Four Months Later (Ban's P.O.V.)-
It took me three damn months to hike to that forest. I finally learned the Fountain of Youth's location after visiting a hidden temple in Thessaloniki. The all-seer, an old man who spent his days meditating, told me in exchange for this weird sacred wine they made in Crete. I did what was asked, which took me five days. He drank the wine and told me the location. "Far in the Eternal Forest rests a cup overflowing with life. A woman looks upon it." A woman? Huh, she must be the royal fairy protecting it. Oh well, I'll have no trouble dealing with her; fairies are little. She'll be easy to get out of the way.
That's what I naively believed as I made my way towards the jungle. It took three months to hike from Thessaloniki to the Eternal Forest. I knew I was heading in the right direction because after some time, villages started to disappear. Humanity just seemed to stop at some point, though I couldn't tell you where. The forest was massive but untouched, except for the woman guarding the elixir. Sure, there were dangerous creatures of all kinds lurking about, but I didn't really worry about them. I wasn't really worried about anything. All I knew is that the potion was in this forest and I was so close. So close.
It took me another two days once inside the jungle to reach the huge tree. The all-seer told me to find the tallest and widest tree; the goblet was on top of it. At first, there was no one to be seen. "Huh," I thought loud out as I made my way towards the tree. "Maybe the fairy's smaller than I thought." But I didn't worry about that for long. The tree housing the potion was in sight and for the first time since I started this journey, I felt my blood rush. "Now we're talkin'!" Singing to myself, I climbed the trunk, which took longer than expected. Relief filled me once the top came into view. I tossed my bag up first before pulling myself up.
I can't even begin to describe the joy I experienced when I first saw the Fountain of Youth. This silver chalice hovering in the air, overflowing with pinkish liquid. Everything suddenly felt worth it, all those months of traveling. It was right there in front of me, and with no guardian in sight, it was mine! All mine! "A miracle treasure guarded by a royal fairy: the Fountain of Youth. And anyone who chugs the water out of that cup is in for a nice dose of immortality, huh?" My long tongue ran over my lips. Yes, yes this is what it has all been for; this very moment. I would become immortal…. and then maybe, just maybe I could start to experience life.
Tossing my bag over my shoulder, I shoved my right hand into my pocket. "Oh man, talk about blowing things out of proportion. I don't see an old bag guarding any miracles around here." Literally the moment I said that, I blinked to see this woman standing off to the side staring at me. Her eyes were huge and transfixed onto me. My heart froze solid as I gawked back at her, though I didn't recognize her right away. It took me a few seconds to….
"Uh, what's up, miss? You lost or something?" She didn't look like a fairy to me; much too tall and ahem, curvy. Still, there was something about those blue eyes of hers, and her hair. Long and light pink, caressing the ground. She didn't say anything at first, just kept looking at me with a face of disbelief. "Y-you!" Her lips finally uttered. "Uh? Have we met?" This caught me by surprise. I didn't know her, did I? Wait…. My eyes start to grow wide. That hair, that face, those deep, deep eyes….. She was a beauty…. a beauty too rich, too pure. A memory came flooding back to me; one of me standing on the beach. That's right! Back at the coast, I walked along the beach every night for three nights, looking for a balcony. And on that balcony… "You!" That was all I had to say before her hand rose up. And just like that, I was sent flying far out into the forest away from the tree and her. "Oh shit!" My yell echoed for miles around.
Sinensis's P.O.V.-
Holy crap! What was that?! I stood there with my arm still extended. How did… how did he find this place?! Wasn't he the guy who came to see me on my balcony back at the castle? What is he doing here?! Wait, I slowly turned to eye the Fountain of Youth. I know why he's here; he came for "you". In that moment, I felt…. conflicted. A part of me was screaming to just let him take it. He was the first person I'd seen in four months, and I'm not sure when another would come. If I let him drink it, I wouldn't have to guard it anymore! But then….. If I do let him have it, what would Grandfather do to me? He'd probably marry me off to the first prince he could find. And knowing him, he wouldn't lose any sleep over it either. My options were either to guard this thing or be someone's wife. I peered back to the area where I sent the man flying. I guess I have no choice, well I do but I elect not to be forced into some horrific arranged marriage. I'll have to keep him from drinking the potion, no matter how much I want him to.