A second scroll revealed a circular diagram—five figures surrounding a glowing pool: Healer, Flamebearer, Heart-Tethered, Water Channeler, and Tidal Anchor.
Caelan pointed. “These are the required roles.”
Lirrane tapped the Tidal Anchor sigil with inappropriate satisfaction. “Anchor’s me.”
Caelan gestured to the Water Channeler. “And that’s me. I control the moonwell’s rise.”
Yunlian touched the Healer’s sigil. “I will steady the core.”
Mingxi set his jaw and tapped the Flamebearer. “I purge the corruption.”
All eyes drifted to Poppy.
Elder Suyin lifted the final scroll. Just one line of ancient fox-script covered it.
“Only the one the moonwell has marked may reach into its heart and call the shard forth,” he said.
Poppy’s breath shook. “It marked me during the battle.”
Mingxi closed his eyes. “I know.”
Caelan set his palms on the table. “The shard can’t be summoned from a distance. The moonwell won’t allow it. We have to physically go back.”
Lirrane added, “And if the shard stays until the next full moon, the well inverts. Moonlight goes void. The whole valley collapses. Not ideal.”
Mingxi’s voice dropped. “Then we leave today.”
Mingzhao nodded. “Prepare yourselves. The moonwell will not wait.”
Lirrane cracked her knuckles with delight. “Finally… forward motion. I was ready to drag someone outside if this turned into another debate.”
Caelan sighed. “We arrived fearing chaos. I’m relieved research was already underway.”
Minghua peeked around a shelf. “We were definitely debating logistics.”
Mingjun grabbed her hood yet again and pulled her back.
Mingzhao gathered the scrolls. “We need to get moving immediately.”
Poppy jabbed a finger at Mingxi. “If this turns into another two-week death march, I am divorcing you and marrying a selkie.”
Lirrane perked up immediately, and Caelan turned red.
Mingxi sputtered, “Absolutely not!”
She squeezed his hand, smiling as she walked past him. “Relax, Fox Prince. I’m yours.”
He melted on the spot, and preparations for the journey began. The courtyard of Huoyáo Jìng burst into motion as soon as the decision was made. Warriors gathered packs and lanterns. Elders prepared travel wards. Caelan and Lirrane moved in tandem, drawing water-qi sigils across the portal ring etched into the stone.
Poppy stood in the center of the chaos, trying to stay out of everyone’s way while Mingxi hovered around her like a determined, handsome shadow.
She finally groaned, “Mingxi, I can walk across a courtyard without dying.”
He froze, ears flattening slightly. “I know. But I’d prefer you didn’t risk it.”
“Risk… walking?”
“Yes.”
