Haribon’s cries tore through the air, raw and thunderous, its massive body thrashing under pain and confusion. Sid was trapped beneath it, his arms trembling as he struggled to push against the heavy weight pressing on his chest. Every breath burned, and his right knee screamed in agony.

"Evelise— I... can’t move!"

The bird flailed harder, its wings crashing against the ground, shaking the plaza. Evelise’s eyes darted over its body until she saw it — the left wing, slick with fresh blood. Her heart clenched.

"Hold on, Sid! Just hang in there!"

She shouted, running to the bird’s side. She grabbed at its feathers, trying to pull the massive wing aside to ease the pressure off Sid. The creature screeched and flapped again, nearly throwing her off balance, but she didn’t stop. With a final desperate tug, she managed to shift the bird’s body enough for Sid to roll free.

Sid coughed, gasping as he dragged himself away, clutching his twisted knee. The Haribon tried again to spread its wings, but the moment it did, it cried out in agony and collapsed, trembling. Its attempts to fly only made its wound worse.

"Stop— stop trying to move!"

Evelise said, stepping closer. Sid limped over, forcing himself to stay up despite the pain.

"It’s gonna tear itself apart— we need to keep it still!"

He reached out, gripping the base of the Haribon’s wing, trying to restrain it. The bird snapped its beak toward him, almost biting his arm off, but Sid jerked back just in time.

"Whoa— okay! Easy there, big guy! We’re not your enemies, damn it!"

The creature let out a sharp, guttural cry, flapping weakly. Evelise looked between the two, her mind racing. Sid’s knee was bent horribly, but the bird’s wing was mangled and bleeding fast.

"I don’t know who to treat first!"

She said, voice shaking. Sid clenched his teeth, his breath coming in ragged bursts.

"Forget me. I command you Evelise— help it!"

Before she could reply, Sid’s system flared to life. Evelise gasped as the faint glow surged through her body. The system’s influence took hold, guiding her movements with eerie precision. The Haribon screeched again and lifted its head, its beak darting toward her. But the moment its eyes met her — the long bunny ears, the faint fur on her cheeks... something changed.

The bird froze. Its breathing slowed, the tension melting from its body as it stared at her with curious, almost recognizing eyes. Sid blinked in disbelief.

"Wait... it’s calming down? How the hell—"

Evelise stepped closer, moving carefully.

"Shh... it’s okay... I’m not here to hurt you..."

The Haribon let out a low rumble but didn’t resist as she knelt beside its wing. She pulled out her herbal pouch, her fingers trembling as she crushed a patch of healing leaves between her palms. The scent filled the air — sweet and earthy. Carefully, she pressed the herbal mixture onto the wound.

The Haribon shuddered violently, letting out a pained cry. Sid gritted his teeth and limped forward, forcing himself to hold the wing steady.

"Do it fast, Evelise! It’s fighting it!"

"I’m trying!"

She said, pushing the herbs deeper against the wound. The green mixture pulsed faintly, glowing brighter as it seeped into the injured flesh.

Within seconds, the bleeding stopped, the torn flesh knitting together before their eyes. The torn feathers straightened and shimmered with renewed color. Sid’s eyes widened.

"It’s... healing."

Evelise nodded, her breath shaky.

"Of course!"

The Haribon trembled once more, then suddenly spread its wings wide. The gust of wind nearly knocked them both off their feet as it let out a triumphant cry. It beat its wings powerfully, rising higher, sunlight catching in its feathers like molten gold.

Sid and Evelise watched in awe as the guardian soared back toward the Nexus Tree, circling it once before vanishing into the thick canopy above.

Silence fell again. The plaza was still. Sid dropped to one knee, wincing.

"Heh... there it goes. Not even a thank you or a dramatic farewell cry. Guess that’s its way of saying we did good."

Evelise turned to him, her expression soft but worried.

"Yeah... but look at you. You could barely stand."

He let out a breathless laugh, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Worth it. I mean... come on. We just saved a mythical bird."

Evelise smiled faintly, kneeling beside him.

"You’re crazy, you know that?"

"Yeah,"

Sid said, staring up at the towering Nexus Tree.

"But hey... that’s what makes life interesting."

Evelise’s relief didn’t last long. She saw Sid’s face twist in pain, his body wobbling as his injured knee finally gave out. Before he could hit the ground, she rushed forward and caught him, her arms wrapping around his shoulders.

"Sid!"

She shouted, her voice trembling.

"This is exactly what I was worried about... Oh god, this boy really is too much—"

Sid groaned, struggling to steady his breath. He looked up at her with a weak grin and wide, pleading eyes.

"You were worrying about me?"

"Enough!"

She snapped, her voice cracking. Her grip tightened as tears welled in her eyes.

"You always do this! You risk yourself like your life doesn’t matter! I know what you did was... brave, and I was moved when you tried to save it but if you keep throwing yourself into danger like that, then..."

Her voice trailed off. She couldn’t finish. A few tears slipped down her cheeks as she pressed her forehead against his chest. Sid hesitated, then gently placed a hand on her back.

"...I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. Though... why does this feel like deja vu? It’s like I’ve heard this lecture before."

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, shaking her head furiously.

"You really are a fool, Sid. A reckless, stupid, annoying HUMAN fool."

Then, despite her trembling arms, she lifted him up.

"We’re going home. Now."

With surprising strength, she lifted him up, supporting most of his weight as they made their slow way back through the forest. By the time they reached the cabin, the sky had gone dark and the forest hummed with the sounds of night.