Hao and Anna closed to the cupola, which appeared to be bigger than first: the high of it reached about 100 feet. The couple jumped from horses and walked inside, holding each other's hands. First they walked the tunnel of glass until they reached a steel door. Anna and Hao pushed the folding doors and gasped. The sight they saw inside could take anyone's breath away: in the round space, which was tapering by going up, stood the statues or altars of all the cultures the couple saw in a lake and more. Each was given a space by the glass wall. Above these fragments, a stone slabs hung, with frescos on them. Every fresco showed the story of making of this dimension, or whatever you call it. Mostly it was about how priests or sages are making trials by magic. On one fresco was shown two rebellious horses, who were punished and turned to stone. Anna and Hao recognized them as the ones they've been riding. In the middle of the room stood a small, golden table with two golden cups on it. The table was lit up by a mystic light that came from the peak of the cupola. Anna and Hao approached it.

"I think we found it" Hao said as he looked to the cups: they were filled with blood – like substance. Anna touched the beautifully carved cup, smiling ironically.

"Funny isn't it, how your destiny lies in such a small thing" Hao nodded.

"Yeah, so, shall we?" he offered, pointing the cup Anna was still touching. The blonde nodded. They both took cups.

"Well, cheers" they clinked with cups and drank to the bottom. For a moment both stood waiting for something to happen. And so it did: a light became brighter and from all sudden, a man, dressed with ancient Japanese robes appeared in the form of a hologram. Anna and Hao looked fearfully to him.

"You have completed all trials, brave souls" he referred to the couple, looking to their eyes "I'm emperor, who created this potion. My soul guarded this place for two thousand years and now I'm finally free and happy, because I see that your hearts are pure and not selfish. This potion will turn you into day-walkers, letting you live in togetherness with the sun. I bit you both farewell and I note that when you'll answer the riddle" the man waved his hand and burning hieroglyphs appeared in the air "the path out of here will be shown to you. May the great Buddha always be with you" the man disappeared as suddenly as he appeared. Anna and Hao looked to the words written in the air. It said: you see it every night; it shows you the path with slight light. But when the morning comes it won't disappear quickly, because it still has to show you the way.

"That can't be the moon" Hao stated. Anna nodded in agreement.

"This has to be some kind of star, but which"

"The one that disappears last from morning sky" Anna thought for a moment. She never thought about how long every star lingers in the sky. No thought came to her mind, excpt…

"Venire. The brightest of all"

"And the most beautiful" Hao smiled to Anna. Suddenly the hieroglyphs came together, first formatting the word Venire, then – making a long path through the door and on. Anna and Hao smiled to each other. Anna jumped on Hao's neck and hugged him tight, smiling with happiness.

"We did it" she whispered. Hao kissed her with the longing.

"Yes, we did" they ran to the horses and ridded along the red, sparkling line, back to their world. It seemed that horses already understood that they're free and ran impatiently forward. Anna and Hao were too anxious to come back to their world, so they didn't stop animals. The couple closed to the beginning of tunnel and ridded into it. The darkness covered them for a moment, but next they were already seeing the other side of tunnel. They ridded out of it, finding themselves in the night – covered forest. The couple ridded on, not stopping until they reached the edge of forest, where the highway to the city started. They jumped from horses.

"Well, it's time for you both to leave us" Hao said, taking the collar of steed's head. The animal snorted anxiously.

"You've been our best companions" Anna took of the mare's collar, stroking hand through her neck "go on. This forest should be save for you" the horses hesitated for some time, but finally gone among the trees. Hao took Anna's hand.

"Come on. I always hide an extra motor bike here" Anna smirked, following him.

"That's thoughtful of you. As if every night you are walking out of big trouble with me" Hao stopped suddenly, making Anna collide with him. He kissed her hungrily and Anna answered. She felt an indescribable feeling of lightness inside her. Now nothing could ruin her happiness.

"I would like that" Hao said silently. Anna smiled to him mischievously and they both gone to the motor bike. The couple reached the city quickly: everything around seemed so strange, so…unreal. Hao drove to Anna's home. They entered the house and fell on sofa, their legs not able to carry their bodies anymore. Anna took a cell phone which she had left on a table and called to headquarters. Jeanne answered.

"Hello, Anna. How are you? You've been gone for a week" Anna popped her eyes out, but spoke with calm voice.

"Yeah. Well I'm fine. How's the things going?"

"Not good: werewolf packs continue arriving from the country's depths. We counted already few ten thousands of them. Our squads started hunting pack by pack, so not all would reach their camps, but we still can't stop them entirely"

"How about negotiations?"

"No word from Mikihisa about it: he doesn't seem to be in a mood of negotiating, but he wouldn't attack the city as well" Anna sighed.

"Ok. I'll come tomorrow night and we'll discuss this matter"

"Ok. I'll see you, then. Bye"

"Bye" Anna hung up and leaned her head on sofa's back.

"He won't negotiate, will he?" Hao asked. Anna gave him a sad look.

"No. He's so stubborn, arrogant ass. I hate people like that" Hao smiled to her.

"Aren't you afraid that I'm going to become like him one day?" Anna leaned and kissed him shortly.

"Not a whole lot" the woman rested her head on Hao's shoulder, falling to the peaceful slumber. Hao smiled, looking how her face relaxing bit by bit. He kissed her head, feeling a soft hair with his lips.

"Sleep well, my Anna" he whispered, falling asleep himself.

Anna woke up from the dream suddenly. She dreamt about herself and Hao by the sea and then something dark separated them. This dream was strange, since she never dreamt about Hao so clearly before. Anna felt a warm body cuddled by her side. She smiled to Hao's sleeping face. Is he cute when he sleeps or what? Suddenly she felt something strange. Or, to be exact, felt that she doesn't feel something usual to her. Anna looked to the window, which's curtain was half closed. The eastern horizon was turning grey. Anna smiled and carefully stood up, not waking Hao up. She ran silently through the room and out of the house. At that time, Hao opened his eyes and smiled.

Anna stood on the roof of her house, waiting for sun to rise completely. And so it did: the first rays touched her ankles, the risen to knees and waist. Then the warmth covered her belly, chest and finally touched her face. Anna gasped from the incredible feeling of warmth in her body, which she had forgotten long ago. Anna smiled happily to the red disk of the sun, her eyes full of tears of happiness. Anna felt two strong arms wrapping around her waist. Anna completely relaxed in Hao's arms. Now the warmth was full.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he whispered soothingly to her ear. Anna smiled softly.

"Yeah. I couldn't imagine anything better. You, I and the sun" Hao kissed her from behind.

"I love you, my Anna" the woman gasped to these words. Yes, she did tell him this before, but love was still so…foreign to her. Nevertheless, Anna knew she loved Hao with whole heart.

"I love you too" she whispered back. They kissed passionately, as the sun risen higher and higher, waking up all city and putting to sleep the dark world which Anna and Hao just left…