I'll Always Be Here for You

Soon, the Demon God invaded again, and Lily had no choice but to return to the Flower Fairy Kingdom.

Before leaving, she wanted to spend a little more time with An'an.

Mother and daughter played in the flower garden, and Lily revealed her wings to delight An'an.

Listening to their laughter from the kitchen, Xia Mu smiled tenderly. A moment later, he brought out a plate of fruit and set it on the table, ready to call them over. When he looked up, he saw Lily's wings.

He stared in a daze, unsure what to say.

Panic swept through Lily's heart, and she rose to her feet involuntarily. Her hands moved helplessly, as though she had no idea where to put them.

Unease and fear flickered in her eyes, as though she wanted to hide from something. She was truly terrified-terrified that Xia Mu would distance himself from her because of this. She didn't want to lose him.

She tried to move closer to Xia Mu, but her feet felt impossibly heavy. She had barely taken one step before she shrank back again.

Lily lowered her head, looking forlorn. "Let me tell you a story."

"Legend has it that a mysterious power lies hidden in the Ancient Spirit Fairy Realm on the Labelle Continent of the Flower Fairy Kingdom. To obtain it, the forces of darkness invaded that beautiful place. Cold swept through the Flower Fairy Kingdom, the flames of war scorched its soil, and none of the flowers could bloom..."

Lily kept her head bowed. "To find the Mysterious Power that could save the Labelle Continent, I came to the Human World, where I was fortunate enough to meet you."

"I'm sorry I kept this from you all this time. I have to go back soon. I hope you'll take good care of An'an, for the sake of her being your daughter."

Xia Mu gently drew Lily into his arms and said softly, "It's all right. I understand. Go do what you want to do. I'll take good care of An'an. You need to take care of yourself, too."

Before he had finished speaking, Lily gave a slight nod and vanished from his arms.

Just then, An'an toddled into the house. "Daddy, where's Mommy? An'an wants Mommy to hold her."

Xia Mu bent down and stroked Xia An'an's head. "Mommy went back to being a fairy. You'll have to be a good girl from now on, An'an."

A flash of light passed, and Lily appeared before the goddess's statue in Andromeda Park. She lightly touched the surface of the water, and her entire figure disappeared.

When she returned to the Flower Fairy Kingdom, Pupula gazed at her tenderly, as though she had known all along that Lily would return. She smiled gently. "Lily, have you found the answer?"

Lily shook her head, then nodded. "Goddess, I think I've found it..."

With a wave of Pupula's hand, they appeared in Pupula's Palace.

Lily looked at Pupula, determination in her eyes. "Goddess, let me go. I've found it. This is the only way to save the Labelle Continent."

Pupula sighed. "I don't want you to sacrifice yourself either, but this is the only way."

Pupula lowered her lashes slightly. "Go and do what you wish, without worry. Leave the future to the destined Flower Fairy Magic Envoy."

Lily nodded, and a gate of light appeared behind her. She turned and stepped through it. Beyond the gate stood an enormous tree, surrounded by a ring of soft white light that felt utterly sacred and warm. Lily closed her eyes, slowly unfurled her wings, and flew toward the tree. She embraced it, merging into it little by little as she murmured, "An'an, Mommy won't be able to stay with you as you grow up. How I wish I could see who you'll become..."

Meanwhile, in the Human World.

Crash!

A cup fell and shattered, but Xia Mu seemed not to hear it. It was as though his soul had suddenly left him. "Lily..."

Hearing the noise, little Xia An'an came up to Xia Mu. "Daddy, what's wrong?"

At the sound of Xia An'an's voice, Xia Mu suddenly came back to his senses and hugged her, tears streaming down his face. "An'an..."

Not quite understanding, Xia An'an hugged Xia Mu back. "Don't cry, Daddy. An'an will always be here for you..."