Emperor's Reckoning

Chapter 1218: Past & Present (Maria) : Dragon’s Wine

Nestled within the heart of the enchanted forest, there stood a remarkable tree with a trunk so wide it seemed to have been carved from ancient myths. Its gnarled bark twisted into intricate patterns, and at its base, a doorway led into a cozy hut hidden within. The interior was bathed in a warm, golden glow emanating from a modest hearth where a cauldron bubbled gently, releasing the fragrant aroma of herbs and spices.

The hut, though simple in its design, was a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and a deep connection to nature. The walls, lined with shelves carved directly into the tree, held an array of potions in glass vials, each glimmering faintly with magical energy. Bundles of dried herbs hung from the ceiling, their scents mingling to create a soothing, earthy perfume.

In one corner, a sturdy wooden bed, covered in soft, handwoven blankets, invited rest. The bed frame, intricately carved with symbols of protection and peace, hinted at the care and thought put into its creation. Despite its lack of opulence, every item within the hut was made from high-quality materials, reflecting a quiet elegance and practicality.

A small table, crafted from polished mahogany, held an assortment of tools and ingredients used for potion-making. The pots and pans, though devoid of any excessive ornamentation, gleamed with a well-maintained sheen, indicating their durability and frequent use. The simplicity of the hut was deceptive; each item within spoke of a life lived with purpose and a profound respect for the natural world.

Lyon watched intently as the lady of the woods worked in front of the cauldron. The fire beneath it cast flickering shadows on the walls of the tree-hut, illuminating the space with a warm, magical glow. Her movements were fluid and precise as she added ingredients to the bubbling mixture, her hands deftly picking out herbs and powders from the shelves.

The lady’s focus was unwavering as she stirred the potion, her brow furrowed in concentration. Lyon could see the care and skill in her every motion, a testament to her deep knowledge of the craft. The scent of the brewing potion filled the air, a complex blend of earthy and sweet aromas that seemed to hold the essence of the forest itself.

"Is it always like this?" Lyon asked, his voice breaking the silence.

The lady glanced at him, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Is what always like this?"

"The... magic of it all," Lyon said, gesturing around the hut. "The way everything feels so alive here."

She chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "The forest has its own magic, Lyon. It’s a place of healing and growth, of life and renewal. It’s my duty to harness that magic and use it to help those in need."

Lyon nodded, feeling a sense of awe wash over him. "It’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it."

The lady turned back to her cauldron, adding a pinch of sparkling powder that caused the potion to flare brightly for a moment. "Stick around," she said with a knowing smile. "You might just see a lot more wonders before your journey is over."

Stick around," Lyon chuckled, his lips paler than the clouds. "Well, I do hope so."

"Lay rest on the bed, Lyon," said the lady of the woods, whose name he learned was Maria.

"Sure thing," said Lyon as he did just that. The comfort was beyond his imagination. The bed, simple in its design, was surprisingly plush and inviting. As he sank into the soft mattress, the weariness of his journey began to melt away. The soothing sound of the bubbling cauldron and the gentle symphony of rustling branches outside lulled him into a state of peace.

Maria continued her work, her presence a calming beacon in the cozy hut. Lyon’s eyelids grew heavy, and he found himself drifting between wakefulness and sleep. The warmth of the fire, the calming sounds, and the scent of the forest all blended together, wrapping him in a cocoon of tranquility.

He took one last look at Maria, her figure outlined by the glow of the firelight, before his eyes finally closed. In that moment, Lyon felt a deep sense of safety and comfort, as if he had found a sanctuary in the heart of the enchanted forest.

"It’s amazing how calm you are, given the state that you are in," said Maria softly. She waited for a response, but heard nothing. Turning to look, she saw that Lyon was already asleep. She smiled and shook her head in mild amusement, but then her eyes widened in alarm. She quickly moved to the side of the bed, her heart pounding as she noticed the subtle, yet alarming change in his breathing.

The rise and fall of his chest had become slower, each breath more labored than the last. Panic surged through her as she placed a hand on his chest, feeling the faint rhythm of his heartbeat. "Lyon, stay with me," she whispered urgently, her mind racing for a solution.

She hurried back to the cauldron, her hands moving with practiced precision as she selected herbs and potions, mixing them with haste yet care. Every second counted. With a determined look, she returned to Lyon’s side, lifting his head gently to administer the concoction.

"Please, let this work," she whispered, her eyes never leaving his face. The moments stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity. Finally, she noticed a slight improvement—the rise and fall of his chest became a bit more regular, the color slowly returning to his cheeks.

Maria was suddenly pushed back, as if a powerful force had erupted from Lyon. She looked up in shock to see a massive torrent of energy chaotically leaking from his body. The entire forest seemed to react, the trees swaying and the air crackling with raw power.

"Oh no," Maria whispered, her voice tinged with urgency. She stood up, her face etched with worry. Rushing to Lyon’s bed, she placed her hand on his forehead and gasped at the intense heat radiating from him.

"His energy is out of control," she muttered, her mind racing. She could feel the chaotic force threatening to tear him apart from within. With a deep breath, she tried to calm her nerves. This was beyond anything she had dealt with before, but she couldn’t let him die. Not like this.

She looked around desperately, searching for anything that could help stabilize him. Her eyes landed on a bottle of wine on a nearby shelf. It was an elven wine, known for its calming properties.

"It’s worth a try," she muttered to herself.

She grabbed the bottle and quickly uncorked it. Pouring the wine carefully, she tried to guide it into Lyon’s mouth, but his erratic breathing and the chaotic energy still pulsing through him made it difficult. Every drop missed its mark, spilling onto the bed instead.

"Come on, just a little," she urged, her hands shaking.

As the drops continued to miss, Maria grew increasingly anxious. Desperation took hold of her as she saw Lyon’s condition worsening. She clenched the bottle tightly, knowing she had to act quickly. Her eyes darted to Lyon’s heaving chest, and in a bold move, she decided to try something different.

Without hesitating, she stored a mouthful of the Elven wine in her own mouth. Then, gently lifting Lyon’s head, she pressed her lips to his, transferring the wine mouth to mouth. The warmth of her breath and the soothing properties of the wine seemed to work together, coaxing his body into a state of calm.

She watched his chest rise and fall, each breath becoming steadier. Encouraged, she repeated the process, taking another mouthful of wine and carefully transferring it to him. With each attempt, Lyon’s chaotic energy gradually began to stabilize.

Maria’s eyes never left him, her gaze filled with determination and concern. She could see the color returning to his cheeks, the heat of his fever diminishing. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she continued, unwavering in her efforts.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she saw Lyon’s breathing return to a more regular rhythm. His body relaxed, and the torrent of energy that had been leaking from him settled. She let out a shaky sigh of relief, gently laying his head back on the bed.

"You’re going to be okay," she whispered, her voice filled with hope and exhaustion.

She sat by his side, her hand still holding his, as she kept vigil throughout the night. The forest around them seemed to sense the change, the once chaotic energy now replaced by a serene calm. Maria stayed close, ready to act if needed, but for now, there was a sense of peace and healing that surrounded them both.

Maria stood up and picked up the bottle. She put it back on the shelves before she noticed a familiar bottle right beside this one. It was the Elven wine. Relief washed over her momentarily as she reached for it, but then her eyes fell on the bottle she had just given Lyon. "Oh no...," she whispered, panic creeping into her voice.

Grabbing the bottle of Dragon’s Wine, Maria turned it over in her hands, her heart sinking as she read the label. She cursed under her breath, realizing her mistake.

Turning around, her gaze immediately fell on Lyon. Despite his relaxed breathing and peaceful demeanor, there was an unmistakable and very prominent sign of the wine’s side effect—an obvious tent formed in the blanket covering his groin.

She flushed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and concern. "Why did it have to be Dragon’s Wine?" she sighed, shaking her head. She knew she had to find a way to help him without making the situation more awkward.

"Focus, Maria," she told herself, her mind racing with what to do next.