The Sorceress: Blossoming Power

"Where is this place?" He looked around the peaceful lake. Lots of tall pine trees surrounded the lake and the water beautifully reflected the perfect round moon above. There was nothing but silence and the creaking insects of the night. 

His curiosity led him to walk around the moist soil, to study the area where he landed. He trod deeper into the woods and later, heard faint voices. Nianshi got excited and walked faster and saw a wooden gate of a small village. There were straw huts encompassing a wooden house in the middle.

People sat around a bonfire, laughing, and singing songs new to his ears. He snuck behind the trees to spy on these men. They seem harmless. 

Just as he was about to go near the humans, an inner voice reminded him he was a cub at this moment. Besides, he still didn't know the nature of these people. So, he stepped back in the darkness but...

"You seem lost," a kind voice behind him said. He turned around and growled in defense, ready to pounce with his small claws anytime.

"It's alright. I'm not gonna hurt you." The beautiful lady with blue hair said, putting her hands up, telling him she meant no harm. She then slowly took something from her pocket. Nianshi growled, threatening her while he observed. Then her hands brought out some berries. 

"You must be hungry." She sweetly smiled and offered him a handful of berries. At first, Nianshi was too hesitant to eat but his stomach grumbled. The lady's grin widened.

With this, a welcoming and soothing feeling filled his being. His defenses fell. He crept towards her at a slow pace, opened his mouth, and crunched the berries with satisfaction. Juices spurted out with his every bite. 

"You don't look like any ordinary cub. You must be one of those things that fall from the sky." 

He said nothing and continued eating because he was too focused on finishing his meal so he could get away from the woman.

"Do you have anyone with you?" She asked politely, still smiling at him. That gave him creeps but didn't care to stop munching. 

After devouring the last berries, he finally spoke. "Who are you?" he said as he backed away a little from the woman and sat there waiting and watching her smoothing her dress. 

"My name is Xinyi, I'm a Sorceress. I guard this peaceful village from people who have evil intentions." 

Xinyi? Where have I heard that name from? The name rang a bell. His eyes showed his puzzlement.

He focused his eyes at her. She seemed to be in her late twenties, had faint blue hair, and a very fragile looking body. Although she appeared weak but he could sense she was no ordinary woman. 

"So where do you come from, lion? Or does this lion have a name?" 

For a second, Nianshi was about to say his name when suddenly he forgot it. He contemplated deeper, trying to think of his name. He swore he had one. Nianshi kept silent for a few minutes then gave up, frowning.

"I see, so you don't remember, huh?" She felt sorry looking at the frustrated lion. "Do you have any place to sleep?" 

At first he gave her a nod but because fear crawled in after forgetting his name, he told her he had none. 

"Come with me, you can rest in the village stables. But you must keep hush. Our people don't normally get visitors." And so he followed her around the village, but the odd thing was, no one cared as they passed. As though they were invincible in the people's eyes. But he stayed silent. 

As they passed by, he recognized some faces but couldn't recall their names or where he met them. Later, they reached a small hut and behind was a peaceful farm. The place was very pleasant and homey. 

They entered a barn in the middle of the farm and saw horses, chickens and cows. And at a corner was an empty spot full of hay big enough for him to sleep on. 

"Here, rest for a while, you must be tired from your journey, dear lion." 

Nianshi wanted to resist but his body betrayed him. He lay down and waited for the woman to leave before he closed his eyes. As he heard the farm door's close, he shut his eyes and thought about what just happened. 

He wanted to understand what was going on like why he couldn't remember his name? How did he end up there? Where was his family? He thought too much till exhaustion overwhelmed him and fell swiftly into dreamland, not knowing he descended into an endless dream.

In reality, he was sleeping soundly on the cave floor while the spirit enjoyed watching Xinyi pounced the chameleon into helplessness. 

The spirit completely forgotten its task to monitor Nianshi's illusion, to help him counter his fear. Instead, the illusion invaded the lion dragon's mind and make him slowly forget who he was and his mission in life. It let him fall into a deep slumber.