chapter 3

"Wow, what a beautiful sound!" Brain exclaims, jumping with joy. He repeatedly tries to listen more closely with eagerly. Xylia is shocked by the chaotic scene before her, but she suddenly feels faint and loses consciousness within a few seconds.

Brian appears to be unfazed by his mother's unconscious state, but then he attempts to lick the blood on his finger, and suddenly bursts into tears. It seems as though the real Brian has snapped out of a daze or a dream-like state.

Cradling the unconscious Xylia in his arms, Brian apologizes through tears, "I'm so sorry, Mother. I'm sorry, I don't know what's happening to me." Frantically, he searches for his phone "Where has my phone gone? damn it."

After Brian makes the call, an ambulance arrives promptly within a few minutes and takes Xylia away. Brian and his four friends - Mike, Roy, Alex, and Rocky - follow closely behind in their car.

"You're sleeping peacefully, but I'm about to shatter that peace. Ha , ha,....ha....ha....haha..ha."

Xylia's eyes snap open, wide with surprise, as loud laughter startles her awake.

Directly above her, Xylia sees a disembodied head looming over her, terrifying eyes fixed on hers.

"Who... who... are you?" Xylia stammers, her voice trembling with fear as her body shakes.

"You forgot me so soon, but why? I thought you would never forget me?"

Xylia has a hunch who it might be, so she quickly gets out of bed and makes a dash for the door. But just as she's about to reach it, the door slams shut on its own, blocking her escape.

"Return my body to me! If you don't reveal the location of my physical form, I swear I will eradicate you from this world today!"

Xylia begins to survey her surroundings, searching for a means to escape. She starts to think strategically, trying to come up with a plan to break free from the room.

"The eyes you're using to search for an escape route, I can gouge them out. so, tell me where is my other half, or else..."

Xylia ignores the threat and leaps out the window, but instead of falling to the ground, she mysteriously finds herself transported to stand face-to-face with that strange head once again.

"You won't be able to escape or take your own life until you tell me."

"I can't tell you anything and I never will."

"Okay..." Long, thick branches sprout from the Her head's below, wrapping around Xylia. " Now Tell me." Managing to keep her anger in check, she asks Xylia question, but instead of responding, Xylia bursts into laughter.

"Just shut up..."

"A witch like you has no place in this world and doesn't deserve to live."

Enraged by Xylia's words, she retaliates by using her thick branch to gouge out both of Xylia's eyes.Even though Xylia is suffering immense pain, she was unable to scream for help because her mouth is securely bound with thick branches.

"Congratulations." throws Xylia onto the bed, and then vanishes suddenly, like a powerful gust of wind."

21 years ago,

"It's often said that greed is an inherent and incurable aspect of human nature. This trait is universal and unchanging. Humans have never been content with what they have, and this insatiable desire is the driving force behind both their greatest achievements and their most destructive tendencies. On one hand, it motivates them to build towering skyscrapers, but on the other hand, it can also lead to their downfall in an instant."

"Mr. Henry D'Souza, a wealthy businessman, is hosting his company's farewell party today. As the employees gather to enjoy their last celebration together, Mr. Henry retreats to a corner, overcome with grief and drinks alcohol to drown his sorrows. He hums a melancholic tune, lamenting his bankruptcy and the unfulfilled promises he made. 'What am I to do now?' he despairs, taking another sip.

Just then, an employee, Ms. Xylia, approaches him from behind. 'Mr. Henry?' she calls out. The inebriated Mr. Henry turns around, his eyes glassy. 'Ah, Ms. Xylia, our loyal employee. Why do you stand behind me? Please, take a seat.' He gestures to the chair beside him, and Xylia sits down hesitantly.

After a moment of silence, she gathers her courage and speaks up. 'The solution to all our problems lies within our grasp, Mr. Henry.' She tries to reassure him, but Mr. Henry is too consumed by his misery to listen. 'People are playing cruel pranks on me, and despite my pain, they expect me to laugh it off.'

"I understand your pain, but I assure you, I can restore your wealth and fame if you trust me."

Ms. Xylia's proposal sounds absurd, prompting Mr. Henry to respond sarcastically, "Are you an astrologer or God?"

Ms. Xylia smiles and says, "Our ancestors used to say, 'Every precious treasure has a guardian. First, win over the guardian, and then you'll find your path becomes easier.'"

Mr. Henry asks, "How?"

Ms. Xylia replies, "A Wish Dragon that can grant your desires."

Mr. Henry bursts out laughing, "You can't be serious!"

Ms. Xylia assures him, "I'm not joking. I'm asking you to believe in it."

Mr. Henry, still in disbelief, asks, "Why should I trust you? Do you have any proof?"

Ms. Xylia responds, "You'll have to come with me to see it."

Mr. Henry, thinking it's a joke, agrees to play along and starts driving with Ms. Xylia in the car. He follows her directions, but they drive all night without reaching their supposed destination.

Exasperated, Henry demands, "Have we arrived Xylia?"

"Mr. Henry, You need to have a little faith in me."

Henry reluctantly continues driving, and after a few minutes, he stops the car in front of a massive tree.

In the middle of the forest, Henry and Xylia exit the car and approach the towering tree on foot.

As Henry and Xylia walk towards the massive tree, tree's branches suddenly come to life, rising upward and encircling Henry in a mysterious embrace, as if the tree itself is enveloping him.

"Beware if you touch this tree." It was a girl's voice and that too in a completely mysterious tone.