Because our worlds are different."

The joy that once adorned Sandra's face faded, replaced by a look of disappointment. The heart that was still full of hope now feels heavy. "Well, if that's your choice. Hopefully, we can meet again next time,"

Before parting, Sandra gave Diego one last hug. Their eyes met in a meaningful silence, expressing gratitude and farewell. "Thank you so much for saving me. Don't forget me!"

Diego smiled, though there was sadness in that smile. "Of course. You're my first friend after hundreds of years in that place."

With a mixture of hope and loss, they finally parted ways. Diego disappeared into the distance, leaving Sandra with a look that seemed unforgettable. As the sight faded, Sandra began to walk back to where she belonged.