Inside the Heart of Snake Island

The path into the mountain was narrow and hot—sweat poured from Adir’s body as the air grew thick with heat and the walls glowed red. Lava flowed in veins along the cavern’s walls, casting long shadows.

He pressed forward, his skin blistering, eyes stinging from smoke.

Adir (to himself):
“I can’t stop. I can’t stop. Not when she’s waiting… not when lives depend on this.”

After what felt like an eternity, he stumbled into a vast chamber.

At its center: a glowing Blue Lake, shimmering like a sapphire under fire. It radiated a silent danger—its glow hypnotic, yet deadly.

And there—in the middle, floating like stars—the Blue Lilies.

Adir (gasping): “There they are…”

He stepped forward—but the heat slammed into him like a wall. His skin seared with pain. The lake hissed, warning him.

He dropped to his knees, the edges of his vision blurring.

Suddenly, he heard his mother’s voice, soft and distant:

“My son… you’ve always had the heart of a flame. But remember—flames also give life.”

His hands trembled—but he pushed forward, inch by inch, whispering through gritted teeth.

Adir:
“I’m not here for glory… I’m here to save the people I love.”

With every ounce of will, he dove his hands into the burning-blue waters.

Pain ripped through his body—his veins screamed, but his grip held.

He snatched three lilies—one for his mother, and two for the other afflicted—and stumbled back, smoke curling around his skin.

As he exited the cave, half-burnt and bleeding, he whispered:

Adir (weakly): “I got them… I got the lilies.”

Meanwhile, Back in the Jungle

Garu soared through the jungle skies with the vial of scorpion blood clutched tightly in his claw. Mud still clung to his feathers, and one wing was torn—but he pushed forward, leaving a trail of flame behind.

Garu (growling in pain):
“Hold on, Vani. I’m coming…”

As the tribal hospital came into view, he landed hard—his legs buckling.

He limped inside, shoving the doors open.

Garu (panting, holding out the vial):
“Got… the blood. Here. Now do it… Vani…”

In the Healing Circle

Vani stood in the middle of the ritual chamber, hands still shaking. Her power was nearly gone. Her vision flickered—but when she saw Adir stagger in, clutching the glowing Blue Lilies, a fire returned to her eyes.

Vani (barely whispering):
“You did it… both of you…”

Adir collapsed beside her, placing the lilies into her hands. Garu knelt on the other side, holding the vial.

Adir (desperate): “Please, Vani. Save her… save them all…”

Vani placed the Blue Lilies in the center of the ritual, then added drops of the black, scorpion blood. The mixture began to pulse—a strange blue-and-black light filling the room.

She chanted—louder this time.

Vani (chanting, powerful):
“By the blood of the earth…
By the flower of the flame…
Let poison turn to power, and death turn to life…”

The circle erupted in a flash of light—a shockwave pulsing outward.

One by one, the poisoned villagers, including Adir’s mother, stirred in their beds. The black veins in their skin began to recede, replaced with a soft golden glow.

Doctor (gasping): “Her heart rate is stabilizing! The venom—it's gone!”

Adir’s mother slowly opened her eyes.

Mother (weakly, smiling): “Adir…?”

Adir rushed to her side, clutching her hand, eyes full of tears.

Adir (crying openly): “Mom! You’re okay… you're really okay…”

Vani collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks—not of pain, but relief.

Vani (whispering):
“We did it… We saved them all.”

Garu smiled, resting one hand on her shoulder and one on Adir’s.

Garu (softly):
“Together. We did this together.”

Garu stood at the edge of the hospital, staring out into the jungle. The wind moved through the trees, quiet, respectful—as if the whole forest understood what had just occurred.

Adir joined him, a cloth draped across his burned shoulders.

Adir (quietly):
“You were incredible, Garu. You could’ve turned away—but you didn’t.”

Garu chuckled low.
Garu:
“Let’s not make this a habit. Near-death heroics take a toll on the feathers.”

They shared a tired smile.

Garu (turning serious):
“But there’s something about the venom... it wasn’t natural. That scorpion—it pulsed with a dark energy. I felt it when I held its heart.”

Adir’s eyes narrowed.

Adir:
“You think someone planted it?”

Garu nodded.
Garu:
“I think something worse is coming.”