Adam stood stunned, his gaze shifting between George and Sophia. George had just told him to take his sister along, and Adam couldn't wrap his head around the situation. His thoughts churned: 'You're her brother. You should be telling her to stay, to stay safe. Why are you supporting her decision?'

Before Adam could voice his confusion, another figure stepped forward from behind George and Sophia. It was Sam, their father. His expression was calm yet firm as he looked Adam in the eye. "Adam," Sam said, his voice steady, "I think you should take Sophia with you."

Adam blinked in disbelief. His confusion deepened as Sam's words echoed in his ears. Sam's endorsement of Sophia's decision seemed as resolute as George's.

Sophia, meanwhile, looked at both her brother and father, her eyes glistening with gratitude. Though she didn't say a word, her emotions were written all over her face.

George gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, offering her a small smile. Sophia, emboldened by their support, stood a little straighter, her determination unwavering.

Adam rubbed the back of his neck, struggling to make sense of the situation. "Sam… George… I thought you'd be the ones trying to stop her, to keep her here. Not encouraging her to come with me."

Sam met Adam's puzzled gaze without hesitation. "Adam," he began, "if I didn't understand what Sophia has been going through these past two years, I might have insisted she stay. But the truth is, if you leave her here, she won't be the same. She won't thrive, not without you. If she goes with you, she'll have the chance to grow, to truly live. But if she stays, I fear we'll lose the Sophia we know."

Adam was speechless. Sam's words carried weight, and they struck Adam deeply. 'What happened while I was away?'he wondered. 'What did I miss?'

Lost in thought, Adam barely noticed George stepping forward. "He's right," George added, his tone sincere. "Sophia's been struggling, Adam. And whether you understand it or not, you're the only one who can help her find herself again. That's why I think you should take her with you."

Adam's mind raced. 'What could possibly have happened to make them all so sure of this?' Just as he began piecing together his thoughts, the crowd stirred, and another familiar face emerged.

It was Ricky, Adam's father. He approached with slow, deliberate steps, his piercing gaze fixed on his son. As he reached Adam, Ricky crossed his arms and spoke with a mix of authority and warmth. "Adam," he said, "I think Sophia should go with you. Because, to be honest, I don't trust you to take care of yourself."

Adam's eyes widened. "What?"

Ricky's expression softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. "Sophia's the only one who'll make sure you stay grounded. I know she'll keep you in check, and I trust her completely to look out for you. If she's with you, I'll worry less. But if you're on your own, well…" He trailed off with a shrug.

Adam's face twisted in disbelief. "Dad, you trust Sophia more than me?" he asked, his voice rising slightly.

Ricky chuckled. "You got it."

Sophia's cheeks flushed at Ricky's comment, but she remained silent, her resolve unwavering. Meanwhile, Adam's mind was spinning. 'What happened while I was gone? Why is everyone siding with her?'

Just as he tried to piece it all together, another voice called out. "Adam."

Adam turned to see his mother, Rachel, stepping forward. She was no longer crying, her face calm but serious. She walked up to him, her gaze steady. "Adam," she said softly, "if you take Sophia with you, I won't feel as sad about you leaving."

Her words struck a chord, and Adam froze. Rachel's gentle yet firm statement was the final piece in a puzzle that made no sense to him.

The weight of everyone's opinions left Adam more confused than ever. His mind swirled with unanswered questions. 'What happened during these two years? What aren't they telling me?'

Sophia, standing quietly beside George, finally spoke up. Her voice was soft but steady. "Adam, I know you're confused. But this isn't just about me. It's about all of us. I've spent the last two years trying to find my place here, but something's been missing. I need to go with you, not just for me, but for everyone."

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Adam looked at her, his confusion slowly giving way to understanding. He could see the determination in her eyes, the same fire he had noticed earlier. She wasn't just asking to come along; she was telling him she needed to.

George stepped closer, his voice calm but firm. "Adam, you've always been the one to protect us. But sometimes, we need to protect you too. Sophia's not just my sister; but she's your partner in this. Let her stand by your side."

Sam nodded in agreement. "She's stronger than you think, Adam. And she's ready."

Adam took a deep breath, his mind still racing but his heart beginning to settle. He looked at Sophia, then at George, Sam, Ricky, and Rachel.

Each of them had their reasons, their own way of showing support for Sophia's decision. And though he didn't fully understand what had happened in his absence, he could see the truth in their words.

Rachel "Adam, you have to take Sophia with you. This is my order."

The villagers, who had been watching the exchange quietly, began to murmur among themselves. Some nodded in approval, while others whispered words of encouragement to Sophia. The air was filled with a sense of unity, a shared understanding that this was the right decision.

Adam stood in silence, watching his mother's calm yet confident demeanor. Rachel, who had been emotional just moments ago, now seemed entirely composed.

Her earlier tears had vanished, replaced with a quiet assurance that only deepened Adam's confusion.

He couldn't understand how she could switch from being so emotional to so calm in such a short time.

It made him wonder what had changed in her, or perhaps, what had changed in him.

He shifted his gaze to Sophia, who was still standing there, her eyes fixed on him with unwavering determination. Adam exhaled a long breath and finally spoke, his voice tinged with resignation. "Alright," he said. "If all of you insist so much..."

His words trailed off as he glanced at Rachel, offering her a faint smile. Then, turning back to Sophia, he raised a hand and motioned toward her. "Go on. Pack whatever you need. I'll wait right here."

Sophia's face lit up with unfiltered joy as she heard Adam's approval. For a moment, her stoic determination gave way to pure happiness.

Without hesitation, she turned and sprinted toward her house, weaving through the villagers who watched her with amused smiles. Her excitement was contagious, and even the sternest faces in the crowd softened as they watched her run.

Seeing her run so enthusiastically, many in the crowd exchanged knowing glances. They all remembered how withdrawn Sophia had been during the two years Adam was gone.

She barely spoke to anyone, her vibrant personality seemingly replaced by a distant, almost unrecognizable demeanor.

It was as if a part of her had disappeared when Adam left, and now, with his return, that part of her was coming back to life.

Sophia's mother, Komal, quickly followed behind her, smiling as she disappeared into the house.

Not far behind, George's wife, Anastasia, gathered her children and headed in the same direction, likely to help Sophia prepare.

The villagers watched the scene unfold, their murmurs growing louder as they discussed the sudden change in Sophia's behavior.

Back near the center of the gathering, Sam and George shared a satisfied look, their smiles reflecting their relief.

Adam, standing silently amidst the murmurs of the villagers, looked down at the ground. His expression was unreadable as he softly muttered, "Creation Chair."

A faint white glow appeared beneath Adam's feet, forming a magical circuit on the ground. The villagers gasped as they watched the ground shift, the earth molding itself into a chair.

It was simple but elegant, with intricate patterns etched along its surface, and the villagers couldn't help but stare in awe.

Adam lowered himself into the chair, crossing his arms as he waited. His casual demeanor masked the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind.

He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Sophia's reaction than met the eye. Why was everyone so insistent that she go with him? What had happened in the two years he was gone? And why did everyone seem to know something he didn't?

Rachel, Eric, and Ricky approached him, breaking the silence. Ricky was the first to speak, his voice carrying both authority and warmth. "Adam," he said, "now that Sophia is going with you, I expect you to take care of her."

Adam arched an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Wait," he said, "weren't you the one who said Sophia would take care of me? Now you're saying I have to look after her?"

Ricky shrugged, his tone unwavering. "Both can be true."

Before Adam could retort, Rachel chimed in, her voice firm. "He's right. You need to watch over her. Pay attention to everything, even the things she doesn't say. That's your responsibility now."

Adam turned to his mother, his face a mix of confusion and disbelief. "You were crying just a while ago, and now you're scolding me?"

Eric chuckled at Adam's incredulous tone. "If you'd been here these past two years, you'd understand why everyone feels this way about Sophia. But since you weren't, you'll just have to figure it out for yourself."

Adam narrowed his eyes at Eric, his curiosity piqued. "What exactly happened in these two years?"

Eric smirked mischievously, placing a finger to his lips. "That," he said, "is a secret. You'll find out soon enough."

Adam sighed, leaning back in his chair. He knew he wasn't going to get any more answers from Eric, at least not right now.

Instead, he turned his attention to the villagers, who were still murmuring among themselves. He could hear snippets of their conversations, most of which revolved around Sophia and her sudden change in behavior.

"She's been so quiet these past two years," one villager said. "It's good to see her smiling again."

"Adam's return has brought her back to life," another added. "It's like she's a different person."

Adam frowned, his thoughts racing. He had always known Sophia as a strong, independent girl, but the way the villagers were talking made it seem like she had gone through something much deeper during his absence.

He couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Had his leaving affected her that much?