Meanwhile, Rose and Daisy waited anxiously for Kai to regain consciousness. They sat beneath the tree, the atmosphere heavy with worry.
Nearby, Vix and her two children prepared apple juice and served it to their unexpected guests.
"It's been so long... When will he wake up?" Rose muttered, her heart restless. Her brother still hadn't regained consciousness, his body unmoving as he held Daisy's mother in his arms.
Daisy bit her lip, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her dress. "He... He must have seen something. My mother wouldn't harm him."
Rose glancing at Kai's still form. "I know, but this is strange. He's never been out this long before."
Vix approached, handing them each a cup of cool apple juice. "Maybe he's learning something important," he offered gently. "Give him time."
Rose took the drink but barely sipped it .
"Time... Yeah. But if he doesn't wake up soon, I might just shake him back to reality myself."
Daisy chuckled at Rose's antics.
"You really haven't changed at all since back then. Always putting your brother above everything else."
As they all sat together waiting for Kai to wake up, Rose couldn't hold back her questions any longer.
"You've lived in this world for a long time, right? What actually happened? Why do humans seem like they're on the verge of extinction?"
Daisy gazed up at the sky, her expression turning solemn.
"Honestly... I don't know the full story either. It was a secret our mother kept. But one thing's for sure—it all started because someone wanted to elevate the status of women."
She paused, gathering her thoughts.
"Before I was born, my mom told me that in the past, women were treated as nothing more than servants—objects for men's pleasure. But then, two siblings decided to change that. They fought to raise the dignity of women, to make them cherished rather than abused."
Rose frowned. "That sounds noble. So why did things end up like this?"
Rose exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. "This is giving me a headache. Too many mysteries, not enough answers."
Daisy played with the hem of her sleeve. "All I know is... the world before was different. More balanced. But then something shattered that balance, and now..." She gestured vaguely at the quiet forest around them. "Now we're left picking up the pieces."
Vix set down his tray with a clink. "War does that. When opposing ideals clash violently enough, entire civilizations can be rewritten—or erased. And with magic involved?" He shook his head. "Destruction on a catastrophic scale becomes frighteningly easy."
As they were talking, Kai suddenly stirred—his body shifting as he slowly regained consciousness.
"Brother!!! What happened to you? Where did you go?"*
"Haha, didn't go anywhere. Just... had a little talk with her mother."
His voice carried a quiet sadness, so Rose decided not to press further.
Without another word, Kai carefully placed Daisy's mother's body into the grave. He climbed out, picked up a shovel, and began covering it with earth.
Then, out of nowhere, Rose started humming... before breaking into full song:
🎶 "Can't believe I had a girl like you, and I just let you walk right outta my life~ After all I put you through, you still stuck around and stayed by my side~ What really hurt me is... I broke your heart~" 🎶
Kai paused mid-shoveling, then lightly knocked his knuckles against Rose's head.
"That song makes me sound like a trash man."
Rose grinning "Well, if the shoe fits~"
Daisy whispering to Vix
"Are they always like this?"
Vix without hesitation "Worse. You get used to it."
After everything was done, Daisy began asking for permission to leave.
"Looks like my mother has been laid to rest safely—at least I've fulfilled our promise. So, we should all leave now."
Rose felt something wasn't right.
"Where do you all want to go? Just stay here—you'll be close to your mother."
Daisy refused Rose's offer.
"Our people are still back at our place. Without us, they won't survive."
Rose stayed silent. She glanced at her brother and pinched him, urging him to do something.
"Ouch!"
Kai didn't hesitate.
"How many of your people are there?"
Daisy told him there were about 30 people, and she didn't want to trouble them.
Kai and Vix exchanged glances, and Vix nodded.
"Okay, how many kids, elders, men, and women?"
Daisy explained there were around 10 kids, 5 elders, and the remaining 15 were of average age.
Kai walked up to Daisy and whispered.
"Don't try to be strong—let your father handle this. Tell all of your people to come here."
Daisy was shocked that Kai referred to himself as her father. He just blinked and placed a finger on his lips, as if telling her to keep it a secret.
Daisy felt a warmth in her heart. It was the first time she had ever felt like she could depend on someone to live. Tears welled up in her eyes.
Rose suddenly yanked Kai's ear.
"What did you whisper to make her cry?!"
"Come here, Daisy—don't think about what he said."
Rose hugged Daisy and tried to calm her down.
Kai, startled by Daisy's sudden tears, didn't know what to do. He panicked—this was the first time he had ever made a girl cry.
"Uhhh... What should I do?"
Daisy and Rose, seeing Kai so flustered, burst out laughing.
"How stupid can my brother be? Aishh..."
Daisy giggled. Then, she stretched both her arms toward Kai as if asking for a hug.
Kai immediately went to embrace her—but instead of just hugging, he grabbed her waist and lifted her up like a child.
She was shocked. Her face turned red as she thought to herself:
"I just wanted a hug... Why is he picking me up like a kid?!"
Then, she looked at his smiling face—her "father's" face—and after a moment, she smiled back and hugged him tightly.
"Promise me... you'll never leave me again."
Kai nodded.