Back from my NaNoWrimo fast. Let's get right to the story, shall we?

Chapter 12: Fortune's Fool

"The Isle of Resistance?" Tiny echoed. "Ah! Yeah, mun, I have heard tales of the place from the other fairies! 'Course, we just wrote it off as a hopeful but boil-brained rumor."

"It's certainly not a rumor," Ali whispered. "But it's best that everyone believes it to be. As the name suggests, the Isle of Resistance is an island where the citizens of Ding Dong Dell and Hamelin are plotting a revolution against the Zoorians. Our very own Esther has been working with them for some time now. Although the exact location is unknown, we have a few ideas of which islands it may be. Regardless, if you and your fairy companion wish to find the island, you will need a ship."

"Yeah, figured as much." Tiny sighed. "Well, lickety-Lex, I s'pose we should head over to Coastal Cove and-"

"I'm afraid it's not that simple," Yasmina interrupted sadly. "As you might expect, the Zoorians have currently turned it into a beach resort. They've taken all the vessels and turned them into luxury ships for cruises and floating restaurants."

"Oh, for flip's sake!" the little fairy huffed, his straight antenna twitching in anger. "So what, we need to build our own ship? I swear, when I see another one of those blasted-"

"Actually, there's another way to get a ship. Well, win it, rather." Jamir spoke, looking upwards in thought. "Up at the Aryd Tournament. I was a spectator at the tournament last year."

"Yes, we bought him and a friend of his tickets," Ali explained. "We have another pair of tickets this year, in fact. They are good if you want to be a spectator or a competitor. Jamir, you wouldn't mind parting with those tickets, would you?"

"For Alexa? Of course not!" Jamir insisted, shooting the girl a smile. "I bet you'll do awesome in the tournament, Alexa!"

"Wonderful," Yasmina nodded, and stood up to go locate the pair of tickets.

"W-wait, hold on!" Alexa spoke up. "If I want to get a ship…your saying I have to compete in this tournament and win the whole thing?"

"Essentially, yes," Ali admitted. "I am very sorry we cannot help you much on your quest, besides providing information. It would be better for us if the great sage Rashaad was here, but he, too, has been captured."

"Nah, mun, the information you've supplied us is plenty!" Tiny said. "Worry not, lickety-Lex. You beat a giant flippin' pigeon; I have no doubt you can kick butt and take names at this so-called 'tournament'!"

"Oh, but one thing to note," Ali said. "As the Aryd Tournament is run by Solomon, master of familiars, you can only participate with a familiar. That is to say, you yourself will not be doing any combat."

"So it's at the Temple of Trials?" Alexa remembered her dad's tale of the place. He always said performing the trials was when he first became close with Esther.

And they expect me to be ready to compete and win in two days?

...Are they wacked?!

"Yes, it is held in his Solosseum. The tournament itself begins in two days, at high noon. If you leave early in the morning the day of the tournament, you should get there with an hour or so to spare. Be sure to give them your tickets as soon as you arrive at the temple."

"Here you go." Yasmina returned from her search, two rectangular slips of paper in her hand. Alexa examined them: they had a weird face printed on the front, followed by the date and time of the tournament.

"Ah, but before you leave, we recommend you pay a visit to the tribe swami," Ali advised.

"Who?"

"An old and wrinkling woman who tells fortunes!" Jamir exclaimed, ignoring the glare he got from his parents. "She came to Al Mamoon not too long ago, after studying in the plateau caves. Her predictions are pretty accurate. She might be able to give you some clues about what's to come in your quest."

"Sounds proper useful," Tiny determined. "Where's the swami-face, then?"

"She's in the third tent from our own, just beside the garments stall. The fabric has been dyed a faded blue. You can't miss it."

"Ok." Alexa stood up, giving a curt nod. "Thanks for everything. I'll head over there now." She left the tent without another word.

"Oi, wait up, lickety-Lex!" Tiny called after her. He stopped halfway across the tent.

"Sorry 'bout that," Tiny apologized to the regal couple. "Lickety-lex runs hot and cold on her own time. I can never tell what she's thinking. Like a Dualynx, that lass is."

"It's interesting, really," Ali mused. "She looks like the spitting image of her father, but her temperament is quite different. She acts bolder, but she also hides her emotions within herself."

"Take care of her, will you?" Yasmina told the little fairy. "The Savior owes a lot of his experience in our world to his own fairy companion."

"But of course!" Tiny saluted them with his straight antenna. "I already promised it to treeface. I won't let those rotters lay a hand, hoof, or paw on my sidekick!" To prove his point, he left the tent to go find his charge.

"I want to go with them, too!" Jamir told his parents after the fairy left. "Of course, I only have Heqet, but-"

"That's awfully kind of you, Jamir, but as your parents we can't allow it," Yasmina told him firmly.

"Aw, come on, mom!" Jamir complained. "I've always wanted to travel, and if it's with Alexa-"

"Please don't do this to us, Jamir." Ali muttered. "Yasmina and I have been through enough almost losing each other. Now, the Cowlipha and the Great Sage Rashaad are gone. If something were to happen to you, we could never live with it." There was a pause. Jamir lowered his head after a few moments.

"…I understand, dad." Jamir nodded solemnly. "I just wish there was something I could do to help her..." He thought back to the short time he'd spent traveling with her. Her Auroralynx was probably who she was going to be using in the tournament, but at that stage, its primary focus was healing, not fighting…

"Oh, I got it!" He suddenly perked up. "I do have something to give her! I was saving it for Heqet, but if I can't travel with her, it's the least I can do." He began searching with fervor before his parents could question him.

Back outside the tent, Tiny finally caught up with his traveling companion. Alexa was leaning up against once of the volcanic rocks, examining her wand.

"Lickety-Lex!" Tiny called. "Why'ja just run off like that?"

"I wanted some fresh air," Alexa lied. Although she attributed it to stubbornness, she didn't want to admit that she was feeling nervous about participating in the tournament with Eve.

At least there hadn't been any spectators when I battled the pigeon queen! Aside from that pirate kid, of course. For a moment, she wondered if the boy would be a spectator at the tournament as well. The idea made her cheeks redden; mostly out of embarrassment over the idea of him watching her get beat up again.

"And, uh…I've been thinking," Alexa told him, shifting her gaze to the ashy ground.

"That scares me, lickety-Lex," Tiny joked, earning a gentle glare. He climbed up onto her shoulder. "So, what have you been thinking 'bout?'

"Home," Alexa mumbled, forgetting her pride for a moment. In addition to her nerves, seeing Ali, Yasmina, and Jamir all together had saddened her. She wasn't sure why; but a part of her knew it was because she didn't want to admit the truth to herself.

"Ah. I get it." Tiny sighed. "I sure miss Teeheetee, let me tell you. The warm water, the drool-worthy seafood, the antenna-slappin' comedy shows…and mam, too, of course." He looked at Alexa curiously.

"Speaking of, you never did tell me much about your mam, lickety-Lex." Alexa stiffened.

"What about her?" she asked tersely.

"Oh, I dunno. What's she like, like?" Alexa wasn't sure how to respond. Her relationship with her mother was…weird. She'd had a fall out with her about a month before her dad disappeared, and she'd avoided talking one on one with her since.

"She's…uh…"

"Do you miss her?" Tiny continued. "How'd she meet the Savior? Do you think she's wondering where you are right now? I'll bet she's proper worried…"

"Alexa!" Jamir's voice interrupted her from her thoughts. She looked up to see the boy running towards her, holding something wrapped in a cloth. "Have you seen the swami yet?"

"Not yet," Alexa told him, quietly grateful that she could dodge Tiny's questions.

"I see. Well, let me know when you do." He paused, shifting on his feet awkwardly. "You know, I really wanted to travel with you two…" he started, casting his glance downwards. Alexa perked up. Jamir would be the perfect ally for her. He was kind, and respectful. Perhaps a bit charming, too.

"…but my parents won't allow it," Jamir finished. He held out the cloth. "So please, accept this gift from me to you."

"Thanks…" Alexa tried to hide her disappointment as she unwrapped the cloth, revealing a small, glowing yellow orb.

"Oh, tidy! It's a moondrop!" Tiny exclaimed, staring excitedly at the gift. "Lickety-Lex, this is perfect for Eve!"

"I was going to use it on Heqet, but you have a tournament to win. Plus, I think you deserve a higher stage familiar more than I do. You're going to save the world, after all!" Jamir gave her a smile.

"What do I do with it?" Alexa wondered dubiously. She felt stupid for asking such an obvious question, but Jamir didn't seem to care.

"Feed it to your Auroralynx," he explained. "All that fighting we did on the way over here raised its level high enough for metamorphosis. I'll warn you now: changing a familiar's form is permanent, and their level will be reset to 1. But since you have an extra day before the tournament, you'll have some time to train."

"Tidy! Thanks, sandboy!" Tiny exclaimed. "Go on, then, lickety-Lex. Call out your familiar so it can change forms!"

"R-right."

Alexa's chest glowed a familiar, soft yellow as her soul warrior materialized in front of her. The cat familiar came out poised for battle, and was startled by the lack of enemies. She tilted her head at Alexa in confusion.

"Here, Eve," she told it, holding out the drop. Eve's eyes widened at the sight of the moondrop, and she mewled eagerly. Alexa set the drop on the ground, and Eve gobbled it up.

Just then, her familiar was suffused in a white glow. Alexa watched apprehensively as the Auroralynx's form changed and melded in response to the drop's magic. Then, in a shower of lavender sparks, a new creature appeared in front of her.

The cat's coat was a glossy dark purple, with a white stripe and crown-like flourish atop her head. Her wings were the same gold-tinged white, but had grown at least twice in size. And her eyes, once large and curious, had narrowed into cautious slits. Her familiar emitted a low, deep purr, flicking her tail elegantly.

"Proper impressive," Tiny nodded in satisfaction. "That's a cool-headed Umbralynx if I ever saw one."

"Umbralynx, huh?" Alexa stared in awe at her new, darker cat familiar. She was sleeker than it's previous form, and looked like she could pack quite a punch if trained properly. Perfect for the upcoming tournament.

Eve flexed her claws and yawned, bored with the lack of action.

Alexa grinned. "Nice."

"I can take you out to train it tomorrow, if you'd like," Jamir offered.

"That'd be awesome, thanks," Alexa told him, calling Eve back to her chest.

"Anyways, I assume you're off to see the swami," Jamir said. "Good luck! Come see me in my parent's tent when you're done. I'll set you up at the Cat's Cradle tent for the night." He waved, before heading over to his tent.

"What a gent," Tiny commented. "Truly a shame he won't be coming with us. I'll bet he's great company."

"I know…" Alexa sighed.

It's bogue that his parents won't let him come with us. He's so polite…unlike Kolton.

"On that cheerful note, let's go see swami-face!" Tiny suggested. "Her tent's right over there, en' it?"

"Yeah, ok," Alexa agreed, shaking her head to clear it.

"Tidy. C'mon, let's go be fortune's fool!"

They arrived and entered the swami's tent a few moments later. The scent of herbs hung heavy in the air. The interior was small, and clouded with the smoke from incense sticks. On a rug in the center of the room sat an old woman, eyes closed, deep in thought.

"Crikey, a bit ominous, en' it?" Tiny muttered.

"Child of the savior." The woman looked up and opened her eyes slightly. Alexa straightened immediately.

"Y-yes?"

"I knew you would be arriving her soon. I saw it in the stars and the patterns of smoke that billow from this mountain's top. You seek to know what lies in your future?"

"I-I do." Alexa nodded affirmatively.

"Then come. Sit. I will read your ashes and tell you what I know."

Alexa tentatively approached and sat down in front of the swami.

"You have received an oracle before, yes?" the woman asked. Alexa paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Y-yeah, I have. It was a poem."

"I wrote it," she admitted. "As I said, I have anticipated your arrival. May I take a look at your wand before we begin?" Alexa hesitantly pulled her wand from her sack and handed it to her. She ran her hands along the wood, nodding slightly.

"I see. As I predicted, this wand is the old wand your father used to have, before he located Mornstar. It is good for now, but do not become too attached to it." She returned the wand to Alexa.

"Now, as you have requested, I will do my best to appraise your future."

The old woman reached out a bony, wilted hand and clasped Alexa's own. She gathered a bit of volcanic ash from a bowl beside her, and sprinkled it onto Alexa's palm. She dusted it off gently, examining the remaining pattern.

"You are a magic-user, specializing in the offensive arts," the swami started. "You are most compatible with the Arcana, Daemonia, and Dracones genus of familiars. You are self-reliant and rebellious by your nature. This will cause many issues, but also solve many problems. It is your greatest strength, and your gravest weakness." She paused for a moment, eyes closed in thought.

"Regarding your journey explicitly, I will try my best to make sense of the images I see. You may not be aware of it, but much of what has happened in your home world has affected this one, and thus will be encountered by you on your quest. But unlike your father, you will not return to your home world until your quest is finished; assuming you finish it, of course. Three travelers…yes, I see another joining you on your journey in short time. And another still, but the fourth will come much later. Old friends wait for you; you must convince them you are not the enemy. A great beast lurks in dark waters, but you must look higher than its fangs to know the truth. There is a place full of smog, and there is a city of snow. I see much laughter…but I also see many tears. With the help of a companion will come a demise of a fear. A shiny palace waits, full of mirrors from the past. You will find a familiar face there. Everything is not as it seems; always remember that. And when all is finished..." She didn't finish her sentence.

"Well?" Tiny prompted. "When all is finished, what?"

"I honestly cannot say," the woman admitted with a shake of her head. "The fate of the final battle relies far more on emotion than sheer strength, and is thus unclear. I cannot predict the outcome, but know this: you will face a very difficult challenge at the end of your journey. A challenge that has been weaving itself since the day of your birth." She opened her grey, cloudy eyes and stared directly into Alexa's own.

"You will have all the tools you need to succeed. What will determine your fate is whether or not you use them."