There were many floating trees, and his tin skin was beginning to wear out.
— This never ends.
After reaching the top, he saw from afar a treehouse, supported by two square, spiky trees.
— That's it.
He ran, jumping across the floating squares around him, forming a kind of trail. He was very careful not to fall down below — still afraid that the wolves might appear.
He reached the last square.
— What do I do, what do I do?
He hit his tin head.
I feel sorry for him. I think I'll help.
Magically, a vine appeared. He didn't quite understand, but decided to jump and grab it.
The vine stretched on its own, as if it knew exactly where to take him. He swung through the air, spinning with his legs loose like a tin puppet.
— AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!
The scream echoed through the floating forest, startling some pixel-birds in the digital sky.
Until, with a soft plop, the vine flung him directly onto the veranda of the treehouse. He landed on his back, with the little door opening from the impact. Lily slid out of the compartment and stopped right beside him, still asleep.
He blinked, his eyes spinning, dizzy.
— I guess I made it...
The door opened on its own with a ting, revealing the inside of the house: warm, luminous, with furniture made of woven lines of code and pillows that looked like they were made of pixelated clouds. Everything gave off a sense of coziness, as if the place was alive — and happy to welcome them.
— Wow... — the robot whispered, looking around.
He carefully picked up Lily in his arms and stepped inside. As soon as they crossed the entrance, the door gently closed behind them. The light inside adjusted automatically, creating an even softer atmosphere.
At the center of the house was a bed covered in shimmering digital leaves. It was like a nest made from algorithms and dreams.
— Looks comfy enough for someone who just escaped from wolves and fainted, right?
He placed Lily there gently. As soon as her head touched the pillow, a soft melody began to play, as if the house was taking care of her.
The robot stepped back, admiring the space, when a bookshelf lit up on the wall. Floating books opened in the air, revealing images of an ancient world: code-dragons, forests that reprogrammed themselves, and... a familiar face.
— Huh?
He approached. It was the face of the woman who had saved him — the "witch."
— So she lives here...?
The images shifted. They showed the woman watching over Lily long before, even when she was still just a regular girl in another world. As if she had been waiting for her.
— But... why?
Suddenly, a screen appeared floating in front of him, like a digital water mirror. A new phrase blinked there, written in golden letters:
"When the right heart finds the wrong door, a new world opens."
The robot scratched his head.
— That's... pretty, but it doesn't explain anything!
Outside, the trees began to glow with a soft green light. It was as if the forest was breathing.
He looked at Lily, still sleeping soundly.
— I think this whole world is waiting for you... brave girl.
And then he sat down beside the bed, leaning against the wall with a metallic sigh.
— But until you wake up... I'll stand guard.
The house creaked gently, as if in thanks. Outside, a digital shooting star streaked across the square sky.
And for the first time since it had all begun... the world fell silent.
Time passed slowly inside. The robot, still seated, observed the small details of the magical house. The walls pulsed with a faint bluish light, as if they were breathing with him. A picture floated in the air, showing the living map of Floraxis — with glowing paths, data-made rivers, and blank regions, as if waiting to be discovered.
— This world... is it forming along with her?
His voice echoed softly, almost like a thought spoken too loudly.
Next to the bed, a small pixelated flower sprouted from the floor, spinning as if dancing to the ambient melody. The robot crouched down and observed it closely.
— Everything here responds to her... even the plants.
A gentle digital breeze blew through the windows, bringing a scent he couldn't quite place — maybe something between lavender and electricity.
— If I had a nose, I think I'd say that smells nice.
He chuckled to himself.
In the corner of the room, an oval mirror lit up, showing Lily sleeping — but with a golden light pulsing gently in her chest. It was as if something was activating inside her — something old, forgotten, and powerful.
The robot approached slowly, observing the image. His metallic hand touched the mirror, and a small spark ran through his fingers.
— You're special, aren't you?
The image changed. Now it showed a younger girl, laughing in a park. Behind her were her parents. The robot tilted his head.
— Is that her past?
Suddenly, the scene distorted. The sky tore like paper, and a giant shadow appeared, taking her parents away. The image trembled and vanished.
The robot stepped back, startled.
— What was that?
But the mirror remained silent, now reflecting only his own face — eyes wide.
He returned to the bed and looked at Lily again. The golden light in her chest now pulsed faster.
— It's almost time, isn't it?
The walls of the house glowed. A gentle voice — the same as before — whispered through the air like wind in digital leaves.
— Protect her to the end, even if you don't understand everything. Your mission began when you carried her, but it will only end when she discovers who she is.
The robot nodded firmly.
— Understood.
The light slowly faded. The house fell asleep along with Lily. But he stayed awake, watching everything.
And outside, among the floating trees, something moved in the darkness. Watching from afar. Waiting.
But it didn't dare approach — not that night.
The world seemed to know it was still too early for another confrontation. It wasn't time for the "ten" yet.