Five years had passed since the world recovered from the disasters triggered by Alexander. With the help of the Watchers organization, governments worldwide had implemented advanced disaster warning systems, improved environmental policies, and strengthened international cooperation. Humanity seemed to have learned valuable lessons from the crisis, moving toward a more sustainable and peaceful future.
Yeh Yao had become the head of the Watchers' education division, traveling the world to teach environmental protection and disaster preparedness. Over the years, he had built a global education network, impacting millions of lives.
Yet, beneath all his achievements, an unfillable void remained in his heart. Though time had dulled the sharpest edges of his grief, his longing for Alicia never faded. A beautiful sunset, a familiar song, or a particular scent could bring memories rushing back, reopening the wound of loss.
Still, he had never given up hope. Alongside Marcus and the other four, he continued researching multiverse theories, searching for a way to cross realities and find Alicia.
Today, Yeh Yao was in the Watchers' Hong Kong headquarters laboratory, working with Michelle. Over the years, Michelle had become one of the world's leading theoretical physicists, making groundbreaking progress in understanding spacetime.
"This data looks promising," Michelle said, pointing to complex charts on the screen. "According to our calculations, a powerful 'echo point' will emerge next month near that ancient stone structure in Sarawak."
"How strong?" Yeh Yao asked, studying the data. "Strong enough to create a stable passage?"
"Theoretically, yes," Michelle replied cautiously. "But there are still many unknowns. We've never attempted an experiment of this scale."
"And the risks?"
"Significant," Michelle admitted. "Creating a passage could trigger new spacetime instabilities—even fractures like the ones we faced five years ago."
Yeh Yao fell silent, weighing hope against danger. "We need more data, more preparation. Contact the others. This decision involves all of us."
Michelle nodded and immediately reached out to Eunice, Nasser, and Kristina. Despite their separate careers and responsibilities over the past five years, the five had remained close, meeting regularly to share discoveries.
Days later, the group gathered at the Hong Kong headquarters. Eunice and Nasser arrived from Yunnan, now renowned anthropologists and environmental activists. Kristina flew in from Moscow, having risen to a high-ranking position in Russian special forces, focusing on international rescue missions.
Marcus joined them as well, now the global head of the Watchers, coordinating environmental and relief efforts worldwide.
"Thank you all for coming so quickly," Yeh Yao began, looking around at the friends who had shared so much with him. "Michelle has an important discovery to share."
Michelle stood and explained her research—the upcoming "echo point" and the possibilities and risks of creating a passage.
"In short," she concluded, "this may be our best chance to find a way to the reality or dimension where Alicia might be. But the risks are high, and we can't accurately calculate the odds of success."
The room fell into thoughtful silence. Each weighed hope against responsibility, personal longing against the greater good.
"I think we should try," Nasser finally said. "We've researched for five years. This might be our only opportunity."
"But what if something goes wrong?" Kristina countered, ever practical. "What if we create a new crisis, endangering countless lives?"
"That's why we need a detailed plan," Eunice suggested. "With safety measures and contingencies."
"I agree," Marcus nodded. "We can't risk blindly, but we can't abandon this chance either. We must balance hope with responsibility."
All eyes turned to Yeh Yao. As the one closest to Alicia, his decision carried special weight.
Yeh Yao took a deep breath. "No one wants to find Alicia more than I do. For five years, that hope has kept me going. But I also know she sacrificed herself to protect everyone. If our actions endanger the lives she saved, it would betray her sacrifice."
He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I believe we should try—but with extreme caution. We need the strictest safety protocols, the most thorough contingency plans. If the risks ever become unacceptable, we must be prepared to stop."
The others nodded, understanding his position.
"Then let's prepare," Michelle declared. "We have one month. We'll make sure everything is perfect."
In the following weeks, the five worked tirelessly with Watchers scientists and engineers, preparing for the unprecedented experiment. They designed specialized equipment, wrote complex algorithms, and developed detailed safety protocols.
Each contributed their expertise: Michelle handled theory and calculations; Eunice and Nasser studied ancient texts on interdimensional travel for clues; Kristina designed safety measures; Yeh Yao coordinated the entire project.
Marcus provided the Watchers' full resources while remaining vigilant, ready to halt the experiment if necessary.
As the echo point approached, tension mounted. Final simulations showed a 60% success rate—higher than initial estimates but still risky.
The night before the experiment, the five gathered on the rooftop garden of the Hong Kong headquarters, gazing at the city lights and stars. The peaceful night seemed to hold its breath for what was to come.
"Whatever happens tomorrow," Yeh Yao said softly, "I want to thank you all. Your support these past five years has meant everything."
"We're a team. A family," Michelle smiled. "Always."
"For Alicia," Nasser said, raising his hand.
The others joined in, repeating their oath: "For the future, for hope, for courage, for justice, for friendship."
The familiar ritual brought comfort and strength, a reminder that whatever came next, they would face it together.
On the day of the experiment, the weather was clear, the sun shining as if nature itself smiled upon them. A team of Watchers scientists, engineers, and security personnel accompanied the five to the ancient stone structure in Sarawak.
Five years ago, it had been an ordinary pile of rocks. Now, according to Michelle's calculations, it would become a powerful "echo point"—a bridge between realities.
The team set up equipment—sensors, energy generators, stabilizers—forming a circle around the stones. Michelle oversaw every detail, ensuring perfection.
"All set," she announced, checking the final readings. "The echo point will peak in about an hour."
Yeh Yao nodded, his heartbeat quickening. Five years of research, hope, and waiting culminated today. He glanced at his friends and the team, all focused and tense.
"Final safety check," Kristina ordered, ensuring everyone knew emergency protocols.
"Energy readings normal," an engineer reported. "Systems stable."
As time passed, the equipment detected growing energy fluctuations—first faint, then stronger.
"The echo point is forming," Michelle announced. "Stronger than expected. A good sign."
The devices hummed as energy gathered around the stones. The air grew thick with static, making skin prickle.
"Begin phase one," Yeh Yao commanded.
Engineers activated the generators, sending precise energy pulses into the echo point. The stones began to glow—first a faint blue, then brighter.
"Energy levels rising," Michelle reported. "Structure stable. Proceeding to phase two."
More energy poured in. The glow intensified, nearly blinding. Static crackled in the air; hair stood on end; metal devices emitted faint sparks.
"Phase two complete," Michelle said. "Preparing final phase."
This was the most dangerous part—focusing energy to create a stable passage. A miscalculation could be catastrophic.
"All personnel, stand ready," Kristina warned. "Evacuate at any sign of instability."
Yeh Yao took a deep breath. "Begin final phase."
The last energy pulse was sent. The stones' light concentrated into a bright point, then expanded—forming a portal-sized ring of light. Inside, blurred images appeared, like glimpses of another world through mist.
"Passage forming!" Michelle exclaimed, excitement and disbelief in her voice. "It's stable!"
Everyone held their breath, witnessing the miracle. Five years of work had borne fruit.
"Energy readings steady," a scientist confirmed. "Passage integrity holding."
"What do we see?" Yeh Yao asked, stepping closer but keeping a safe distance. "Where does it lead?"
The images inside the passage cleared gradually. It showed a place resembling the Garden of the Lost—but more peaceful, harmonious. No fractures, no chaos—only serene beauty.
"Is that... the Garden?" Eunice asked, astonished. "But it looks different."
"Perhaps another version," Michelle speculated. "A Garden from another reality."
Then, the scene shifted. A figure appeared in the distance, approaching the passage. As it drew nearer, the silhouette became unmistakable.
Yeh Yao's heart nearly stopped.
That graceful gait, that familiar outline—the person he had dreamed of every day.
"Alicia," he whispered, voice trembling.
The figure stopped at the passage's threshold, now fully visible. It was Alicia—yet different. Older, calmer, as if tempered by experience. She wore a simple white robe, her hair longer than he remembered, but her eyes—those warm, wise eyes—were unchanged.
"Yeh Yao," her voice came through, soft yet clear. "You found me."
"Alicia," Yeh Yao repeated, stepping forward instinctively—only for Kristina to hold him back.
"Wait," Kristina warned. "We don't know if crossing is safe."
"She's right," Michelle agreed. "The passage seems stable, but we haven't tested physical traversal."
Alicia seemed to understand their concerns. She smiled gently. "Don't worry. I can't cross over, and neither can you. This passage isn't strong enough for physical travel—only images and sound."
"Are you alright?" Yeh Yao asked urgently. "Where are you? What happened?"
"I'm well," Alicia reassured him. "When the fracture took me, I arrived here—a different version of the Garden, a peaceful one. This is the heart of the multiverse, where all realities converge."
"You've been there all this time? Five years?" Yeh Yao asked, struggling to fathom it.
"Time flows differently here," Alicia explained. "For me, it's only been months. I've been learning, understanding this place and the nature of the multiverse."
"Can you come back?" Yeh Yao asked—the question that mattered most, hope and fear mingling in his voice.
Alicia's expression saddened. "No. Not now. My existence is intertwined with this place. Leaving could disrupt the balance."
Yeh Yao's heart sank, but he forced himself to stay strong. "Is there another way? Any possibility?"
"There's always hope," Alicia smiled. "The multiverse is infinite. Perhaps one day, when my work here is done and the balance is firmer, a way may open. But it could take a long time."
"I'll wait," Yeh Yao vowed. "However long it takes."
Tears glimmered in Alicia's eyes, but her smile remained full of love. "I know you will. But I don't want your life to stand still. Keep working, keep helping others, keep living fully. That's what I want most."
"I will," Yeh Yao promised. "But I'll never stop hoping. Never stop searching for a way to bring you back."
"I know," Alicia said softly. "That's why I love you."
They gazed at each other—separated by dimensions, yet closer in spirit than ever.
"The passage is destabilizing," Michelle suddenly warned, monitoring the readings. "We're running out of time."
Alicia nodded, sensing it too. "I must go. But remember, Yeh Yao—we're always connected. True love never fades, no matter the distance."
"I love you," Yeh Yao said, voice breaking. "Always."
"And I love you," Alicia replied, reaching out as if to touch him. "Until we meet again."
The passage flickered. Alicia's image blurred. In the final moment, she smiled—radiant with love and hope—then the light vanished, leaving only ordinary stones.
Yeh Yao stood still, tears streaming silently down his face. But these weren't just tears of grief—they carried hope, love, and resolve.
Alicia was alive. Somewhere, somehow, she remembered him, loved him. It was more than he'd dared hope for in five years.
"She's alive," he whispered, a newfound peace settling in his heart. "And one day, we'll see each other again."
Michelle placed a hand on his shoulder. "Yes. And now we know more. We can refine our research, find better ways to open passages—maybe even a way to bring her back."
"We'll help," Eunice promised. "Like we always have."
"For Alicia," Nasser said, raising his hand once more.
The others joined in, repeating their oath—but this time, Yeh Yao's voice carried fresh strength and hope:
"For the future, for hope, for courage, for justice, for friendship—and for love."
Weeks later, Yeh Yao stood on the hill in Sarawak, watching the sunset paint the sky gold and purple. It was his favorite time—when day turned to night, when endings hinted at new beginnings.
Since seeing Alicia, a quiet determination had taken root in him. The grief remained, but it no longer overwhelmed him. Instead, it was balanced by hope—by purpose.
The road ahead might be long. It might take years, even decades. But it would be worth it. For Alicia. For their love. For the chance to reunite.
And in the meantime, he would live—continue his work, help others, protect the world. That was what Alicia wanted. That was the path he chose.
As the last sunlight faded and the first stars appeared, Yeh Yao smiled.
Somewhere in the infinite multiverse, Alicia was looking at these same stars—with the same hope, the same love.
This wasn't an ending.
It was a new beginning.
Because in the world of the Gaia Expedition, true love transcends time and space—becoming the most powerful, enduring force in the universe.
~END OF FIRST SAGA~