The Flower Is Finished

We continued walking toward the highest peak, but the farther we climbed, the colder the temperature became. Even my body could no longer feel anything. I glanced around. There were no signs of life, not even the wind, making me think that something was wrong. Faintly, I heard the sound of something collapsing.

William and Farrel seemed to notice it as well, and they both turned toward me.

"Will there be a snowstorm?" I nodded. Although I rarely stayed in places with such cold weather, I could hear what was happening. The sound seemed to be getting closer to us.

"Let's find shelter first. It looks like a massive snowstorm is coming."

We immediately searched for a place to hide, such as a cave, to avoid the snowstorm.

We found a cave almost completely covered by snow, and the three of us immediately entered. As soon as we stepped inside, my foot accidentally stepped on a snake's shed skin.

"Be quiet for a moment," I said to Farel and William.

They immediately stopped walking and turned toward me.

"What happened?" Farel asked while looking around cautiously.

"There are snake skins beneath your feet," I said quietly.

Farel and William looked down at the snow-covered ground. There were several snake skins scattered around, making it likely that this was a snake's nest. But outside, the snowstorm was already raging, and we had no choice but to take shelter here, even if it meant risking our lives.

"We escaped the crocodile's den only to enter the tiger's den," William cursed.

William slowly lifted his feet and carefully moved the snake skins aside.

"Let's go in," I said as I slowly walked forward, trying not to step on the snake skins again.

"But won't it be more dangerous if we go deeper inside?" Farel asked, raising one eyebrow.

We couldn't just stand at the entrance of the cave. If we did, we would probably be buried by the snowstorm.

"I think they're hibernating, so it's better if we go inside," I said, sounding unsure. Even so, there was still doubt in my heart that I couldn't ignore. What if the snakes weren't hibernating?

"I've heard that snakes hibernate during winter," William said.

"But this is the Werewolf territory. How could snakes exist here?"

The two of us looked at each other. This region had never experienced summer or autumn. There was only winter here, which meant snow all year round. So how could snakes live in such a cold place?

"Hurry inside. The snowstorm is getting closer."

I immediately urged William and Farel to enter the cave. They still looked hesitant, so I quickly took the lead.

"Xanders, wait for us," Farel called out.

The two of them immediately followed me.

Along the rocky walls were several enormous snake skins and many different kinds of scales.

"This really looks like a snake's nest," Farel said.

I ignored him.

A few seconds later, the sound of the snowstorm shook the entire cave.

The ground trembled violently.

We immediately grabbed onto the cave walls to keep ourselves from falling.

"Hold on to something, or you'll fall!" William warned.

We quickly held onto the walls.

Although the shaking had stopped, we still had to be careful. The deeper we went into the cave, the darker it became.

"Let's stop here. Don't go any deeper," William said.

I immediately stopped walking because my eyes accidentally caught sight of an enormous snake tail in front of us.

"I think I see something," I said uncertainly while looking at Farel and William.

The two of them narrowed their eyes and stared ahead.

"Is that a snake spirit?" William asked nervously.

I immediately looked at my necklace.

It wasn't glowing, but I could feel the snake getting closer to us.

"I think we should leave. I don't want to be eaten alive," Farel said.

But I remained silent while staring at the snake.

The hissing sound grew louder.

We slowly stepped backward.

"What are you doing here?"

The three of us immediately turned around.

There was a small snake behind us.

It was talking.

"You…"

"You... can talk?"

"What did it just say?"

The three of us spoke at the same time.

The little snake slowly slithered toward us, causing us to step back in fear.

"I'm asking you. What are you doing here?" it asked.

I swallowed nervously.

"May we rest here for a while?" I asked.

The little snake nodded.

Although it was very small, it looked rather adorable. Its tiny body still carried an innocent appearance.

"Yes, you may stay here for a while."

While we were talking, another hissing sound echoed behind us.

We turned around once again.

A gigantic snake was staring at us from the darkness.

"What are you doing here, humans?"

The enormous snake suddenly spoke, causing us to step backward in fear.

Instead of attacking us, it slowly approached the little snake.

"Please don't kill us... and don't eat us!" Farel suddenly shouted while raising both hands toward the giant snake.

"That is the Snake King."

"What?"

"The Snake King?" Farel asked with a confused expression.

"Father, may they stay here for a while?" the little snake asked innocently.

The Snake King remained silent as it looked at us.

"What is your purpose for coming here?" the Snake King asked while approaching us.

We instinctively stepped backward.

"Don't be afraid of my father. He's very kind," the little snake said.

The three of us could only let out awkward coughs.

"O-Outside there's a snowstorm. May we rest here for a while?" Farel asked nervously.

From this distance, we could finally see just how majestic and enormous the snake truly was.

"You've disturbed my hibernation," the Snake King said before turning away.

The little snake immediately followed its father.

"If you wish to rest, then come inside. Otherwise, leave."

Hearing the little snake's words, we immediately followed them despite our hesitation.

Occasionally, we glanced around to observe the cave.

The deeper we went, the darker it became, making it difficult to see clearly.

However, the smell grew stronger the farther we walked.

"Are you sure they won't bite and eat us?" William asked.

I turned toward him.

From his expression, it was obvious that he was frightened.

"Is this your first time seeing a giant snake?" I asked.

He nodded.

"That snake is mentioned in the Book of Legends. It is one of the beasts that guards…"

William suddenly stopped speaking.

Farel and I waited for him to continue.

"Guards what?" Farel asked.

I immediately understood what he meant.

"Wait... do you mean the thing we're searching for?" Farel asked after noticing William and me exchanging glances.

He had spoken exactly what both of us were thinking.

"So you really know about that flower?" I asked.

William let out a deep sigh.

"I'll explain the legends passed down by our ancestors," William said quietly.

I waited for William to continue his story.

But just as he was about to speak, the three of us accidentally stepped on the snake's tail.

We all froze.

"What are you talking about?" the little snake asked.

We immediately panicked because the Snake King was also staring at us.

"Ah... nothing. We were only talking about how cold the Werewolf and Vampire territories are," Farel said with an awkward smile.

"So, what brings you to the foot of this mountain?" the little snake asked while narrowing its eyes.

It was staring at me... or perhaps at my necklace.

But I felt that it was staring directly at me, although I pushed that thought aside.

"You... Ancient Flame?"

I was startled when it recognized me.

"Who are you?" I asked in return.

Although I was slightly afraid, I could sense that it knew something we didn't.

"So the prophecy is true?" it asked while looking away.

"Prophecy?"

I raised an eyebrow.

Suddenly, its tail pushed Farel and William aside and tried to wrap around my body.

I quickly dodged its tail.

"What are you doing?" I shouted.

The Snake King swung its tail again, ignoring its child who was calling for it.

"Father... what's wrong with you?"

Note: Sorry if Farrel's name is misspelled.