As They Bloom

7 - The Yánléi

Panic surges through you, your mind blank but for the need to run. Run. Back to the garden. To safety. To a place beyond where the Yánléi can reach you.

"We need to leave. Now. We need to get back to Lillia."

Yone nods, following closely behind you. Your panic blinds you to the bitter cold seeping into the air. It builds around you, until your lungs burn from the chill, and you feel icicles deep into your back...

Yone stops in his tracks, placing a hand on your shoulder and speaking firmly. "Calm yourself. Your fear will become a banquet for Azakana." Though his steadfast presence helps ground you, the fear does not ebb. Not even with distance placed between you and the village. The trembling in your hand persists, as does the hammering of your heart.

"Neither you nor Lillia are in danger," he assures you. "Not from Azakana. Not from the Yánléi. I will make sure of it."

The panic softens just enough for you to gather your thoughts. "And what of the villagers?"

He scowls concernedly. "We will help them, but we need time to put together a plan."

You throw a fleeting look behind you. The village seems small from your vantage point, as you look down on it nestled in the valley below. You think on the hundreds of people trapped within, many of whom you've grown to care for, and your heart sinks.

"We will free them." Yone's voice cuts through the heavy thoughts like a dagger. 

With a defeated sigh, you relent and allow him to lead you back. You retrace your steps through the forest and back into the safe embrace of the garden. Within, you find Lillia, pruning the Mother Tree with a faint scowl on her face.

"Oh! Back already?" She turns to you with a smile. It disappears as soon as she sees your faces. "What's wrong, dream?"

Her ears flatten against her head more and more as you stumble through the story. She walks over to the Mother Tree and lays a hand against her trunk.

"I should have guessed something was wrong," she says softly. "There were no wisps last night. Not a single dream."

Over her shoulder, you notice a flickering light. The Mother Tree, which had been blooming and glowing stronger by the day, seems dim and muted – as though the colour has been stolen from her leaves. A flower, its iridescent petals gleaming in shades of purple and white, falls to your feet. You reach out for it. But before your fingers have a chance to graze it, it melts into glittering dust and is quickly ushered away by the breeze.

Lillia says nothing, her eyes locked on the spot where the flower faded to nothingness. Her lip quivers, and she is unable to look at either you or Yone. The sight of her distress hurts you. You turn to Yone, burning wit determination.

"What's the plan?" you ask him. Yone sighs, wandering around the garden thoughtfully. He draws one of his swords and inspects it with a scowl.

"I'll sneak into the village tonight and try to see what we're up against." He brushes his thumb over the blade, checking the sharpness.

"I'll come with you."

"No. Your duty is to Mother Tree and Lillia," he says with finality. "You're not a warrior. Leave the Yánléi to me."

His words cut you like a dagger, the bitter sting of his dismissal washing over you. You may not be able to fight as well as he does, but you are not as weak as you once were, even if he cannot see it. You turn to him, fists clenched by your side, determined despite the lingering tremble in your hands. You cannot allow anyone to bring either the garden or the villagers harm. They've both given you so much. You want to fight back for them.