Ember

The next morning, Lian woke up feeling… nervous? Maybe that was too small a word. He was borderline terrified to face the silence fern.

Morwen was already waiting by the fire, sipping her mysterious brew. “Ready to meet your leafy destiny?”

Kael snorted. “I’m ready to see what kind of plant drama this is. Maybe it throws shade?”

Mira rolled her eyes but smiled. “Let’s just get this over with.”

They climbed back up the mountain, following the rough path to the place Morwen called the “hollow of quiet whispers.”

The silence fern looked… well, like a plant. But not just any plant. It had long, droopy leaves that seemed to absorb sound, like the world was quieter just standing near it.

Morwen gave a small bow. “Respect the fern’s wish for silence. No talking, no noise, no sneezing—no nothing.”

Lian nodded seriously. “Got it. No noise.”

Kael winked. “No promises if I see a squirrel.”

Mira took a deep breath and gave Lian a warning glance. “Remember, this is serious.”

Lian nodded again and slowly stepped toward the fern.

The second he got close, his stomach rumbled loudly.

Morwen raised an eyebrow.

Kael burst out laughing.

Mira covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

Lian’s face turned beet red. “I swear it wasn’t on purpose!”

He tried to quietly tiptoe toward the fern, but every step seemed louder than the last. Leaves rustled. A bird chirped. Somewhere, a branch snapped.

Morwen sighed and shook her head. “You’re making a concert, not a quiet moment.”

Lian crouched next to the fern, hands shaking. He tried to hold perfectly still.

Then, out of nowhere, a squirrel zoomed by — and Kael’s dramatic gasp made Lian jump, knocking into the fern.

The fern shuddered — and then… a tiny puff of glowing spores exploded into the air.

Lian coughed. “What now?!”

Morwen blinked, coughing too. “That’s the silence fern’s defense. It makes you… really sleepy.”

Kael rubbed her eyes. “Perfect. Sleepy Lian is the best Lian.”

Mira whispered, “Don’t fall asleep.”

Lian staggered backward, his eyelids drooping. “I’m… not… sleepy…”

He collapsed onto the ground, snoring loudly.

Kael clapped. “Mission accomplished?”

Morwen shook her head. “He needs to collect the ember heart from the fern’s core. But he’s out cold.”

Kael grinned. “Looks like we get to do all the work now!”

Mira gave her a warning look. “Nope. Morwen said only he can do it.”

Kael groaned. “Of course. Because that’s fair.”

Morwen smiled slyly. “Lian just needs to wake up and do it himself. But first, he’s gotta survive the fern nap.”

Hours passed.

Lian snored like a freight train.

Kael and Mira took turns trying not to laugh or poke him.

Morwen hummed a tune and offered a biscuit. “Anyone want more snacks while we wait?”

Kael grabbed two. “I’m here for the free show.”

When Lian finally woke up, he looked around groggily.

“Did I miss the party?”

Mira smirked. “You missed a lot.”

Lian rubbed his eyes. “Okay… time to get that ember heart.”

He crept back to the fern, now glowing softly in the late afternoon light.

This time, he whispered an apology to the fern and promised to be quiet.

Carefully, he reached into the core and pulled out a glowing red flower shaped like a tiny flame.

He held it up triumphantly.

Morwen clapped. “Well done.”

Kael grinned. “And no naps this time!”

Lian sighed with relief.

Morwen nodded. “You have all three ingredients now.”

Kael joked, “Wait, do we get to eat the antidote or something? Because I’m starving.”

Mira rolled her eyes. “One step at a time.”

Morwen smiled wide. “Now, the real work begins.”

Lian groaned. “Great. What now?”

Morwen leaned in and whispered, “Mixing the antidote.”

Kael’s eyes lit up. “Ooooh, science time!”

Mira just groaned.

The three friends, plus Morwen, laughed together as the sun dipped behind the mountain.

Whatever power Lian would unlock, one thing was clear: with this crew, adventure would never be boring.