Fiore rode in the back of Louie's horse. She felt nervous as she tightened her grip on Louie, "Are you okay little Celestial?". Fiore was surprised at how complacent Louie had become, but it was best she kept an eye on him, "Just adjusting to this new experience", she lied regarding her state. After Louie explained to her the massacre that was about to happen at Aya's village, she hopped on a horse and left with nothing but a note in the snow. She knew she was going to get scolded regarding this decision. She found it odd that her father scared her more than anything else. She smiled to herself as the thought went through her head. 

     On the way to the village, Louie explained the attack. Fiore slowly pieced together what she thought was happening in Louie's kingdom. His king ordered his soldiers to look for people with so-called "talents" to add to his court whether it was controlling the elements or even the mind, but truly wanted someone who could control time. The king tried to amass power in any way due to a rumor that the original Celestials were gone, but this stunt led to neglect. A plague ravaged the city and the king ignored the issue, due to the backlash from the nobles, he excused his actions by claiming he was looking for a cure and that he had come across rumors of a talent that was needed. Many knew this was an attempt to save face, but people grew desperate and one of those desperate souls was the head knight, Misael. Even before the plague, Misael had an ailing child and volunteered to find someone with a specific healing talent. The knights followed rumors of a woman who could heal anything with just a touch. Unfortunately, despair overtook him when he received word that his daughter had died from the plague and his anguish became worse when the rumor of the healing woman was proven false. They attacked the village as a whole on the head knights' orders.

     As they rode on, Louie thought about the existence of Celestials and the rumors of their passing about a year ago, yet this child held so much power in those little hands he wouldn't be surprised if they just took a different form. He wondered if he could strike a deal with her to bring her to his kingdom since he would always look like she had hidden for more years than a child would have behind those eyes. He would be compensated greatly if he managed to bring a Celestial back with him instead of a talent holder and he felt Fiore would like to live in luxury than in a little cabin with her father. He kept this idea to himself until the time was right.

 

     Louie saw his nation's flags on the horizon, a white bear surrounded by purple embellishments dancing in the wind. At the village entrance, they saw tall walls made of lumber guarded by soldiers as big and broad as Louie, all clad in blood-stained white fur. You could see lifeless bodies being picked up carelessly to clear the gate like they were just trash being set aside. The soldiers saw an incoming horse and recognized it. They waved as it got closer. 

     Louie felt his stomach turn, not knowing what was about to happen they almost reached the gate. Louie stopped, knowing this was late but he never discussed what she was planning to do. Would she hurt them here? Fiore looked at the soldiers by the gate and looked back at Louie. She saw the worry in his eyes, but she reassured him, "I will just be walking and looking around, I don't plan on hurting anyone. Now if they try to hurt themselves, would you like me to stop them?", she asked as she dismounted. Louie closed his eyes and nodded, sighing in relief. Fiore smiled and began to walk forward her feet melting the snow as she walked.

    The knights saw their comrade stop at a distance as a child dismounted. Dressed in just a thick wool dress covered in embroidered white flowers, stepping lightly in the snow in matching boots.  As she came closer they felt something change in the very air, but they never felt compelled to draw their weapons. The knight in charge of the platoon for the gate stepped forward, commanding the three additional men to stay back. He could feel a shift, not only in the very ground but in his bones as the child stopped in front of him. He couldn't move anymore, the entire plane felt silent and he began to feel warmth at the very sight of the child in front of him. His eyes sparkled when he saw a familiar sight right before him; straight hair tied in pigtails, and glittering brown eyes, his beloved child came back to life. 

     The soldiers saw as the knight fell to his knees and they all ran, with sword and spear in hand. They prepared to attack but, stopped when the girl was in their full line of sight. Their minds could not comprehend what they were seeing as her movements and even face became uncanny, with each blink her image becoming more familiar. From dead children to lost childhood friends, to the embodiment of innocence.  

     As their guards were lowered, Fiore slowly coiled roots around the limbs that reached out to her and quickly held them down as she walked past them. The men struggled as their eyes were glued to her, tears starting to show frustration, anger, and obsession blooming in some of their eyes. One knight, in particular, began to scream at the top of his lungs, "Wait! Please let me hold you one more time, my child, it's been so long. COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW! I refuse to lose you again!". Fiore refused to look back, an unfamiliar feeling tingling in her neck, uneasiness at his words. 

     She made it through the gates and saw a destroyed village. The smell of smoke lingered in the air, blood dried and turned black, clothes tattered and reminiscent of weapons all around. The knights immediately saw Fiore and ran towards her, but before they could process, they were all tied down. She walked further in until she saw makeshift cages with women and children inside. The soldiers followed Fiores, movements, their looks becoming more sinister. She glanced at them, but her uneasiness grew, she looked forward and was now in front of a cage.

     From newborns to the elderly all injured and scared, covered in bloody blankets as all turned their heads to a beacon shining outside their cage. A girl as lovely as could be resembling their lost sons, and daughters, but the most common was the beautiful Celestial asking them, "Do you need any help?". As if a burst of energy went through them, they all clamored to the edge of the cage, their hands clenching the bars until their knuckles turned white. "Please!, Oh fair Celestial, I will give my very life, just help us", the elderly woman yelled as she cradled her injured grandchild. 

     Again, the pit in her stomach formed and that guilty feeling crawled through every cell in her body. Fore couldn't stand this reoccurring feeling and the new surge of emotions. As her face shifted to show discomfort Louie jogged towards the little Celestial and saw a glow emanating from her. Fiore felt her hand moving on its own, she touched the cage and it unraveled like string. 

     Louie froze as he saw the women also become affected by her light. The once feeble-bodied women all stood straight, the children no longer wailed, and their wounds were all nearly healed like his: their eyes all looked up at the sky, their faces becoming lovier as their eyes darted toward him. He could somehow feel the hatred burrowing into his bones as they stepped off the cage platform. Around three hundred survivors walked in uniform lines and followed Fiore as she walked back to the gate. Their steps began to melt the snow revealing vibrant grass all smiling as they looked ahead, ignoring the bound soldiers squirming and trying to join the procession. 

     The women and children walked past Louie, he shook as his mind went rampant. Going back home, with fewer men and not even a talent holder in their midst, that tyrant of a king would have their heads for this. His fear woke him up, and he unsheathed his sword once more. He ran in front of the makeshift parade and stood before Fiore, sword pointing at her, "I can't let you leave like this, you have no idea what will happen to me if I go back empty-handed. You have to come back with me. I'll even take the talent holder we were chasing, but I need something", his cries were desperate almost pleading. Fiore stared him down. "Why", her expression was colder yet she hid something underneath.

     "You little brat I will not die like this, that damn tyrant will take something from me even if I tell him about you, and don't think you won't come back unscathed What do you think will happen to your father and those women. That tyrant is expanding south and it's not long until you're dragged into this", he began to sweat, wanting to attack, but he couldn't move an inch closer. Fiore thought about it even if it was a scare tactic, but in the end, he was right and she still didn't know enough. But she refused to go to an unfamiliar place to save a stranger's life, especially all she had seen the stranger was involved with. Fiore became annoyed with his spouting, questioning him, "Why do you speak to me as if I made you do any of this? Can you tell me what is owed to you?".

     "I didn't want to do this, Misael ordered us to do it. And even if we decided to disobey it's still our heads, and I don't want to die!".

     Fiore tilted her head perplexed at the statement, "When you entered my home, you pinned down my father and you were smiling. He couldn't move and the more he struggled, the more force you placed on him. When you tell me one thing and see another, it's difficult to take your side. But why don't we play a game and say 'You didn't enjoy what you did' and test it? If any of the people from the village recognize you for your enjoyment in the brutality you will forget about me and help me dismantle your kingdom. Of course, forgetting and committing treason extends to your comrades but you will be the only one needing to be recognized".

      A sudden rose-colored circle surrounded Louie and Fiore, runes written on the edge and plain text, stating what Fiore said. Louie looked at the circle and recognized it, it looked like a dealing spell, but more complex. He tried to pry, "That doesn't sound fair, they can lie". Fiore nodded, "Then, we will add that to the game, it's forbidden to lie", more text and runes appeared. Louie lowered his weapon as he wondered, did she know what she was doing or was she acting? He glared at her, "And what do I get if win?". She smiled, "Whatever you want". 

     Louie exhaled and peeked at the women and children behind Fiore. He remembered the carnage, he killed all who saw his face and in the frenzy, everyone was bound to look the same. He extended his hand, his eyes bright with gusto, he felt he had a chance, " You have yourself a deal". Fiore felt giddy, but she didnt know why as she shook his hand. She suspected he was familiar with this spell due to his inclusion and she could see the confidence, but she knew he had forgotten something. 

     They began, one by one, the women looked at him to accuse or deny. Each one shook her head as they moved and then back in line. Row by row, each denied, not recognizing, or did not remember Louie's face. Fiore just stared as some tried to say something but their mouths would not let them, thus abiding by the 'no lies rule' on the ground. Loule felt a surge of energy as he saw the line dwindle and still no one could say they saw him, but Fiore just kept staring.

      About an hour went by and still, she never blinked or even moved. Jewel-like flowers began to bloom at her feet but the way they bloomed, they all twisted and looked to be pointing at him, laughing when the wind picked up. Louie turned away anxious at the child and tried to distract himself with what he was going to do with Fiore instead. It was obvious he was going to make her into his lap dog. Having someone that strong at his command would take him to higher grounds. She was still small so he knew she would grow in power on par with a Celestial. Also, due to her face, her beauty would be unmatched in the future, he could also use that to hold people under his thumb. "She is just a child", he thought as the line neared the end. 

     Fiore saw as the last of the women stepped forward and shook their heads, all now back in the lines behind her. Some of the women looked distraught but others comforted them asking them to keep their faith for a while longer, "She will not easily fall", they whispered. Louie almost burst into laughter as no one was able to point him out, his eyes now darting towards Fiore. He stomped towards her and grabbed her arm squeezing tight to get a reaction, but her face never faltered. Louie smiled, "No need to act so tough. You belong to me now and I think the first thing I'm going to do is see what happens when you're surrounded by all these hungry-looking men". Fiore's smile grew sinister, as she whispered, "Do you think we are done". Louie was confused but he then heard a furious yell, "Get your dirty hands off of her!". Nyssa ran with an ax in hand aiming for Louie's throat.

      Louie unsheathed his sword and ran with the same force as Nyssa, but Fiore was quicker. She whipped out her vines and disarmed them tying their limbs down. Louie laughed in Nyssa's face, "Little Celestial was this a trump card, he isn't from the village you little imbecile". Fiore pouted at the remark, "You have taught me something remarkable even though our time was short Louie, and I'm glad you never caught on. Thank you, for underestimating me. Louie, look past my father and you will see one more witness". Louie grew confused but did as she said, he squinted and saw a woman controlling plants to form a path to walk on. She held a small bundle, as she made her way to Fiore.

      Fiore walked to the woman and smiled as she asked, "Ms. Aya, do you recognize this man?", Aya looked at Louie and her blurry memories became clear. "I do". 

     "Can you tell me how". 

     "I can, he was one of the men who attacked my village. He was smiling when he stabbed my husband in the back. He hunted me down with two others like a stag and laughed as I screamed for help".

     " Are you sure it's him!".

     "it is!". 

     "Would you say he enjoyed your pain!."

     "He did!". 

     "Louie, did you hear that, she spoke inside the circle, which means she didn't lie", Fiore mocked as she walked closer to Louie and placed some seeds in his clothes. He began to squirm, trying to get away as he saw Nyssa go free. "Wait! Please, I need to come back with something, anything". The circle began to glow and Louie began to scream. The last thing he saw was Fiore, her face now fully beautiful as she gave him her final words. "You will become your kingdom's downfall as you promised, but I promise you, you will feel no pain because of it". Louie's eyes went white, forgetting all that was Fiore.