Standard disclaimers apply. I don't own Someday's Dreamers or any of its characters. Enjoy!
Chapter One
"Tell me a story about the fairies, Momma." A little boy pulled at his mother's dress. "I want to hear another one of your stories."
"One minute, my dear," she smiled and patted him on his head. She returned her sights on preparing their evening meal. Times were rough in this age of men. People sensed an air of change that was creeping towards civilizations. No one knew what the future would bring. Some people feared it might bring more despair and outbreak of wars that were already starting. Others still held onto the hope that it would bring a better life.
"Please Momma, could you please," he pleaded with her.
She looked out the window, and in the shadows she saw one of them. Their eyes locked on each other for one brief moment. He quietly watched from a tree, as he noticed her gaze returning to the child beside her. "Alright then, come here and sit on my lap."
The little child obeyed and his eyes lighted up as she spoke.
There was one maiden who grew up in a town not far from here. The times were changing and she knew something was changing among her people. The townspeople noticed she went to the lake every night, and they asked her, "Why are you going to the lake?"
The young girl answered back, "I want to see the fairies dance over the water."
One of them replied back, "They don't exist." The news broke her heart. She wanted to believe in them, because everyone else was losing hope. She ran to the lake and sat there. She watched the moon rise from eastern horizon, and cried to herself. It can't be true, she said to herself.
She didn't know how long she sat there, but someone asked her. "Why are you crying?" The voice was soft and foreign to her.
"They said they weren't real," she tried to stop her tears.
"Who aren't real?" The curious voice asked.
"Fairies." She didn't turn back to the person she was talking to.
"I see," the fairy lingered on and felt a strong relief that someone believed in his kind. Before, he left, he made one small bud come to life and it blossomed into a flower. He placed it next to the young girl as a gift. With no more words to say, he vanished into the night, but kept a watchful eye on the maiden.
The boy watched his mom pause for a moment, "What happened?" he chimed.
"I'm getting there, don't be hasty now," she strengthened her grip on her son.
The girl noticed the voice had stopped and she turned to look at her surroundings. There was no one. She immediately got up, and noticed that beside her, a small pink rose was there. She knew that the field didn't have this rose of any sort. Right then, she knew that a fairy was there. "Hello is anyone there," she called out. No one had ever told her how to greet a fairy properly. She had heard stories of how they appeared and disguised themselves as humans that mingled among mortals.
A few more moments of silence came, but no one showed. She looked up at the crescent moon and figured it was time to head for home. Her eyes searched for the elusive fairy, but she didn't find him. Reluctantly, she started to walk back, but she felt a slight breeze coming from behind her.
Their eyes finally matched. She stopped in her footsteps and gazed at the sight. The fairy had transformed into a human, and he spoke. "Thank you for believing in us." His eyes were warm and gave a soft black hue.
The young girl smiled back. "Thank you for the rose."
He nodded graciously. "I have to go back to my people now."
"Will I ever see you again?" her eyes were misty from tears that she shed earlier.
"You will," he smiled back and disappeared into the woods.
That night, the young girl's heart was at ease and she kept the hope to herself.
"Did she ever meet the fairy again, momma?" The boy interrupted her.
She smiled, "Yes, she did. She went there every night, while the other townsmen believed it was foolish still. On their nightly visits, they talked and talked about the hopes for the world. He even showed her how his powers revived the plants and trees by the wave of his hand. On one particular night, the full moon shown and the stars danced in the canvas sky. The fairy had transformed himself into a human and he felt the love between the two of them was growing stronger. He had watched mortals show their affections to one another through holding hands and kisses. It was making him go delusional at times, because he didn't know what his heart was telling him. On impulse, he pulled her close to him, and their lips met for the very first time."
The boy squirmed in his mother's arms and snickered at the mushy parts. But he continued, to listen to his mother's voice.
"The pair fell in love. The end." She returned her attention back to their supper, "It's time to eat now."
"Can you tell me another story?" The boy again pleaded with her.
"Another time," she tapped his nose with her index finger.
"Now eat your supper before it turns cold."
"Yes, Momma."
Outside, the town's lights were blazing in the cold winter air. Already, she could see the smoke stacks rise and swirl above the homes. Let's hope for one peaceful night. She returned to her seat at the table, and the two ate silently.
The boy broke the silence, "Will there be another raid tonight?"
"Don't be silly, the village met their demands with the food surplus that was raised during this harvest." His mom tried to hide the fear from her son, and she went over and kissed him on his forehead.
"What ever happened to the maiden and the fairy?" Again, the boy struck up the conversation.
"Well they," a knock on at the front door interrupted their story. "Stay right here, Zennosuke." He tried to listen into his mother's conversation, but before he could make anything out of it, his mother returned. "I want you to stay inside here."
"Why?"
"There's something wrong in the village and I need to help someone. I'll be back soon, I promise." She hugged her son close to her. "And when I get back, I will finish the story. Alright?"
"You promise," he pouted.
"I promise."
He watched his mother leave. A few miles away, he could already see the town burning in the fire. "Please be careful, momma." The clock rocked back and forth with its pendulums creating the chimes. An hour had passed and everything quieted down. Something wasn't right he felt it. Without any more hesitations, he ran out in search for his mother. In the distance, he heard wails coming from stranded infants. The sight before him he couldn't comprehend what went on, the houses still smoldered and bodies were everywhere.
He ran through the streets and the same sight occurred. "Momma!" He screamed out loud, not knowing what the consequences were. Sounds of hooves digging into the mud came behind him, and the horse struck him in the legs. He didn't let out a sound for fear he might be actually killed by horseman. The pain sprang up and down his spine, but he clenched his teeth. His one goal was to find his mother.
"That's the last of them," one of the masked men said.
"Let's ride out before there's a retaliation. Alright men, ride out." The senior commanded.
Zennosuke waited for the sounds to fade away. His legs killed him to move, but he got up with all the strength he could muster. "Momma," he whispered. He hobbled his way through the thick mud, and he came across the temple that was turned into a makeshift dispensary. His eyes lighted up, "Momma!"
"What did I tell you to do, Zennosuke?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. She tried to hide her injury from a sword wound.
"I wanted to see you," the boy cried out.
"It's okay, my brave boy," she took him in his arms. Her eyesight started to fade, but she caught a glimpse of her guardian. "Masami," she shook her head as a sign to let her go, "goodbye my love."
Zennosuke looked up and saw a human cowering above him. "Please help her," he sniffled.
"I can't, it's against the rules." He couldn't bear to take the look from his own flesh and blood, but he knew she didn't reveal to him that he was his father.
"You're a fairy aren't you?" He voice rose.
"Yes, I am."
"Then help her," he pulled the man close to his mother.
"I can't still, it's not right to save a life." He looked away from the young boy.
He watched his mother take his last breath, "No, don't leave me, Momma! Don't go! You promised to finish the story." He clung to her as long as he could. He felt the man try to pick him up, "Let me go! I don't want your help. You couldn't save her," he screamed. "I don't believe in you!" He shouted, not caring how much pain he felt in his heart and in his legs.
The news devastated Masami's ears, it was something he didn't want to hear. "I'm sorry," he faded away into the mist. I failed…I failed to save Takako.
Out in the grove, hidden by thick underbrush, Yume stirred in her sleep and she cried out loud. "Make it stop!" she screamed. In her dreams, she saw her world crumble into darkness and that every life had died.
"It's alright Yume, go to sleep. I'm here now," her mother rocked her. She felt her daughter breath more easily and in moments, she fell back into a peaceful sleep. "I'm sorry for bringing this upon you, my angel." She quietly slipped out the room donned with lilies and blossoms. Outside, she met up with Ginpun.
"How is she today?" The senior fairy asked.
"Alright, I guess. She's strong still, but every day worries me…mortals are starting to lose faith in us." She sighed. "I wish I could take her place, but I gave up my powers in giving birth to her. There shouldn't have been a price to be paid for falling in love with a mortal." She looked away from the senior.
"Rules are rules…they can't be broken." He looked out into the steady timeless night. "She carries a great weight on her shoulders, and our future lies within her." A pang of hurt ran through his veins, he sensed that Masami had lost his way.
"What's wrong?" Hikari asked.
"Masami has fallen."
"Oh no, is it starting to happen now?" She had read about a prophecy that the end of fairies will come when the faith in mortals started to fail.
"I'm afraid so…Yume must be ready soon." The two stood in the night, and watched the remnants of smoke coming from one of the villages. "All we can do now is keep the faith that remains."
oooooo
Seven years later….
"Where do you think you're heading off to?" Yume peered through the green under brush.
"I'm heading off to the town," Angela replied back. She was already hiding her translucent wings. "Ginpun ordered us to do so, we need to help the humans out in anyway we can. We need to restore their faith in us." She continued on her way.
"I'm not sure about this," she looked in the darkness, but she didn't find any humans around. "Isn't there a full moon tonight?" Her wings flapped silently behind her.
Angela was getting annoyed by the young fairy's question and went back to her friend's side. "You're coming with me, whether you like it or not," she grabbed her friend's hand and pulled her along with her. "You haven't been out of the haven yet, and this will be a good experience for you."
"If you say so."
"Hide your wings now. We're getting close now." The older fairy commanded.
Yume did what she was told. Already before her, the small village lights were aglow in the dark cold night. Ginpun orders still resonated in her head. It was easier said than done. She had seen other fairies return with expressions ranging from a sense of accomplishment to despair. Seven years of training seemed an eternity to her, and now was the real test to prove herself she can make things actually happen. Her mentor, Masami, wasn't much help. She could tell something was keeping him pre-occupied.
The two entered the village and saw the gloomy looks on the villagers. Years of random warfare from plunders took a toll on them. Angela gazed in front of her and noted what she could do for them. The pastures that were behind them needed to be fertile again before any seed can be planted there. One boy had caught her attention, but she quickly turned away. She wasn't used to show her human emotions. She constantly kept reminding herself she wasn't one of the mortals and that she was of fairy blood.
Yume looked around and felt the pain the mortals felt. The feeling tore into her precious heart. How can it come to this, I don't know what do to. She shook her head and retained her focus. "I'm going to stay here for a while longer. If you want to leave, go ahead," she spoke to Angela.
"Fine with me, I know what to do now. The pasture over there is my area. Hands off."
The young fairy nodded, and watched her friend walk to the pasture. She whispered under her breath, "It figures for her to take the easy jobs." She turned her attention back to the shops that lined the main streets. Years of learning to be a human finally paid off she thought. Maybe Masami wasn't a bad mentor at all, and she smiled at the thought. Around the corner, she stumbled upon a sword smith's shop. A young man stood by the fire as he continued to add wood to keep the fire roaring. He didn't pay any heed to the lady standing there.
He mended a sword and struck the hot metal with a mallet. Sparks flew to every side, and he hobbled his way back to the fire with the malleable metal. He repeated the process several more times, until the blade was long and sharp. Right beside him, a bucket of cold water was there, and he struck the sword in it. A veil of white steam and vapor hissed for several seconds, and he then pulled out the sword.
Yume walked up to him, and timidly asked him, "Excuse me, sir, how did you get that gait of yours?" The question flew out awkwardly.
"It's none of your business," his voice was deep and firm.
"I'm just curious, I want to help you," she looked on. Her pink dress caught the images of the dancing flames that came from the hot fire.
"You can't help me. People have tried to heal me, and they were unsuccessful." He continued to go on his business of mending more swords. Five swords completed, and he noticed the stranger was still standing there. A cold night breeze hit his face, and he feared the girl would catch cold in this weather. "If you must know, my village was attacked seven years ago. I was trying to find my mother, and I was struck by a horse."
Yume recalled the village event from Masami, but he didn't mention why he was there. "I'm sorry to hear that." The two remained silent for a while, and he resumed his work. The noise of striking the hot metal was sequential clanks. "I really can help you," her voice rang out against the clanking sounds.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I never seen you before, and I can't trust people anymore. Not after that night." The sword smith continued on without looking back at her.
Yume held her head low and walked back to where she first arrived in the village. She noted that everyone would soon be sleeping and it would be the perfect time to do her work. Above her, she felt the full moon's rays upon her and they relaxed her a bit. She never knew how beautiful it was outside the haven. She then lifted her pink dress slightly, while walking through the thick muddy streets, and around the corner she found Angela.
"What took you so long? " The blond haired fairy asked, her arms were folded across her chest.
"I visited a sword smith." Yume was slightly blushing.
"I see. You didn't go around the village to see whom else might be needing help?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Well," she looked down as her foot stepped in and out of the mud, "not really…I talked to him and he had a rough time as a child. I thought it would be nice for me to do something for him."
"It'll be your head that Ginpun will be after." Angela looked towards the night sky and figured it was the right time to do their fairy acts. "Show time." She quickly transformed into her fairy self and flew over to the barren pasture. She called on her power to tend to the fields and in seconds, lush green grass emerged from the dead weeds.
"Show off," Yume whispered. She sauntered back to the sword smith's workshop and saw him sleeping in a small tool shed on a stack of hay. "With all my precious feelings inside my heart," she made one wish within that phrase and gently touched the young man's legs. He stirred slightly, and he became aware that something was going on with his legs. Yume jumped back, and in the moment of fear, she bumped into a table filled with hammers of varying sizes. Oh no. She saw one of the smaller hammers hit the ground with a thud.
"Who's there?" The boy shot up from his sleep and grabbed a sword from his side. He quickly jumped to wear Yume stood and pointed the sword at her. Her brown eyes flashed as to what he may do. "It's you again." She nodded in response. He noticed that his legs didn't hurt while he moved. "What did you do to me?" He violently asked her.
"I told you I can help you," her voice remained calm.
"Are you a witch? If you are, I will strike you here." He held the sword steady in his hands.
"I'm not, I swear. I'm just a traveler…wanting to help those who need it the most. I bear no ill will towards you." She pleaded with him.
Angela returned to the spot where Yume and her first arrived. "Where could that girl be?" The fairy remained at her spot, but she sensed someone was watching her again. It sent shivers up and down her spine. In the recent years, there were numerous fairies being hunted by mortals that held a special trait in their bloodlines. This trait dealt with discovering a distinct aura around individuals. Yume you better hurry it up. She paced back and forth, being uneasy in her steps. She remembered that Yume mentioned being at the sword smith's workshop, and with that in mind, she briskly walked there. The tool shed's door was jarred open and she heard voices. Her eyes scanned the door and she saw Yume there, still held at the end of a sword.
She held back, and looked at the ground. At her foot, a small pebble was there and she threw it through the open window. The sound scared the sword smith, and Yume ran at the moment. "Yume, over here," Angela shouted. "We need to make haste, we're being watched."
Yume felt the presence of the hunters, "They're here. Run!" The pair dashed into the village's streets, in hopes of warding their attackers to dead ends. Zennosuke looked in confusion as to what was happening.
"You there, where did the two young ladies run off to?" A masked man asked. He stood there dumbfounded as to why the masked man was there in the first place. "I need to know, they've committed a serious crime."
"They ran over to the bridge." He watched the masked rider head over to the area. At that moment, his mind was confused, but he would have to deal with that later. He now had to save the girl that came to help him. There was something about her that brought back memories of his mother's story. He needed answers from her.
Yume ran behind Angela and she could tell a hunter was gaining upon them. "Keep running," Angela called back.
"I'm getting tired," the young fairy started to slow down in speed. "I want to fly now."
"You can't, that's how they'll catch you for sure." The two continued to run uphill and then down a side street. The road was getting muddier, and on them, strays of sticks were hidden. "Be careful, Yume," she called back.
"I know," before long, her foot snagged onto a stick. She cried out and fell onto the street.
"Yume!" Angela turned around, but noticed that the hunter was already there.
"Just go, Angela!" She watched her friend run into the safety of the woods. The hunter was nearly above her, and she saw the black sword. She got up, but tripped again. "Blast this dress." She felt a sting in her shoulder, and her world went black.
TBC
A/N: How was that? I thought it was time to make a full story on the series, but it came out to be an AU. The title translates to Hidden Dreams, in case anyone was wondering. Stay tune for Chapter Two and thanks for reading. Feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
