The Flower Is Finished

The Forbidden Forest

As we looked around, Jack suddenly noticed traces of someone who had passed through this place.

"Wait… these aren't human footprints?" Jack asked, staring at the ground to make sure of what he saw.

"They look like…"

"Sir Xanders?"

The five of us exchanged glances, and at once, our faces reflected the same realization. The air grew still for a moment, the kind of silence that presses against the chest. Even the faint rustle of leaves seemed to pause, as though the forest itself was listening.

"So it's true—Lucky was barking toward the Forbidden Forest because he sensed that Xanders entered here?" Jack asked.

He nodded slightly, while George seemed to be searching for Lucky's whereabouts.

"George, we'd better get out of here first. Maybe if we ask the King for help, he can break the seal," Arvan suggested.

George nodded weakly, still scanning the surroundings. His eyes darted between the trees, as though he expected something—or someone—to emerge from the mist. The trees here were unlike any others, their trunks pale and slick as if carved from bone. A thin fog wrapped around our boots, curling like ghostly hands.

Before we knew it, the day had grown long. We were exhausted after wandering for hours. The air here felt cool and damp; the leaves brushed against each other, and the sun was slowly sinking beyond the trees. Shadows stretched like fingers across the mossy ground, and every step we took echoed faintly, swallowed quickly by the whispering forest.

"We've been walking forever… are we still trapped in this forest maze?" Jack muttered, exhaling harshly as his eyes darted around.

"Are we going to be trapped here forever?" George asked with a distant look in his eyes.

The once-strong and firm man now looked frail, drained of all resolve. His shoulders slumped; his sword hand trembled ever so slightly.

"Do you think the King can't break this seal?"

"I don't know. He studied it, yes—but he's never practiced it before. Remember, this is the Forbidden Forest. Anyone who approaches it will have their energy drained."

"Lucky! Where are you!" George shouted at the top of his lungs, calling for his beloved dog.

His voice echoed through the dense woods, carried off by the wind, fading into something that almost sounded like a whisper answering back.

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POV Xanders

That afternoon, I was enjoying the calm with Lira.

I walked slowly, leaning occasionally on my staff. My strength was gradually returning. The air smelled faintly of rain, and the river nearby hummed softly, reflecting the glimmer of the lowering sun.

We had gone fishing by the river, and Lira was overjoyed to see that I'd caught three large fish.

"Are we going to sell them at the market?" she asked.

I shook my head. "No, I'll roast them for our dinner tonight."

"Yay! We're having fish for dinner!" she cheered, hopping happily beside me.

"Usually, when you catch fish, you sell them at the market—but that takes forever," she said, smiling.

I chuckled, remembering how far the market was from the village.

"Are you happy, Lira?" I asked softly.

"Yes! I'm happy you're here with me," she said, but her voice faded toward the end.

"Are you leaving soon?" she asked, her eyes dimming.

I froze, startled by her question. If I left Lira, it meant my true journey would begin. For a moment, the world felt unbearably quiet—the river, the wind, even the song of the sparrows seemed to still. I realized how fragile this peace truly was.

"I'll be sad if you can't play with me anymore," she whispered.

I gently took her small hand. "If you ever want to see me, go to the castle. I'll be waiting for you there."

"But you told me not to get involved with the castle," she pouted.

I smiled. "Then I'll come visit you often instead."

"You promise, right?" she asked, her bright eyes locked on mine.

I nodded. "I promise."

While I was watching the river, something moving on the surface caught my attention. Ripples broke the reflection of the clouds, spreading wider and wider.

"Brother, what is that?" Lira asked.

"I'm not sure… but it looks alive. Stay here, Lira. I'll check it out."

SPLASH!

I dove into the river and pulled the creature out. It was a dog—badly injured. Its fur was soaked and matted with blood, and faint steam rose from its wounds as though it had been struck by something cursed.

"Lira, let's go home. We need to check on him."

I packed up quickly and carried the dog back to the house.

When we arrived, Michelle was already there, her face full of worry.

"What happened to him?" she asked.

"I'm not sure," I replied.

"Alright, lay him down. I'll treat him first."

She carefully examined the dog's wounds and temperature. After some time, she managed to stabilize him.

Then she came to me and said, "I think someone is trapped in the Forbidden Forest. This dog might be looking for them."

I frowned. "Wait—do you mean someone's lost in the Stone Forest, and this dog was trying to find them?"

Michelle nodded. "That's what I think. He came from the upper stream. If someone was swept away, I'm sure they're lost, and their energy has been drained. It might take them a few hours to wake up."

I nodded slowly, watching the dog as it lay there, eyes closed. Its wounds looked like the marks of a serpent's constriction—perhaps from a demon snake.

The thought made my heart tighten. Memories of ancient creatures, half-forgotten from the wars of the old kingdom, surfaced in my mind.

Hours passed. I began to doze off when the loud barking startled me awake.

"You're awake?" I asked.

"Woof! Woof!"

The dog barked repeatedly, staring right at me.

"I don't know why you're barking like that," I muttered.

Lira ran over. "Brother, why is he so noisy?"

"I don't know… maybe he needs something," I said, tapping my chin thoughtfully before flicking her forehead playfully.

"Now you sound like a scientist," I joked, chuckling.

Lira pouted in response.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

The barking didn't stop. Moments later, Michelle entered the room carrying a tray of vegetables she'd harvested.

"He seems quite energetic already," she said.

"Wait," she suddenly knelt beside the dog. "Are you… trying to say something?"

The dog barked loudly again.

"We need to go into the forest," Michelle said firmly.

I blinked. "You mean… we're going in there?"

"Yes. He's been trying to tell you something. Someone's still inside."

I frowned. "But what about Lira?"

"I'll ask the village head to watch her," Michelle replied without hesitation.

We ate lunch first, then took Lira to the village head's home. He seemed to understand what was happening—he'd lived here long enough to know the forest's curse. His old eyes darkened with unease as he handed me a charm carved from ancient oak. "It won't stop the curse," he said quietly, "but it may remind the forest that you're not its enemy."

"Are you sure you're going to find them, Michelle?" the village head asked.

"I have to," she said firmly. "It sounds urgent."

We set off toward the forest. The sky had turned gray, and the wind carried a heavy stillness. Each gust brought with it the faint scent of ash and old rain, a memory of something burned long ago.

"We must find them quickly," Michelle urged, her voice filled with determination.

As we entered the forest, silence surrounded us.

It felt like walking into a world that time had forgotten, where shadows had weight and the air itself seemed alive. The trees stood like sentinels guarding secrets too ancient for words.

It felt like walking into a prison of shadows—where even the birds dared not sing.

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