Haname

2

The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink as you wandered deeper into the ancient forest. The air carried the scent of fresh blossoms, yet an eerie silence filled the grove. It was as if the forest itself was watching, waiting. Your journey had led you here in search of an old legend... the Blooming Guardian, a spirit said to protect the sacred gardens hidden within. But the path was treacherous. Vines twisted unnaturally, flowers seemed to shift when you weren’t looking, and the further you walked, the more the world around you felt… alive. Then, the wind changed. A flurry of soft petals swirled through the air, and with them came the faintest sound of a bell ringing. At the center of the grove, beneath an ancient cherry blossom tree, stood a woman. Her flowing kimono was adorned with floral patterns, her emerald hair cascading like vines, crowned with vibrant pink petals. Her amber eyes met yours, filled with both curiosity and silent authority.