When the flower was finally in my hands, I left that cursed land without looking back.

The soil beneath my boots was cracked and dry, whispering the secrets of those who had fallen there before me. The air itself felt heavy—dense with sorrow, as if the earth mourned for the lives it had devoured.

The owl and I walked beneath a searing sun. Its light pressed down upon my shoulders, yet the forest around us was strangely dim, as though the trees had stolen the brightness for themselves. Every rustle of leaves made me turn; every shadow made my breath falter. Something unseen followed us.

I could not name it, but I could feel it—an invisible gaze, sharp and cold. The air trembled with its presence. Even the birds had gone silent, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.

“Do you feel it too?” I asked quietly.

The owl fluttered his wings once and nodded.

“Yes,” he said, his voice soft but grave. “Someone’s watching you. Be careful.”

I glanced to the side, pretending not to notice. My instincts screamed at me to run, but my purpose chained me still. Then—

“Who dares take that flower?!”

The voice was like thunder tearing through the fog. The ground shuddered beneath my feet. From within the mist, a colossal figure emerged.

He was a monstrous fusion of man and beast—a demon in the shape of a horse, with eyes that burned like dying stars. His stench filled the air, rot and fire mixed into one unbearable odor.

“He’s the guardian of this forest,” the owl whispered, trembling.

I felt my stomach tighten. “I took the flower only to save Arvan,” I said, though even I could hear the desperation in my voice.

“You’ve disturbed what should never be touched,” the owl murmured. “This forest will not forgive you.”

The creature’s voice echoed again, shaking the very air.

“Return the sacred flower!”

The trees bent as if bowing to his fury. I gripped the flower tighter against my chest.

“I will not give it up,” I said.

A cruel grin spread across his monstrous face.

“Then you choose death.”

His eyes blazed brighter. Flames danced along his mane like molten threads.

“If you think you can kill me,” I spat, “then try.”

He laughed, a sound that split the silence into shards. “You have courage, mortal. It will make your death exquisite.”

And with that, the forest exploded into chaos.

I unsheathed my sword and lunged forward. The clash of steel and flame filled the clearing. He moved like smoke—swift, elusive. Every strike of his arm carried the force of a tempest.

CRASH! THUD!

He struck me once, and the world tilted. I tasted blood. My vision blurred, but I forced my body to stand.

“That’s all?” he sneered. “The Ancient Flame reduced to this pathetic spark?”

My hands trembled. My sword felt heavy. I could hear my heartbeat like thunder in my skull.

Then a whisper stirred within my mind—calm, ancient, and familiar.

> “Do not lose yourself. Breathe… see him, not your fear.”

I closed my eyes just long enough to listen.

“Xanders!” the owl cried. “Don’t rush! Arvan still needs you!”

I opened my eyes. The world sharpened into focus. I moved again. My blade cut through the air, slicing deep into the creature’s leg. His scream echoed through the trees like a storm breaking.

“You… wretch!” he howled, staggering.

But rage gave him strength. He came at me with renewed fury. His claws tore through the air, striking sparks from my blade. I blocked, parried, stumbled—but did not fall.

He kicked me hard in the stomach. Pain exploded through my body. The flower slipped from my grasp and rolled a few feet away.

He loomed above me, his breath hot and foul.

“Give me the flower, and I might spare your pitiful life.”

“You’re no guardian,” I said through gritted teeth. “You’re a demon hiding behind sacred names.”

His laughter was a weapon. “Then die with it!”

I spat at his feet. “Never.”

Something inside me broke open. Not in pain—but in fire. Heat surged beneath my skin. My veins burned like molten iron. The air shimmered around me.

“Prepare yourself,” I whispered, “for the end.”

The flames that lived in me awakened, spiraling around my body. I struck again and again, faster, harder, until the world blurred into light and movement.

When he faltered, I leapt high, my sword raised above me. The fire followed, dancing along the blade.

“AAAKHHH! YOU—!”

The strike landed. The creature roared in agony as my sword tore through his back. His body convulsed, then crumbled to the earth with a crash that silenced the forest.

Steam rose from his blood as it seeped into the soil. The smell of iron hung thick in the air.

“Xanders! Hurry—we must go!” the owl shouted.

I nodded, my chest heaving. The flower was safe. The guardian was dead. But the forest no longer felt alive—it felt watchful, waiting.

We left without another word.

—

When we returned to the resting place, Michelle rushed toward me. Her face was pale, her hands trembling.

“Did you find it?” she asked.

I nodded and handed her the flower.

“Here. Quickly—use it to save Arvan.”

She didn’t waste a second. Inside the tent, Arvan lay still, his face drained of color. Michelle crushed the flower with herbs gathered from the forest, grinding them until the scent of life itself filled the air—a bittersweet perfume of hope and decay.

She squeezed the paste through cloth, letting the thick green liquid drip into Arvan’s mouth.

George hovered nearby, his voice shaking. “Will he wake soon?”

Michelle shot him a glare. “Medicine isn’t magic, idiot. Give it time.”

We waited. None of us spoke. The air grew colder, quieter. Even the forest outside seemed to listen.

I watched Arvan’s chest, waiting for the faintest rise, the smallest breath. His skin looked almost translucent, as if he were made of glass.

My hand tightened around the hilt of my sword. I could still feel the heat from the battle, still smell the blood on the wind. I wondered how many more demons this cursed forest was hiding—and whether the price we paid for that flower was worth what it might save.

For now, all I could do was wait.

And hope the gods were listening.

And I hope that Arvan can wake up from his sleep.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep