As night fell, Wentworth stepped out of his room. Standing outside, already waiting, was Newt Scamander.
Unsurprised, Wentworth walked over to stand beside him and asked quietly:
"Mr. Scamander, how much time does Yukina have left?"
Newt remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Not much. She's a clever girl, she realized early on the connection between herself and the Obscurus, and she's been suppressing the fusion between it and her soul."
"But today… she actively called upon the Obscurus's power. That act drastically accelerated the rate of fusion, far beyond what's normal."
"I'm sorry, Wentworth. There's nothing more I can do."
Wentworth nodded quietly at Newt's words. He turned as if to leave, but Newt quickly called after him.
"Wentworth, aren't you going to contact Albus Dumbledore first?"
Wentworth shook his head.
"My business isn't done yet. I won't trouble the Headmaster. After all, Professor Dumbledore is not just the Headmaster of Hogwarts, but also the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards. What I'm about to do... it's best he doesn't see it. It would put him in an impossible position."
Newt's expression grew troubled.
"Wentworth, what exactly are you planning?"
But this time, Wentworth didn't answer. He turned and walked away into the night.
Over the next three days, Wentworth and Yukina behaved like any ordinary young couple. They strolled through town, tried all kinds of food, watched a film, even visited a Muggle amusement park.
Wentworth took Yukina through every moment of a carefree Muggle life.
That evening, the two of them sat together on a rocky outcrop by the sea. Wentworth held Yukina close as she leaned against his shoulder, gazing out at the horizon.
"Wentworth," she said softly, "thank you. These past three days… they've been the happiest of my life. I feel like I was born just to live these three days."
Hearing her words, a wave of pain surged through Wentworth's heart. Fighting back the emotions, he said gently:
"Is there anything else you want to do? Tell me, I'll take you there tomorrow."
But unlike the previous days, Yukina didn't chatter excitedly about plans for tomorrow. Instead, her voice was calm, almost serene.
"Wentworth, I know my own body. I don't think I have the strength to do anything else."
Wentworth's body tensed at her words. Yukina noticed his trembling and wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"If I disappear," she whispered, "don't be sad, okay? You're my whole world, my big-hearted boy. But I shouldn't be your whole world. Promise me… promise me you'll see all the beautiful places in the world for me. Please, promise me that."
Tears welled in the corners of Wentworth's eyes. He clenched his jaw, forcing them back, and gave a firm nod.
Seeing his answer, Yukina smiled faintly, finally allowing herself to rest. With Wentworth's help, she lay down slowly, her head in his lap.
She gently caressed his cheek, still smiling.
"What a shame… I never got to show you the gift I prepared, my dear boy…"
Time passed. As night settled in, Newt approached slowly, alongside Nala. They stopped by Wentworth's side.
Newt looked at the boy cradling Yukina in his arms, and spoke quietly:
"Wentworth… Yukina is gone. Your journey is far from over, this was just one story in a much longer tale."
Wentworth glanced down at the girl who now looked as though she was simply sleeping. His face was blank as he murmured:
"Just a story? Maybe… But this story isn't over yet."
Newt looked again at Yukina's peaceful face, and even he couldn't hide the sorrow in his eyes. Though he'd only known her for a few days, the girl with the ever-bright smile had made a lasting impression.
Still, seeing Wentworth like this, Newt tried to comfort him.
"Wentworth… this story has ended."
Wentworth shook his head.
"Yukina's story in this tale might be over. But mine isn't."
As he spoke, he slowly stood up, gently placing Yukina into Newt's arms before turning toward the sea.
Alarmed, Newt called after him:
"Wentworth! What are you going to do?!"
Wentworth stared out across the darkened ocean, his voice steady:
"Yukina's last regret was not being able to show me the gift she prepared. She once said she was grateful for the stories I told her… so she left me something in her room. I'm going to fulfill her final wish."
Newt stepped forward urgently.
"Wentworth, don't be reckless! We can go to Albus Dumbledore for help—!"
But he was too late.
In the blink of an eye, Wentworth's figure vanished, he had Disapparated.
Only his voice remained, carried on the howling sea wind:
"I waited three days. But I won't wait one second longer!"
Newt swore under his breath. "Damn it."
He handed Yukina gently to Nala and said quickly:
"Wait here. I need to contact Dumbledore."
But before he could move, a calm voice sounded behind him.
"There's no need. I'm already here."
Turning, Newt saw Albus Dumbledore walking toward him.
"Albus! Why didn't you stop him?" Newt exclaimed.
Dumbledore said nothing. He simply stood still, his gaze fixed on the stormy sea.
...
Meanwhile, inside the towering walls of Nurmengard Castle in Austria…
Gellert Grindelwald casually wiped the mist from the surface of a mirror, erasing the image along with it.
Staring at the now-empty glass, he spoke with quiet gravity:
"Wentworth… to grow, you must first lose something beautiful."
The first rule of the Dark Lord's Code:
"No attachments. Especially not to the one who holds your heart."
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