The Secret of the Flower-Jewel

The knight in black armor halted at the edge of the clearing. The firelight warped across his plates like twisted tongues. Blair tensed at once, though not with ordinary fear: her breathing remained steady, her gaze firm. Asori noticed, and that strange calm stirred a faint suspicion in him.

The intruder tilted his head, letting out a dry laugh.
—Well, well… and here I was, only hunting. But instead of deer, I stumble upon a pretty young girl walking as if she wanted to be followed.

Blair didn’t answer. Her eyes, unwavering, fixed on him as if awaiting his next word.

—At first I thought I’d have some fun —the man continued shamelessly—. Like I usually do with girls who wander alone in the woods. But then I saw that thing in your hair. —He lifted his chin toward Blair’s circlet, whose faint glow pulsed like an exposed heartbeat—. And then my curiosity grew.

Asori arched a brow and dropped back onto the rock, as if the threat didn’t concern him.
—Do you really come wearing full armor just to bother girls in the middle of the night? How noble of you.

The knight cast him an annoyed glance but quickly turned back to Blair.
—Show it to me. If you let me see that jewel… I promise to be gentle.

Blair didn’t move a muscle. Her lips stayed sealed, her face a mask of trained coldness. Inside, however, her thoughts burned.

I can’t react. I mustn’t. My identity is a secret… and this man has already noticed my orb. If I fight in front of this boy, I’ll raise suspicion. If I run, I’ll confirm his doubts and the hunt will begin, and the plan will fall apart. Damn it…

The knight twisted his mouth into a crooked smile.
—So you don’t deny it. —His eyes glimmered with greed—. You’re a bearer, aren’t you? Even if I’m not sure… if I take you and that orb to my commander, he might reward me.

Blair clenched her fists beneath her cloak but said nothing.

Asori, indifferent until that moment, leaned forward. What he saw on Blair’s face was not fear, but contained determination. A hidden struggle raged within her, and that lit a different kind of alarm in him.

The knight stepped closer.
—Of course… I can’t leave witnesses. Rumors about the orbs must not spread.

His gaze fell on Asori, and his smile turned cruel.
—You. The peasant with hard bread. You’re going to die.

The black sword hissed as it left its sheath. The air grew heavy.

Blair spun toward Asori at once, hissing urgently:
—Run! I’ll handle this.

Asori looked at her, baffled.
—So… leave you alone with your admirer?

She didn’t answer, only pressed her lips tight. The knight didn’t wait any longer: he charged at Asori with his blade raised.

The boy lifted an arm in a clumsy attempt to block. The clash was brutal: the blade slashed across him, sending him crashing to the ground with a deep gash. Blood darkened the grass in seconds.

—Asori! —Blair took a step but froze halfway, torn between instinct and reason.

The knight laughed, satisfied.
—One less. Now you, pretty little girl, come with me.

Blair trembled with contained rage. But before she could move, a blinding light burst forth: Asori, writhing on the ground, arched as violent radiance flared from his chest. His hands clutched the necklace he’d worn since childhood. The orb set in it glowed brighter than ever.

The air quivered. The fire bent backward, repelled.

Blair’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Then I was right… he too…

Asori gasped, his voice ragged.
—I… won’t… die yet.

The knight recoiled in shock.
—What in hell…?

Power swelled like a storm. Blair knelt beside him, cradling his head with trembling hands.

I can’t let it end like this! I can’t lose him now that I’ve found him!

She cupped Asori’s face in both hands. He opened his eyes just barely, dazed, trembling.

—Look at me, Asori!

And she kissed him.

The kiss wasn’t simple. It was a silent lightning bolt that shot through skin, nerves, and soul. Heat coursed through Asori’s veins, stitching the wound with unseen threads, burning away the pain, restoring his breath.

But it wasn’t only healing. It was a flood that swept everything aside. The whole forest seemed to lean into that moment. The fire burst in golden sparks. The air whipped into whirlwinds, tearing leaves, dust, and branches.

Asori’s eyes shone. His breathing changed—deeper, different.

Blair pulled back, lips burning, face flushed and panting. She stared at him in awe.
What… is this? Did it actually work?

The henchman staggered back, startled.

Both orbs glowed in unison, their lights entwining like two converging streams.

The bond was sealed.

Asori opened his eyes, now blazing with the orb’s light. The air thundered as he lifted his hand and, with a burst of raw energy, hurled the knight against the trees. The impact knocked him out, his body tumbling down a hidden ravine.

A heavy silence lingered. Only the crackle of the fire dared to fill the air.

Blair, fingers brushing her lips, blushed, her heart racing—understanding that her “plan” had worked, all because of that kiss.

A bearer… he’s a bearer too.

Asori stood for a few moments longer, still glowing, then suddenly the light faded.

His knees gave way. He collapsed.

—Asori! —Blair rushed to him, holding him against her chest.

He slowly opened his eyes. No strange light remained—only confusion, exhaustion, weakness.

—W-what… happened? —he gasped.

Blair looked at him, unable to answer. She had seen the fury, the possession, the unleashed violence… but she couldn’t tell him everything. She swallowed hard and forced a gentle smile.

—You defended yourself. And you won.

Asori frowned, disbelief clouding his expression.
—I don’t remember anything. Just… wind. And then darkness.

Blair held him tighter. She knew the truth was far from simple.

He let out a weak, broken laugh.
—At least I’m alive. I guess… I owe you one.

Blair’s cheeks flushed. She turned her face away, her voice tinged with a reluctant tenderness.
—Don’t get carried away. It was… necessary.

Asori smiled faintly, though a spark lit his weary eyes.
—Sure, sure… Silver-Haired Princess.

Blair huffed, but a smile betrayed her lips.
—Idiot.

She offered him her hand. He hesitated, then took it. Blair helped him to his feet.

By the fire, the two stood for a moment, leaning on each other, breathing in unison. The flame flickered, as if the forest itself wanted to etch the image into memory.

Asori, between ragged breaths and blood, gave a weak smile.
—I told you… the bread works for defense.

Blair couldn’t help but laugh despite the storm of emotions. The forest, a silent witness, kept its secret for one more night.