Chapter 19: A Light In The Darkness
I was lying on a mattress with a soft pillow supporting my head. My eyes were still closed. I felt a little stiff in a few places. But overall, I was happy and relaxed. I gave my entire body a good, long stretch before settling back down again to continue my blissful slumber. But that ended in a matter of seconds when I launched myself into a sitting position. This wasn't my bed. This wasn't my house. I wasn't even in the same bloody dimension!
Scanning my surroundings, I realized I was in an infirmary. It was quite roomy. Dozens of beds of various sizes sat in rows along the walls. Said walls were decorated with strange posters that said things such as 'Hang In There' and 'A Smile A Day, Keeps The Cold Away.' A few small windows allowed some sunlight inside the room. Giving the place a safe and cosy atmosphere. A few of the beds were already occupied by some Fairies and Imps who appeared to have eaten too many lollies. They seemed rather busy rubbing their sore bellies so I just stayed there. Trying to remember what had happened earlier.
Everything started coming back to me. Amina getting hurt. Travelling to the Fairy Kingdom. The duel with Fidelis. Daniela going bat shit crazy. Ceana….dying. I closed my eye tight and balled up my hands into fists. Ceana was an airheaded pinkaholic who I didn't know on a personal level (thank Asger for that.) But she seemed to have genuinely cared about everyone around her. And for her to die like that. At the hands of her own daughter. Accident or no accident. She was murdered.
I remember seeing her body disintegrate into dust that glowed a bright shade of pink. Floating high into the air before fading away into the void. I started losing consciousness at that point. But before I passed out, I heard Daniela say something. "Inform Freyja….of our victory….Vila is now under the protection….of the Mamonon Empire."
"An Empire?" I muttered to myself. That doesn't sound good. And who is Freyja? Nothing was making sense. In fact. How did Ceana die in the first place!? I was so deep in thought I failed to realize a Fairy had approached me until she spoke. "Um….excuse me." I managed to hold back a scream as jumped to my feet out of reflex. The poor girl wasn't expecting this and flew back with an "Eeep!" I instantly regrated my actions and clasped my hands together much like Ceana had done when she was talking to Yusha. "I am so sorry for scaring you! You just startled me!"
The little Fairy poked her head out from the bed she was hiding under and regarded me. Eventually, she worked up the courage to approach me again. But as she got closer, I noticed her cheeks were starting to flush. "Th-that's ok." She responded shyly "I g-get a little nervous when I'm around b-big people." I couldn't really blame her for feeling that way (I'd be scared too if I had to talk to someone more than a hundred times my size!)
The young Girl looked cute, even for a Fairy (and most Fairies are fracking adorable!) She had straight silver hair that reached down to her shoulders. Her wings were white, peppered with splotches that came in various shapes and colours. Her eyes were large and icy blue in colour. And She wore a white lily for a dress that hugged her small frame.
She was pretty. Beautiful even. She looked kinda like a snowflake glowing in the light of the sun. She was Lovely and pure. But at the same time fragile and defenceless. I wanted to hold her. But I was afraid that If I did, she would break the moment I laid a finger upon her delicate form. Was I under some kind of spell? Or was this the thing they called infatuation? Love? (Did you hit your head mate?)
(Just ask her where Amina is and get the hell out of here.) "What is your name?" (why do I even bother?) The young girl looked away from me and fiddled with her hair as she tried to answer my question. "M-my name….my name…." I couldn't help but lean forward and smile teasingly at the shy Fairy. "Yeeees?" That did the trick. She failed to stop herself from smiling at my lame teasing and her mood brightened considerably.
"My name is Ren!" She answered confidently. Maybe a little too confidently. Everyone looked our way for a moment to see what was causing all the ruckus. The unwanted attention started to revert Ren back to her old self. But I didn't want things to get anymore awkward than they already were, so I tried to keep the ball rolling. "Nice to meet you Ren." I greeted warmly, "My name is Bain." "I-I've heard about you Bain." I couldn't help but lean back and cross my arms with a big grin on my face. "You have?" I asked smugly. "Yeah!" She answered excitedly. "You got beat up by Fidelis yesterday!" My pride disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
Ren quickly realized her mistake and apologized immediately. It wasn't the fact I got punched in the nose (surprised the old bastard didn't break it) that's made me the talk of the castle. It's because I had put on a good show and came very close to beating him in a fair fight! I didn't mind having my name spread around in such a positive way. But wouldn't the news of their Queens death have greatly overshadowed my little duel with their knight? Maybe Ceana didn't die after all (could've just dreamed it!) "So, is Ceana ok?" It was a bad call. Ren, along with every other Fairy in the room burst into tears. "No! She is not ok!" Ren wept. "She's dead!" Sobbed another. "Our Mother is dead!" (Way to fuckin go Bain!)
I already knew that Ceana wasn't their Mother, per se. But no doubt she has spent time with quite a few them. Playing games. Singing songs. Reading bed time stories. Basically, did everything you'd expect a Mother to do for her children. I guess they couldn't cope with the news of her death. They needed something. Anything to distract themselves with. I guess a few individuals chose me to be that distraction.
"Oi! Keep the noise down!" I looked over to where the voice was coming from and saw a very chubby Imp with her hands over her ears. "Get over it already!" Joined her friend. They were lying down on a bed together just opposite us. Ren was, surprisingly, the first to respond. "How can you be so cold!?" The two Imps smiled wickedly. "Very easily actually." The chubby one sneered. "She's not our Mother." The other added.
I was just about ready to give those two little brats an earful. But instead, Ren flew over to their bed. Her face was blazing red again. Not with embarrassment, but fury. "How dare you talk about her like that!" The smaller Imp managed to pull herself to her feet despite her bulging stomach. "We'll talk about her any….way….we….oh." The two girls were now surrounded by a dozen very angry looking Fairies. "W-whatever!" The Imp quickly snapped. She plopped back down onto her bed and the two of them closed their eyes. Doing their best to ignore the death stares everyone was still giving them.
"That will do girls!" Came a familiar voice. It was Tiff. She was hovering just by the door. Next to her was a Fairy who….looked very familiar. "You're the one that took care of Amina, right?" She just answered with a smile and nod (was she a mute?) "Amina is no longer in the castle." Tiff interjected. "We had to escort out of the castle when her wounds were healed." "As ordered by your new Queen, I presume?" Ren inquired with a hint of sarcasm. " As ordered by OUR new Queen." The Pixie corrected firmly. Ren just shot her a glare and left the room with a little stride to her movements (these girls are something else!)
After ordering everyone to return to their beds, Tiff Lead me out of the infirmary and along the corridors. Already I could see a change in decoration. I preferred the darker colours. But I didn't like the change in the atmosphere. It didn't feel like a happy, cheerful place anymore. Everyone we passed seemed to be minding their own business. Going about their daily lives with less enthusiasm than I remembered. The mood was very different however, at our destination.
The orb of light was still floating in the great hall. And it still glowed that ominous shade of purple. Its energy rippled throughout the entire room. I felt it's effects the moment I stepped inside. But it felt different this time. It made me feel energized and alert. My entire body felt warm and sensitive. It was just like the time Gamila hugged me back at the mansion. It felt more developed. More mature. And to make matters worse, I no longer had my scarf to breath through.
Aside from Tiff, there were no Fairies or Pixies in the room. Only Imps. Singing, eating, drinking and partaking in disgusting games as they celebrated their recent victory. Daniela was on the throne, talking to a few of her followers as we approached her. "Yes, yes….we will have men in our halls….soon enough." One of the Imps saw me and squealed with joy. "What about him!? Can we have him!?" Daniela looked at me expectantly. "That all depends on….if he wishes to…." "No." I interrupted bluntly. There was no way in hell I was going to become their boy toy.
The Imps didn't seem too thrilled with my answer (big surprise there) and were about to mob me when "If that is his decision….then he is free to go." I was relieved, but also surprised by her decision. "Really?" I asked nervously. "Really." Came her response. "I may be a Succubus….But I will not allow my subjects….to rape men in my castle." Many of the Imps grumbled and sulked in response to this. But none dared to defy their mistress and chose not to press the subject any further.
Despite her kind gesture. There were so many things. So many horrible things I wanted to say to her. I hated her. Not because she had turned into a Succubus. But because of the pain she has caused so many people around her. Yusha dragged me here because she could see the Fairy Kingdom was falling apart before her very eyes. But now, the situation has reached a whole other level. Despite all that. I knew better than to anger a Queen who had a few screws loose in her head. Which is why I held my tongue, and moved on to a more pressing matter.
"Fidelis and Yusha." Daniela narrowed her eyes. "What….about them?" I took a step forward and raised the tone of my voice. "Where are they?" Daniela jumped to her feet and screamed "Those two are MY property! In MY kingdom! In MY lands!" "Is that right?" I responded calmly (fuck that scared me!) "It may be true that they are safe here. But are they here on their own free will?" Daniela took a deep breath before returning to her seat. "Yusha….is a traitor and a risk to my kingdom….And Fidelisis my champion….sworn to protect me….until death." It made sense. But that didn't mean I was ok with it!
" Well, I'm not leaving without them!" I announced confidently (what did you just say?) "Is that so?" She asked with a sneer. (No! Just cut your losses, and get out of there!) "Yes. That is so." (You son of a bitch!) Daniela clasped her hands together and giggled. "Very well then Bain….From this day forth….You are mine….forever."