Vita stayed unconscious for a month.
During that month, a lot of chaos had happened, and no one would have been able to expect it.
The peace of the three villages was broken for some reason, the Forbidden Areas started increasing, and even the internal conflict through each of them started to get out of control.
The Rami Village's situation especially was not positive at all, given the incident that had happened after 15 days of Vita falling into that coma.
A huge fire erupted in the village, destroying almost a quarter of its original territory.
It was not the first time, and usually, the villagers would pray for the Tree of Life to bless them again and return their village to the way it appeared to be before.
Unfortunately, the Tree of Life was nothing but a fake bedtime story, and Vita, the one who always helped in these situations, was out of reach.
The other Villages saw that and started a new rumor.
[The Tree of Life had given up on the so-called Chosen Ones]
The Rami Village's secured position was shaken by these rumors, and the proclaimed harmony crumbled like it was never there.
The forest had been thrown into chaos.
Once Vita opened her eyes, the first thing she received was not a question about her health, but her dear papa dragging her towards the Tree of Life's location while urging her to use her power.
"Use your power now, the whole forest may fall into a war if you don't! Come on, Vita!"
Vita stared at him tiredly before nodding with no energy, she touched the Tree of Life and activated her power.
The power she injected into the tree, however, was not powerful enough to recover the whole village which made the Chief frown.
"Why don't you use your power more?"
Vita felt like laughing but stopped herself at the last second, instead, she let her tears out as she leaned on the Tree of Life.
"Sorry, Papa… Me feels so weak, can't do more…"
The Chief sighed regretfully but soon shook his head, "This is enough for now, thanks for your efforts, Vii. Go and rest, we'll need to do this again until the Rami Village is restored."
Vita nodded and thought the Chief would carry her up and take her home, but he just left her there alone.
"..."
She stared at his back and a bitter laughter emerged from the depth of her chest with more of her tears.
A month, 30 days, 720 hours, 43200 minutes…
She spent this whole time trying to fight her demons who were whispering the painful truth to her.
And now, her 'papa', easily disregarded all of those and proved how he never cared about her that much.
Realizing how she lived here in this village only for people to use her, the kindness she was given would never feel the same.
Even her previous self was now nothing but a disgusting kid in her eyes, how could she be so blind?
It was not even that hard to notice, those smiles, those compliments, the hidden meanings…
And yet, until the very end, she kept denying them.
But now, what was she even denying?
Vita stood up and stumbled as she walked aimlessly around, no one was free enough to pay any attention to her, making her chest tighten even more.
Just as she was about to fall, a familiar embrace greeted her.
"Vii! Why did you take so freaking long to wake up?! I kept checking on you daily, and why are you out here?! You didn't eat for a whole month, can't you rest and eat before trying to stupidly help this useless village?!"
Vita looked up and was met with Lu's gaze, a gaze filled with worry, anger, and desperation.
For the first time since waking up, Vita genuinely smiled as she buried her face into his chest while mumbling, "Sorry… Me tired, brother…"
Lu sighed and picked her up, gently caressing her head, trying to sooth her.
"It's okay, Vii. I know what you are thinking, for now, let's get food and new clothes for you. We will talk more about this all once you feel better."
"Mhmm Mhmm."
Lu kissed her head softly while taking her away from the busy scene of the village who seemed too busy to even realize that the 'Tree of Life' had acted up.
"Vii, I'll forever be your brother. Whether you liked it or not. Whether you believed it or not."
Vita chuckled softly and nestled closer in Lu's arms, feeling the dreadful sensation lessening as well.
'At least, one person… One person was always genuine…'
Although she did not love Lu like she loved the Chief or anyone else, and although their relationship was always filled with complications because of the way he acted with her, she was now at ease with him.
Probably the most at ease she was going to feel in this village after her realization.
Once they reached Meria's house, Lu rummaged through her store room and grabbed a few ingredients and started preparing a soup.
Vita blinked and hummed softly while staring at how his movements were neat and elegant, showing a lot of experience.
"Brother, since when can you cook?"
"Since forever, you know I don't go home at night sometimes, so I got to learn." Lu answered casually while continuing his cooking.
Vita watched quietly and enjoyed the calmness inside the house, listening to the soft noises of the food being cooked made her smile.
Since waking up, her heart was being squeezed in anguish and despair, thinking about how nothing will ever be the same.
She even resented Mors for telling her that she should realize her surroundings.
However, maybe it was for the best that she realized this quickly.
"Living in an illusion, or being squished by reality huh…"
"Reality is painful, Vii. But that's why it's so beautiful."
Lu smiled at her softly before focusing back on cooking, making Vita nod slightly.
'Painful, but… Feels better for sure.'
Or was it?