The Flower Is Finished

The evening sun lowered its curtain slowly, leaving streaks of orange drifting across the sky. The fading light fell upon the figure of Farel, who stood facing the distant palace. The gentle breeze brushed through his brown hair, yet his body remained still—rooted firmly to the earth. Despite being born frail and often ill, Farel always pushed himself beyond his limits. He was one of the few people I truly trusted, someone who refused to crumble even when life treated him harshly.

I watched his back for a long moment, trying to read his heart.

I already knew what filled his thoughts—fear, anger, guilt, and a deep aching worry. The situation this time was different. The demons had not taken just one or two villagers… but almost an entire settlement. Among them was Farel's own family.

"Have you calmed yourself?" I asked gently, taking a seat beside him.

Farel did not turn. He merely exhaled and cleared his throat softly, as if words were too heavy to speak.

"How are they…?" he finally murmured, his voice trembling.

I swallowed, struggling to find the right words. Before I could answer, my mind wandered back to those vile creatures—the demons whose existence revolved around destruction and slaughter.

Ever since it was revealed that I carried the ancient flame within me, my heart had been in constant unrest. The ancient flame was a power strong enough to burn the world, and because of it, I was watched, hunted, and feared. Yet it was also the only thing that could protect those I cared about—especially Grandma Wilona. That was why I brought her to the city and asked Shasha to stay by her side.

"I… I'm sorry for not bringing them to the capital," I said quietly.

At last, Farel turned to me. His eyes were tired but gentle.

"You did nothing wrong," he said firmly. "They never wanted to live in the city. The ones at fault are the demons."

His voice rose with anger, but I knew he wasn't angry at me—he was angry at the world.

"Let's kill those demons," he said again, this time with a deeper, sharper tone. "Let's wipe them out down to their roots."

He raised his sword slightly, and for the first time, I saw a blazing resolve in his eyes.

Night fell quickly, and we needed to prepare. The journey to our home village was long, stretching across forests, hills, and valleys. We could not wait until morning.

---

Our march began.

A massive force accompanied us—nearly one hundred thousand soldiers from four divisions of the royal army. A long line of torchlight illuminated the road, while horses' hooves tapped rhythmically against the ground. George joined us as well, and for the first time, he was appointed as field commander. His shoulders were tense, his eyes darting nervously left and right.

"You didn't bring your little dog today?" I asked, attempting to ease his tension.

George turned with a thin smile.

"I wanted to… but I'm afraid something might happen to him."

I hummed quietly. Didn't he nearly kill that dog himself once? I couldn't help questioning the sincerity behind his smile.

We walked for hours until our bodies felt heavy.

"I think we should rest," I suggested. "It's almost dawn."

George nodded and ordered the soldiers to set up temporary tents. The warm glow of campfires soon filled the area, chasing away the cold of the night.

Farel sat alone beneath a large tree, staring blankly at the ground.

George approached me and said, "I heard you two came from the same village. My condolences for what happened." He patted my shoulder. "You must control your emotions. Don't let rage rule your decisions."

I didn't reply, only gave a small nod.

How could I not feel rage?

Every day, the demons multiplied.

They were like an endless river—always returning, always attacking.

If there was a way to erase them entirely… I would do it without hesitation.

Inside the tent, I found Farel still awake.

"You're not sleeping?" I asked.

"I'm thinking about my family," he replied softly.

I sat beside him. "Be patient. I'm sure Uncle will save them."

He didn't answer.

"Did you send word to Shasha?" he asked after a moment, remembering his younger sister.

"Yes. She was devastated when she heard the elves were attacked. She wants to help, but she can't do much. She only sent a few potions for you."

I handed him several small pills, and he swallowed them without hesitation.

"I hope they're safe…" he whispered.

I smiled faintly.

Just as I closed my eyes, my necklace suddenly pulsed—

a bright, blood-red glow, beating like a living heart.

"Farel! Wake up!" I shouted.

He jolted awake. I rushed outside immediately.

"George! Watch out—!"

But I was too late.

Demons exploded from the darkness.

They crashed into the soldiers, tearing flesh and armor with their claws.

Screams erupted everywhere as bodies hit the ground. The earth shook beneath their weight.

George was thrown backward, slamming into an old tree trunk.

I drew my sword and cut down the first demon I saw.

But the more I killed, the more they appeared.

One fell—two replaced it.

Two died—four more rose.

"Attack!"

Farel roared and charged forward, his movements fueled by desperation. But a demon caught his arm and bit deeply into his flesh. His sword fell to the ground.

I tried to reach him, but another demon blocked my path.

My necklace glowed again—

the ancient flame stirring restlessly within me.

A pulse of scorching heat burst outward.

The demon aiming for Farel's throat was flung away by the blast.

I shouted, unleashing the flame fully.

Fire exploded around me, burning the very air.

When the last demon fell, I found Farel unconscious, his skin pale.

George was still alive, barely.

"How is he?" George asked weakly.

I knelt beside Farel. His breathing was unstable.

"Healers! Quickly!" I shouted.

One rushed over, checking his pulse with trembling hands.

"What is it?" I demanded.

"He's been poisoned," the healer said grimly. "We must remove it at once."

"Are the other bitten soldiers the same?" I asked.

"Yes. All show identical symptoms. This is… black poison."

I frowned.

"What is that?"

The healer swallowed hard.

"It's a toxin created by the Demon King himself. Anyone bitten by a demon carrying this poison will suffer the same fate as Lord Farel."

I clenched my fists.

"Then tell me—how do we cure it?"

That was the question that made his life depend on me.

---