Posted March 13, 2022.

Hello, everyone! We have exactly a week until the spring equinox! This chapter is very important to me; it outlines a lot of important things. I hope you enjoy!

Previously on AUF…

"What happened to the fairies?" Musa asked.

"The Wizards of the White Circle attacked," Faragonda answered. "The Earthian medieval time was a time of severe economic and political instability. They used that time to wage a propaganda war against fairies. Much of their propaganda was steeped in patriarchy, and it was, naturally, women who got the blame. The dominant culture of the time moved to a much more patriarchal tone, and women were forbidden from holding leadership positions."

"Who were the Wizards?" Layla wanted to know. "I mean, how did they originate?"

"Nobody knows," Faragonda answered. "All we know is that humanity turned against the fay. Over the centuries, they attacked each of the nations of Earth, slowly locking all the fairies away."

Musa gasped in horror. Bloom turned towards Faragonda, her eyes blazing. "We have to save the fairies!"

-o-o-o-

"How did you know?" Roxy asked. "That you were – well, gay? What made you decide it was okay?"

"There's nothing not-okay about it," Flora answered. "People have been gay since the dawn of time. It's completely natural."

"Yeah, well, that's not what I was taught." Roxy stared at her feet.

"You're nearly an adult now, Roxy," Flora responded. "You're the same age we were when we first stared battling our nemeses, the Trix. You're old enough to decide for yourself what's right and what's wrong. You don't have to listen to what other people have to say."

-o-o-o-

Suddenly, Krithi was transported to a different world. She saw people fighting – humans dressed in white armor and fairies wearing black dresses. 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 vanished, disappearing from the scene. Krithi took a step back, staring in shock.

Then she heard the Wizard's demonic laughter, one of true evil. Krithi lowered her head, tears falling as she heard her father's cruel laugh fill the air.

And in that moment, she knew she'd never join with the Wizards. 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.

She had one destination only: Paradise. She lifted her Circle, heading out of the underground city and into the light.


CHAPTER 25: MIDSPRING'S EVE, PART I

The Wizard of Light

On the Matter of the Spring Equinox

The spring equinox, otherwise known as Midspring, is the celebration of the beginning of the light half of the year. Greenery is just coming up at this time of year, which means new beginnings.

Since the days and nights are equal in-length, this is the time when yin and yang is the most perfectly balanced. That makes the equinox the perfect time for diplomacy, negotiations, and other acts in the nature of balance.

– From the Book of Fay


The Enchanted Mirror, Paradise

The High Faerie Queen stood firmly on the ground, her two feet planted on a rock as she glared forward, lifting a spell in her hands. Her black fairy-dress fell to her knees, and she had a grim expression on her face as she faced down the figure in front, her eyes narrowing. Behind her, the lake – or the Enchanted Mirror, as they called it – was completely scarlet, filled with the blood of fairies and humans alike.

The man in front of her showed no signs of fear. He wore a white robe and a pointed white hat, both of which went perfectly together. His eyes were filled with glee as he faced the fairy down, laughing.

"It's over, Morgana," he laughed. "I have locked away all the fairies in the world – the Warrior Fairies and civilian fairies, the Faerie Ladies and the Major Fairies, even your six Faerie Queens who stood in my way. Now it's just you and me, for the final battle."

"Give it up, Merlin!" Morgana spoke authoritatively, her voice filled with fury. "The Magix troops will soon be coming. They have already arrested your other fellow Wizards, who have been sentenced to Omega. Once they capture you, you shall face the same!"

"Magix isn't going to capture me," Merlin laughed. "They have their precious little wars going on right now. Their fate is already questionable." He lifted his hands. "Prepare to meet your doom!"

In response, Morgana lifted a circlet in her hands – the Black Circle, it was. Dark energy flowed around Merlin, and he gasped in horror. He tried to reach his wrist for his own artifact, the White Circle – but it wasn't there. Morgana glared at him.

"I did nothing," she spat. "Your friend Ogron has the White Circle with him, in Omega." Merlin gasped in horror. Morgana stood tall above him, her eyes fierce.

"Merlin," she said, "you and your forefathers have sent rampage over the fairy world, and now you shall pay the price!" She lifted her Circle into the air.

The Enchanted Mirror turned into a black vortex. It sucked Merlin in, imprisoning him deep in its depths. He let out a cry. Morgana smiled triumphantly, for a fleeting moment. She was about to close the portal, but just then, it grew stronger and more unpredictable.

The Black Circle clattered to the ground. Morgana let out a cry as she was lifted in the air, pulled towards the vortex. Then she disappeared inside his depths, locked in the prison of her own choice –

"Roxy!"

Roxy awoke with a jolt, her heart thundering. Who was that? She stared around, her eyes opening blearily as Stella stuck her head into the tent.

"You're the last one up!" she cried. "Come on, hurry. We've got some searching to do!"

Roxy rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, her strange dream still lingering in her mind. Wincing at the light of day, she followed Stella out of the tent.

The other women were all situated around a fire, heating up some soup they'd carried with them. Roxy took a bowl, downing it quickly. She sighed, gazing around the island.

The island was deadened and wintry. While the rest of the Northern Hemisphere was greening, this island was just as bare as ever. No snow lay on the ground, nor did icicles hang from the trees – it was just dead. No animals were to be seen, nor did the trees look particularly lively. She sighed, remembering their journey to the island, just the day before…

Roxy had stared at the new tracksuit she was wearing, one which Flora and Stella had made for her. With a white stripe down the side, it perfectly matched the tracksuits of the other Winx, except for the differently-colored stripe on the sides. Her father had come up to her, smiling, though he looked a little apprehensive.

"You look beautiful," he said, brushing past her hair, which was done up in a ponytail. He looked at her with concern. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Roxy nodded. The Winx had quite a time, the previous night, trying to convince her father to let her come with them to Paradise. He'd been reluctant to go, seeing as she had only just come home from the previous mission, not to mention that she was only fifteen. Nonetheless, he'd finally given his permission. Now there was nothing stopping Roxy and the Winx from heading straight to Paradise.

She and her father headed out of the house, down the street. Together they met the Winx and the Pixies at their apartment. The Specialists were hugging their girlfriends, looking sad.

"I'm so sorry we have to part just as we were reunited," Bloom said sadly, hugging Sky.

Roxy could only imagine how tough that was. An international press-conference was coming up, and everyone was preparing for Gardenia to be its center. It was going to be a mad ride – especially since Gardenia was tiny. The Specialists and Pixies had agreed to run the press-conference in their stead, so that they could free all the fay.

She glanced over at Musa, who looked rather sad as she gazed at the ground. That's right, she doesn't have a boyfriend. A pang of sympathy shot through her as she gazed at the music-fairy's sad expression; she could only imagine what Musa was thinking. She let out a sigh. "So, how are we going to get to Paradise exactly?"

"The Black Circle will take you there," Bloom answered. "We will follow behind."

"I don't think that works." Tecna frowned. "Only Roxy will be able to reach Paradise – the Black Circle will warp her there. But it can't carry all of us at once."

"I thought you had this all figured out." Roxy stared at Tecna. "What're we gonna do, then?"

"Go by horseback, that's what!"

Roxy spun around. Behind her was Baston, holding a lead-rope to Aonbharr's halter. What's he doing here? Klaus stared at him in amazement.

"What's going on?" he asked. Baston sighed.

"I've read the legends of Paradise," he said, "and there's something special about this horse. According to mythology, he has the power to fly, as well as travel across realms. He can easily take you all to Paradise."

"But that's ridiculous!" Roxy stared at Baston. "I thought Adrianna said he was a mixed-breed! A Connemara father and a Thoroughbred mother!"

"I've done some reading into the broodmare's pedigree," Baston answered. "From what I remember while reading your Book of Fay, many of the fay disguised themselves as other animals in order to escape the Wizards. Well, it turns out that his mother's line is all pegasi. Aonbharr is" –

"A pegasus," she whispered. She looked through the Black Circle at him, and let out a gasp.

Black wings appeared on his back. She pointed the Circle at him, amassing her power.

"Remove this disguise!" she cried. Immediately, a blue light shined around Aonbharr, and he let out a neigh, rearing proudly in the sky as his wings appeared. Roxy grinned, turning around to face her friends, who were grinning as well. All except Stella, that was.

"How are we all going to go?" she pointed out. "We can't all fit on his back."

"A wagon should do." Baston pulled a wagon out from his trailer. Harnessing Aonbharr, he attached the chariot to it. The Winx climbed into the wagon, and Roxy sat on Aonbharr. Transforming, she picked up the Black Circle, staring at its depths.

It gleamed back at her, the six rainbow colors shining like she'd never seen them before. She held the Circle above her head, shouting, "To Paradise!"

Immediately, Aonbharr flew into the air, the wagon trailing after him. He sped into the air, leaving the town of Gardenia behind.

And so now they were at the island. Aonbharr was standing comfortably on the dead land, his eyes closed. Downing her soup, Roxy gazed at the rest of the women, who had finished packing up the tents and the camping-gear. Bloom gazed around the island, then at the other Winx.

"Let's get moving," she said. "We've got a long way ahead of us."


"Okay, boy," Krithi said, mounting atop Chai's back.

It had been a few days since she'd decided to desert the Wizards and head to Paradise on her own. The White Circle was still with her, gleaming colorfully after she'd found the four eyes. She let out a sigh, staring around.

Today was a big day for her. It had taken a lot for her to desert the Wizards; they had been her lifeline, after all. But somehow, she knew that their actions were wrong. That she had to find the answers to what their plans truly were, and who she truly was.

It was also the day before her birthday. Tomorrow, on the spring equinox, she would turn sixteen at last. Normally, at this time, she and her mother would've celebrated with fresh-made Indian sweets; however, her estrangement from her mother had prevented that. She still couldn't forgive her mother for not telling her about Merlin. Letting out a sigh, she pointed the White Circle at her horse.

"Unfurl wings!" she commanded. Immediately, a bright light shined from the White Circle, enveloping Chai. The horse reared in the air as wings sprouted from his back, large and luminous. Krithi smiled, shrinking the White Circle back to a bracelet's size and placing it on her right wrist.

"Let's go!" she shouted. Chai broke into a gallop, flapping his wings. They flew into the air, and Krithi let out a whoop of delight. She held her right wrist with the White Circle forward, using it to create a pathway ahead.

A bright light gleamed ahead of them. Somehow, Krithi knew that it was leading them in a new direction, towards a new realm. She continued to fly, glee pouring through her heart at the sheer exhilaration of flight. Soon the island came into view, and she let out a gasp.

The island was deadened and bare. No leaves hung on the trees, and the grass was completely wilted. But that wasn't what shocked her.

At the ground were seven women, staring up at her with shock and anger in their eyes.

"Turn around, boy!" Krithi whispered urgently. But it was too late. She let out a cry of shock as a watery net appeared around her, stopping Chai mid-flight.

A brown-skinned woman was moving her hands downwards, pulling the net to the ground. Krithi felt herself lowering until she reached the ground. Chai collapsed as the net fell over them. The woman strode up to them with a spear in her hands, glaring.

"How dare you come here?" she demanded. "It wasn't enough for you to lead Roxy to your Wizards, causing her so much pain and hurt – now you have the audacity to come here, all by yourself, to capture her? Did you think we were going to let you do that?"

"You don't belong here!" a black-haired, Chinese-looking woman added fiercely. "I don't know how you got here, but you're not rejoining your Wizards now" –

"I'm not with the Wizards."

Silence. The Winx stared at each other in disbelief. Roxy stepped forward.

"How do we know you're telling the truth?" she demanded.

"I know that what the Wizards are doing is wrong," Krithi answered. "I saw what they did to you at Yule, Roxy. It was cruel and horrific. And I heard about what they did later, to your pixie friend. I'm so sorry about what they did.

"I came here to find answers. Answers about what the Wizards were searching for, and why they're doing what they're doing. That is all, I swear." She looked at them pleadingly. "I didn't want to hurt any of you or" –

Suddenly, Roxy let out a piercing cry. The Chinese-looking fairy ran to her, but Roxy had already collapsed. She grabbed her in her arms just before she hit the ground. Roxy writhed in pain, crying and screaming aloud, though her eyes were closed. Krithi gazed at her in horror, wondering what in the world had happened.

"What happened?" Immediately, the woman with honey-brown hair was at her side, kneeling over the fairy. She pulled out her potions, pouring a relaxant tonic down her throat. The pink-haired girl sputtered, choking it down. She anxiously checked her pulse, then turned to the others.

"She's having a fit," she whispered. "Being near the fairies must've brought it on for her. Their magic is strong here; she's become overstimulated and collapsed."

"But we need her, in order to get to the fairies' entrapment," the blond-haired woman looked scared. "She needs to recover soon."

"You can't free the fairies of Paradise!" Krithi said urgently, fear filling her heart. "You have no idea what would happen if you did that!"

"That's what they told you, didn't they?" the blond-haired woman snorted. "The Wizards may be mega-powerful, but they're wrong about that. We are going to free the fairies. That's what we've come here for!"

"You can't" – Krithi fell silent as a purple, water-molecule gag appeared around her mouth. The dark brown-skinned woman glared at her once, then looked back at Roxy.

"Well, we can't take her in this state," the red-haired woman checked her watch. "We're gonna have to split up."

"I'll stay back with Roxy," the Chinese-looking woman said. Laying her on the ground, she sat down, keeping guard over the young fairy.

"All right," the redhead said. "I'll go with Stella – Tecna, you go with Layla. Flora, I think it might be better that you stay back with Musa and Roxy, just in-case Roxy needs some of your healing tonics."

"I'll stay back to keep an eye on this one." The Chinese woman – or Musa, rather – pointed at Krithi, who shrank back in fear. "Just to make sure she doesn't escape."

"Sounds good," the redhead agreed. "We'll be back to discuss what our next steps are."

They left. Krithi stayed back, nothing but fear in her heart.


Musa let out a sigh, staring at Krithi, her eyes narrowed. Krithi stared back; though she couldn't speak, Musa could make out the fear in her eyes. A pleading look, one to let her go.

I won't let her. She wasn't about to let her go free on whatever it was she wanted to do. Musa didn't buy Krithi's explanation that she was just here, searching for answers. She has to have some ulterior motive.

She turned around, gazing at Roxy's eyes. Flora's eyes were gentle as she placed her hand on Roxy's shoulder.

"She'll be okay," she said gently.

"I hope so," Musa whispered, staring at the girl next to her. I hope she feels okay. Settling down next to her, she waited impatiently, hoping the fairy would soon arise. She frowned, gazing at Flora.

There was a strange glint in her eyes. "What's going on?" Musa asked suspiciously, lowering her voice so Krithi wouldn't hear.

"Nothing," Flora insisted. "I'm just tired, that's all."

"No you're not." Musa stared at Roxy, seeing how Flora was looking at her. "There's something you're not telling me. Something about Roxy."

"I'm telling you, it's nothing," Flora insisted. "I don't like to out people" –

She froze, her face turning white. Musa let out a startled gasp.

"Did Roxy come out to you?" she whispered. "As – what?"

"She didn't really come out to me," Flora admitted. "She just asked me a few questions about my romantic orientation. But from the way she spoke about it, I knew that she was questioning herself."

"That's a pretty big deal," Musa gazed forward. "Thanks for sharing it with me. I won't spread it around."

Flora looked relieved. "Good," she said. "I don't want to out her. It's painful being outed when you don't know how others will react."

Musa winced, remembering how badly she and her friends had treated Flora the previous year, when she'd come out as a lesbian. We won't treat Roxy that same way. She sighed, staring into the sunset.


Roxy opened her eyes to find herself in a world of blue bubbles. Laughter came to her, and she danced around eagerly, popping the bubbles. She smiled, enjoying every moment of it.

"Roxy," a voice called, from the depths of her dreams.

Immediately, the sky lightened. A dangerous white funnel appeared ahead of her; staring in shock, she watched as a fairy walked towards her. She stared, taking the woman in at once.

The fairy wore a long violet dress and translucent wings. Her skin was brown, about the same shade as Flora's. An oak-and-holly crown sat atop her forehead. She had thick, long brown hair that fell down to her hips, longer than Roxy's hair. Her cerulean eyes pleaded for help as she stared at Roxy.

Who is she? Confusion coursed through Roxy. Who is this woman? She was about to ask, but then the woman spoke in a calm, ethereal voice.

"You are so close to reaching your destiny," she said. "It's almost time. Are you ready?"

This is the woman who reached out to me in my dreams! Roxy realized. It had been she who'd encouraged her to defeat the Wizards of the White Circle, even though it was difficult. She stared at her, her eyes narrowed in determination.

"Yes," she said, "I'm ready." The fairy narrowed her eyes as she looked at Roxy.

"You must be careful – the Wizard of Light locked us in here. While we are in the light, none of us are safe. We need to come out into the dark."

"What are you talking about?" Roxy wanted to know.

"You must beware him," the woman responded. "He has power unlike anything you have ever faced before, more than even that of the other four Wizards of the White Circle. Before the final battle, he managed to trap all my faeries in stasis. When we faced each other, I trapped him, but I was weak, and the spell pulled me into the vortex, too. We both remained trapped for a long, long time.

"Sixteen years ago, however, we were both released into the world. We both had children with human partners, and met in the human realm as well. Shortly after, we were both sucked back into stasis, where we remain, to this very day."

Arthur… half-brother… the names sounded familiar. Suddenly, her eyes went wide. "You're Morgana le Fay! The half-sister of King Arthur!"

"Correct," Morgana answered, her eyes flashing. "I once was a great enchantress; now, I have become a prisoner, underneath the Lake. I warned Arthur not to trust Merlin, but as I was a woman, he did not listen to me – he believed Merlin's word over mine. He turned against me, and history has me written not as a benevolent patroness, but an evil sorceress. Ultimately, Merlin played us all against each other – all of the wars, carnage, slaughter – all of that was his doing. He wished to weaken us so he could take the throne for himself."

"So then what happened?" Roxy whispered.

"A great and terrible battle emerged between Merlin and us faeries and fay," Morgana said gravely. "At the end of it, we were all trapped here – in Paradise. Merlin himself, the Wizard of Light, is trapped alongside us. If you free him, it shall be our downfall."

"So what do I do?" Roxy asked.

"Watch out for the Golden Gates," the fairy responded. "They are enchanted so that, upon gazing at them, one will have no choice but to open them. Once it is opened, Merlin will be lifted out of stasis. And then, all will be lost."

"The Winx!" Roxy gasped aloud. "I have to warn them!" The dream faded, and she saw the fairy wave farewell to her as she disappeared out of sight.

She woke up, gasping as the blackness gave way to light. Instantly, Flora grabbed her, settling her down.

"Not too fast," she warned. "You just had a seizure."

"But I need to warn you!" Roxy's lips trembled. "Where are the others?"

"Out scouting," Musa responded. The black-haired fairy sat down next to her, taking her hand. "They'll be fine."

"No they won't!" Roxy gasped. "The woman – she warned me! About the Wizard of" –

"Back up," Musa frowned. "What woman? The one who" –

She never finished her sentence. A white funnel appeared ahead of them, ready to capture them and blow them to dust. Roxy let out a scream of terror.

"Run!" Flora shouted, pulling Roxy to her feet. From inside her net, Krithi cried out in fear. Musa transformed, facing the funnel head-on.

Roxy stared as the fairy battled the funnel, a grim look of determination on her face. She tried to fight it, to no avail; it was determined to engulf them. She screamed as she was pulled up by the twister, as were Flora and Krithi.

No! She had to save them. Transforming back into her Winx, she shot a beam of blue light at the twister –

It reached her, pulling her up in the air. She felt agony course through her as she flew up into the sky, her head splitting. Eventually it gave way, darkness coming over her once more as she was thrown to the ground.


Krithi woke up, exhausted. Where were they? She winced, her entire body aching as she stared around.

They were in a cell. She and Roxy were lying on the floor, weak and bedraggled. Roxy pulled herself up, grimacing, "Where are we?" She glared at Krithi. "And why are you here, exactly?"

"I was picked up by the same funnel as you were," Krithi answered wearily. "I don't know what happened. I'm stuck here, just like you."

"Well, we don't have to be stuck together." Roxy strode up to the front of the cell, staring at the bars. She tapped one lightly, trying to see if she could break through.

Immediately, she recoiled in pain, stepping backwards. She stared at Krithi, her eyes furious. "What did you do?"

"Do what?" Krithi asked in shock.

"You somehow had the white funnel capture us!" Roxy snapped. "I know it was you, Krithi. You did it, so you can free Merlin and help him destroy the Winx!"

"Why would I trap myself in a cell?" Krithi pointed out. She headed towards the bars, staring at them slowly.

They're made of iron, she realized. No wonder Roxy wasn't able to touch them. She turned towards Roxy, saying, "I think I know how to get out of here."

"Yeah, right," Roxy snorted.

"No, really," Krithi insisted. She pulled out the White Circle, staring at it slowly. Lifting it up, she pointed it straight at the bars.

Immediately, a white glow appeared around her. She watched as the bars began to melt, slowly separating. Eventually, they fell down completely. Roxy stared at the White Circle in disbelief, and then at Krithi.

"How did you do that?" she gasped.

"The White Circle has magical properties," Krithi answered. "It is what grants magical powers to the Wizards and I; without it, we are powerless. We're only humans, after all."

"Good to know," Roxy snorted. She leapt over the puddle of molten iron, careful not to get any on her body. Turning towards Krithi, she asked, "Where are we going next?"

Krithi stared at Roxy in disbelief. "You're trusting me?"

"Look, I don't like you," Roxy snapped, "but I know you're my only link to getting outta here. So I'm following you for the time being." She extended her hand out. "Truce?"

Krithi shook Roxy's hand, staring at her. "Okay," she agreed. "Come on. Let's find the others."


Musa felt the wall. She could feel the dampness, the stone wet and cold. Her eyes widened.

"We're trapped under the lake," she whispered. "And so are the rest of the fay."

"What happened to Roxy and Krithi?" Flora asked, staring around.

Musa didn't know. Why were we separated? A bad feeling started to settle in her gut. "Do you remember anything at all?" she asked, frowning.

Flora grimaced. "The last thing I remember is a big white funnel lifting us all in the air."

"That's what I remember, too," Musa agreed. "The funnel – it must've been created by the Wizards. They were the ones who trapped the fairies in Paradise."

"That would make a lot of sense." Flora sighed. "Come on, we have to find the" –

"Musa!" a voice shouted. Musa whirled around, staring at Roxy and Krithi as they stood in front of the cell. Krithi aimed her White Circle at the bars.

Immediately, the iron melted. Musa ran up to Roxy, grabbing her tightly. She turned towards Krithi, her face hardening.

"Why are you here?" she demanded. Krithi looked anxious.

"You don't have to believe me," she whispered, "but I'm here to help. Truly, I am. I want to find answers about Merlin and who he really was. I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused" –

"Save the speech for later," Musa retorted, glaring at Krithi. She still didn't trust her, especially after everything that'd happened. Roxy stepped forward.

"Look," she said, looking rather anxious, "there's something I need to tell you" –

"Now's not the time," Musa interrupted abruptly. The last thing she needed, on top of everything else, was for Roxy to declare her sexuality – now was neither the right time nor place. "We need to keep moving so that funnel thing doesn't catch up to us."

"But this is important!" Roxy stared at Musa as if she'd grown ten heads.

"It can wait." Musa ran forward, heading straight down the hall. Just then, a cry sounded from behind them. "Musa! Flora!"

Bloom, Stella, Tecna, and Layla were flying towards them, concern in their eyes. Rushing forward, Musa grabbed them in a giant hug.

"You made it!" she burst out. "I was so worried!"

"We were, too," Bloom agreed. "Especially when we were separated. That really freaked me out." She frowned, just noticing Krithi, who was standing rather awkwardly in front.

"What's she doing here?" she asked.

"She got trapped in here, just like us," Roxy frowned. "She's with us now."

Musa frowned, not sure if she believed that. From her perspective, Krithi was just another one of the Wizards who wanted Roxy either trapped or dead. But there was no time to contest that now. Turning towards the others, she asked, "Did you see a white funnel just before you got trapped here?"

"Yes!" Layla exclaimed. "That's the last thing I remember from before!"

"I've scanned the dungeon," Tecna said. "The only way out is that way." She pointed behind her. "This dungeon is under the lake, but it's also connected to the castle. If we can get out of here and head up to the castle, maybe we can discover what happened to the fay" –

"Um, guys?" Roxy said, crossing her arms. "I hate to break up this lovely gathering, but we've got a problem." She pointed behind her.

Musa turned around and let out a gasp. The white funnel was moving towards them, dangerously. She instinctively grabbed Roxy's hand, shouting, "We have to get it!"

"We'll take care of it." Layla transformed. "You take Roxy and Krithi to the castle!" Musa grabbed Roxy and Krithi's arms, dragging them forward.

A flight of stairs was ahead of them. Musa knew, immediately, that it was their way up to the castle. They flew up the steps, staring around.

The hall they'd entered was completely ruined. Cracks were in the wall, and ivy hung everywhere. The air of dust made Musa cough as she stared around, taking it all in at once.

A set of golden gates were ahead of them. Immediately enchanted, Musa stepped forward, gazing at the doors in awe. Without thinking, she walked up to the doors.

"Musa!" Roxy was yelling. "Don't go near it!"

But Musa had already reached it. Holding the door's handle, she pulled it open, feeling the power and energy course through her body. She felt rejuvenated, almost magical –

Then quite as suddenly, electricity zapped through her body. She screamed, falling to her knees. Roxy ran up to her in terror, grabbing her by the shoulders. "Musa! Are you okay?"

"No, she's not," a voice purred. Musa stared upwards, letting out a gasp as she stared forward.

The door was wide open. A man walked out from inside, dressed in the same white tunic as the Wizards. A vest of iron armor gleamed brilliantly on his chest, and he wore a white cone-shaped hat. A crooked, terrible smile was on his bearded face as he smirked at the three young women.

"Thank you for freeing me," he smiled. Pulling an iron knife from his pocket, he pointed it at them. "Now prepare to face your doom."


Next chapter:

Krithi meets her father, Merlin.

Roxy sees the throne room of Paradise.

The Winx realize something horrific about the fairies.