The morning air in the enchanted realm was laced with dew and the scent of blooming starflowers. Yun Lan rubbed her arms, brushing off the lingering cold as she stepped out of the stone temple. Behind her, Leon followed in silence, his expression unreadable, his jaw tight. The memory of his sudden, fierce kiss still lingered on her lips, making her heartbeat unsteady—even now.
The black wolf trotted ahead of them, its silver eyes glinting with quiet purpose. They were headed into the mountains, guided by the creature who had once tried to maul Leon, then shifted into their mysterious guardian. The wolf hadn't spoken since giving them their first task: to retrieve the Heart of Candracar, a magical red stone hidden deep within the cliffs of the Mirror Mountains.
"You're walking slower than usual," Leon said suddenly, his voice low but cutting through the silence like a whip. "Tired already?"
Yun Lan shot him a sharp look. "No. Just thinking."
"About the vision?" His tone held a teasing note.
She stiffened. "I told you—it was nothing important."
He didn't respond right away. He walked beside her, boots crunching on leaves and twigs. Then he leaned in slightly, his breath brushing against her ear. "You're a terrible liar, Yun Lan."
A blush crept up her neck, and she tried to pull away, but his hand caught her wrist gently, just for a second.
"You saw something," he said. "Something about us."
"Maybe," she muttered, pulling her arm free.
He chuckled softly. "Was I your lover in that vision too? Or your enemy again?"
"I said drop it, Leon."
"As you wish." But he was still smirking.
They continued walking in silence, tension hanging between them. Yun Lan tried to focus on their surroundings. The forest changed the deeper they went. The trees were taller, their leaves glowing faintly with a blue sheen. Strange birds chirped overhead, some singing in melodies she couldn't recognize.
The wolf turned around at a bend in the trail, its deep growl vibrating softly.
"It wants us to climb," Leon said, eyeing the rocky slope.
Yun Lan followed his gaze. The path wound upward between two cliffs, narrow and overgrown with vines. At the top, they could see a break in the trees—light spilling over what looked like a ridge.
"Great," she muttered. "Just what I wanted. A hike."
Leon smirked. "Want me to carry you, Princess?"
"Touch me and I'll bite you."
He laughed. "Promises, promises."
Rolling her eyes, Yun Lan started up the slope. The climb was harder than it looked—loose rocks and slick moss made every step a challenge. More than once, she slipped and caught herself on vines or sharp roots.
Leon was behind her the whole time, annoyingly steady and too quiet.
"You enjoying the view or something?" she asked over her shoulder.
"You tell me," he replied smoothly. "That dress you're wearing does absolutely nothing to hide what's underneath."
Her cheeks turned scarlet. "Pervert."
"You said it, not me."
Despite herself, Yun Lan smiled slightly. Even here, in a world full of strange magic and danger, Leon still managed to get under her skin.
They finally reached the top, breathless and flushed. Beyond the ridge, the forest opened into a high meadow, mist swirling in slow waves over the grass. In the center of it stood an old stone pedestal, half-covered in moss and glowing faintly red. Something pulsed from inside it—like a heartbeat.
"The Heart of Candracar," Yun Lan whispered.
Leon's gaze narrowed. "Looks too easy."
The wolf didn't move forward, instead stopping just before the edge of the clearing.
"That's a trap," Leon said. "You can feel the magic."
Yun Lan nodded. The air was thick with energy, crackling like a storm about to break.
"There has to be a way to disarm it," she murmured. "Or maybe a riddle."
As they moved closer, the ground beneath their feet trembled. Yun Lan gasped and stumbled. Leon caught her instantly, one arm wrapping around her waist.
"I've got you," he murmured.
For a moment, their eyes locked. Yun Lan's heart raced—not from fear, but from how close he was. His hand remained on her waist a beat too long.
She pulled back, clearing her throat. "Thanks."
Leon smirked but said nothing.
Suddenly, a voice echoed across the clearing. It was old, female, and haunting.
"Only the worthy may touch the Heart. Step forward, show your truth, or be swallowed by the forest."
The red glow intensified. Yun Lan instinctively reached for Leon's hand. "Did you hear that?"
"I did," he said, squeezing her fingers once before letting go. "Guess this is your test."
She glanced at the stone. Her legs trembled slightly. But she knew she had to try.
"I'll go first," she said.
"No," Leon said sharply. "You're not—"
"I can do this."
Before he could argue, she stepped toward the pedestal. The ground didn't shake, but the mist thickened around her. Her feet sank into the wet grass, and the voice spoke again.
"Do you know who you are?"
Yun Lan hesitated. "I… I think I'm starting to."
The voice whispered: "Then prove it."
A vision erupted before her eyes—not just one, but many. Faces. Lives. Her past selves. Versions of her and Leon across time—some in love, some in war, some running, others dying. She saw fire. She saw him saving her. She saw herself turning her back on him. The images flooded her until she collapsed to her knees, gasping.
Leon's voice broke through the storm.
"Yun Lan!"
She looked up. The pedestal was glowing even brighter. Her hands, trembling, reached forward. As soon as she touched the red stone, the visions vanished.
The glow dimmed. The forest stilled.
She held the Heart of Candracar in her palm—warm and pulsing.
Leon rushed to her side and knelt.
"Are you alright?"
She nodded slowly, breathing hard. "It showed me… everything."
"What did you see?"
"I…" She looked at him, torn. Then she smiled faintly. "Just… that I've always been stubborn."
Leon stared at her, not believing it for a second. But he let it go.
He stood, then reached out a hand. She took it.
Back on their feet, Yun Lan tucked the magical stone into a small pouch at her side. The black wolf appeared from the trees again, nodding once as if in approval.
"First task complete," Leon muttered. "How many left?"
"Nine" Yun Lan sighed.
"Fantastic."
They began walking back toward the trail. Yun Lan was silent, still processing what she had seen.
Leon broke the quiet. "You didn't answer me earlier."
"About what?"
"Were we lovers?" he asked, gaze flickering to her lips. "In that vision?"
Yun Lan's heart skipped. "Would it matter?"
"It might."
She laughed softly. "You're insufferable."
"I missed you too."
She tried not to smile. "Let's focus on the next task."
Leon leaned closer. "Fine. But one day, Yun Lan, I will get the truth out of you."
"We'll see," she said with a teasing glint.
As they disappeared into the glowing trees, the forest shimmered around them. The journey had only just begun.