Aspen and Kate went to the orchard and gazed admiringly at the different fruits grown in there.

"How many trees do you think this fruit garden has?" asked Kate.

"Hmm, according to my rough estimate, there are at least 50 fruit-bearing trees around here," Aspen replied.

"Wow, there's Orange, Banana, Apple, Mango, Grapes, Guava, Papaya, Avocado, Strawberries, Cherries, Pear, and a lot more!" Kate gushes. "I could live in this place forever and never get hungry at all!" she added, completely fascinated by the place.

Aspen was gazing at Kate's face in amusement.

Kate looked at the red apples at her side, so appetizing to look at! She salivated already wanting to pick one and taste its sweetness. She looked at her companion. "Do you think, the goddess wouldn't mind if I pick one and devoured it?" she asked.

Aspen smiled. "Go ahead, pick one. I don't think the goddess will make a fuss since she has many fruits here they would only spoil since she can't eat them all," he replied.

Kate rushed to the apple tree and picked one red apple carefully then after wiping the fruit's surface with the hem of her cloth she sunk her teeth into it greedily. "Wow, it tasted so sweet!" she beamed in satisfaction.

"I'm glad you like the taste of my apples," a female voice spoke from out of nowhere.

Aspen and Kate looked over their shoulder.

Kate hides the apple behind her back feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, I eat your apple without asking permission first. I was tempted, please forgive me, Goddess!" she said apologetically.

The goddess smiled. "You can eat the fruits here anytime. I love sharing them with my guest," she responded.

"Thank you so much, Goddess!" Kate mumbled and continue biting on the apple that she was holding in her hand.

"After you are done eating fruits here, get inside the house because I need to discuss something with you guys," the goddess said.

"Yes, Goddess!" replied the two in unison.

The goddess went back to the house.

After done eating the apple, Kate went to the side of the orange tree and took one fruit and consumed it hurriedly.

Aspen fancied the grapes and took one cluster and began eating them piece by piece. "Wow, it tasted just like wine!" he commented with a smile.

Kate and Aspen continue eating fruits to their heart's content.

Half an hour later, their stomach was full.

"Dang! We forgot the goddess!" Kate said.

"Lest's go back inside the house!" Aspen said and he marched towards the house.

Kate followed him from behind.

When they entered the house, the Goddess was already sitting in the living room, waiting patiently for their presence.

They rushed towards the sofa and sit down properly.

"We're sorry to keep you waiting, Goddess. We're carried away by the delicious fruits in your garden," Aspen apologized.

The goddess smiled. "It's okay, no problem. By the way, guys, you should stop calling me Goddess. I'm immortal and I don't like to be called a goddess. Just call me Granny Vearah since I'm so old already or just call me by my name," she said humbly.

Kate smiled brightly, for a woman so beautiful and powerful yet she has a humble personality, she becomes her idol instantly. "Granny Vearah, can I follow your footsteps and become an immortal like you? Do you think I have the capabilities?" she asked innocently.

Aspen and Vearah looked at Kate in amusement.

"Kate, in case you forgotten, we came here to find a cure for Esmeralda's strange illness," Aspen reminded her.

Kate covered her mouth in shame. "Oops, I'm sorry!" she apologized.

Vearah smiled. "It's okay. So...now that you already know my name, how about you introduce your names to me?" she said.

"My name is Aspen and this annoying girl's name is Kate," Aspen introduces themselves.

"Nice meeting you guys, so, what is your relation with my goddaughter Esmeralda?" asked Vearah.

"I was her twin," answered Aspen. "I mean, when Esmeralda was born, she was born with a seed and that's me. Her parents planted the seed in the palace garden and I started growing and become a tree. Then I discovered that I can do many things beyond my wildest dream," he said, smirking.

"Ah, so you are the tree. You used to be just a tree before, I never thought you can turn yourself into a human, my goddaughter never told me about your true capabilities," Vearah said.

Aspen chuckled. "Esmeralda and I decided to keep my real identity a secret because it's more fun that way," he said with a smirk.

Vearah laughed a little. She turned her attention to the girl. "Anyways...how about you, young lady? What is your relation to Esmeralda?" she eyed her face closely because she had facial features that greatly resembled that of the Nephilim race. She was curious about her identity.

Kate sighed. "I'm just a village girl. I went to the castle to work for my sister who works there and it's too late for me to find out that whoever enters the castle can never get out alive. It just a coincidence that Granny Esmeralda came on time and saved me from the monster pit. And the rest is history, I'm living in her place inside the castle ever since," she explained.

Vearah was nodding her head. "Hmm...interesting!" she paused for a moment studying the faces of her guest. "So...what happened? How did you manage to escape the cursed castle? How did you able to crack the weakness of the barrier?" she asked curiously.

Aspen choke. He can't possibly tell their gracious host that a life has been sacrificed for their successful escape. Besides Kate was sitting beside him. He can't reveal anything. He cleared the lump forming in his throat. "I think the one who can answer that question is Esmeralda, she will tell you everything. She uses her full power capacity to get us out of the castle resulting in her illness," comes his simple replies filled with lies to evade the question.

Kate's face fell. Oh no! Granny sacrifice her life just to get them out of safety! She felt remorseful and feeling guilty 'coz a while ago she acted carefree as if she has no problem at all. Maybe because she was confident that the goddess can help cure Granny.

She looked at Vearah worriedly. "How is Granny Esmeralda's condition right now? Will she be alright?" she asked, miserably.

Vearah breathed deeply. "Don't worry about my goddaughter's condition. She has 80% of surviving, she is currently receiving the best of my healing medicines and technique. But then we can't say for sure unless after 3 days," she answered.

"Y-you mean to say...Esmeralda will stay inside that room for three days?" Aspen asked, alarmed.

"Yes, three days the most," Vearah answered.

"Is she breathing normally now?" asked Kate.

Vearah nodded her head. "Yes."

"Thank God!" Kate murmured, feeling relieved.

Aspen was silent. He had a wild guess that the pill of life and death that was guarding her friend's heart was trying to rebel when it knows that its host was already out of the castle. So it started squeezing the heart that it guarded.

He had to see his friend with his own eyes, it's the only way his mind can rest at peace. "C-can we see Esmeralda inside the room? I just want to see her current condition," he requested.

"Sure!" said Vearah. She rose to her feet and looked at her guest. "Follow me," she ordered.

Vearah went to the room followed by Aspen and Kate.

They entered the healing room.

Aspen eyed his friend's condition. Esmeralda was lying peacefully above the marble table. Her complexion was looking good compared to before. Then his nose picks up something...an aromatic scent permeating the air coming from somewhere...he looked around him and saw the green candles shining brightly all over the room.

"What are these candles, Granny Vearah?" asked Kate curiously.

Vearah smiled proudly. "These candles are my creations. The ingredients of these candles consist of different healing properties derived from plants and trees that can be found below this mountain. I meticulously gathered them and concoct them and then made them into candles. Once burning, they will produce an aromatic herbal scent, and once inhaled through your nose, the healing properties flow into your lungs and invade your whole body. Then it will began purifying the toxin in your body and repair destroyed cells and strengthen weak clogged arteries and help restore your body to its optimum health," she gave a long explanation.

"Wow! Amazing healing candles!" Kate gushes amazed by their healing properties. "Granny, can I ask for one candle? Because my Aunt Margie has arthritis and sometimes her body is weak. I want her to feel healthy again," she said.

Vearah smiled. "Sure. I have lots of healing candles in my stockroom. I travel to the human world once in a while and sell my candles to the masses to help cure their illness and then all the proceeds of my sales, I give it back to the poor people and beggars in the markets and streets," she said.

"Wow, you're so kind, Granny!" Kate raved.

"I was blessed with a perfect life, that is why I give something in return to the less fortunate ones," Vearah added.

"I can very well imagine how many poor people smiled with your generosity. You are my idol for life!" Kate said merrily.

Vearah smiled, amused with the girl's praises. "Alright, let's continue our chitchatting outside. Let's give Esmeralda the rest that her body badly needed," she said and walked towards the door.

Kate and Aspen followed Vearah outside.

They went back to the living room and settled themselves into the sofa.

Vearah addressed her guest. "Tell me if you need anything, guys. You shall be sleeping in the guest room for a while waiting for Esmeralda to recuperate. When it comes to foods, there is no shortage of food here. If you want rice, fish, poultry, I have them in my backyard," she said.

"Huh? You have a fish pond, chicken house, and rice paddies around here?" Kate asked curiously.

Vearah nodded her head and smiled. "I have a fish pond, I raised them in a small lake for personal consumption. I also have a few chickens that lay eggs about a hundred of them and I bought rice in the market down the mountain. Since I am the only one eating, my one sack of rice last many months, 'coz sometimes I don't eat rice, just pure fruits most of the time," she said.

Kate's eyes widened with glee. "Aspen, let's caught fish and grilled them on fire then we will roast a whole chicken!" she said excitedly.

"Asked Vearah first if she will allow her chicken and fish to be slaughtered by your hands," he said, smirking.

The host of the house smiled. "No problem. Come with me to the backyard so that I can tell you where the fish pond and chicken house were located," she said.

The trio left the living room and went to the backyard.