In a world of pastel colors distorted by the smoke of war, Wither—a frail yellow creature with wide green eyes and a perpetually sad expression—flees desperately with his three horse companions (all also animated, silent, and loyal creatures). Colorful but deadly arrows streak across the sky like poisonous bolts, fired by unseen forces. The sound of sweet explosions (like exploding gummy bears) echoes in the distance.
With an arrow embedded in his hind leg, Wither lets out a high-pitched, almost musical wail before slipping off the back of the fastest horse—a mint-striped equine. He falls into a deep puddle of mushy mud, not dirt, but a viscous substance made of melted candy, crystallized tears, and forgotten memories. The mud pulls him down as if it were alive.
Two pursuers descend from the blackened cotton candy hills: Matulo and Berryno.
Matulo, with his vibrant yellow body and ironic "victory" gesture, walks arrogantly, his heart-shaped medallion pulsing as if breathing. He approaches Wither, places his foot on his back, and forcefully pushes him back into the mud.
"Did you think you could run away from us?" he says, his voice sharp as a paper cutter.
Berryno, his companion, remains silent, his pink crown dripping like melted icing. He watches Wither with empty eyes, as if remembering something he shouldn't remember. His presence is heavy, like a poisoned cake offered with sadness.
His leg bleeding a faintly glowing amber liquid, Wither tries to drag himself along, but the mud holds him back. He looks up at the sky—where lollipop-shaped clouds swirl slowly, stained with gray. He whispers a word: "Flowers..."—perhaps a name, perhaps a hope.
Matulo laughs, but it's a short, empty sound. He crouches down, his foot still on Wither's, and whispers:
"The flowers died on the first day. You're just the last piece of a dream no one wants anymore."
Berryno takes a step forward. His fat, round finger touches Wither's shoulder.
And, with that touch, a flash of light appears:
—*A field of sugar daisies.*
—*Three figures running together: Wither, Berryno, and Matulo, laughing, arms intertwined.*
—*A fourth figure, golden and with caramel wings, disappearing into the horizon.*
The vision fades. Berryno recoils, as if burned.
Matulo seems to have seen nothing. He lifts his foot.
**"Leave him here. The mud will digest him slowly. Better than an arrow."**
They ride off. Wither's horses flee, neighing in colorful panic.
Alone, sinking, Wither feels the mud rise up to his neck.
But, at the bottom of the puddle, something **glitters**.
A small flower bud, made of sweet crystal, pulsing with a faint light.
He reaches out his hand (invisible, but felt)...
And the chapter ends with a single line:
> **They forgot... but the sweetness still remembers.**
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