The Tearful Cherry

Of course, Lucas wouldn't actually allow Cale to play with it freely; Cale could only touch it under Lucas's watchful supervision. A child of his age, even with a reasonable amount of common sense, was bound to find trouble somehow.

'Alright, that's enough of that,' Lucas thought, motioning for Lucy to join him at the landmark, or what was labeled as the 'Weeping Cherry Tree'. Whatever its official name, it truly lived up to its title. The tree stood as tall as a grown man – well, if the man happened to be five meters in height.

Its leaves displayed shades of aquamarine and bloodstone. If the system hadn't officially categorized it as a landmark, Lucas might have thought it was some kind of extraordinary tree within the midst of this peculiar blend of fantasy and science fiction that the apocalypse had brought about.

"Lucas, did you notice something?" Lucy asked, her tone shifting from concern to curiosity.

"What?" Lucas queried, examining the tree more closely.

"The petals... they seem to emit a subtle glow. Like they're giving off a faint light."

Lucas focused on the blossoms, and indeed, he spotted the delicate luminescence Lucy had pointed out. The petals were truly radiating a gentle glow, casting a soft luminance around the tree.

"That's incredible," Lucas marveled. "I wonder if it's another effect of the system or something inherent in this world."

"Regardless, it's beautiful," Lucy said, a smile playing on her lips. "I think this tree might be even more special than we initially thought."

Meri, who had been listening to their conversation from a short distance, approached them. "It's truly a remarkable sight, sir, miss. I've never witnessed anything quite like it."

Cale, who had been engrossed in examining the torn scroll Lucas had used earlier, looked up at the glowing tree in sheer amazement. "Wow, it's like magic!"

Lucas chuckled. "Indeed, Cale. 'Magic' might just be the right word for it."

"Hey, do you think this tree is somehow connected to the system?" Lucy pondered aloud; her gaze still fixed on the luminous petals.

Lucas contemplated the possibility. "It's certainly a strong possibility. The system seems to influence various aspects of this world, so it wouldn't be surprising if it had an effect on this tree as well."

Meri chimed in, "Perhaps the system enhances the growth of specific plants or imbues them with unique properties. After all, we've encountered creatures with unusual abilities, so why not extend that to plants?"

Cale, who had edged closer to the tree to get a better look, added with a sense of wonder, "Maybe the tree is shining to protect us, like a guardian."

Lucas smiled at Cale's innocent perspective. "That's a lovely thought, Cale. Guardians can take many forms, even that of a beautiful tree."

"So... what exactly does a landmark do?" Lucy asked, her curiosity piqued.

"You think I have the answer?" Lucas replied with a hint of sarcasm.

"Nah, I didn't really expect you to know. I mean, it makes sense for the university to be a landmark since it's our main base, but a tree?" Lucy shook her head, sharing his confusion.

"Well, let's not dive too deep into it. Meri, given that you mostly stay indoors to look after Cale, could you also manage watering this garden? We might not be able to tend to it regularly or on time."

"It's no trouble, sir. I'm pretty much freeloading here anyway," Meri replied with a smile.

Meri's answer triggered a peculiar feeling in Lucy, prompting her to pull Lucas aside for a whispered conversation. "Lucas, don't you think this seems a bit disrespectful? You're sort of treating her like a maid."

Taken aback by Lucy's reaction, Lucas attempted to ease her concerns and elucidate his perspective. "It's just looking after the garden, nothing more. Don't over-analyze it. I believe she genuinely wants to contribute more. Actually, I'd go so far as to say she'd be happy to help. Consider it her way of showing gratitude."

Lucy pondered Lucas' explanation for a moment, her brow furrowed as she contemplated his words. She hadn't really looked at it that way before. After a brief pause, she let out a sigh and nodded slowly.

"I guess you make a valid point. It's just that... well, given our circumstances, it feels odd to have someone else taking care of things for us, especially considering what Meri and Cale have endured," Lucy admitted, her concern evident in her tone.

Lucas placed a reassuring hand on Lucy's shoulder. "I get where you're coming from. But remember, we're establishing a community here, even if it's a small one. Each of us has a unique role to play. Meri has shown incredible support, and if she's willing to tend to the garden, that's one less burden on us."

Lucy glanced at Meri, engrossed in a conversation with Cale, while stealing occasional glances at the distinctive tree. "You're right. Maybe I should stop over-analyzing it. It's just that I'm not accustomed to relying on others like this."

With a sigh of agreement, Lucy let go of Lucas and approached Meri. "Meri, if you ever need help, don't hesitate to ask either Lucas or me. We're here for you," Lucy offered.

"That's very considerate of you, miss, but I'm perfectly capable," Meri responded. Her words seemed to reflect her inherent nature, suggesting that even if she were putting on an act, she'd be remarkably convincing.

Lucas stole a fleeting glance at the weeping cherry tree. Towering and expansive as it already stood, the absence of a protective canopy over the garden and the ongoing mutations affecting all life forms filled the air with anticipation. It wouldn't be surprising if the tree managed to astonish him in due time.

"Well, let's set that aside for now and focus on eating. I'm absolutely starving," Lucas declared.

"Meri, I'll help with cooking this time. Lucy, keep an eye on Cale to make sure he doesn't wander off and get lost."

***

Basking in the warm embrace of the sun's rays, Lucas couldn't help but reflect, "It feels like it's been ages since we've had a chance to relax like this, doesn't it?"

"Quit talking nonsense, Lucas. We're out here fighting zombies; there's nothing enjoyable about it," Lucy shot back as she swung her weapon to fend off another undead creature.

Lucas, lounging casually, playfully, teased, "I don't know what you're complaining about. I'm soaking up the sunshine. It's positively delightful."

Trying to goad Lucy with his banter, Lucas took a casual sip from his juice bottle.

"If you're not going to contribute, Lucas, then at least keep quiet," Lucy scolded amid her strikes.

While Lucy engaged in fierce combat to safeguard their lives, Lucas continued to leisurely revel in the sun's rays. After his recent encounter with a stabbing incident, he desperately needed some time to recuperate. However, he urged Lucy to hone her sword skills without depending solely on her abilities.

With a swift kick to the ribs, a precise punch to the head, and a calculated slice to the neck, Lucy had perfected her technique for immobilizing, disorienting, and beheading the zombies. This approach rendered most ordinary zombies virtually powerless adversaries. The more formidable ones posed a challenge, but the common creatures were no longer a significant threat.

"Lucas, lend a hand, or do you want our protective barrier to weaken and collapse?" Lucy implored, aware that the barrier's strength was waning under the barrage of biting attacks. The barrier's durability was tied to the force of the bites and, over time, it was steadily eroding.

In response to Lucy's urgent plea, Lucas finally rose from his sunbathing position and joined the fray. Swinging his weapon with precision, he dispatched several zombies in rapid succession.

"See? I can be serious too," he quipped, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

Lucy rolled her eyes, a mixture of irritation and amusement flickering across her expression. "Don't think you're getting away that easily. We're a team, Lucas. We need to watch out for each other."

With every fallen zombie, their experience points grew, and their skills sharpened. Lucy's sword strikes became more precise, her motions more fluid. Meri, though not directly in the thick of combat, had refined her archery skills and was contributing strategic support, targeting zombies that ventured too close to their formation.

The battle was unrelenting, but eventually, the last of the zombies was vanquished. The once serene road by the barrier was now littered with corpses, a testament to their victory.

Lucas wiped the sweat from his forehead as he caught his breath. "Well, that was quite the workout."

Lucy nodded in agreement, her chest rising and falling from the exertion. "No kidding."

Meri, though worn out, wore a satisfied smile. "We did good."

After a brief moment of rest, they began to regroup and assess their surroundings. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the garden. Despite their fatigue, a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment enveloped them.