The glowing fruit

'Who knew such a tree existed in the world?'

As Adrian approached the tree, he felt like an ant in its presence. It truly was immense in every aspect.

What Adrian failed to notice was that the heels had stopped from getting closer to the tree. It stood right outside the bubble of light created by the radiance emanating from the fruits.

Looking at the fruits, Adrian's stomach growled. He hadn't eaten anything in almost two days, and the sight of the fruits now intensified his hidden hunger.

Approaching the tree, Adrian touched the trunk and felt a sense of comfort wash over him. All the worries and tiredness that had accumulated since his arrival slowly dissipated.

'How I missed this peaceful feeling.'

'When was the last time I felt this calm?'

Adrian lacked answers. Constantly on edge due to the Mother Gaze and a series of other events—coincidences, encounters with Alaya, and the dream realm—he finally succumbed to exhaustion.

Adrian sat down with his back against the trunk, and just as he was about to close his eyes, he noticed a fruit not too far away.

Observing the bright fruit resembling an apple, Adrian felt a strong urge to eat it. However, it was a bit too far away, just out of arm's reach.

He didn't want to move.

He didn't want to get up from this place.

Adrian simply desired to rest peacefully without any worries in the calming presence of the tree.

The leaves and branches of the tree swayed slowly, though there was no apparent source of wind. Adrian, lost in his own thoughts, didn't notice the peculiar movement.

Even if he had noticed, Adrian would likely have dismissed the unusual movement, as the peace and satisfaction he was experiencing felt too otherworldly to be disturbed by such details.

Adrian finally mustered the effort to move a bit and picked up the fruit.

The fruit was golden in color, apple-shaped, but glowing. Seeing it, Adrian had the distinct feeling that this was meant for him to eat.

It was here just for him.

He didn't want to share it with anyone. 

Licking his lips in desire, Adrian couldn't resist and took a bite from the glowing fruit.

As Adrian sank his teeth into the fruit, an otherworldly sensation cascaded through his senses. The initial crunch yielded not only to the sweet juiciness of the fruit but also to a burst of radiant energy that tingled on his tongue. 

The luminous essence within the fruit seemed to dance on his taste buds, creating an ethereal symphony of flavors.

The sweetness was not merely a flavor but an experience, as if he had taken a bite of the sunlit essence itself. The radiant glow of the fruit translated into a warmth that spread from his mouth to the core of his being, a comforting embrace that felt like a sip of heavenly nectar.

With each succulent bite, the glow seemed to intensify, casting a gentle radiance in the immediate surroundings. The fruity essence transcended the mundane, as if nature itself had condensed its pure vitality into this radiant orb of flavor. 

Adrian felt a subtle surge of revitalizing energy, as if the very essence of life flowed through the veins of this extraordinary fruit.

As the flavors lingered, Adrian couldn't help but be enveloped in a sense of wonder and connection to the mystical world around him. It wasn't just a fruit; it was a communion with the magic woven into the fabric of the fantastical realm he found himself in. 

In a matter of seconds, the fruit disappeared, consumed by Adrian.

Feeling the emptiness in his hands, Adrian experienced a sense of loss.

The loss of the fruit affected Adrian so deeply that he almost felt compelled to kill himself.

As Adrian was contemplating about how he should end his life, he suddenly noticed another fruit, this time a red apple, in the same spot where he had seen the first one.

A sense of relief washed over Adrian as he saw the fruit. He intended to stretch his arm to reach for it, but a sudden wave of sleepiness overcame him.

'I guess I really am tired.'

'I should leave this one for the next time.'

Contemplating these thoughts, Adrian closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.

As Adrian drifted into sleep, the branches of the tree swayed, bearing fruits that glowed even brighter, illuminating the surroundings.

The heels, which had accompanied Adrian for so long, stood at a distance from the tree, silent and seemingly nothing more than an ordinary pair of glass heels left in the wilderness.

He wasn't aware he was dreaming.

Adrian, now transformed into a toddler, gazed at his chubby hands. Waving his tiny arms and legs in an attempt to get up, he found himself unable to do so.

"You're up, my little sunshine," said a female voice that Adrian couldn't recognize.

Soon, Adrian's view changed as he felt himself suspended in the air. He was being carried by someone, and as he looked, he saw who it was.

A woman with simple blonde hair, adorned with a light burn mark on the right side of her forehead, didn't diminish the beauty radiating from her eyes.

"You're growing heavier. It seems I'm doing a good job feeding you," said the woman as she showered the baby with lots of motherly kisses, hugging him and placing him on her shoulder.

"I hope you grow up as strong as your father and become as respectful as him," she said. As the words left her mouth, there was a tinge of sadness in her voice, which Adrian noticed keenly.

Seeing her saddened expression, Adrian felt a sense of loss within himself. In an attempt to console her, he tried to pat her face with his chubby hands but ended up catching her nose in his tiny grip.

Seeing this, the woman smiled, imparting a sense of satisfaction to Adrian, as if he had accomplished something truly remarkable.

"I knew giving birth to you was the most blessed thing that ever happened to me, Vyrtalis."