TO FIX IT ALL TAKES TIME

In the quiet of the daycare's nighttime, inside Adam's room where sleep prevailed, Barbra softly turned the doorknob and entered. She approached him with gentle steps, her heart heavy with compassion for this formidable being who grappled with inner demons far surpassing any human emotional turmoil. Barbra delicately rested her hand on his forehead, then moved it to his chest, where a shimmer of magic emanated.

In that moment, Barbra's very soul detached from her physical form and merged with Adam's chest. She found herself traversing into a realm characterized by expansive fields of towering grass. Following a path that led to a radiant tree, she seated herself beside it, acknowledging that she had done enough to stabilize Adam's mental state, allowing him to not harm himself.

A luminous orb descended from the tree's pinnacle, and from it emerged Gand, who commended Barbra for her remarkable efforts as a human to aid Adam. Gand explained that it was time to address the emotional burdens encasing Adam's heart. A sudden gust of wind swept through the fields, revealing a magical heart forming amidst the grass. Its colors were subdued, and Gand revealed the task at hand: saving Adam's heart from the overwhelming emotions he carried.

Barbra rose to her feet, determined to assist Adam like never before, recognizing the severity of his mental struggles. Gand affirmed that she is the sole individual capable of rescuing him, though it would come at a significant cost. Gand proposed a deal, akin to a modern human insurance policy. Barbra, glowing with a powerful surge of magic, inquired about the nature of this pact.

Gand clarified that in the event her soul faced destruction during this endeavor, she will always return back to life and eventually down the line of time she would return to this realm to fulfill her role in the ultimate endgame. With newfound determination and a radiant aura of magic enveloping her, Barbra moved forward and touched the Magic Heart, descending even deeper into the recesses of Adam's heart.

Barbra encountered a mystical door that materialized before her. With curiosity guiding her, she turned the handle and ventured inside, only to find herself amidst a labyrinth of interconnected chambers. Opening one door after another, time seemed to stretch infinitely. Eventually, she reached a room where a fragment of Adam's soul lay at its center, coalescing into an image of Adam on his knees. Drawing nearer to him, the room transformed into a darker dimension of unending obscurity.

In a steadfast tone, Barbra conveyed her purpose to rescue him. In response, Adam erupted into manic laughter, and a big image of Sam and Lia manifested magically before them. Just as Barbra extended her hand towards Adam, a mystical rope coiled around her wrist, yanking her upwards and into another door above.

Barbra descended into yet another room, initially shrouded in darkness but gradually illuminated. A younger version of Lia extended her hand towards Barbra, lifting her up as the room transformed into a flower-lined path. As they journeyed down this flowery road, Lia spoke of an eternal bond between them. At the road's end lay another magical door, and as they entered, Lia vanished, and the realm metamorphosed into a bedroom featuring a baby crib. A radiant light emanated from the crib, drawing Barbra closer to discover a baby Conor within. The luminance slowly dimmed, coinciding with Conor's cries.

Intriguingly, Barbra overheard Lia's voice from behind her and turned to find an empty space, but she caught snippets of Lia's conversation with Sam, a heartfelt exchange marked by their profound longing for one another. Barbra suddenly sensed a gentle tap on her leg. She turned to find a 10-year-old Conor standing before her. Conor questioned why his mother and Uncle Sam were together, and as he spoke, his visage dissolved into darkness. Conor went on to ponder why his mother had always insisted that his father was the best choice for them, yet she is now with Uncle Sam. In an eerie transformation, Conor's form disintegrated into magical essence.

Barbra shifted her gaze once more, only to witness Lia and Sam locked in a passionate kiss. She clutched her head, wracked with an intense agony. Her cries of pain reverberated as the realm around her gradually constricted, causing her eyes to whirl and spin in a tumultuous frenzy. Her body convulsed violently, and then, as if drawn by an unknown force, she was thrust backward into a labyrinth of countless open doors.

As she passed through this surreal doorway maze, a sense of madness overtook her, leading to unrestrained bouts of laughter. Eventually, she landed in a room cloaked in darkness, where her maniacal laughter persisted. In the proximity of this unsettling atmosphere, she also hears Adam's laughter, with Adam pointing at her and joining in the bizarre chorus.

Barbra summoned her inner strength and took tentative steps toward Adam. However, as she advanced, the voices of Lia and Sam echoed nearby. Lia suggested that Adam had been a mistake, while Sam claimed he could treat Lia better. Thier laughter continues as Barbra struggles against unseen forces pushing her away.

Amidst their shared laughter, Barbra extended her hand toward Adam. However, as their mirth persisted, her body began to peel away in narrow strips, succumbing to the relentless forces at play. Eventually, the inexorable pressure caused her entire form to vanish from existence, leaving behind only the echoes of Adam's laughter.

Suddenly, a magical, gleaming apple materialized and burst into a cascade of explosions, which gradually reconstructed Barbra's body. Still immersed in laughter, she lunged toward Adam once more, only to be quickly stripped away from existence again. This enigmatic cycle continued, with more magic apples appearing each time to resurrect Barbra. This process repeated itself hundreds of times until Barbra, realizing the futility of her laughter, slapped herself to regain composure.

With newfound calm, Barbra approached Adam more confidently, taking his hand. As the realm around them shattered like glass, they found themselves in a sky adorned with billowing clouds. Adam ceased his laughter, recognizing Barbra, and gently called out her name. Barbra embraced him warmly, assuring him that everything would be alright. In a transformative display, Adam's form dissolved into vibrant, pixelated magic dust. Suddenly, Barbra plummeted downward.

As she descended, Barbra glimpsed the grassy field and the radiant tree below. She crashed into the grassy expanse, slowly rising to her feet. Gand descended from the tree, offering his congratulations. Barbra observed the colorful pixel dust flowing into the magic heart, imbuing it with a faint purple hue. She approached the luminous tree and inquired about the new power bestowed upon her by Gand, wondering if it granted immortality. Gand refuted this notion, explaining that their resources were limited, cautioning her to be more prudent in the future. He suggested they pause here and continue their endeavor another time. Barbra examined her unstable form and then, with a sudden jolt, opened her eyes to the morning light in the daycare. She hears the television turning on and sees Adam watching children's shows on the screen.

Adam redirected his gaze towards the window, spotting Duke, Jean, Kayla, and Agustin making their way out of Robo Mall and toward a nearby park. Barbra inquired if he wanted to join them. A brief silence enveloped Adam, but then he responds with the words, "Friends and family." Barbra's face beamed with a mixture of joy and tears, for this marked the first time she had seen Adam speak coherently, following the trials they had endured.

At the nearby park, the children reveled in play, while Agustin, their appointed combat guardian, kept a watchful eye over them. Adam and Barbra arrived at the park, greeted warmly by Agustin. Barbra emphasized that it is Adam's first day to spent together with the other kids and encouraged them to treat each other with kindness. Kayla's excitement bubbled over, beckoning Adam to join, and Duke chimed in, acknowledging Adam as his uncle and suggesting they accord him with respect. Jean, on the other hand, deemed Adam still a child, emphasizing that they can treat each other casually.

Adam began to cautiously approach the group, but the sight of Duke triggered a memory—a flashback to a time when he watched Conor and Duke playing together. He struggles to contain the rising panic, turning to Barbra for solace. Her reassuring smile quelled the impending anxiety. Duke approached Adam, expressing his excitement seeing his uncle in good spirits. As Adam looked at Duke's smile, reminiscent of Megan's smile, he whispered the word "Family." Duke extended his hand toward Adam, their touch sparking a flood of memories from the past year, reminding Adam of his shared experiences with Kiren, Duke, Frank, and Megan.

Adam enthusiastically joined the children in their playful games, while Barbra turned her attention to Agustin. She inquired about how he and Stella were faring. Agustin reassured her, stating that they were doing well, though Stella had been preoccupied lately, engaging in the task of clearing zombies from the town.

Barbra further probed, questioning why Agustin isn't with Stella also clearing the town. He explained that Stella had explicitly requested him to remain close to his brother, as she didn't want to put Agustin at risk and also that he's been spending a lot of time at the gravesite of Will and Cameda. Curious about Adam's progress, Agustin asked Barbra about his recovery. Barbra responded, revealing that it had been the most protracted recovery she had ever worked on. Although she couldn't recall many details of the healing process, she was certain that progress was being made, albeit slowly.

Their focus returnes to the children, only to find Adam covering his eyes and counting, while the other kids were conspicuously absent. Agustin grew concerned, wondering where the rest of the kids had disappeared to. Adam completed his count, and when Barbra inquired about the missing children, he responded with a simple, "Hide and Seek."

The three of them initiated a search for the remaining kids, combing the secure areas of the town. Barbra expressed her hope that the children hadn't ventured beyond the warning signs, mindful of the potential dangers lurking in the vicinity. They eventually reached a sign warning of imminent danger, prompting Agustin to lament the inevitable scolding he would receive from Stella and Xai.

Adam, with closed eyes, utilized his senses to locate the other children, gesturing toward a direction. Following his lead, they arrived at an alleyway where Adam opened a trash bag to reveal Jean, who greeted them with laughter at being the first one found. Adam responded with a warm smile. Barbra cautioned Jean about the risky choice of playing hide and seek throughout the town, emphasizing the continuing hazards. Jean, however, defended their decision, believing they would be safe with Adam due to his formidable strength. Jean speculated that Kayla and Duke were likely hiding close by. Suddenly, a sense of danger washed over Adam, causing him to react swiftly. Barbra also detected a foreboding magical presence in the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Duke and Kayla found refuge in a clothing store, disguising themselves as mannequins positioned prominently in the store's front window. Kayla urged Duke to stop trembling, but he complains that maintaining stillness is a formidable task. Their moment of concealment was interrupted when they observed a kid concealed beneath cloaks of shadowy magic, an unfamiliar and eerie sight. The mysterious kid advanced toward the store.

Using his shadow magic, the kid conjured a giant shadowy hand, shattering the storefront glass and ensnaring both Kayla and Duke. The kid attempted to escape, but Agustin intervened, brandishing his twin daggers. The kid employs his shadow magic to parry Agustin's strikes and created another shadow hand, delivering a forceful blow that sent Agustin crashing into an adjacent store. As Duke and Kayla struggled to break free, Adam rushed in, demolishing the shadow hand with a powerful kick and swiftly rescuing Kayla. Barbra, too, hurried to assist, attempting to reach Duke, but missed her mark, and Duke plunged into the shadow portal, gradually vanishing from sight.

The kid employing shadow magic turned his attention toward Barbra, launching an attack. Adam intervened once more, deflecting the shadow magic with a forceful punch. However, his exertions caught up with him, and he fainted, drained from expending too much energy and magic. Barbra helplessly watched as Duke and the enigmatic kid descended into the shadow portal, disappearing from view. She rushed into the shattered store, discovering Agustin lying amidst a pool of blood. Though he reassured her that he was fine, she utilized her magic to heal his wounds, only to succumb to exhaustion due to her overuse of magic from the previous night. Mai and Xai arrived at the scene, ushering everyone back to safety.

Mai directed her inquiry toward Kayla in Mai's room, questioning if the Riders were responsible for Duke's disappearance. Kayla responded with uncertainty, explaining that it had been a child possessing shadow magic. The mention of "shadow" caused Mai's eyes to widen in alarm. Without delay, she tells Kayla to leave and access her computer, quickly initiating a search through the camera feeds. Many of the cameras had recorded movement notifications.

Mai diligently reviewed the footage, initially observing the children playing together at the park. She then proceeded to the next camera, which captured Agustin's collision with a distant store, albeit partially obscured from view. Mai focused her attention on a shadowy figure, a child in a cloak, caught on camera as it passed through the frame. She rewinds and zoomed in on this enigmatic shadow child.

Furthermore, Mai retrieved her notes, which included a drawing of a shadowy figure akin to the one encountered by Kiren and Duke upon their arrival in Old Berry Town. Frank entered the scene, offering his assistance. As they delved deeper into their investigation, Mai remarked that these shadow figures differed in several aspects. Frank astutely observed that one is an adult, while the other was a child. Mai hinted at the connection between these shadow figures and her own curse, though Frank refrained from pressing her further about it, remaining unaware of her curse.

Later that day, Frank rendezvoused with Xai for a shared meal. Frank broached the topic of Mai's recent mentions of her curse and expressed his desire to uncover its nature. Xai paused his meal, fixing his gaze on Frank, and inquired if Frank harbored feelings for Mai. Frank grappled with his response momentarily before acknowledging that perhaps, in the future when Old Berry Town is safe, he might seek love, with Mai potentially being one of his choices. Xai then tells Frank to forget about Mai being one of his choices as he disclosed the grim reality of Mai's curse: those who confessed their love to her eventually met their demise. Frank pondered why Mai hadn't divulged this information to everyone.

Xai clarified that even uttering the curse's existence could lead to the deaths of those around her. Frank, intrigued, wondered why Xai had not suffered such a fate, considering his knowledge of the curse. Xai remained uncertain, suggesting that perhaps the curse spared family members. Frank's determination surged, his resolve strengthened to aid Mai and liberate her from the curse's clutches. Xai admired Frank's unwavering dedication, recognizing that most men would recoil in fear at this point, as the path ahead seemed fraught with death and danger.