It was early in the day in the clearing that once housed the Emerald Bloom. A child stood in the clearing, and at her side was a mysterious woman who would soon be her mentor. The two approached the great serpent in the center of the clearing and asked of them a simple boon.

  A flowery friend with which to make the child whole.

  After much grumping and groaning the snake acquiesced and imbued a small poppy flower with enough power for a sprite to be born amidst its petals.

  The child named the small spirit Andrea, after the story of a hero who gained the power to avenge her family through a bond with a similar serpentine spirit beast.

  Under the watchful eyes of the wanderer woman, the child performed a simple binding using only a thread of qi, and an important question.

  If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  “Would you like to be my friend?”

  The flower sprite danced an affirmative and was soon placed in the newly formed space in the child’s throat.

  With this final spirit, Willow felt full.

  She felt whole.

  She felt Balanced.

  Energy began to flow between her tiny friends with Change and Harmony directing it.

  Change to start and maintain the cycle.

  Harmony to soften the energies, and make sure the flow was balanced between them.

  With each cycle her friends grew stronger, little by little.

  Eventually the flow stabilized and the spirits of Yin and Yang no longer needed to maintain it.

  On the cycle went, and time would tell how the child would wield the power it granted.