1. The Flower Garden

In a vast expanse of flowers, there was someone sleeping in the middle of the field. The person had long black hair, quite unusual for a man. He wore a white shirt and a black cloak, with wings on his back.

Among the tens of thousands of pink flowers, the cloak stood out dramatically due to the stark contrast in color. It seemed as though he didn't belong to this flower field at all.

After several minutes, the man finally woke up. He looked confused as he gazed at the sea of flowers before him.

He was very puzzled, as the last thing he remembered was his defeat at the hands of Master Chaldea, falling into the void. But for some reason, Oberon found himself in this flower field.

This place felt so unfamiliar to Oberon. It was neither the fairy world he had once destroyed, nor a world he recognized. Everything here felt foreign; the energy flowing through it was completely different from anything Oberon had known.

But there was one thing that disturbed Oberon—the flowers surrounding him.

"Oh, how beautiful... or perhaps disgusting? These colors, the overpowering fragrance of the flowers, all of this feels like a cheap theater curtain trying to deceive the foolish audience."

Oberon slowly rose, his eyes scanning the flower field with a look of disdain. His black cloak fluttered slightly in the gentle breeze, a stark irony against the harmony of the flower field.

"But isn't it interesting? I, who was thrown into the endless void, now wake up in a place like this? Hah! A joke unworthy of laughter. So, who dares to create this illusion? Or rather... who is foolish enough to think I would enjoy this game?"

He looked around with a sharp gaze, as if piercing through the very reality itself. But his lips curled into a small, cold, contemptuous smile.

"Ah, or maybe—this isn't an illusion? If it's real, then this world is worse than I thought. How could something so sweet exist? Repulsive. Unless... yes, of course. Like all beautiful things, there must be a hidden thorn. So, where is the thorn? Hm? Or more precisely... who is the thorn?"

Oberon walked slowly through the flowers, his steps light yet filled with authority. Every movement seemed to make the flowers bow in submission, as if they feared him.

"Come out. I know you're here, something that created this place. Don't make me wait too long. You know how much I hate wasting time on meaningless things."

Then, the wind suddenly picked up, carrying a stronger scent of flowers. A faint whisper-like voice seemed to respond from among the petals, as if acknowledging Oberon's call.

The pink field of flowers felt like a world detached from reality. Its scent was sweet, too sweet, almost like an illusion. Yet, in the midst of its beauty, two very different figures suddenly appeared.

Oberon Vortigern, with his striking black cloak, stood upright amidst the flowers, his usual disdainful gaze fixed before him. But he wasn't alone.

"It seems there's been a misunderstanding here. I'm not the one who brought you here, in fact, I also woke up here quite suddenly," a soft yet cheerful voice said, drawing Oberon's attention.

A woman stood not far from him. With unusually pointed ears and her bright red hair reflecting the sunlight beautifully, her elegant gown seemed to blend with the surrounding flowers. She looked at Oberon with curiosity, her sparkling eyes filled with wonder.

Unlike Oberon, the woman seemed to belong in this flower field, as if she were a part of a world filled with flowers.

Oberon used his fae eyes to determine if there was any deception behind the woman's words. After a moment of looking, Oberon was sure that the woman was not lying.

"Is this a dream? Or... maybe it's a special gift?" she said with a mysterious smile, cupping her cheek as if pondering. "But wait—who are you? And why do you feel so... different from this place?"

Oberon sighed deeply, rolling his eyes in boredom. "Ah, how annoying. Another cheerful figure who fits too well into this disgusting beauty. If this is a joke, I hope the one responsible ends it soon."

The woman just giggled, her smile widening. "Wow, I've never heard a greeting like that before. Usually, people are in awe before speaking to me, you know? But you... you're unique! I like that~!"

Oberon crossed his arms, staring at her with cold eyes. "And who are you, hmm? Another illusion created to impress me? Or just another overly confident flower?"

The woman tilted her head slightly, her smile unwavering. "Oh, you can call me Elysia~ But I don't really know why I'm here. I just... woke up and suddenly found myself in this world full of beautiful flowers! Isn't that fascinating?"

"Fascinating?" Oberon sneered, his tone dripping with cynicism. "Wrong word. This is disgusting. The scent is too sweet, the colors too bright, and this place is too... fake."

Elysia studied Oberon for a moment, then stepped closer with light steps. "Hmmm, I don't know what you've been through before, but I can see it—you're not the type who enjoys a place like this, huh? But that's okay. Maybe, there's a reason we're both here."

Oberon raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on his face. "And what's that reason, in your opinion? Is this some cliché moral test? Or perhaps a silly fairy tale about harmony and peace? Whatever it is, I'm not interested in either."

Elysia shook her head gently, her smile softening. "Oh, I don't know the answer~ But isn't that part of the adventure? Maybe we have to find it together."

Oberon didn't know what was happening to him. He accepted the woman's offer. If this were his usual self, he would have simply ignored her and left this disgusting place.

"Find it together, you say? You're truly deluded, flower woman. But fine, show me what this place has to offer… before I tear it apart with my own hands."

"Hehe, you're so funny! Alright, edge lord. Let's see where this world of flowers will lead us. Who knows, maybe you'll find something interesting. Or... maybe I can make you smile?"

Oberon rolled his eyes once more, but for some reason, he followed Elysia's lead. The two very different figures, light and dark, walked together through the seemingly endless flower field.

"Ah, how ironic. Day and night, light and darkness, walking side by side in a world that may not even be real. Are you sure this isn't just another cliché story, flower woman? You know, I really hate being part of a cheap script."

Elysia paused for a moment, turning with a bright, unshakable smile, her small hand playing with a flower she had plucked.

"A cliché story? Oh, that's too cold. You know, sometimes a simple story can be beautiful, depending on who brings it to life. And me? I enjoy being part of any story, especially if I have a traveling companion like you!"

Oberon snorted, looking at the flower in her hand as if it were something unworthy of attention.

"Companion? Oh, how naïve. If you knew who I really was, you'd probably throw that flower at me and run away. But hey, continue your fantasy if it makes you feel better. I'm here for one thing: to understand what's really going on, before I tear this place down to its roots."

"Tear this place down? Wow, that's intense! But somehow, I feel like you're just trying to hide your true curiosity. You actually want to know, don't you? Why we're here, why these flowers exist, why I exist."

Oberon fell silent for a moment, staring at her sharply. But instead of denying it, he let out a small, cold laugh.

"Hah! Don't get the wrong idea, flower woman. I don't care about anyone but myself. Curious? Maybe. But if the answer isn't interesting enough, I'll consider this place as worthless trash, just like all other illusions."

Elysia laughed softly, stepping closer until only a few steps separated them. She extended the flower in her hand towards him.

"If that's the case, maybe I should make sure this place is interesting enough for you. You know, I'm quite skilled at making ordinary things extraordinary. Maybe, I can make you change your perspective... just a little?"

Oberon rolled his eyes with a mixture of boredom and frustration, but there was something about that bright smile that was hard to ignore. As Elysia plucked a flower and extended it, Oberon took it with an indifferent expression.

"And this is the part where I'm supposed to accept your symbol of peace, right? Unfortunately, I'm not an actor in your cheap drama, flower woman. But fine, if it'll keep you quiet for a moment..."

He took the flower with a casual motion, then examined it as if it were something insignificant.

The flower felt strange in his hand—not because of its petals, but because of the subtle presence that seemed to emanate from it. As if something was watching them, a secret embedded in the roots of this world.

"Consider it a keepsake... in case I decide to destroy this place later," he muttered, his voice thick with irony. Yet, for some reason, he tucked the flower into the folds of his cloak.

Elysia smiled wider, stepping closer until only a few steps remained between them. "Hehe, I know you have a soft side in there! But don't worry, edge lord. I won't spill your little secret. After all, we have a long journey ahead, don't we?"

Oberon sighed deeply, then turned without saying another word, walking deeper into the flower field. Behind him, Elysia followed, her steps light as if dancing on flower petals. Her eyes sparkled with an endless curiosity.

Their steps led them deeper into a world that seemed to float between dream and reality, a place

where light and darkness merged—and perhaps, it was there that the real secret awaited.