The morning sky roared before the sun had fully risen Golden clouds lit by streaks of purple lightning gathered over the storm cliffs Dalen tightened the straps on his armor while Evan packed his supplies carefully Each movement carried urgency yet calm focus

The herbalist approached holding a small wooden charm engraved with swirling patterns The cliffs are unpredictable she said Keep this with you It senses changes in the wind If it grows warm the storm is near

Evan accepted the charm wrapping it around his wrist It pulsed faintly as if alive

They set off at dawn passing through rolling hills where magical insects drifted like floating sparks Their faint glow dimmed as the storm clouds thickened Nothing stirred except the wind pushing against them with rising strength

Evan observed every detail the changing light the shifting scents the way grass flattened in circular patches These patterns reminded him of areas near lightning struck forests in his world but here everything felt amplified

Dalen stopped suddenly and pointed toward the sky A flock of shimmer crows flew overhead Their wings refracted light into a dozen colors They only fly before storms he whispered We must hurry

The cliffs appeared soon after jagged towers of black stone cut by deep ravines Lightning danced across them like serpents of raw energy The sound of thunder shook the ground with every flash

Evan tightened his grip on his pack We will be careful Stay behind me when the lightning strikes

Dalen raised a brow You plan to walk into this storm

If the herbs that cure the spirit grow here Evan said then yes

They climbed the rocky slope carefully avoiding loose stones and crevices that glowed faint blue revealing mana veins within the cliffs Evan felt energy pulse beneath his boots as if the cliffs were breathing

Halfway up they reached a narrow ledge overlooking a roaring valley A herd of sky goats leaped between rocks their hooves sparking tiny bursts of light They moved effortlessly across dangerous terrain as though the storm itself guided them

Dalen pointed See the blue blossoms growing along that ridge Those are storm petals They are the core ingredient for the purification brew

Evan nodded We gather them fast but do not damage the roots

Thunder boomed overhead The charm on Evan’s wrist warmed pulsing urgently Evan shouted Storm is coming Move

They reached the ridge as wind lashed against them Storm petals swayed their faint glow resisting the darkness Evan knelt clipped several blossoms then wrapped them with care Dalen gathered more checking each one for purity

Lightning struck a boulder nearby splitting it into shards

Dalen flinched but Evan grabbed his arm Keep moving The spirit is running out of time

As they worked a sharp cry cut through the storm Evan spun around A storm wyvern perched on a higher ledge staring at them Its wings shimmered like molten silver its eyes glowing bright violet The creature growled low electricity arcing across its scales

Dalen whispered careful They guard these cliffs fiercely If it thinks we are harming the land it will attack

Evan stepped forward slowly raising his hands We are not here to take what does not belong to us We only need a few petals to heal a spirit injured by corruption

The wyvern watched him intently wind swirling around its wings Evan kept his voice steady The land is sick We want to help We only borrow what we need

Lightning flashed illuminating the wyvern’s face Its gaze softened slightly Evan took another step forward heart steady I keep all creatures safe That is my purpose here

The wyvern lowered its head its wings folding close Its body relaxed as if accepting his words Evan bowed slightly in gratitude

Dalen exhaled So it understood

Animals understand tone and intent Evan said quietly Magic or not They know kindness

The storm began to shift clouds drifting apart as if granting them safe passage They gathered the last of the petals and turned to descend The wyvern remained perched watching them until they were far down the cliff

By the time they reached the basin the skies had cleared The storm petals glowed in Evan’s pack their faint light a reminder of the storm’s power

At the conservation station the herbalist rushed forward You found them

Evan handed her the petals She ground them quickly into a glowing mixture poured it into a bowl and brought it to the warden spirit The creature opened its eyes weakly The herbalist touched its head gently Drink this It will push the corruption out

The creature swallowed slowly Each pulse of light from its body grew brighter The cracks along its bark skin sealed one by one Leaves regrew along its antlers curling fresh and vibrant The spirit stood unsteady but alive

The villagers gasped in awe Some knelt others cried softly

Evan stepped forward resting a hand on the spirit’s flank You are safe now

The spirit bowed its head pressing it gently against Evan’s chest A gesture of deep trust and gratitude

Dalen whispered You saved a creature of the land itself This will be remembered for generations

Evan looked toward the forest where new leaves shimmered in the breeze

We saved it together he said

But deep down he knew this was only the beginning The corruption the illegal traps the poachers none of it would stop easily

The land still needed a guardian
And he had accepted that role completely