Manga Story

Moments later she appeared in the forest. Before the tree. Before the woodcutter. “Greetings, woodcutter,” she said casually. The man turned and smiled. “Greetings, traveler.” He raised his axe slightly in greeting. “Would you like to accept a quest?” Virella tilted her head. “Tell me something first.” The woodcutter blinked. “Yes?” “Where is the wood you’ve gathered?” He hesitated. “Well… the wood I gathered is…” His voice faltered. Virella stepped closer. “Where is your house?” “I… live with my mother and sister…” “And what are their names?” Silence. The woodcutter’s breathing quickened. Virella’s eyes gleamed with faint magic. “When was the last time you brought wood home?” “The last time I—” His voice broke. “How long have you been cutting this tree?” “I have been cutting this tree for…” He froze. Virella leaned close to his ear. “You’ve been cutting this tree for five hundred years.” The man’s face drained of color. “You haven’t moved from this spot.” Her voice grew colder. “You haven’t chopped any wood.” “You haven’t taken anything home.” “Your sister and your mother have been dead for five hundred years.” The world seemed to collapse around him. “You have no home.” She whispered the final truth. “You don’t even have a name.” Memories flooded his mind. A small house. A loving mother. A laughing sister. Cold winter nights. Then darkness. Chains. Magic. Pain. His scream tore through the forest. “No… no this can’t be real… this can’t be real!” His body trembled violently. For a moment— it seemed the enchantment might break. Then he turned back toward the tree. And raised his axe. “I need to gather wood,” he muttered weakly. “My family needs it for the winter.” Kaelis watched from the mirror, tears falling. Virella smiled faintly. “Then live in ignorance for another five hundred years.” She turned away. “The god who destroyed your life doesn’t even remember you.” Her voice faded as she disappeared. “And neither will I.” In color