The morning after the battle dawned clear and silent, the sky painted with shades of pink and gold as the sun rose over the scorched earth. The scent of burnt leaves hung in the air, and the Flame Lotus stood at the center of the clearing, its petals now more brilliant than ever, as if mocking the destruction that had unfolded around it.
Moria stood before the Flame Lotus, her expression contemplative, yet as calm as ever. Her golden eyes reflected the light of the flower, and for a moment, she seemed to be lost in her thoughts. The embers from the previous night's battle still danced in the air, and the distant crackle of dying flames served as a reminder of the chaos that had unfolded.
Jiang Yan approached her cautiously, his boots crunching on the charred ground. He had seen many things in his life—battles, power struggles, and death—but the destructive force Moria wielded left him with a feeling of awe and uncertainty. She had saved them, yes, but at what cost?
He cleared his throat. "We survived, but barely. Zhen won't stop. We need to prepare for whatever comes next."
Moria turned her head slowly, her eyes meeting his. "Zhen is only a pawn, Jiang Yan. He believes he is the master of shadows, but shadows have no power without light. He is nothing without the darkness he clings to."
Jiang Yan frowned. "But his power… it's not something to be underestimated. He almost had us."
Moria's lips curled into a slight smile. "Yes, almost," she replied, her voice laced with amusement. "But I am not so easily outdone. We will deal with Zhen in time, but for now, we must focus on what is truly important—the Flame Lotus."
She turned her gaze back to the glowing petals. "This flower holds the key to far more than you realize. It is not just a symbol of power, but of life itself. But in order to unlock its full potential, we need more than just strength. We need knowledge."
Jiang Yan's brow furrowed. "Knowledge? What do you mean?"
Moria took a step closer to the flower. "The Flame Lotus is only one part of a greater whole—a piece of a larger puzzle that has been hidden for centuries. There are other artifacts, other sources of power, and we must find them before Zhen does. He is not the only one who seeks the Lotus's power."
Jiang Yan's mind raced. "Other artifacts? And how are we supposed to find them?"
Moria's smile widened, and for a moment, her eyes gleamed with a mysterious light. "That's where you come in, Jiang Yan. You have your own talents, don't you?"