As They Bloom

3 - The Azakana

The sound of steel rings high and loud through the garden.

You watch from afar as the stranger battles the demon – your demon; the one who grew from your terror like a parasite. Who fed on you like a tick. Who continues to torment you from afar, always sending the haunting whispers to gnaw at you.

It stands in the garden, monstrously tall and heavy with thick armoured plates. Thick tusks erupt from its lower jaw, even thicker horns from its forehead. It hunches, as though dragged down by the weight of its claws, long and sharp like daggers.

The stranger staggers, narrowly avoiding the demon's swipe with a quick dash. But the twisted tree behind him is not so lucky. Shards of wood and glittering sap rain down on the garden, the tree now reduced to a mere stump. You turn and run, seeking shelter under one of the roots of the Mother Tree.

A few meters to your right, you hear the quick clattering of sharp hooves. "I'm going in!"

Lillia charges the demon, branch swinging wildly. She winds up a blow and descends on it with a mighty leap. The bulb crashes onto its head, leaving behind a cloud of glittering pollen that covers its neck and back like morning dew. The demon roars, desperately trying to wipe the pollen away, but its movements are slowed and sluggish. The stranger, seeing opportunity, darts toward it with a burst of wind, brandishing his swords.

With a snarl and swing of its massive arm, it sweeps them both away as easily as ants.

She manages to land on her feet with a stumble. But he crashes through the garden, whipping past shrubs and saplings. He comes to an eventual stop under a large bush, where he lies very still with his back to you.

"Dead!" mocks the demon. "Another one, dead!"

The stranger groans and slowly turns toward you, locking you in his gaze. He is wounded, and weak, but very much alive. The demon doesn't have a chance to speak another word, as it is soon covered in pollen once more. Each swing of the branch and shower of dust renders it ever slower, helping Lillia dodge it's staggering swipes. It snarls with frustration, trying to catch her in its claws.

One swipe misses her by mere centimeters. Your stomach drops, quickly followed by relief at seeing her scamper out of the way. Clarity flickers in your mind – you can't abandon her to fight the demon alone. She's given you so much: shelter, friendship, safety. You need to help her. But you are no fighter, your time on the battlefield proved that well enough.

He, on the other hand, is.

You stand, burning with fierce determination. 

You bolt over to the wounded man, crossing the short distance between you in seconds. With jagged breath and trembling hands, you kneel by him. He looks up at you, his chest rising and falling with burdened breaths.

The healing spell's warmth spreads through your fingers, building in the palm of your hands. You draw upon your magic, deep within your core. When it grows so hot that you struggle to contain it, you hover your hands over him and channel it into his body. Wounds knit themselves closed before your eyes. Bruises fade away. Broken fingers snap back into place. And the hunter is soon back on his feet.

"Thank you," he whispers, before turning back towards his prey.

They fight as one, dancing around the demon. She's quick on four legs, avoiding every attack effortlessly, layering so much dream dust upon the demon that it sparkles like a gemstone. His swords are as much a part of him as his arm. He dashes around the demon in a flurry of wind and blades.

The demon snarls and turns towards you. The whispers pick up once more, cold fear running down your spine.

'Why would you help them. They'll turn on you, next...' it hisses. 'I am a part of you, after all.'