Posted February 27, 2022.


CHAPTER 23: THE TEST OF EARTH

On the Matter of the Sita Mai Temple

The Sita Mai Temple was built over Queen Sita's final resting place. The consort of King Rama of Ayodhya, she was abandoned after bearing his sons, even though she committed no crime. With no one else to turn to, she returned to her mother, the goddess Bhumi, who personified the earth. As the earth split open, she sunk into the ground, to find safety from all those who had harmed her. This temple is believed to have power over the element of earth.

– from the Book of Fay


Sitamai, India

The temple rose high in the sky. It was nearly midnight, and Krithi rode forward on Chai, tying him to a post nearby. She frowned, thinking of Roxy, how Ogron had laughed when he described her reaction to her pixie friend's injury.

"You should've seen the look on the girl's face," he had said. "Pathetic. That girl is so easy to break down, when you go after her heart. That's a weakness they all have."

Krithi could imagine how painful it must've been for Roxy to have her companion injured. After all, she could barely imagine how she'd react if Chai were injured. But she knew what was done was done. She couldn't change how Ogron had acted – that was the ugly truth of it.

I need help. She needed to talk to someone about who the Wizards were and what she'd seen. I can't keep this to myself anymore. She picked out a white disposable phone from her pocket, turning it on.

Since the police were chasing after her, she always made sure to switch phones whenever she had the chance. She swallowed, opening the phone to call her mother's number.

"Hello?" her mother said on the other end of the line.

"Amma," Krithi blurted out, "I need your help. The Wizards – there's something wrong with them!"

"What do you mean?" Nandini answered, slowly and deliberately.

Krithi froze. Something was very, very wrong here. She opened her mouth, ready to tell her mother her suspicions – that Ogron had attempted to kill Roxy and her pixie. Realization shot through her as she stared through the phone.

"You know," she whispered. "You know who Merlin is, and who the Wizards are! A group of crooks." Her voice cracked. "And you're making me work for them!"

"Krithi, listen," her mother cried out, suddenly sounded very emotional. "I didn't have a choice! I had to" –

"Sell me over to their side?" Krithi cried back. "Why? What was so important you had to" –

"Krithi, if you would just listen for a" –

Krithi tapped the 'End' button. Throwing the phone into a bush, she reached the entrance to the temple, gazing around.

The white temple was complete with arches and domes, situated in front of a rectangular pool. Each of the bricks were designed with unique ornamentation, certainly a great feat of artistry and engineering. She could see idols of Queen Sita herself, shining over the temple. Standing in the hall, she pointed the White Circle to the ground.

Immediately, the earth shook. She was transported to a chamber underground, with a door ahead. The rune on the door was an upside-down triangle with a slash across. The final test… She strode on in, ready for the Test of Earth so she could complete the White Circle.


Riven was quiet as he stared out the window of his room, slowly taking everything in. Memories swirled in his mind, each more damning than the last. He swallowed, taking it in slowly.

He remembered how he'd wronged Musa. How he'd let her down all the time, how he'd been so insensitive and misunderstanding. He sighed, closing his eyes.

I'm going to make it up to her. He already had a plan. He closed his eyes, knowing what he was going to do.

After he was discharged, he was going to take the first flight he could find to Earth. He was going to help her with her mission, and make sure she defeated the Wizards. He nodded to himself, filled with determination. He headed out the room, nothing but hope in his heart.


There was nothing but earth and stone in the chamber, and a few green vines for good measure. Of all the chambers, Krithi figured this would be the easiest one. She shrugged, walking down the hall towards the emerald jewel, ready to find it and get back to the circle…

It hit her as suddenly as stone. The earth rippled, and she fell flat on her face, gasping in surprise.

She heard a laugh in her ears. "Did you really think it would be this easy, girl?" The voice continued to jeer. "You're stupid for wanting to change course."

What do you mean? thought Krithi, forcing herself to her feet.

"It doesn't matter what you do. No matter how much you change, the fairies will always hate you. You don't deserve any less."

Distracted, Krithi turned around. Where? Where is this voice coming from…

And then she heard a loud sound above her. A boulder hurtled from the ceiling, directly above her. She let out a scream and threw herself to the side.

No! Anger coursed through her. I'm not going to fall for your tricks, Earth. I'm not going to let myself get buried in a prison of safety! I'm going to get out of here! She ran towards the gem.

The stones kept falling, but she dodged them, fearlessly running. Eventually, she reached the crystal, which was resting atop a stone pedestal. She grabbed it triumphantly and turned around.

Immediately, the ground began shaking. It took all of her willpower not to fall over, and she gasped, staring around her. It was then that she realized what was happening.

The walls were moving in.

Krithi didn't even stop to think. She ran down the corridor, screaming as the walls moved in towards her, threatening to flatten her and trap her forever. A horrible fate, one that she did not want to face…

She tripped over a pile of rocks, the crystal flying out of her hands. The walls came closer and closer in. She squeezed her eyes shut, knowing this was the end.

Then suddenly, Roxy's face appeared in her mind. Without even thinking, she got to her feet. Scooping up the crystal, she ran forwards, running for her life.

The walls were getting closer and closer. Then, they were an inch on either side away from her. Only a yard more to go…

She forced herself out from the gap, landing on the platform just as the walls completely closed in. A dead silence filled the hall. Not even an echo could be heard in the chamber.

Krithi watched as the green crystal fitted itself into the final eye of the White Circle. She let out a gasp of delight as the Circle glowed – yellow, red, blue, and green. Then it shined purple, the color of spirit.

Spirit. A blinding, purple light flashed over her face. She stared through the middle of it, the light taking over.

Suddenly, she was transported to a different world. An island – only the trees were dying and the ground was covered in brown leaves. She stared forward, taking it all in at once.

She saw people fighting – humans dressed in white armor and fairies wearing black dresses. They fought fiercely, nothing but anger in their eyes. She let out a gasp, watching as Merlin led the horde, stampeding all over the fairies' domain.

"This is the end of the line for you!" he shouted. "You will all be trapped in stasis until the end of time!"

Krithi gasped in horror as a white haze shot over the fairies. They screamed, struggling against the Wizard's binds, but he held true. They vanished, disappearing from the scene. Krithi took a step back, staring in shock.

Then she heard the Wizard's demonic laughter. There was no mistaking the laugh: it was one of true evil. Krithi lowered her head, tears beginning to fall as she heard her father's cruel laugh fill the air.

And in that moment, she knew she'd never join with the Wizards. Their intentions were cruel, and they only had one goal: to throw the fairies back in their rightful places. Whether that was correct or not was not of importance. All she knew was that she had to get out of there immediately.

I have to be brave. She held the White Circle to her chest, tears streaming down her cheeks. I have to distance myself from them. She had to find the truth of who the humans and fairies truly were. Sighing, she stared at the Circle.

She had one destination only: Paradise. Paradise would be where she found the answers to her questions. She lifted her Circle, heading out of the underground city and into the light.


"All set?" the nurse asked.

Riven nodded. All of his things were in paper bags – he was ready to head out. Dr. Bindu walked up to him.

"I just want to say that I am really proud of you," she said. "You've worked through a lot, and you've definitely seen improvement through the medipotions. I wish you nothing but the best."

"Thanks," Riven grinned, excitement coursing through him. He turned to Callum. "I'll miss you."

"Call me anytime," Callum answered, tears in his eyes. The men embraced once, then Riven turned around. A tech walked up to him, escorting him down the hall and out the double-doors.

For the first time in weeks, Riven felt free. Excitement coursed through him as the familiar streets of Magix came into view. As he stepped back into the sunlight, he was taken aback at how warm and bright it was. How spacious and large the whole world suddenly seemed, after being cramped inside thin hallways for so long. He smiled, enjoying his newfound freedom as he walked out through the doors.


Next chapter:

The Winx head back to Gardenia.

Each of the Winx fights against the Wizards.

Roxy faces off against Ogron.