From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals
Chapter 166: (skippable) New years Special (skippable)

Ty awoke, his green eyes ablaze with a peculiar fervor that only surfaced on rare occasions. The skeletal frame that constituted his being seemed to resonate with a newfound purpose, a warmth that defied his deathly appearance. Today, he was on a mission, one that felt oddly comforting amidst the chaos of his existence – teaching Nanako and Todd the art of baking an apple pie.

The morning sun cast a gentle glow across the room, touching the edges of Ty's skeletal form, making his shadow dance lightly against the walls of the quaint kitchen. The kitchen was an eclectic mix of the old and the new, a testament to the world they inhabited – one foot in the past, another in a future unknown.

Nanako, with her striking dark blue hair, watched Ty with a mix of curiosity and amusement. Her youthful face, usually marked by a determined seriousness, now held a soft, expectant smile. Todd, the imposing figure with his green skin that spoke of his orcish lineage, leaned over the counter with a look of concentration so intense it bordered on comical.

"Alright," Ty began, his voice a gravelly echo that filled the room. "The first step to a great apple pie is, of course, the apples. But since we don't have apples here..." He paused, his bony fingers rummaging through a basket of assorted fruits that looked nothing like the apples he remembered.

Each fruit was a splash of vibrant colors and odd shapes, some with spiky exteriors, others glowing faintly. Ty picked up a fruit that resembled a cross between a pear and a luminescent orb. He turned it over in his hand, the light catching its surface and casting prismatic colors across the room.

Nanako leaned in, her eyes wide with wonder. "What's that one?" she asked, her voice tinged with the excitement of a child discovering a new toy.

"This," Ty said, his voice trailing off as he realized the truth. "This is not an apple. None of these are."

In that moment of realization, Ty's resolve did not falter. Instead, it kindled a spark of curiosity within his skeletal chest. He placed the pear-like orb back into the basket and reached for another fruit, this one a deep shade of crimson with a surface as smooth as polished stone. "Let's replace out what we have here," he murmured, his fingers gently probing the fruit's surface.

Nanako and Todd watched, rapt with attention, as Ty carefully sliced the fruit open. The inside revealed a marbled pattern of red and white, emitting a sweet, tangy aroma that filled the kitchen. Ty brought a piece to where his nose would have been, a habit from his living days. "Smells promising," he noted, handing a slice to Nanako.

Nanako bit into the fruit, her eyes lighting up. "It's sweet, but not quite like an apple," she commented, passing a slice to Todd. The orcish figure took a hesitant bite, his eyes widening in surprise. "Tastes good, but it's too tangy for an apple pie, I think," Todd grumbled.

Undeterred, Ty reached for another fruit. This one was smaller, round, and had a rough, textured skin that reminded him of an orange. However, its color was a pale yellow, almost glowing in the dim light of the kitchen. He sliced it open to reveal a cluster of seeds surrounded by a translucent flesh.

The taste test of this fruit yielded a unanimous verdict – it was citrusy and far too sour for their purpose. Nanako puckered her lips in distaste while Todd simply shook his head. Ty chuckled at their reactions, a sound that seemed to emanate from the very bones of his being.

The next candidate was a fruit that seemed to shimmer with a soft blue hue, its surface covered in tiny, delicate scales. "Now, this is interesting," Ty said, slicing it open. The inside was a vibrant blue, with a texture that reminded him of a watermelon. He offered a piece to Nanako and Todd.

The taste was a burst of sweetness, refreshing and light, yet it lacked the robust body of an apple's flavor.

It was the sixth fruit, unassuming in its appearance, that held the key. It was round and had a muted green color, with a faint blush of pink where the sun had kissed its skin. Cutting into it, Ty found the flesh was white and crisp, with a sweet aroma that hinted at apples. Nanako's eyes sparkled as she tasted it. "This is it, Ty! This one's close to an apple!" she exclaimed.

Ty tasted the fruit, and a smile would have crossed his face if he had one. It was indeed close to the taste of apples – sweet, with a hint of tartness, perfect for a pie. "Let's start over," he declared, a new sense of purpose in his voice.

"This fruit will be our substitute for apples." And with that, the trio set to work, embarking on their culinary adventure afresh, guided by Ty's newfound discovery.

Ty, with an air of a seasoned chef, gathered Nanako and Todd around the kitchen counter, now transformed into a makeshift cooking class. The fruit, remarkably similar to an apple, lay at the center, ready to be turned into a culinary masterpiece. "First things first," Ty began, "we'll need to prepare our filling. Nanako, could you peel and slice these fruits? We need them thin and even."

Nanako nodded, her dark blue hair swaying as she set to work with a peeler. Todd, meanwhile, watched intently, his large, green hands ready for the next task. "And Todd, you'll be on dough duty. It's crucial for the pie's base."

Ty then detailed the recipe, his voice steady and clear:

"For the dough, we need two and a half cups of flour, a teaspoon of salt, a tablespoon of sugar, and a cup of unsalted butter, chilled and cubed."

"Mix the dry ingredients first. Then, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs."

"Gradually add ice water, just enough to bring the dough together. We'll need to chill it for an hour before rolling it out."

"For the filling, besides our sliced fruit, we'll add a cup of sugar, two tablespoons of flour, a pinch of salt, and a dash of cinnamon for that holiday flavor."

As Ty continued, the kitchen filled with a symphony of culinary activities. Nanako's careful peeling and slicing, Todd's diligent dough preparation, and the clinking of utensils created a rhythm of their own.

Suddenly, the enticing aroma of their pie-in-progress seemed to transcend the confines of the kitchen. It wafted through the corridors, drawing an unexpected visitor. King Griswald, a figure both majestic and imposing, entered the kitchen, drawn by the scent. "What marvelous fragrance beckons me to this humble kitchen?" he boomed, his eyes fixated on the bustling trio.

Nanako, startled by the sudden entrance, nearly dropped a slice of fruit. Todd, equally surprised, paused in his dough-making. Ty, however, greeted the king with a nod, "King Griswald, just in time to witness the creation of our holiday pie."

The king's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "May I have a taste of this wondrous creation?" he inquired, his voice resonating with a blend of authority and genuine interest.

Ty smiled, or at least he would have if he could. "Of course, Your Majesty. But it's still a work in progress. The best is yet to come."

As the final minutes of baking ticked away, the aroma of the pie filled the kitchen, creating a cozy atmosphere. Ty, Nanako, and Todd, joined by King Griswald, gathered around the oven in anticipation. The warmth from the oven fought back the winter chill, drawing them closer in a circle of camaraderie.

The oven timer chimed, and with a flourish, Ty opened the door, retrieving their creation. The pie, golden and steaming, was a testament to their combined efforts. As Ty set it on the counter to cool, a hush fell over the group, each absorbing the significance of this shared endeavor.

In the soft light of the kitchen, they took turns sharing their thoughts. Ty, his green eyes glowing softly, spoke of unexpected friendships and the strength found in unity. Nanako, her eyes reflecting the pie's warmth, mused on the trials they had overcome and the resilience they had all found.

Todd, ever the source of light-heartedness, declared his New Year's resolution to master another dish, prompting laughter from the group.

King Griswald, observing their bond, imparted words of wisdom. "In the heart of adversity lies the seed of brotherhood. Your unity, your shared laughter, is the beacon that lights the darkest nights," he said, his voice resonating with a timbre of ancient knowledge.

Finally, the moment arrived to taste the pie. As they each took a slice, the room was filled with approving nods and smiles. The flavor of the pie was unique, a perfect blend of the new and familiar, much like their journey together.

Raising their glasses in a toast, they saluted the New Year. Just then, as if by magic, a rare phenomenon occurred outside – a beautiful display of northern lights, casting an ethereal glow over the snow-laden landscape. It was a sight seldom seen, and it filled their hearts with wonder.