DNA Flower

When I opened my eyes again, the broken mirror in the corner of the room reflected the image of a young woman I didn’t recognize. And for the first time, I understood that my fight wasn’t only against Margarida, Oliver, or Wobo. My fight would be against destiny itself, which was trying to erase me.

— I will survive, and I will take revenge on all of them. — I murmured to myself, feeling the flame ignite in my chest.

— It’s over, Wobo. I’m taking you back to the cell. — I said firmly, even though my voice still trembled.

He smiled, that wide, predatory smile that made me want to dig my nails into his throat.

— Heroine… You still don’t understand anything. — Wobo’s words came out like a venomous provocation.

Before I could reply, Wobo brought his hand to his mouth and bit down on something small, almost imperceptible. A puff of pink smoke slipped through his teeth, dissolving into the air within seconds.

— What did you do? — I asked, raising my fists.

Suddenly, he lunged forward. I felt his strong hands grab me from behind, lifting me as if I were light. My body reacted by instinct: I raised my legs and pressed my feet against his torso, trying to keep distance.

But something was wrong. The intention to attack simply didn’t come. My mind said “fight,” but my body hesitated, as if my nerves were confused.

— N-no… — I whispered, angry at myself.

Wobo only laughed. And before I could land a kick, he leaned in and stole another kiss.

I pushed him away, desperate, but he was faster; he suddenly let me go, and I fell on my back onto the floor. The air burst out of my lungs in a dry thud.

— What… did you… do to me? — I asked, my breath broken.

The heat burning through my veins wasn’t only from anger. Something was wrong, something leaving me vulnerable, exposed.

Wobo watched me from above, his golden eyes shining with malice. His smile was the answer I didn’t want to hear.

— Everything is going exactly as I planned. — said Wobo.

The heat inside me began to spread like a fever. My vision blurred, torches flickered in unreal colors, as if the world were made of broken glass. My ears buzzed with distant voices that mixed like echoes in a tunnel.

What is this…?

I felt my heart race, but at the same time, a strange slowness took hold of my muscles. My body burned, but emotions tangled — anger, fear, shame… even a strange sensation of pleasure mixed with nausea. I no longer knew what was mine and what came from the smoke.

I fell to my knees, hands trembling on the stone floor.

Wobo leaned closer, his shadow covering my body like a predator surrounding prey.

— You feel it, don’t you? The DNA Flower not only transforms… it messes everything inside you. — his voice was deep, laced with false tenderness.

— What… did you… do to me? — I tried to speak, but my voice came out weak, trembling.

Wobo laughed, baring his teeth.

— I’ll give you two options: either you submit to me… or you die here and now. — said Wobo, completely in control.

My eyes widened, fear slicing through my chest like a blade. The air seemed to vanish. Submission… or death?

It was at that moment that I heard voices outside.

— Araya! — it was Kalea, pounding on the door.

— Open immediately! — Ryn’s deep voice followed.

— If you don’t answer, I’ll break this damn door down! — even Oliver shouted ironically.

The wood cracked loudly. The door fell sideways, and the three stormed into the room.

Ryn froze at the sight. Kalea covered her mouth, shocked. Oliver narrowed his eyes, as if confirming his worst fears.

I was still on the floor, trying to regain control of my breathing.

— He… he used the Flower on me. Tried to break me. — I told them.

Oliver pointed at Wobo, furious.

— Bastard! I’ll drag you back to the cell right now! — Oliver shouted.

But Wobo raised his chin, confident, and looked directly at me.

— Not until Araya decides. After all… he’s the new master here. So, Araya… what will it be? — Wobo asked.

My body trembled. His words were poison in my mind. Part of me wanted to give in, just so the pain would stop. Part of me wanted to stand and tear his throat out. But nothing seemed to obey my command.

— Don’t worry. The effect of the DNA Flower lasts at most twenty-four hours. After that, everything returns to normal. — Oliver said seriously.

I took a deep breath. The world stopped spinning for an instant. His words anchored me in the chaos. I still had control. I still had a choice.

I gripped the floor tightly, raised my gaze to Wobo.

— Back. To. The cell. Now. — I ordered, even with my weak voice.

Wobo chuckled softly, a sound that made everyone shiver. His golden eyes shone with confidence, as if he had won even while being defeated.

— As you wish… heroine. — said Wobo with irony.

He stood up slowly, walking back as if he were the one setting me free. The smile never left his face for a second.

I stared at him, confused and restless. Why did he look so certain, even now?

The silence in the room wasn’t relief. It was the omen that Wobo’s move wasn’t over yet.

The next day, the sun rose weakly, hidden behind gray clouds, but the lodging was noisier than ever. Whispers ran between the cells. The slaves knew something had happened during the night.

I, now in my female body, walked to the yard with Ryn and Kalea at my side. Each step felt heavy. The loose tunic didn’t completely hide the new curves, and the curious, confused stares of the prisoners cut into my skin like blades.

— They’re talking… Many say you were cursed. Others think it’s a blessing. — Kalea murmured softly.

I took a deep breath. I am Araya. Copy Hero. That doesn’t change. But even to me, the phrase sounded like a poorly rehearsed lie.

When I stood before the cells, the murmurs ceased. The silence was dense, suffocating. Some looked at me in awe, others with disdain, and others even with a spark of hope. I needed to be firm.

— The body may change. But the power remains. I am still who I am. And I am still the master of this place. — I declared loudly.

Wobo, from inside the cell, only smiled. He said nothing. But that smile was enough to sow doubt among everyone.

That night, Oliver called me aside, worried.

— He’s plotting something. I know that look. Wobo didn’t lose… he just started playing. — Oliver said uneasily.

— Today, when you left, he whispered to some slaves. I didn’t hear what he said, but I saw the effect. They were smiling. A smile… just like his. — Kalea added.

My chest tightened. I already suspected. Wobo didn’t need chains or weapons. He used something much more dangerous: words.

— The DNA Flower may last twenty-four hours, like Oliver said… but what if there’s more? What if the effect isn’t only physical? — Ryn said cautiously.

I looked at my delicate hands, fragile, yet still mine. I wanted to believe it would pass, that soon I’d return to what I was. But doubt began to take root.

And then I remembered Wobo’s smile when returning to the cell. It wasn’t the smile of someone who had lost. It was the smile of someone who already knew the game’s outcome.

The hours dragged like heavy chains. I counted every minute, every breath, every pulse, waiting for the moment the spell would break. Twenty-four hours. Oliver had said that. But when the sun rose on the horizon, I still looked into the cracked mirror and saw the reflection of a young woman I didn’t recognize.

My heart panicked.

Why isn’t it over yet?

I waited until Ryn and Kalea fell asleep. Their steady breathing filled the room. Silence was my only chance.

I took the spare key I kept under the bed and walked down the corridor like a shadow. The guards didn’t dare stop me. They didn’t know whether to treat me as leader or cursed, and that doubt was my advantage.

When I reached the cell, I saw Wobo sitting in the corner, golden eyes glowing in the dark. He was waiting for me.

— Well, well… my girl came. — he said, voice dripping with irony.

The other prisoners rose, men and women of various races: elves, orcs, felines, even dwarves. All looked at me in silence, with curiosity, distrust, and… something like expectation.

My hands trembled as I turned the key. The door creaked, and when I stepped inside, dozens of eyes fixed on me. I felt naked before them.

— D-don’t look at me like that… — I murmured, frightened.

Wobo stood and walked toward me, raising his hands in a calming gesture.

— No need to worry. They know who you are. They know you’re important. — Wobo said.

I stepped back, heart racing.

— Wobo… I just want answers. — I said with a weak, scared voice.

He chuckled softly.

— Then give me something in return. A kiss, in front of everyone. — Wobo said, eager to humiliate me.

My face burned.

— Here? In public? That’s… shameful. — I replied.

His smile widened, revealing his fangs.

— So what? Shame is just another chain to break. — Wobo said mockingly.

Before I could react, his strong hands gripped my face. Amid the absolute silence of the prisoners, he tilted his head and pressed his lips to mine.

My body stiffened, my face aflame. I didn’t push him away — not out of desire, but pure shock. When he pulled back, I heard murmurs among the cells. The heat of shame burned more than the transformation itself.

— There. Now tell me what you want. — Wobo said, smiling.

I swallowed hard, trying to regain my voice.

— I want to know… why the effect of the DNA Flower is lasting more than twenty-four hours. — I replied.

Wobo tilted his head, as if he had been waiting for that exact question. His golden eyes gleamed with triumph.

— Finally… — he murmured. — You’re ready to hear. — Wobo said, laughing.

The silence of the cell was broken by firm footsteps echoing down the corridor. The iron door slammed open. It was Oliver entering the cell.

The prisoners growled, some rose, ready to attack him. But Oliver raised his hand, and the blue mark on his forehead glowed like cold fire. Instantly, the slaves’ bodies froze in place, like puppets pulled by invisible strings.

— Pathetic. — Oliver muttered with disdain.

Before I could react, I felt his hand grip my arm tightly.

— You’re coming with me. — Oliver said.

— Oliver! — I murmured.

I tried to resist, but my strength was nothing against his determination. I was dragged out of the cell under the heavy gazes of the prisoners. Wobo only smiled, his golden eyes full of triumph, as if everything was unfolding exactly as he had planned.

I was pulled through the corridors into Oliver’s room. The door slammed shut behind us, and he shoved me against the wall.

— ARE YOU CRAZY?! — Oliver shouted at me, his eyes blazing with anger.

I swallowed hard. I didn’t reply.

— Going into his cell? Giving yourself up like that, in front of everyone?! What are you thinking, Araya? — Oliver kept shouting, fists clenched.

I stayed silent, breathing heavily. Part of me was still confused. Part of me still burned with shame.

Oliver took a deep breath, controlling himself.

— I figured out why the DNA Flower’s effect isn’t ending. — Oliver said in a lower tone.

My eyes widened.

— What? — I asked him.

— Each kiss doubles the duration of the effect. — Oliver said coldly.

A shock ran through my body. The air vanished from my lungs.

— N-no… that can’t be… — I murmured, unable to believe it.

Oliver looked at me seriously, leaving no room for doubt.

— It makes sense now, doesn’t it? The bastard’s been manipulating you from the start. He knew what he was doing when he provoked you in front of everyone. — Oliver said.

My heart pounded. From the beginning… every word, every smile of his… everything was part of the plan.

Fury grew inside me like a volcano about to erupt. I clenched my fists so tightly my nails nearly cut my skin.

— Damn him… He… he used me. — I murmured.

Oliver crossed his arms.

— Finally, you realize. — Oliver said.

I looked at him, my mind spinning in despair.

— Oliver… do you have any guess? How long… how long will it last now? — I asked him.

He hesitated but answered firmly.

— Two weeks. Maybe more, if you’re stupid enough to let that wolf touch you again. — Oliver replied.

My mouth fell open — or rather, I was dumbstruck. Two weeks. My chest rose and fell in quick breaths, but then a strange relief spread.

At least now I know how the DNA Flower works. At least now I know the rule of this cursed game.

I closed my eyes, trying to calm my heart. When I opened them again, the flame of fury was already burning.

Wobo will pay for this.