It had been a few days since Mariana's surprise birthday, and life had returned to its gentle rhythm. University classes, system tasks, evening chats with her new parents, and occasional moments shared with George and the Greens. But something inside her had shifted—like a gear clicking into place.
She awoke one morning to find a delicate white envelope resting on her desk. No stamp. No name. Just a golden wax seal shaped like a bee.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened it.
Inside was a folded note, written in elegant handwriting.
> To the One Who Returned Without Forgetting,
You were never meant to stay in the shadows forever.
The world you knew mourns you still, but the world ahead needs you more.
This second life is not just a gift—it's a key.
Protect the boy. Build the future.
And when the stars align, we will call you again.
—The Garden
Mariana stared, breath caught in her throat. Her system flashed briefly:
[Hidden Quest Unlocked: The Garden's Watcher – Status: Dormant]
She didn't know what the message meant exactly, but something told her it wasn't just poetic. It was a sign—one that her life was never going to be simple.
Later that day, George showed up with a sketch he had made: a futuristic greenhouse that could feed entire neighborhoods. "It just came to me," he said shyly. "Do you think it's stupid?"
Mariana looked at him, her heart heavy with pride. "No," she whispered. "It's the beginning."
And as George ran to show his grandfather, Mariana tucked the letter in a small wooden box beneath her bed, her fingers brushing the edge of destiny.