Inside the invisible dome, lies in the wooden bed was Ivy's immobile body. The tube-like roots were buried in her skin sucking the blood out of her body. Her precious blood was being gathered in the wooden basin below the bed.

A hundred leaves were floating in the air, on standby mode, waiting for any command from their master.

The tree looked at his devoted and loyal servants, he would plant another tree outside. He makes sure the leaves spirits will continue to thrive outside the castle, 'coz the moment he leaves the place, the leaves will only have 100 days to stay alive, they will wither and die. But he can awaken their essence if he will be able to grow another golden tree in a safe place, somewhere.

The tree watched Ivy's face. He went to her side and run his hand through her hair. "I owed you our freedom, Ivy. This is the least I can do for you." He popped five pieces of weird looking small seeds inside Ivy's mouth. If it can do a miracle on a dead woman's body then it will be Ivy's good fortune. For now, it's up to Ivy's destiny. There are some things he had no control such as making a person come back to life because as of now, Ivy is already clinically dead.

Done, he addressed the leaves floating in the air. "After we are gone, bring Ivy to Esmeralda's garden and bury her dead body there," he commanded.

"Yes, Master!" the leaves replied.

A few minutes later, the tree was satisfied with the amount of fresh blood inside the basin, he thinks it's enough already for their escape. He took the first tube-like roots out of Ivy's body and healed her wound. He repeats the same process until he successfully took out all the tubes and all her wounds disappeared.

Ivy was no longer breathing.

He sighed heavily and looked at the girl for the last time and mouthed...'Thank you!'

Sighing, he set aside the wooden basin and exited the invisible dome to check on the girls.

The women were waiting and sitting under the shade of the tree. They're already wearing the overall garments he created for this special occasion.

The tree looked at Esmeralda. "Talk to her first, so that she will know what's going to happen next and won't panic..."

Esmeralda nodded her head.

Kate was listening to their conversation but she can't see anything because her eyes were being blindfolded. "Huh? What are you guys talking about?" she asked. She knew that Granny was conversing with the tree, she is familiar with the voice.

Esmeralda sighed. "Kate, listen to me after I take away the blindfold in your eyes... when I say run, you should run and follow me, okay?" she said.

A creased appeared on Kate's forehead.

"Huh? Run...where to...Granny? Why are we running, did we have enemies hot on our heels? Until now you didn't tell me where is this place? I can't even take a peek. Where are we—exactly?" she asked curiously.

Esmeralda breathed deeply. "Stop asking questions! Just trust me on this and follow everything I say to you. I'll tell you everything after we get out of this place, okay?" she said.

"Okay, fine. I will run if you want me to run. Are we still inside the castle, Granny? Will you take out the blindfold in my eyes?" asked Kate.

"Yes, we're still inside the castle, and don't worry I'll take the covering in your eyes before we run away," Esmeralda replied. She didn't tell the girl beforehand that they're going to attempt to escape the castle today cause if she knows, she will insist on bringing along her sister and it might cause a delay in their escape because Kate can be pretty demanding and annoying sometimes.

"Okay, I'll wait for your signal, then," Kate said. She was confused as hell on why Granny is acting weird today? First, she forced her to wear uncomfortable overall clothing. Then blindfolded her inside the silver box. When she asked her, where are they going, she just answered...home.

She was getting more confused as seconds passes by.

Esmeralda nods her head at the tree, signaling that they are ready to depart from the castle.

The tree went back inside the invisible dome and picked up the basin filled with Ivy's blood. He exited the place and walked near the barrier.

Esmeralda stood up and waved her hand, the invisible blazing barrier appeared.

The tree chose the area above the ground.

He opened his palm and a wooden dipper appeared in his right hand, he began scooping the blood from the basin and splatters it into the barrier in quick succession, then he picked up the basin and emptied its contents into the barrier.

Kate's nose picked up something. "Hmm...what is that weird smell?"

"Just ignore it!" Esmeralda said. The smell of raw blood exploded in the air. She covered her nose to repel the smell.

A moment later, the cracking starts happening...

The tree signals to Esmeralda that it's now time to take away Kate's blindfold so that she will know where to run.

"Kate, I'm going to take away the blindfold in your eyes. If I say run and follow me, you do it without hesitation, okay?"

"Alright, Granny! I'm ready!" Kate said nervously.

Esmeralda took away the blindfold from Kate's eyes.

Kate stared ahead, frowning on what the fuss is all about, then her eyes landed on the blazing barrier opening up before her very eyes. Her eyes widened in shock. "OMG! What the hell! The barrier is opening up!" she exclaimed in joy and astonishment.

The tree observed the opening and when it's already wide enough for a person to pass through, he looked at the two women and shouted. "RUNNNNNNNN QUICKK!"

Esmeralda bolted through the opening without stopping, followed by the excited Kate and then the tree.

They passed through the opening without encountering any mishap along the way.

They stumbled into the ground outside the barrier. The good thing ... the area was grassy and doesn't have hard pointed rocks or else they might have bruises sprouting all over their bodies after their escape. Thick trees can be seen nearby. And the castle was looming at the top of the hill. The full moon was shining brightly in the sky.

The trio stared at the barrier... It started closing its gap again until it finally shut off completely. If they didn't exit the opening quickly they probably won't be able to escape at all.

Then it slowly dawned on them that they finally attained freedom!

WOW! They successfully escaped the forsaken castle!

Kate was about to shriek in happiness when Esmeralda clamped her hands on her mouth. "Shh...Keep your voice low, we don't want the castle to know that we're here!"

Kate nodded her head in understanding. Tears of joy emerged in her eyes. She used to just dream about this kind of escape when she was still in the castle. Now it's finally happening! She feels good inside! She was feeling elated and triumphant.

Thanks to her powerful companions they made her dream come true. Right now, she wanted to go home right away and see her aunt and sister Ella but she doesn't want to impose on them too soon. They just got out of the castle.

"Let's rest here for a while," the tree said jubilantly.

Kate looked at the tree and smiled. "So...you are human after all?" she asked, she wasn't surprised much because the tree is magical. It can do so many weird things beyond her imagination.

The tree shook her head. "This is just one of my shapes young lady," he answered nonchalantly. "Do you want to see me in my animal shape? I can be a giant serpent or a giant spider if you want me to. All you need to say is yes and I shall oblige you," he grinned mischievously.

"Oh no! I'm afraid of spider and snakes!" she exclaimed in a fright.

The tree laughed. "Oh yeah, now I know what makes you scared," he said naughtily.

Kate rolled her eyes. "Don't you dare scare me or I'll kill you!" she glared at him.

The tree chuckled in amusement. "For such a powerless girl—you are so full of yourself!" he said chortling, making fun of her.

Esmeralda was silent the whole time, just listening to the sound of the night. Inside the castle, centuries have passed by, and yet outside, it seemed the world never changes at all. But she did age inside the castle and she fears that her end is near. Now that she's finally outside of the forsaken place, she still has a chance to go back to their kingdom and enjoy the remaining days of her life in freedom and do everything that she misses doing outside.

Kate looked at the old woman beside her. "Thank you so much, Granny for bringing me along with you," she said. Then she looked at the tree. "Thank you tree for your help as well. I'm sure that Granny won't be able to do it alone on her own without your help," she conveyed her gratitude to her saviors, she appreciated their help and effort from the bottom of her heart.

Esmeralda and the tree looked at each other, swallowing the lump on their throat cause they both know that the rightful person Kate must give thanks to is no other than her sister who already passed away.

Too bad, they can't tell Kate about the great sacrifice that Ivy made for her just to ensure her safety. They will always remember Ivy's great sacrifice because they too have escaped the castle unharmed.

"Don't thank us. It's a team effort," the tree said.

A frown appeared on Kate's forehead. "What team effort? I didn't do anything to help you guys. All you did is to tell me to run, and I followed your command. I didn't contribute anything to help this great cause," she said.

Esmeralda smiled and looked at the tree.

"You contribute something because you run quickly without hesitating, and we were able to get out on time before the gap starts closing again. If you play dumb, we won't be able to get out alive," the tree explained further.

Kate giggled, although the tree's explanation isn't making sense to her at all, but then she appreciated that he give her credit even a tiny bit. The tree is nice to her today. "Thank you, tree," she said.