The Cursed Paintbrush- Transformation

Much later in Meridell, Hubrid Nox smiled. So far, his experiments with those pathetic humans were going successfully. As for Illusen, well he'll take care of that Earth Faerie later! He laughed evilly as he melted into the shadows once more…

"Hey Illusen, are you in there?" said Aqua as the famous Earth Faerie, sat on her lovely tufted seat... I entered into Illusen's room shortly afterwards, unfortunately, the tiny wooden room was waaayyy too cramped for humans (it was especially designed for faeries and other beings.) I managed to squeeze in after Aqua. We had to leave Scorpachick outside standing, after all, two humans, a Kacheek and a Faerie would NOT even fit in Illusen's home! Aqua's head bumped against the ceiling and her back was squashing me to one of the fragile walls… Oh dear…

Illusen's glorious, leafy wings were taking up what little space that was left in the room… She seemed to be working on something complicated… Perhaps she was doing some kind of Earth Faerie magic? She laughed at the comical situation that we seemed to be in, but she helped us shrink down to her size to our relief…
"Why, hello there, Sabrina!" Illusen smiled, "How's it going, you haven't done any quests for me lately, how come?" She leant against a bookcase that was next to her.

"Er… It's a long story… Can it wait?" I answered impatiently… Then Aqua and I had to tell her the entire recount, right from the beginning!

"So can you help us?" Aqua ended the lengthly recount. Illusen turned a bright red… We waited for her reply. It seemed to take forever, but she managed to squeak out: "Do you mean that I'll have to find out what's the cure for this toxin…?" She muttered something I couldn't understand, "Jhudora…" Illusen whispered with loathing…

"She'll have something to do with this toxin! Hubrid Nox always had a liking for her, but… That means I'll have to talk to her, and I haven't talked to her since… I saw her do something ghastly." Aqua listened patiently.

I however, was feeling faint and kind of weakened. I knew Jhudora always had a dislike for Illusen… But I was about to find out how much they hated each other!

"You'll have to talk to her, Illusen! She's our only hope!" I said.

"No! Well, okay, but only this once! Never again…!" yelled Illusen as she called on Jhudora using her powers. "Jhudora, it's me Illusen!" Jhudora's darkened face appeared. She was like a twin for Illusen, but her eyes glowed evilly!

"You!" spat out Jhudora when she saw Illusen's gentle face. "Haven't you and your sisters learnt never to interfere with my other affairs?"

("What affairs?" I whispered to Aqua, "does she have a boyfriend? Hee-hee!")
"Listen Jhudora, listen very carefully… Have you been asked to make a potion or a serum lately by Hubrix Nox?" shouted Illusen, her pretty face scowled at her.

"NO! I will NOT take any advice from your pathetic words, and anyway, do not say that NAME!" snarled Jhudora…

"He did however ask me to make a special antidote, but he didn't say what to put in it… But I do remember it was called Hypathamine. Its effects are slow-reacting and gradual, but it always creates pain, tears and death in the end... Unless you can find the remedy to the toxin first!"
"So the ingredients are secret, even to you?" I asked her.

"Yes it is… Anyway, I don't think Illusen could even make a decent effort to make the purifying potion! You have six months to live… Before it eventually destroys you! Mu-ha-ha-ha-ha!" Jhudora laughed a classic villain laugh as her face vanished into the background. Illusen gripped her fists tightly… Clearly the encounter with Jhudora had a clear effect on her…

"Illusen, are you alright?" asked Aqua, she seemed scared of Illusen now that the usually kind, gentle Earth Faerie was irritated by Jhudora's insults.

"So that dastardly Jhudora thinks I can't make the remedy! I'll show her!" Illusen yelled angrily as she prepared the ingredients and herbs... She told us to wander freely outside until the cure was ready… I refused… No thanks… I already walked all that way and I needed a rest, I told Illusen. She understood, thankfully!

I wouldn't know how to handle it if I had to walk around again… Aqua decided to keep a close eye on me… To my complete embarrassment! But then again, it would be safer…

After a while, we heard a sudden scream from outside! We investigated, but to our surprise, no one was there! Aqua's light blue Kacheek had vanished…

"Where's Scorpachick!" Aqua cried out as she came out. Then we heard an evil laugh as a shadowed figure leapt out of the grass, "HA, HA!" cried out Thaerin sliding swiftly across the grass in the other direction, "I've got the completed cure!"

"Stop, thief!" Illusen cried out as he snatched the potion from her hands in horror…

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