The wind blew softly over the hills east of the Witch Kingdom.

The tall grass danced under the touch of twilight, and the distant sound of the stream meandered among the stones, bringing an almost ethereal calm.

Kael lay in the shade of an ancient tree—one of the last that grew outside the magic circle that protected the main territory.

Above him, the sky was tinged with gold and violet. The clouds moved slowly, reflecting the light like crystal veils.

He breathed deeply. His body, finally, rested.

Muscles relaxed, thoughts scattered.

But his mind... that never stopped.

From the top of that hill, one could see the entire Witch Kingdom. The crystal towers that reflected the moonlight even under the sun, the floating gardens, the golden paths of mana that crossed the valleys.

It was a magnificent sight—a reminder that the world still held beauty, even after the destruction, even after the bloodshed.

Kael rested one arm behind his head, looking at the horizon.

"Maybe I should find something to do..." he murmured, almost in a sigh.

The leaves above him rustled, casting shadows that danced across his face.

"I can't leave things as they are. Azalith was attacked by... who knows what. And in less than a year, twice."

His voice was low, but laden with contained irritation.

He turned his face, observing the vastness before him.

"It's no coincidence. Something is moving in the shadows. And I hate not knowing what."

The wind blew again, bringing the distant scent of the kingdom's moonflowers.

Kael closed his eyes for a moment.

"Whatever it is, it won't touch this place. Not while I'm here."

For an instant, silence reigned.

The sound of the wind, the rustling of the leaves, and the slow beat of his own heart.

Then, he opened one eye. Without getting up, he simply murmured:

"You can come out."

Behind him, the shadow of the tree seemed to tremble.

The leaves moved in a strange rhythm, and the light passing through the branches changed tone—the green became emerald.

And from there, as if sprouting from the wood itself, a woman appeared.

Long, red hair that shimmered like fire under the golden light of dusk.

Pale skin, almost translucent, and eyes—green as living gems, pulsating with the brilliance of the forest in its purest state.

Each step she took made the grass bloom, and the air around her filled with vital energy.

Yggdrazil.

Kael turned his gaze, unsurprised.

"It's been a long time…"

She smiled softly, a serene smile, like someone who has seen ages born and die.

"Time is relative to me, Kael Scarlet."

She walked to him and sat down on the grass beside him.

The wind seemed lighter around her—and the tree under which Kael rested reacted to her presence, slightly bending its branches, as if greeting an ancient mother.

Kael watched her for a moment before sighing.

"So… what did you come to ask for this time?"

Yggdrazil didn't answer immediately. She ran her fingers over the grass, watching a small flower sprout beneath her hand.

"This time, I didn't come to ask for anything."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm. That's new."

She smiled wryly.

"I came because the time has come."

"The time for what?"

Yggdrazil looked up, and when she did, the light in her eyes was melancholic.

"For me to take Sylphie."

Kael straightened up, resting his elbows on his knees.

His gaze narrowed.

"No."

"Kael…"

"I said no."

The tone was low, but firm—like cold steel. He turned completely towards her.

"You may be the guardian of the roots, the source of life, the soul of the forests. But Sylphie is my responsibility now. And I won't let her be taken away like this, without reason."

Yggdrazil remained calm.

She looked at him for a long moment, and then sighed.

"I understand your instinct. But the reason exists, and it's more serious than you imagine."

Kael frowned.

"Speak."

The wind ceased. The leaves stopped dancing.

It was as if nature silenced itself to listen to her.

"If she continues to be exposed to danger as she has been, they will capture her. And if that happens, Kael…" — Yggdrazil's voice became lower, almost a whisper — "…this world will have no salvation."

Kael was silent for a moment.

The words echoed in his mind, heavy.

"I know she is the Dryad of the World Tree… but…"

Yggdrazil nodded slowly.

"Sylphie is the purest spark of my essence. A living part of my roots. As long as she exists freely, the World Tree breathes. But if she is captured…"

Her eyes gleamed with intense green.

"…the roots will be corrupted. And all life on this plane—every forest, every spark of natural mana—will rot along with it."

Kael lowered his gaze, his jaw clenched.

Silence.

He remembered Sylphie laughing, getting dirty with earth, trying to make flowers grow in the rain, falling on her back and smiling anyway.

That girl… she never knew the weight she carried.

"She doesn't even know what she is."

"And it's better that it stays that way," Yggdrazil replied. "Knowledge brings pain. And fear would consume her."

Kael ran a hand over his face, rubbing his temples.

"So where are you going to take her?"

Yggdrazil gazed at the horizon, where the sun was already sinking behind the mountains.

"To the Beginning of the Roots."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"That still exists?"

"Yes. A place beyond mortal comprehension. The foundation of what sustains the entire cycle of life." — she touched the ground with her fingertips, and the grass around her began to glow green. "There, Sylphie will be safe. At least as long as Nidhogg remains in hibernation."

Kael slowly raised his gaze, his expression hardening.

"You're kidding."

"No."

"The serpent is sleeping…?"

Yggdrazil nodded.

"Yes. For now."

Kael snorted.

"'For now' doesn't reassure me."

She gave a melancholic smile. "Neither do I. But it's the only moment we have. When Nidhogg awakens, he feeds on the roots of the world. And if that happens while Sylphie is vulnerable…"

"She would die."

"And with her, everything."

Kael slowly stood up, his hands in his pockets. He looked down at the Witch Kingdom, bathed in golden light.

The wind played with his dark hair, and the shadows cast by the twilight enveloped him like a cloak.

"So you want me to just let her go."

"I want you to understand that it's not a choice. It's a necessity."

He turned to her, his eyes flashing with determination.

"You know me, Yggdrazil. You know I'm not good at 'letting go'."

She looked at him, serious.

"And that's why I trust you. You protect what you love. And that's what Sylphie will need, more than ever."

Kael sighed deeply, looking away.

"She'll hate this."

"Perhaps at first. But when the right time comes, she will understand."

For a few moments, silence returned. Only the sound of the wind and the distant song of a magical bird broke the stillness.

Yggdrazil watched Kael with an expression that mixed tenderness and sorrow.

"You've changed, Kael Scarlet. When I last saw you, there was anger in your eyes. Now there's… something different."

"Responsibility," he replied dryly. "Or perhaps stubbornness."

Yggdrazil laughed softly, the sound gentle like crystal bells.

"Both, perhaps."

Kael sat down again, crossing his legs.

"And when do you intend to take her?"

"Soon. Before the next lunar cycle."

"That gives me little time."

"Enough time for a farewell."

Kael closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

The wind blew, and the shadow of the tree seemed to envelop him. He knew there was no alternative, but the idea of seeing Sylphie leave left an uncomfortable emptiness in his chest.

"Will you ensure she's safe?" he finally asked.

Yggdrazil leaned in, gently touching his shoulder.

The touch was cold, yet comforting—like the earth after the rain.

"With my own essence. No harm will touch Sylphie as long as I breathe."

Kael nodded slowly.

"Then… all that's left is for me to trust you."

She smiled.

"And watch from here, as you always have."

The two stood in silence, side by side, watching the sun disappear behind the mountains.

The golden light faded, giving way to twilight—and the Witch Kingdom began to shine under the mantle of stars, each tower illuminated by pure energy.

Kael rested his arms on his knees, his gaze lost on the horizon.

"The world is changing too fast."

"It's only remembering that it's alive," Yggdrazil replied. "And all life goes through cycles of pain before flourishing again."

He let out a humorless chuckle.

"You always talk as if you were a goddess."

She looked at him sideways, her smile serene.

"And you always forget that, in a sense, I am."

Kael looked at the sky, where the first stars were appearing.

"Even so… I still prefer to see you as someone who understands."

Yggdrazil didn't answer. She simply leaned back against the tree, closing her eyes.

Time passed slowly.

Night fell completely, covering the valley in a silvery glow.

The lights of the Witch Kingdom twinkled in the distance—and, for a moment, the world seemed at peace.

Kael stood up.

"Give me more time, I'll enjoy it with her before… I start hunting down all the remaining bastards who threaten her."