The Unwanted Child

I find myself petrified again and again every time I see his face. I am scared yet mesmerized by how beautiful he looks when he smiles. With cold sweat and a rapidly beating heart, I try to think of a way out of this situation.

This is a difficult situation. Can I trust them after everything that has happened? They almost killed me a few days ago, and now they're here. The only way out now, and the reason they haven't recklessly attacked me, is it because of this necklace? Yes, that's the only thing I can trust now.

"I don't know what you want from me, but I have no intention of causing trouble for you. I am not from any kingdom you might be thinking of. And as I've said, I remember nothing except my own name echoing in my head!"

"I... WANT TO LIVE!"

With determination, Kelfin clutches his own shirt, squeezing it at his chest, a sign of how intense his words are.

Kelfin's sharp gaze meets Ayral, who is standing in front of him without any expression. Ayral realizes the strong resolve in Kelfin's eyes. Seeing this, Ayral decides on one thing.

"Sorry, even if it's late..."

"...but we don't have ill intentions, and besides, we believe you're a good person. The proof is that you even made my aunt transform back into her true form (Mumu)."

"I understand it well..."

"...but this is all a misunderstanding." (She smiles at Kelfin.)

Hearing this, Mumu laughs sarcastically.

"Hahaha, I like you, human boy! You even managed to make this sleeping princess smile continuously." (She strokes Ayral's hair.)

"HEY! AUNT!"

"But..."

"If you want to leave, go ahead. We won't stop you."

(Hearing this, both Kelfin and Ayral are surprised.)

Ayral looks at Mumu, her eyes seemingly conveying that she wants to take back what Mumu just said; she doesn't want Kelfin to leave.

"Aunt..."

With a smile and her gentle hands, Mumu strokes Ayral's hair. "Trust your aunt."

(KLIK, a snap of fingers)

[A door appears in the darkness.]

"What does all this mean? Why?"

Kelfin, puzzled, asks. With a loud voice, Mumu speaks, "You are not our enemy, and you are not an evil person. That reason is enough. So, sorry in the name of Mumu the Jade Snake." (Mumu bows her head.)

Seeing this, Kelfin wonders if what they are saying is honestly true. He's confused. But seizing this opportunity, Kelfin doesn't think twice.

"Black roots!! Now."

"My name is Giselle."

Roots extend from Kelfin's abdomen towards the exit, firmly attaching to the door's wall. Quickly pulling Kelfin's body.

(ZIEEEEP)

"Sorry, sorry... I'm used to it."

Quickly, Kelfin heads towards the exit. When Kelfin looks back at the two, they do nothing but stand silently, watching him.

"Why?"

"No, no, I have to focus on what's in front of me. I can't see because of the bright light outside; damn! Maybe it's because I've been in the dark for too long."

"Okay, now I have to prepare too. I don't know why they didn't chase or stop me, but now I have to focus. If my assumption is correct, I believe I'm still in a tall building, so most likely, I'll be free-falling again."

As his body passes through the door, Kelfin prepares to stick to the building's wall while falling. But...

"Open field? Huh? (Surprised)."

"Huuaa... bump... bump... (falls to the ground)."

"Darn! My assumption was wrong."

When Kelfin looks towards the door, from a distance, Ayral is looking at him, with both hands near her heart, as if worried.

"Is she worried about me?"

(ZIIEEEP, the door closes)

Kelfin falls somewhere to the far west of the city, quite far from the castle location. Slowly, Kelfin begins to rise from the fall, looking towards the castle. When he turns his gaze to his surroundings, nothing is visible.

"As far as I remember, this is where I saw many monsters, right? Damn! I fell into the place I was most cautious about. But it's better than near the lake."

"Giselle, can you sense monsters?"

"Of course."

"So, is there any now..."

"No."

"I haven't even finished..."

"Yes."

"..."

(Kelfin falls silent.)

Kelfin starts walking. The city's condition is pitiful, everything looks charred, and the buildings resemble stone ruins, covered in black moss and destruction. But oddly enough, many trees and other plants, like green moss and blooming flowers, are thriving.

The air is clean and fresh, causing no coughing or dizziness. As he walks further, he sees a lot of building debris and various items. Among them, a family portrait.

Kelfin pauses for a moment, seeing many things that shouldn't be like this. In his heart, he wonders how all this happened?

When he takes the painting.

"What happened here?"

Kelfin realizes that everyone must have suffered greatly here. Formerly, there was nothing left here. And when he turns around, he sees a doll similar to the one in the painting.

(Kelfin's eyes sharpen)

(He takes a long breath)

(His face wrinkles)

Kelfin continues his escape towards the west.

Back at the castle.

"Aunt, may I ask why?"

"One, because he doesn't believe anything right now. Two, he doesn't even remember anything about himself. Three, give him time."

"But outside, if there's no one..."

"Yes, aunt knows. So that's why I sent him to the western city, to the monster location."

"Wait, don't tell me, the protecting monster, I thought it was just a lie because you said so, but it turned out to be true. Aunt! Humph... (pouts)."

"And that's the reason why I didn't say anything."

"But I hope by seeing that, it will explain and provide real evidence that not everything that is always black is evil."

Back to Kelfin.

"Huh... Huh...."

"I'VE BEEN WALKING FOR OVER AN HOUR!"

"AND STILL HAVEN'T REACHED THE EDGE!"

"Giselle, are you sure this is the way..."

"YES."

"..."

"But I've been walking for more than an hour, you know!"

"..."

"Giselle?"

"..."

"Don't pout like a girl, come on."

"..."

(Kelfin falls silent for a moment, with a flat expression, as he realizes something.)

"You're really a girl, aren't you?"

"..."

"Yes, sorry, sorry. Guys always seem wrong to girls. So sorry, please answer me. Don't be an ice-hearted queen."

"Hey... Giselle... please."

While Kelfin is trying to persuade his companion to speak again, from a distance, a little child is observing him.

[Watching Kelfin from afar.]