Posted April 24, 2022.


CHAPTER 31: THE SACRED LOTUS

On the Matter of the Second Chakra

The water chakra is located in the reproductive organs. It represents pleasure and is blocked by guilt. Its representative color is orange and its gemstone is amber.

In order to open this chakra, a fairy must renounce guilt and accept the pleasures in life that she or he is entitled to.

– From the Book of Fay


Diana's Cave, Brazil

Layla stared in distress at Nabu, who was lying unconscious on the ground. She let out a shout, demanding, "What have you done to Nabu?"

"Nothing he didn't deserve!" Diana flew forward, looking more opulent than ever in her dress. Layla glared at her, nothing but fury in her eyes.

"I'll deal with you all later," the Major Fairy continued. "You'll be punished for challenging me!" She made to leave.

"While you have us locked away, Nature is still suffering." Flora spoke up, her voice uncharacteristically harsh. "The forest is still under attack and is at risk of disappearing. Your hunger for vengeance won't help you save the forest you claim to love!"

"Is that so?" Diana stared at Flora, her eyes narrowed.

Layla watched as the two women glared at each other, head-on. She had never seen Flora like this. She was about to say as much, when suddenly, Diana collapsed to the ground.

"Your Highness!" One of her Amazon Fairies flew to her, looking alarmed. "What is it?"

"It's those wretched loggers," Diana growled. "They continue to destroy the forest." She turned towards the Winx, Pixies, and Specialists.

"We'll deal with you later," she snarled. Turning around, she headed out the door, Layla watching helplessly as she disappeared out-of-sight.

"Nabu?" she whispered, staring at her boyfriend.

The purple-clad fairy-male was lying on the ground, his eyes closed. Layla get out a gasp of horror. "Nabu!" she cried out, panic reaching her throat.

"He fought fiercer than any of us," Sky said, "and he tried to stop Diana from taking us. But the fight drained his magic. He's been asleep for hours."

"It's terrible," Timmy agreed, "because we were just about to help him choose a" –

Mirta elbowed him silent. Musa stared at him in confusion. "What?"

"We have to help him!" Layla cried. "We need to make sure he's okay!"

"I can't heal him without breaking free of these vines," Flora gasped. "They're nearly crippling me!"

"Then what are we going to do?" Amore asked.

Layla stared at Nabu. I hope he's okay… She leaned down, tears pouring down her cheeks as she sobbed.


"Looks like we're here," Krithi said, peering out through the window.

Roxy drove the hot-air balloon forward, staring around. The journey had been several hours long, and she was exhausted; however, she knew she couldn't crash yet. She sighed, gazing forward.

Since she wasn't a fire-fairy, it had been difficult to keep the balloon moving. Krithi had kept it lit for as long as she could. Somewhere across the Atlantic Ocean, she'd managed to convince a few seagulls to pull the balloon for them. And now, they were at the Amazon Rainforest, staring downwards.

Before their trip to the Mayan ruins, Roxy had never been to the Western Hemisphere. She certainly had never been to the Amazon Rainforest. Her jaw dropped as she saw how beautiful the forest was, filled with lush greenery and animals. It's so beautiful… She stared behind her, and let out a gasp.

Two men were climbing out of a car. They were walking around in a deforested grove, their eyes narrowed. Roxy stared at the stark difference between the forested and unforested areas, how bare and sad the latter looked. There were no animals to be seen in the grove. The first man laughed out loud, his voice bellowing through the woods.

"Fairies?" he snorted. "What kinda excuses will you guys come up with next?"

"It's true, Mr. Nasser," the man next to him said urgently. "Our friends have told us that there are real fairies who command nature!"

"This sounds like the natives' work," Nasser grumbled. "No matter." He raised his voice. "It's time we showed them who we are!"

"They're going to destroy the forest!" Roxy felt rage rise up in her heart. "We have to stop them!"

"Wait!" Krithi grabbed her arm before she could transform. "Look what's ahead!'

Roxy's eyes narrowed as she saw a tower ahead of them. That must be Diana's fortress… Suddenly, two Amazon Fairies appeared into view, muttering to each other.

"The prisoners are challenging our Lady Diana," one of them said. "They have no right to speak to her in that way!"

The Specialists are being held there! Roxy realized. The Winx still hadn't managed to free the Specialists? She was about to say as much, when suddenly, the Amazon Fairies noticed her.

"It's her!" one of them shouted. "And she brought a human with her!" She glared at Krithi, who took an alarmed step back.

"Let's go!" Roxy shouted, transforming. She grabbed Krithi's arm, pulling her into the air and flying towards the tower. Krithi squealed in horror. They flew around the perimeter of the tower, the Amazon Fairies chasing after them.

"This isn't working," Krithi whispered. "They're after me! As long as you're with me, they'll see us as a threat!"

"So what do you suggest?" Roxy hissed back.

"Let me go!" Krithi answered. "I'll distract them. You free the Specialists!"

"What?" Roxy stared at her as if she was crazy.

"Just do it!" Krithi insisted.

Letting out a sigh, Roxy levitated Krithi to the ground. The human girl drew an iron knife, shouting, "Come and get me!" She ran towards the fairies, who flew after her, into the forest.

Let's hope this works… Roxy drew all of her power, calling out.

"Creatures of the forest!" she commanded. All of the creatures around her – sloths and snakes and monkeys and birds – flew towards her, blue sparkles surrounding them. "I ask you – please help me defeat the Amazon Fairies and free the Specialists from entrapment!" She pointed towards the tower.

She hoped the spell would work. Animals had a stronger will than plants, which meant, unlike Flora's magivines, the animals could only be requested to attack, not commanded. To her relief, the animals around her complied. They rushed straight at the Amazon Fairies, who shouted as they were knocked down.

Roxy flew into the tower, past the Amazon Fairies, who were struggling against the animal attackers. She flew straight into the tower, past the fairies who were supposed to be guarding the tower. She entered, staring around.

The Winx, Pixies, and Specialists were all bound by vines. With a single slash of her wrist, Roxy cut through the vines, using her magical powers. They all looked upwards, staring at her in disbelief.

"I saved you. You're welcome," she added coolly. "Now let's get going."

"Roxy, how in Symphonia's name did you get here?" Musa demanded. Roxy shrugged.

"Krithi and I flew over on the hot-air balloon," she said. Lockette gasped.

"You came all that way on the balloon?" she cried. "That's so" –

"Guys, we have bigger problems to deal with!" Layla pointed towards Nabu, who was collapsed on the ground. Flora glanced at Roxy.

"If we both do a healing convergence," she said, "we'll be able to revive him." The two of them walked up to Nabu; kneeling down, they placed their hands on his heart.

Roxy felt her magical energy flowing through her, the power of healing. After all, she was the fairy of animals; healing was one of her powers. Green and blue energy shot into Nabu, and he opened his eyes, staring around. "Hi, everyone?"

"Nabu!" Layla grabbed him in a hug. "I'm so happy you're okay!"

"Layla," Nabu stared at her, tears in his eyes. The two of them embraced, and Nabu let out an exhale.

"I'm so sorry, Layla," he whispered, "for getting myself captured. I promise I'll never leave you again."

"Nabu," Layla began, but the fairy-man interrupted.

"I really" –

"Can we just get outta here?" Roxy interrupted rudely. "We need to find Krithi and the other fairies! We have to go before the whole forest is destroyed!"

"Let's go!" Musa shouted. The fairies, Pixies, and Specialists ran out of the tower and into the forest.


Musa's wings fluttered as she and her friends flew through the forest. Lockette was leading the way, pointing her wand.

"I can sense Krithi's energy," she said. "I'll lead you to her!" She flew as fast as she could, the rest of the Pixies by her side.

They soon reached a deforested grove. Krithi was fighting against the Amazon Fairies, but there were too many of them and only one of her. The iron knife, Musa realized, was the only reason why she'd lasted this long; the fairies, terrified of iron, hadn't dared to come near her with it. She lifted her hands. "Wind's rage!"

The Amazon Fairies squealed as they were knocked down. Roxy ran up to Krithi, asking, "Are you all right?"

"Yeah," Krithi panted. She turned towards the grove, her eyes widening. "Look!"

Diana was flying towards the loggers, a fierce expression on her face. Two of her fairies were supporting her as she flew forward, rage in her eyes. The trees continued to fall, and both Flora and Diana gasped in pain.

The Amazon Fairies fell to the ground, gasping. Diana stared at them, her eyes fierce.

"Nature is suffering," she panted. "I hear it." A human man with a wicked smile on his face walked up to her.

"Well, well," he jeered, "those native pests called you up to play your part?"

"That's Nasser, the guy in charge of the deforestation," Roxy gasped. "I saw him." She clenched her fists. "Now let's go and" –

"Wait!" Musa grabbed her arm before she could move. She stared at the men, watching as Diana glared back.

"You humans will pay for this dearly," she snarled. "I, Lady Diana of the Amazon Rainforest, will serve you your punishment!"

"Really?" Nasser raised an eyebrow. "How are you gonna do that?"

Diana's eyes narrowed in rage. A green light shined around her; for a moment, Musa thought she was going to strike. Just then, a tree to her left fell.

Diana cried out in pain, falling to her knees. The other Amazon Fairies stared at her in distress. Nasser let out a laugh.

"Well, that was some punishment," he said cheerfully. He turned to his men.

"Take these women away," he commanded. "I'm done with this." He raised his voice. "Soon you shall face our" –

"Stop!" Before anyone could stop her, Roxy flew into the clearing. Her eyes grew furious as she glared at the loggers.

"You horrible, despicable men!" she shouted. On her arm, Cherie squawked with terror. "Leave this forest and never come back!"

"So there's more of them?" Nasser stared at the Winx, his eyes flashing. "Let's take them down!"

"We're fairies," Stella said, her eyes flashing. "We don't want to hurt you, but you are seriously tempting me into it." Next to her, Brandon nodded.

"Come on!" Nasser shouted, no trace of glee in his voice anymore. "Let's deal with these fairies!" He ran straight at Musa. Before she could react, his axe had made contact with her skin.

Blood welled up on her shirt. She fought back, but he was too much stronger and her powers had been weakened from Diana's entrapment. She let out a cry, stumbling back –

"Oh no you don't!" Riven had appeared, and attacked the logger with his swords. "Don't you dare attack her!"

Musa stared at Riven as he tossed the logger down, easily and effectively. "Thanks," she stammered. Riven shrugged.

"It was nothing," he said. "Now let's go and stop this situation from getting worse."

"I don't think it could get much worse," Musa muttered. Nonetheless, she followed Riven, determined to stop the fighting for once and for all.


Roxy stood with Flora and Layla, standing over Diana. The nature-fairy glared at them, her eyes darkening as she glared up at them.

"You escaped again," she growled. "And this time, you have Morgana's daughter corrupted to your side." She glared at them. "This time, we're going to make you pay" –

"Talk about ungrateful," Roxy snapped. "We're here to help you."

"Diana, allow Roxy and I to heal you." Flora stood forward. "If we don't do something about your illness now, you'll die."

"So?" Diana raised an eyebrow. "What does that matter to you?"

"She has a point." Roxy glared at Flora. "Why should we heal her, after what she's done to us?"

"Because all of nature is sacred," Flora answered. "Diana still has good in her heart. We can turn this around and stop the vengeance on the humans for good! Besides, all life is sacred – even that of a fairy of vengeance." She frowned at Roxy. "Now are you going to help me or not?"

"You stupid Winx think you can do anything," Diana ranted, fury in her eyes. "And just so you know, daughter of Morgana, I still haven't forgotten that you're part-human, which makes you just as much a target of my rage as anyone else. You even brought a human with you into my forest. Morgana may think highly of you, but that doesn't mean I do."

"I have nothing to do with the destruction of the forest!" Roxy felt her heart boiling. "I care about the animals just as much as anyone else" –

"You do?" Diana jeered back. "So why do you support modern conveniences such as your precious Frutti Music Bar? Those were all built atop nature, weren't they?"

Roxy frowned, guilt coming over her, for she knew that Diana was right. Humans had been destroying nature all throughout time, so they could build their cities atop. All of human civilization was built off of destruction of nature. She, Roxy O'Sullivan, was just as guilty as the rest of the human race.

But humans need habitats like cities, a more rational voice in her head pointed out. There had to be some compromise involved – humans couldn't stop cutting down trees entirely. At the same time, the fairies of nature needed to survive. She turned towards Diana.

"You're wrong," she said. "I have nothing to feel guilty about. But I will help you heal the forest. We will broker some kind of compromise with humanity – that I can assure you."

"You don't know anything," Diana snarled. Roxy shook her head.

"Guilt-tripping me won't work," she said defiantly. "But I know we will figure something out." She lifted her head. "I will help you save this forest, and make sure no humans threaten it again!"

Suddenly, an orange light glowed in her abdomen. Staring downwards, she let out a gasp as her second chakra opened. Diana stared at her in disbelief, her eyes lowering.

"You are a very powerful fairy," she breathed. Flora strode up to her, holding out her hands. She linked hers with Roxy.

Roxy placed her hand on Diana's chest, sending the green and blue energy in. The fairy's eyes widened as she healed, sparkles shining all over her body. "That's incredible," she breathed out. Layla rushed over to them.

"She's healed? Good," she said. "Now we need to head over to the Sacred Lotus – there's no time to waste."

"Let's go!" Musa shouted. The Pixies followed after the Winx as they flew with Diana and her court, towards the center of the forest.


Layla stood in front of the Sacred Lotus, staring at it in horror.

The bud had wilted almost completely. Its leaves were curled up, and the once-pink flower was now almost a dull shade of gray. Diana walked up to it, gasping out in pain. She gingerly held the Sacred Lotus in her arms.

"I can feel it is close to demise," she whispered. "All is lost."

"Not yet," Layla answered boldly. Flora tapped the flower, and then turned to Layla.

"I can feel our Etherix magic is not enough," she whispered. "It's not enough to heal this sacred flower." Tears formed in her eyes. "I don't know what we can do!"

Layla stared at the Sacred Lotus, which was curling up. It needs water… but not just any water… Her fairy magic would be needed as well. An idea came to her mind. She lifted her hands, focusing on the water.

"Layla." Nabu walked up to her, his eyes uneasy. "Are you sure you" –

In response, Layla focused on her own magical energy, watching as the Lotus mixed with its natural water from the falls. She flew up to the trees, picking a neem leaf. Tossing it into the falls, she watched as the water turned purple. She used her magic, pointing towards the Lotus.

Now it's time for some magic. Lifting her hands, she called on her sacred Etherix spell, shouting, "Vital beat!"

The beat of the forest began to shine. The flower, infused with the magical spell of the potion, began to rejuvenate again. Layla called on the power of the forest, using nature to heal the sick flower.

She could see the Lotus shining, puffing up and glistening with incredible power. The flower turned back to its normal pink color, sparkling and shining again. A golden light shot from it, filling the entire forest with power.

And just like that, the forest healed again. New saplings, which had once struggled to grow, shot up from the earth and above the ground. The animals sang in bliss as the forest shined, filled with incredible strength and power. Nature at its finest, it gleamed with a brilliant glow of strength.

Layla smiled, reveling in the power she held within her heart. It's so beautiful… She stared around the forest, knowing that, as long as there was breath in her body, it would come to no harm.


Diana stared around at the scene in disbelief. "You – you could've destroyed it," she stammered, walking up to the Lotus.

"But we didn't," Stella smiled.

Musa watched as the Amazon Fairies stared at the Winx, respect in their gazes. Diana turned towards Layla and Flora, her eyes wide.

"I felt your connections with nature," she said, "and in that moment, it felt as if we were allies."

"We are allies," Layla answered proudly. "And we are here to help you, Lady Diana, in restoring balance to the" –

"My forest!" Nasser burst through the woods, fury in his eyes. Flora stared in alarm.

"Watch out!" she shouted, shielding Diana. Nasser ran towards her, ready to fight –

But just then, a brown-skinned man leapt in front of him, holding a staff. "You shall not pass!" he snarled. Musa looked at him and gasped.

It was none other than the chief of the native tribe.

With minimal effort, the chief knocked the spade out of Nasser's hand. Realizing that he had nothing to stand against, Nasser weakly backed up, looking startled. The rest of the tribal men appeared, surrounding him.

"Winx, Pixies, are you okay?" a voice called. Musa turned and saw Nabu leading the Specialists, alarm in his eyes. The chieftain grabbed Nasser, cuffing him.

"We'll take him to the local authorities for booking," he said. Layla smiled at him.

"Thanks for your help," she said gratefully.

"These men destroyed our village," the chief answered, "and now, we will have them pay." He led Nasser out of the woods, Diana staring at him.

"So those natives were victims of other humans as well," she realized. "They – they helped you?"

"Not all of humanity is lost." Now Flora spoke. "Most of humanity is very kind towards the fairies. Those natives were victims of the loggers, the same way you were."

"Yes," Bloom agreed. "All we need to do is enlighten men like him." She pointed towards Nasser.

"I see," Diana said, her eyes sparkling. "You have taught me well." She smiled at the Winx.

"I will speak to Queen Morgana and talk to her about ending the vengeance," she said. "From now on, my fairies and I will protect the forest instead of plotting vengeance against innocent humans. I will remove the vines surrounding the rest of the world. Thank you for your wisdom, Winx." She bowed toward them.

"Nature and destruction should not be synonymous. I do have one condition, though; I am hoping to come up with a good compromise with the human leaders of the world, to ensure that this never happens to my forest again."

"We will work with them," Bloom promised. "You have my word."

"Thank you," Diana smiled. She nodded to them. "Now, off you go."

Musa smiled, walking with Riven. She gazed up at the warrior, a sense of shame suddenly coming over her. "Thanks for saving me from the loggers," she stammered.

"No problem," Riven answered awkwardly. Musa stared at him.

"Can we just make a truce?" she shot out. "I'm sorry for doubting you, Riven. What I did was wrong. I just want you to know that, even if we're not dating, I care about you." She placed her arm around his shoulder.

She could hear the fairy-man sigh. Finally, Riven nodded. "All right." He extended his hand. "Truce."

She shook it. Suddenly, she heard Layla let out a gasp of astonishment. Turning around, she stared as Nabu held up a sparking pearl necklace.

"Layla," he whispered, "You – you are the love of my life. I want you to know that I – I love you!"

Layla's eyes filled with tears. "I" – She began to cry. "I love you, too!"

In happiness, Nabu placed the necklace around Layla's neck. Just then, a silver brooch in the shape of a wave appeared on his chest. Layla grabbed him in a tight hug, laughing and crying at the same time.


Next chapter:

The Winx go to the Arctic Circle.

Bloom uses her special Etherix spell.

Roxy opens her third chakra.