Mia sat at the edge of the table, her hands nervously gripping its edge. Sophie stood by the window, staring out into the distance with a distant, pained look in her eyes. Gathering her courage, Mia finally spoke. "Mom," she said softly, "why do you hate demons so much?"
Sophie stiffened at the question, her gaze hardening. "Because they're evil," she said curtly.
Mia frowned, her eyes narrowing slightly. "I know that's not the real reason," she pressed. "Please, tell me."
Sophie let out a long sigh, her shoulders slumping as if the weight of her memories had suddenly become too much to bear. "Fine," she said at last, turning to face Mia. Her voice was quieter now, filled with a deep sadness. "When I was eighteen, I saw what I thought was a shooting star. I made a wish, hoping it would bring me luck. But it wasn't a star. It was a demon."
Mia's heart sank as Sophie's voice began to tremble.
"It destroyed everything," Sophie continued, her voice breaking. "It burned my village to the ground. My mother, my father, my little brother—they were all killed. Everyone was gone. Everyone but me." She clenched her fists, her knuckles white. "It left me alive. Mocked me. It said its name was Re, and it was looking for a demon with red hair."
Before Mia could respond, Pumeo burst into the room, his face pale and filled with fear. "The demon Re was looking for Mia!" he shouted, pointing at her. "She's the one with red hair! She's a demon!"
"Pumeo!" Sophie snapped, her voice sharp and scolding. "How many times have I told you to stop saying things like that?" She glanced at Mia, guilt flickering in her eyes. "Go to your room, Pumeo."
Mia sat frozen, her heart racing. Was it possible? Was she the demon Re had been searching for?
Meanwhile, in the timeless expanse of the Time Realm, Scarlett strode purposefully toward the towering figure of the Time God. His glowing form radiated an immense energy, and his golden eyes regarded her with an air of detached curiosity.
Scarlett stopped before him, her fiery red hair flowing like molten lava. "What does it mean?" she demanded, her voice echoing through the realm.
The Time God tilted his head slightly, as though the question amused him. "It means you have a place," he replied. "You are high—above the Time King and the Anti—but below me."
Scarlett's eyes narrowed. "I don't care about that," she said, her voice sharp with impatience. "I care about my sister. Where is she?"
The Time God's expression softened slightly. "She is on Earth," he said. "But she has forgotten who she is, what she is, and where she came from."
Scarlett's heart clenched at the thought. "How can I get to Earth?" she asked, her tone desperate.
The Time God raised his hand, a shimmering blue light forming in the air between them. The light twisted and expanded, gradually taking the shape of a magnificent horse with a mane that rippled like water and eyes that glowed like stars.
Scarlett stared in awe as the Time God spoke. "I call it the Time Horse," he said with a faint smile. "I created it out of boredom, but it will serve you well. It will take you to Earth. But remember," he added, his voice growing serious, "you must return."
Scarlett approached the Time Horse, her hand trembling as she reached out to touch its shimmering mane. The creature nickered softly, its warmth seeping into her skin. "Thank you," she said, her voice firm but laced with gratitude. She climbed onto the horse's back, gripping its flowing reins.
The Time God watched as Scarlett and the Time Horse vanished in a burst of light, his golden eyes glowing with a mix of curiosity and foreboding. "Good luck, Scarlett," he murmured. "You'll need it."