When I opened my eyes, I was back in that beautiful garden. I looked at Uralic, noticing that he hadn't changed into his beast form. My eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for Ashley, but she was nowhere to be seen.
"I told you, she would be playing with her friends," Uralic said as he noticed me looking around.
He turned and started walking. "Come, let me take you to the place they might be."
Without hesitation, I followed him from behind.
We walked out from the beautiful garden, and as we moved, I took in the breathtaking scenery around me. Vibrant flowers bloomed in every direction, their colors blending harmoniously with the towering, enormous trees. The air smelled fresh, carrying a faint floral scent that made everything feel surreal.
As we continued, my eyes landed on a particular tree—one so massive that it instantly captured my attention. It stood at least ten stories tall, its thick, ancient trunk stretching high into the sky, its dense canopy casting a vast shadow over the ground.
Uralic was leading me straight toward this majestic tree. The closer we got, the more I felt an inexplicable sense of wonder. And when we finally reached its base, I stopped abruptly, my breath hitching as my eyes widened in shock.
An amazing sight hit my eyes. On the massive branches of the tree, there were small playhouses—each one built with such precision that they looked like actual homes, just scaled down. They weren't mere huts; they were nearly the size of normal houses, sturdy and beautifully designed. I counted them, my eyes moving up the tree in awe. There were more than thirty houses adorning its branches, blending seamlessly with the tree as if they had always belonged there.
"This…?" I was speechless, unable to find the right words.
Uralic chuckled at my reaction. "Our community turned this tree into a children's play area. The kids love to play here, so their parents built these small treehouses for them to enjoy."
I could hardly believe it. A giant tree, turned into a paradise for children—it was something straight out of a dream.
"Ashley usually plays here with her friends," Uralic continued, "so let me take you there."
As he spoke, we stepped closer to the tree's base, and I finally noticed the spiral staircase winding around the trunk. It was made entirely of wood, with a sturdy wooden fence running along its edges, ensuring safety. The staircase spiraled upward, disappearing into the dense canopy, making it impossible to see how high it actually went.
I swallowed, still in awe. "And she climbs this all the way up?"
Uralic smirked. "Oh, you'll be surprised how fast she gets up there. Come on."
With that, he started walking toward the first step, and I followed, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about what lay ahead.
As we walked upward, I couldn't help but admire how beautifully crafted these houses were. Each one had unique carvings, some shaped like nests, others like tiny cottages with hanging lanterns, blending seamlessly with the tree's natural structure.
But what truly amazed me was the children.
Every single one of them had traces of their animal forms. A little rabbit girl with fluffy white ears twitched them adorably as she hopped around. My fingers itched to pet her, but I restrained myself. Then, my gaze landed on a parrot girl—her vibrant feathers adorned her neck like a natural scarf, shimmering under the sunlight.
And then, a small fox girl caught my attention. She had a bushy orange tail swaying behind her as she giggled, running past me.
This land… this place… It was like stepping into a dream. A world where nature and beings coexisted in perfect harmony. It felt too wonderful, too surreal to be real.
I blinked, half-expecting to wake up in my old apartment, but the sound of laughter, the rustling leaves, and the warmth of the sun on my skin told me otherwise.
I was truly here. In Ashlyn.
We stepped towards the treehouse where Ashley was playing. A small wooden gate marked the entrance, adding to the charm of this whimsical place.
As we approached, I noticed a beautiful girl sitting on the patio of the house. She had big, adorable eyes and thick, shining black feathers that gleamed under the sunlight.
"Hey, Uralic! Hi, Mrs. Walker!" she greeted cheerfully.
I froze for a moment. Mrs. Walker?
The weight of losing ten years of my memory suddenly hit me like a tidal wave. It was a name I didn't recognize, yet it belonged to me. A name from a life I couldn't remember.
I pushed the thought aside, forcing a small smile. "Hi, sweetheart," I greeted her back. "Where is Ashley?"
"She's inside!" the girl chirped. "We're playing Guest, Guest! I'm the guest, and they're preparing food for me. I'm getting ready." She turned towards a small bag filled with colorful hair clips and accessories.
"Oh, really?" Uralic leaned in with an excited tone. "Then can we also be guests?"
"Of course, Uncle!" She beamed. "You can also come."
I couldn't help but smile at their innocent enthusiasm. For a moment, the burden of my missing memories didn't feel as heavy.
We stepped inside the cozy treehouse, and the sight before me warmed my heart. Two identical twin girls with adorable white and black bunny ears twitched in excitement, while my beautiful Ashley busied herself setting up what looked like a kitty party table. Fruits, berries, and a variety of unfamiliar snacks were neatly arranged, creating a delightful little feast.
The moment Ashley saw me, her face lit up. "Mama!" she exclaimed, rushing toward me. Then, spotting Uralic, she grinned. "Minnu!"
Uralic scooped her up effortlessly, though the low ceiling of the treehouse forced him into an awkward posture. It was clear this space was designed purely for children—spacious yet snug, with three small beds, a large couch, and an assortment of toys scattered about. The place radiated warmth and comfort, the kind of wonderland any child would dream of.
But as much as I wished to let her stay, reality awaited us.
"Ashley, we need to go back," I said gently, getting straight to the point. "Say goodbye to your friends."
Her joyful expression faltered. "Back? Why do we have to leave?" she asked, her confusion evident.
I crouched beside her. "We need to go back, sweetheart. You know, where you met me last night."
A deep frown formed on her face. "But why? I don't want to go back! I want to stay here and play with my friends. I don't want to go anywhere else—I want to stay home."
Her grumpy expression made my heart ache.
I sighed, knowing it would take more than a few words to convince her. Who would want to leave such a paradise behind? Especially to return to a world teetering on the edge of destruction.
I couldn't blame her. Not one bit.