Flower Chide IX, Thornpact

"Eons back, we feared the petal's grace, called beauty pride, and named it place" "Mistakes were made, but wisdom stayed" said Thallorin,"not every path must be replayed". Each bloom now understood, but still Knowing alone could never kill, The monster born from rootless scar who thrived when petals turned to war. So, stem by stem, with colors waned, they sought the one their fear had chained. " Rose, if ever grace was yours to wield, then raise your thorn and be our shield." said Marigold with her petals bowed In repentance plain, no longer cowed. For breathless beats the ring stood bare, no bloom dared move, no scent would dare. Then Rose, still rooted where they’d fled, unfurled her thorn and gently said: "I was not grown for war or crown but truth endures when petals drown". "If now you stand as one, not few, then I shall bloom, and bleed with you." She stepped, and stillness parted wide, with the ring pulsing, open-eyed. And in that moment, the garden knew, the thorn had come to see it through. The thorn slid like a whispered flame Unspooling the rot from root to name. Its shadow curled, then cracked apart, as thorn met truth, and truth struck heart. The canopy breathed, and light withdrew Muir stepped forth, veiled in silver dew. He bore a petal, faintly burned not with fire, but beauty earned. "Strange things, these mortal hearts," he said, "They chase what wilts; and crown what's bled. "Rose, you’ll be their ache, their art the symbol pulsing in the heart.” Blooms cheered her name with joy. "Is this happiness or just a cloy?" asked lotus with eyes that mocked “Or truth’s fierce root, the garden blocked.” "Let’s bloom our best,” Sunflower beamed golden and tall, her brightness streamed. "Welcome to the ring" Lotus said "May the peace shine and spread". Daffodil smiled with glowing petals. For now, everything settles, until it rebels. “Jealousy is a poisonous seed, it grows wherever hearts feel need.” They heard a voice beyond the reed. Low and distant, like a buried creed.