“Of course, if time permits, let’s discuss it now rather than later,” Timothee nodded in agreement.
“Very well, is all of this agreed upon? I’m over the moon with this development, Lycan. Many thanks. I’ll strive not to let you down,” Prilly said, her smile as wide as the horizon, as she excused herself to step away, while Healer Cruz advanced with her proposal in hand.
Upon reading the title of the proposal, I nearly choked on my own spit. ‘An Ancient Medley Of Seven Blooms Potions.’

“Healer Cruz? Is this the name of the concoction you’re crafting?” I stammered, caught off guard by the poetic resonance of the title.
“Indeed, Luna Barbara. This is a novel concept I’ve conceived after poring over numerous tomes in many an ancient library,” Healer Cruz nodded with decorum.
“Yet, it whispers of secrecy and mystery. What are these Seven Blooms? What blossoms forth?” Griffyn looked up, curiosity piqued.
“I shall elucidate, step by step, Alpha Griffyn,” Healer Cruz assured, flicking on the projector behind her, casting mystical images of unknown provenance upon the wall. A shiver ran down my spine as the room was bathed in the light of ancient secrets unveiled.
A glint of pride flickered in Healer Cruz’s eyes as he gestured towards the vibrant tapestry of ingredients splashed across the projector screen.
“This,” he announced, his voice resonating with gravitas, “is a legendary elixir, whispered of in hushed tones by the elders of Java. Lost to time, the recipe lay dormant within the dusty pages of an ancient Sanskrit tome, a relic imbued with the secrets of divination. But by a twist of fate, it has found its way back into the light.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in, before continuing with a hint of reverence. “These unassuming herbs, each hand-selected and plucked from the very heart of Javan soil, hold the key to unlocking this forgotten magic.”
Timothee’s brow furrowed.
“Venture out there?” he scoffed, a tremor of disbelief lacing his voice. “Why chase phantoms when we have a brimming wellspring of resources right here at our fingertips? Such a trek would be a fool’s errand, a Sisyphean struggle pushing a boulder uphill only to see it roll back down.”
For him, abandoning Silver Armor in its current state of precarious vulnerability would be akin to a captain setting sail into a tempestuous sea without a single shred of canvas to catch the wind, or an anchor to hold fast.

“Listen up, Lycan,” Healer Cruz began, his voice carrying the weight of ages. “I’m suggesting this because this potion, it’s not just any old remedy. It’s sacred, whispered about in hushed tones for its miraculous powers. They say it renders anyone who drinks it invincible, unstoppable. But here’s the kicker: we’ve got all the ingredients right here, yet we’re not reaping its main benefits.”
He paused, letting the gravity of her words sink in, her eyes pleading for understanding. “Imagine, Lycan, the untold potential we’re sitting on, the untapped strength just waiting to be unleashed. This potion could be our ticket to victory, our salvation in the face of adversity. But if we don’t act now, if we let this opportunity slip through our fingers, we may never get another chance. Are you willing to let that happen?”
“Leaving the Silver Armor Pack in such dire straits is like pushing us all further into a whirlwind of chaos,” Timothee sighed heavily. “Your suggestion is commendable, Healer Cruz. But it’s also risky.”
I chimed in, “Is this some kind of ritual?”
“Not at all, Luna Barbara. It’s an attempt to make everything real. However, there’s a method to making this potion. The book says there’s someone who can help us make it, but they’re in Java, living atop a mountain that’s both icy and sacred.”
“That sounds like fiction, Healer Cruz,” Timothee snorted.
Healer Cruz’s words carried a gravity that anchored the room. “I’m dead serious, Lycan. This is the key to keeping all beings like us out of harm’s way.”
I was momentarily stunned, then lifted my head to revisit the proposals from Healer Cruz and Prilly. “We can tackle this head-on. Listen, part of us can reconnoiter their hideouts, and another part can scour for these medicinal ingredients. The rest will hold the fort here.”
Healer Cruz’s murmur was a nod to my earlier sentiment. “That’s precisely the approach I’ve been advocating for, Luna Barbara. A division of labor.”
“I volunteer to join the quest for these ingredients,” I declared, ready to embark on the journey to where the potion’s components lay.
Timothee’s gaze bore into me, laced with disapproval. “Are you certain? Do you think you can handle all this solo? Listen, your mate is the linchpin here. Venturing out alone could spell disaster.”
“Who said anything about going alone? Timmy, we’ll set sail together and embrace new learnings,” I replied with a beaming smile.
“Here, we have Dave and Prilly to keep watch, and I can lock this place down temporarily,” I explained.
A wry smile tugged at the corners of Timothee’s mouth, though his eyes remained flinty with thinly veiled concern. “A lockdown, hm? And just how do you propose we go about that, love?”
There was a challenging lilt to his words, an undercurrent that seemed to say ‘go on, dazzle me’. I felt my cheeks warming at his dry tone, coupled with the endearment that never failed to make my heart flutter.
Lifting my chin defiantly, I met his stare head-on.
“You’d be surprised at the tricks I’ve picked up, Sir Guard.” I let the slightest emphasis linger on his title, watching as his pupils dilated fractionally. “Protective wards, concealment charms...even a handy little spell that would have this whole place utterly unplottable.”
Dave let out a low whistle of appreciation. “Damn, Luna. When did you become such a one-woman arsenal?”
A charged silence fell in the wake of his words. I could practically see the gears turning behind Timothee’s furrowed brow as he weighed my capabilities against the potential risks. For the span of several heartbeats, the room seemed to hold its collective breath.
Then, finally...”Fine.”
The single syllable exploded from Timothee like a cannon blast, his visage utterly inscrutable. “But we’re taking reinforcements. I won’t have you walking into the dragon’s den without backup.”
A thrill lanced through me - part victorious elation, part something much headier and more dangerous. Because the way his eyes were devouring me in that moment held the unmistakable promise of...persuasion. Later, when we were alone.
I fought back a shiver.
“As you wish, Sir,” I murmured sweetly. “We’ll take whoever you deem necessary.”
Prilly cleared her throat delicately, dragging me somewhat unwillingly from the heated trance between Timothee and myself. “Shall we review the route and tactical plan, then? Time is of the essence.”
“Indeed,” Timothee growled, never fully averting that piercing stare. “Let’s get to work. We’ve got a quest ahead of us.”
As the others leaned over the map, I found my focus wavering. Because amidst the whirlwind of strategy and looming danger, one molten truth blazed.
Our quest to traverse the vast ocean in pursuit of the elusive potion ingredients is nothing short of a leap into the abyss, where the only certainty is the unpredictable embrace of the deep blue. Will our survey glide across calm waters, or will it be a journey fraught with the tempest’s fury? Only the stars above and the sea below hold the answers, leaving us to wonder: will the tides of fortune be in our favor, or will they cast us adrift on a sea of uncertainty?