THE HIDDEN PATH

Chapter 35

Henry's eyes sparkled with knowledge as he led Luna and Daisy through the winding paths of the garden. "The flower is hidden deep within the garden," he said. "But I know a secret path that will take us to it."

As they walked, the trees seemed to grow taller and the flowers more vibrant. Luna and Daisy exchanged a excited glance, their hearts racing with anticipation.

The path narrowed, and Henry pushed aside a thick veil of foliage, revealing a hidden entrance. "This way," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Luna and Daisy followed Henry through the entrance, finding themselves in a small, secluded glade. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the sound of gentle running water.

In the center of the glade stood an enormous tree, its trunk twisted and gnarled with age. Henry approached the tree, his eyes shining with reverence.

"This is the ancient one," he said. "The tree of life. And within its trunk, the flower blooms."

Luna and Daisy gasped in unison, their eyes fixed on the tree. They could see a small, delicate flower blooming within the trunk, its petals shimmering with an otherworldly light.

But as they reached out to touch the flower, a voice boomed from behind them.

"You'll never have it," the voice growled.

Luna and Daisy spun around, their hearts racing with fear. And that's when they saw him - Malcolm, the rival botanist, his eyes blazing with fury.