10 years.

I patiently waited outside for them, while the rest of the group strolled outside.

Wang, we will leave with Zhan, he will find you when he is better. Urza sighed.

"No," I growled. "He stays with me."

"Wang, I need to unlock his powers and teach him how to control them," Urza said, holding my hand tightly.

Can we talk? I asked, feeling sad.

Wang, I need some time, please. Zhan sighed.

"Of course," I replied, trying to hide my disappointment. "Take all the time you need." "But I just want to be sure that you are coming back to me," I added softly, my voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and hope.

Zhan took a deep breath and looked into my eyes. "I promise you, I will come back," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I just need some time to sort things out and find myself again."

I gently took his hand in mine, and we moved slowly together. To my surprise, he did not flinch, which gave me the confidence to hug him tightly. I could feel the warmth and love radiating from his embrace, and it filled my heart to the brim. As tightly as I held on, I sniffed him, inhaling his unique scent. It was in that moment that I realized how much he meant to me. And I miss him terribly. The days and nights without his presence felt empty and lonely. Every memory of our time together became a bittersweet reminder of what I longed for. The ache in my heart only grew stronger, fueling my desire. I whispered softly, "I love you" my heart filled with love for him, unable to contain my overwhelming emotions. I knew deep down that despite the pain and distance, my love for him remained unwavering. The past three years seemed insignificant compared to the connection we shared, and all I wanted was to have him by my side once again.

Feeling concern, I reluctantly walked away, hoping that Zhan's recovery would be swift.

Some years later.

Zhan has been gone for four years, and there has not been any way for me to contact them. I am starting to think that the goddess is punishing me for something I had done in my early days hundreds of years ago. Yu Bin took three years to open up to me, and I cried like a child when I heard all the horrible things they went through. My fragile Zhan was abused every day by multiple men, and I am relieved that we killed all of them. I am still searching for Wen, but I hope that we will find him. He is the only one left on my list.

I regret not following Zhan when Urza said he was taking him away, but I also wanted to give him space to process his thoughts and spend time with his parents. I hope that our paths will cross again soon, and that I can find peace knowing that he is safe and happy.

I am beginning to lose my mind. I am unable to handle or process anything in my life. All I seem to do day in, and day out is drink.

The constant cycle of drinking has become a coping mechanism for me, a way to escape overwhelming thoughts and emotions that weigh me down. I find myself consumed by the need to numb myself, to forget the pain and confusion swirling in my mind.

With every glass of alcohol, I temporarily forget my troubles. The dulling of my thoughts provides me with a temporary sense of relief, but it only lasts for a brief moment. As soon as the effects of the alcohol wear off, I am left feeling even more lost and consumed by despair.

Liu and Jackson were constantly looking for witches to perform locator spells. However, in the fifth year, something unexpected happened. I lost my composure and, in a moment of madness, transformed into my wolf form and ran into the forest. It is unfortunate that I cannot recall the exact circumstances that led to this occurrence. However, I do remember feeling liberated and powerful as I sprinted through the dense foliage.

ZHAN'S POV.

Growing up, I was constantly subjected to various forms of abuse, both physical and emotional. From early childhood, I endured years of torment, neglect, and rejection at the hands of my family. The scars inflicted upon me during that time still resonate within my soul. However, there was a turning point when I crossed paths with Wang, and things turned for the better. Little did I know, this newfound relationship would eventually lead to an even darker chapter in my life.

I will just say that the things that happened during those three years were unimaginable. I felt dirty, used, and unworthy of love or respect. The pain I endured was unbearable, and I couldn't bear to look Wang in the face.

In the aftermath of these experiences, I found myself struggling with a range of emotions. I felt guilty, ashamed, and consumed by self-hatred. It was a constant battle to regain my self-worth and piece together the shattered pieces of my existence.

It was the support of my family that helped me navigate through this difficult period. Despite my own internal turmoil, they consistently reminded me that it was NOT my fault. Their unwavering love and acceptance provided me with the strength I needed to begin my journey towards healing.

While the healing process has been ongoing, I have made significant strides. I have learned to forgive myself, to let go of the guilt and anger, and to embrace life once again. However, I understand that certain scars never fully heal, and incidents such as those I encountered will always leave a mark.

Zhan, please send fire messages whenever you need us, and we will be there for you in seconds. Dad said, for the 1000 times. I heard you, father. I will always send fire messages even if I don't need anything. I will miss you, mom. I sighed and hugged her tightly, and dad joined in the warm embrace.

I opened a portal and stepped through, suddenly enveloped in a swirling vortex. The sensation was intense, as if I hurtled through space at unimaginable speeds. Time blurred, and it was only a moment before I emerged into a familiar realm.

As my vision adjusted to the dim light, I stood at the entrance to Wang's manor. The air was crisp, with a hint of freshness that hinted at new beginnings.

There was something strange about this place, and I hesitated before stepping forward. I had come this far, and it seemed foolish not to knock on the door.

But as my hand reached for the handle, it suddenly swung open on its own. A man rushed out, nearly colliding with me. It was Liu. His face lit up with excitement and concern. "Oh, my dear Zhan," he exclaimed, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. "It's wonderful to see you."

Hi Liu, it's good to see you too. I didn't realize it is already this dark here. I left my parents' place in the morning. Where are you going? I noticed that you look restless.

He replied quickly, "Yes, someone spotted Wang 10 miles away. I need to go. Please come with me."

"Does he not live here anymore?" I asked.

"I haven't seen him in 5 years," he replied. "This is the first time someone said they saw him."

"5 years?" I asked again, looking confused. "I have been gone for only 10 months."

Liu hissed, "Wherever you are, it means a month here is a year for everyone else."