Read It to Me Again 🌑
The path was narrow.
Old trees leaned inward like watchers. The wind carried no sound.
But the Demon King felt no fear.
Only urgency.
He stepped into the crooked stone arch, into the dark grove.
The hut was already open.
Inside stood a woman cloaked in smoke and silver light — old, sharp-eyed, and already expecting him.
"Took you long enough," the witch said, not even turning."I've seen you coming for weeks."
He didn't waste time.
"Do you know anything about other worlds?"
"More than most."
📖 The Book That Shouldn't Be Here
She asked him to describe the world he came from — its magic, the land, the people, the tone of the sky.
He spoke calmly. Slowly.
When he was finished, the witch raised her hand.
And from the air — a book appeared.
Old. Familiar.
The exact same book his reincarnated mother used to read to him.
His eyes widened.
"This… how do you have this?"
"That's not the right question," she said, smirking."The right question is — what does it mean?"
He reached for it with shaking hands.
"This is the one. This is their world."
📘 Books of Another Realm
"Is there more?" he asked.
"Books, scrolls — anything that teaches magic from there?"
She nodded.
"But they come at a cost."
She brought out three more volumes — polished, glowing faintly, laced with symbols not of this world.
He didn't hesitate.
"I'll take them."
She raised a finger.
"Two conditions."
"First — return them. They're not meant to stay here."
"Second — you owe me a favor."
"And it won't be easy."
The Demon King didn't blink.
"Done."
🛤️ On the Way Back — And a Memory Reborn
As he traveled from the witch's grove, he couldn't help himself.
He opened the book.
Excitement fluttered in his chest — the same kind he once had when sitting by his reincarnated mother's feet.
He turned the page.
And frowned.
"...I still can't read this."
A rustle of leaves.
He turned.
Seraphina stood behind him, arms crossed, smirking slightly.
"I figured that might happen."
"Let me read it for you."
He blinked.
"You finished rebuilding?"
"Mostly," she said, stepping closer."But I haven't finished spending time with my little brother."
"That's just as important."
🌤️ Recreating the Peace
They sat under the shade of a crooked tree.
She opened the book, her voice soft.
Word by word, spell by spell — she read aloud.
And he listened, quietly.
No demons.
No power.
No titles.
Just a brother, and a sister, and a voice that reminded him of someone he thought he'd never feel again.
Aira.
"You're really patient," he muttered.
"Maybe," she said."Or maybe I just like seeing you learn."
They shared a smile.
And for a moment, the world felt like it once did.
Safe.
Warm.
Whole.
"Come on," she said, closing the book."Let's go. There's something waiting for you in Verdantia."