The man's cold eyes flickered to the jar, then back to her. For a moment, she thought she saw a glimmer of curiosity, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
"Give me the flower first," he demanded. "Then I'll release your pet."
Isabel hesitated, knowing she had no other choice. She slowly unscrewed the lid of the jar, her heart pounding. As she did, the faint glow of the Nightbloom grew brighter, illuminating the small space within the barrier.
She carefully took out the Nightbloom, its petals shimmering with an ethereal light. She extended it towards the man, her hand shaking. "Here, take it."
The man's eyes locked onto the flower, and for a brief moment, his cold demeanor seemed to falter. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the delicate petals.
The man released Phex, and the invisible barrier surrounding Isabel disappeared. She took a deep breath, relief flooding her as Phex crashed into her arms, his tiny body shaking with fear and relief.
She held him close, her heart aching for him, but her eyes remained fixed on the man before her. Her mood was dark, her body felt torn from exhaustion, and her heart ached with the sense of loss and futility.
She had risked everything, only to end up with nothing. Tears began to well up in her eyes.
The man looked up from the divine flower, caught off guard by her teary expression. Her delicate face, still rounded with the softness of youth, made her seem more like a child than an adult.
Even he felt a pang of discomfort at the sight of her innocent, tear-filled eyes. It was as if he had wronged her beyond measure.
Isabel's thoughts were a whirlwind of frustration and sadness. She had fought so hard, endured so much, and now it seemed like it was all for nothing. Her eyes burned with unshed tears, and she clutched Phex tighter, trying to find some comfort in his presence.
The man, seeing her distress, hesitated for a moment. Then, with a sigh, he tore a few petals from the divine flower, carefully placing them in the jar. He extended it towards her, his expression softening slightly. Isabel's face brightened instantly, but her voice was still choked with emotion. "I want some roots too..."
A small, amused smile tugged at the man's lips. She was brave, demanding more even in her vulnerable state. He admired her courage.
Cutting a small section of the roots, he placed them in the jar as well, then handed it to her. He stored the rest of the divine flower in his space box and began to walk away.
Isabel couldn't help but glee as she inspected the jar. She had made the request on a whim, never expecting he would fulfill it. Her joy was interrupted by a heavy thud at her feet.
She looked down and found the horn of the horned wolf. His deep voice echoed, "Don't be reckless, little girl. This place is not safe for you. Get out of this forest as soon as possible."
He walked away with a steady pace, his cloak billowing behind him, leaving Isabel standing there, holding the jar with the precious roots and petals.
She looked down at the horn, feeling a mix of gratitude and confusion. "Why would he do this?" she muttered to herself. "He showed me mercy, even returned part of the divine flower I so desperately wanted. It was mine to begin with, but still... no bad person would take something and then give it back."
Her thoughts swirled as she tried to make sense of it. "Who is he, really?" she wondered aloud. "Why does he remain such a mystery?"
Phex nuzzled into her neck, his tiny body trembling. She hugged him tightly, whispering, "We're okay, little one. We're okay." She picked up the horn, her determination renewed. She had come through the ordeal with more than she had hoped for, and she would make sure it wasn't in vain.
As she made her way out of the forest, her mind raced with thoughts of the man who had spared her. "What did he want with the divine flower?"
The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting an ethereal glow on her path. Silvery beams descended across the forest floor, illuminating the leaves with a soft, otherworldly shimmer.
The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth, as the serene beauty of the moonlit forest enveloped her in a sense of calm wonder.
Isabel's steps were sure as she passed the dark forest. The weight of the horned wolf's horn in her bag reminded her of him, and the jar containing the Nightbloom's petals and roots. Phex's chirps, now more relaxed, were a comforting sound in the eerie silence.
The forest, once an ominous place, now seemed to open up before her. She moved with calmness contrast to her mood before, the man's warning echoing in her mind.
She had to get out, but she also had to make sense of what had happened. The encounter had been terrifying, but it had also given her a glimpse into a world of magic and power she had only read about in books.
Finally, as dawn began to break, Isabel saw the edge of the forest. She stepped out into the open, the first rays of sunlight warming her face.
She took a deep breath, feeling the tension in her body slowly ease away. The world outside the forest was still and peaceful, a stark contrast to the night's chaos.
Isabel sigh,still there was one problem she has to go back her camp without being noticed. Steeling herself for the journey ahead.
So she opted for a longer, less traveled path around the camp's perimeter.
As she moved steadily, the first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and gold. The soldiers were already stirring, some engaged in early morning drills, while others gathered around fires, sipping on cups of steaming tea. She ducked behind a row of supply crates, careful to stay out of sight.