As Isabel and Mirael approached the healer camp, the jovial atmosphere struck Isabel as a stark contrast to the tense whispers she had endured earlier.
A young healer noticed their arrival and called out cheerfully, "Isabel, Mirael, where have you been? We were just about to start dinner. Come join us!"
Isabel hesitated for a moment, still feeling the weight of the day's events, but Mirael gave her a gentle nudge. "Go ahead, Isabel. They're waiting for us."
Mirael found a quiet spot by the fire while Isabel hesitantly joined the circle of healers and soldiers. A burly soldier, busy turning a skewer of venison over the flames, grinned at her. "Glad you could make it, Isabel. We've got a feast tonight!"
Isabel managed a small smile, touched by their warm welcome. "Thank you all for including me."
A healer passed her a plate piled high with food. "No need to thank us. We're all in this together, right?"
As they ate, the conversation flowed freely. Another soldier recounted a humorous incident from the day's training, and soon everyone was sharing stories and laughter. Isabel found herself gradually relaxing, the tension in her shoulders easing.
Mirael glanced over from where she sat, a soft smile on her face as she observed Isabel starting to unwind. She knew Isabel needed this respite, away from the judgmental gazes and whispered rumors.
Later, as they prepared to retire for the night, Mirael caught Isabel's eye and nodded towards the campfire. "Looks like you've made some new friends tonight."
Isabel nodded. "Yes, they've been kind."
Mirael leaned closer, her voice low. "Don't let those rumors get to you, Isabel. You know who you are and what you've achieved. That's what matters."
Isabel met Mirael's gaze, "I needed to hear that."
They exchanged a knowing smile before bidding goodnight to their newfound friends.
Isabel slept soundly, her mind blissfully free from the day's worries. However, a strange noise began to intrude upon her dreams, making her stir. Half-asleep, she murmured, "Be a good boy, Phex. Sleep soundly. Don't disturb me." She patted the bed beside her, expecting to find the small, glowing-winged creature she had grown so fond of. Instead, her hand met only empty space.
Her eyes snapped open, and she quickly scanned the bed. Phex was gone. Panic surged through her, and she began frantically searching the tent, calling his name softly. There was no sign of him, but the tent flap was slightly ajar. The little treasure hunter must have slipped out while she slept.
Her worry for Phex overpowered any hesitation she felt about venturing into the night. She grabbed her coat and stepped outside, following the faint trail that Phex's glowing wings left behind. The camp was eerily quiet, the night air cold against her skin.
Isabel followed the glowing trail to the border of the camp, her nerves heightening as she realized Phex had ventured into the dark forest. She took a deep breath, her concern for Phex outweighing her fear. She stepped into the forest, moving quickly but cautiously.
"Phex, wait!" she called softly, spotting a faint glow deeper within the trees. The little creature didn't respond, continuing its journey. Isabel quickened her pace, weaving through the underbrush.
Finally, she saw Phex sitting beside a flower that seemed to glow brighter than anything she had ever seen. Her mouth formed an "aww" as she recognized it. It was the Nightbloom, a divine flower that only blossomed once every century. She had seen a picture of it in Elara's book, a rare book that Elara guarded and rarely allowed anyone to touch. Isabel had secretly read the book, fascinated by its contents.
The flower had just bloomed, its light casting a magical glow over the surrounding area. Isabel's heart raced, torn between awe and urgency. She knew that the Nightbloom's fragrance would soon spread, attracting attention from far and wide. It was no wonder the dark monsters had been so restless, and the empire was fighting hard in this region.
Her mind raced with conflicting thoughts. She had to leave quickly to avoid danger, but the opportunity to collect such a rare and precious flower might never come again. Taking a deep breath, she decided to act swiftly. She retrieved a small jar from her coat pocket and carefully dug out the entire flower, roots and all. Placing it gently in the jar, she sealed the lid tightly.
As soon as the jar closed, the bright area around her plunged back into darkness. Isabel tucked the jar safely into her inner pocket, her sense of triumph quickly replaced by rising panic as she heard a rumbling sound in the distance. The ground began to shake with the heavy footsteps of something large approaching.
Her face turned pale with fear. She scooped up Phex and started running in the opposite direction, her heart pounding in her chest. The forest seemed to close in around her. She could hear the creature getting closer, their guttural growls and snapping branches growing louder.
Isabel sprinted through the dense forest, her heart pounding with adrenaline. Phex snuggled closely, his senses on high alert. She could feel his tension, the way he darted glances around as if trying to pinpoint the source of danger.
"Don't worry, Phex," Isabel murmured, her voice strained but soothing. "We'll make it through this, I promise."
Her mind raced as she tried to calm both herself and phex. The danger lurking behind them crept closer with each passing moment. Gripping the dagger she had retrieved from her boot, she coated its blade with a deadly powder, a desperate measure to ensure their survival.
Isabel's breathing became heavy, and her muscles ached from the effort. The monstrous shadow chasing them wouldn't give up, likely because he know they had the Divine Flower.
With a burst of determination, Isabel scaled the tallest tree she could find, rubbing her clothes with leaves to mask their scent. She held her breath, praying their hideout would evade the creature's keen senses.