11 years later, a now-grown Albrecht, still human, walked through a shadowed forest, a lantern in hand casting flickering light along his path.

Suddenly, rain began to pour. Albrecht hurried toward his destination, a place where he had hidden something from long years ago. Since he was a kid.

Upon reaching a mysterious tree, he paused, gazing down at a torn, circular patch of earth where a small pond lay surrounded by tangled vines.

He froze in shock at the sight before him—a young, unconscious young woman lying naked in the pond, her body entwined with blue-green glowing vines beneath the shimmering water. 

Quickly, he removed his long leather coat and gently draped it over her. Concern etched on his face, he lifted her in his arms and hurried home, worry tightening his chest with every step.

The next day, a voice echoed through the blank void of the young woman’s slumbering mind. Slowly, she opened her eyes, curiosity stirring as she took in her surroundings.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating tiny specks of dust dancing in the air.