Evelise looked back at the tree, her ears twitching.

"Humanimals have always felt that pull. We thought it was just us— like the tree spoke to our kind alone. That’s why so many of us wanted to live near the city, close to the Nexus Green. They said it was the symbol of life itself."

Sid nodded slowly, still staring up at the colossal tree that seemed to pierce the heavens. Even in this dead city, surrounded by ruins and silence, the Nexus Tree glowed with unshakable vitality.

"That damn symbol of life really lives up to its name. Everything else here is gone— dead, rotted, or ruined! But that thing..."

He smiled faintly.

"It’s still standing... Damn... it’s almost heavenly."

Evelise’s expression softened, her gaze distant and filled with quiet admiration.

"Yes... It’s still alive. Just like us."

Sid exhaled, staring at the glowing veins of the massive trunk.

"Freaking hell... how did I even play this game before without noticing any of this? Maybe I was meant to restart it — to actually take it slow this time and see what the devs poured their hearts into. Sheesh... this is giving me chills."

As they stood there, still lost in awe of the towering Nexus Tree, a piercing cry shattered the calm. It echoed across the forest, sharp and haunting, making the ground itself seem to hum. Sid’s head snapped upward, eyes scanning the sky.

Something huge moved through the clouds—a massive shape cutting across the sun. As the light broke over it, he saw a gigantic brown bird, wings spread wide, feathers gleaming like burnished bronze under the sun. Its wingspan must’ve been ten meters across each beat sending a rush of air down through the forest below. Sid’s jaw dropped.

"Holy— what in the actual hell is that thing!?"

Evelise’s ears perked, her eyes going wide with pure disbelief before lighting up in joy.

"No way! That’s— that’s Haribon! The Guardian of the Nexus Tree— the Winged King!"

She shouted, nearly bouncing in place.

"It’s real! Sid, it’s actually real!"

"Wait, you know that thing? That’s a bird? That thing looks like a damn dragon!"

Evelise was almost trembling, eyes wide and full of wonder.

"It’s real... I can’t believe it’s real! It’s been said that it lives at the very top of the tree, unseen by anyone. People thought it was just a myth, an urban legend to make tourists visit this place. They said if you were lucky enough to see the Haribon, you were blessed by the Nexus itself!"

"Blessed, huh? Guess we’re special then."

He instinctively reached into his pocket, pulling out his empty hand and pretending to aim a phone. Then he froze, realizing what he was doing.

"Ah, shit— no phone. No camera. Great. The one time I see a mythical bird and I can’t even record it."

Evelise laughed softly, still watching the sky but her smile faded as the giant bird tilted lower. Its flight wobbled, one wing dragging slightly behind the other. Then Sid saw it too— dark streaks trailing through the air, dripping down like red mist.

"Wait, Something’s wrong."

Evelise’s eyes narrowed.

"Its wing... it’s hurt."

The Haribon screamed again, louder this time— pained, desperate. Its massive body faltered in the air, struggling to stay aloft as it circled above the Nexus Tree. The sound of its wings grew heavier, uneven, as blood glinted in the sunlight and fell toward the forest below.

It’s cry grew weaker as it fought to keep itself in the air. Its massive wings flapped unsteadily, scattering gusts of wind and leaves around them. Sid and Evelise could only watch in shock as the great creature struggled—its feathers torn, its chest rising and falling with shallow, painful breaths.

Then, with a final, desperate beat, the Haribon lost control. Its enormous body tilted sideways and slammed against the Nexus Tree, shaking the ground. The sound was deafening— a mix of splintering bark, snapping branches, and the dying cry of the Winged King.

"Shit— it’s going down!"

Sid shouted, already breaking into a sprint. Evelise yelled after him, but he didn’t listen.

"Sid! Wait—your knee!"

Sid didn’t even think. He ran. He tore across the plaza, boots slamming against the broken tiles. Every step sent a flash of pain up his right leg, but he ignored it. All he could see was the giant creature falling, tumbling helplessly through the branches. His heart pounded as the memory of his own fall from the tower years ago crashed into his mind — the freefall, the air roaring in his ears, the helpless feeling of waiting for impact.

"No. Not this time."

He pushed harder, sprinting through the undergrowth, dodging falling branches. The Haribon’s enormous body hit another tree, snapping it like a matchstick. Evelise called after him, panic in her voice, but Sid ignored it. He threw himself forward, just as the creature broke through the last of the canopy.

"Sid! Stop, you’ll hurt yourself!"

The impact was brutal. The weight of the Haribon slammed into him like a collapsing wall. Sid gritted his teeth, digging his heels into the earth, trying to soften its fall. For a moment, he actually held it—its body trembling, feathers soaked with blood and dirt. But the force was too much. His right knee twisted sharply under the weight, bending in a way it shouldn’t have.

He screamed, collapsing as the Haribon’s body settled heavily beside him, still alive but barely moving. Evelise ran to him, eyes wide in horror.

"Sid!"

She cried, kneeling beside him. He tried to laugh, but it came out more like a gasp.

"Heh... looks like... I caught it."

Evelise’s gaze fell to his leg— bent wrong, trembling with pain. The realization hit her hard, and her voice cracked.

"You idiot! You caught it— but look at your leg!"

Sid winced, trying to breathe through the agony.

"Yeah... I noticed."

The great Haribon let out a weak cry, its massive head resting beside them, eyes flickering with life. Evelise glanced between the creature and Sid, her hands trembling as she realized what had just happened — he’d saved the guardian, at the cost of his own knee.

"Damn it, Sid... Why would you—"

He managed a pained grin.

"Because... someone had to catch the big bird..."