Posted March 20, 2022. Happy Ostara!
Previously on AUF…
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!"
-o-o-o-
Krithi placed a tray of mushrooms on the ground, whispering, "I hope you enjoy your dinner."
In response, Roxy spat at the food. Krithi winced, looking miserable. To Roxy's disgust, she sat next to her on the floor.
"Please," she whispered. "I'm sorry I had to do this to you, but the Wizards are here to help."
"They nearly killed me!" Roxy snarled. "Is that what you consider 'helpful'?"
"For too long, fairies have abused their power over humans," Krithi answered. "All the Wizards are trying to do is equalize everyone. By taking away your powers, they'll be able to equalize the world for everyone."
"What about their power?" Roxy shot back. "They're gonna take over the world! And you're helping them?"
-o-o-o-
Holding the door's handle, Musa 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."
CHAPTER 26: SPRING EQUINOX, PART II
Queen Morgana
On the Matter of Paradise
When a group of rebellious gods were banished from the heavens, they were cast onto the island of Paradise. Morphing into mortal beings known as fairies, they were neither human, neither divine. Forming a community with the indigenous human inhabitants of the island, they established Paradise as their home realm, a magical, fortified land with incredible power. It is now the central queendom of the fairies, where all the Faerie Queens report back to their High Faerie Queen for guidance.
It is believed that Paradise will come under siege soon. As of now, all the fairy realms have fallen; Paradise is the only one left. Having taken refuge in the Queen's court, I, writer of this tome, await the final battle.
– From the Book of Fay
Queen's Castle, Paradise
"Who are you?" Musa yelled desperately, staring at the man ahead of them.
Roxy shook her head, anger in her eyes. She stared at Musa.
"The fairy in my dreams told me to tell you," she hissed. "By opening the Golden Gates, you freed Merlin! He's one of the Wizards of the White Circle!"
"Quite right I am," Merlin sneered. "Well, you won't be escaping here." He lifted his knife, white electricity shooting out from it, straight at Musa –
Roxy grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the way just in-time. "Tiger's pounce!" she shouted, shooting a blue wave at Merlin.
He dodged it easily, smirking. A thousand years of stasis, Roxy realized in horror, had done nothing to quell his powerful spells. He let out a cackle, smirking at the two fairies.
"I am Merlin, Wizard of Light!" he declared. "Nothing and no one gets past me. You shall meet the same fate as the fairies did, when they dared defy me, a millennium ago!"
"Locking us up in stasis?" Roxy crossed her arms. "No thanks. I'm gonna pass."
The Wizard's eyes glowed white as he gazed over at Roxy, taking her in. He let out a chuckle.
"I see who you are," he said. "The Last Fairy on Earth, aren't you? Charming. My incompetent brothers have failed to capture you so far. But no matter." He lifted his hands. "I shall finish you and your Black Circle off!"
"Wait!" a voice called out. Roxy turned around, staring as Krithi appeared. The Indian girl stared at Roxy, desperation in her eyes. She turned to Merlin.
"You have to let her go," she pleaded. "Just take her powers and let her be – I'm begging you, Father. Don't kill her or trap her in stasis!"
What? Roxy's mind boggled. 'Father'? She's advocating for me? What was going on?
"I see you've grown soft." Merlin's eyes narrowed.
Suddenly, iron shackles appeared around Roxy's wrists. She let out a cry, reverting back to her civilian form. She fell against the wall, defeated.
She saw Musa was tied up in iron, too – the knife had clattered at her feet. Merlin smiled, turning towards Krithi – or rather, his daughter. He nodded to her.
"Join me," he said. "Join me now, and we'll be together. My revenge is so close to complete." He picked up his blade, handing it over to Krithi.
Slowly, Krithi took Merlin's blade from his hands. The blade was made completely out of iron, except for its hilt, decorated with gold and diamonds. She gazed at it slowly – a contemplative glance that filled Roxy's heart with horror. Then she turned to her father.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. And then she drove the blade into Merlin's arm.
Merlin yelled as blood spurted from his arm, scarlet and brilliant. With a single slash of her knife, Krithi broke through Roxy and Musa's shackles, her heart beating fast. Roxy stared at her in amazement, her jaw dropping to the floor.
She just… saved us! But why? Why had Krithi decided to join them, at the very last minute?
But there was no time for explanations. Krithi turned towards Musa and Roxy, her eyes narrowed.
"Get out of here!" she ordered. "I'll hold him off!"
"You want a match, my daughter?" Merlin's eyes were narrowed. "Very well then." He raised his hands. "This is the end for you now!"
"No!" Roxy tried to shoot a spell at Merlin, but Musa grabbed her arm. "Come on," she said quickly. "Let's get out of here!" The two of them raced down the hall and into the dark.
Musa had never flown so fast in her life. Not even when she, Stella, and Flora had worked together to save Faragonda from her trappings, as an oak-tree. She pulled Roxy along with her, heading into a rather spacious-looking bedchamber.
They collapsed on a bed, Roxy's eyes filled with fury.
"What was that about?" she snarled. "Why didn't you listen to me? I was trying to tell you about Merlin!"
Musa didn't respond. Instead, her cheeks burned. "Nothing," she muttered.
"Nothing?" Roxy glared at her furiously. "How was that nothing? If you'd listened to me, we wouldn't have freed Merlin. The world wouldn't be in danger right now" –
"Look, it's nothing, okay?" Musa's eyes hardened. "Come on. Let's get outta here."
"Wait," Roxy said, staring around the room. Curiously, it was the one room in the entire castle that wasn't dusty. Musa stared as Roxy walked around, looking at a portrait on the wall.
The portrait was of a mother and a baby. The mother had wings, wearing a long purple dress. Realization seemed to shoot through her eyes as she looked back at Musa.
"This is Morgana's bedchamber," she whispered. "We're in her room."
"Who's Morgana?" Musa asked blankly.
"The woman who came to me in my vision at the Battle of Gardenia," Roxy answered. "She's a fairy. When I collapsed earlier, she came to me in a vision. She warned me about the Gate and Merlin."
"There's lots of baby stuff here." Musa pointed to a cradle, which was lying on the floor. "Looks like Morgana had a child." She frowned. "She had a baby, right?"
"Obviously," Roxy answered, staring around. She frowned. "Hang on, do you sense that?"
"Sense what?" Musa asked, trying to sense energy, but she was weak and tired. Roxy frowned.
"I sense a strong energy ahead of us," she whispered. "It's leading in that way." She pointed out of the bedchamber, to the corridor in the left.
"Are you sure about that?" Musa looked uneasy.
"Trust me," she insisted. "I can feel it." Flying into the air, she sped down the corridor, Musa following close behind.
"Give me the White Circle!" Merlin roared, his eyes filled with rage.
Krithi the iron knife. "Don't make me do this," she whispered. Merlin glared at her, leaping forward.
"I forged the White Circle, as a defense mechanism against the Black Circle that Morgana wields," he snarled. "Under my expertise, it was used to suck all the fairies of vengeance into the prison underneath Paradise, where the fairies remain trapped to this day. It is my intention that they remain that way." His eyes glowed. "Now give it to me!"
"No!" Krithi cried, trying to run out the door.
She let out a scream as Merlin's spell froze her in her tracks, preventing her from moving a single step. Merlin walked up to her, a low cackle in his throat.
"You were never good enough for anything," he jeered. "Not good enough to be a proper Fairy Hunter, or even a good enough trainee of the Wizards. Just a street-rat who grew up poor. You were nothing before my Wizards took you in to train you as a Fairy Hunter, but train you they did. You were given a chance to better yourself with my Wizards, and you failed." She could only watch helplessly as he plucked the White Circle from her chest.
"This belongs to me," he cackled. "Thank you very much, my dear daughter. You shall watch as I lock away the Last Fairy on Earth for good, completing our revenge on the fay!"
"No!" Krithi cried out, tears spilling down her cheeks. She could only watch helplessly as Merlin transported her, pulling her into his white shadow.
Determination shot through Roxy as she shot forwards, ready to meet the fairy who'd guided her in her dreams. She reached the end of the corridor, staring forward.
A grand wooden door stood ahead of her, adorned with ebony wood and silver. She stared, transfixed, at the large, powerful door, which was only befit for a queen. Musa reached her, taking her hand.
"You ready?" she asked.
In response, Roxy pushed open the door. She let out a gasp, staring at the throne-room that lay ahead of her.
A green carpet trailed in front of her, leading all the way to a majestic, silver throne. Candled chandeliers hung on the ceiling. The throne had green cushions, and an ebony wood back. And that wasn't all.
Merlin sat atop the throne.
Roxy stared in terror. Next to Merlin, Krithi was bound in shackles, a gag stuffed in her mouth. She shot Roxy a desperate look as Merlin smiled.
"It's been nice meeting you, ladies," he smirked, "but this ends now." He lifted up his hands. "May you be confined in this space, forever!"
Roxy and Musa screamed as the white funnel appeared in front of them, picking them up. Roxy could hear Merlin's cackles as they flew into the air, pain and fear overcoming them. She struggled, trying to break free the funnel.
I have to get out of here! But no matter what she did, her magic wouldn't work. All she could do was cry out as the funnel picked her up, sucking her into oblivion…
Then it hit her. The Black Circle! Pulling it off her wrist, she transformed it into its regular size, holding it in the air.
Immediately, the tornado stopped. Roxy fluttered lightly to the ground, glaring at Merlin, whose mouth was agape. Musa ran forward, freeing Krithi from her binds.
Roxy watched as Musa and Krithi dueled Merlin. There was a hatred in Merlin's eyes, one filled with fury. I have to stop them. Staring at the throne, she let out a gasp.
In front of the throne was a pedestal, with an imprint in it. An imprint in the exact shape as the Black Circle. She stared at it, and at her Circle, instantly realizing what she had to do. She stared up, and let out a gasp.
Merlin had Krithi pinned against the wall. Krithi whimpered as he held a hex to her throat. Grinning, he turned around at Roxy and Musa.
"Now what will you do?" he sneered. "One wrong move, and I'll kill your friend."
"You wouldn't," Roxy snarled, hatred in her voice.
"Don't listen to him, Roxy!" Krithi shouted desperately.
In response, Merlin lightly scraped her throat with his fingernails. Musa gasped in horror, her mouth opening wide. Roxy let out a cry of fury.
"No!" she shouted. Her powerful voice rang through the air, so strong that even Merlin stared at her in shock. "I am the Last Fairy on Earth, and you will leave her alone!" With a leap forward, she placed the Circle into the platform.
She could hear Merlin's howl of rage as the Circle gleamed rainbow, connecting with the core of the island itself. The Wizard disappeared into a white shadow, letting go of Krithi. The girl fell to the ground, gasping, the White Circle in her hands.
Immediately, Roxy ran up to her. "Are you okay?" she demanded, grabbing her in her arms.
"She'll be all right." Musa shrunk the White Circle to the size of a bracelet, placing it on her wrist. Staring at the pedestal, she let out a gasp. "Woah!"
A colored energy shot through the air, from each of the six points of the Black Circle. It created a swirling rainbow, one that burst through the throne-room and all around the castle. Staring, Roxy watched as the castle restored itself, the candles reignited and the cracks repaired. She let out a gasp.
Greenery had returned to the island. The grass grew up vibrantly, and the first of the crocuses shot their heads out of the ground. Flowering trees shimmered with bright flowers, lit by the dawn of the spring equinox. Out of the sea, Roxy could see the sun peeking its head out through the waters, the sea shimmering with its reflection. The pink, orange, and yellow sky gleamed as it made its way up, dawn shining through at once.
A squeal sounded behind her. Turning around, she saw as the rest of the Winx made their way into the throne-room, looking excited. "You did it!" Stella cheered, throwing her arms around Roxy.
"Krithi?" Bloom stared at the dark-skinned girl, who lay down by the pedestal. "She's – here?" The others stopped laughing and turned around to stare.
"She's okay," This time it was Musa who spoke. "She's on our side now."
Roxy pulled the Black Circle out of the pedestal. Shrinking it again, she put it on her wrist, smiling as it gleamed back at her, steady and black. She turned towards her friends, her eyes dancing.
"So," she said, "how about we meet those fairies and see what's going on?"
The flight was short as Musa, Roxy, and the rest of the Winx (with the exception of Layla, who'd taken Krithi back to their campsite), headed to the front of the castle. They flew down to the doors, staring at the castle in front.
The first to walk out of the doors was a pale-skinned woman with long gray hair and a brown dress. She looked at the Winx, letting out a gasp as she saw them.
"You saved us!" she burst out cheerfully. "My word – you are amazing!"
Musa stared at the woman, taking her in. She knew instantly, by the shape of her body and her lack of magic, that this woman was not a fairy – she was a human. The human woman ran forward, grabbing Roxy in a tight hug.
"Ow!" Roxy pulled away from her. "Who are you, anyways?"
"Why, my name is Eldora!" the woman said cheerfully. "Researcher of fairy lore and world-renown traveller! I was locked here, along with the fairies, for a thousand years." Her cheerful expression, Musa noticed with confusion, didn't change one bit. "Before my capture by the Wizards, I put together a book about fairies. It still exists somewhere." She let out a high-pitched giggle.
"Wait a minute," Bloom said, staring at her, "you're the one who wrote the Book of Fay?"
"Why, of course I did!" Eldora beamed. "You have it?" Her eyes grew wide. "You must show it to me" –
Just them, a group of women and men – fairies, Musa realized – walked out the doors. Dressed in fairy dresses and tunics, and with colorful wings on their backs, they looked exactly like how Musa had imagined – fierce, strong, and unyielding. Behind them, a woman wearing a violet dress and an oak-and-holly crown walked through the crowd, making her way to the front. Three fairies flanked her on each side, wearing different regional clothing and crowns atop their heads.
Roxy let out a gasp. "That's Morgana!"
"And those are the six main Faerie Queens," Musa whispered, staring at the women surrounding Morgana. A fairy with black curly hair glared at the gray-haired woman.
"Hello, Eldora," she said coldly. "Thanks for researching our secrets and putting together a field guide about us." She let out a sneer. "As if we're some kind of strange specimens."
"No problem," Eldora answered cheerfully. Morgana gave the black-haired fairy a warning look, then turned towards Roxy.
"We are free at last," she whispered. "Finally, she has come." She turned around. "Warrior fairies, on your knees, before of the Last Fairy on Earth."
Musa stared as the fairies behind Morgana fell to their knees, their eyes closed and hands pressed together. She stared up at Morgana, asking, "Um – who are you?"
The fairy bowed. "I am the High Faerie Queen, Morgana Una le Fay. I have spoken to Roxy in her dreams, guiding her forward. Sixteen years ago, I escaped to the human realm, only to end up back here. Fortunately, when I came back here, I was no longer in stasis – using my powers, I was able to reach out to young Roxy here, encouraging her forward." She smiled at the women behind Roxy. "And who might you be?"
Bloom stepped forward.
"We are the Winx," she said. "For many years, we've been on missions together, saving the Magical Dimension from villains. And now, we came to free you."
"So young, yet so powerful," Morgana mused. "I am pleased to meet you."
As she spoke, the black-haired fairy walked up to Morgana, her eyes narrowed as she stared at Roxy and the Winx. Musa gazed at her, an uneasy feeling settling in her gut.
"This is Faerie Lady Nebula," Morgana said, nodding to the fairy next to her. "She is one of the Major Fairies, the Fairy of War. She will lead us in our next endeavor, fighting against those who have wronged us."
"What?" Musa couldn't keep the confusion out of her voice. "What do you mean? Who wronged you?"
"Humans," Nebula answered, her eyes flashing. Her voice was even fiercer than Morgana's, and she had a dangerous, demonic look in her eyes. "The time for vengeance has come."
"Vengeance?" Bloom looked as if she'd swallowed bile. "What for?"
"I came to the human world, sixteen years ago," Morgana answered. "I saw how everything had changed. Humans no longer respect nature – instead, they have become far greedier than we can ever imagine. No longer are they the docile, respectful people we once knew – instead, they are ignorant and industrial. They have forgotten that we – the fay – are to be respected. In addition, they no longer respect nature – instead, they are only concerned about how much money they make."
"Well" – Musa couldn't deny that was true. From what she'd seen, there was plenty of pollution to be worried about. "But you can't start a war because of it!"
"Oh yes we can," Nebula said, her eyes narrowed. "We most certainly will."
"We invite you to join our court," Morgana added. "Become Warrior Fairies, and join us in our onslaught against the humans and the Wizards of the White Circle. We will take them down for destroying us!"
Musa exchanged a look with Roxy. The meaning was crystal-clear: they would not join forces with the Warrior Fairies. Roxy glared at Morgana and Nebula.
"How could you be like this?" she demanded. "How could you be so cruel and vengeful? You're – you're unbelievable!"
"So?" Nebula looked unconcerned. "This was how it was back in the old days. We've punished humans for their disrespect before."
Musa let out a gasp. Roxy glared at them, her eyes filled with fury.
"The Wizards were right!" she yelled. "You do abuse your powers against humans! I can't understand how I ever believed in you!"
"Roxy, please," Morgana looked alarmed. "There is no need for this. Please, understand. Join our court and help us in our fight for justice."
Roxy snorted. "I'd die before I join you."
"Roxy"… Now Morgana looked pained. "Please, I'm begging you – join us. I need you in my court."
"And why?" Roxy crossed her arms.
"Because I'm your mother."
Musa and the other Winx let out gasps of amazement. Even Eldora seemed stunned. Roxy stared at Morgana, her eyes wide. She walked up to her, taking her in slowly at once – her facial features, eyes, everything.
And then she slapped Morgana across the face.
Musa wasn't the only one who let out a cry. Immediately, Nebula darted forward, grabbing Roxy by the arm. "You stupid, stupid child!" She tried to grab the Black Circle off of Roxy's wrist.
But Roxy shot her with a ray of blue light. The fairy flew back, growling. She glared at Roxy, who turned on Morgana, nothing but hatred in her eyes.
"You abandoned me!" she yelled. "You sick, horrible woman! I hope I never see you again!"
"How dare you insult your queen?" Nebula had thrown herself in the middle. "You are the most disrespectful girl I have ever met! I've had enough of you and your childish banter." Her eyes glowed. "Hand over the Black and White Circles!"
"No!" Roxy snarled. "They belong to us!"
"If you do not hand it over, we will attack," Nebula glared at her. "The Black Circle is the property of the High Faerie Queen. In addition, the White Circle needs to be destroyed; only the Black Circle can eradicate it. Give it over, or you shall meet your end."
"We won't let you take it." Musa stood in front of Roxy, glaring at Nebula.
"We won't let you use it for your vengeance against humans!" Bloom added. "We'll spend a thousand years in stasis before that happens!"
"That can be arranged." Nebula's eyes grew dangerous. "Warrior Fairies, escort these women to the dungeon under the Lake" –
"Enough!" Morgana stood forward. "Nebula, we are in the Winx's debt." She turned around, gazing at Roxy and the Winx.
"We will let you go," she said coldly. "I should have you locked away, but I will be merciful. Consider our debt paid in full." Her eyes flashed. "Should we meet again, do not get in our way, or you shall be treated as enemies." She turned around. The other fairies following her, she marched straight back into the castle.
"I can't believe it," Roxy whispered as they sat by the shore.
Krithi tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ears, staring at the water. Roxy had just caught her up on everything that had happened at the Queen's Castle, and, sad to say, she wasn't the least bit surprised. Behind them, the Winx were seated around a campfire, having a meal before heading out of Paradise. Chai and Aonbharr were playing together, blissfully unaware of the tension around them. Roxy sighed, shaking her head.
"I mean, you were right." She shook her head again in disbelief. "I should've listened to you when you said the fairies were out for vengeance. Now they're gonna come after people like my father, simply for being human. Humans aren't going to be able to distinguish between us, the Winx, and the fairies of vengeance – they're gonna think we're all evil. And after what Nebula said, I honestly can't blame them."
"It's not your fault," Krithi answered, staring out at the ocean. "You did what you thought was best."
"And so did you," Roxy answered unexpectedly. "You showed up and saved us, when you didn't have to." She looked at Krithi. "Why did you save us?"
"I don't know," Krithi stammered back. Why had she betrayed Merlin and the Wizards, when they had been her entire lifeline up to this point? She had to be crazy.
But somehow, she embraced the crazy. It was better than always deferring to the Wizards, even though she knew, in her heart of hearts, that what they were doing was wrong. Roxy let out a deep breath, staring around.
"I think I know why," she said. "For too long, humans and fairies have been living completely out-of-balance – whereas humans are out-of-tune with nature, fairies are obsessed with their power. I need to change that." Her voice grew stronger. "One way or the other, I will become the bridge between the two worlds." She turned towards Krithi. "Will you help me with that?"
"Of course I will," Krithi answered hoarsely. "I'll do everything in my power to help you save this world from evil."
A rare smile appeared on Roxy's face. "You know, you're not so bad, for an ex-Wizard's prodigy."
"Thanks," Krithi answered, a blush appearing on her face. Why do I feel this way towards her? She pushed the thought away, staring at the sky.
She would do her best to help Roxy. One way or the other, the world would come back into balance. Lifting herself up the ground, she followed Roxy towards their horses, her back turning on the ocean as the sun went down.
End of Part II.
