Two months had passed.
Toki and Luna continued their routine work of gathering resources.
During this time, Toki had grown more skilled, learning various trades — carpentry, commerce, and even basic engineering.
Sophie often joined them, sharing what she knew: the political principles she'd read about and her own interpretations of them.
Toki had also been training in a technique similar to the visions he sometimes saw unexpectedly, though he had yet to reach it.
Shon had once mentioned that one could never use more than one pulse — having two hearts or more could lead to death.
As for Luna, she had developed a new technique inspired by the Tricerhameo beasts — using light reflection to vanish into her surroundings like an illusion.
---
A cold morning arrived beneath a heavy blanket of clouds, casting a dim, dreary tone over the village.
Sophie, who had changed a lot during those two months, walked slowly toward the massive buffalo, Karon, waiting just outside the gates.
Behind him stood his colossal companion, the mammoth Marioth, resting his massive hands on the ground beside a rock, his sharp eyes locked ahead.
Toki watched from afar, face unreadable. He didn't move — simply observed.
At that hour, Luna was still asleep at Marcy's house, as she often was. The sun's orange glow barely peeked through the thick clouds.
Beneath his shirt, Toki could feel the bandages around his chest tighten as he drew a slow breath. He recalled what happened when Karon had suddenly arrived that morning.
---
He had been heading to the juice shop, where the owner, Ryder, was just opening up.
Then — a strange presence. Heavy. Familiar.
Without a word, Toki apologized to the shopkeeper and walked away toward the village gate.
There, beyond the walls, Karon stood with his hands behind his back, walking in calm, deliberate steps. Beside him was Marioth, his long tusks gleaming faintly in the dim light.
The two men met each other's gaze in silence before Karon finally spoke in his deep, steady voice:
"So, you've managed to surpass the forest's system... Congratulations."
Toki replied flatly:
"Enough with the games. You didn't come here for pleasantries. Speak."
Karon tilted his head slightly.
"How's the little girl?"
Toki's eyes narrowed.
"...What are you getting at?"
Karon placed a hand over his chest and smiled faintly.
"Is it wrong for me to ask? No matter... I came to thank you — both of you — for taking care of her.
From here, we'll take responsibility. You know nothing about her origins. Don't worry, she'll be safe with us."
Then he extended his hand toward Toki.
"Do us the honor — and hand her over"
The words pierced straight through Toki's chest.
Behind the gate, Sophie could hear everything, her expression calm — as if she already knew what was coming. A small fox sat beside her, quietly grooming its fur.
Toki's thoughts wavered:
"What do they really want? And what's their connection to Ilona? I can't sense any lies in his words… Wait… why am I even thinking like this? That's not me…"
Before he could gather himself, a voice came softly from behind.
"It's okay…"
Toki turned, startled. Sophie was there — standing outside the gate, walking toward them.
Her smile was calm, her tone steady:
"Do you remember, Brother Toki… when you asked me: 'Will you stop here, or keep going… even for one reason?'
I understand what you meant now."
She clasped her fingers together, looking up at him:
"Your words gave me the courage to move forward."
Toki's voice softened:
"Sophie…"
She had decided. To see more of the world — to find herself.
She didn't want to be a burden any longer, though she knew she would miss them both deeply.
Toki exhaled slowly, then smiled faintly.
"Heh… You've really changed, Sophie. I'm glad. But… will you be able to keep going?"
She nodded with a small, confident grin.
"Sophie will succeed. I'll meet you both again — with a new story to tell."
Her mind filled with memories of the village — the laughter, the mornings, the strange peace she had never known in her noble life.
With tears glimmering in her eyes, she looked at Karon and whispered:
"Sophie is sure she'll be useful to you both… Maybe I'll meet my fluffy friend, Valkorn, again — and tell him about Ana, and Ray… and about you, too."
Karon glanced at her quietly when she mentioned Valkorn's name.
Sophie adjusted the red butterfly ribbon on her head and said softly:
"This ribbon will be my keepsake… I'll treasure it."
Toki's hand trembled slightly. He clenched it to stop the shaking.
In her, he saw a reflection of his own younger self — the version that entered prison, before everything changed.
"That's… reassuring, in a way," he murmured.
Sophie took a deep breath, turning around as the wind brushed her dress and hair.
The fox climbed onto her head, glaring suspiciously at Toki, while Karon and Marioth stood ready beside her.
Toki lifted his hand slightly — then lowered it again, unable to move further.
His gray-and-black eyes followed them silently as the wind whipped at his shirt and hair.
From above, Shon, who had been sitting on the wall, leapt down and walked toward Toki.
At that moment, Sophie's memories echoed through her heart.
---
— Inside Sophie's Thoughts —
That day… when we first met…
I was about to lose all purpose in life.
The offer you gave me — to join you — became my hope.
You two were the siblings I always wished for.
Luna always encouraged me and eased my anxiety,
While Toki… you taught me how to forgive myself — how to walk forward again.
Your knowledge of nature was amazing — though your obsession with bugs was… strange. But still,
You never once failed to make me laugh.
That day with the fox, when we tried to catch fish…
You became my shield — protecting me even after your injuries from the waterfall.
It was then I discovered my spiritual pulse — the strange voice that spoke inside me.
I used it to heal your wounds.
After we left the tunnel and were attacked by the hyenas…
I felt something slipping away from me — and without thinking, I ran into the horde searching for you.
I didn't notice then that you were protecting me — moving through the shadows, cutting down the beasts that surrounded me.
I thought you had died.
But when I opened my eyes, I was lying beneath a sky full of stars — leaning against your back.
I was so worried about Luna… and about you, Toki.
Thank you — both of you.
You gave me a home warmer than any noble's hall.
You gave me an adventure I'll never forget.
---
As Karon and Marioth vanished with Sophie into the drifting winds,
soft raindrops began to fall — each drop kissing the soil and grass, filling the air with that fresh scent of earth after rain.
Shon placed his hands behind his head as he walked toward Toki, who stood silently, staring at the spot where Sophie once was.
"Who were those people?" Shon asked casually. "Do you know them?"
Toki didn't answer.
Shon leaned closer, squinting.
"Are you sure? If she chose to go with them on her own… what's the problem?"
Toki ignored him, turning away in silence toward the village.
But inside, his thoughts churned — heavy and uncertain.
Shon watched him go, puzzled:
"What's up with this guy…?"
To be continued...