Fairy x Adventure Chapter 35: Adventure 035, a fairy tail fanfic

Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail nor any work professional associated with it. All original plots and characters are mine.

In a land far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.

Previously, on Fairy Adventure, Meira called for very powerful friends to help her on her quest to stop the Guardians from destroying Margaret Town in the past. In the present, Lucy found the trick to summoning the true form of Nayda's ruins: with her blood. Mara and Mira had Mest and his lieutenant visit the convention center to begin their own quest over…Mary Jane? Gale got to know his ancestors a little better on their way to Fiore. Gray Jaguar made their appearance once again in Clover Town only for G-Rank Hunter Zelda, a secret member of the task force, to come aboard for their move to Margaret Town. In the past, Luna and Gabriel made a break for it on Staralia's back while Icarus picked up Ludvig to meet them at the shrine of the River Guardian. Bluenote and Jacob gave a surprise visit to the shrine in the present with an exchange: Mary Jane's life for Jacob's. As their thank-you for the right choice, Bluenote gave them Nayda's medium—by ripping it straight from Dimaria's chest! Peter was quick to save Dimaria with an unprecedented power, but…what did he do? The McGardens and Gale stumbled into Dragon territory after Wyverns shot them down. After a fearsome battle, Gale managed to acquaint himself with Sycaña, the Plant Dragon, and her mate Sorrelo, the Grass Dragon, who claimed the land. Gale and the McGardens earned Sycaña's trust and help to get to Margaret Town quicker. Before they could go any farther, Sycaña gifted Gale a God's Tear flower capable of anything he desired. Now, Gale and the McGardens must face new enemies head on.

"Good. Just wanted to give you some warning on how freaky it's going to get. But, if you're Hell-bent on walking into the unknown…then I guess it's time to get a little freaky."

You're right, Gale, it is time to get a little freaky! But, I'm still a little freaked out about Peter…

Chibi-Nashi appears to you with her signature grin and a wave of her hands. "Hey, kids! Ready for more Fairy Adventure? This episode comes with a heavy topic that may trigger some unwanted responses. If you aren't feeling up to it, that's okay! You can skip to when the next break is and continue from there!" She flashes you a thumbs up. "Hope you enjoy this episode!

"Well," Gale told everyone, "take a good look at it, y'all. This is where we do or die—y'know, supposedly."

Everyone peered inside. It was not very assuring that the hole looked like a dark abyss with no way in or out. Kiki hid behind Jäger, not at all very brave, while Eliza and Jäger looked into the belly of the beast pessimistically. Syra poked her nose out to look into the hole with her curious eyes and fearful ears. Lag, Hugo, and Changer did not care either way.

"And, you are certain your partner is in there?" Eliza wanted to check.

"I'm with Mama Dragon, so yeah, I believe it," Gale said. "I can't feel out Blondie's aura or anything, but my gut instinct tells me she's there. Can't go against instinct."

"Yes, you can," Kiki muttered. "In fact, I wish you would."

Gale shrugged. "We're not gettin' anywhere standing around here, so…" He took a step down the earthy steps. "Let's roll out. Defenders, assemble. Rapido." He snapped his fingers. "Lag, Changer, stay with Hugo. I give you all the gift of speech. Catch up or something. We'll be back."

The three golems nodded as mouths formed on Changer and Lag. "Take care, Master," all three golems rumbled.

Eliza followed after Gale with Jäger and Kiki catching up. She hiked up her dirtied skirt, but her eyes kept darting everywhere. "How will we see in such darkness?" she asked. "We are relatively blind without a light source."

"I have a good feel for earth," Gale told her, "but, damn, do I wish I stole Cane or Dash's friggen lighter." He turned to examine the three McGarden's. "Anyone have a match? Lighter? Night vision goggles?"

"What are those?" Kiki inquired.

Gale snorted. "I'd say, 'nice meme', but I'm pretty sure memes aren't in your era," he chortled. "If you don't know any of the words mentioned, forget 'em. Dead ass, Leo is the one who knows more useless shit on invention dates than me." He heaved a sigh. "Guess we go by my instincts for now." He tilted his head up and squinted as the next-to-nothing light from the hole was becoming less and less visible.

It'd be nice if we had some light, though. Traveling down stairs and a tunnel blind aren't my smartest moves.

Just like that, something warm touched Gale's face.

Gale looked down to see the God's Tear flower blossoming into a warm earthy green light from the comfort of its new dwelling. He could feel remnants of Sycaña's Magic flowing through it alongside its own Magic it gathered being exposed to air.

Jäger's eyes widened. "Remarkable," he whispered. "I have heard of tales of flowers that gleam and glow, but I have never heard or seen one."

Gale's eyes softened onto the flower. "In my time, flowers like that are extremely rare and challenging to find," he confided. "Most have magical properties of immense healing and such, so they're taken a lot faster than they can spread their seeds and grow. We have protection for a lot of them, but that doesn't stop people from taking what doesn't belong to them."

And, I know that feeling all too well.

Gale made it down the steps first and into the tunnel. As Jäger helped his sisters complete the final steps, Gale raised his tourmaline ball for the light to touch as much as it could. He saw they had made it into the cave of runes with no means of finding a living human being.

"We should go this way," Gale said, pointing to his left. "Last time, in my dream, we went this way."

Eliza found herself drifting to the ancient runes like she was caught in a melody that would not let go of her ear. "Beautiful hieroglyphs," she breathed. She dared to trace a few runes with the tips of her fingers. "I can feel how ancient they are. Such olden tongue. So many stories."

"And, if we don't move, we'll become one of those stories," Gale reminded, though it sounded more like a threat. "Let's go, people, we have a schedule to keep and a fair maiden to rescue." Without another word, he began to walk down his chosen path. And, he heard the others fall into step behind him with no complaints.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

As I close my eyes

Nokosu ato naku kobosu oto naku iku ate mo naku

I know that this is what I want, this is what I need

Ima mo kurikaeshite zanzou

•

Kizutsuita kako no bokura wa

Ienai mama de

Sonna karamawari kawaranai hibi wa

Mou tozashite ikun da

•

So now

Kore wa boku ga nozonda

My Nevereverland

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"I cannot believe you! That is disgusting!"

"Well, you asked!"

Kiki scoffed. "Shagging in the barn? How classic and so romantic, Jäger. Your lover must have been so taken with you," she commended, sardonic.

Jäger smirked more out of the memories of that night rather than to tease his sister. "Oh, she was. However, I must say I enjoy my chambers more so than the barn."

Gale rolled his eyes and grumbled under his breath, "Christ. I know worse guys who have done it in worse places."

"Gale?" It was Eliza who called him, hurrying to match his pace.

"'Sup?"

Eliza glanced back at her cousins. Kiki was ranting to Jäger on how unsanitary it was to have sex on the piano while Jäger dismissed her words with a lazy smirk. "Well… I was…simply curious…"

Gale's lips twitched. "Uh-oh," he teased.

Eliza smiled briefly. "It is just…" How could she put this? "Well, it is about Sycaña..."

"I can't tell you about her nest," Gale shot down, frowning. "Anything about her nest and hoard are completely private, and I refuse to break Mama Dragon's trust."

"Oh, no, I would never ask you such a thing," Eliza promised quickly. "I understand Dragons choose only those worthy to see their hoard. I will not press you for details."

Gale bobbed his head. "M'kay. Then, fire away. Shoot."

Eliza hesitated. "Well, um… Oh, how do I put this?" she muttered to herself. "Well, when you and she were…talking…how did you understand her?"

Gale raised an eyebrow, slightly turning his head so one eye could look at her. "It's called 'listening'," he said slowly like she was stupid. "Y'know, the thing ya do—"

"No, no, no," Eliza said, shaking her head. "How could you speak her language so fluently?"

Gale's brow furrowed. "Um… Because she spoke Minstrish which is similar to Fioren, even if some of our vocab and accent might slightly be different—"

"Gale, you were speaking in Dragonish."

Gale did not miss a beat. "Gesundheit."

Eliza's lips twitched, but she stayed focused. "Dragonish, Gale, means the voice of Dragon," she educated. "I know next to nothing on their language. I know partially that a Dragon has the ability to speak in many languages, but their main language—Dragonish—is the one I know they all speak clearly." Her head tipped. "Did you not even realize it?"

Gale rolled his lips. "Did I?" he questioned himself. "I mean, looking back on it, whenever she spoke to me, something sounded…different. I didn't know what it was, so I wrote it off as paranoia or something, I don't know."

Eliza gaped at him. "You spoke a language without knowing you spoke it?"

Gale shrugged. "To be fair, it's common in my family," he admitted. "Like Sinstrish—"

"'Sinstrish'?"

"Sinnish and Minstrish," Gale explained. "It's a combo term we use in my time when you start a sentence in Minstrish, then end it in Sinnish. My mom, sometimes, goes into another language without meaning to. My brother and I like to challenge each other when we do our Say What Now? game."

Eliza looked intrigued. "What is the purpose of that game?"

"Basically, we both speak every sentence in a different language until one of us can't do it anymore," Gale explained. "Mom taught it to us to improve our skill when we were kids, but I guess living in a different country would've helped us learn too." He shrugged.

Eliza nodded. "Your mother sounds like a well-accomplished woman," she commented. "She has raised you well, her and your father. Tell me, Gale, what is your father like?"

"He's an asshole."

Kiki gasped when she heard that. "How could you say that about your own father?"

"Oh, no, it's okay, I say this to his face too, so it's nothing new," Gale assured like that was normal. It really was not. "Nah, my old man's chill. He's just an asshole during training. But, he's a boss in the kitchen. Taught me most of what I know."

Jäger's eyebrows slammed together. "He cooks?"

"Yeah, 'cause my mom can't cook for shit," Gale laughed. "I already told you, he's an amazing chef, but I will never call him a 'housewife' again after the shit he pulled on me during training." He cracked his neck in a swift move and grunted in satisfaction. "But, yeah, my old man is pretty cool." He chuckled to himself. "But, I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that not only did he catch Dash with his weed brownies, but he…"

Gale stopped.

His eyes sharpened.

Something ain't right.

Everyone stopped with Gale, and the reaction was instant. Fear, confusion, and curiosity leaked into their eyes and faces.

"Is something wrong, Gale?" Eliza whispered.

"Yeah," Gale ground out. "We're not alone."

Jäger made sure to protect Kiki. "Do you sense how many are coming?" he murmured lowly.

"I think just one," Gale predicted. "But, I'm not too good on reading auras, so…"—in his free hand, he conjured his Quartz: Rose Sword—"let's assume we got a bad guy coming."

It was faint, but he heard it.

STEP… STEP… STEP…

Eliza swallowed, and Gale shifted to protect her.

STEP… STEP… STEP…

Kiki bit her bottom lip nervously.

STEP… STEP… STEP…

A small lick of fire was seen nearing them.

STEP… STEP… STEP…

Jäger readied his sword, swallowing.

STEP… STEP… STEP…

The fire came closer and a new voice called out, "Who goes there?" In a sneer, it added, "Or, is it you, Warlock?"

Gale locked his jaw. "We come in peace, dude, but I'll kick your ass if I have to," he warned. "Start anything and I will finish it."

The footsteps kept going and a rude chortle started. "You think you have a chance against me, cretin?" came leer. "I am the apprentice to Meira Heartfilia. Do not think you will get away easy after a fight with me."

Gale's eyes widened. "Wait. You said, 'Meira Heartfilia'?" he called. "Are you 'Gabriel'?"

The footsteps stopped.

"Who wants to know?" came rude ask.

Gale grinned and dismissed his sword, unafraid to walk forward. "Let's just say I'm a very good friend of her little—what did she say she was in this time?—niece."

"Gale, wait!" Eliza whispered desperately.

"I do not believe you for a second," came hiss. "I ask again: who are you?"

Gale's grin broadened when he saw the features of the voice in the flames. "Aww, c'mon, Gabe, don't be so harsh on your successor," he mockingly cooed. "Thanks for watching out for my stubborn partner. She's a handful…"

He stopped before the flames.

Gale looked at a carbon copy of himself that went through tougher times than he had with scars and that glint in his eyes.

Ruby eyes.

"…ain't she, Grand-pappy?"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure 035

Story of the Guardian Duo

"And I Will Name You..."

神の霊の物語 - 水の目を通して神の御霊の絆 -

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Luna was at work in the chamber. Not as much as Ludvig had been with his pens and pages flying and the mutters he let ramble on, but she helped in her smaller ways. Ludvig had given her a key on what he knew along with a crash course in runology and cheat sheet to get her by in sorting the runes based on language and word-type. Icarus lay below the platform, eyes watching the entryway to ensure no harm befall on his charges.

Luna tucked back a lock of straying hair before matching up a rune with a language and writing it down in the column when she heard growling. She looked up to see Icarus hunched, hackles raised and a snarl on his lips. "Icarus?"

A group approaches, Icarus told her. I will defend you and Sir Ludvig.

Luna's eyes widened. Should I tell Mister Ludvig?

Icarus prowled forth. No, pup. His work is imperative to this mission. He disappeared out of the entryway. I shall return.

Luna swallowed and nodded, though it was unneeded. She glanced back at Ludvig jotting down a scratch sentence, then crossing it out.

I'll protect him if anything happens. I'll protect him with my life from whatever the Warlock throws at us.

Her eyes hardened.

And, that's my wish.

She felt something stir within her chest, a quiet flutter of Magic. She held onto it like the dickens, not wanting it to slip away from her like it normally would. Her resolve was fierce and her Magic saw that. It would stick by her.

Her blood felt cool when she heard a howl echoing back into the chamber.

What was—?

Pup, we are amongst friends, Icarus told her with the emotion of near giddiness feeding into their link.

Luna felt at ease. Oh, good. Who are they?

You shall find out soon enough.

Luna frowned when their link fell silent.

Well, okay, she thought to herself.

She did not have to wait long when Icarus and Gabriel came through the entrance. She smiled and got up. "Welcome back!" she greeted as others crossed the threshold. "What happe…?"

Her smile faded.

Her eyes widened.

For Gale stood in front of her, slightly damp and misplaced in this time period, but his ruby eyes were the same as always. She did not even see the three others who joined him. Only him. Her trembling hands came up to her mouth. "Oh, my…"

Gale set down his ball of tourmaline to open his jacket, but he never broke eye contact. "Go see her, fur-ball."

Luna was doubly-shocked when Syra burst out of Gale's inner pocket to crash into her chest. A dubious laugh left her as she hugged Syra. "Oh, h-h-hello," she stammered in a whisper, trying not to laugh and cry.

Syra purred her happiness as she touched her nose with Luna's before licking her face eagerly.

Luna could not restrain her giggles at Syra's velvety tongue. "Yes, yes, I missed you too."

"But you didn't miss me?"

Luna looked over to see Gale walking towards her with his hands shoved into his pockets.

"My heart's breaking, Blondie," Gale mocked with a smirk. "Seriously. I haul ass and come all this way, and this is the welcome I get? What, did I get replaced or something?"

Luna flooded down the steps to meet Gale in the middle. "No, it's not that," she quickly dismissed. "It's just… Well, you…" She stopped before him and tried to rearrange her thoughts. She closed her eyes, let out a breath, and reopened them. She pointed at him. "You're here."

Gale nodded and bent forward to get to Luna's level. A hand came up to tuck a piece of hair behind Luna's ear. "Yup."

"I mean, like, you're here-here, in the past, with me."

"Mmm-hmm. You were pretty clear the first time."

"You brought Syra."

"I'll let you believe I brought her, so yeah, sure."

Luna smiled even if her eyes stung. "You're here," she croaked. "I thought I'd… That I'd…"

Gale made the first move in wrapping his arms around Luna. He guided her head to his chest and let her shuttering breath and tears stain his shirt. "You blondes… So emotional," he teased. "Told ya not to say, 'bye' to me. It's always a 'see you later'."

"I'm so sorry," Luna choked out in the midst of her weeping. "I'm so, so sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about, all right?" Gale soothed. He smoothed down her hair. "You're safe, I'm safe, and your dad's not gonna burn me to ashes for letting you go off alone." At Luna's laugh, Gale pulled away to see her wet smile. He thumbed off some stray tears, pulling away any hair that stuck to her face. "There we go. Much better," he said softly.

"How are you here?" Luna had to ask in a croak. "Why were you brought back in time?"

"It's a long story, but I actually ended up in Minstrel," Gale explained. "Fast forward to meeting some new people, sick ass broom flying, being nearly killed by a Dragon, then haggling with one, and now, I'm here with you." He lifted her chin with gentle fingers. "I went through Hell and high water for you, Blondie-girl, and you are damn hard to keep track of. So, don't go leavin' my side, okay?"

Luna nodded, chuckling a bit. "Ditto."

Kiki sourly watched the exchange from her brother's side. "So, that's her," she supposed in a mutter. "She looks like a mere child."

"You are a child too, Kiki," Jäger pointed out. "Though she is young, it's not mad for fiancés to have a bit of a gap between ages."

"They are not fiancés," Kiki reminded hotly. "They are close friends. I still have a chance."

Eliza heard something a tad bitter float over to her. "If you think that, you are a fool." She looked to see Gabriel watching Luna and Gale talk with Syra excited to have both of them together again. If she did not know any better, she would say Gabriel looked impassive. But, she saw the envy glare out of his eyes.

Luna caught the rest staring and blushed a bit. "Um… Who are your new friends?"

Gale remembered himself and cleared his throat. "Right, right…" He beckoned for everyone to step up. "These guys are the McGarden's," he told, eyes widening at Luna in silent message.

Luna's eyes widened. "Oh," was all she could say.

Gale gave an over-exaggerated nod. "Mmm-hmm," he agreed, stretching out his hum. He gestured to Kiki. "This is Kiki. Think of her as the Veronica of the gang."

Kiki curtsied stiffly to Luna. "How do you do?"

Luna blinked. Then, she smiled her disarming smile that took Kiki aback. "Wow, you're so pretty!" she breathed. "I wish I had dark hair like yours." She flicked at her blonde hair in distaste. "I hate my hair."

Kiki was trying to look off to the side, disinterested, but Jäger nudged her ribs. Kiki glared at him, but at his firm look, she sighed heavily. She gave Luna a quick once over and went to fanning herself. "Your hair is nothing to be ashamed about," she supposed. "Pure blonde hair is a rarity. My hair, on the other hand, is quite common."

Luna slightly shook her head. "Maybe, but your hair brings out your eyes and makes them really shine." She pointed excited at Kiki's eyes. "Look! They're shining now!"

Kiki blushed a bit at that and tried to cover her cheeks with her fan. "Well," she coughed, "you are all too modest. I thank you thusly for the compliment."

Jäger leaned over to his sister and whispered teasingly, "Not so bad is she, huh?" As Kiki blushed even more and huffed, Jäger chuckled and straightened. "My name is Jäger McGarden, Miss Dragneel, and it is lovely to meet you." He took her hand and kissed her knuckles, sending her a wink.

Pink dusted Luna's cheeks. "Oh, my…"

"That's enough," growled Gale and Gabriel. They both looked at each other, Gale in confusion and Gabriel in abashment.

"It's nice to meet you too," Luna said kindly as she took back her hand. She moved to Eliza and her eyes widened. "Goodness… Are all McGarden's this beautiful?"

Eliza laughed heartily at such an innocent flatter. "You are quite a beauty yourself, my little ducky," she praised. She took up her skirt to curtsy. "Call me 'Eliza', ducky, I insist. I am the cousin to both Kiki and Jäger and am pleased to make your acquaintance. Gale has spoken much about you." She eyed Luna and took in the calming aura about her and her open features before glancing slyly at a feverishly embarrassed Gale who was shaking his head and trailing a finger across his neck. She smirked. "I see his appeal in having your hand in partnership," she carried on, becoming more amused at Gale. He was beginning to mouth crude threats to her. "And, my, my, you have a wonderful figure for a growing lady."

Luna was confused when she noticed Eliza's eyes focused on behind her. "Thank"—she turned her head to see Gale standing idly by and looking boredly at the ceiling—"you…?" She turned back around to Eliza with a weak smile. "I didn't know he talked about me. Good things, right?"

Jäger burst into laughter. "'Good'?" he echoed. "The lad practically said—!"

"Did you know," Gale interrupted quite loudly with a menacing glare to the McGarden cousins for their threat of shaming him, "Eliza is a powerhouse of a lady? That she's a scholar?"

Luna perked and Gabriel's eyes widened. "Really?" they questioned in unity, looking excitedly at an abashed Eliza who was not all that pleased Gale revealed her occupation.

"Yes," Eliza said after a moment's hesitation. "Yes, I… I am." She began to shake her head. "But, it's nothing serious—"

"'Nothing serious', she says?" Gale repeated with a scoff. He put an arm around Gabriel and Luna (Gabriel seemed to mind as he shrugged his successor off him) to let them in on the secret. "Oh, it is serious," he assured. He pointed at Eliza who was just mouthing at him not to say a word. "Get this. This lady right here, this queen? She is a theoretical physicist and a linguist."

Luna gasped, eyes sparkling. "Whoa…"

"You are a theoretical physicist?" Gabriel echoed. "That's spectacular!"

Eliza sighed. "Yes, I am such things, but"—she smirked at Gale who looked at her warningly with wide eyes—"did you know Gale here—?"

"And, a linguist? Gadzooks!"

Everyone turned to see Ludvig sweeping over to them with eyes wide and eager. He gave a quick bow to everyone. "Good evening. I am Sir Ludvig Krause the Third, local runologist and executive runologist for the Archaeological Society," he introduced. "It is a pleasure to meet all of you." He shook Jäger's hand quickly. "How do you do?" He did not even let him answer before deftly kissing Kiki's hand. Then, he turned to Eliza, the one he was most eager to see. "A linguist you say? What languages do you study?" he interrogated.

Eliza played with her fingers. "I am fluent in many of the major languages of Ishgar and passable in the others, including the Ishgaran territories," she answered in vague, hoping to bring the attention off her education.

"Don't forget Olden Fae, Ancient Language, and Elvish," Gale put in, bragging a bit for her. He grinned at Eliza's death stare, wiggling his eyebrows at her. "Impressive, right? Goddamn queen material—am I right, ladies?"

Ludvig could not be any happier. "Gadzooks, this is wonderful!" he crooned. He frowned and looked at Gale. "I'm not so certain about this 'queen' business, but she certainly should be treated like one for her type of knowledge." He turned back to Eliza imploringly. "Lady McGarden, I desperately require services of someone as well-versed as yourself. These runes… Some of them have Olden Fae and Elvish runes." He blushed a bit. "I am quite the linguist myself but finding a suitable professor to teach me in magical languages was increasingly difficult and, often, my requests went denied."

Sympathy coated Eliza's frown. "I understand. I found tutelage under Thomas von Hohenheim."

Ludvig's eyebrows shot up and you could practically feel the high energy crackle in the air. "A von Hohenheim!" he gasped. "Gadzooks! I did not think he would take students!"

Eliza blushed a bit. "He did not," she assured. "But I was rather persistent in my asking. Professor von Hohenheim introduced me to one of the Sylphs his family is close to." Sadness flickered in her gaze. "She taught me many things, even if I was born a Vacant. I have not seen her in quite some time."

Luna got on her tiptoes to whisper in Gale's ear. "What does 'Vacant' mean?"

"Minstrish for 'Spiritless'," Gale whispered back, grinning a bit. "Your lips are awfully close to my ear there, Blondie. You trying to—? Ow! Jesus, woman, don't pinch me!"

Ludvig understood Eliza's sobriety. "My deepest sympathies, Miss Eliza," he murmured. "I understand your pain."

Eliza cleared her throat and shook away her anguish. "Anyways, you said you needed help. Allow me to be of service." She glanced at Gale and Luna. "It is the least I can do not only for my savior and a Heartfilia"—her gaze went back to Ludvig—"but for a fellow lover to knowledge."

Ludvig shot her the smile of a friend. "Come, then. I have been using Turing as of now, but your insight would be utmost helpful." He led Eliza back to his work station, both of them murmuring amongst themselves.

Jäger looked satisfied at the scene. "Now, there's a bloke Eliza could marry."

"He is betrothed to another," Gabriel put in swiftly. "I would advise against turning him into an adulterer." He looked at Ludvig sadly as the nobleman pointed to a rune for Eliza and the noblewoman nodded. "Besides, he already gave his heart and mind to someone else."

Now even Luna looked confused. "Who?"

Gabriel shook his head. "Never mind," he dismissed. He gave Gale a full once over. "So. This is my descendant." He sniffed. "Wish I could say I was impressed."

A smirk tugged at Gale's lips. "Oh-ho… Grand-pappy gettin' snippy with me. Why? Is it because I'm better looking?" he taunted. "Nice scars, by the way, Gabe."

Gabriel glared at Gale. "Scars show you fought and survived. Have some respect, child," he said scathingly.

Gale had a hand go to the end of his shirt. He lifted it up to show a sickly-looking scar on his abdomen greased in rainwater and sweat. "Ditto to you too, Grand-pappy," he shot back. He let his shirt drop.

Luna gaped at Gale. "Wha—? Is that from the present?"

Gale grimly nodded. "Yup. Though, didn't help that I jumped through a window or crashed into a barn."

Luna was in disbelief. "Okay, what happened? Why are you here in the first place?"

Gale opted to sit down. "Pop a squat"—he patted his lap—"right here and let your partner tell you the fairy tale of the days of future past." He gestured to all of his ancestors. "Y'all too. Sit down, shut up, and listen to the story of the girl who leapt through time." He glanced at Ludvig and Eliza. "And, believe you me, we're gonna have enough time for it."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Now, in the future…

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nashi peered at the unconscious Peter like he was about to come back to consciousness any moment. "So, like… Are we just going to ignore what he did or what?"

"I'm trying to wrap my head around the symbols on his hands," Luke confessed. "Sensei taught me those are alchemic symbols. But I've felt Alchemy before and Alkahestry. It didn't feel like it."

"It was definitely hermeticism," Levy confirmed, "definitely Magic."

Gary scratched his head as he paced in front of Nashi. "Okay…" He held out a hand when a thought came to him. "All right, uh… Maybe…he's a Magician instead of a Mage? Is that possible?"

Lucy held her chin and shook her head. "No, we would've felt it. He's a Mage all right." She looked at the sleeping Dimaria and her healed skin for any signs the healing was done too raw or too amateurly, but she found none. "It's just so odd and so amazing he was able to do such a thing. Wendy can heal cuts and bruises, Andele and Doctor Mothersbaugh can heal deeper wounds than those, but they can't heal wounds like that. No Magic or Alchemy or Alkahestry I know of can."

Nashi shrugged and yawned. She began to stretch out her arms to crack them. "Well, we won't know too much until he wakes up," she supposed. Gary settled beside her and she hummed as she instinctually leaned her head against his shoulders to close her eyes. Maybe she did not even see the pleased smile on her face or see the annoyance written on Natsu and Luke's face "We'll have to thank him for saving Miss Yesta. What he did was a miracle if I've ever seen one and I have two Angels bonded to my souls." She opened her eyes as a frown over took her smile. "I really thought she was going to die on us."

"She was," Gary said softly. He settled for interlocking their fingers and brushing his thumb against her knuckles. "Honestly, she should've and that's not me being mean or an ass about it. A wound like that had no chance of her surviving."

Nashi blew out a breath and closed her eyes. "Wow. Glad to hear that," she bit, sarcastic.

Gary smiled a bit. "Quiet, child," he playfully hushed. "I told you it's not me trying to be mean. We're really lucky she's not dead. Not just because every life is valuable, but because she'll have the information we'll need."

Laxus was one of the first to agree with that statement. "It's obvious Bluenote and Jacob are after your kids." He directed this statement to Levy, Lucy, and Natsu. "You think this is all connected to you, Natsu?"

Natsu shrugged as he rested his chin on Lucy's shoulder and pulled her into his lap. "Maybe." His eyes flashed over Gary and Nashi and fought hard to keep down the Etherious King and Dragon King wanting to separate them. "This isn't the first time cults and terrorists have tried to get their hands on me or my kids." His eyes drifted to Mary Jane. He had no pity for the girl. He only had curiosity. "But, I don't see what Mary Jane has to do with this. She's innocent."

"Same with Gale," Levy piped up. "I know Gajeel made enemies when he was younger—we all have—but nothing this severe to put Gale's life at risk."

Laxus growled and cracked his knuckles, lightning threatening to crackle out of his skin. "I'll protect my butterfly no matter what," he vowed. "But, I just want to know why. We all need answers." He looked at Lucy. "I already know your thoughts on it, Blondie, but I think it's something more than that."

Luke frowned at the implication. "What do you mean?"

Lucy hesitated and looked up at Natsu for his approval. His eyes spoke for him. "Well…" At even Levy's nodded encouragement, Lucy prepared herself to explain. "Many cults and terrorists thought, in order to get to Natsu, they would have to get through me."

Nashi sprang up for her position next to Gary, eyes wide, while Luke was on edge and Igneel watched Mary Jane, oblivious. "What?!" Nashi exclaimed while Luke stared at his mother with anger for the tragedy she faced and pain for her suffering. "How could they do that you?"

"They wanted his blood and power," Lucy answered, recoiling deeply at the haunted memories. "And, because I'm a Heartfilia, they would want my keys and my blood."

"Don't think your mom took this bullshit lying down," Natsu forewarned. "Are you kidding? Lucy was a complete badass in the face of those jerks." He featherily kissed her Mark when he heard her heart race. "It happened when she was pregnant with you guys too, but Fairy Tail would never take that like a bunch of wimps."

Nashi still looked at her mother like she was betrayed. "Mama, why didn't you ever tell us this?"

Lucy flinched and bit her lip. "We didn't want you kids to worry," she tried to reason quietly. "I remember how terrified you all were when you were kidnapped by that Dark Guild years ago. We've trained you to defend yourself not just for you to become stronger but to make sure you would never be put back in that position again." She looked at her children desperately. "But the threat is becoming more real than I thought." She focused on Igneel and Mary Jane and grief overtook her. "I wish we had told you this sooner so you knew what to expect."

"What do you mean?" Luke asked warily.

"Ever since your father and I rescued you all those years ago, the kidnappings and threats against all of you have stopped," Lucy unveiled. "But I'm starting to realize they never stopped. They were just biding their time for this. They were waiting for an opportunity to isolate you."

"They were baiting us," Luke realized belatedly. "So… You think they were baiting Igneel with Mary Jane?"

"It's possible," Natsu had to admit, aware of the self-loathing in Laxus' eyes. "We think these guys were only hurting Mary Jane to draw out a lot of Igneel's Nature."

"Just like they used Angel to get to me," Gary compared in realization. "They used me."

Nashi turned to Gary in shock. She re-intertwined their hands and her other hand touched his cheek. "Hey, hey, hey," she shushed. "It's okay. That's in the past. I'm fine."

Gary's eyes swept over to hers and it surprised her to see fury in his gaze. "They used me," he repeated. "Lee was baiting me. He's been riding my ass to bring out my Devil and my self's powers and they used you to get it. They wanted me to get mad when they hurt you and I gave them the damn show they wanted. I played their game."

Natsu was already shaking his head. "Don't get all fired up about this, Fullbuster," he calmed. "You know better now. You're still learning. Don't beat yourself up, all right? You protected my princess and that's all I care about."

Gary relaxed only slightly at that as he absently kissed Nashi's temple and rubbed her shoulder. "But, now, it's obvious Igneel was in the palm of their hand too," he believed. "They played us all and without them having to do anything." His eyes traveled to Luke.

I wonder… Were they playing Luke too? Were they just testing him?

Natsu nodded slowly. "Bluenote said something about that…"

"But, for what?" Nashi wanted to know. "He's a Rainbow Fire Mage, yeah, but what would they be after specifically? You said blood, but is it because we're all hy—?" She slapped a hand over her mouth with wide eyes accompanying her.

Levy coughed her amusement. "Don't worry, Nashi, everyone in this room knows the four of you are part Demon." She did have to think about the unfinished question. "But, to answer your question, I think it's a mixture. I'm sure there are plenty of hybrids among us, but you four are the sons and daughters of a Demon King, a Dragon King, and the Celestial Queen-slash-the heir to the Heartfilia Clan. And, you four are the nieces and nephews of the Black Wizard. The implications of the extension of your powers are something any magiscientist would want to study."

"Maybe they'll take you under the knife and cut you open like that Frank and guy," Natsu added creepily, wiggling his fingers.

Lucy abruptly punch his pec. "Don't scare them even more, you idiot," she scolded. "And, it's Frankenstein. Do you seriously not listen to me when I read that to you?"

Natsu grinned, purring into Lucy's skin. "I listened," he promised proudly. "It's the only reason I know Frankenstein was the smart guy and not the monster."

Laxus muttered to Levy, "How much you wanna bet he'll use that little fact to get him laid tonight?"

As Lucy spluttered over Natsu's apparent smarts and Laxus and Levy made reasonable bets, Gary clung to his deepest thoughts.

I can't believe I played into Lee's game like that. I can't believe he might've been playing Luke too. That would explain the negative presence in him. They're trying to test all of our powers and find what hurts us the most. They're looking for strengths and weaknesses. They're weeding us out, but for what? What do they intend to do with the information?

"That doesn't matter right now."

Everyone was startled when it was Igneel who spoke. The emerald seeped back in for onyx to take charge. He looked all around him. "We have the medium. We have to figure out a way to stop the Guardians from destroying Margaret Town." His eyes swept back to Mary Jane. "She needs a safe place to wake up to." He said those words so quietly, you would have missed them.

Laxus softened at that while Levy nodded her determination. "I agree with Igneel. We got the medium back through means I wish we never did," she started, "but, with it, we can start looking for a means to calm down the suzaku." She turned to Lucy. "Lu, do you think you can move it? I know powerful spiritual objects can only be moved by someone who practices the ways of the spirits."

Lucy nodded and crawled out of Natsu's lap to get to the medium. "Yeah. I should be able to." She crowded around the orb. The watery gleam of the medium reflected in her eyes.

I can feel her power… But I feel so much sadness…

Lucy lowered her hands to it, closing her eyes.

I'm here, friend. I've come to help you.

Her hands smothered the mediu—

CRACK!

Lucy's eyes flew open as she let out a wild scream as black threads entangled her arms and burned her.

Everyone swarmed towards her when they saw, much to their horror. "Lucy!/Aunt Lucy!/Blondie!/Mama!/Mom!/Ma!"

Natsu caught Lucy before she could fall to the ground as everyone hovered over her. His lips curled in a snarl as he kept Lucy close. There was a blatant warning in his snarl for all those to keep away from his queen. He could feel her pain and despair through their bond and it only made him feel anger—anger at himself and the situation. The two kings within him battled his human, all to see the accursed black burn crawling up her hands and eating at her flesh. "Lucy," he said in his distorted growl—all three of them would speak when his mate was in danger—"your hands…"

Gary forced his way to Lucy's side with his Devil looking through his eyes to assess the damage. "Let me see her," he insisted.

Natsu's snarl increased as a flash of red and emerald passed in his eyes. Challenge rang clear in his glower at the Ice Devil of Fairy Tail for overstepping his boundaries. Something triggered within Laxus, Luke, Gary, and Igneel for they all lowered their heads and scooted back in apology, yet apprehension.

Nashi looked at her father like he was crazy. "Papa, what are you doing?" she demanded to know. "Mama needs help!"

Gary lowered his head. Both him and his Devil did it as an act of submission like a beta keeping low to the ground in front of their alpha. He kept his eyes on the whimpering Lucy and let his hands capture her own. He froze when Natsu's rumbling snarl increased and lowered his head even more. When the snarling faded, Gary closed his eyes.

You ready?

He felt the Devil nod. I will help Mother Star.

Gary sucked in a deep breath before exhaling frost.

Everyone watched in wonder as the black staining Lucy's hands abandoned her to crawl onto a better host. Gary absorbed the darkness like it was nothing, like he had done it once before. Once the darkness left Lucy, she gasped in her relief. Once Gary finished taking in all the darkness had to offer, he gasped frost.

Nashi caught Gary when he swayed with worry in her eyes. "Gary, you okay?"

Gary opened his eyes with a weak smile. "Don't tell me Angel is worried about a dog," he teased.

Nashi blushed angrily. "Well excuse me for having concern for you, stupid dog!"

Gary chuckled, his cold hand covering her warm one. "I'm okay, Angel. I'm in control," he promised. His eyes turned to Lucy in fretfulness. "Are you all right?"

Lucy coughed within Natsu's grip. "I'm fine," she croaked. She closed her eyes as Natsu mouthed his relief against her skin in the form of light kisses. "Thank you." She reopened her eyes and, for just a shadow of a moment, she saw Gray's face way back when, staring down at her with that expression of fear and worry.

"Are you all right?

"Aunt Lucy?"

The past caught up with the present and Gray's pensive face melted back into Gary's open features of fret. Lucy tossed him that same kind smile his own mother would give him. "You saved me. Thank you, Gary—truly."

Gary blushed at the gratitude and let his thumb rub over Nashi's knuckles to distract himself from further embarrassment. "I did what was necessary. It's what my powers are for," he tried to assure. "You don't need to thank me for that. Anyone would have done it if they could have."

Lucy stopped herself from saying Just like your father did and only nodded as she basked in Natsu's attentiveness.

Gary caught Nashi's eyes and saw how appreciative she was for him securing her mother's safety. She glanced away, then hesitantly met his eyes again to mouth thank you to him. He smiled and brought her knuckles to his lips and offered them a ginger kiss.

Lucy swapped a secret smile with Levy, raising an eyebrow, while Luke and Natsu bristled. "Ahem?" Natsu coughed forcefully.

Nashi jolted away from Gary and blushed furiously at being seen while Gary scratched his cheek, abashed.

Lucy's eyes drifted to the watery orb and her wariness heightened when it flashed at her. "I should've known better than to think I could pick up a Cursed medium," she berated herself.

"Maybe I should take it," Natsu proposed.

Lucy shook her head. "No. The Curse is woven too deeply with the medium. You might accidentally amplify it or get overwhelmed in spiritual power." She sat up on her own—Natsu still kept her close—and contemplated. "It'll be tricky, but I can try and make contact with the spirit," she announced.

Nashi's eyes widened. "You can do that?"

Lucy nodded. "Over the years, Capricorn and Loke have been helping me reach out to other Celestial Spirits and regular ones. I know if I tried hard enough, I could at least get past the Curse, but I can't do it without another Celestial Spirit Mage." She slowly turned to Luke. "Unless…"

Luke blinked at his mother stupidly and pointed at himself. "Me?" He shook his head. "Mom, I'm not a Celestial Spirit Mage. I…" His eyes grew crestfallen. "I'm sorry," he murmured.

Lucy smiled and her hand lifted to rake fingers through Luke's pink locks. "My sweet prince, you don't have to be sorry for not becoming a Celestial Spirit Mage," she promised to him. "All I've ever wanted as for you to become the best you can be and you've done that."

Luke shook his head, refusing to meet her gaze. "But, it's just that—I'm not the best," he whispered. "Sensei and you and Dad… You all taught me to respect life and the balance between it—to not play God." His eyes went to Gary and the guilt was heavy in his gaze. "I'm sorry I disappointed you, Mom."

Luke closed his eyes.

I can't tell her… I don't want her to look at me like that…like she's ashamed of me. But… But, I have—

"You haven't disappointed any of us, Luke," came Nashi's soft assurance.

Luke opened his eyes. Ashamed honeyed-amber met knowing hickory. "Nashi…"

"Your sister's right," Lucy added. "I know you felt guilty for not becoming a Celestial Spirit Mage like me, but there's no need for that. You chose a Magic right for you." She smiled. "Besides, your Magic can really help me right now."

Luke cocked an eyebrow. "How?"

"Your Zen Magic is far different from Celestial Spirit Magic, but it's just what we need right now. Remember when I was teaching you about Contracts?"

Luke's eyes widened. "You want me to do that?" he gasped. "Bu-But—!"

"Nothing like that, but something close," Lucy hushed. "It's the same ritual. Will you help me, Luke?"

Luke swallowed, then nodded. "Okay."

Lucy smiled. "Now, I want you to pick it up."

"But the Curses—!" Luke started to protest.

"Just try."

Luke frowned, but his fingers hesitantly grazed over the orb. When nothing happened, he confusedly picked up the orb. "How?" he whispered. "How could I…?"

"Come on."

Luke looked up at his mother who was gliding her way up the platform. He followed her not as hesitantly as he was before, but still confused either way. Lucy sat on one side of the odd symbol in the middle of the platform. Luke settled in front of her. When she gestured for the orb to be put down, he did so with the twin hunting dog spirits taking up either side.

Lelantos shifted and whined to Lucy, his nose touching her cheek.

Lucy smiled and smoothed a hand over his left ear. "It's okay, Lelantos," she shushed. "We'll be okay. You and your brother will help too, right?"

Actaeon and Lelantos both raised a paw and put them on her knees as though to tell her they would.

Lucy hummed before looking at Luke. "Are you ready?"

Luke tugged at his bottom lip with his upper teeth. His eyes shifted from the orb to eyes that have never failed him. Nerves rattled him and so many questions, but he forced them down to nod.

"I'm ready."

"So, you're wearing a corset, huh, Blondie?"

"Gale!"

Gale snickered at Luna's flustered cheeks and prodded them. "Aww, is my Bwondie all embawassed?" he cooed in baby talk.

Luna slapped away his hand. "Stop…!" she whined. "You're such a jerk!"

Gale mockingly pouted. "How come you never wear all this princessy stuff for your dragon?" he complained. He jerked a thumb at his obviously incensed ancestor. "I ask you to cosplay and you get all flustered, but you cosplay for him? An older man? I trained you better than this."

Luna puffed her cheeks. "It's not like I like dressing up like this," she hissed, "but I have to if I want to blend in." She pointed accusingly at him. "Something you're obviously not worried about."

Gale frowned. "Hey, I care," he objected. "Besides, how could I worry about blending in when all I wanted to do was find you?"

Luna's eyes widened. Her cheeks betrayed her as pink dusted them and her eyes could not afford to look at Gale. "You're just saying that," she wrote off.

Gale smirked all sly-like as he sidled up to her. "I was," he promised. He threw his arm around her, pressing his cheek to hers. "You know I'd do whatever it takes to find my partner," he purred. "I was worried sick about you, Blondie-girl. If something happened to you, I don't know what I'd do."

Luna grew redder, trying to turn her head away from him. "Now you're just spouting bullshit," she claimed.

Gale's smirk broadened. "Swearing now, huh? You're so cute when you swear like a little golden retriever pup trying to talk back."

"Stop it and don't compare me to a puppy!" Luna huffed. She jerked her head away to cross her arms and pout like a irritated child. "I know exactly what you'd do anyways," she mumbled, acidic. "You'd make Mary Jane your partner."

Gale barked a laugh. "Blondie, I'd rather not have to deal with her luggage called 'your brother'." He openly took a whiff of her scent. "But, it's cute when you smell jealous," he teased.

"Stop smelling me and calling me 'cute'," Luna groused out, reddening as Gale kept sniffing her. She swatted at him, but he held her hand as he inspected her. "Quit it! Seriously, Gale, stop it! It's weird!"

Gale scowled. Multiple scents were embedded in her clothes and body. Her natural musk had come out from lack of scented soap and sweat. He preferred her natural scent. He could still smell her familial scent that would not leave until she created her own family. He smelled unfamiliar scents of stardust that related to his aunt Lucy and a Celestial Spirit. Icarus' scent was fresh while the runologist's lingered. But, there was an overbearing scent that made Gale scrunch his nose and grow irate.

She smells just like him.

He had no shame when he grabbed Luna's chin and tilted her head up for better access. Wide chocolate clashed with intense ruby.

"Wha—? Wha—? What are you doing?" Luna panicked.

Gale ignored her as his nose traveled to her neck. He took a long sniff of her skin, ignoring her splutters of indignation and embarrassment.

His smell isn't here which means…

Gale smirked and nuzzled his way into her neck. "C'mere, Blondie!" he cooed dramatically, holding her close. "I've missed you so much!"

Luna's entire body turned red as she squirmed in Gale's hold. "Gale!" she squeaked, mortified as everyone watched them. "Gale, let go!"

Gale only guffawed as his nose trailed trailed down her neck and his hands rubbed her sides and back. "Don't be such a prude," he teased. "I can't show my favorite princess love and affection?"

Fists tightened as eyes glaringly watched Gale press closer to embed his scent deep in her clothing.

"No!" Luna said loudly. She looked at the Canis Minor Spirit for help. "Icarus!" she hissed.

Icarus, however, ignored her for the sake scratching himself.

Gale took a deep sniff of Luna's shoulder and approval expanded in his chest when his scent had been transferred. Gabriel's scent lingered, but it was as though they merely bumped into each other.

Mmm. Perfect.

Gabriel loudly cleared his throat and glared at his descendant who merely lifted hid head and raised an eyebrow. "You should be ashamed of yourself," he seethed. "You dare sniff a lady of her caliber. You call yourself my descendant and yet you so blatantly drape yourself over her like some rake—!"

Gale unceremoniously yawned. "Yeah, yeah, spare me the lecture, Grand-pappy," he dismissed.

A tick mark beat against Gabriel's head. "You will not silence me, child, and stop calling me that wretched name!"

Gale burst into laughter. "God, you're too adorable when you're mad, Grand-pappy!"

"Do not use the Lord's name in vain and stop calling me 'Grand-pappy'!"

Kiki's eyebrow twitched as she watched how close Gale and Luna were. "How could he prefer some blonde nob over a beautiful brunette?" she muttered. "She's too young for him. I'd be a much better match."

"Come off it, Keeks, no need to look so miffed."

Kiki stiffened at the sly and teasing look on Jäger's face.

"I know you've got a mad liking to the bloke, but you've got some hard cheese," he told his little sister. "He's enamored with his lady."

Kiki huffed, looking away. "Hmph," she grunted.

Icarus demanded Luna's attention when he prodded her arm with his nose. She turned to him as he thought, It is still hard to believe this Male you partner with is blood to the other Male, yet it is not. They smell of the same blood and their eyes carry the same type of Nature.

Luna was lost. Huh? Nature?

Icarus shook his head. Never mind, Pup. He nuzzled into her growing breasts. Your Male has impressive prestige. And you are certain you have not chosen him to share your den?

Luna blushed furiously. N-N-No! I'm too young for all that!

Icarus wolfishly chuckled in their link as he sent his threading amusement. You are young, but you will find a Male someday to share your den. The prestige in the Male from your time makes me respect him. He snorted as he adjusted his muzzle on Luna's chest. Though, he fools no one. He rubs his scent over you to ensure you are not claimed.

Luna's eyebrows rose comically at that. "What?!"

Her scream startled everyone outside of the busy Ludvig and Eliza. Syra, Gale, and Gabriel responded first. Syra landed on Luna's head and purred her concern. Gale looked at Luna top to bottom and Gabriel checked her for injuries.

"Blondie, what's wrong?" Gale fretted.

"Are you hurt, printzessa?" Gabriel worried. "Tell me where."

Gale shot his ancestor an annoyed look. "Hey. Back off the pet names, Grand-pappy," he snapped. "She's my princess. Get your own."

Gabriel tossed back an agitated glare. "Luna belongs to no person," he growled. "I would never stoop so low as to give her a name for a pet. She deserves a regal title."

"She 'deserves' answers!" Luna roared, making Gabriel and Gale stop their fighting and cower back at the anger in her voice. She glowered at Gale and wagged a finger at him. "I can't believe you've been rubbing your stupid smell all over me!" she vented. "What is wrong with you?"

Gale blushed. "You can't prove anything!" he snapped back.

Luna pointed at a fairly smug Icarus. "Icarus told me you've been rubbing your stink all over me!" she accused.

Gale growled and glared at the Canis Minor. "Damn fur-ball," he spat. "Stop feeding Blondie lies!"

Icarus merely rolled onto his back with an innocent look in his eyes and his tongue lolled out. He barked.

"How could you?" Luna cried, covering herself in a panic. "I probably smell like you now! That's so gross!"

"You smell fine to me," Gale muttered, drinking in her scent. He shot a self-satisfied look at his ancestor.

Back off, Grand-pappy. You're four-hundred years too late.

Luna shivered. "And then you smell my neck? What is with you?" she whispered, horrified. "To make sure I wasn't 'claimed'? What does that even mean?"

Gale paled. "Uh…"

Gabriel smirked, triumphant. "Well, Miss Luna, what your devious partner is trying to say is—!"

Gale laughed loudly, slapping a hand over Gabriel's mouth. "Hey, hey, hey, hey now, Grand-pappy! Isn't it time for your nurse to help you take those pills?" He hissed to Gabriel lowly, "Blondie doesn't need to know about that, does she? Wouldn't want to reveal something like that when her aunt will kill you, right?"

Gabriel narrowed his eyes.

Gale took that as a win and let go of his ancestor's mouth. He looked into Luna's suspicious eyes with a twitchy smile as his leg bounced. "I was just making sure no one else claims you as my guild partner," he lied smoothly.

"By making me smell like you?" Luna challenged.

Gale stiffened when he smelt an increase in Kiki's Scent of Interest.

"Such an animal," Kiki moaned, eyes twinkling as she looked Gale with her teeth pulling at her bottom lip. "I like that in a man."

Gale shivered.

Oh, that's just so gross and wrong…

Luna huffed and turned away from Gale. "You pervert," she gnashed. "Don't even think about any cuddling and watching the new River City episode now, jerk."

Gale frantically waved his hands. "W-W-W-Wait! H-Hold on a second, Blondie, let's not get too carried away!" he pleaded as his leg jittered more. "C'mon! You're just overreacting!"

Eliza's eyebrow twitched as she listened to the arguing.

"You were making me smell like you! That's plain weird and creepy!"

"The stupid dog is lying to you! I-I wouldn't do that to you!"

She gripped her quill tightly.

"You just did!"

"No, I didn't!"

"I wish you would make me smell like you…"

"Not now, Kiki!"

Eliza growled.

Everyone was startled when Eliza stood up and roared, "Be quiet, all of you!"

Silence.

Eliza huffed and sat back down to continue her work.

Ludvig hesitantly joined her afterwards. "Are you all right, Miss?"

"I'm adequate," Eliza grumbled. "Keep working."

Gale's eyes were wide. "The Hell was that?" he whispered.

Jäger chuckled. "Eliza gets into a tizzy whenever someone is too loud during her work," he explained. "We have all been on the other side of her wrath. Take none to heart."

Gabriel smiled. "Master often gets into a fit if I make too big of a ruckus while she works, so I understand." He shot Luna a sly look. "Though I dare say I have yet to see your mean streak, Miss Luna," he teased.

Luna grinned at him. "Mess with my food and you'll definitely see my mean streak," she teased back.

"Oh, yes, you and your monstrous appetite," Gabriel remembered, his smile broadening and playful. "You eat as much as an army. No wonder you have little womanly charm."

Luna narrowed her eyes in good-natured fun. "And, here I thought you were supposed to be nice to me because my auntie will kick your sorry butt."

"That may be," Gabriel supposed, "but teasing is how I show affection"—he winked—"printzessa."

"It's how I show my love too, Blondie," Gale put in loudly, shoving a glower at his ancestor. "Grand-pappy's known you for what? Two days? I've known you for nearly fourteen years."

"The length of time should never matter between friends," Gabriel spat at his descendant.

Gale smirked, cocky. "No, length shouldn't matter," he agreed, "but size definitely does."

Kiki looked intrigued as she scanned Gale, Jäger burst into wild laughter, Gabriel gritted his teeth to flash his angry fangs, Gale's smirk broadened, Icarus was unimpressed, and Luna was flat-out confused.

"Why would size of time matter?" Luna questioned aloud. "I didn't think time had a size." She thought about it for a moment, tapping her chin. "I mean unless someone has a big watch, I guess," she muttered.

"Yes. Very big, I would hope," Kiki mumbled as she watched Gale.

Gabriel grew flushed in his ire. "You vulgar son of a bitch," he insulted.

Gale frowned. "Hey, watch it," he cautioned. "My mom ain't no bitch. Respect your future daughter-in-law."

Gabriel turned to Luna almost pleadingly. "How do you put up with him?" he had to know. "Are you sure he shares my blood? He is too vulgar to be part of my family line."

"Well, you're not that great either, asshole," Gale muttered under his breath.

Luna sighed at Gale's childish behavior. "I promise you he is a Redfox," she assured to Gabriel. She pulled a stink eye at both Redfoxes. "Look. Can't you both be a little more cooperative and friendly? He's your ancestor," she told Gale, "and he's your descendant," she told Gabriel. "You two should be bonding and loving since you're family."

Gale and Gabriel shared a look.

"Nah."

"No thank you."

Luna huffed and crossed her arms. "Jerks," she muttered. At Icarus' whimper, she gave in to stroking the sides of his head. She softened when the great Clifford relaxed at her silky touch. "I think it's amazing you two could meet each other," she spoke to them. "It's weird, you know? Gale, you know this, but Gabriel…we don't really know a lot about our families. With my papa, I know a little about my uncle, but he's dead, so we never met. With my mama, her parents are gone and only my Granny Anna lives on, but I don't get to see her that often. Aunt Levy never spoke about her parents and Uncle Gajeel told me he was orphaned. So, really, it's lucky we're all meeting like this."

Kiki growled. "Oh… How can I detest her when she is so adorable?" she grumbled under her breath.

Gale chuckled. "When you put it like that, guess seeing Grand-pappy isn't the worst thing in the world."

"I agree," Gabriel murmured, softening. His eyes flicked over to Gale. "Perhaps you are not as much of a disappointment as I made you out to be," he supposed.

Gale raised an eyebrow. "If this is how you kiss and make up, I don't want to know how you insult people."

"We did it!"

Everyone was startled as Eliza and Ludvig both stood up, beaming at each other.

Jäger raised an eyebrow. "You did…what, exactly?"

Ludvig turned to everyone. "Gadzooks, everyone! We managed to figure out how to summon the sixth stone!"

Luna and Gabriel perked and scrambled to their feet. "That's awesome!" Luna gushed. "How do we summon it?"

The group ushered themselves onto the platform as Eliza and Ludvig picked up their translation papers to read them. Eliza started. "Now, it says here that to summon the sixth stone requires someone who…"—she squinted her eyes—"who has seen the 'Veil of Other'," she read. "The criteria met must be the one who has seen the Veil acts as its 'virgin keeper with the moon as their ally' and a…"—she reeled her head back in her confusion of the word—"a 'grim raven'."

"The 'Veil'?" Kiki echoed. "What does that mean? Like a wedding veil?"

Gabriel shook his head. "Master taught me about that," he explained. "A 'Veil' is what keeps creatures from other realms unable to cross or able to cross with an extreme amount of power and a medium in another realm. The 'Veil of Other' refers to the Otherworld or Spirit World." He frowned. "But, I've never seen it."

"Because it isn't talking about you." Gale lifted his chin towards Eliza and Ludvig. "You said the criteria has to be someone who acts as the keeper with the whole moon-friendship thing. But, you specifically said 'virgin', right?"

Ludvig nodded.

"Takes me back to all that bullshit mythology Mom taught me," Gale admitted. "In some ancient mythology, they refer to the first Celestial Spirit Mage as the 'virgin keeper of the Veil'."

Luna brightened. "Oh, oh! Granny Anna told me this story!" she put in excitedly. "She said—!"

Gale held up a hand to silence Luna, ignoring her angry pout. "So, at first glance, it's obvious we need a Celestial Spirit Mage, until you"—he pointed at Eliza—"popped in with that little 'grim raven'."

Ludvig agreed. "I found that term odd, but often the oddest of words tell the simplest meanings," he educated. "The words grim and raven instantly make you think of death, but because of the use of 'Other', we have to assume death is being swapped for the term 'spirits'."

"A raven is often theorized to be one of the most well-known forms of Grim Reapers," Eliza told in realization.

Gale smirked. "Bingo bongo, Lizzy."

"Grim Reapers are told to be the ones who guide souls to their deaths," Gabriel put in, thinking. "But, what if, in this sense, we are speaking of a person who does not guide souls to their deaths but guides spirits."

"A 'psych comp' is what you call those people," Gale admitted. "In my time, anyways."

"Meaning we need to not only find a Star Maiden but one who walks with spirits?" Jäger asked in disbelief. "But, who would even be capable of—?"

"Meira," Ludvig quickly named, eyes widening. "Meira fits all the criteria. Not only is she a virgin keeper, but she interacts with spirits."

Kiki smiled. "Well, where is this 'Meira'? We must find her at once, should we not?"

Luna looked disheartened. "We can't. She's outside fighting to make sure the town isn't destroyed." She began to pet Icarus to calm herself. "What are we doing to do? She's our only hope."

Jäger offered his own solution. "Is there anyway one of us can replace her in battle? Seek her out?"

"There's no time," Gabriel hissed. "We are far too late for that. The Warlock will be searching for the ruins anytime now."

"So, we're basically screwed?" Gale aimed the snarl at his ancestor. "That it? That's what you want to tell us?"

Gabriel showed fang. "Know your place and learn respect, child. We are out of options."

"We are never out of options," Gale hissed back. He pointed at Luna. "She's our option."

Luna blinked owlishly. "What?" She began to shake her head. "Gale—"

"Uh-uh. Don't you doubt me," Gale fired at her. "Blondie, you are the daughter of the Star Queen on Earth Land. You come from a bloodline of powerful Celestial Spirit Mages called the Heartfilia Clan."

"Blood means nothing," Luna gasped at him. "I mean are you joking? I inherited nothing from my parents!"

Gale glared at her. "You did."

"I didn't!" Luna growled back. "I'm not like Igneel and got Fire Magic, okay? I'm not like Luke and he has a better chance of any of us following in my mama's footsteps! I'm not like—!"

Gale got in her face. "You're right," he snapped. "You got no Magic from your 'rents. You got cheated out of using fire, having a body able to withstand an angel's soul, and being able to connect with spirits on an intimate level, but you"—he forced up her chin for intense ruby to match irritated and upset chocolate—"got something no one has ever seen," he snarled lowly. "I've seen your power with my own damn eyes. You've killed two demons and you have their D-stones in your room as trophies. You befriended a Sea fucking King and an ikenga. And, you have the balls to put up with my shit and partner up with me anyways."

Luna's eyes watered and she swallowed harshly. "I-I…"

"No, shhh, you're going to let me finish," Gale commanded, voice hard and quiet. "When I tell you I know you can do something, trust and believe you can. But you won't know unless you try." He dropped her chin. "Now," he said, voice considerably more normal, "let's test out how much of a virgin keeper you are."

Luna swallowed again and looked away. "Okay," she mumbled. "Just…what do I have to do?"

It took Eliza a few seconds to come out of her proud shock to scramble for her notes. "Um, uh, y-yes… You are to stand at the center…"

Icarus thought over Eliza's words. Pup, I will help you meditate.

Luna looked down at Icarus. Really?

Icarus nodded. This den is overflowing with energy from the suzaku. You have the ability to tap into this power just as Meira does. As of now, you do not have the power to sustain such energy nor let it flow through you at will. I will help you have a smoother connection to it.

But, how? Luna wanted to know.

Icarus rumbled in his throat before his mouth came down onto Luna's wrist with gentle teeth. He tugged her to the center. You will use my Star Key as a way for the energy to not overwhelm you.

Icarus let go of Luna to sit in front of her. Like a dog, he whined a bit, shuffling himself, and bowed his head down then up as though commanding her to sit.

Luna moved her skirt around to get on her knees. But, we need your key from Meira and she's fighting.

Icarus shook his head. No, Pup. Meira has never held my key.

Luna's eyes widened. What?! she gasped. B-B-But—! How—?

Icarus lowered his head to Luna. Her eyes doubly-widened when a glowing patch of white appeared at the top of his head. The symbol of Canis Minor appeared in silver, gleaming for attention.

Touch it rang into Luna's mind.

Luna reached a hesitant hand out. She let her hand touch the patch of light to feel a sating warmth flow all around her body. It was an odd, yet comforting sensation against her palm. She gasped a little when she felt something icy-hot press solidly into her palm. She grabbed whatever it was and turned her hand over.

The shock was unreal.

A silver key was made with the symbol of Canis Minor—a triangle with a lengthy tail—in the palm of her hand.

Luna fingered the silver key and basked in its familial warmth. She felt power inside it, but it did not flow through her. "Icarus," she breathed. She looked at the Clifford. "Why…?"

Because I have waited for you, Pup, for many moons, Icarus thought and only honesty and fondness threaded through the link. He nudged her with a soft whine. Come, Pup. Place my key at the center of the symbol. Then, put your paws on top of it.

Luna did as instructed. Her hands touched the silver key.

Close your eyes, Icarus guided.

Luna did so.

Can you feel my power? Icarus' voice sounded so distant.

Luna found herself shifting as she felt something light and fatherly swirl beneath her fingers. Yes.

I will use my key as a medium. The overflow of energy will not harm you, but too much will hurt you. Are you ready?

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Luna nodded.

I'm ready.

Lucy first closed her eyes and Luke followed. Their hands automatically fell into the shuni mudra—tips of the middle finger and thumbs touching—and Lucy began to hum.

To everyone, the song sounded melodious and worldly like it was a siren's song enticing poor sailors from their boats. They could not help but listen to the humming like their life depended on it.

To Luke, the hum was a teasing lullaby of his mother's Magic. He could feel the warmth of her Magic prodding at his own, encouraging it to follow her lead. He found himself humming with her. It was rougher than hers, but he followed the way his Magic wanted and intertwined his song. He could feel Actaeon and Lelantos' Magic thrum close by as they howled to the song.

The odd symbol lit itself up in gold.

Luna heard something.

She did not feel.

She heard.

It was something that made her think of a cool serenity and passion. She could hear a distant howl ring in her ears as well, but the song she heard that sounded of crashing waves was louder in her ears.

Then, she felt it.

The sensation was something watery like Luna was deep in the ocean and floating. She could feel water all around her body that pushed and pulled her with the tides. She felt Icarus' fatherly presence brushing against her to ensure she did not go away with the tides, but that was okay. She liked the way this feeling. She liked how at ease she felt.

The odd symbol lit itself in white.

What amazed everyone in the chamber was when the two orbs floating seamlessly in the sky converged at one point. They melted into each other. They were not two halves, but now they were whole.

Lucy and Luke's hands began to move.

Like a shaman, their hands and arms danced to their humming mantra and flowed wherever the energy demanded them to. Actaeon and Lelantos began to sway to the beat like everything made sense.

One by one, the runes on the walls began to fill with golden Magic, brightening the entire room. The energy of the entire chamber vibrated in the air. Swirls of Magic bended into winds that carried themselves around the four who sat around the symbol, ruffling their hair.

Without warning, the stone platform began to rotate itself. With each grating turn, something rose. The sixth stone was making an appearance, peeking out of its hiding spot.

Luna felt something rustling around her. She could scent it as an ocean's breeze. She felt dancing around her as the song of the sea coerced her into swaying and listening and watching.

The two orbs dancing around each other stopped in their dance to join as one. They were one entity with no beginning or end. They were no longer separated as it should be.

Luna could not see herself doused in white Magic. She could not see how white poured into the runes, strengthening them, brightening them. She could not feel the stone platform rotate to make room for the sixth stone.

But she felt something deep in the chamber begin to breathe. She felt it rising. She heard its heartbeat.

LUB-DUB.

Nashi found herself completely enslaved to whatever Magic vibrated in the air. It possessed her in such a loving and romantic way, seductive and yet spiritual. She could feel her souls peeking through her eyes and humming to the song of the Star Queen, the Zen Mage, and the hounds of the Heavens.

Everything clicked into place when the sixth stone made its permanent home. It was like watching something from a dream as strange Magic wafted off the stones and sprinkled onto the orb that looked like glowing water. The orb pulsed like a heartbeat, deep and slow. It accepted the sprinkles of Magic that wove around it. It tried to rise into the air.

Black crackled off it and snapped all about.

Luke was the one to react like it was instinct. He reached out a hand.

The black massed itself and spiraled toward him. It disappeared the moment it hit his palm.

Nashi was confused for a moment.

What is he doing?

Seraphim answered her in his deep voice, impressed and pleased. He is breaking the contract.

Nashi's eyes widened as she watched her brother lock his jaw and continue to seduce the black monstrosity out of the orb.

He's doing that? Nashi whispered. He can do that?

He does it on instinct. Cael and I feel it, Seraphim told her. Your mother and her ancestors before her are powerful Star Maidens. They may break contract between spirit and man. But, your brother is a new breed. He may break the contract between spirit and Demon.

What's that? Luna wondered as she heard something. It sounds like a heartbeat.

It is one, Icarus murmured to her. It is the heartbeat of the sea and storm.

Luna could feel the heartbeat like it was her own. It made her feel safe and secure like she was listening to her own mother's heartbeat. It drummed louder and louder in her ears eagerly and she embraced it.

The second the sixth stone fell into place, Magic violently washed through the air in a flood of white. It nearly blew back the others, but Jäger kept Kiki and Eliza grounded and the other three barely withstood it.

Luna felt nothing but something begin to smooth over her skin. Something gentle and cold, but not in a bad way.

It was water.

Kiki cracked open her eyes to witness in awe as a large drop was created off the sphere in the air. It looked like a large drop of glowing water. It lingered, uncertain if it should fall. With a final push of wind, it let go of its mother to fall—

—but it did not drop to the ground.

The drop of glowing water fell right in between Luna and Icarus, levitating off the ground.

The more Luke took away the mass of black, the purer the orb became. It glowed before, but now it was completely shining.

Luke seemed to know when to stop for his hand went down and both he and Lucy seemed more at peace.

The orb pulsed twice like it was grateful. It gleamed in its new light like it was ready. But for what?

Luna's eyes flickered open, but they were nothing but pure white. She saw the glowing sphere before her and could feel the heartbeat enveloping her, she could herself floating in water.

Touch it, came whisper.

Luke opened his eyes the same time as Lucy did. He watched the glowing orb with awestruck eyes.

"Touch it."

Luke's eyes darted up to his mother in hesitation. "Are you—?"

—sure? Luna questioned, doubt seeping into her mind.

Touch it, came encouragement. You need—

"—to do it," Lucy urged softly.

Luke was still uncertain. "You should do it," he said instead. "I'm not a Celestial Spirit Mage like you, Mom—"

"You don't have to be one, my little prince," Lucy assured, smiling. "You just have to be you."

Luke looked back at the orb. His hand—

—rose slowly. Luna felt a strange pull to the orb and she could not take back her hand even if she wanted. Her hand—

—touched the orb.

Luke's breathing stilled.

The Magic around the chamber was completely sucked into orb.

Luna felt the world quiet for a second.

And then—

—it all—

—went—

•

—white.

•

It was one of those days where it rained like the world was crying and yet the world was at peace.

The two huddled in a small den made by a hole at the bottom of a trunk of a tree. They looked so cold and wet as they huddled together. The sister looked like a young plesiosaur with its small wings huddled close to its shivering body. The brother was a cross between reptile and lion cub with a little mohawk of fur for a mane and a cloudy tail curled around its body and scales down its chest. A Holy Ring latched onto his back right leg.

They whimpered and whined for their mother. They wanted food. They wanted warmth. They wanted to feel safe and protected again.

The rain thundered harder.

SPLASH… SPLASH… SPLASH…

The brother heard it first before the sister. He growled a high-pitched growl in warning as his sister huddled closer to him, chirping her worry.

SPLASH… SPLASH… SPLASH…

A cloak swished at unforgiving wind and rain. Sandals splattered against the forest floor, kicking up water.

The sister made a noise of fretting and nudged her brother's flank. She wanted him to let it go and hide.

The brother ignored her as his cloudy tail puffed up. He stepped forward to defend his sister. He fluffed up his fur and kept himself low. He was her protecter. He would keep her safe.

SPLASH… SPLASH… SPLASH…

The cloak and sandals fluttered past the tree.

SPLASH… SPLASH…

The sandals stopped.

They retreated.

The cloak stopped before the tree, then lowered before the den.

The brother growled even louder, unsheathing his claws, while his sister chirped her fear and huddled closer to him.

"You are so young," came sad comment, "and so frightened. You have been hurt badly."

The brother flashed his fangs in his anger.

"I see the marks on you," came statement. "They chained you, did they not? That Black Coven who stole you from your mother."

The sister peeked at the stranger. She chirped her confirmation but hid back behind her brother.

"I see you, raindrop," came soft laughter. "You need not to hide from me. I know you know that too."

The sister peeked out again. Her brother snapped at her, trying to cover her, but she shook him off. Uncertain, she crawled closer. She chirped up at the stranger as though asking something.

"I know you both because I know about those awful Warlocks and their farce of Covens," came answer. "I heard they had summoned your mother and used you two as hostages. They killed her." Those three words came out quiet and grieving. "They killed her right in front of you."

The sister lowered her head and chirped.

"My apologies are deeper than the ocean, raindrop," came apology, heartfelt. "You deserve to have your mother teach you who you are. You deserve to be loved and not fear humans. My sorrows extend to how your cherished life has been reduced to living in the cold and dank. However, if you would let me… I would like to give you the life deserving of such a spirit."

The brother was taken back at the offer.

The sister's eyes shined in happiness in such truthful words. She chirped her excitement and eagerly left the den. She ignored her brother's growling to waddle up to the stranger and ask to be held through chirps and wriggling.

Soft hands scooped up the sister and the cloak stood up. The sister nuzzled into a bosom and chirped happily.

A warm smile. "I might not be your mother, but I will show you a mother's love."

A whimper.

The brother ventured out of the den, still distrustful. He looked up with a glare, but there was longing in his eyes. He wanted to be held just like his sister. He wanted a mother to love him too.

"Come here, my little cloud."

The cloak scooped down and the brother was picked up. He scrambled a bit, fixing to bite just in case, but he too nuzzled into a warm chest, shielded from the rain within the cloak.

Brother and sister looked up and into loving chocolate eyes.

The wind howled and blew back the hood of the cloak to reveal an intricate updo of braids with locks of hair rolling down shoulders.

Blonde hair.

"You have little to fear, young spirits," the woman promised. "My name is Faven Heartfilia. And I will raise you two into the spirits you were meant to be."

°•°•°•°

The place they hid in was nothing fancy. To be frank, it was a cave meant to look like home. The fire was light and helping drying clothes while cooking a stew. A make-shift bed with a mat and a pillow and blanket was rolled out. There were little personal touches or any personal possessions. Nothing like that could be afforded.

Faven wore a simple tunic with her hair let out of its meticulous updo to be wavy and down for the night. She watched the brother and sister sleep on her bed. The brother was bigger than his sister and curled around her, sharing the warmth of his dry fur. They looked better and well-fed and more at peace.

'So young,' Faven though. 'They didn't deserve to watch their mother die before them.'

Thundering paw steps and hooves came into the cave.

Faven stood up and walked away from her camp to greet these noises. A lion came first, different from others. His fur was a rustic orange and his mane deeper so. His hazel eyes spoke of high prestige and justice. A pair of centaurs came next, sisters and beautifully so. One was bald with catlike eyes while the other wore beautiful braids and shared the same eyes as their sister. What made them unique was the pelts of their horse half. They shared gray pelts but both had a patch of white on their flank.

A Pegasus came with them, pitch-black with gold at its roots. Riding the Pegasus were two humans, a male and female pair. The male rode in front, twenty with shaggy black hair, a simple tunic and chiton on top. His eyes held mischief, but he gazed at Faven in brotherly worry. The girl was young too, maybe only eighteen, but adulthood was accepting her well. She wore chains that looked more symbolic than a gesture to her disobedience. Olive-skinned, brunette, and angular eyes, she seemed highly displeased as she carried something in her hands.

Faven smiled as the lion trotted up to her. On principle, he gave her a low bow before nuzzling his cheek to her face. She laughed, hand coming to his mouth to let him teeth and lick her flesh. "Leo," she greeted. "Was the hunt a success?"

Leo took a step back, tail swinging. "It was easy to find the cathedral church," he told her. "We met Lady Diafina per requested." A growl snatched out of his mouth. "The Elf Queen finds displeasure in us not dispatching the priests and his accomplices in their crime."

Faven sighed. "She finds displeasure in the many things I do."

The bald centaur snorted, lashing her tail. "She just desires an heir," she muttered. "Elven children are difficult. But she knows with Selene paired with her son, you two are fated to breed." She wrinkled her nose. "Her desire for you two to mate angers me."

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Lutra

Occupation: Celestial Spirit (Centaur)

Ability: Master Swordsmanship

Likes: sharing war stories Dislikes: philanderers

Special Note: Lutra has zero tolerance for men who challenge her and firmly believe men should be homemakers—thank the gods her mate is a stay-at-home dad!⌟

The man of shaggy hair cackled. "Calm yourself, Lutra. I would rather you not call it 'breeding' or 'mating'." He tried to help the girl with chains off Endymion, but she huffed and helped herself.

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Perseus "Percy" Eurymedon

Occupation: Celestial Spirit (Warrior)

Magic: Monster Slayer Magic

Likes: being called "hero" Dislikes: his stepfather

Special Note: Perseus rather enjoys it when women fawn over his hero status—if only Andromeda would too!⌟

Lutra narrowed her eyes at the boy. "I smelt your lust for Diafina, Percy the Destroyer," she sneered. "Males with their desire to breed with any female they see. It is disturbing and juvenile like a dog that humps legs."

Faven looked at the other centaur. "Luka, please calm your sister," she pleaded. She turned to Perseus and the other female. "Perseus, Andromeda, Endymion—did you get what I needed?"

Andromeda huffed. "Of course." She went to Faven and handed her the sack. "The clothes, food, parchment, and ink you desired." She watched with a wrinkled nose as Faven dug through the sack. "I do not understand why you would not just exercise your power as the Star Maiden, heir to the Church of the Moon, the Heartfilia Coven." She might have been a true beauty with a rich accent, but the disdain in her voice demolished part of her splendor.

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Andromeda

Occupation: Celestial Spirit (Chained Princess)

Magic: Transformation

Likes: folklore Dislikes: Perseus

Special Note: Never mention to Andromeda the time Perseus saved her from a sea monster! ⌟

"Just because you might act like a stuffy princess does not mean our princess must, Anne," Perseus said with his lopsided smirk. "Are you still angry I managed to lower the price on our mistress' robes when I charmed the seamstress?"

Andromeda snarled at him as that seemed to be the least of her worries. "You disgusting snake," she hissed at him. "Do not mistake my wrath at you for childish jealousy. Your use of a rake's tongue only reinforces my hate for you."

"You did not hate me so much when I saved you from that sea monster." Perseus said the words like he was a cat who got his cream and took delight in the flare in Andromeda's eyes. "Your mother even let me have the first chance to win your hand in matrimony."

Andromeda snorted, turning away from him. "Marriage to a whore like you would make me insane," she insulted. "I—!" She gasped when she was turned around, her cattish eyes widening at the boiling rage held in Perseus' blue-gray eyes.

"I – am not – a 'whore'," Perseus snarled lowly at her. He grabbed her chin. "You would do well to remember I have not bedded any woman since I laid eyes on you."

Andromeda blushed, but she kept her own sneer. "A liar too, Percy?" she mocked.

"I would never lie to you, Anne," Perseus whispered back, his glare holding his harsh honesty.

Andromeda swallowed.

Faven cleared her throat with an eyebrow raised at her two spirits. "Do continue your lover's quarrel," she drawled in sarcasm.

Perseus casually let Andromeda go and the Chained Princess Spirit hid herself along Endymion's side while the Pegasus snorted his amusement.

Faven turned back to her new possessions. She had new tunics made for her and another cloak. There was bread and wine and rice and cheese with parchment paper, ink, and a quill for her to use. "I spoke to Nature. The little ones are not strong enough to make the journey to cross the Veil." She looked among her spirits. "Until then, I shall raise them."

Perseus frowned. "What about going to Álfheimr?" he questioned. "You told Her Majesty—"

"I cannot leave these two," Faven cut in. She was resolute in her words. "I cannot bring them with me there—not with the queen's intentions."

Leo let loose a wrathful growl. "I have high respect for Her Majesty, but she treads on dangerous territory with loud steps." He flicked an ear. "Lutra is right—Her Majesty only wants an heir and wants you to submit to her son."

Faven's eyes darkened. "My duty to the spirits will always triumph," she promised. "I will raise these two as my own. They will be my children until they are strong enough to form their own gateways." She looked at Leo. "I will send Atlas Vega to Álfheimr." She looked at Andromeda and Perseus. "You will go with him. You will relay my delay to Her Majesty and offer my humblest apologies. Do not convey my choice in why I delay. Become my representatives. And…" She hesitated. "And tell Lisandrus…"

Perseus softened as he understood such unspoken words. "We will, Mistress," he promised.

Faven produced a key of silver that thrummed under her touch. "Come to me through the gate of the Dragon!" she chanted and turned the key. "Draco!"

DING-DONG!

POOF!

At the mouth of the cave lay a Dragon. His scales was dark as the midnight sky. He had the Moon's Eye in his left that reflected a crescent moon and a keyhole. His beard was made of stardust to show his old age with his large size making him out to be older than the earth beneath his claws. He bent his head to meet Faven's eyes and dipped his head.

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Atlas Vega

Occupation: Celestial Spirit (Dragon)

Magic: Star Dragon Slayer Magic

Likes: traveling to other galaxies Dislikes: N/A

Special Note: Atlas Vega continuously searches the galaxies for his lost mate Altair! He has taken the Vow of Silence until he finds her again!⌟

Perseus offered his arm to Andromeda and, rather than fight him, the Chained Princess Spirit took it. The two headed out of the cave with Atlas Vega following them silently.

Faven looked at Endymion and approached him, putting a hand on his nose. "I apologize, my friend, for I keep you from your mate," she murmured. "I will always let you return to her, if you wish for it."

"I wish to stay by my mistress' side," Endymion told her. "Selene is my moon, but she understands her duty as well as mine. The time we share in the stars is well-cherished."

Faven kissed Endymion's nose as her words of gratitude and stepped back. Endymion poofed away in a fit of smoke. Faven turned to the two sleeping spirits. She walked to them to settle down beside them. She stroked their backs with gentle fingers.

Luka was sympathetic as she gazed at them. "Barely foals, only sucklings," she murmured. "I weep for the loss of their dam. She was a respected and mighty spirit with a good heart. She will be missed."

"Nature must weep for her daughter," Lutra said in a low mutter. "The death of a spirit may not come easy and is a time of grief, but the murder of a spirit is even more rare and severe, even if not permanent. I only pray this next path she choose to trot on will not be one that leads her to the Nether Realm."

Faven had to agree. "Lutra, Luka, tell my spirits and His Majesty of this disturbing news. Have him forewarn the other stars. I will cross into the Spirit Realm and pass the message to the Elders. Spirits must protect themselves at this time."

Luka and Lutra nodded before disappearing in a huff of smoke.

Leo watched as Faven's shoulder sag. "What worries you, Faven?"

"I know of Lisandrus' feelings, his situation," Faven told him, timbre dipped in frustrated helplessness. "He has duties to fulfill and Her Majesty does not take this lightly. My delayed arrival may warrant a search for my whereabouts." Her bottom lip trembled. "But I cannot see him. Not yet."

Leo got to his paws and rubbed his cheek along Faven's back. "Lisandrus knows you, Faven. He understands your own duties and would never force you into the responsibilities of being queen," he vowed. "Worry not of this. We must worry not only about the reward Hunters have placed on your capture but these little ones." He moved to eye the young spirits. "They look like they may need to be nursed."

"They took to the stew well," Faven mentioned. "They both like meat which is a good sign. I will feed them milk just to be sure." She frowned. "But, the death of their mother… The priestess did not misspeak as Mother hoped..."

Leo understood. "Never doubt Fate nor her disciples," he rumbled. "The Elders will never agree to war, but others will. These humans who know nothing of the ways of spirits provoke them into talking of blood."

"I know." Faven shook her head before she became too depressed. "Never matter. My children need my attention and I shall give it all to them."

Leo came around to curl up next to the mat. He lapped at the brother's fur then the sister's skin. "They have no names to invoke," he reminded.

"I felt that too," Faven agreed, love tugging in her smile. "I believe I have names for them." Her hand went to the sister. "In Ancient Language, 'Nayda' can mean storm. I shall name this raindrop 'Nayda' for the storm I found her in." Her hand shifted to the brother. "'Erion' means sky or cloud. For the cloud of his tail and paws, I name him 'Erion'."

It was like there was a shift in the air with the name-bestowals. Something clicked. Something made sense. Both siblings gave a deep sigh as though pleased with their new names.

Faven turned to Leo. "Will you return to my mother, Uncle Leo?"

Rumbling came from Leo, his version of a purr. "Not tonight. Sana will be under Capricorn's care. Tonight, I will stay with you, little star, and your cubs." He nudged the siblings and lapped at their pelts. "Sleep. Trust in your spirits as they trust in you. Trust in yourself. Sana and Calderon have taught you this well. I will watch over you."

Faven allowed herself to adjust to her bed. She curled into Leo, into his fur, and found solace in his warmth as she closed her eyes.

…until she felt something prod her body.

Her eyes opened again to see both brother and sister had climbed onto her. They had taken to nuzzling into her stomach and chest and fell back asleep to her heartbeat. She smiled at them and her hands hugged them to keep them close.

"I cannot give Lisandrus his children right now," Faven murmured. "I will not return to Álfheimr nor my Coven. I will love you and teach you the ways of the spirits."

Both purred as though they heard such kind words.

Faven closed her eyes and sighed as Leo rumbled, "I will protect you all with my life. Sleep well."

°•°•°•°

Faven woke up to rumbling, chirps, and high-pitched growls.

She got herself off her mat with her hair a bit slick and a lot wavy and a sleepy look in her eye. She stumbled out of the cave. The noises grew louder and she recognized each individually. When she arrived at the mouth of the cave, she was pleasantly surprised at her find.

Leo had effectively hunted a nicely-sized boar, but he kept watch over his prey. The siblings eyed the meat in hunger and tried approaching the Lion Spirit for a morsel, but Leo would nudge them away or give them warning growls.

Faven smiled. "Leo, what, pray tell, forces you to growl at my children?"

"I am teaching them not to steal from a lion," Leo explained. "They need to learn how to survive in the physical and spiritual world." He snapped his teeth at Nayda who flapped her wings and chirped a whine. "I will not be soft because they are cubs."

Faven shook her head amusedly as she walked out onto the forest floor barefooted. "No, but you will give them leeway," she conditioned. "I will prepare the boar for us and some milk too."

Nayda was the first to notice Faven and chirped happily. She flapped her wings to perch on Nayda's shoulder, chirping and nuzzling into Faven's jaw.

Faven laughed and rubbed Nayda's maw. "Silly raindrop," she teased. "Good morning."

Erion seemed more hesitant to follow his sister's lead, shuffling his clouded paws.

Faven noticed and raised an arm. "Good morning, little cloud."

Erion perked and bunched his muscles. He half-jumped half-flew up to Faven's arm and balanced himself on her bicep. He made a purring noise, content.

Leo chuckled his amusement. "I feel Nayda's love for you already. Erion feels happiness, yet it is tentative. He remembers more of those priests than she. He is wary of humans."

Faven stroked Erion's fur. "I know," she said sadly. "He will be wary until he realizes I just want to love him." She sniffed and wrinkled her nose. "Speaking of which, they both need to take a bath."

Leo stepped forth to bump Faven with his nose. "So do you, cub," he ribbed. "You smell worse than Sagittarius when he comes back from his time with his beloved horses."

Faven half-heartedly swatted at the Lion Spirit, but her own laughter betrayed her. "There is a river nearby. One of the Undines told me the water is clean and fresh and a good place to swim…" She noticed Nayda getting excited at the mention of that particular action. "Do you like swimming, Nayda?"

Nayda cheerfully chirped. With a ruffle of wings, her tail was wagging like an eager dog.

Erion made a noise of discontent at his sister. He jumped off Faven's arm to float down onto Leo's head as though to make a statement.

Leo shook his mane and watched Erion yelp as he fell to the ground. "You must bathe, cub." He nudged Erion to his paws. "But he will do so later." He said this to Faven. "I would like to test his limitations after he has his belly satisfied. We will go hunting for small prey."

Faven frowned. "He's not a lion, Leo," she warned.

"But he is a predator," Leo pointed out. "We may not know what they are or will become, but we can raise them in their own nature." He nodded at Nayda. "See how she fairs in the water. Perhaps you will learn more about her Nature then."

Faven was inclined to agree as she tipped her head to the side. "Mayhap you are right." She brushed off her dress. "Can you bury the boar? We shall make haste to the river. If luck bears with us, an Undine will appear."

Leo nodded. "Very well." He looked to at Erion who stared up at the great lion in admiration. There was that lingering fear like he was waiting for the Lion King to devour him. "Come, cub. It is time for your lesson." He picked up the boar with his teeth and trotted away.

Erion took a step to follow, but he looked back to check on his sister. He made a noise as though wondering if she was okay with this.

Nayda dipped her head and chirped.

Erion wagged his tail, his little body wriggling with excitement, and he dashed after Leo.

Faven beamed and turned away. "To the river, Nayda!"

Nayda let out another flurry of chirps.

°•°•°•°

Faven had her feet and calves dipped into the water as she sat on the riverbank, looking wet and refreshed in her light dudo that only went under her chest and a lengthy loincloth. Her hair was back in her braided updo, but that was all right to her. She smiled as she watched Nayda freelance in the river. She would dive underwater and swim this way and that before launching herself into a large jump in the water and splashing back down. Several times she would look at Faven for approval. Faven would give it to her with soft claps and encouraging smiles and Nayda would chirp happily.

Faven sighed. "She seems so at home in the river."

"She has a strong connection to water."

Faven turned her head to see a person coming out of the river. Her body and clothes were made strictly of water, but as she sashayed out of the river, her body hardened into sparkling blue flesh with violet tattoos running up her legs and arms and neck, tattoos symbolizing her trials and tribulations. She had fins for ears and her wavy dark blue hair rippled like the sea. She wore nothing more than a silk loincloth and her eyes were a catlike jade.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is an Undine, a Fae creature that lives in any type of body of water. Like all Fae creatures, they share a close connection to spirits. They have lovely singing voices, but don't call them Sirens. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

"Wavra," Faven named. "Our last meeting must have been at the last Council meeting before I left home."

Wavra took a seat next to Faven and watched Nayda play in the water. "Aye. You have been busy in your realm with your self-appointed quest. I have been busy training new warriors in my own realm," she spoke, voice flowing like the river and rough like a waterfall. "I see you brought a raindrop to the river." She tilted her head as Nayda flopped back into the river. "She is an interesting one. Her soul feels like water, but not just water."

"She will be a strong spirit like her mother," Faven predicted. "If her Nature lies with water, perhaps I should visit your prince."

Wavra shot Faven a mirthful smirk full of shark teeth. "You forget how you spurned his affections and rejected his proposal?"

A blush crept on Faven's cheek and made her cover her face. She could not suppress her groan of mortification. "Oh, I had forgotten!" She peeked at Wavra. "Does he fair well, at least?"

Wavra shrugged. "He beds a new female at his heart's content," she informed. "Some have rumored him to be courting a warrior, but everyone who knows him well enough knows he is still hurting."

Faven looked down. "If only I had not gone looking for Endymion's mate," she cursed. "If only I had not gone to that von Hohenheim when Mother warned me—"

"Your mother warned you that Ferrara would play a perilous game if you chose to seek his help," Wavra reminded without sneer or mocking. "The family may be a friend of the Fae, but they enjoy playing games. The school of von Hohenheim have always been at Chaos' beck and call and played her lover in every twisted way. Like her, they like to see order crumble through their own rules." This was where contempt set in and slander for a family surname. "Ferrara is no different than his kin. He wanted to use you to bargain his way with Undine artifacts. He knew what he was doing when he introduced you to the prince and knew the chaos he would inflict." She rested a cold hand on Faven's cheek. "Do not feel upset. Without Ferrara, we would not have met. I quite enjoyed our time together." She smirked as Faven blushed deeply. "I would enjoy it again as well."

"I-I-I was not in sorts," Faven stammered in rapid reply, too flustered for much else. She cleared her throat and turned back to Nayda. "Anyways, Mother has spoken little to me about the happenings with the Council. What has been going on?"

Wavra's smirk twisted to a frown and she, too, watched as Nayda tried to scare fish with her teeth. "You have the usual clashing between the Salamanders and us and the Gnomes complaining the Imps have been dwelling too far underground, but…" Her frown deepened. "As of last week, a unicorn was killed."

Faven gasped and turned her wide-eyed look onto Wavra. "No!" she exclaimed. "No, that is impossible! It couldn't be…!" Well, it was possible, but it could only be by one thing… "Was it Obscuritan?"

Wavra shook her head. "Nay. The Black Dragon has been unusually quiet. No, my maiden, it was a human who murdered a unicorn who had yet to shed their first horn."

Disbelief knocked the wind out of Faven. "A… A human?"

Wavra gravelly nodded. "Aye. A human. The elves and fairies were the most devastated at the loss of their shared child out of all the fae," she explained. "The fairies gained right to the burial ceremony with proper sendoff across the Veil. The Fairy Queen was quite emotional and the Fairy King gave a beauteous speech."

"And…"—Faven swallowed—"the elves?"

"They attended the ceremony with their traditional arrows," Wavra reported. "Though, the Elf Queen does not mourn. She has turned to the ugly side of fury with her demands of retribution hitting the Council every meeting. The Elf Prince has restrained as much of her rage as he could, but he is no match for a queen scorned."

Faven saddened at that.

'Oh, Lisandrus…'

"There is more," Wavra went on regrettably. "I have been sending my esprit on reconnaissance into your realm." She leaned closer to Faven and whispered dire secret. "All that was told to you was correct. The mother of the raindrop was not the only spirit taken as ceremonial sacrifices for these 'Warlocks'. Hunters have been targeting and slaughtering lesser spirits and beasts, yet all are kept quiet to delude mass panic."

Faven's chocolate eyes turned amber-gold in her ire. "Warlocks," she snarled. "What does the Council say?"

Wavra shrugged. "The Salamanders lay claim these Warlocks must be annihilated and the Imps agree only because they enjoy warfare. The Elf Queen calls for war as well. The others are torn between uncertainty and yearning for peace."

"And, my mother?"

"Star Queen Sana explained that spirits will follow their own way. Some desire revenge on their fallen, but others have no interest. The Star King is letting her and the Coven choose their way. He will allow them to use their Star Spirits for vengeance or peace." Wavra looked at Faven in a sidelong glance. "You have a choice to make."

"I know," Faven bemoaned. "But nothingfeelsright. There is no way a mortal nor wizard could kill a unicorn or even a spirit. Not even a Hunter can kill a spirit. So, how could a Warlock do what no one else could?" She ticked off a finger. "From my travels, I have come to understand Warlocks are children of the night, but they are not in the same way of a Star Maiden or Monk. Nay, they are Shadow Charmers and listen to the whispers of the dark side of the moon and sun. We have always known such type wizards exist dating back to when Covens existed, but the summoning of evil has only led to minor possessions and perhaps the conjuring of a Hellhound or Dark Beast, not the rising of this great evil in its physical form."

"I do not know, but you must hurry to find the answer or blood will spill on your realm." Wavra made a careless shrugging motion. "Personally, I care very little if humans are killed. Less competition stands in my way to you."

Faven turned scarlet. "Wavra!"

Wavra gave her shark-like grin. "What? You were rather ravishing that night. It is no wonder mortals try to plunder the Heartfilia Coven for their women. Your promise of virgin innocence—in honor of the Star King of course—is quite tempting to those with hunger. And you tease me so much with your adorable blushing."

Faven's entire face steamed with red and she shoved Wavra. "You are to be wed to male warrior," she stressed.

Wavra pouted at the audacity. "I know, but I at least want to have one more night with you before I am chained to a male. They are hardly any fun. Females have breasts I can suckle on and make the most delicious of sounds, especially mortal ones." She eyed Faven's chest and licked her lips. "Which reminds me. May I—?"

Faven covered her chest. "No, you may not," she snapped. "I have a duty to my Star King to maintain my innocence in every way possible. I was not thinking clearly that night after you continued having me drink that poison!"

Wavra waved a hand. "It was simple Samovīla. Any Undine can handle several glasses. You humans have weak livers." She added slyly, "Lisandrus can certainly handle it better than you. In fact, even though he had eight glasses worth, he took it rather well I got to see his princess' breasts before he did."

Faven wanted to faint. "You told him?!"

"He was interested in your happenings as he seldom heard from you," Wavra made in point, earning Faven's guilt. "He took it grandly. He seemed intrigued more than anything. I offered him quite detailed descriptions of your weak points and sounds for him in the future and he took thorough notes."

Faven looked as though she disregarded everything else and focused on Wavra's first sentence. Her head dipped as remorse gutted her. "Have you seen him as of late?" she dared to quietly ask. "How does he fare?"

"To be truthful, the sightings of the prince are even rarer since you left your Coven." Wavra watched as she flicked her feet and rotated her ankle. "From rumors, he was inspired of your quest to find the motherless spirits and is on his own quest. Yet," she forcefully said in addition when Faven perked, "none have caught him and he has made sure he is not seen on the queen's charmed map nor can be seen through scrying."

Faven huffed at that and gave a childish splash to the river. "He has taken awfully cautious moves," she bitterly remarked.

Shoulder bumped shoulder in slight scolding. "As have you," Wavra pointed out. "Precautions are well-warranted. Both of you have mothers who would send guards to sniff you out and force you back under their roofs. The only difference lying between the Elf Queen and Queen Sana lies with their motives and faith in their sole heir."

A press of lips, tight and agitated. Words could not escape Faven for a proper argument because there was no argument.

Wavra continued: "However, I did see him at an oasis in some sort of desert. I did not ask him questions of his journey and Selene was in his company, so I knew he would be safe. For the short while we spent, he concerned himself with matters of you." Her frown was knowing. "He and his unicorn miss you greatly, Faven. It was his deepest desire you would have said your farewell before you left home."

Faven hugged herself, watching Nayda leap up in the air and dive back into the water. "I miss them too," she whispered. She swallowed thickly as she remembered the pitiful letter her Eagle Spirit had delivered to the prince of elves and her guilt wrapped around her. "A farewell to him would have been impossible and we both know it. If we had met, his mother would know of our encounter and riled the elves into thinking I had accepted the offer to stay in their realm and train for royalty." Her chin rested on her knees. "However, I must shape my destiny and the destinies of those spirits. I had to do something and it wasnot being the apprentice to my mother in star craft nor going to see Lisandrus. The Warlocks, the martyrs, this evil I dream of… I need to do this."

Wavra hummed, nodding along. "He will wait forever for you."

"But the Queen will not," Faven admitted, embittered. Dry laughter left her as her shoulders and head shook. "We were naïve to think we should have told her the truth of our fated meeting. Last time I refused to stay, she subtly told me a nice elven maiden she was grooming would be perfect queen material. She already attempted seducing Lisandrus' jealousy about your prince and me."

Wavra laughed. "I remember that! Lisandrus was at haste to come to Aquaria. He punched the prince only to realize there was no love you shared with him. Prince Gavrik was ready to start a deadly feud if you had not cleared everything up." Her laughter quieted.

The two women—human and Undine—watched as Nayda found a wet rock jutting out of the stream to curl up on. The river babbled on about something nonsensical. The birds chirped. It was the end of spring and some were desperate for mates to continue on their legacies. The forest itself breathed silently and did not do anything to draw attention to itself. The sounds of nature—it softened the edge both were on and made everything feel tranquil.

"When the time comes," Wavra asked, looking back to Faven, "what will you do?"

Faven watched Nayda's flanks rise and fall. Then, she answered the only thing she could. "I will do what I have always done: fight by my spirits' and my Coven's side until we have won."

"Lisandrus will fight with you too," Wavra mentioned. "And so will I."

Faven smiled. "I know you will, my faithful friend, and I thank you for being by my side." She got up to stretch. "How about a swim? We have not swum together in ages." Cold hands pressed experimentally on her rear and she jumped, scandalized. Agitation filling her, she whirled around to face Wavra's pleased grin. "You have to stop doing that!"

Wavra gave a shrug for some sort of apology as she got to her feet. "I just could not resist just a touch," she said in excuse. Her eyelashes batted like a lady who wanted something from her man. "Just once more may I see you naked?"

Cheeks flame, Faven growled at the audacity of such a lewd question painted in innocence. "Wavra…!"

"This will be the last time," Wavra hurriedly pledged out of hope of Faven's change of mind. "There will be no touching without consent, I assure you. However, just…once more I ask to see you without your pesky human clothing before the Elf Prince covets you and I am suck with a male." Her words came out like she spat sand, the gender term ugly on her lips and in her mind. She was quick to notice Faven's ire soften and sidled up to the Star Maiden with a teasing smirk. "Come now, my star, do you deny you were not enthralled that night," she jibed, words like mist on Faven's ears and making her shiver. "When you fell into my arms…" Her cool hands brushed against Faven's side and reveled in Faven's stiffening. "When you lay on my bedchamber's, flushed and heart racing…" Her nails danced on the skin of Faven's shoulder and her smirk broadened when Faven swallowed. "When you let me—"

"If you stop trying to seduce me, I am willing to compromise," Faven choked out, face beet read.

Wavra took a step back per request with a tip of her head. Her smirk was vicious and triumphant. "I am willing to negotiate."

Faven looked around as though to check no one was watching. Nayda was busy hunting. "I will not disrobe," Faven set straight, "but," she added at Wavra's frown, "I can…compromise with removing my top."

Wavra's eyes dropped to Faven's chest. She could not win a war, but a battle… "Well, do not make me wait," she warned, impatient. She looked like she was restraining herself from moving any closer. "You have breasts I could tease for cycles."

Faven tried to scowl, but all she came across as was a woman thoroughly charmed and embarrassed about it. "When you say things like that, I cannot do it."

That was all she had to say for Wavra to invade her personal space and her hands to find the back of Faven's top to the knotted string. "Letting me remove your clothes too? You really are teasing me."

It was amusing to see Faven thrash and wriggle to shake off the Undine. "W-W-Wait! Be still!" Her top was untied and removed and she was quick to cover her breasts. "Wavra, wait!"

"You said all this the last time we were together and I will repeat myself…"—the top fell to the ground—"I am warrior. When I see something for the taking, I will fight to have it." Wavra kept her watery eyes on Faven, but they both knew even with her impressive self-control, her resolve would weaken soon. "Let me see, my maiden," she soothed as her hands smoothed over Faven's. Their eye contact was fierce as Faven let Wavra control her movements, let her pry her hands from each other and fall to her sides. With a look to Faven read as Be still, Wavra's stare dropped to Faven's naked bosom. Pupils dilating, a tongue slid across lips. "Mmm… Do you realize even though I am a respected warrior, fierce with my morals, I would abandon my duties if you asked me to simply toy with your breasts?"

Faven shivered at the guttural growl within Wavra's voice. "My maiden-hood," she warned, feeble.

"I respect your vow and honor it," Wavra assured. "Besides, I will not battle the Star King as the Elf Prince has. That being said…" Her eyes drifted back to Faven's and ocean blue clashed with chocolate. "I make no promises I will not make you c—"

Chirping interrupted her

Faven and Wavra both looked to see Nayda wading towards them. She looked at Faven's chest and perked, moving faster to get to her legs. She chirped and nudged at Faven.

Wavra burst into wild laughter.

Faven was a mixture of confusion, irritation, embarrassment, and aroused. But, in the presence of her daughter, she chose to be confused. "What? You can understand her chirps?"

"She speaks the tongues of lele's, a gibberish language all lele's speak," Wavra explained. "She thinks you are going to give her milk and would like some now." As Faven spluttered, Wavra stooped down. Nayda cowered back a bit when Wavra put a hand on her head. She chirped back to Nayda who seemed rather upset. Nayda waded away and jumped back into the river.

"What did you say?" Faven wanted to know.

Wavra stood back up. "I told her there will be no suckling as you do not have milk for her." She gave a salacious grin. "But perhaps I should check just in case." Just she dove down with her mouth, Faven's entire body went red as steam poured out of her ears and the whole forest could hear her scream.

"WAVRA!"

°•°•°•°

When Faven and Nayda returned to the cave, Leo was lounging on the ground while Erion had his belly full and tore up the grass with his claws. He got to his paws the second his sister was in sight and bounded over. Nayda flew off Faven's shoulder, chirping to tell her brother everything she did.

Leo got up when he saw Faven red-faved and breathless and her gait holding a slight limp. Worry rolled off him. "Faven, you look terribly red. Are you—?" He sniffed her, then he grinned. "Wavra got to you, did she? I was curious when she would return to you. Did she—?"

Faven held up a finger and looked like her restraint would snap any second. "Not – one – word."

Leo chuckled, but he obliged and followed Faven into the cave. "I prepared the boar in my Human Form. Eat. I will take Erion on a little test." He tipped his head. "Nayda appealed to water?"

Faven nodded. "She enjoys it like an Undine would." Her face flushed as her memory flashed back to Wavra.

Leo dutifully ignored Faven's second wave of abashment. "I could not keep Erion's paws on the ground," he admitted. "The cub enjoys leaping onto trees and being high in the sky." He sat neatly when they arrived back on the site, unbothered as Faven stripped in front of him. "Perhaps he enjoys the winds. He has an affinity for sensing the drafts."

Faven found her tunic and was swift in her change. "I hope we learn more soon. Do you mind taking Nayda?" She settled into her tunic and took to brushing out her hair from the bottom and slowly going up and up. "I will use my mirror to reach out to friends and see if I may learn more about these 'Warlocks' and their covens."

Leo dipped his head. "To the library then?"

"Perhaps. I would like to consult others before I make the trip. Just remember: if I make the visit and have not come back before moon rise, wake me. I will send out Apollo and Peter in the meantime to gather information. Both are swift."

Leo nodded again. "We have a lengthy journey ahead of us, Faven," he rumbled. "Let us pray to the stars that they guide us during it."

°•°•°•°

Those next days turned into a mirage of weeks were quite enjoyable as they journeyed across the forest. Faven began to wake up to Nayda waking her and wanting breakfast and Erion would at times place a paw on her clavicle in an effort to be gentler with her. Nayda was always quick to find a pond or brook to splash around in. She would always tug her brother and would try to share her fish, but Erion was not having it. Erion, on the other hand, enjoyed the breeze on his fur and scales and liked to bounce about from tree to tree. He was becoming quite the hunter and would parade his catches.

What came to a surprise to Faven was when both siblings gave their first catches to her and would wait for her to eat.

"What are they doing?" Faven had asked Leo the first time it happened.

"It is what I always do for your mother and what all spirits do for one they admire and respect," Leo had told her. "When I hunt, the first catch is always for Sana, Faven. I do it to honor her. These little ones acknowledge you as their mother. They want you to have the first bite to show their respect."

Faven had nearly broken into tears at the gesture. She had smiled and took the fish and rabbit before bending down to kiss either sibling on the head. "Thank you, little ones. Thank you."

From then on, it was normal for Faven to take the first bite before everyone could eat.

As they traveled, it would happen every so often a village would be found. The first time Faven was leaving for the village, Nayda was eager to go with her and broken-hearted when she learned she had to stay put. Faven promised she would only go to the village for a couple of hours and left with a heavy heart an inconsolable Nayda and a worried Erion. When she returned, Nayda all but leapt onto her and clung to her side, whining any time Faven tried to separate them. Erion gave her the silent treatment, but he eventually caved and licked Faven's cheek with a growl as though to tell her not to do it again. However, it would happen again and the siblings began to understand while they could not go with her, they could wait for her return and meet her halfway.

Erion had begun bringing small gifts to her. It started the fourth time Faven returned from her travels into a local town. He brought to her a pretty leaf that changed color when you turned it a certain way. This would continue on since then. He would do so in the morning, presenting it to her with his chest puffed and hopefulness in his eyes. But there was worry too that she would not like it. Often, Faven would be mesmerized at his finds. A feather from a rare creature. Tuffs of fur from a bear. Maybe a shiny trinket laying beneath leaves. What had really gotten to her was when he found her an abandoned book of fables.

"It is something felines do to show their love and respect," Leo had told her.

The siblings' love for her grown as time passed on and they grew bigger. Soon enough, neither could perch on Faven's shoulder, but they made up for it as they curled around her at night to keep her warm. It amused her when Erion would try to hide under her skirt whenever Leo grew irritated with him and snarled, flashing his fangs. Nayda would often chirp a certain way while in the water and Faven would understand it meant she were to hold onto Nayda's neck as Nayda guided her around. Erion would eagerly take Faven to a place where the wind was at its strongest and whistle a unique tune that matched the wind's pacing.

"So Nayda is of water and Erion of air," Faven had figured out. "But there is more. What could it be?"

Leo had lapped at her hand, teething it gently in affection. "When the time comes, we will find out. Sometimes, a spirit's Nature will not blossom for centuries. Others take a decade or two."

Contradictory to that, it did not take a decade. It took three weeks after that for Leo and Faven to grasp the truth.

A storm had raged while they traveled and left all of them stranded without any cover. It was one of those storms that felt like Hell on Earth Land with unforgiving rain and wind that knocked you off your feet and rattled the trees. What was worse was the lightning cracking down and it was all so close. The trees were cursed with wildfire as they fell down, spreading their disease from plant to plant.

Faven rode Endymion and had summoned the Circinus Spirit Lasaille the Compasses (the spirit turned out to be a male navigator with a compass in his right eye) to help her find shelter. He guided Endymion with the simplest of gestures, leaving Endymion to jump over fallen debris and understand the nature of the storm. Nayda flew low beside them. She did not bask in the rain as she normally did. Instead, she held a severe look of worry as she kept close to Faven. Erion floated from sturdy branch to sturdy branch. He located where the winds were at their weakest and guided them that way. Leo did his best to light the way as gold and orange emanated from his fur. He openly growled at the weather. They had to make it somewhere safe. They were so close.

But everything had happened so quickly.

Lightning struck a nearby tree.

The tree caught fire and began to fall.

Faven looked up to find out it was about to fall directly on her. The fire and fear reflected in her eyes.

'Oh, no…'

Before she knew it, a heavy wind breathed onto her back and kicked Endymion's hind-legs. Endymion whinnied as he stumbled and accidentally throttled Lasaille and Faven onto the ground. Lasaille rolled onto the wet ground, dirtying his scholarly tunic, while Faven bounced and smacked into a tree. She groaned as the world blurred with orange and black melting together and everything felt heavy. She had no strength to get up, not when the wind bit her and the rain nipped her and her lungs felt like they were full of something.

Leo was the first to attend to her, still glowing. He prodded her and nudged her desperately. "Faven, you must stand," he pleaded. He teethed as her cloak and yanked to help her. Faven got to her knees, but she wobbled and fell over. Leo caught her with his nose and nudged her onto a tree to help her regain her ground. "Faven, my lioness, do not give up! Rise!"

Faven coughed as she grabbed onto Leo's mane. "Leo," she rasped. She coughed again. She could see Lasaille trying to get to his feet while Endymion was back on his hooves, even if his right wing was bent at an odd angle. What filled her with dread was when she did not feel the cold as she once had before. She was beginning to feel unbearable heat as she saw orange bathe all around her.

It was a fire.

The forest was catching fire.

"We will not make it," Faven realized in horror. "Leo…" She coughed again. "Leo, leave me…"

"Never," Leo snarled. He was angry, but he was masking his desperation. He could see how weak she was becoming. "Lasaille!" he cried. "Can you stand? You must guide us away from here!"

Lasaille wheezed. "I can…stand," he promised. He stumbled over. "Mistress… I am sorry…"

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Lasaille

Occupation: Celestial Spirit (Compasses)

Ability: Navigation

Likes: being efficient Dislikes: maps

Special Note: Never ask for directions from someone else when you're around Lasaille. He's a personal GPS! ⌟

CRACK! CRACK-CRACK!

Faven's eyes began to droop as she watched lightning strike more trees, knocking them over and into flame. She looked around. She saw Apollo circling them in his Animal Form, cawing his worry, while Peter the Rabbit Spirit dashed up to them and said fast words about there being no escape that slurred together.

'Help…' she cried weakly in her mind, willing for someone to hear her. 'Help us…'

The world roared as no one came to her call.

This was it.

This would be how she died.

"You must…return," Faven pleaded to her spirits in a rasp. The fumes were catching up to her. She felt so lightheaded while her body felt like it was dragging. Her knees knocked together. "Return to…the…Star Realm… To…my mother…" She gathered the Magic in her chest. "I c-c-command you," she tried to chant.

Leo snarled even louder. "Do not waste your Magic on a forced gate closure. We return with you. Stand, Faven. We must make haste."

Faven ignored Leo's orders when she looked around. She saw her Celestial Spirits, but two were missing. Panic weighed down her chest and made her heart hurt. "My children," she gasped. She shouted for them against the roar of thunder and the howls of flame. "Nayda! Erion! Wh-Where are y-y-you?"

No answer.

And then, something prodded Faven's mind, soft like water and just as female.

'Save…Mother…'

Faven's eyes widened as she witnessed it.

Nayda had flown up into the sky, an aura of blue pulsing around her like a phoenix's fire would. Alongside her was brother Erion with a roar coming off him in waves. Both stopped and looked at the fire.

Both sucked in a breath.

Both roared.

Nayda spouted a gush of water that looked as powerful as a churning waterfall and as full as the ocean. Erion came forth with fluffed clouds bound together through his own winds. The forces of water and clouds and winds swept over the wildfire, stamping them down and snuffing them out within a matter of moments.

Endymion blinked his disbelief at the power behind such attacks. "They are stopping the wildfire," he whispered.

CRACK!

Lightning streaked the sky as though to remind everyone it had the power to tip the balance.

Erion left his sister to finish the job to glare up at the sky. He had never looked more regale with his growing horns and his growing mane of clouds. He dashed higher into the sky as though to confront such thunderclouds.

Faven nearly stopped breathing. "Eri—!"

Erion roared as lightning struck him in punishment. But it did not look like he was hurting. No. He was feeding off the lightning and absorbing it. More bolts of lightning that left the sky instantly when to him, unconcerned of the forest. He took in the shock rolling over his body in stride, in expectancy. The lightning was not punishing him. He was taming the lightning.

Lasaille was in shock. "He is controlling the sky," he whispered. He winced as the rain began to lighten.

Leo watched Nayda who had long-since stopped the forest fire was turned to the clouds. Her eyes glowed blue as the rain lessened and lessened until the rain was no more. Erion gave a mighty snarl and the thunderclouds were startled and dissipated without grand question. The sky was back to being that natural preppy blue and the clouds went back to nimbus, all wispy and sated. The damage to the forest was done. It was charred with unethical smoke collaborating with fallen debris. But there was no red flower blossoming amongst the flora anymore. The forest had been saved.

Faven coughed, hunching over. "What—?" She coughed again. "What happened…?"

'Mother…proud?'

Faven looked up to see Erion and Nayda lowering to the ground. They had grown to her bicep, just shy of her shoulder, in just a few weeks and, even if they were intimidating, they looked shyly at her as though to gauge her reaction.

'Mother…safe?'

This time, the voice sounded masculine and a bit pubescent. It brought quiet honor and love in its words.

Faven was in awe at the siblings. "You can speak?"

Nayda thought hard on that as though unsure how to answer. 'Mother…speak… Speak Mother words… Mother safe. Love Mother.'

'Protect Mother,' Erion added. He padded forward to rub his jaw along her side. He had watched Leo do it many times to display his open devotion and copied the movement. 'Love Mother.'

Faven's eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "Erion…" She turned to Leo for answers.

"They have bonded with you and your imprint of being their mother has solidified," Leo educated, though even he sound thoroughly shocked at hearing the two siblings speak. "Young spirits may only communicate to their parents when ready and exposed to enough language."

Nayda came forth to take up the other side of Faven. She ruffled her wings and nuzzled Faven's back. Faven hugged her children with as much love as she could muster. "All this time, I feared we would never speak for they only spoke in their tongues, but now…" Her voice choked at her own emotions.

'Safe. Mother safe. Mother…proud?' Nayda sounded confused at the word, but she pressed for Faven's answer.

"I am very proud," Faven whispered. She closed her eyes as tears fell, tear of happiness. "I love you so much, my children."

Both siblings made a pleasant humming noise in their link to Faven as though thriving off her happiness.

Leo took a step back to watch the intimate affair. To Peter, he said, "Run as fast as you can to Mother Star and her pride. Tell her we have found the Nature of the two spirits Faven mothered. Erion is of the clouds and sky. And Nayda is of water and storm. They are truly the God Spirits we have been waiting for."

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Fairy Adventure

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Faven heartily laughed as she watched Nayda bait her older brother. The sister enjoyed prodding Erion's side before fluttering off. Erion had been patient up until now. He snapped his jaws at her and growled in warning. Nayda merely chirped her teasing laughter as she landed on a branch, shaking her tail. Erion took that as a challenge and raced after her, easily mounting onto a branch. He kept his growls playful for his little sister and seemed pleased to her squeals when he caught up to her.

Leo flicked his ears and tail. "Nayda acts like a newborn," he grumbled, though not unkindly. "Erion has taken to playing with her to appease her."

"She is young, Leo," Faven reminded, her hand on his mane and grasping it. His mane was nice, soft and always clean. "Playing is what siblings do."

Something sad passed Leo's eyes. "Not all siblings."

Silent comfort by a gentle scratching was all Faven could offer. "Lady Aquarius will become a good mentor to Nayda when the time comes for them to meet," she said as she changed the subject. "She needs a firm hand."

Leo chuckled. "I remember a time when a little star also took delight in playing rather than learning," he jested towards her. "When you were all hair and eyes and thought nothing more than playing pranks on your mother's spirits."

Faven bumped Leo's shoulders. "I have grown," she protested in a childish manner. "I know better now than to prank the Lion King."

"That you do," Leo growled in agreement. He watched carefully as Nayda misjudged the distance and fell to the ground. Erion leapt after her in worry, chuffing. Nayda shook off the pain and chirped eagerly, ready to play again. She took off with her brother following her more closely this time to ensure she did not fall. "It has been a while since we have heard from Perseus and Andromeda," he commented.

The realization stumbled upon Faven too. "I did send them as my representatives," she reminded as though to sate her own worry—it did not work—"so perhaps there is work to be done." A statement ended in soft question.

Leo hummed, but neither were convinced.

CAAAAAAAAW… CAAAAAAAAAAW…

Leo and Faven looked up to see Apollo circling overhead. They stopped to allow the Eagle Spirit to swoop down. Apollo landed on a nearby branch, shuffling his wings about him.

"Do you bring news of another village?" Faven hoped.

Apollo hesitated. "I do, my Lady, but something is afoot," he admitted. "The town smells of sulfur, yet there were people who walk free without a care in the world. What is worse is the cathedral built at the center of the town. It seeps out strange Magic. I have watched it for several days, but none enter or exit it."

Leo bristled. "It is obvious, is it not?" he growled.

Faven covered Leo's mouth with a hand. "We cannot know for sure," she admonished. "I must investigate this cathedral church."

"Not alone," Leo refused almost immediately. "I shall shift into my Man Form and accompany you."

Faven offered the Lion Spirit a light smile. "And risk you growling like a possessive husband and exuding your Magic when any person steps within five inches of me?" She shook her head. "I cannot bring you, Leo. But you must know I am never alone." Fingers kept her keys and they thrummed to their mistress' call.

"I would feel better if I escorted you." Leo persisted in his stubbornness. "At least until the border in my Cat Form."

"Not with the risk of exposing me as a witch," Faven denied. "They will think you my familiar. Being a witch in this day and age is still something people show fear and antagonism too, even with Witch Trials illegal. With these Dark Covens filled with these self-proclaimed 'Warlocks', I must stop their spread before mortals catch word and begin to fear all Covens once again."

"Yet, if there is a wizard present—"

"Then, I mask my Magic Aura like I have been taught," Faven shot back.

"And how will you hide your spirit from a Coven full of Warlocks?" Leo challenged. "If this farce of a Coven has invaded an entire town, they will sense you in a heartbeat."

Faven grinned. "My Cloak of Solomon should do the trick," she answered. She shed her own cloak and snapped a finger. Out of nowhere, a cloak fluttered onto her. The exterior of the cloak was a common man's brown. It looked like a regular piece of clothing all people wore. But the interior was where things got tricky. The universe was in the interior with the showing the stars and novae and space. She lifted her hood and turned to the Lion Spirit. "Take care of them. Should I not be back before sundown, you may come for me but be discrete."

Leo grumbled, but he reluctantly laid down. "Know I do not approve of this, cub," he muttered.

Faven was all prepared to walk away—

'Mother does not go!'

Faven was surprised when Erion yanked her back by taking her cloak in his teeth. She turned on him with a scolding frown. "Erion…"

Erion shook his head. 'Mother does not go', he insisted. 'Mother stay. Stay safe. Protect Mother.'

Faven took Erion's head in her hands and rubbed his jaw. "Erion, I have to go," she told him. "I promise I will return at sundown."

Nayda nudged Faven's rear back into the forest. When Faven turned to her, Nayda sat as though to block her. She chirped unhappily. 'Mother does not leave,' she pleaded. 'Mother stay. Mother stay here. Love Mother.' She swung her head back to the tree line and gave a mad caw. 'Bad Magic. Magic feels wrong.' She turned back to Faven and chirped. 'Mother stay. Mother protect.'

Faven understood the siblings immense worry and opened her arms. The siblings knew what to do and gathered into her, sharing her chest. She stroked Erion's neck while she nuzzled her cheek into Nayda's muzzle. "I know you do not want me to be alone, but I am never alone. The stars are a friend of mine and have never failed me, not once." She relinquished them to peer into their sad gazes. "Now. Stay with Leo. I will be home in time for a late dinner. Why not train for a bit and brush up on your craft? It would make a mighty fine tale over dinner to speak of more control over your powers." She kissed both their cheeks. "I love you, little ones. I will be home soon." She turned back and walked away.

Nayda sank down to watch her go, whimpering. 'Mother,' she wailed. 'Mother stay!'

Erion nudged his sister with a chuff. He tried to console her loud cries, but she did not listen to him. She wailed for her mother. She wanted her mother to stay.

Leo stalked over to Nayda and pressed a paw on her back. "Come, raindrop. Leave your mother be. She will return," he sighed. "You have much to catch up on in regard to your brother. Let us practice using our senses." He stalked away.

Erion chuffed to his sister before going to catch up after Leo with Apollo following.

Nayda ignored everyone as she sat in place. She would wait for her mother to come home. She had to make sure her mother came home.

So, she waited.

°•°•°•°

When the rays of sundown hit Nayda's fur and feathers, she sat up. Her mother had not come home.

So, she could come to her mother.

Nayda ruffled her wings and flapped them to go forth. She flew until she was at the edge of the forest. Hesitation crawled into her eyes as she saw the man village. It was curious the way they built strange dens out of stone and tree and spoke in a different tongue than her mother, but she had to push aside all curiosity.

She wanted her mother.

Nayda did her best to sneak down hillside, even if her white fur and wings forced her to stick out. She heard the chatter of man in their strange tongue and their wagons and their horses, but she cared little for that. She scoped for the familiar figure of a blonde.

'Mother?' she whispered, reaching for their link. 'Mother?'

Silence.

Nayda's worry grew into an uncomfortable feeling of dread.

Where was her mother's voice?

Nayda knew she was not as stealthy on land as her mentor was nor in air as her brother was. She could not use the clouds to conceal her or float in the winds. She knew best how to stalk in water. But, if it was for her mother, she would do anything. She journeyed into the man village and made sure to keep herself hidden. She slunk underneath windows and stopped before crossing streets and darting into alleyways. She found it odd with the scent of the red flower constantly in the air and thick dread and despair laced toxically around the entire village, but she wanted to find her mother.

And, she would find her at the church.

To Nayda, she thought she was being sneaky. She thought she stood a chance against these humans. She thought she was making great progress in finding her mother.

She did not expect to be captured so quickly.

Nayda cried out as she felt rope burn against her flesh. She cawed her discomfort. Normally, when she gave an ugly caw, Erion and Leo would make sure she got the comfort she wanted. But, in this case, she did not get comfort immediately. Her eyes could only see odd humans that did not smell like her mother. They smelled like death even if they were clearly alive. She found herself being dragged as she thrashed and wailed, but no one would pay her any mind. The humans of the man village continued their day-to-day routines and acted like she was not even there.

Tears spilled from her eyes as she cried.

'Mother! Brother! Leo!'

No one answered her.

Dirt covered her once clean feathers and some part of her mourned how much bathing she would have to do once saved. She shivered when she felt more of that presence. It was that type of feeling one would get when deep in the earth with no light to guide them, knowing they are alone, and hearing the squishing sound of incoming footsteps. It was that type of feeling that made you curl into a ball, that made your eyes dart around, that made you snivel in hysteria.

And it swallowed Nayda whole.

She continued to caw her frustration and tears when she was unceremoniously picked up and tossed onto one of those cart things she saw from time to time. The creeks of the wheels did nothing to console her cries. Doors opened, clunky and large, and darkness swallowed her. Flames clung to walls to provide little light. Nayda looked around, sniveling, and wrinkled her nose. The strong bitterness of ash and bile stung her snout and she longed to paw at her nose.

'Mother,' she called, thought wobbly. 'Scared. Mother. Want Mother. Mother come.'

Her mother never answered.

More doors opened and she was led into something she had never seen. It was a hollow with strange stone and things Mother called paintings on the ceilings. She was led down an aisle, but she closed her eyes and sniffled. In the distance, underneath her, she vaguely felt spirits of human and creature alike. Their spirits called to hers in warning, in plea, in need. She smelt humans around her, but their scents smelled wrong. They smelled like they had bathed in ash and soot and breathed out only darkness.

The humans surrounding her wore their hooded cloaks with their masks all different. Some were given beaked masks, others the half-masked colombinas, others voltos that covered their faces, but a majority had full masks with odd symbols painted on them. Their attire was gaudy and simply gloating their fashion and wealth with velvet and silk gowns and gold stitched into suits and heeled shoes. The only thing all had in common were the cloaks and the simple of the snake eating at its own tail stitched onto the backs.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is a Coven meaning a group of gathered witches and wizards, something similar to Guilds in the modern era. Normally, a Coven is for the safety and protection of those in its family as well as the exchange of knowledge. But this is no ordinary Coven… »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Nayda was wheeled to the altar where a few cloaked humans donning half-masks waited for her and turned to their people. A dark figure stepped from the shadows and swept to the center of the altar. They were the most abnormal one. Their cloak covered their entire body and gave nothing away besides the height. No hood covered their face for they wore the Arlecchino mask, a Joker's headpiece with a jester's hat and a carved smile.

They spread their arms to the congregation. "Greetings, my loyal brethren and sisters," came male introduction. He had to be the High Priest. "Today, we have finally captured a deity spirit to please our Lord. For months, we have used simple spirits and humans for our experimentation, but now? We shall finally see the results our Lord has wanted!"

The congregation sounded: "May we please our Lord with this sacrifice."

Nayda perked when she heard some sort of commotion. Her senses tingled when she felt a spirit so painfully familiar, she broke into more tears.

'Mother…'

Muffled expletives were used and vile threats filled the air as two men in cloak came out from a side door with a frustrated Faven in their grasp. Like a slave about to be sold, her wrists were tied and her mouth gagged. Her hair was loose, her skin pale, and her eyes hateful. She had been stripped bare of her clothes and only given the clothes to look like a harlot. A veil had been tucked into her hair with a see-through scarf covering her nose and mouth. A thin white toga was supposed to cover her, but it did nothing except nearly expose her breasts.

Nayda's eyes widened and she lurched against her restraints. 'Mother!'

Faven stopped fighting her captors for her eyes to meet Nayda. Pain passed between them. 'Nayda…'

The moment was ruined when Faven was shoved forward.

The High Priest continued: "And, so, we bring forth a temptation to appease our Lord—a Star Maiden. As all know, Star Maidens take their vow into maiden-hood by swearing their purity to the Star King himself, so all know a maiden holds her innocence until the day of a blessed union. The purity of a Star Maiden will not only tempt the Lord but guarantee his entertainment so he will stay among us. With the virtue of a Star Maiden and the power of a God Spirit, we shall revive our Lord unto our realm!"

Another push and Faven fell upon the steps of the altar like a slave shoved to the ground. Her eyes burned onto the High Priest with hatred. He stepped down to easily take her gag and she bared her teeth, trying to bite him. The Coven murmured their chortles at such a display, though Faven did not find it funny. "I will never comply to your villainous actions!" she seethed. "You seek to ruin the name of all wizards and Covens with your foulness, you false High Priest!"

"'Ruin'?" The High Priest placed a mocking hand over his heart. "My dear maiden, I do not ruin these names—I bolster them. Mortals and immortals and all those between will see the strength in wizards when they see the great power we can unleash."

"Lies!" Faven cried as the Coven roared their approval at their High Priest's words. "This man spouts treacherous lies! He seeks to control this power for himself and let those around him perish to this evil! I assure you, Warlock, there is no controlling this evil! And, I warn you, Male"—she let her Magic consume her—"let my daughter go lest you feel the wrath of the stars!"

The High Priest chuckled. "Dear Star Maiden, our unholy Lord will be pleased with such bite in his consort." He stooped down to capture Faven's chin and she growled at him. "The power of your light is so potent and growing…" Realization clicked. "You must be the Heartfilia Coven's next High Priestess," he acknowledged.

"I will proudly admit my parentage to any who are worthy," Faven retorted.

The High Priest yanked on her chin and reveled in her grunt. "You are as every bit of full-blooded as you are rumored to be, Faven Heartfilia," he purred. "My Lord will devour the stars in your sky and the bite in your snarl will excite him just as it does me and your Star King."

"My King has never laid a hand on my or my purity," Faven snapped.

"Yet, upon pledging your maiden-hood, you were forced to remain pure for him," the High Priest reminded. "Even after you exchanged a part of your soul for the power of the stars and his tutelage and becoming a recognized Star Maiden, you could not lie with man because we know your king likes his maidens pure so he may take them—just like my Lord."

Faven's ire came back tenfold. "My King and your evil are nothing alike!" she all but screamed. "I gave a part of my soul so I may join my Coven in the stars and the Spirit Realm upon death! My fidelity is not the concern of my King! He is concerned no man or woman is worthy of his maidens' nor monks' time and affection! If they prove worthy and win against His Majesty and our Priestess-Queen, then the union is blessed." Her smirk was cruel. "Your 'Lord' is a false god part of a breed of liars and deceit. Your worship will be your downfall and the rebirth of the Witch Trials with your false Covens!"

"Oh-ho… Even more bite…" The High Priest laughed. "My Lord will have you begging for mercy as he owns your purity. Your cries of ecstasy will be heard for leagues and you will be none the wiser."

Faven spat at him.

The High Priest deeply guffawed and let her go. "Prepare the maiden and the God Spirit."

Faven's eyes widened as Nayda cried out with unfamiliar hands moving her. "No! No, please, please, let my daughter go!" She shoved at her captors when they tried to grab her and only focused on Nayda who wailed. "Nayda, my sweet raindrop, Mother is here! Mother will not leave you!"

'Mother!' Nayda sobbed as she felt fingers defile her feathers. 'Mother!'

Faven was shoved onto the ground and bumped her head. It took her a moment to shake her head and haul herself to her feet. She growled and sprinted to Nay—

PSH.

Faven was shoved backwards. She shook her head and looked aro—

Her eyes widened. "No… No, it cannot be…!"

Candles surrounded her. Cravings in the floor formed a circle with an odd symbol that could be interpreted as a badly drawn crown. Elements of earth, wind, fire, and air had gathered at their respective cardinal directions with offerings of food and spice as well. Faven realized the magnitude of the situation and tried to make a run for it only for a wall of invisible energy to stop her. She pounded her fists along it as she watched Nayda be thrown in her own demonic circle.

"No!" she screamed. "You cannot comprehend the evil you will spill into this world! Your lord will kill you all!"

The High Priest came forth. "And we would happily let our Lord devour our souls if it meant the unholy Lord achieved ultimate glory, contradictory to your little beliefs. You see, maiden, we are well aware our Lord will need souls to reap to strengthen himself on this realm—but we would be bless Ed if he chose this Coven as the first souls to eat." He watched Faven bash against the shield and tutted. "Your ire will attract Him even more, sweet maiden, and the God Spirit will solidify His presence tenfold. You will make for the perfect consort and future mother to His heirs."

"I am already a mother!" Faven snarled at him. "Do not make me show you a mother's love, you cretin!"

"Save your breath for Him, sweet maiden," the High Priest hushed. "Children of the Dark Sun—join hands as we begin our invocation of the Great One!"

Hands clasped hands and heads bowed. One of the cloaked Warlocks with a beaked mask came forth with a silver knife on a pillow. He knelt before their superior. "Father, I present to you your blood knife."

The High Priest wielded the knife with ease and traced the blade with gentle finger. "Thank you, Brother." As the man stepped backed, the High Priest raised his hands. "Begin the invocation!"

"No!" Faven screamed.

Murmurs of prayer flared in chant: "Baruch Ha-Paimon Ha-Parashiym… Baruch Ha-Paimon Ha-Parashiym…"

Faven looked around like a wild animal. "No, no, no, please, you cannot!" she begged in screech. "You must not! You must not summon such evil!"

The priest waltzed around the circle and broke into sonorous prayer: "Agios Octinomos-Drakosophia! Ave Paimon Rex Pandemonium!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Numinous is the Alchemical Pursuit and Underlying Force of All Demon Magick! Hail unto Paimon, King of Pandemonium!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Faven thrashed as tears gathered in her eyes, her throat to be raw from her screaming. Nayda could only weep as she cawed for her mother's help.

The priest continued: "Salve Paimon Rex Occidentalium! Praedicate Aethereus Divus Paimon! Sagax Coelestis Paimon Gloria! Agios Es, Paimon, Divum Et Vorsipelle! Induperator Est Paimon Etiam Reshut Ha-Rabbim! Perveni Coelestis Bellua Ex Qliphoth– Excieo Paimon! Salve Paimon Megist Agente Ex Sitra De-Smola! Adoro Te Paimon, Pentrale Ex Mavethol! Ave Paimon Rex Pandemonium!"

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Hail Paimon, King of the West! I Praise the Eternal Spirit Paimon! Glory to the Wise and Eternal Paimon! Numinous Art Thou, Paimon, Deity and Shapeshifter! Lord is Paimon of the Infernal Plane! Come, Eternal Fiend of the Infernal Plane– I Call Paimon! Hail Paimon, Great Emissary of the Infernal Plane! I Adore You, Paimon, Spirit of the Infernal Plane! Hail Paimon, King of the Infernal Plane!

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

The candle's flames danced even higher as something far darker than Magic swept about such a holy steeple.

The prayers of the congregation changed. "Baruch Ha-Paimon Ha-Parashiym… Baruch Ha-Paimon Ha-Parashiym…"

The priest raised his knife for all to see and a blank palm. Slowly, the blade was drawn to such flesh and dug its teeth into it, spilling blood. The hand recoiled and lowered itself to the circle, making a fist. Blood dripped out of the cracks of fingers and into the crevices of the etched summoning circle.

Faven watched in horror as blood began to fill the circle beneath her. Bile threatened to come out, but not from the blood—from the choking stench that gutted her belly and could rot milk inside a cow.

The priest swept over to the other circle and let his blood fill the summoning circle's design.

The prayer was switched. "Linan Tasa Jedan Paimon… Linan Tasa Jedan Paimon…"

Nayda's body contorted when she felt the enslaving chains of brewing evil confine her to the ground. She wriggled and cried and sought the comforting gaze of her mother. She watched Faven scream and cry for them to stop. She watched her mother become helpless.

'Mother… Save Mother…'

The High Priest was offered a silk scarf in exchange for his blade. A lower-class sister cleaned and bandaged his wound with the scarf as the priest took in the presence defiling the once great halls worshipping God.

The prayer changed. "Reayaha Bacana Lyan Reme Quim Paimon… Reayaha Bacana Lyan Reme Quim Paimon…"

When the High Priest had a bandaged hand, he sung for all to hear, "Zacam Paimon…! Ol Zodameta Paimon…! Ol Um Isli Gohed Paimon…!"

Darkness fleshed out from the summoning circles. The church was shielded in darkness. Every ounce of light besides the candles used to summon were snuffed out. Light had no business seeing this event. Cloaks ruffled as a disembodied wind shuffled around like it was seeking something. Faven, in her tears and anguish, sank to her knees in useless prayer.

"O Father of the Heavens, my King of my night-sky, son of the Moon, Beast of Darkness, hear the request of one of your daughter-maidens," she pleaded. "Protect my daughter when I cannot and do not deliver her to the Evil One. O Mother Moon, O Lover of Night, hear the request of one of your daughter-maidens. Lest no harm befall on my daughter…"

The prayer switched. "Linan Tasa Jedan Paimon… Linan Tasa Jedan Paimon…"

The High Priest quieted his singing as he strode to Faven's circle. He raised his arms and two brothers and sisters respectively came to his side. "Now, I will begin to invoke our Lord with the body ritual!" he announced. At that, the sisters and brothers helped disrobe him. A thick man's body waxed clean of skin was unveiled. He had the build of a man who did hard labor yet had gotten a bit lax over the last few weeks. A loincloth was all he was given to cover himself. Before he could reveal his face as he lifted his mask, another cloaked person hastily covered his face with a half-mask that only showed teal irises. He had a clean-shaven face and locks grown to his shoulder blades.

He stepped into Faven's circle.

Faven realized a little too late what was happening when the rope used as her leash was yanked and she was on her back.

Nayda's eyes widened.

'Mother….!'

Faven tried to claw at the High Priest with shouts of protests and pleas of halt falling off her lips and onto deaf ears. Four Warlocks appeared to hold her down, her hands above her head and her legs spread wide. Tears leaked from her eyes as she begged for them to let her go, for them to not understand what they were doing, for them to stop.

None heeded her.

The High Priest announced to his murmuring congregation: "Once our sacrifice has climaxed and the ritual has been complete, may we invoke our Lord's good name!" A hand slowly shoved up the skirt of her dress. A caress on her bare thigh drifted higher and higher.

Faven froze.

Terror did odd things to a person. It triggered that instinct in you every time to make the decision: fight or flight or freeze. For some, the basal instinct to fight your way out hit you with adrenaline and made your ears rush with blood. For others, the need to get away, far far away, did not even register until you were a mile in and your heart was pounding, your lungs burned, and you could feel the earth beneath your feet.

But, when you froze, it was not because weakness hit you.

It was because terror has consumed you, stripped you of your name, and made you its bitch.

Two fingers paused then went forward.

Faven's breathing hitched, chest tensed.

The fingers kept pushing and pulling, entering and leaving.

The gleam in Faven's eyes died.

She was trapped within terror, within fear, within shame and guilt and the desire to die.

The ugliness of wetness squished within ears.

Her body tingled, sensing something was happening out of nature's intent. Her heart increased out of nature's intent. Something coiled in her gut out of nature's intent. The wetness increased out of nature's intent. It might have been nature's intent, but it felt like nature's betrayal.

The fingers stopped when the moment struck. Rather than push, they pulled and held two fingers coated in slickness and cream for all those to see.

Faven could not even move.

"Our sweet maiden is ready to complete the ritual!" the High Priest announce with victory in his smile. He suckled his fingers as someone undid the straps to his loincloth and let it fall for all to see.

Faven was motionless.

The priest crawled atop her with heated pants and his hand slick with saliva and her traced her jaw. "You will make the most beauteous sacrifice for my Lord, Faven Heartfilia," he whispered in rancorous breath. "Your innocence tastes even sweeter than I hoped. I wonder… Will your King even speak to you for letting me steal your purity? Or, will he kill one of his impure daughter-maidens with the Moon on his side?"

DRIP.

A tear leaked from Faven's right eye.

DROP.

The priest looked down for his hand to grab himself. "Scream for me, maiden," he purred as he lined himself with her. "Let my Lord hear you and rejoice!"

He pushed.

Some viewed being still as a weakness—

(Why stay still? Why not fight? I would fight! Rip them off you! Punch them! Scream for help!)

—but how could you fight when there was nothing left?

There were physical feelings just barely there. The feeling of nature's intent, nature's betrayal. The feeling of the unnatural push and pull that tore at you and filled you and abandoned you before repeating the circle. The feeling of unwanted breaths on your numb flesh. The feeling of a weight that would not go away, that would forever be imprinted, the heat, the height, the aura—you would never forget.

But that was just the surface. Anything beneath was buried deep below that terror that enslaved you and owned you in every way. You could have nothing in your belly, but it churned and your throat burned and your mouth gagged, itching to release what it withheld. There was that shame, that guilt—

(This is my fault. This is my fault. I'm ruined. No one will want to touch me. No one will love me. I hate myself. Why couldn't I do anything? Why can't I move? Why am I crying? Why? Why? Why?)

—that would always be in your mind even when you smiled and laughed and slept. They would be the ones to feed into your nightmares and your fears and your daydreams when all was said and done and would be the ones that would force you to say I'm fine when someone saw your haunted eyes.

Sweat nestled onto flesh as the sounds of skin to skin sounded between the notes of prayer and breathy pants. The winds of change made themselves known as they forced through the defiled chapel. The summoning circles of blood gleamed with the oncoming of something big. Something was ready to merge.

Nayda could feel all her energy draining and being poured into the circle. The world doubled and the prayers and pants meddled into a blur that did not make any sense. She kept her drooping eyes on her mother.

'Mother… No… Mother… Scared…'

A grunt left the lips of the priest. "He is coming." A jagged smile wrote onto his lips. "Yes! My Lord is coming!"

In and out.

Blank eyes.

Push and pull.

Whirling excitement.

Skin to skin.

Another grunt. Another ripple of flesh. A twitch of muscle.

Blank eyes. Motionless. No light could pass into them. No light would shine into them.

The priest gritted his teeth as his arms shook from his weight, from his excitement, from his perfect effort. "Rise, my Lord, feast upon this realm!" he preached as his grunts escaped him. "Join your children and spread your wisdom! I invoke you, Paimon!"

A snap of hips.

A twitch.

A strangled moan.

Stillness.

The entire chapel rattled. The pews physically vibrated from the force bearing down on them. The prayers grew into harmony as joined hands rose up. The candles flames swayed to connect into rings of fire, trapping those within the circles. Blood mixed with black and began to rise u—

BOOM.

The doors blasted open in a hurtling orange.

"En seiðr nes færdig til den nes færdig-yin!

Nayda's eyes were filled with something holier than simple light. It was as if the entire church was cleansing itself of evil. But she could not stay awake for it all. The light consumed her, told her to not worry, and she listened. She could feel herself falling asleep under the lull of the spell.

But, to the outside world, life was not that simple.

The summon circles had been decimated, but the church itself had been untouched. Hands broke and prayers were exchanged for screams as panic spread. The cloaked men and women misted themselves into darkness and zoomed away without further thought. They broke through the ceiling in their efforts of evasion and escape. The High Priest pulled himself off the maiden he once coveted, was robed, and misted with his loyal brethren who stayed with him. The ring of fire had been whisked away into harmless smoke.

And all that was left was a sleeping God Spirit, a paralyzed Star Maiden, and irreparable doors.

Leo snarled in his leonid form with Erion at his side. The fact that the chapel had been abandoned did not surprise them. Their concern lay with the only two left. Leo did not even waste his time as he transcended into his Man Form (he was a long-faired warrior in his tailored tunic, cat ears, and a lion's tail) mid-stride. They diverged before the altar with Erion dashing towards his sister and trampling the candles while Leo went for the daughter of his mistress.

Nayda whimpered and shivered as her brother circled her, chuffing. He eventually nudged her neck and licked her feathers. When Nayda opened her eyes, Erion looked visibly relieved and purred as they touched noses.

Leo's nose made him recoil. His eyes dropped onto the motionless Faven and the foul stench reeking between her legs. "No… Faven…"

Perseus and Andromeda rushed into the church with Atlas Vega peering through the open gateway, starry eyes filled with worry and anguish. Andromeda gasped at seeing Faven's body sprawled and her eyes dead. "Mistress…" Her eyes caught the mess between Faven's legs and acid sickness choked her throat. "Was she…?"

STEP…

A different set of footsteps stepped into the chapel.

STEP…

"She is alive," Leo verified as he listened for her heart beat. "Alive but terrified. She has been…" The rage of the Lion King flashed in the depths of emerald, then agony. "I failed," he whispered. "Oh, Faven… I failed you…"

Andromeda openly wept. "No…"

Perseus held her close, but his navy eyes held shame for not being there for his mistress and guilt for her suffering.

STEP… STEP…

Nayda rose with Erion's nudging. She chirped weakly, grateful for his arrival, and took in his laps when her eyes landed on their mother. She shoved him away to rush as quick as she could to Faven with Erion at her side. Their young eyes gazed at their broken Star Maiden.

'Mother… Mother hurt…'

Nayda openly whined and nudged Faven's shoulder. When Faven did not respond, Nayda chirped, distressed, and laid her head on Faven's stomach. Erion lapped at Faven's forehead and settled down next to her, rumbling consoling purrs.

'Mother, we are here,' he told her. 'Wake. We are here. Mother go home. We go home.'

Faven said nothing.

STEP… STEP…

Nayda smelled someone unfamiliar and leapt to her feet, snarl on her lips. She glared at the trespasser with feathers ruffled.

'Go away!' she thundered. 'Man bad! Man hurt Mother! Protect Mother!' The aura of her Magic swirled around her.

Erion growled at his sister. 'No, Sister.'

Nayda shot Erion a confused look. 'Brother—!'

"My sweet star..."

Knees sank down on a too-cold floor. Pale hands glinting in the light were gentle in touching, but hesitant when Nayda snapped at them, untrusting.

Leo growled. "Nayda, show respect. He is a friend, not a foe."

Nayda, hurt, backed down and refused to look at anyone but Faven.

Pale hands reached to capture Faven. She did not move or say a word as she was gathered into a cool body, into silk clothes, into a comforting presence. Thin lips pressed into her hair.

"Minn hjerta… Eka em hiert."

DRIP.

The darkness in Faven's eyes brightened in a shimmer.

DROP.

Tears leaked from her eyes as her bottom lip trembled. A shaky hand latched onto silk and clung to it like it was her lifeline. She tried to say something, tried to do something, but nothing came out except tears.

A hand curled her head into silk chest. Wide eyes cried. Tear upon tear stained silk.

Nayda watched as her mother was picked up with only the most grace and care. She watched the man brush past spirits without saying a word to them. It was not considered rude at all. He walked with such poise and such elegancy, he could not be human. Ears carried pointed tips and slanted angles. Jaw sharp and face long and shaped. Crystalized silver colored locks that streamed in the air.

Leo stood. "Come, Nayda, Erion. Let us follow."

Nayda refused. 'Who man to Mother?'

Leo paused. "He's her heart, Nayda. He's the only hope we have to get your mother back."

°•°•°•°

The mist rolled on the highlands of the early morn. There was a particular hush in these parts when the sky was gray and silent and the cold was not bitter but could turn to any second. A pair of owls overtook the sky and curled it. Below them was a yurt-like tent that had been sturdily constructed for the incoming autumn. They swooped down to the open window and perched themselves.

The inside of this yurt was nothing like it should be. It was filled with Magic and vastly expansive. Pots were washing and drying themselves while food was being made over the stove. A fireplace had been stoked and tended itself. Books and knowledges from around the world had made homes for themselves. There was only handcrafted furniture and hand made blankets and pillows.

The owls hooted surprise when teeth snapped at them to get the letter in one of their mouths. They angrily hooted at her and raised their wings before leaving.

It was Nayda who got the letter. She had grown exponentially with her baby tuff nearly gone for her permanent feathers. Feeling triumphant, she pranced over to the hall and the first door open to her left. It was some sort of study with the man of crystalized silver hair hard at work over his scrolls. His religious piercings glinted in the right light and he only had his blanket around his shoulders to warm him.

Nayda huffed and chirped.

He looked up to reveal angular eyes of jasper. He smiled when he saw the scroll, relieved. "Ah! I was hoping the return scroll would come today!"

Nayda pranced over to him and laid the scroll in his hand. Then, she sat like a good girl and waited.

He breathed a laugh as he tossed nothing into the air. That nothing turned into a fish that Nayda happily caught in her teeth and trounced away with her treat.

"And do not even try to eat my food before I get my hands on it, young lady!" he warned good-naturedly.

Nayda only wagged her tail at him and left the room.

He chortled to himself as he opened the scroll. "Silly little birdie…" His eyes glanced over the scroll—

His mouth set in a frown and he closed it.

In no time at all, he was down the hall and knocking on a closed door. "Faven, it is I," he said softly. "I have news for you."

No answer.

He helped himself into the room. It was a simple design with little touches of home to it. The bed was fit for five but was home to two at the moment. Faven sat on the edge of her bed with her hair down, less wavy than before. She looked as though she had aged greatly with her sunken eyes and brittle hands. His eyes saddened as he came into the room and sat on the edge of the bed, scroll in hand.

"The spies I had planted were all killed," he announced to her, tone dead. "The last letter I received was from the one who managed to get this to me." He opened the scroll to skim over it again. "She says war is brewing. The temples are quietly being abandoned and the children of the Gods are being taken as sacrifices. Spirits and fae grow restless as more are captured. They send warning for us prepare ourselves for not if, but when the fae and spirits take action."

Faven said nothing.

He closed the scroll. "It has been months since you have spoken," he told her. "Your grief and shame and guilt—I feel it. The road of healing is not a short one. As of now, I have kept us both from the scrying gaze of our parents. You deserve time and I wish to give you just that." Jasper landed on Faven's form. "But we cannot deny war will come soon and we cannot run from it, as insensitive as that may sound. Our place is with our allies who will need us soon."

He toyed with his stubbled jaw. "Insofar, mainly Daemons have been summoned. As you know, they are neutral and think of no evil or good. However, a handful of Demons have made their ascension onto this realm and make it more susceptible to others. With more cathedral churches and false Covens and insurgence of Warlocks, I will have to join the fray." He lifted his hand to rest upon her brittle one. "But I cannot go without you at my side," he expressed.

Faven said nothing.

He retracted his hand and stood up. "I will bring you lunch soon," he promised. He left the room and shut the door behind him. He took a moment to rub the bridge of his nose.

'Oh, Faven… How I wish I could heal your emotional wounds as well…'

"Lisandrus?"

Lisandrus brought himself out of his thoughts to see a wary lithe woman, hair of snow and highlighted in gold. Her eyes were a crisp gold and she carried herself like a warrior. "Apologies, Selene," Lisandrus said, striding towards her. "You return early. Is Endymion with you?"

Selene's eyes visible glittered at the mention of her mate. "He is outside with our findings."

⌜CELESTIAL SPIRIT

Name: Selene

Occupation: Celestial Spirit (Unicorn)

Magic: White Magic

Likes: singing Dislikes: tardiness

Special Note: Selene is a well-seasoned unicorn with her third horn, but she gave her first horn as a mating gift to Endymion and her second horn to Lisandrus.⌟

Her eyes drifted to the door and her horse ears flattened. "Is she still mute?"

"Like the moon and stars themselves," Lisandrus murmured. He looked at his spirit desperately. "And, you are certain—?"

"Nay, Lisandrus, I ensured no foal would come from her belly," Selene soothed. "My Magic has never failed and I check daily to make sure she is barren and not a trace of that cretin is within her."

Lisandrus nodded, but he could not help looking as remorseful as he felt. "What more can I do, Selene? How else can I help her? I have sought counsel with the gods and they are as silent."

Selene glided forward to lay hand on Lisandrus' shoulder. "You have done enough," she soothed. "You do not force her. You have not given her bad temper. You nurture her and wait for her."

"But, the war will not," Lisandrus spat out. He sounded angry at the war itself. "I wish to give her time to heal, but how can I when war is to come to our doorstep and we are to be at the front lines? Mother is furious with my leave of absence these past months and Faven's mother sends her worry her daughter has yet to come home." Jasper glinted. "I have not only failed as prince or son—I have failed as my heart's protector."

Selene gently pushed Lisandrus down the hall. "Come, my prince. We bring news."

Outside were Erion and Endymion. Erion had barely outgrown the yurt-tent itself and looked proud at his curled horns and adult fur. His scale-shedding would stop when he had matured into his true form. Nayda had come outside and rubbed against Erion's flank in greeting. Streams of memories passed between them so they may relive what the other one had. Endymion stayed in his Pegasus Form, but he happily came over to Selene and circled her, neighing.

"You were gone from me too long," Endymion whined.

Selene smiled as she rested a hand on his snout. "I could blink and you would still complain you could not see my gaze, minn hälfr," she teased him.

Feeling awkward, Lisandrus coughed for attention to be on him. "Sir Endymion, I believe you have news to present to me?"

Endymion pulled away from Selene for gold and jasper to meet. "I do," he said, grave. "It is unfortunate to say we have found two other cults they call 'Covens'. We disguised ourselves to investigate." His wings ruffled at his rolling disgust. "These Warlocks truly have no comprehension for the evil they unleash. They use virgins and orgies and blood to raise their evil only to be slaughtered at the hands of their overlord and used as food."

"To the south, a couple leagues from here, lay the Mûre River," Selene continued. "There has been dispute between the lands of the river. The west has been invaded with Warlocks and their slaves while the east has become sanctuary for human, creature, spirit, and fae."

'We heard mutterings of invasion, slaughter,' Erion projected. His voice had deepened, but not by much. He was still a juvenile who was peeking into adulthood and he was becoming eloquent as his lessons progressed. 'Warlocks intend to cross the river to steal souls and Magic. However, those of the east plot for the countless killings of Warlocks and the enslaved humans.'

"This preemptive battle would be what it would take for the war to begin," Lisandrus realized in horror. "We have tried to keep the peace, but if news spread of this battle, war would come within weeks." He looked at Endymion. "Any word from Atlas Vega?"

"From the stirrings of the Heartfilia Coven, unrest is there. Sides are being chosen. Some wish to use spirits in war. Others do not." Endymion looked longingly into the yurt-tent. "Priestess-Queen Sana refuses to make that decision until Faven returns home."

Lisandrus cursed in his native tongue. "We must return Faven home and stop the battle before it begins. I will call for my most trusted friends to meet us at the edge of the highlands." He looked at Selene. "Has the Star King said a—?"

Selene was already shaking her head. "You know as well as I he bears no ill-will towards Faven and considers her his daughter-maiden. As for your other inquiry, he is a God Spirit, Lisandrus, and his first instinct is to protect the stars of his sky. He will not close the gate, but rumor has spread. Those of us who choose to partake in a war that is not ours will suffer his supposed punishment." She snorted. "I care little for punishment. He may be my King, but I serve you, my prince, and will follow you into battle."

Lisandrus could not suppress his smile. "Thank you, Selene." He looked at all the spirits. "I shall send word to my allies. Endymion, Erion, continue to watch the Mûre River and report your updates. If the battle starts earlier than anticipated, we will have to move. Selene, you are with me."

A whining chirp.

Lisandrus looked at Nayda who seemed a little indignant she was left out. He chuckled and stroked her rumpled feathers. "Peace, little birdie, you will be tasked with watching over your mother," he assigned. "It is a very important task. Can you do it?"

Nayda puffed her chest and nodded, proud at her assignment.

Lisandrus smiled and looked back to the yurt. Jasper tinted in sadness as feelings of faint despair tickled his gut. "From our distance, we will arrive at the river in a month. We all need to prepare ourselves. Stall as long as you can, ruin the Warlocks' plot, and get my allies there swiftly." He started back to the yurt. "We will stop this battle before a war can be born."

°•°•°•°

It was a montage of days and minutes and hours and cycles of the moon and sun. The time spent traveling were by horseback. Selene had transcended back into her Unicorn Form to reveal a sleek mare of white with gold crusting around her horn. Faven rode Selene with Lisandrus on the back of Arion—an elvish horse bigger and sturdier than earth equines with manes and tails made solely of Magic. The rolling mists of the highlands in autumn were turning bitter, anguished that winter would befall in only a few months. The journey during the day was filled in silence. Nayda took to flying great heights with Lisandrus' twin Messenger Spirits who kept her amused as they went from raven to owl to hawks and taught her how to fly like a bird. Lisandrus would continuously glance at Faven who never looked up like she was trained to keep her head bowed.

Mealtimes were never different. Lisandrus and Nayda would bring back their hunts to be roasted over stoked flames. Nayda had always especially hunted for her mother and would squawk and nudge at her mother to eat. Faven never did so until Lisandrus helped her feed like spoon-feeding a child. Even drinking, Lisandrus had to guide her lips to his water sack and force her to drink.

The nights were the most stressful. Lisandrus stayed up at all odd hours of the night working with his Messenger Spirits returning parchment and delivering it. Selene made sure there was food and kept a close eye on Faven from bathing her to feed her with Nayda making sure her mother was in good company. On some nights, Lisandrus would join Faven in their bed and whisper words in his mother tongue. It was those when emotion would peak from her eyes as tears would leak and she shiver into his chest and her mouth would work in wet wails, but no words were spilled. On others, he fell asleep in his study with ink dotting his hands and cheeks and stress pinching his face.

It was approaching a fortnight of their travels of the highlands when something did not feel right.

Lisandrus brought the company to a halt. Selene perked her ears alongside the Arion, both aware of a danger they could not pinpoint. The forest near to them was still. The sky was clear. There was nothing but them and the earth.

Something dreadful invaded Lisandrus' thoughts as he looked up at the sky to see nothing. "Where are Nayda and the messengers?"

A shrill wail.

Selene and the Arion pelted towards the echoed noise faster than horses should move. They broke into the tree-line and weaved between tree and fallen branches, uncaring of the fallen leaves.

Another low screech.

"Hurry!" Lisandrus spurred on Selene and his steed. "Brysig!"

Selene and the Arion launched themselves through the forest like they were galloping on air, their bodies cutting through wind at blinding speeds. The sounds of shrieking was not alone. Drunken laughter and heavy voices broke into the party's ears as they slowed down. The sight was upon them and it was disturbing.

Nayda lay trapped in a wooden cage for big game with her wings strapped to her body and men trying to muzzle her. Other creatures of earth and Magic were encaged. They howled and shrieked and banged on their cages only for an elastic type shield to appear and expand when they tried to escape through the bars. The campsite was one to easily set up and tear down with a stew cooked and sloppily eaten by men as they laughed and talked about.

Lisandrus dismounted to gauge the area. He watched a man converse with another and levirate his bowl to the pot to get seconds. "Magicians," he hissed. "Huntsmen Magicians, no doubt. None have the Magic Aura to be a Mage nor a Hunter."

Selene fluidly transcended into her Human Form and her eyes saw the twin Messenger Spirits in their lowly cage, both riled up. "From what I sense, the extension of their skills lie with simple Telekinesis, nothing more. Maybe a Summoning Spell and a couple of non-combative ones. I sense their weapons are of Magic, but not of their own. A good sign." She curled her lip as she watched the men finally muzzle Nayda and a knife slipped from her sleeve and into her hand. "How shall we dispose of them, my prince?"

"This better be enough souls for those damn Warlocks," came grumble.

Lisandrus put a finger to his lips at that.

A man plopped next to his body with his water sack and took a quick guzzle. Wiping rum off his beer, he grunted, "The spirits will bring in some serious coin. They promised us each a handful of gold coins per spirit, some silver for any strong beast, and a couple coppers for the normal game." He smirked. "Too damn bad we did not get to haul in some broads. Heard these Warlocks were payin' top coin for pretty young virgins."

"How they gonna know if the whore's a virgin?" another man wondered, licking his lips. "Been on the dirt long enough. I say we get one, have our lil' fun, an' sell 'er sayin' she's as saint as Mary. No one's gonna know."

Selene ground her teeth as her grip on her knife tightened while Lisandrus had to physically hold himself back as rage boiled inside him.

A man with more booze in his system than he knew what to do with stumbled to Nayda's cage. He cared little she shook and her wide eyes were frightened from man. He hooked a finger onto her muzzle through her cage and slammed her head forward. Drunken breath puffed onto her nose and made her sneeze. He grinned. "Can' wait to sell this one. Smells powerful like one of them God Spirits. Damn Warlocks are gonna love this pretty girl, yeah?" He took a long sip from his rum sack before pouring the rest on Nayda's head. "We will be as fit as kings!"

CRACKLE.

Lisandrus and Selene did not even realize Faven had passed them until it was too late. Lisandrus was about to shout, but Selene covered his mouth.

A man leaning on a tree did not even realize a lady was present until—

WHOOSH.

His eyes widened.

A dagger had gone straight through his chest.

It was dragged out.

The man let out a bloodcurdling scream as he fell to his knees, shaky hands trying to stop the bleeding.

And Faven stood behind him, clutching her dagger.

All of a sudden, the happy times of thinking of money and women were gone as men exchanged bowls for bows and swords, aiming them at Faven. One of the men, however, drunker than most and his hair in a plat grinned. "Now, now, men, we are in the presence of a lady," he purred. "A lonely woman who could very well be lost." He stumbled for Faven. "Come now, love, don't be shy. I know ya didn't mean to kill my best mate."

The darkness in Faven's eyes refused to go away as her stare sought for Nayda. "Let my daughter go." Her voice thundered even if it sounded weak and unused.

At that, the man's lips twisted into a frown. "Darlin', we haven't got yer daughter," he assured. "We are just simple hunters catchin' game is all."

Faven pointed her bloody knife at Nayda. "Let go of my daughter," she snarled once again.

Another man (he was a flaring red head with a braided beard like a gnome) stepped forward, lowering his bow and arrow. "Come now, Miss. We don' mean no trouble," he soothed. "Just put the knife down and we can talk about your daughter."

Much to everyone's surprise and relief, Faven dropped her knife.

Visible relaxation passed through the group of Hunting Magicians as they lowered their weapons and chattered amongst themselves of this crazed maiden. The red head shuffled closer to Faven with an easy smile and eyes that were not as friendly as he appeared. "Good girl," he cooed, offering a hand to her. "Now, let's talk about your dau—"

WUH-CH!

The red head looked at his wrist to see a whip of streaming Magic coiled around it in a vice like grip.

The Magicians halted.

"I do not believe you heard me the first time…"

WUH-CH!

Eyes dropped onto the ground to see the red head red in the face this time as he lay on his back, pain curling around him. Eyes peeled up to see the blonde maiden stabbing all of them with her dark stare filled with hatred. "GIVE ME MY DAUGHTER!"

A Magician readied himself with knives between fingers and his friends with their bow and arrows. "I think if we take the whore down, we could sell her for some serious coin," he told his hunting brothers.

"She is not a 'whore', you filthy humans!"

There was no time to even dodge as white Magic intertwined with gold shot around the group of men and trapped them all in their own cage with little effort. They growled and tried to bang on the bars of Magic only to find themselves being electrocuted. Selene rushed past them in her Pegasus Form as Magic shot from her horn and blinded men rushing at her.

Lisandrus jumped into the fray with no need to weapons. He covered Faven as she marched for Nayda and used the elements to his advantage, even using pressure points to render his opponent paralyzed. "We could have gone about this without killing that man," he gritted to Faven as he forced winds to knock three men off their feet and chained them to the ground with leaves.

"Give me my daughter," was all Faven puffed. "Give me my daughter."

Lisandrus finished off the last of his opponents, then turned to Faven. He paused when he saw her eyes.

Her dark, jaded eyes.

'Faven…'

Selene rear-kicked the last man standing and snorted. "Humans," she hissed, tone acidic. "They will never learn."

WUH-CH!

Selene shifted her gaze to see Faven singe-handedly tear down Nayda's cage with her celestial whip. She dismissed it when finished to pull off Nayda's muzzle. Nayda instantly teared up and sank down to chirp into Faven's bosom, petrified.

Faven stroked Nayda's head, feathers sticky from split booze. "There, there," she soothed. Her voice was quickly shaking. It had not been used in too long. "Mother is here, my little cloud."

Lisandrus watched from a respectful distance as Selene approached him, transforming onto two legs. "Free them," was all Lisandrus said to her.

Selene hesitated. "Lisandrus… Her eyes—"

Lisandrus turned away. "Not now, Selene." With a flutter of his cape, he went to the first of the cages. Ancient Language soothed the beasts' anxiety and he whispered a spell onto the cage. Selene took one last look of mother comforting daughter. The God Spirit shook within the Star Maiden's grasp. But even as Faven soothed her with words and pets, her dark eyes never lightened.

°•°•°•°

It was later that same day when they had settled within Lisandrus' yurt-tent for the night. Dinner had been eaten, the stars watched the earth, and the world continued to spin. Selene stayed outside as a dutiful watchman for the night with no need for fire to see.

Lisandrus stepped out of his study. He had gone back to loose pants and a vest that exposed his hairless chest. His hair was free of his religious braids and rolled down his shoulders. He heard mutterings in the main room and journeyed out to see Faven had taken to comforting Nayda before the stoked fire, humming a lullaby of the stars. Nayda had fallen asleep with clean feathers, a bandaged wing, and a calmed soul while Faven stared half-lidded at her daughter, hair still up and her nightdress on. She did not even look up as Lisandrus approached her.

"How is she?" Lisandrus murmured.

Faven continued to stroke Nayda's neck feathers. "She will be frightened, but I have prayed to His Majesty and the Dream Spirit she shares flight with her brother." Her voice sounded securer than before, but still, it was quiet.

Lisandrus sank down on the other side of Nayda and stroked her maw. "These Warlocks enlist Magicians now to collect souls and women—sacrifices." He hissed out the horrid word. "From the information I extracted, more of these hunting parties venture into forests and unknown little villages to pillage in the name of these Warlocks. This party is on its fourth raid. Knowing these Warlocks, they would not have been paid but slaughtered like cattle and treated as sacrifices."

Faven said nothing. She just kept humming.

Jasper looked up. Mouth tipped down in frown, thinking, hesitating. "Faven"—a caress of her name, soft-spoken and wary—"we must talk of what happened, of what you did."

The humming stopped.

"You took a life when it was not necessary." Lisandrus watched her carefully for her reaction. "I know little of the vows a Star Maiden makes upon entering maidenhood, but I do know you took a vow to never play Creator and steal a life when you could avoid it."

Faven's hand stopped moving.

Lisandrus' eyes went down to Nayda and watched her sigh. "Nayda is precious to you and those Magicians had no right to steal her from you," he started, initially taking her side, "but perhaps a different way to handle that man—"

"I could not save her before."

Jasper lifted to look into dark chocolate that gazed at the sleeping spirit.

"I was helpless," whispered Faven. "I could not save her because I could not save myself. I failed as her mother."

"You did not," Lisandrus insisted. "You know Nayda thinks that untrue. As does Erion and all of us."

"But it is true." Faven's hands wriggled into feathers. "I failed as a mother and a Star Maiden. I was…" Darkness shimmered. "I was…"

Hands went to Faven's cheeks and thumbs stroked flesh. Lisandrus shook his head. "You never failed," he promised. "You are a good woman and great mother. What happened to you was not your fault and you had no control over it." His fingers shifted to her hair and began to undo it. "You had no way of knowing they would ambush you. You had no way of knowing they would take your keys or Nayda. You are not Fate, Destiny, or Time."

The first lock of hair fell.

"You are Faven Heartfilia, a beautiful maiden who is loyal to her family and to the stars and spirits as promised. That horrible moment does not define you. Your children, your spirits, your family, your dreams, your journeys, your future…does."

More locks fell.

Faven closed her eyes. "I could not even face myself or my spirits," she confessed. "I could not look at myself. I should have fought. I should have done more—!"

"You did enough," Lisandrus shushed. "It was you alone who left home when you heard a God Spirit was killed in the process of reviving unnatural evil into this world. You went to look for her children. You went to learn more about Warlocks and their evil to stop them and better this realm. You forsook everything to help spirits you did not even know."

Gold hair fanned out along Faven's back. Hands slid to her cheeks to wipe her tears.

"And, to help them, I was willing to abandon you and our future," Faven hiccuped. "So why do you not hate me?"

Lisandrus smiled that type of smile where his dimples were prominent and his eyes tenderly flamed. "I could never hate minn hjerta."

Faven leaned into his hands, ducking her head. "You should," she breathed, "for I have no innocence left."

"Nonsense," Lisandrus dismissed. "Innocence is nothing but a concept. Humans have always thought innocence is purely physical, but to those of us who are not? Innocence, purity—it is in the eye of the beholder and you may lose it whenever and to whomever you wish."

Faven silently exhaled a cry at that.

Lisandrus visibly softened. "Minn hjerta, when your Star Spirits found me and told me of your children and decision, I rejoiced knowing you were successful in your quest. Even if I would never see you, I never stopped loving you. And, even now, I still love you."

"I am ruined, Lisandrus," Faven sobbed.

"No, Faven, you are not 'ruined'," Lisandrus feverishly explained. "You are strong and a survivor. You are a mother. You are a Star Maiden, heir to the Heartfilia Coven. You are you and nothing will ever change that."

Faven opened her eyes.

Shimmering milk chocolate with flecks of honey connected with affectionate jasper.

"Thank you," Faven appreciated, "for believing in me and being there for my children when I could not."

"And I would do it again," Lisandrus promised. "For you, I would do anything."

A ghost of a smile touched Faven's lips. "Even give up your crown?" she teased lightly.

Lisandrus, however, was somber as he answered, "If you asked, I would gladly step down from my throne."

Faven sighed and her hand went to Lisandrus', covering it. "Lisandrus, we have discussed this," she reminded. "You are not to abdicate. Álfheimr needs its prince to becoming king, especially when times grow dark. You are needed there."

"I am needed where you are," Lisandrus snapped back. "Come, Faven, does my mother deceive you with her talks of old age? She has centuries before her to continue her rule and has taunted me mercilessly with talks of making my cousin the true heir."

"She goads to rise jealousy," Faven put in. "She has seen you jealous, Lisandrus, and knows you will move suns and moons if someone threatens your desire. She hopes you aim your desire to king."

"I refuse!"

"Now, you speak stubbornly," Faven chastised.

"I speak truth," Lisandrus insisted. "Myplace is with myheart. It is rare for any species to find their half, even rarer in humans. But we found each other. I fought your King and won the right for our union and our future. Our place is with each other."

Faven gently shook her head. "Our place is with our people. You will be crowned king of all elves. I will be given title of Priestess-Queen. These things cannot change."

The desperate plea in Lisandrus' eyes was heartbreaking. "I cannot lose you."

Faven let her hand caress his cheek. "You never will," she vowed in low whisper as chocolate and jasper met intimately.

A chirp.

'Mother…'

Faven and Lisandrus broke apart as Nayda yawned and roused herself from sleep. Her eyes opened sleepily to scan over Faven. When she was satisfied, she settled her head within Faven's lap.

'Mother fine… Mother spirit feel bright…'

Faven smiled. "I feel bright?"

'Yes. Mother spirit feel bright… Warmer, less cold… Miss Mother warm…'

"I am sorry I scared you," Faven apologized. "I had a lot to think about and I still do…"—her eyes met Lisandrus—"but I promise to be here for you more, my raindrop."

Nayda opened her eyes again and flicked between Lisandrus and Faven curiously. Something mischievous sparked.

'Mother?'

"Yes, Nayda?"

'Lisandrus is Mother too.'

Lisandrus blushed wildly while Faven laughed into a hand. "Nayda, Lisandrus cannot be your mother," she chortled.

Nayda frowned. 'Why?'

"Because…" Faven paused. "Because he is your father."

Lisandrus' eyes widened. "Faven?"

At that, Nayda tipped her head. 'What is…'Father'?'

"A father is like a mother, but a boy instead of a girl," Faven educated.

Nayda seemed to understand that. 'Did I have Father once?'

"Spirits generally have mothers or fathers, but not both," Faven told her. "Spirits have no need for two parents to come to existence like humans do. But, now, you have two parents—Lisandrus and I."

"Faven…"

Faven looked back to Lisandrus who looked abruptly serious.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked.

Faven nodded. "You took care of my children when I was unable… I want to make it official. You will always be the father to my children, Lisandrus." A light blush broke out on her peachy cheeks.

Lisandrus found his own cheeks burning as he eyes looked at the ground. "I… I would like that…" he said back.

Nayda watched the pair turn even more red when a thought occurred to her. 'Mothers and Fathers make little mothers and fathers?'

Faven hummed positively. "Children call other children in their family 'brothers' for boys and 'sisters' for girls like you and Erion call each other."

Nayda thumped her tail in excitement. 'Mother, Father—I want brothers and sisters!'

…and she watched Lisandrus begin to smoke as his body turned red and Faven wilt into a spluttering mess.

°•°•°•°

Those next days were the most fun they had been in months.

Nayda kept to the ground with her bandaged wing and traipsed amongst the steeds and became nosier than most days. She asked a bundle of questions about parenting and how spirits and humans were born. Faven and Lisandrus took turns answering for what they could, but they shared their deep embarrassment when Nayda pointed her questions for more siblings to play with.

'But, why can I have no brothers or sisters?' Nayda had complained. 'I want to be bossy like Brother.' Her nose prodded Faven's stomach. 'Mother have many little ones so I can boss them.' She puffed her chest. 'I be bossy like Brother and love them.'

Faven could have fainted from the implications, Lisandrus had looked like he wanted to flee, and Selene was snorting her laughter.

"Right now is not the time for children," Lisandrus had tried to dissuade. "We have to focus on this battle and the days ahead."

'Not now,' Nayda had echoed, the words distasteful. She perked afterwards, hopeful. 'Later then? After fight?'

Jasper and chocolate had met for a second before quick second with longing before looking away, shy.

Faven coughed, clearing her healing throat. "Perhaps…"

Lisandrus had whipped his head to look at Faven in surprise. "Re…? Really?!"

Faven had tried to look composed, but her red face gave her away. "Do not get any ideas, prince, I said 'perhaps'."

Lisandrus could not wipe off his goofy grin. "Perhaps…"

Nayda had an odd spring in her step after that. Conversations with her had taken turns of the pros and cons of having another sister first or a brother first and her adamance she got to name them. Arguments had started between Lisandrus and Faven when all this hypothetical talk got to their heads and they butted heads of the names of their firstborn son and daughter. Selene was the one to end the arguments amusedly by asking them when they wanted to start trying for their child and Nayda excitedly butted in by telling them to start now.

Lisandrus and Faven were quick to stop their arguing and get back to other things, avoiding eye contact.

But it was those late nights when Nayda was dead asleep and Selene on watch Faven and Lisandrus would talk in the darkness of their bedroom. Sometimes, they would hold each other as tears and guilt and shame consumed Faven to the point of gagging. Other times, Lisandrus would chase away her darkness with light conversation of the stars and their childhood and their remembered stories of their blossoming romance and Lisandrus' infamous jealous.

One night in particular, the topic came up.

"Do you think it is possible?"

Lisandrus was in his loose pants with no vest and held onto Faven when he heard her soft question. "What do you speak of, minn hjerta?"

"Us."

Lisandrus blushed a bit, but he pried, "What about possibility?"

Faven shifted in his arms to turn over to look at him. Her hair was in a simple braid for the night and her dress thicker for fall air. "For us to have children."

Lisandrus frowned. "Oh…"

Hurt entered Faven's stare. "Do you not want children?"

Lisandrus tightened his grip on Faven before she could wriggle away. "That is not is at all, Faven, so banish the thought," he scolded. "I have dreamed of you carrying our child. I want it to be real, but… It is quite rare for two different species to successfully crossbreed. Look at our own spirits. Selene and Endymion have never conceived."

"But the children who are born are the most rare and powerful," Faven pointed out.

Lisandrus smiled at Faven's thinking. "Yes, minn hjerta, they are," he agreed. "A child of elvish and Heartfilia descent would be sought after far and wide for their beauty and Magic." His smile died. "When we stop this battle and prevent war, would you want to…?" He swallowed. "I mean… I do not mean to be so rude—"

"Lisandrus, there is no 'when'."

Lisandrus' eyebrows furrowed as Faven left his grip to sit up. He sat up with her. "Faven…?"

Faven refused to look at him. "Fate and Time came to me through a dream."

Lisandrus tensed. "They – did – what?"

Faven lowered her head at his growl as though not to anger him further. "They showed me what is to come in the future. This battle will happen, Lisandrus, and a great evil will be revived. Many will die and will be the cause to great war. The revival of Witch Trials, the fall of Covens, wizard versus wizard… It will be as Fate and Time have ruled and Chaos plotted."

Lisandrus could not believe it. "But, Destiny," he urged. "Was he there? Did he tell you how to shape the future? Did he tell you how to shape it?"

Faven shook her head. "Nay. It was only the sister, not the pair."

Lisandrus cursed in his native tongue. "This cannot be!" he boomed in denial. He got up from the bed to pace at the foot of it. "I will not allow this age to fall into war! The prophecy cannot mean now! We still have more time!"

"Borrowed time," Faven interjected. "Lisandrus, the more we stall, the worse it will become. We must face this. This will come to pass."

Lisandrus glared at her. "It will not," he persisted. "We will find a way, Faven, I swear to you! Our love will not be brought into an age of darkness and I will make sure our children and you will get to freely live your lives without any fear and…!" He noticed Faven's soft smile and his seething softened to perplexity. "What? What is it?"

She shook her head with a delicate smile touching her lips and a gleam in her eyes. "Nothing. I just love you."

Lisandrus' rage broke down completely as he swept Faven into his arms. He kissed her forehead. "I love you too," he vowed into her skin.

Faven rubbed his arms. "Lisandrus, no matter what happens, I want you to know that. I appreciate everything you have done for our children and for me. In our youth, you fought for the right of our future against my King and the Queen-Priestess as our customs. You stood by my side when your mother stood against me. I—"

"Do not speak like we have already lost," Lisandrus quieted her, tucking a strand of hair back into her braid.

Faven closed her eyes when she felt Lisandrus' lips kiss her forehead again. "We have such little time until we arrive at the Mûre River," she told him. "I have lost so much time with you as it is. Let me change that. Let us make up for lost time before we jump straight into battle." She opened her eyes.

Searching jasper clashed with gentle chocolate.

"Do you mean that?" Lisandrus whispered.

Faven kissed his chin. "Every word."

Lisandrus bobbed his head and lowered his head for his lips to be close to her. "Minn hjerta…"

Faven whispered in Ancient Language, "Minn hjerta-dwyéurr."

…that was all it took for Lisandrus to kiss her.

And the days shifted as it became apparent something was coming. The skies gave warning with their bleary grays. The forest was already getting ready for the winter was fall settled in, but Nature was dying from the diseased darkness that was near. The animals that had not been taken had been left with maggots eating their sick flesh and bone. The streams and rivers had dried.

Nature knew evil was afoot.

On their final day, they stood atop a hill that overlooked the Mûre River…

…and were shocked at what they saw.

The ugliness of dark souls and Curses had dug into the land of the west and blackened the river. The town that was once there had been ravished without consent. A chapel had been built at its core with little stone houses for brothers and sisters of the darkness and their slaves. The east had gathered a surmount of creatures who made their camp. Fires were pitted and smoke wafted in the air. The skies had darkened and rumbled, displeased.

"I can feel the intent of the spirits," Faven whispered to Lisandrus. "I feel their bloodlust and cry for war against the Warlocks."

Nayda slightly stood in front of Faven and Selene with a growl in her chest. 'Feel bad Magic again… Mother does not go… Mother stay. I protect Mother.' She bared her teeth. 'Kill man.'

"Nayda!" Faven said sharply, startling her daughter. "We do not kill if we can help it!" She turned to Lisandrus who had pressed his lips together. "Lisandrus, what must we do? War will break out any day!"

Lisandrus was about to speak, but someone beat him to it.

"Oi! It 'as been a right cycle since I las' seen ya!"

Jasper and chocolate turned in relief to see a party approaching them. It was not many, but an army would not be needed. The one who had shouted happily waved his hammer from his place on his golem, an earthy being that resembled a walking tree. Rose petals formed the shape of a woman and glided with the rest. Wavra rode on the back of a Kelpie next to a woman with lightning in her hair and armor and her steed a pure white Pegasus. A shaggy looking wolf bigger than most padded with the group a little boy on his back, seemingly annoyed with the dazzling lights fluttering around him.

CAW…

A phoenix of fiery orange circle the group with Atlas Vega and Erion before descending. In a flash of brightness, the phoenix transformed into a man who had flames for hair and beard. Altas Vega and Erion landed with Endymion in his Man Form, Perseus and Andromeda. The last of the group was a surprise.

"A Deva?" Faven gasped. "But, how…?"

Lisandrus winked at her. "I have always told you I have friends in high places." He dismounted and moved to help Faven dismount. "Now. Let me introduce you to my allies, minn hjerta."

The golem set down his rider who was a short thing with a braided beard and impenetrable armor. He swung his hammer onto his shoulder that looked like it was weightier than him, yet he held it so gracefully. "Lisandrus!" he boomed.

With Faven safely on the ground, Lisandrus guided Faven forward. "Nuvroc!" he cheerfully greeted. "Until I teach minn hjerta your dialect, you will have to entertain us with her language."

Nuvroc chuckled as he met them halfway. He set down his hammer (it shook the earth) to kneel before Faven, much to her surprise. "Your Majesty," he purred, "I am pleased ta make yer acquaintance." He took her hand and kissed her knuckles thrice. "The little prince told me about ya. Have to say…"—he kissed her knuckles slowly once more and winked up at her—"he might 'ave lef' out yer beau'y outta fear I'd steal ye away."

Faven blushed. "O-Oh…"

Lisandrus was subtle in pulling Faven away from his friend, but the warning in his eyes was blaring. "Nuvroc… En úlfur som sér aðra stjörnu på månen er ekke hræddur að deile klørnar," he but in the rough Dwarfing language.

Faven frowned her confusion as the Nuvroc and the phoenix-turned-man shared a hearty laugh. "What did you say?" she whispered to the Elf Prince.

Nuvroc feigned wiping a tear. "Ah, Star Maiden, 'twas nothin' but a lil' friendly chattin'."

The phoenix-turned-man shoved Nuvroc. "No need to make the prince jealous." His accent was strange. It carried something deep and rich and sharp. He looked at Faven in apology and bowed low. "My apologies, Your Majesty, for my comrade's behavior, but I swear to you that not all dwarves are as uncouth." He took her hand and kissed her palm rather than knuckles. "In your language, I am called Sun-At-Dawn's-Break. But you may call me 'Dawn'."

Faven smiled. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Dawn." She noted his fiery hair. "You are a phoenix, I take it? Though, you look like a Salamander in their Human Form."

Dawn smiled proudly. "Aye, Miss. I am swiftest of my kind," he boasted. Why, if he were in his natural form, he would be preening his feathers.

Nuvroc muttered loudly, "And the dumbest."

The woman shaped of rose petals glided forth. "Nuvroc, mind your attitude in the presence of Her Majesty," she snapped. Even her accent was strange. She sounded like the breeze you hear in the meadows when the sky was still from moseying around. She turned to Faven and smiled, curtsying. "Greetings, Your Majesty, I am a nymph called Liminoria. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Faven whispered to Lisandrus as she smiled at everyone, "Why are they referring to me in royal title like I agreed to become your queen?"

Lisandrus nervously laughed. "We do not have the luxury for formal introductions, so allow me to cut them briefly." He gestured to the shaggy black dog. "This is Sirius of the Lycan Race."

To prove it, Sirius shifted into his Man Form of a messy-haired mongrel of a man with hair on his chest and his size greater than a normal human male. He flashed his fangs at Faven in greeting and did not care about the boy who fell from his back nor the pixies who berated him for his actions.

Lisandrus gestured to the boy with effeminacy defining many of his features. "That is Kallan, a faerie."

Faven noticed something odd about the boy. "Where are his—?"

"He is a late bloomer," Liminoria cut in. "He will grow his wings when Nature finds him ready and worthy." She gestured to the pixies. "The pixies around him are his caretakers, believe it or not. They will leave also when he is ready."

Lisandrus nodded at the tanned woman with lighting streaks in her dark hair. "Sigrdrífa is a Valkyrie I met through my tussle in another realm."

Sigrdrífa smiled with teeth to note her mocking. "You call what you did a 'tussle'? You were completely drunk, Lis, and ended up in the Game Keeper's clutches and in his arena," she reminded, earning Lisandrus' plea of her to stop and Faven eyeing the prince in suspicion. "If it was not for me, you would still be battling your way in slavery as a fighter."

Lisandrus cleared his throat. "As I was saying," he continued with a vengeful glare at the satisfied Valkyrie, "you know Wavra—"

Nayda sprinted forward to attack Wavra in licks and nuzzles. Wavra laughed and managed to wrestle Nayda off her. "It is good to see you too, Nayda," she said warmly. She met Faven's eyes and her smile grew. "And it is good to see you, Faven."

Faven's eyes sparkled. "Wavra…"

'A Heartfilia in the flesh…'

Faven was surprised at the sight of the Deva. They looked simply elegant with their skin touched in the pinks of spring. Two of their hands pressed palms together while the other two held their mudras, all showing the wealth of their rings and bracelets. Dark hair flowed like a river beneath an excessive headpiece. Such a delicate effeminate face was attached to a flat-chested body cloaked in jewelry, loose pants, and a open vest.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is a Deva, a type of God Spirit or a God-touched non-human being. They carry great power and wisdom, though very rarely show their many faces to anyone, mortal or immortal, and their names nor language cannot be said in any tongue but their own. Their opposite are called Asuras. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Faven deeply bowed. "Great Deva," she murmured, diplomatic, "I humbly stand in your presence."

The Deva smiled. 'You are a Spirit Friend, daughter-maiden to the Star King, and lover of my dear friend, so rise,' they graciously ordered. 'You have been blessed with the right to speak my name in your tongue. You may call me 'Vishnu' just as Lisandrus does.'

Faven lifted her head with a kind smile. "I welcome you gratefully, Vishnu. The spirits are not just friends to me or my Coven—they are family." She turned to Lisandrus. "Your friends are great, Lisandrus, but I thought we came to stop a battle, not start one."

Endymion was the one who answered, happily hand in hand with Selene. "And we will do just that," he assured. "Lisandrus had us keep an eye on the Warlocks. If all goes according to their plot, they will be summoning their evil tomorrow."

"But we will infiltrate them before it happens," Selene said. "We plan to bring them down before they can wage war with their evil."

"While one group does that, we will tend to the other side of the river," Lisandrus explained. "Their bloodlust is strong. We must reign it in and quickly."

Nuvroc hefted his mighty hammer. "Aye, lass, that be true," he confirmed. "We been scou'in' the Warlocks for days now." Disgust mixed with anger on the dwarf's face. "Evil bastards, all of 'em. They be gatherin' more and more sacrifices to get some sor' of evil to rise."

Sirius finally spoke. His voice came out in a husky growl that was clearly more used as a bark than in human tongue. "Scented males and females. Fear scent." He wrinkled his nose. "Humans prep, bathe, and wax them clean for rituals." His lips curled down into a snarl. "Mating rituals."

Faven's eyes darkened. Lisandrus instantly noticed and his arm wrapped around her waist.

Kallan looked like a pouting child as he floated in mid-air, crisscrossed. "These 'Warlocks' are strong and have numbers. The evil in them has killed the nature underneath their feet," he put out there. "The slaves were promised freedom for their services, but they will be sacrifices and eaten by this new evil." He angrily shooed away one of the pixies. "What amazes me were these sermons that brought in more inhuman followers."

That was something Faven did not know. "You mean to tell me Warlocks are not just humans?"

Sirius responded, "Some smell of elves and fae. Some smell of half-Gods. Some smell of wizard. Some smell cold or hot like beasts. I found other wolves exiled from packs."

"Dark Elves," Lisandrus grounded out. At Faven's look, he explained, "Dark Elves have always been more in touch with the shadows than they should be and walk a path few come back from. I should have known we would encounter some sooner or later."

Sigrdrífa challenged Lisandrus with a sword-piercing question. "You are prince of Elves and yet you must kill your own to win this day. Will you do it?"

Faven felt Lisandrus' fingers dig into her side.

"Today we avoid slaughter at all costs." Lisandrus spoke that more as a cautionary to the Valkyrie rather than a statement. "The plan is simple. As diplomats, Faven, Wavra, Dawn, Liminoria, Kallan, and myself will speak to the leader of the camp and do what we must to calm them before tomorrow. Nuvroc, Siris, Vishnu, Sigrdrífa—you will infiltrate that accursed cathedral church and free the sacrifices. No sacrifices, no evil summoning. Kill only if it is a last resort."

Sirius licked his chops like a hungry mutt as he eyed the Valkyrie like she was rare meat. "I am told the Valkyrie battling style is a scene to behold. I will watch closely then—" And he growled something unfamiliar to human ears.

Sigrdrífa, to Faven's surprise, lifted her lips in tongue-in-cheek smirk at the Lycan and flicked her electrifying hair. "Watch and take notes, mutt. You mongrels need a lesson in how to properly fight instead of howling at your Moon Spirit. Perhaps, after this spat, I will give you another private lesson in how to use your claws and fangs, dog."

While Faven was sure Sirius would grow offended at the stereotype and the degrading names, he flashed his fangs in a welcome grin and honored her statement with a rumble in his chest. She would bet if he was back in his wolf form, his tail would be wagging and his tongue would hang out of his mouth.

Kallan rolled his eyes. "May we proceed before Sirius starts humping legs and peeing everywhere?"

Sirius wasted no time shifting into his Wolf Form with such lucidity and snapping teeth at the boyish fairy, ears down. The pixies defended their ward with mini explosions of Light Magic and Sirius leapt back, irritated. He flashed a searing look Sigrdrífa caught and she tilted her chin up with an inconspicuous raise of her eyebrows.

Lisandrus looked at Dawn and Liminoria. "Dawn, Liminoria, warn them of our coming."

Dawn nodded and, in a roaring burst of flames, he launched himself into the sky as the fiery phoenix. Liminoria followed as she turned herself into a breeze of pink petals.

Faven left Lisandrus side to gather her children. She laughed a little as both nuzzled their snouts against her cheeks and she rubbed their jaws in response. "My children, you will wait here with Atlas Vega until the battle is over and done."

Nayda ripped away from Faven's grip, appalled. 'No!' she refused. 'Mother does not go without us!'

'I agree,' Erion concurred. 'Mother, we are with you and we are coming.'

Faven frowned, face stern. "You are not," she commanded. "You are to stay here and not make trouble. Atlas Vega will watch over you both and protect you until I return for you. This is not," she said loudly as Nayda and Erion began to think objections, "up for discussion."

Nayda growled at her mother before bounding up to Lisandrus. 'Father,' she pleaded, 'us come.'

Lisandrus caught Faven's shake of head and said slowly, "Actually, having you both with us when we secure the east side in non-bloodshed agreement would be beneficial…"

Faven scowled. "You cannot be serious!"

"I agree with the prince," Wavra butted in, cheerful. "Oh, do not give me that look, Faven. It would be beneficial for spirits to see two God Spirits they thought died. Maybe the pair will be the deciding factor to sway them all into retreating back into the lands."

Faven was about to negate that when Erion purred, rubbing his cheek on her back. 'Worry not, Mother, I will keep Sister safe. We will leave if nothing goes our way.'

Faven blew out a breath, crossing her arms. "I suppose you two may come under that condition," she reluctantly agreed. She turned to her Dragon Spirit. "Atlas, please watch from afar. You will be needed as back up."

Atlas Vega nodded at his mistress and pressed his snout to her forehead as a sign of his devotion and worry.

Lisandrus smiled. "Then, let us ride."

Endymion and Selene had converted back to their Pegasus Form to shuttle Faven and Selene respectively past the slopes with an Undine, a Valkyrie, a fairy, and two God Spirits right on their tails. When they each saw the nearly transparent barrier, they passed with ease through it.

"Brace yourselves," Lisandrus warned. "We will have company soon."

True to his word, their company came in a small, welcoming party with Liminoria and Dawn in their natural forms. The leader looked to be a springy thing who had lost his eye but was unbothered by it. A tanned skin with a flaming beard and hair, he resembled Dawn's Human Form if it were not for his whiskers and slitted eyes and his snake tongue.

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

« This is a Salamander, a type of fae with heavy relation to fire. They are mainly seen in deserts or living near volcanoes. In some mythology, Salamanders were born from the pairing of a Fire Dragon and a fairy. Others claim Salamanders were born when a fairy was Blessed by fire itself. »

• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •

Lisandrus slowed his party and called for a dismount. All knelt before this man in respect as Lisandrus sounded, "We apologize, Honorable Salamander, for this intrusion. We hope we did not take you away from anything important?"

"When you send not one but two of your own to take heed to your coming, is apology necessary?" the Salamander asked. "Diplomatic as always, are we not, Prince of Elves? Or, should I say nearly banished prince for all the stunts you pulled to embarrassyour kind?"

Lisandrus' smile was tight. "Smoldris"—the name came out in a pleasant hiss—"you stray far from the desert. I thought fire lizards grow weak after an hour without being in constant relation to heat."

Smoldris' beard and flames grew higher as smoke came from his flaring nostrils.

Faven intercepted a fight to come with her pretty smile and kind eyes. "Lord Smoldris, are you the one who organized this camp?"

Smoldris' slitted eyes darted to Faven and interest glinted. "A Heartfilia Witch," he breathed. "I did, Star Maiden, but not without aid." His eyes grew grave. "My race heard word of your silence after one of their cathedrals of evil were taken down. While we know little details, all admire you. We have worried when you would return to take your place as Priestess-Queen and represent us all." He beat a fist over his heart three times. "We all will stand with the Heartfilia Coven."

Faven's smile softened. "Thank you—all of you—for your loyalty to my Coven." Her smile dipped into a frown. "But we have urgent matters you must know."

Smoldris nodded and his eyes slid over to Erion and Nayda. "You bring us two God Spirits?"

"Later, my friend," Lisandrus dismissed. "Gather your strongest and we shall tell all we know."

°•°•°•°

The earthy hut under which many gathered was rather large and held a fire pit for all to share warmth. While spirits need not eat, food and water were passed for all to share. It was rare for a creature to be untouched by the sins of Warlocks. Erion and Nayda were given many offerings and while Erion humbly accepted, Nayda had no manners and dug into the fish given to her. Kallan took to healing the injured with Liminoria.

"This cannot be!"

Smoldris, Lisandrus, and Faven had taken to a private meeting in Smoldris' tent, a comfy thing built for four. His flames lashed onto his arms as the fire in the pit grew to heights and heat it should not have. He shook his head. "I do not believe it!"

"Aye, it is true," Faven confirmed. "This be the ways of the Warlocks and their false Covens. I have seen it myself just as I have seen the future."

Smoldris gave Faven a doubtful glance. "You are not a Soothsayer or a Gazer, yet you shared dreams with Time?"

Lisandrus grew defensive on Faven's behalf. "Do not disrespect my half like this, Salamander."

Smoldris bared teeth to the prince. "I disrespect no one, Elf," he sneered, "but this logic alludes me. I am in deep shock. I am supposed to believe all of this is for naught and we will suffer at the hands of evil we cannot tame nor put down? That is not the way of the Salamander!" His eyes went back to Faven. "Your tale of your children brings me joy, Star Maiden. It pleases me so you rescued the God Spirits, but you must understand. I cannot accept this truth."

"You must, Smoldris," Faven pleaded. "You must accept this."

Smoldris snarled. "No, Star Maiden, what I mustdo is assemble the forces gathered here to fight!"

"And that is exactly what they want!" Faven rebutted. "They seek to draw every man, woman, and creature into their evil through war! Their lords seek to carve a crest of blood, Smoldris! We cannot give them what they seek! We must take everyone and retreat!"

Smoldris spat at that. "'Retreat'?" he repeated. "Do not come into my house and insult me like that, daughter-maiden! This vile evil cannot be unleashed into the world and must be stopped!"

"Which we are doing as we speak," Lisandrus piped up. "I have sent my own powerful allies to put an end to this treachery and kill this Coven before it wreaks Chaos' bidding."

Smoldris looked deeply offended at Lisandrus' solution. "You deny me battle, Elf Prince?" His flames upped the temperature to an infernal mess. "You may be the prince of elves, but you are not my ruler. I decide what these creatures will do, not you. You cannot waltz in here and—!"

"Peace, good Salamander," Faven shushed when she saw Lisandrus' temper flare to life and his Magic clash with Smoldris'. "We do not mean to offend, but you must understand. This battle will—!"

BOOM!

All three froze as everything shook around them.

BOOM!

Jasper and chocolate met.

BOOM!

'Mother! Father!' Erion urged. 'Come quick!'

BOOM!

All three fled from the tent and into the outside—

—to be horrified.

Darkness engulfed the clouds as lightning black as night streaked the sky and struck the cathedral church. The Mûre River blackened with the bones and corpses of marine life floating to the top to tell all it was not safe here. Creatures injured and weak, big and small, looked onto the east side of the river to witness the undoing they never wished for. They watched as the cathedral church pulsated with the reds and blacks of the death and evil and all things wrong in the world.

Everything fell silent.

…then, came the screams.

Heart-wrenching, gut-squelching screams pierced the air. Cries straight from the soul bombarded ears, the skies, the Heavens, for someone to help, for someone to save them, for someone to stop this madness.

Faven could not breathe. She could not think. So, when something landed on her eyelash, blinking startled her. Then, another landed on her. She looked up at the sky with her palm outstretched.

Black snow landed on her flesh.

Soot.

Ash.

The snow of death and decay.

Shakily, she turned to Lisandrus, eyes hollow and mouth muted. She watched him as he trembled, but he did not do so out of fear. He did so out of anger that Fate was right. Her mouth worked, hoarse. "Lisandrus?"

Everything faded away.

The outrage, the screams, the pleas—the creatures sounded as one as they ran amuck without instruction. They needed someone to guide them, to unify their hatred and their pain and their grief. Smoldris' fire flared to life as he roared his orders, his commands, his declaration of war. He walked—maybe he ran, but time was suddenly slow—as he calmed those around him enough to gather them and get them to listen to his demands.

…and the black snow fell…

Kallan crashed into Lisandrus' with tears in his eyes, his pixie caretakers worried about their charge. The fairy screamed at Lisandrus, blaming him for not stopping him, blaming him for the prophecy coming to truth. Lisandrus was not rattled as his eyes kept onto the sight of the cathedral church. Selene was at his side in her battle armor and was talking emergency strategy. Endymion was at Faven's side in his own. He spoke to Faven hurriedly over the chaos, over Smoldris' orders, over how Fate and Time were right.

…and the black snow fell…

Perhaps if she paid attention, she would know Atlas Vega had swooped down to protect his mistress with a bone-crushing snarl. Perhaps if she paid attention, she would know her Star Spirits were vibrating, nearly burning their keys for her attention and pleads to summon. Perhaps if she paid attention, she would know her chocolate eyes were darkening back to that same color before, that color of her pain and hopelessness and—

'Mother?'

The entire memory shifted until Faven was being looked at through youthful, worrisome eyes. The Star Maiden slowly turned around with her dark eyes looking into the focus.

'Mother,' Erion urged and the focus glanced at the self-assured pixiu, 'we must go. We cannot stay here and protect you.'

The focus bobbed as Nayda insisted, 'We can fight. We fight evil for Mother. Keep her safe.'

Erion's entire stance hardened, but he did not outright oppose the idea. 'If we fight, we need to start with the storm in the sky,' he instructed his sister. 'I will reign in the clouds and the lightning. You can—'

"No… No more fighting…"

The focus whirled onto Faven who stared at her children through dark eyes and a haunted face. A step was taken forward, timid, concerned.

'Mother…not fine?' Nayda fretted. 'Mother feel scared. Brother and I protect more. Fight for Mother.'

That was possibly the worst thing to say as Faven physically vibrated and her head shook negatively. "No… No more fighting… No… No more fighting… No… No more fighting…" Her voice carried like a broken song, like she was possessed.

Erion stepped closer to their mother with a rumble of worry. 'Mother?' he called. 'Mother, it is fine. There is no reason to be scared. We will protect you and destroy those evil Warlocks—for you.' His eyes softened. 'We love you, Mother. We would never let anything happen to you.'

The focus eagerly nodded. 'Yes. Love Mother very much,' Nayda agreed. 'Fight for Mother and Father so Brother and I have more brothers and sisters later.'

DRIP.

Both spirits were completely blindsided when tears ran down Faven's face, unprecedented.

DROP.

"No… No more fighting," Faven repeated. "Fate and Time told me this day would come and I could not change my fate. But I can change your destiny. And I will." She opened her arms and, instantly, both her children curled into her like they knew they were supposed to. "Know your mother and father love you very much," she whispered to them. "You are well-cherished in my heart and I never regret leaving my Coven to find you both and raise you. I wish we had more time." A sob choked back. "But I know better now. I just pray neither of you will hate me for my sins and my selfishness."

'We love you, Mother,' Nayda promised.

Erion purred. 'Mother, we will never hate you for anything.'

Warmth. Undying warmth circled the pair of adopted spirits. It was that type of warmth that you felt when you hugged your parent or grandparent after a long day and you just needed support. This warmth was from a mother's love. Soft, trembling hands ruffled fur and feathers as they listened to the racing heartbeat of their mother.

A swallow.

The warmth grew.

"O Father of the Heavens, my King of my night-sky, son of the Moon, Beast of Darkness, hear the request of one of your daughter-maidens," came fervent whisper. "O Spirits of Space, of Time, of Nature, of Soul, of Mind, hear my request as one a Spirit Friend and within my birthright. I seek your power and ask for the protection of my children."

Erion stirred as he heard Faven's words. 'Mother? What are you—?'

"In your names, I invoke Sacred Law and commit to one of the final acts of maiden-hood," Faven carried on, voice stronger and her Magic pressing onto her children. "In your names, I combine thy to become one with thy spirit and draw out the power hidden deep within these abandoned God Spirits!"

Like a snap of fingers, unbearable pain throttled from Erion and Nayda's chests. All their thoughts, their cares, their worries left them as they fell to the ground. A tightness in their chests burned them, electrified their entire beings as this tightness fought for a way out.

The focus struggled to stay open and watch Faven, but Faven looked different than before. Her palms faced with Nayda or Erion and glowed in golden Magic dabbled in white flecks. The darkness in her eyes had not been lifted, but her Magic increased to the point where Atlas Vega was skittish.

'Mother,' Nayda wailed loudly. 'Mother, make pain stop! Mother, stop!'

Faven closed her eyes as a cry peeped out, but she held strong. "I act now to complete your will, O Father, O Great Spirits, and guide two more wayward souls back home," she chanted. "I command the gates to open and seek sanctuary for my children! Lest them be saved from damnation of this realm! I claim the Mûre River as their sacred ground and them to be its Guardian Spirits! Seize them now, O Great Spirits, and reclaim your own!'

"Faven!" Lisandrus' call was distant—too distant. "Faven, no!"

'Mother,' Erion gagged as he convulsed under the immense pressure wanting to burst from his chest. 'Mother, please, we love you!'

'We love Mother,' Nayda cried, tears pouring from her eyes. 'Do not send away. Protect Mother! Love Mother and Father! Want little ones!'

Faven could not give in and said her final words of the incantation: "Now! I invoke the names Nayda as the God Spirit of Sea and Storm and Erion as the God Spirit of Wind and Sky! Reclaim them in the name of Sacred Law and seal them until this war is done!"

The pain swallowed Nayda whole. Her eyes blurrily caught Faven's as the Star Maiden opened them. The darkness in her eyes lightened only a little, but Nayda still could not understand. Nothing could make her understand. She could feel a tug at her existence. She could feel this realm reject her. She could feel the pull of another realm want to claim her as its own. Deeply, she could feel in her soul she did not belong.

But…

'Mother,' Nayda pathetically wept as she felt herself fading, 'I love you, Mother…'

DRIP.

Faven's dark eyes were tickled in chocolate for a fleeting moment.

DROP.

Her mouth opened.

"I love you too."

There was no more pain.

There was no more black snow.

There was no more Mother or Father or Brother.

There was no more.

Nothing but blue.

It was like the entire world was silent and nothing moved. Not a heartbeat. Not anything. The orchestra was silent, waiting for the conductor could give that vicious downbeat. It was an expectant silence.

Luke could not believe it.

Faven Heartfilia stood in front of him with her kind smile and lively eyes and her braided updo and all. She seemed at home being barefoot, at home being here.

Luke still could not believe it.

Faven made the first move and waved to him. "Hello, Luke Dragneel," she greeted. There was an echo to her voice that chimed about the cave.

She was here.

She was alive.

"You're… You're real?" Luke whispered. "But, you… You can't be…"

Faven hummed. "I have very well passed," she assured with an echo to her voice. "But I am very much real." She came forward and held out a hand.

Luke tentatively raised his own…

…and he felt her.

He felt her skin, soft with maybe a callous or two to signify her life was not easy. He felt her warmth. He felt her light.

The hand of a spirit connected with the hand of the living.

"How?" Luke breathed. He was wrapping his head around this revelation, but still… "Are you an Angel? Are you a type of ghost?"

Faven chuckled and closed her fingers around Luke's hand, intertwining them. "No, Luke, I am no Angel nor ghost," she assured. "I am mere spirit."

"A spirit?" Luke echoed. He had so many questions. He tried to figure out where to start. "But, how…? I mean how can you…?" He shook his head. Not the point right now. "Can everyone else see you?" He looked around, but he noticed no one else was gaping at the spirit. Instead, they withheld blank expressions.

Faven thought about Luke's question. "In a way, yes. In other ways, no." Earning Luke's obvious puzzlement, she clarified, "I speak to my Heartfilia kin separately."

°•°•°•°

Lucy could not help but smile and cry as Faven knelt before her descendant with nothing more than love in her beam. "Hello, Lucy," she greeted with warmth.

Lucy wiped away her tears of joy. "Faven," she breathed, "why didn't you tell me you were the ones to raise the Guardian Duo?"

Faven shrugged. "You would have learned in time." She reached for Lucy's hands and held them. "And you've learned so much. You've done everything right. You've become the Star Queen we all knew you could. Our Coven—our Clan—all shine down on you proudly."

Lucy went a bit misty-eyed at that. "I never thought I'd see anyone from my family since Anna gave me my last trial," she confessed. "When Anna told me there was a way all those years ago, I never thought it'd amount to this."

Faven hummed her laughter before sighing. "Lucy," she began, a bit morbidly, "you should know this is all the beginning." She looked on to Nashi and Gary. "Their star-crossed conflict…"—she looked at Igneel—"his anguish and love and need for control…"—she looked at Luke—"and his struggle between two halves…"—she looked back to Lucy in sympathy—"They all have so much to go through and I know they'll have the strength to get through it." She touched Lucy's cheek. "As will you."

"Will you guide me?" Lucy had to ask.

Faven spoke her next words clearly. "Our Coven and our loyal spirits will all guide you and your children so they do not make the same mistakes we once did."

°•°•°•°

Nashi was in mid-sob as Faven swept her into a hug. Her touch was filled with airy light as she massaged Nashi's back. "Come, Star Angel, there is no need to cry over me," she hushed.

"You went through so much," Nashi wept. "You went through so much and you're so much stronger for it."

Faven's eyes softened and she pulled away to look at Nashi. "I am much stronger for my strife, yes," she agreed, "but it took me some time to accept with little doubt that the sentiment was true. No one but myself could make me believe it." She pulled Nashi's hands from her eyes to thumb away tears. "You, my Star Angel, are strong, even if you don't know it yet. You have grown, but you still lack. Your heart is fragile and your mind even more. You shame yourself for your fears and your nightmares just as I did. So, listen to one who understands and take heed of my next words."

Nashi sniffed and lifted her hickory eyes to meet the soft gaze of a spirit.

"Those moments do not make who you are," Faven advised. "Memories do not make the person. The person makes the person. You will need time to grow and understand that and no one is to make you feel guilty for needing that time. No one can make you feel anything without your consent."

"I'm not strong like you, Faven." Nashi shook her head and pressed the tips of her fingers against her closed eyes. "I'm not, Faven, I'm pathetic and weak—"

"All things people made you feel upon your consent," Faven insisted. "That evil being made me feel the same for months. I wasted many months of my life drowning in how he made me feel. And, even decades after, moments would pass when those same thoughts consumed me because I would let them. You are younger than I was when that same moment happened to me. Your destiny does not match Fate's design yet and you wan in faith and in life. No one expects you to become what you need to be now. You need to take on this journey at your own pace like I had done."

Nashi's nodding was hesitant and unconvinced, but she nodded either way. "So, um—" She sniffled and wiped her nose with the back of her sleeve. "Right, so, you're not a ghost, but you are dead, but you're not an Angel. You're a spirit."

Faven nodded. "Exactly."

Nashi sniffed again. "Well… I mean, okay, then…" She shook her head. "Excuse me for being a little confused, but, like…" She looked around to see the stony faces frozen about her. "This isn't the part where you tell me I'm in the Spirit World and you're here to guide me there, right?" she whispered, earning Faven's laughter.

"You are very much alive, my Star Angel," Faven eased. "To a normal being and even immortal and beasts alike, spirits are invisible. Some have the power to feel them, but not many in this new world. Your mother and Great-Grandmother Anna, however, are exceptions with the power to slip in and out of the Spirit Realm due to both being daughter-maidens of the Star King and respective present and past Priestess-Queens of our Coven."

"'Coven'?" Nashi questioned.

"Clan," Faven corrected. "Once the Witch Trials began once again, even illegally, and Covens attacked other Covens, the Church of the Moon—our Coven's name at the time—was changed to the Heartfilia Clan. Our Coven was a rare one with only blood able to be initiated, but we had a rare few who were not of blood yet were blessed by the stars to possess a slight connection. They took on the Heartfilia name as well, even if they would never attain the true power of a Heartfilia."

Nashi sat back on her heels. "You guys really had it rough," she realized. "How did you make it? How did you live afterwards? And what about these trials you're talking about?"

"Nothing for you to worry about, Star Angel," Faven calmed, touching Nashi's shoulders. She blinked and her hand drifted to Nashi's cheek. "You have your father's hair and your mother's eyes, yet both of their tempers. You are a fine combination of a daughter-maiden of the Star King and the sole heir to the Dragon and Etherious throne."

Nashi offered a watery smile as she held Faven's hand. "Even though I didn't get any their Magic?"

"Fate never intended for you to be the next Priestess-Queen," Faven told her with a slight shake of her head. "You were born to become the Star Angel you are now. With Destiny's hand in yours, you found your souls this early in life. But it is Fate's will for you to even have this power."

Nashi's brow furrowed. "But then… Who will take over once Mama is gone?"

Faven's smile was secretive. "Oh, Star Angel, worry not. Our Coven will not fall so long as there are Heartfilia's," was her vague response. Her eyes slid to Gary's blank face and she assessed him. "So. You join with a child of Night and Chaos—a Devil." She lifted a teasing eyebrow as she watched pink creep up Nashi's cheek. "You really do have your mother's taste in men."

"We're just friends," Nashi spat out frantically. "We're not 'joining' or anything like that and, I mean, look, he's—…! He's a Devil and I'm, like, slightly an Angel—!"

"Just as the Great Spirits willed and the stars predicted," Faven cut in knowingly. "Erase your unease, Star Angel, and do not think me disapproving of this union. On the contrary, we are proud of your choice." Her nose wrinkled. "Much better than the half-Alchemist."

Nashi giggled at that as tears slipped out. "Sorry for the random tears, but thanks…I think?"

"Tears are good when they are of joy," Faven conceded. "You will shed many tears and have already, Star Angel, and I understand it all. You have gone through so much—you and this Devil."

"So have you," Nashi countered meaningfully. "You and Lisandrus."

Faven sighed at that and cast her eyes downward. "What you saw, Star Angel, was a small part of our lives and only within the boundaries of Nayda's tether. Life was not easy after I invoked my children's names for the Great Spirits to reclaim their wayward souls as Sacred Law demands." Her eyes flicked up and her smile was feeble. "The tale, however, is for another day." Her fingers danced on Nashi's cheeks. "Oh, my Star Angel, I have kept close to Time, Fate, and Destiny, and watched the multiple paths you could take and the points Fate have set in stone in Time's strings. In your journey, you will stumble and falter, you will love, you will hate, you will see evils in the realm as I did. Nashi Layla Heartfilia-Dragneel, I beg of you to be careful even when you feel the most safe. Your power and your blood and your place in this universe are sought after and envied. And the power of your siblings as well."

Nashi searched Faven's eyes. "I have a lot of questions," she admitted, "but I can tell this is where I'll have to be patient and learn on my own." Her eyes glanced at Igneel, then Luke. "I'll do everything I can to protect my family." Her eyes went to Gary. "All of them."

°•°•°•°

Igneel watched Faven through onyx eyes hazed in emerald. He did not greet her, but his curiosity was well-deserved. He peered at her like a dog who watched a newcomer. His guard went up when Faven drifted to Mary Jane. Like she was attending a wake, Faven paid her respects with a flower—actually three. She laid daffodils on Mary Jane's heart. They did not look like they were alive, yet not dead. The blossomed flowers were translucent and sunk deep within Mary Jane.

"What's with the flowers?" Igneel had to ask.

Faven gathered her skirt as she knelt before Mary Jane's body. "A single daffodil represents misfortune and I did not want to come across as wishing her such bad thoughts," she explained. "Many daffodils indicate joy and happiness. I lay one daffodil for her new beginning. Another was for a request of eternal life."

Igneel felt her speech was unfinished. "And, that last one?"

Chocolate met jaded onyx.

"Unrequited passion and love."

Igneel did not seem ashamed at such an answer. His head tipped to the other side as he studied her. "You were pretty strong to survive so much," he commented.

"And your strength will go to survive the destiny you shape for yourself," Faven responded. "Your grief and your rage is so much for one so young. Even with the medication you take, it lulls your rage for more room for you to grieve."

Igneel rumbled at the reminder of his treatment. "I don't need to be popping pills like I belong in some nut house," he growled. "I'm fine just the way I am. They're trying to make me weaker. I need to be strong so I can protect her."

"Careful," Faven warned. "Your arrogance is within your type's Nature, but you are nowhere near the strength you need to protect her. Your prescription is not meant for you to be weak; it is meant to curb your unfortunate attitude and abilities you are not ready to handle."

Igneel showed his teeth. "Just say it: they're afraid of me." His lips twitched into fabricated smile of taunting. When embers were poked hard enough, flames would rise. "They feed me this bullshit because they're afraid of what I can do. I'm the only one who can protect her!"

"And that is where you are wrong!" Faven's posture changed. She would show a child a mother's hard love. She would show this child just a fraction of the real world. "You, Igneel Zeref Heartfilia-Dragneel, donot have what it takes to protect her if you continue this arrogance! You are not ready! And, if you continue to listen to your heart's grief and rage and listen to that half of you, you will never be ready when the time comes!" In a cutting tone, she added, "You already failed as her protector on two accounts that I will gladly bring up."

Flames roared to life as they danced on Igneel's body and became his hair. Emerald swallowed onyx as Igneel let loose a snarl for silence. Faven's apathy to his fire made him angrier. "Shut up!" he screamed. "You don't know anything!"

"I know plenty,"Faven contradicted, lifting her chin. "I know what has been fabricated around her mind, heart, and soul. I know what she did at birth and what she did at the age of ten. I know the sin you committed without the approval of her father nor yours. I know every day you play Healer and mess with the portions of your medicine to feel your hidden power. I know your deepest desire—the entire Coven knows your deepest desire and your perverse way of attaining it. I am here to warn you that it – will not – work."

"You don't know any—!"

"I have tried to convince Fate, but I realize she was right to claim that moment," Faven continued, talking over him. "You may shape your destiny, but it is in your fate to lose her. You do not deserve her with your childish games and the need to play God. Fate was right. You two must separate."

"I've heard enough!" Igneel thundered. "I made a promise to MJ and I'm going to keep it no matter what it costs me!"

Faven stood up. Her eyes were not cold, just sad as she watched Igneel consume himself in his flames. "But this promise you will not keep," she predicted. "I gave you that choice to make it easier on you, but I see you cannot listen to reason. That choice still stands, but Time will not wait forever. Until she wakes up, until she makes that choice for you, you will never listen to reason." She stepped back. "It pained me enough when I heard your soul mourn at the loss when you were young, but I cannot watch you go through it again. Fate will do as she said. She will force you to separate from Mary Jane for the good of both of you."

"Try me," Igneel challenged.

Faven shook her head. "It is not I who will challenge you. It is Fate and you cannot win against a Great Spirit. We both know you will never leave her." She let mysterious winds sweep her away. "Which means she'll leave you."

°•°•°•°

"That's amazing," Luke said, gawking. "You can speak to all of us separately? Like a Thought Projection?"

"Something similar." Faven looked at the gleaming medium with a glint of unconditional love and wistfulness. "Because you have broken contract between Demon and spirit, you have saved Nayda. And, because of your mother, you saw the Spirit Memory of her life before her sealing."

"I have so many questions," Luke admitted. "But I don't even know where to start. You were so brave and fearless."

At this, Faven lowered her eyes. "I was selfish," she admitted. "I feared Fate's words. The battle had come earlier and I knew I could not risk the lives of my children. I invoked their names under Sacred Law and sealed them away in the Spirit Realm, binding them to the Mûre River to ensure they could never be summoned until the war had come to pass."

Luke had more tact than to pry into the war. "Whether you believe it or not, you saved them. You loved them and gave them something they could love when their mother died." He enclosed his fingers around her hand. "Having you as my ancestor makes me really proud to be a Heartfilia and part of our Clan."

Faven looked into Luke's honest eyes and smiled. "Having you—all of you—as my descendants makes me proud. Makes the entire Coven proud. We worried you were not ready to break a forced bond between Demon and spirit, but you have done so. You have passed a trial." She raised a hand to smooth it over his cheek. "You will do great things in the future. Fate wills it so." She released him and straightened. "I wish everyone the best in this fight for it is not entirely over. Until the wrong is righted from centuries ago, this destruction will happen again." Her outline was fading. She was fading.

Luke panicked. "Wait! How can I bring Luna back?" he had to know. "How do we bring her home?"

"You do not," Faven told him, voice sounded distant and faraway, "for she will come home by her own way."

Luke knew better than to ask—for it was highly silly—but he felt compelled to. "Will I ever see you again?"

Faven smiled brightly, even if her body was being more and more transparent. "Of course you will, Star Monk, for your journey is only just beginning," she promised. "When we meet, I can only pray you will know all you need to know." She glanced at Igneel and something flickered in her eyes. "Just remember, Luke: your heart will always be human first and foremost. This you must remember for your sake and your brother for your humanity will be tested and both of you will have to choose what you will become."

Luke grew confused and fearful at the same time. "Wait!" he pleaded. "Don't go! I have to know what it means!"

Faven let her gaze rest on him once more. "Farewell, Luke Jude Heartfilia-Dragneel."

She was gone.

Luna's eyes were comically wide and she blinked several times to see if she were dreaming. Her ancestor from eons ago stood in front of her like she was visiting for afternoon tea, like all of this was normal. "Is this really happening?" she whispered to Icarus. "Am I dreaming?"

Icarus rumbled his laughter. Pup, you are not dreaming. He got to his paws and shook out his fur. This is Faven Heartfilia, the one you met through Spirit Memory. He padded over to the deceased Heartfilia and made a show of nuzzling her side.

Faven laughed and stroked Icarus' fur. "It is good to see you too, old friend," she greeted. "You were a good protector to my children. I thank you for that."

Pride fluttered through the link and Icarus spoke, No need for thanks, Mother Star. I loved your cubs like they were my own.

Faven hummed, pleased, and turned back to the shellshocked Luna. "Greetings, Luna Anna Heartfilia-Dragneel." She bowed her head then raised it up. "I have been waiting to meet you."

Luna blinked stupidly and pointed at herself. "M-Me?"

Faven chuckled. "Yes, you," she assured. "You have come so far in such a short amount of time and you have been through so much."

"But, you're dead." Luna was still hung up on that. "Are you a ghost?" She paled and whispered, "Did I die?"

Faven burst into laughter while Icarus let his amusement shake through their mind link. "You are not dead," Faven promised. "I live now through spirit rather than having a physical body. I am very much real and not a ghost."

Luna nodded. "Okay. I can understand that." She could not, but she could have to. "This is all so… Just wow," she admitted. "I mean, like… You're here and you're you. You went through so much. You fought Warlocks and found God Spirits and…!" Her eyes sparkled in admiration. "You're so awesome!"

Faven blushed a bit. "I am not much," she said, humbled. "I went through what I had to to survive and ensure the safety of Nayda and Erion and the secure the future."

Luna frowned. "What happened after you sealed them away into sleep?" she had to ask. "Did you go to Álfheimr? What is that place?"

Faven lost her embarrassment in exchange for nostalgic sadness. "Álfheimr was the realm of the Elves," she explained. "It was heavily enchanted so no trespassers could open the gates to it. Those who had Guides or were Blessed or Fairykind could find them. And, to answer your question…"—her hand tightened over Icarus' fur—"I never returned."

Bewilderment moved Luna. "But, wasn't your true love Lisandrus? He was the Elf Prince—right?—and he was there with you just after that demon summoning? Why wouldn't you go back?"

Faven closed her eyes and sighed. "My place was with my Coven. After I sealed my children, I knew my love with Lisandrus could not come true. Lisandrus knew too. I came home to become Priestess-Queen of the Church of the Moon as I passed my last trial and Lisandrus ruled Álfheimr as its king."

Luna could feel Faven's anguish over the situation and got up. She hugged her ancestor. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I know that doesn't mean much."

Faven hugged her back. "It means the world to me if it comes from you," she promised. She kissed the top of Luna's head. "Do not pity me too much. I know I shall reunite with him one day."

Luna scrunched her eyebrows together. "How do you know that?"

Faven offered a smile that suggested the secret would remain a secret. "Call it a woman's intuition." She pointedly looked at Gale who remained frozen in this time. "So, this is the boy who flusters you so."

Luna's cheeks burned. "It's not like that," she tried to protest.

I find him quite interesting, Icarus regarded. His prestige and honor will make him a good choice in a Male to share den when the pup grows out of being juvenile.

Faven hummed her laughter. "I agree." Her eyes went to Ludvig. "The runologist," she named. "Seeing him, I now understand."

Luna frowned. "What do you mean?"

Faven shook her head. "It is nothing, Young Luna." She looked at Luna in a mixture of love and worry. "You must save my children from this fate. Nayda is a kind spirit. When she wakes from the influence of this Curse to see the devastation she has reeked, she will become alarmingly distressed."

Determination rattled Luna's bones. "I promise I'll save her or die trying!"

Faven smiled and put a hand on Luna's head. "No need to die, Young Luna," she told her. "You will honor our Coven just by doing your best. We all watch you and your siblings grow and we grow prouder every day."

"You're all really out there?" Luna asked in wonder. "What's my Grandma Layla like?"

"Quietly compassionate," Faven answered. "She has the heart of a gentle soul." She grinned. "She did want me to tell you she approves of your partnership. We all do. There is balance between you two, one of the most powerful connections two people can have."

Luna blushed a little. "Thanks, Miss Faven."

"We are family, Young Luna," Faven reminded.

Luna ducked her head a bit, abashed. "Mama Faven?" she tried again.

Faven beamed. "Better. Much better." She leaned forward to kiss Luna's cheek. "I must leave you. It is time I return."

"Wait!" Luna grabbed hold of Faven before she could disappear. "What was the reason I was sent back here? I have to know!"

Faven softened. "You were sent back because Fate willed it so and Time allowed it." Her outline shimmered as her body turned translucent. Luna's grip on her fell through. The last thing Faven did was take the medium in her hands and place it in Luna's own. "Good-bye, Young Luna."

Luna did not want her to go, but she kept a firm grip on the glowing medium. "Wait! Please, don't—!"

Faven was gone.

Everything shifted and the air hummed as life went back to normal. Everyone moved like nothing had happened, like time had not just stood still, like a spirit was not just in the room. Gary noticed Nashi's ashen face and grew worried. "Angel, are you okay?" he fretted.

Nashi turned to him. Her eyes examined him silently, face blank. After moments, Nashi threw her weight at him and tackled him into a tragic embrace.

Gary staggered back and tripped, falling onto his rear with Nashi coming down with him. He held Nashi against himself as confusion wound around him. "Angel?"

"S-Sorry," Nashi breathed, burying her head in his chest as her shoulders shook. "I'm sorry."

Gary visibly relaxed as he tightened his hold on her. "Oh, Angel," he murmured. "What am I going to do with you?"

Lucy looked over to Luke who had his eyes wide and in disbelief. A slight smile touched her features. "Are you surprised?"

"I have so many questions." Luke turned to look at his mother, to admire his mother. "I have so much to ask you."

"Later, okay?" Lucy conditioned. She picked up the medium and smothered it in her grasp. "Right now, we need to focus on Nayda." She frowned as she looked at the clear medium. "Theoretically, now that the Curse has been taken away from the medium, Nayda should be free. We just have to make sure that's true." She got to her feet and turned her head to Natsu. "Natsu, we're going to have to get back to the surface." Lucy turned to Laxus. "We'll have to return back here," she told him. "Will you stay here with Peter, Dimaria, and Mary Jane?"

"I'll stay too," Igneel put in with no room for argument.

Laxus glanced at Igneel, then nodded at Lucy. "Yeah, I'll stay down here."

Lucy turned looked down at her two hounds. "Lelantos, I want you with me. Actaeon, you are to stay here, okay?"

Lelantos and Actaeon nodded.

Lucy turned to Gary and Nashi. "You two are going to the surface with Luke. I know Andele was with you last. Find her and bring her here. She'll be needed to help heal everyone." She turned to Natsu and Levy. "We are going to bring the medium back to the guild. We need to report everything back to Master Erza and Master Ooba."

"We don't have any time to waste." Levy was already set with her supplies back in her bag and on her back. "Let's get a move on before Bluenote and Jacob decide to show up and finish the job."

Luna barely realized everyone was back to moving as she wrapped her head around what she held in her hands.

"You were sent back because Fate willed it so and Time allowed it."

But what does that mean? Why would I be sent back? Why not Nashi or Luke or Igneel? Or even Mama? They're all stronger than me and Heartfilia's too.

"Blondie!"

Luna turned her head to see Gale racing towards her, worried and awed at the same time. "Gale…"

Gale got onto his knees next to her to hug her tightly. "Blondie-girl, that was amazing!" he crowed. "Dead-ass! That was incredible! You did it!" He pulled away to shake her slightly out of her daze. "You did it, Blondie. You were the reason our little buddy showed up."

"And now, we have more intel about the Guardians."

Luna and Gale looked over to see the group approaching them.

It was Eliza who spoke before and she spoke again. "You triggered the memory of the suzaku and gave us a glimpse as to what she endured during her life on Earth Land," she explained. "I never thought we would learn such valuable information."

"But what can we do with it?" Jäger questioned.

"With this information," Ludvig piped up, "we can now confirm more about Warlocks and the falsehood surrounding the T'zolkin practice. This also confirms the suzaku is not acting like this at her own aggression. Her hand was forced into this type of madness."

"Now, all we need to figure out is who forced her," Gabriel muttered, scratching her chin. "Who could it be that is powerful enough to sway a spirit?"

A frown. "Me."

BANG.

Everyone's eyes widened.

Everything slowed.

Ludvig looked down.

Blood was beginning to stain his shirt.

Ludvig fell to his knees.

Icarus jumped to defend Luna.

Eliza watched in horror as Ludvig fell to his stomach.

Kiki screamed.

Jäger was wide-eyed and shouted Ludvig's name.

Luna's eyes began to water as she focused on Gabriel rolling Ludvig over.

Kiki was in tears as Jäger held her.

Gale was not focused on any of that. He focused on the man at the entrance way.

The man who shot Ludvig.

Gale's eyes widened as fear struck him, fear and hatred. "No…"

Luna noticed Gale's fists clench and his jaw lock up. Anxiety entered her gaze. "Gale?"

Gabriel was shouting instructions as he began tearing off Ludvig's shirt.

The man stepped into the chamber.

Gale abruptly got up and created a diamond dagger, throwing it at the intruder.

The man lifted a hand.

The dagger stopped in mid-air.

"Don't come any closer," Gale forewarned in a snarl. But his heart hammered against his chest. If he was not careful, he could start hyperventilating.

The man crushed his hand.

The dagger dissolved into Magic.

"So, you're the fledgling they told me about," the man regarded as his hands came to his hood. "Gale Redfox."

Gale's knuckles turned white. "And, you're the asshole they told me about…"

The man pulled back his hood to reveal silver eyes.

"…Bluenote Stinger…"

Love you Love you Love you

himitsu no I love you

naisho no kisu wa imitation?

toke nai mahō mitai ni torawarete so crazy for you

•

kimi wa marude illusion

shibireru love session

aimai na sono motion

sō sa konya wa fiction

kimi wa marude illusion

tame rau love session

gōin na sono motion

Unbreakable magic

TO BE CONTINUED…

Wow… That was a lot of information to be hit with, but on top of that, Bluenote is back?! This festival just keeps getting crazier and crazier! If you want crazier, check out the next Fairy Adventure!

Chibi-Luna waves at the class with a white board behind her. "Welcome back, class!"

"Hi, Miss Dragneel!" the class hollers.

"Today, we'll be going over some new vocabulary and phrases you heard from today's episode, okay?"

"Yes, teacher!"

Chibi-Luna flips the white board for words to be written out for the class to copy and their definitions behind them. She points at the first word on the top of the list. "Let's take a look at this first words." The words read:

MAGICIAN AND WICCANS

"Now, class, Magicians still exist to this day," Chibi-Luna admits. "Magicians can only do simple spells and potions instead of Mages who specializes and shape a specific Magic. Magicians usually attend wizarding schools and the word is interchangeable with the word Wizard, but, in Fiore, we call Magicians just that. Wiccans can be defined two ways. Wiccans can be defined as any person who has ever casted a spell. Normally, Wiccans are unregistered and uneducated in Magic. In a sense, since anyone has the potential for Magic, everyone is a Wiccan, but not everyone is a Mage. Another way a Wiccan can be defined is the religious definition. Wiccans are religious potion masters who connect with nature."

Chibi-Luna moves to the first phrase. "Let's look at the first sentence, okay?"

"Okay…!"

The sentence reads:

En seiðr nes færdig til den nes færdig-yin!

"This is a spell in Ancient Language, one of the languages Elves used to speak," Chibi-Luna educated. "It's a Reversal Spell. In our language, it means 'A spell is done until it is undone'. While this is a rudimentary spell Magicians learn in wizarding school, the power you put behind it makes the spell even more powerful. Remember that class. No spell is too small as long as you put as much Magic as you want into it." She goes down the list to the next word:

Minn hjerta… Eka em hiert.

"This mean 'My heart… I am here' in Ancient Language," Chibi-Luna notes. "Ancient Language is considered a dead language like Elvish, but, so texts tell us, Ancient Language was the first language born unto Earth Land. You used Ancient Language not only to cast spells but you could not lie in Ancient Language. Even other languages were born, to ensure someone told the truth, they were challenged to recite their sentences in Ancient Language."

The next word reads:

minn hälfr

"This term is a term of endearment meaning 'My half'," Chibi-Luna comments.

The next word reads:

Brysig!

"This next word means 'faster' or 'hurry'. This is one of the first commands Arion riders are taught to command their steeds."

The next word reads:

Minn hjerta-dwyéurr

"This is also a term of endearment meaning 'My heart's protector'. In any pairs, whoever took the role of female would call whoever took the role of man her heart's protector and vice versa called the female partner their heart. Isn't it sweet?" Chibi-Luna grins at the last phrase.

En úlfur som sér aðra stjörnu på månen er ekke hræddur að deile klørnar

"This is one of my favorite Dwarfing phrases," Chibi-Luna confesses. "In our language, it loosely translates to 'A wolf who sees another staring at his moon will issue a challenge'. It is said the highest disrespect among fae creatures was when any one looked at one's partner for too long, especially among royalty. It means someone is challenging another for the right to court that partner." She giggles. "I guess Lisandrus felt a little jealous, huh?"

A hand goes up. "Teacher," comes complain, "I'm still confused about all the new species we learned!"

Chibi-Luna dismisses them. "And, we'll learn more about them tomorrow," she promises. "The bell will ring soon, so I'll see you guys tomorrow! Next time, on Fairy Adventure: COMBATING AGAINST TIME!"