Violet's hand found hers, and he smiled at her with a deep understanding. "You're not alone," he whispered. "I'm here with you, always."
Gaia nodded, her eyes shining with approval. "You two are bound together by more than just friendship. You share a deep connection, one that will see you through the darkest of times."
Gaia vanished into thin air, Shin felt a sense of wonder and awe. She knew that she had been given a gift, a chance to heal and to grow. And with Violet by her side, she felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As the days passed, Shin began to feel like she was slowly healing. The pain of losing Red was still there, but it was no longer a raw, open wound. She had started to find joy in the small things again, like watching the sunset with Violet or taking long walks in the forest.
But despite her progress, Shin couldn't shake the feeling that she was living in a dream. She felt like she was waiting for something to go wrong, for the other shoe to drop.
One day, as she and Violet were walking through the forest, Shin stumbled upon a small, delicate flower. It was the same type of flower that Red had loved, and Shin felt a pang of sadness wash over her.
Violet noticed her distress and wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay," he whispered. "You're going to be okay."
But as they stood there, Shin felt a sense of unease growing inside her. She knew that she would never be truly okay, not without Red by her side.
Suddenly, Violet's grip on her tightened. "Shin, I have to tell you something," he said, his voice low and serious.
Shin heart sank as she looked up at him. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Violet's eyes were filled with a deep sadness. "I've been offered a chance to leave this place," he said. "To go back to my old life, to leave all of this behind."
Shin felt like she had been punched in the gut. "You're leaving?" she asked, her voice shaking.
Violet nodded, his eyes filled with regret. "I don't want to, but I have to consider it. I have responsibilities, obligations...I don't know if I can stay here forever."
Shin felt a wave of despair wash over her. She knew that she couldn't bear to lose Violet, not after everything she had been through. "Please don't go," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.
Violet's arms wrapped around her, holding her close. "I'll do what I can to stay," he promised. "But I don't know what the future holds. I'm sorry, Shin."