REAL WORLD — After escaping
The Kings and their subordinates finally reached the coast.
None of them knew where they were.
But one thing was certain :
They had to find Eden.
Dead or alive.
Those were Ayden's cold words.
They had to take advantage of Ayden's peak strength before sunrise arrived.
— The beast that chased us?
The Goat snorted.
It's hopeless. Your brother is surely dead.
— Don't say nonsense! Ayden snapped.
I know he survived. He must've washed ashore somewhere.
Vorso stared at the island in silence.
— This place… he muttered.
It reminds me of something.
The Goat narrowed his eyes.
— Do you think we are still inside a Lawless Zone?
Meanwhile, the wives of the Twin Kings were exhausted, yet still preparing emergency rations and camping supplies while the others searched for a solution.
Vorso suddenly stood up.
— I'll explore the island. I should finish before dawn.
Ayden frowned.
— You seriously think we'll let you separate from us now?
— He's right, said The Goat.
It's too dangerous.
He looked toward the dark forest.
— No matter how familiar a place seems… never separate from the herd. That is the golden rule.
Vorso sighed dramatically.
— Fine, fine…
Then—
PSSSHH!
A smoke bomb exploded.
Vorso vanished while laughing at everyone's face.
The Goat clenched his jaw.
— That damned clown…
Even in a situation like this, he only does whatever he wants.
Suddenly, Myra froze while preparing the camp.
— I saw something…
Ayden looked toward the forest.
— He probably went in there. The island can't be that large.
Then—
CRAAASH.
One tree after another collapsed deep within the forest.
The sound was getting closer.
Everyone immediately drew their weapons.
— Vorso! Ayden shouted.
Enough joking around! I need your help to find my brother
Heavy footsteps echoed through the trees.
A giant silhouette emerged.
A man nearly six meters tall.
Long white hair. White beard.
And bandages covering his eyes.
— Oh? the giant said cheerfully.
Sorry about the trees. I didn't see them and accidentally knocked them down.
The Goat stepped forward.
— Who are you? And what are you doing here?
The giant tilted his head.
— That's MY question, rude animal.
Ayden intervened calmly.
— Old man, could you tell us where we are? You seem to know this place better than us.
The giant pouted.
— I'm not old!
And my name is…
He paused.
…I forgot.
Silence.
Ayden blinked.
— How old are you exactly?
— You shouldn't ask such things! The giant protested.
But… probably over eight hundred years old.
I stopped counting long ago.
Meanwhile, Vorso was moving deeper through the forest, staring at the destroyed trees.
— That giant… he thought.
I know exactly who he is.
— And the others must NEVER discover his identity.
The Goat narrowed his eyes internally.
Several centuries old…?
Then why have I never encountered this man before?
Ayden sighed.
— Fine. Then at least tell us where we are.
The giant scratched his beard.
— …I forgot that too.
Then he suddenly pointed at them.
— Wait. Who are YOU people first?
Myra lost patience.
— You are speaking to the Kings of the Twin Kingdom and the King of Animals! Watch your tongue!
— Oh! Two Kings? the giant exclaimed.
My apologies.
Then he looked around.
— But what are you doing on this terrible island?
— We got stranded here, Ayden explained.
We're searching for my brother… and a clown.
The giant snapped his fingers.
— OH! I remember now! I—
— You found us already! Vorso suddenly interrupted while appearing beside them.
He smiled widely.
This gentleman has a boat that can take us home from the other side of the island. Right?
— A boat? the giant muttered.
…Maybe?
Let's go check.
The Goat glared at Vorso.
— Do not take us for fools, young clown.
Meanwhile, Helen—the wife of Eden—was becoming increasingly anxious.
She was ready to search every island alone if necessary, but Myra stopped her, knowing reckless searching would only waste energy.
— Follow me, Vorso said.
You'll see whether I'm joking or not.
The sun slowly began rising.
Ayden's strength was fading.
— I can't… give up yet…
The accumulated exhaustion finally forced the Twin King to one knee.
But that also meant something else.
Eden's strength was returning.
For the first time since the fall…
hope appeared.
The Goat walked beside Vorso.
— Tell me, clown.
Do you know this old man?
Vorso answered without looking at him.
— I simply wanted to turn this island into an amusement park someday.
That's the truth.
— I don't believe you, The Goat replied immediately.
There's more.
You humans are terrible at hiding secrets.
— You don't need to know more than that, Vorso answered coldly.
The giant suddenly spoke again.
— So… what's happening in the world nowadays?
No one tells me anything.
Newspapers never reach this island.
I don't understand why…
He looked toward the sky despite his blindfold.
— I'm tall enough to see the birds…
But they always avoid this place.
The Goat's eyes sharpened.
— Birds…
Interesting.
He then looked at the exhausted twins.
— We stop here for today.
Ayden and Myra are beyond exhausted.
Helen, whose powers strengthened during daytime like Eden's, began taking over Myra's tasks.
The giant smiled brightly.
— I forgot where my house is…
But I can build one!
With all the trees I accidentally destroyed!
Together, they built a temporary shelter.
One by one, everyone fell asleep.
Everyone…
except Vorso.
The Council of Emperors still haunted his thoughts.
Rasfi.
The Emperors.
The other Kings.
And above all…
his kingdom.
He could not sleep.
The Goat remained awake as well.
That blind giant intrigued him deeply.
He looked like a complete fool…
Yet he was their only lead to returning home alive.
Vorso stared silently into the darkness.
— If anyone discovers he's here…
…we'll all be in serious trouble.