Not far away, where the green hills bloomed with spring flowers and fresh grass, Kael climbed toward the summit of Mount Nitar—a place rumored to hold every kind of healing herb atop its peak.
The journey was grueling, especially for a man with one leg. Yet Kael was willing to endure anything if it meant protecting his daughter, Luna.
Luna darted up the mountain trails with ease, then paused every few steps to wait for her father and their loyal dog, Belos. Though quick and agile, she never offered to help Kael climb; he had warned her not to."I don't want to tire you, Luna. I'm fine," he always said, leaning on his sturdy walking stick and carrying an old satchel for the herbs he sought.
For Luna, the trip was a joyful adventure—a rare, precious outing with her father and Belos in the heart of wild, blooming nature. She picked flowers and hummed while she waited, her eyes bright with wonder.
When they finally reached the summit, the view took their breath away. Near the cliff's edge, a nest of wild hawks held three fluffy brown chicks. Luna clapped her hands with delight, watching them chirp.
Kael, however, had his eyes fixed elsewhere—on a shimmering patch of herbs growing beneath the cliffside.Nitar's Silver Clusters.
The rare plant he had been searching for.
It was said that when brewed into tea, this herb could help regulate inner energy—no matter its origin—and suppress volatile emotional surges caused by that energy. For someone like Luna, it could mean survival.
Kael turned, warning gently:"Luna, don't come closer. Stay back. This herb can be dangerous."
But curiosity pulled her forward. As she stepped toward the patch of silver-green leaves, the plants suddenly shimmered—glowing with ethereal silver light.
And then—Luna screamed, clutching her head, and collapsed to her knees.
The herb's energy had clashed with the uncontrollable power inside her. She cried out, trembling, as invisible forces surged through her.
Kael staggered toward her, but her energy burst outward like a wave, knocking him off balance. He slipped—and grabbed a brittle branch at the cliff's edge, dangling above the rocks.
Two of the hawk chicks tumbled from the nest and vanished.
Only one remained.
With one arm clinging to the branch, Kael reached for the injured chick and caught it just in time. Blood trickled from his arm—cut by loose stones flying from Luna's outburst. His heart ached. He couldn't save the other chicks… but he could still save this one.
And Luna.
Belos barked desperately, running back and forth between them. He howled, trying to wake her, to alert her.Kael shouted her name.
And then—her eyes opened.
Luna rose to her feet with trembling strength, her hair glowing faintly, her hands burning from the energy inside her. She saw her father, hanging on the edge. Without thinking, she ran and grabbed his wrist.
With all her might, she pulled him back up.
He landed safely, and she threw her arms around him, sobbing:"Father… I nearly killed you. You and Belos. I don't know what happened to me…"
Tears streamed down her cheeks. She stared at her hands in horror. The ground beneath them was cracked, splintered into sharp fragments. Stones had exploded under her power.
Then her eyes fell on the injured hawk chick—not in her hands, but in his.
"Please don't tell me… I did that too…"
Kael wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his voice steady and kind:"No, Luna. You didn't do anything wrong. You saved me… and this little one. Take him home. Care for him. I'll follow soon."
She hesitated. "But… how can I leave you here alone?"
He smiled, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face."Trust me. I'll be alright."
Luna turned, holding the chick close. Belos walked beside her, silent and watchful. She looked back every few steps, making sure Kael was still waving at her from the top.
Only once she disappeared into the trees did Kael sink down onto a rock, exhausted.
He had almost died today.
But now he was sure—Nitar's Silver Clusters were the real thing.
When Luna had moved away, the glowing field had faded. The plants no longer pulsed with light. Quiet had returned.
Carefully, Kael filled his satchel with as much of the herb as he could carry. Then, gripping his walking stick, he began the slow, cautious descent back home—his heart both heavy and hopeful.