It had been three days since Komraad and my daughters vanished due to the foul demon, Saro. They’d been teleported into environments they’d never seen before, each one forced to face the harsh reality of being completely alone. Their survival, and their ability to make it to the future Princess Raya had foreseen, depended entirely on their individual strength.

 

Fae had been swallowed by the black mist and lost consciousness immediately. When her eyes opened, she found herself in surroundings that felt both unknown and eerily familiar. The first thing she noticed was the enormous, ancient trees, resembling those near her old village. This forest, too, was a sprawling labyrinth, teeming with dense foliage, rugged rock formations, and creatures that were big and dangerous.

 

It took a while, but the chilling memory of her separation from us all came rushing back. The fear she’d felt, the suffocating darkness, the total loss of her senses, still clung to her like a cold shroud.

 

“W-where am I?” She called out, her voice trembling. “Mom? Big Sis Astrid, Big Sis Rein, Mr. Komraad, where are you?”

 

Only the silence of the massive trees answered. Fae’s heart sank as the awful truth hit her: she was completely alone, lurking in a place crawling with unknown danger. Tears welled up instantly, her body shaking with anxiety. She’d grown so used to the warmth and comfort of her family that being separated felt paralyzing.

 

Just as she started losing hope, a flash of memory, all the terrifying things we’d survived together, the odds we’d crushed strengthened her resolve. She wiped the tears from her cheeks. No matter what, she promised herself, she would survive this place and find her way back to us.

 

Thankfully, the forest environment wasn't completely foreign. She had experience navigating such places, which gave her the confidence to start taking control. Her first priority was securing food, water, and a temporary shelter, all while keeping a watchful eye out for the aggressive, large creatures. After gathering everything she needed for the night, she created a powerful repellent using her extensive knowledge of plants and herbs. Now she could sleep peacefully without worrying about dangerous predators or creepy-crawlers finding her.

 

Fae meticulously mapped out her immediate surroundings, noting safe zones and marking off territories to avoid. But even after all her effort, she still had no clue where she was or how to get home. The forest was too vast, making escape on foot seem impossible.

 

A whole week passed. Fae finally felt familiar enough with the area to realize she couldn’t stay put. It was time to advance. She prepared rations, enough food and water to last her for a solid week of travel and started moving.

 

Her journey was a constant source of fascination. She stumbled upon numerous species of plants and herbs that weren't recorded in her grandmother’s medical book. Excitedly, she took samples and notes, refusing to let adversity overshadow her dream of becoming a doctor. She also encountered new types of creatures: some were scary and gross, but occasionally, a majestic, beautiful animal would appear, leaving her completely mesmerized.

 

Fae had been walking for hours, and the sky was already dimming. She decided to camp near an enormous tree that had a small, cozy hole underneath it, perfect for shelter. She ate dinner and refilled her repellent. Just as she was about to settle in for the night, a huge, painful roar echoed nearby.

 

Fae didn’t hesitate. Kindness outweighed caution. She immediately rushed toward the sound, hoping she could help the animal without thinking about her own safety.

 

The sound was close, making it easy to follow. The forest floor was plunged into darkness, but then, as if by magic, tiny fireflies began to glow, illuminating the scene ahead.

 

Fae gasped when she arrived. Before her stood a massive beast, resembling a bear but far more formidable. It was as tall as an adult elephant, cloaked in thick, shimmering snow-white fur. Unlike any normal bear, this creature had six limbs: two pairs of muscular arms tipped with long, curved, obsidian-like claws, and sturdy hind legs. A pair of rugged, spiraling ram-like horns curled back from its broad head.

 

Despite its fearsome appearance, the creature was clearly in agony. Cries of pain were torn from its throat, and its breath came ragged and strained. A terrible wound, an enormous bite mark, was visible in its right hind foot, oozing dark, steady streams of blood onto the ground. The beast shifted unsteadily, but its wide, gleaming eyes held no rage, only fear and sorrow, as though it were pleading for help.

 

Fae was scared, but her kind nature won out. She was committed to helping any creature or human in need. 

 

She approached slowly.

 

“H-hello there,” she said gently, holding her hands up. “I heard you crying in pain, so I’m here to help you.”

 

The powerful creature remained wary. It didn’t know Fae’s intentions.

 

Grrrrr

 

A low, rumbling sound vibrated in its chest. The animal backed away slightly and growled, but Fae didn’t falter. She kept moving closer.

 

“Don’t be scared, I promise you, I’m a friend,” Fae assured once again.

 

After a tense moment, the beast finally relaxed its guard, allowing Fae to approach and even touch its thick fur. When the creature realized Fae intended to help, it instantly calmed down.

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll make the ouchies go away, so hang in there,” she promised with a genuine, gentle smile.

 

Using her makeshift medical tools, Fae carefully cleansed the gigantic wound. She then applied the medicinal herbs she’d gathered during her journey before stitching the torn flesh to close it and prevent infection. It took hours, but the beast cooperated perfectly throughout the procedure, allowing her to finish just in time.

 

Fae wiped the sweat from her brow and sat down to rest right in front of the creature. “Phew, you’ll be fine now. Just take a long rest, and you’ll be healed in no time,” she said, relief washing over her.

 

The unbearable pain slowly subsided. The beast was so relieved and thankful that it started licking Fae’s face repeatedly to show its gratitude.

 

“Tee hee, that tickles!” Fae laughed.

 

Though happy to receive thanks, she noticed something missing: the creature, like herself, seemed completely alone. “It’s quite lonely being alone, isn’t it?” Fae mused thoughtfully. “You know what? Maybe I’ll stay by your side until you’re fully healed. I need to make sure your wound doesn’t reopen, anyway.”

 

The animal accepted Fae’s offer with enthusiasm, practically scooping her up with a massive paw and gently placing her on its back.

 

“Tee hee, I guess we’ll be together for some time, so I think it’s a good idea to call you by a name,” Fae said, giggling. 

 

“Let’s see… you’re big and mighty, but deep down, you’re a real sweetheart. Hmm… I think I’ll call you Berry.”

 

Berry loved the name. He threw his massive head back and let out a triumphant, wolf-like howl. With a simple act of kindness, Fae had found a true companion and friend in a forest where only the ruthless survived.

 

Fae spent several days monitoring Berry’s health until his wound healed completely. They used that time to bond, quickly familiarizing themselves with each other’s unique behaviors and mannerisms. Their connection grew strong and fast. They were practically inseparable.

 

After a whole week, Berry was able to walk again. Fae wished she could stay longer, but she knew she had to resume her journey. She prepared her supplies and emotionally braced herself for the goodbye.

 

“Berry, I enjoyed the days we spent together, but I have to go now,” Fae said, her voice laced with sadness. “I need to find my family as soon as possible. I don’t want them to worry any longer. Make sure not to get into any more trouble, okay?”

 

Berry whined softly, not ready to say goodbye, but he could sense the depth of Fae’s determination and had no choice but to let her go. After a warm hug and a heartfelt farewell, the two parted ways.

 

With no leads on her destination, Fae continued her push to escape the vast forest. Everything went smoothly. Her repellent was still working like magic, and her supplies were holding up.

 

But then, her luck ran out. Unfamiliar with this new sector of the forest, she accidentally stumbled into a deadly creature’s territory.

 

While walking, Fae caught a whiff of something incredibly fragrant, which sparked her curiosity. Following the beautiful scent, she found herself in a wide field full of vividly colored flowers she had never seen. Excited to study them, she rushed into the field, forgetting the forest’s cardinal rule: danger is lurking everywhere.

 

She was about to pick a few blossoms when the beautiful, fragrant smell turned horribly foul. A thick green mist appeared from nowhere, and the stunning floral field warped into a muddy, terrifying swamp. Fae instantly realized it was a trap, and she was already caught in it. The beautiful flowers had been an illusion cast by an unknown, deadly predator that lured its unsuspecting prey into its territory.

 

Cough! Cough!

 

The thick green mist made it hard for Fae to breathe. She tried to run, but the fumes made her body numb and heavy. A chilling shiver shot down her spine as she heard the sound of a creature slowly closing in. She glanced back and saw a scary, enormous silhouette approaching her.

 

The creature before her was a grotesque gigantic chimera. Its head, a massive black spider’s with eight glowing red eyes and a maw full of razor-sharp teeth. Its long, segmented body resembled a centipede, supported by countless sharp legs that scraped the ground with a sickening sound. It has massive praying mantis arms and a scorpion’s venomous tail flicked at its rear.

 

The creature moved with unsettling intelligence, its red eyes savoring Fae’s fear with predatory precision.

 

Fae was paralyzed with fear. This was the most terrifying creature she’d ever seen. All hope drained away. She had no defense, and her repellent was useless. She accepted her fate, knowing her family wouldn’t be able to rescue her this time.

 

Just before losing consciousness, Fae registered the mysterious shadow of a huge animal arriving. It was Berry, who had secretly followed her.

 

The chimera was about to devour Fae when Berry launched his massive body, slamming the predator into a nearby boulder. The rock shattered on impact, and the debris crashed down on the chimera, temporarily immobilizing it. Instead of fighting, Berry grabbed Fae’s unconscious body and ran, retreating as fast as he could. He knew he couldn’t protect Fae while locked in a battle, so he chose safety over conflict. Thanks to Berry's unexpected appearance, Fae escaped her horrifying fate.

 

Soon after the incident, Fae regained consciousness in unfamiliar surroundings. She was lying on a surprisingly comfortable bed woven from soft grasses. As her vision cleared, she turned her head and saw Berry, peacefully curled up beside her. The memory of his huge shadow before she blacked out connected the dots.

 

“Thank you, Berry, for saving me,” she whispered softly, gently patting his enormous head.

 

She rose to explore. Her gaze swept the expansive chamber, noting the high, arched walls made of smooth wood. They were adorned with intricate carvings of vines and abstract floral patterns that looked organically grown. Soft, golden sunlight filtered through the foliage, bathing the room in warmth.

 

Her attention then fixed on a balcony directly ahead, the bright sun obscuring the view beyond. Eager to know more, she stepped forward, her heart pounding. The moment she crossed the threshold, a wave of awe and wonder crashed over her.

 

The room was inside the heart of a colossal tree.

 

The realization struck her like a thunderclap. The tree towered above her, its height rivaling the tallest skyscrapers. Its branches spread in a massive canopy, each leaf a soft sakura pink, edged with delicate white flowers that drifted gracefully to the ground. The bark was a pristine white oak, smooth and subtly luminous, making the entire tree appear ethereal.

 

Standing on the balcony, Fae realized she was so far above the ground that the clouds seemed within reach. The vast forest stretched out beneath her like an endless green sea. 

 

Fae was speechless. The view was the most beautiful, serene sight she had ever witnessed, it felt like a dream. She stood in stunned silence, utterly mesmerized.

 

“Whao… Where am I? This place is so pretty,” Fae murmured, completely shocked.

 

She was admiring the scenery when a mysterious voice suddenly spoke, breaking her focus.

 

“Fufu… You are right to admire this place, human! After all, you are currently inside Sylvrisca, the enchanted tree, and it is the one and only home of the Fairy Clan,” the mysterious voice responded.

 

Fae looked behind her and saw a tiny glowing creature floating in the air. The creature resembled Dot, the Titan of Beast, but instead of a dog, it was a pink butterfly. 

 

The creature radiated elegance, its magical presence both calming and mesmerizing. Fae was instantly drawn to its adorable appearance but forced herself to focus.

 

“T-the great Fairy Clan? Are you perhaps a Fairy?” Fae asked, wide-eyed with curiosity.

 

“Indeed, and I am its founder. I am called by the name Willow, the Titan of Nature and Prosperity,” she answered with haughty confidence.

 

“Titan? Oh! You’re just like Dot! He’s the Titan of Beast, and he’s friends with Mr. Komraad,” Fae responded joyfully.

 

Fae expected Willow to be pleased, but instead, she bristled. “H-how dare you compare me to a brute and dirty fellow such as Dot! Saying his name is even making my taste buds bitter!” Willow shrieked in a high-pitched tantrum.

 

Fae found Willow’s dramatic reaction both cute and hilarious. Before they could continue, another mysterious voice joined their conversation. This person had been hiding behind the pink sakura leaves the whole time, waiting for their chance, but was too shy and embarrassed to come out.

 

“U-umm…. W-Willow, can I come out now?” The person muttered timidly.

 

She stepped out of her hiding place, revealing herself. Fae stood in stunned silence, unable to believe her eyes. The figure before her wasn't an ancient guardian but a young girl, about the same age and height as her. 

 

She was breathtakingly beautiful, with long, silky pastel-pink hair cascading nearly to her feet. Her large, round eyes shimmered with a mesmerizing array of shifting colors, and delicate, pointed ears peeked out from her hair. Despite her youth, the girl carried herself with quiet dignity and grace.

 

But what truly captivated Fae were the wings. Sprouting from the girl’s back was a pair of delicate, translucent wings, shaped like a butterfly’s but far more intricate. They glowed softly, casting shifting hues of the rainbow, and shimmering with every graceful movement.

 

At that moment, Fae understood: this girl was extraordinary.

 

The little fairy girl was about to approach Fae when she accidentally bit her tongue. “I-I'm s-s-sorry... It's... It's my first time talking to a h-human,” she stammered, covering her bright red, flustered face.

 

“That’s not important right now! Are you okay? Your mouth is bleeding,” Fae rushed forward, her worry immediately taking over.

 

“I-I’m okay,” the fairy responded, still covering her face in embarrassment.

 

Fae gave the Fairy a genuine, warm smile to ease her nerves. “We’re both kids, so you don’t have to be shy around me,” she assured her.

 

“R-really? It’s just…I… I’ve always w-wanted to meet a human and befriend them, but I don’t know how to do it,” the fairy confessed.

 

“It’s easy! We can start by exchanging names,” Fae suggested. “My name is Fae, what about yours?”

 

“I-I’m Iris. I-It’s nice to meet you!”

 

“Tee hee, nice meeting you too, Iris.”

 

Fae was overjoyed. It had been so long since she had a decent, easy conversation with someone. She knew this was her chance to ask for help, but before she could, Willow came screeching in.

 

“Kyaaah! How dare you get friendly with Iris! Do you even have the slightest idea of who you’re talking to? She’s my chosen one, so show her some respect!” Willow shouted, throwing another tantrum.

 

Iris gathered her courage and spoke up. “W-Willow, P-please stop being mean to Fae.”

 

The revelation that Iris was a Chosen One, combined with the presence of a Titan and an overwhelming magical energy, made everything click for Fae. She finally understood.

 

She instantly remembered our promise: to gather all the chosen ones and persuade them to unite against the coming catastrophe. Fae believed that fate had brought her here for this exact purpose.

 

Eyes sparkling with renewed hope, Fae grabbed Iris’s hands. “This is amazing! Iris, please come with me. We need your help in stopping a great catastrophe from happening.”

 

“Kyaah! Don’t just casually touch her!” Willow shrieked, trying to separate them, but luckily, Berry woke up and gently grabbed Willow in his massive mouth. This finally allowed the two girls an uninterrupted conversation.

 

Fae thought Iris would immediately agree, but she misjudged the situation. Iris was clearly overwhelmed by the sudden, intense request. “I-I’m sorry, this is t-too sudden,” Iris stammered. “I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”

 

Realizing she had rushed things, Fae slowed down. “I’m so sorry, I got ahead of myself. Let me explain everything from the beginning.”

 

Fae recounted everything, from the vision that Princess Raya and I had seen to the mission of gathering the Chosen Ones.

 

“You see, my family and I were planning on uniting everyone, but we were unexpectedly separated,” Fae explained earnestly. “I thought it was impossible now, but meeting you changes everything. What I told you probably doesn’t make sense yet, but once you’ve come with me and met my family, everything will be clearer.”

 

She had tried her hardest, but it still wasn’t enough.

 

“I-I’m sorry, but Willow said that I’m still not ready,” Iris said, her voice heavy with regret. “S-she also said that the outside world is scary and that I shouldn’t leave the forest. I’m sorry, but I’m of no use to you.”

 

“N-no, that’s not true!” Fae insisted. “If you give it a chance, you’ll see that the world is full of beautiful and amazing things. I’ve seen it with my own eyes! It’s true that it can be scary sometimes, but as long as you have important people surrounding you, then everything will turn out okay.”

 

But Iris’s perspective, influenced by Willow, remained unchanged.

 

“I-I’m really sorry, I don’t think I’m capable of helping you, and even if I come with you, Willow won’t allow me,” Iris explained sadly. “She’s scared that if something bad happened to me, then her legacy will finally end. The truth is, she had no choice but to make me her Chosen One. After all, I’m the last remaining fairy in this world.”

 

Fae was shocked by the revelation. It made sense why she hadn't encountered any other fairies. “I’m sorry to hear that, but I think you need to have more confidence in yourself. You were chosen for a reason-”

 

Iris cut her off softly. “I-I was only chosen because there was no other option left. I’m sorry, Fae, but I don’t think I’m the one you were looking for,” she said one last time before flying away.

 

Despite the rejection, Fae refused to give up. She spent the following days trying to get closer to Iris and know her better. Every day, Fae would try to convince her by telling her interesting stories about the outside world and how beautiful and amazing it truly is.

 

Though Fae still hadn't fully changed Iris’s mind, the fairy girl was starting to show interest, initiating conversations and asking questions about the things outside the forest that fascinated her. These little signs gave Fae the hope she needed, but every time she got close to breaking through, Willow was always nearby, sabotaging and making sure Iris would never even dare think of leaving her forest home.

 

Days turned into weeks. The two girls had become genuine best friends, shedding any trace of initial awkwardness. Iris was visibly gaining confidence, and Willow’s little tricks to keep Fae away were becoming ineffective.

 

Willow, recognizing that Fae was about to succeed in her mission, was thrown into a panic. She was so terrified of losing Iris that she resorted to a drastic, unthinkable measure.

 

She took matters into her own tiny hands by deliberately provoking the terrifying chimera that Berry had subdued earlier. Willow had realized the chimera was nursing a fierce desire for revenge against Berry. She found some of Berry’s shed fur, still potent with his scent, and used it as bait to send the chimera into a frenzy.

 

Willow’s plan worked too well. Upon catching the scent, the chimera went berserk, immediately tearing through the surrounding forest.

 

Berry noticed the destruction and charged out instantly to stop it. Fae, witnessing the chaos, felt a surge of responsibility. She felt it was her fault for entering the chimera’s territory in the first place, and she decided she had to follow Berry to help.

 

Iris saw Fae rushing out and flew to intercept her.

 

“F-Fae, it’s too dangerous! You should just stay here where it’s safe,” Iris pleaded.

 

“Thanks for the concern, Iris, but I can’t,” Fae responded, already moving. “I can’t just sit around when I know there’s something I can do to help.”

 

“B-but, aren’t you scared?”

 

“I am,” Fae admitted, her eyes focused on the trees. “But I’m more scared of losing the things that I cherish.”

 

Fae’s words struck Iris deep. She desperately wanted to help, but the fear of leaving her comfort zone was almost paralyzing. She hovered in indecision just as Willow zipped into view.

 

“Iris, don’t even think about following that human! It’s too dangerous for you,” Willow demanded, her wings fluttering rapidly.

 

“B-but, as a Chosen Hero, isn’t it my duty to protect this forest and those who live in it?” Iris countered, pushing back for the first time.

 

“It is, but you’re not ready yet. Just let those two handle it themselves,” Willow insisted.

 

“But what if they can’t? W-what if something bad happens to them?” Iris pressed, her voice thick with worry.

 

Willow scoffed dismissively. “Then it means I’ve finally gotten rid of them, and they won’t put any bad ideas in your head again.”

 

The words hung in the air, cold and revealing. Iris’s eyes widened as the truth dawned on her. “D-did you do all of this just to get rid of Fae?”

 

“O-of course not!” Willow stammered, clearly flustered.

 

Iris had known Willow her entire life. She knew exactly how terrible her friend was at lying. “H-how could you, Willow?” Iris cried out in frustration. “You did all of this just so you could keep me locked in here forever?”

 

“N-no, of course not! I was scared because she was trying to steal you away from me!” Willow confessed, tears springing from her tiny eyes.

 

“When will you ever stop being selfish, Willow? I’m not your property! I am my own person! When will you ever see that?” Iris shot back, her voice shaking with anger.

 

Realization, heartbreak, and anger collided inside Iris. Her own family had caused this disaster. She wiped her tears, a new, fierce resolve hardening her beautiful eyes. She was finally ready to choose her own path.

 

“If you want to stay hidden forever, then be my guest,” Iris declared, taking to the air. “But don’t include me in it any longer.”

 

She rushed out toward the forest fires.

 

“C-come back here at once! I-Iris!” Willow screamed, her voice trembling. She was utterly distraught, having never imagined her actions would escalate to such a monumental mess.

 

Iris flew as fast as she could toward the chaos. When she arrived, the forest was already engulfed in a rapidly spreading wildfire. Helpless, terrified animals were scrambling to escape the blaze. Because of her power as a Chosen One, Iris could acutely feel the plants and animals nearby writhing in pain, a tightness building agonizingly in her chest.

 

Despite the pain, Iris didn’t waver. She immediately used her Nature Magic to fight the fire. She began sprouting special plants from the scorched earth, plants that could produce their own water, using them like powerful sprinklers. She tried her best, but the fire was spreading faster than she could extinguish it.

 

Then, something incredible happened. The scared animals, witnessing Iris's efforts, felt a surge of inspiration. Fighting their terror, they returned to help her extinguish the fire and save their home.

 

Iris was stunned to see the animals working alongside her. With their combined efforts, they managed to stop the fire just before it consumed their precious home. After making sure all the animals were safe, Iris immediately flew toward the location of Fae and Berry.

 

She arrived to see the chimera and Berry locked in a fierce, brutal fight, while Fae was frantically on the sidelines, trying to devise a strategy.

 

Fae knew that talking wouldn't work this time. Instead, she was quickly concocting a sleeping bomb using highly concentrated plants and herbs, hoping to slow the chimera down.

 

The creatures' enormous size made it impossible for Fae to get close, but Berry, with uncanny understanding, managed to create a brief opening for her. The moment he did, Fae threw the sleeping bomb as hard as she could and managed to hit the chimera.

 

The bomb started working, but the creature was so immense that the effect was slow. Enraged, the chimera redirected its attack toward Fae. Berry tried to intercept, but the opening he’d created had exhausted him, and his massive body went numb.

 

Just in time, Iris swooped in! She instantly sprouted tough, knotty wood from the ground, creating a sturdy wall to shield Fae from the chimera's strike.

 

“F-Fae, I’m here to help out!” Iris called out.

 

“I-Iris! I knew you’d change your mind. Tee-hee,” Fae grinned, relief washing over her.

 

“O-of course. This is my fault, so I have to set things right,” Iris responded.

 

“This isn’t your fault, Iris. You we-”

 

Before Fae could finish, the chimera easily smashed through the wooden wall. Thankfully, Berry had recovered enough to shove the beast away with his powerful body.

 

The two girls knew Berry couldn't handle the chimera alone. They had to act fast.

 

“F-Fae, what do we do now?” Iris asked, fear creeping in. “All I can do is defend. I don’t know how to fight, and I’m scared of hurting someone.”

 

“It’s okay, you don’t have to fight, Iris,” Fae assured her calmly. “Just assist Berry until I finish making another sleeping bomb. The first one wasn't strong enough, but I think a second one will finally work this time.”

 

“O-okay, I understand! I’ll try my best!”

 

The girls immediately split off. Fae frantically worked on the second bomb while Iris rushed to assist Berry in subjugating the rampaging monster.

 

Fae pushed herself to finish as fast as she could under the extreme pressure, but Berry was already utterly exhausted, and Iris’s mana reserves were quickly draining.

 

Fae managed to finish the second sleeping bomb, but she was too late. Berry was knocked down, and Iris ran out of energy. With no one left to defend Fae, the chimera whipped its long, poisonous scorpion tail toward her.

 

In a final surge of desperation, Iris gathered her remaining strength and flew toward Fae, intending to use her own frail body to block the lethal sting. It would surely kill her.

 

But before the tail could strike, something truly unexpected occurred. Willow arrived, intercepting the attack with her own tiny body! The force of the impact sent Willow flying backward.

 

“Willow!” Iris shrieked, rushing to her side and gently scooping her up.

 

“Willow, please be okay,” Iris sobbed, tears splashing onto the injured Titan.

 

Cough! Cough!

 

“I-ris, I’m sorry,” Willow whispered weakly. “This is all my fault. I got so scared of losing you that I ended up doing something horrible.”

 

“Willow, don’t try to talk anymore, focus on recovering,” Iris pleaded, heartbroken.

 

“I’m sorry, Iris, please don’t hate me,” Willow begged, tears streaming down her round cheeks. “You’re the only one left of my family. I’d die of loneliness if I lost you, too.”

 

“I’ll never hate you, Willow, and I promise that you'll never lose me,” Iris said genuinely, holding her tight. “You’re the only one who has been there for me since I was born. I would’ve been all alone my entire life without you.”

 

“W-will you ever forgive me, Iris?” Willow whimpered.

 

“I'll always forgive you, Willow, always.”

 

Willow smiled genuinely, and suddenly, she began to glow.

 

“W-what’s happening to you, Willow? Are you gonna disappear?” Iris asked, alarmed.

 

“No, silly. We just made a breakthrough,” Willow revealed, reaching a tiny hand toward Iris. “The deeper our bond is, the stronger our power will get. You were only using a small percentage of my power before, but it’s different now.” She looked directly at Iris. “Call out my name, Iris, just like we practiced, so we can save that human friend of yours.”

 

Iris’s eyes sparkled with fierce confidence. She stood up and grabbed Willow’s hand, then began to chant.

 

“Titan of Nature and Prosperity… Please give me the power to protect the ones that are important to me. ‘Soul Merge!’”

 

Willow dissolved into light and entered Iris’s heart. Iris’s body began to transform into her awakened state.

 

Everything fell still. Then, without warning, a gentle pulse of pink light bloomed from her chest. 

 

Petals spiraled upwards, drawn to her energy. Her hair began to rise, glowing and lengthening, weaving into a soft cascade of gold and rose.

 

A second, more powerful pulse erupted. Her simple dress disintegrated, scattering like luminous petals on the wind and in its place, a new form materialized: long, flowing garments of sheer rose fabric, layered like flowers on a vast field. Her wings unfurled, vast and majestic. No longer fragile and translucent, they were now a shimmering canvas of light. 

 

As the transformation reached its peak, the air around her lit up in a soft pink glow, petals swirled around her in reverent spiral. 

 

Then, her eyes opened, bright and glowing with the fury and grace of nature.

 

In stark contrast to Komraad’s rugged, explosive transformation, hers was the very definition of beauty and elegance. Just like Komraad, this was her first time truly syncing her heart and soul with Willow, and without training, this powerful form could only be maintained for a short period of time. 

 

The chimera immediately sensed the overwhelming power radiating from Iris and switched its attack target from Fae to the new threat. Before it could even take a step, Iris countered with a spell.

 

[Nature Magic: Verdant Bloom]

 

She lifted the monstrous chimera high into the sky by instantly growing an enormous, thick vine beneath it.

 

The rough ascent damaged the chimera’s delicate wings, leaving it unable to fly. It began to plummet rapidly toward the forest floor. While the chimera fell, Iris instructed Fae to throw her final sleeping bomb at the falling creature on her command.

 

Fae didn’t hesitate, she nodded her agreement.

 

Iris waited until the creature was mere meters from slamming into the ground before shouting the signal.

 

“Fae, now!”

 

Fae threw the sleeping bomb at the falling chimera as hard as she could, while Iris simultaneously cast her second spell.

 

[Nature Magic: Growth Spurt]

 

Since the sleeping bomb was made from plants, Iris managed to enlarge its size tenfold with her magic, making it ten times more potent and effective.

 

The moment the massive sleeping bomb hit the chimera, the effect was instant. The creature was fast asleep before it even made contact with the earth.

 

Once the chimera hit the ground, Iris grew thick, tough branches, vines, and bushes to create a natural, inescapable dome around the beast.

 

“Sleep tight, Mr. Chimera,” Iris said softly before de-transforming. “May you never cause harm to other creatures ever again.”

 

Willow emerged from Iris’s heart, her tiny body miraculously healed. “Crisis averted!” She cheered happily.

 

Iris rushed to hug Willow tightly. “Don’t ever scare me like that again, okay?”

 

Fae and Berry, who was now fully recovered, joined them.

 

“Kyah, t-too tight!” Willow complained good-naturedly.

 

The girls shared a laugh and flew back inside Sylvrisca after quickly repairing the damage the chimera had inflicted.

 

Days passed since the incident. The bond between Iris and Fae had grown even tighter. Willow had slowly let down her guard, becoming kinder and more open with Fae. During this time, Iris spoke with Willow and finally managed to persuade her to join Fae in her journey to reunite with her family and unite the Chosen Ones before the upcoming solar eclipse.

 

One day, they prepared to share their decision with Fae.

 

“So, when do we leave?” Willow asked, sounding excited for the adventure. Iris hovered next to her, barely containing her own eagerness to finally see the world beyond the forest.

 

The two expected Fae to jump up and cheer, but to their surprise, she looked thoughtful and calm.

 

“Iris, Willow, thank you so much for finally agreeing, but I’ve realized something over the last few days,” Fae explained gently. “There is still so much for me to learn and improve on. If we leave right away, I might just end up being a burden to my family again.”

 

She paused, her expression earnest. “I want to get better and stronger so that no matter what problem my family and I face, I’ll be able to stand side-by-side with them. I still need time to study some plants and herbs I can use in the future, so I’m staying here for a while.”

 

She braced for their disappointment, but to her surprise, they looked genuinely happy with her decision.

 

Iris took Fae’s hands and offered comfort. “You’re right, Fae. I also realized how scary it is to be unprepared when facing danger. There’s still room for us to grow and improve, so let’s take our time.”

 

“She’s right,” Willow chimed in, sounding wise for once. “You don’t have to rush things out. There’s still plenty of time before the next solar eclipse. Also, Iris is one of the weakest Chosen Ones right now, so I want to train her to be more efficient with her powers.”

 

“Thank you, everyone,” Fae responded, a genuine smile replacing her worry, tears welling up in her eyes. “I want to see my family as soon as possible and tell them I’m okay, but I truly believe this is the right decision.”

 

After their heartfelt conversation, they all decided to stay in Sylvrisca, the enchanted tree, for the time being. They would focus on strengthening and improving themselves until the great catastrophe arrived.

 

We had worried that our plan was impossible to pull off because of Saro’s attack, but thanks to Fae’s effort, we are now one step closer to reuniting the Chosen Ones and stopping the great catastrophe in the upcoming solar eclipse.