Chapter 10: Message from the Future

A few days after their great victory, the atmosphere in the kingdom of Ayurea returned to peace. Raka and Ayra continued their days quietly, but it could not be denied that there was still something hanging between them. Raka, despite trying to fully adjust himself, felt that there was still a shadow of his past that had not completely disappeared.

On a quiet night, Raka woke up from his sleep with a strange feeling. He heard a soft voice, like a whisper, calling his name. A strong sense of curiosity made him get out of bed and walk out of the room without waking Ayra. He followed the voice, which seemed to lead him to a secret room in the north wing of the castle—a room he had never been to before.

When he arrived there, he found a large mirror with a frame engraved with ancient symbols. The mirror glowed softly, and as Raka approached it, his own reflection in the mirror began to change. The figure in the mirror was not himself, but another figure who looked older, with gray hair and eyes full of wisdom. Raka gasped, feeling as if he was seeing himself from the future.

"Raka…" the voice of the figure in the mirror sounded familiar yet distant, like a voice that had long been buried in his memory.

Raka stared at the mirror in confusion. "Who are you? Why do you look like… me?"

The figure smiled, full of pity. "I am you, Raka. You from the future, from a time that has experienced everything you will go through. I have come to tell you something important."

Raka could only remain silent, feeling strange but also curious.

"Your time in Ayurea… is not forever," said the figure. "Although the bond with your original dimension has been severed, your destiny is still connected to the world you came from. In the end, there will be a choice you must make, and that choice will determine whether you will stay with Ayra or return to your origin."

Raka shook his head, trying to deny it. "No! I have chosen to stay here, with Ayra. I will not leave her."

The figure in the mirror looked at him with empathy. "I understand your wishes, Raka. However, the passage of time is never that simple. Your love is strong, but that strength will be tested once again, and this test will come from within yourself."

Before Raka could ask further, the figure began to fade. However, before the shadow completely disappeared, the figure gave one last message.

"Remember, Raka… true love is not just about being together, but also about letting go. When that time comes, remember this message, and trust your heart."

The figure disappeared, leaving Raka pensive in front of the mirror. His mind was full of confusion and fear. What really awaited him? And why did the love he fought for have to be tested again?

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The next day, Raka woke up with an anxious heart. He did not want to tell Ayra about his strange encounter, worried that it would disturb their peace. However, Ayra was a very sensitive person; she immediately realized that there was something different about Raka.

"Raka, you look unusual. What is bothering you?" Ayra asked while they were in the palace garden.

Raka tried to smile, but Ayra could see the fakeness behind the smile. Finally, he decided to be honest. "Ayra, I… I experienced something last night. It was like there was a message from the future telling me that I might be faced with a difficult choice."

Ayra looked at Raka intently. "What do you mean, Raka? What kind of choice?"

Raka sighed. "I don't know for sure. But that figure… me from the future… said that even though I have chosen to stay here, my destiny might force me to return to my original world."

Ayra was silent for a moment, then held Raka's hand. "Raka, whatever happens later, I want you to know that I will always be with you. If you have to make a choice, I want you to choose with the most honest heart."

Raka felt his heart grow heavier. He realized how sincere Ayra's feelings were and was increasingly afraid of what might happen. However, Ayra's words also gave him strength. He knew that as long as they were together, they could face anything.

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The following nights, Raka and Ayra tried to live their days happily, as if they had nothing to worry about. However, the shadow of a message from the future continued to haunt Raka, even though he tried to keep it in his heart.

One night, they returned to the mirror in the secret room. Ayra wanted to see for herself whether the mirror held the answer or perhaps could provide further clues. But this time, the mirror only reflected the two of them, as if to show that all decisions were in their hands.

"We will find the answer together," Ayra said, holding Raka's hand in front of the mirror. "I believe that whatever happens, our love will overcome everything."

Raka nodded, feeling the warmth of Ayra's hand. He promised himself that whatever choice he had to face later, he would choose it with all his heart.

That night, they returned to their room feeling calmer, even though uncertainty still hung in the air. They knew that the future remained mysterious, but they believed that the power of their love would be able to overcome all obstacles.