While searching for Mila, Ethan lost his way inside the forest. Eventually, he stumbled upon a dark cave, unusually gloomy even in the glowing brightness of the Lupino Forest. Cautiously, Ethan stepped inside. He walked slowly, reaching deep into the cave, but the darkness was so thick, he couldn’t see anything.
Suddenly, someone pulled him further inside.
Ethan couldn’t recognize the figure in the pitch black. The strange person then dragged Ethan out of the cave and began shouting in a bizarre manner. Once outside, Ethan got a look at his face — it was an old man, wearing tattered, dirty clothes, and muttering something incomprehensible.
Ethan quickly apologized for entering his home and asked him if he had seen Mila.
After a while, the old man finally replied that he didn’t know anything about Mila — but he would help Ethan find her. He introduced himself as Jonas, claiming he had been living in the forest for over 300 years.
Ethan laughed loudly and asked, “How is that even possible?”
Jonas simply replied,
“Nothing new… You’ll discover soon.”
Meanwhile, Ethan’s thoughts drifted to his father. Suddenly, Jonas shouted,
“Alive! Alive! Alive!”
— three times.
At that moment, Ethan began to sense that Jonas might have mysterious powers, similar to the magical moonflowers. The thought comforted him.
Jonas smiled and handed Ethan a small marble, instructing him to throw it onto the grass.
Ethan did so — and to his amazement, the marble transformed into a tiny boat, but instead of oars, it had feathery wings. Poor Ethan stared at it in disbelief, as if watching a magic show unfold before him.
Jonas told him,
“Sit on the boat. It will take you to Mila.”
Curious, Ethan climbed aboard. As he admired the boat’s strange features, he gently touched one of the feathers. Instantly, the boat spoke to him in a sweet, soothing voice,
“Where would you like to go?”
Shocked, Ethan turned toward Jonas, still standing on the ground. Jonas gave him a firm look — speaking through his eyes alone.
Understanding the message, Ethan said loudly,
“Take me to Mila!”
Suddenly, the boat lifted off and began to fly. As it rose up to 20 feet, Ethan turned around to thank Jonas — but what he saw left him completely stunned.
Jonas was transforming into a beautiful woman.
She looked at Ethan, smiled mischievously, and then disappeared into thin air.
Overwhelmed by everything, Ethan fainted.
To be continued…