Warning: This chapter does contain mature/dark themes such as mention of child abuse, mentions of rape, kidnapping. . .
Chapter Twenty-Six: "Bloom's Ultimate Choice"
The Dominian Princess was simply amazed.
Bloom could seriously loose herself in this kingdom. Perhaps it was not all that bad as she made it out to be. Bloom had grabbed a handful of the soft tuff pastel pink clouds and the girl had gently blew it like it was a dandelion.
The fairies' giggle had echoed off.
"Bloom?" Lassandra had tried to snap the girl out of the illusions that filled her blue irises. There was a faint purple hue glow, indicating that her granddaughter was in some sort of trance, completely drawn to the warm, positive magic that had surrounded them.
The girl had no longer listened to her grandmother's once wise words and had easily fluttered away, joining Marion and the other girls.
"This is going to be a lot harder than I imagined," Stella groaned.
"And who said it's going to be easy, Stel. I remember when me and Flora were in that trance, it was quite difficult to overcome." Aisha added, remembering her own experience. Looking back at it, it sort of felt like an endless nightmare.
"You and Flora practically ditched us while we had to do the tough tasks," Stella moaned.
Aisha glared harshly at the fairy of the sun and moon. "And you think it was easy for us. We were under the—"
"Girls! This isn't the time for pointing fingers," Lassandra intervened, glancing at the two girls. "I do have an idea that may just work, but I need you two to distract them. Can you do that?"
Aisha and Stella had given a nod.
The two girls had flew over to the four fairies who seemed to be having the time of their lives—giggling—overjoyed by the wondrous delights of the kingdom.
Bloom had fluttered to her friends—spinning herself—almost acting like a child. "This place is magnificent! I don't see how anyone can leave!"
Aisha frowned. "Bloom you have to snap out of it! This isn't you!"
Bloom continued to smile, as if the girl hadn't heard Aisha's voice. "Of course, it's me, Aisha, who else?"
"Bloom! This isn't funny!" Stella said harshly, but apparently the redhead fairy had shrugged it off, not caring in the slightest. "We're here to uncover the truth! Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"What truth? All I want to do is live in happiness!" Bloom's bright purple eyes had lit up radiantly at the prospect.
It's going to be a long day, Stella had facepalmed—glancing at the others who were acting as incoherent as Bloom.
Lassandra had concentrated deeply on her magic, easily grasping the magical core of each of the four girls. Her blue eyes had sparked up—glowing brightly.
Girls! Wake up!
Lassandra's voice had pieced through the girls' mind, shattering the illusions that were placed before their own eyes—as they were stuck in some sort of trance—waking them up.
"What happened?" Luna was the first one to ask, not appearing thrilled at the moment. Her brain was still somewhat hazy. She had glanced to see that Marion, Bloom, and Niobe were stirring up as well.
"You were all stuck in a trance," Stella frowned.
Marion had winced as she had regained her awareness—her eyes turning back into their usual emerald green. Her hand on the side of her temples, feeling a strong headache coming on. This place had seriously messed with her brain.
Bloom had mumbled under her breath, somewhat annoyed, before turning her gaze onto her mother.
The seven Enchantix fairies had continued to flutter over the endless pond—stars dazzling at every corner, unknowingly the puffy clouds had swallowed them whole.
The girls (minus Aisha, Stella, and Lassandra who already knew where they were) had founded themselves in the middle of an unknown region.
Bloom's eyes had swept over the entire section. Several large golden pillars had surrounded them (though Bloom felt she was utterly tiny by the massive size) glistening spectacularly, as if there were no spec of dust.
A tiny-elf-like creature had appeared and walked up to the girls, giving a courtesy of a small bow. The tiny-elf creature had reminded Bloom awfully a lot like Professor Wizgiz in which Bloom couldn't be able to contain her snicker.
The tiny elf had led the fairies to the center of all of them, where a large fountain had rippled peacefully and beautifully. The song was enchanted and utterly soothing to the ears.
Water had poured down from tall pillars into a large pool that was made from shards of thick glass along with ruby and emerald gemstones.
The surface of the water had rippled into series of small waves.
The pristine blue water itself was clear with no murkiness as Bloom could see everything at the bottom depths of the pool, the gleaming ruby gemstones, the seaweeds, the corals, the rocks that were made out of pure diamonds (or was it a lake? Bloom couldn't make out the difference).
The lake was unworldly like, giving somewhat a similar impression to the beauty of the Black Willow Tree that wept its tears into a river.
Although the appearance was rich in precious gemstones and thick crystal glass, unlike the river back on the realm of Linphea, which consisted of pure nature.
The Black Willow Tree had overflowed the river with its beauty. The delicate ivory-vines draping over the river, the flowers that gleamed and healed, the rare iris flowers that would bloom every hundreds of years.
The impeccable magic that the river held that had made the Winx girls to be drowned in its appearance (although it was very dangerous for anyone to fully submerge themselves in its waters).
Bloom was drinking in the scene before her. The girl had never seen anything so impressive from before. It was utterly hard not to be captivated by the magical kingdom. Magic poured everywhere. It was endless.
This place had existed outside the bounds of times, which had meant one thing that this realm itself had no boundaries to the past, present, or even future.
Everything had existed all at once much to Bloom's astonishment.
"Wow!" Luna and Niobe blurted out at such beholding sight. Even Marion was speechless; her mouth had dropped wide open as her emerald eyes zoomed off to every corner—taking everything in.
The tiny elf-creature had cleared its throat formally and stood with his back being straightened. His hazel eyes looking pierce and solemn as ever.
"The Winx girls wishes to meet with you."
A mermaid had emerged out of the waters, sitting herself on the glittery gemstone—glancing at the seven Enchantix fairies before her, sternly.
"It's been quite a while since we last time had visitors, hasn't it? Except for a few who I easily recognized," the woman begun, although the green-haired mermaid had recognized three faces amongst the group of seven fairies.
The beautiful mermaid had raised her green eyebrows, not entirely baffled, but rather had a questionable look on her face over the two girls who don't exactly belong in this timeline, but she had very much anticipated their presence.
Bloom had nearly let out a loud gasp upon seeing the mythical creature, an actual centaur for the first time in her life. She felt her cheeks grow hot upon the thought of her awkwardly gawking.
She blinked her blue eyes a couple of times, somewhat in awe at the man who had an upper human body, but lower half as a horse. Large wings emerged from his lower back—giving it a slight jerk. He had sharp look in his dark eyes. Though his elegant inky hair had fallen back in graceful curls.
"And we're scheduled to meet the Winx girls right now!" A loud, thunderous voice had boomed in the darkened sky.
The fairies had turned their attention upwards to the flying creature that soared through the sky, lowering himself down to the floor. Bloom in a way was slightly creeped out by the creature's appearance that looked similar to an owl's, but his body had resembled that of a mantra ray.
For some reason the girl had felt her chest tightened. Was she worried? Afraid? She bit her lips. Her anxiety was already kicking in—stirring unwelcoming and cold feelings.
Bloom had sensed her mother's hand holding on to hers, as Marion had tightened her grip on her daughter giving her the reassurance that Bloom had needed right then and there—allowing Bloom to be at complete ease and reminding her that Marion was right at her side (if things had gone awry).
"It's going to be alright," Marion had whispered softly only for her daughter to hear those particular words. "I'm right here with you, sweetheart."
The girl had given her mother a slight nod.
Deep down within herself Bloom was deeply terrified of what the future held for her. She could feel the sudden shift in the energy, and it wasn't very positive.
If only. . .
A deepened frown had flickered on Bloom's lips.
The redhead princess had casted a glance to see that Niobe and Luna were rather intrigued and curious about the whole ordeal.
Bloom had let out a heavy sigh despite feeling her entire being plummeting down to the depth of the universe where there was zero ground—falling endlessly in the darkened abyss.
The water had shot up forming a woman who was a head taller than the fairies. Once the water had dripped off the figure, revealing to be a lady who was wearing different shades of blue from head to toe, glistening like morning dew that was caught by the early rays of the golden sunlight.
"So impressive," Luna blurted out a little too loudly, but Arcadia simply smiled in response. (So much for her dignity—her cheeks flushing pink).
Given from the tiny-elf description about the Elder's, Bloom had easily identified her as being Arcadia, the very first fairy who fluttered her wings across the Magical Dimension.
She knew was aware of Arcadia from Professor Pallidum's class that she took back in her second year at Alfea. The vivid descriptions about her, the details of her significant role, but not everyone had physically seen Arcadia in person.
Bloom couldn't help but stare at Arcadia in amazement even though she felt somewhat dumb for doing that.
A graceful smile had tugged at Arcadia's lips, as if she were delighted to see them in her presence. Though Bloom wasn't entirely sure if that was a good thing or not (well in her own case that was.)
"My name is Arcadia," she spoke ever so softly, her hazel eyes glistened. "And I am the fairy of the Golden Kingdom, and we are the Council of Elders."
"And when she says elders, she means it," the Centaur Man had spoken with firmness.
"You could say that we've been around since the beginning of the Magical Universe," the Blue-Eyed Mermaid said monotonously.
"And we are both part of time and outside of time all at once," the Owl Creature had continued—his large bright amber eyes had swept over the group of fairies, easily noticing the respective Princesses of Solaria and Andros.
Arcadia was as old as the Magic Dimension itself, one of the few creations from the Great Dragon. The first magical creatures of the Magic Dimension weren't bound to time or to any form of aging.
Arcadia had caught the glimpse of Stella and Aisha.
She had lifted her silvery-white eyebrows out of curiosity and yet there was a flicker of concern hint in her eyes upon sensing the presence of the Dragon Flame within the room.
Arcadia's gaze had fallen on the Enchantix fairy with long red-hair with golden streaks, wearing a mini multilayer dress in the shades of turquoise to the deepest of shade of blue.
That girl. . .
Bloom, the younger sister of Princess Daphne, and the younger daughter of King Oritel and Queen Marion. The smile had easily vanished from her face. Arcadia's face had grew utterly solemn.
Bloom, the girl who defied her own death back in her original timeline once she had defeated Valtor, the darkest wizard that the Magical Dimension had ever seen.
Wasn't it enough that out of their kindness they had manage to tamper with life and death—Bloom's demise? That they had given Bloom a second chance at life after resurrecting her? What more could those fairies possibly want?
Demanding for more rules to be lifted?
Arcadia and the rest of the Council Members had bended just enough rules for it not to be broken. But stretching it even further would be out of the question. Their simple request would be denied.
"May I ask, why are you here precisely? Surely not for the Water Stars I believe?" Arcadia's gaze had met Bloom's. "I can sense the power of the Dragon from you, Princess Bloom. Your presence here worries me greatly, as you are aware the powers are complete opposite of each other."
Bloom had swallowed hardly, already aware of the Water Star's presence within the Golden Kingdom.
The redhead princess had felt the grip on her hand tightened even more, as she heard Marion croak faintly. Her mother didn't like that sound of that.
Lassandra was the one to step forward, gathering all the courage to speak her mind about the situation regarding her precious granddaughter.
The woman had caught a mere glimpse of the elders' facial expression and needless to say they were utterly disgruntled by particular events.
Bloom could feel the heavy eyes glower down on her—sweats were sliding down the crane of her neck as her grandmother had continued the story. Bloom could tell that Lassandra was growing quite irritated with the subtle body gestures.
"All I'm simply asking is for a way to alternate Bloom's fate for the better," Lassandra said desperately, though her voice laced with pure heartbreak. "My granddaughter had suffered through many things in her short life, but this. . . it would be unbearable for her."
It was the first time that Bloom had ever witnessed her maternal grandmother dissolving into heavy tears—having lost all senses of her cool and collected self. Her body was trembling in desperation, almost begging.
For the first time in her life, Marion was unable to get a word out of her mouth. No words had slipped into her mind. Not even soft, comforting words. Nothing. Marion was lost in her own thoughts—broken.
Her heart had just shattered to a million of pieces of absolute agony upon seeing her own mother, who had always been a strong and an independent woman was now reduced to a hollow of herself as the sadness had washed over Lassandra.
Tears had fallen on Marion's rounded cheeks.
It was utterly painful as the memories had resurfaced into her mind over the times her mother had given her encouraging words, smiling at her, giving her plenty of advice whenever Marion was in low spirits especially whenever she had trouble in her relationship with Oritel.
"Please, I urge you to consider my favor that I've been granted with years ago?" Lassandra had implored the council members with her polite words; her sapphire eyes glimmering in hope.
Arcadia's smile hadn't once faltered at Lassandra's plea, although a strange hint of sorrowness flickering in her hazel eyes. Her eyes had swept over the two Winx girls who had thought otherwise of the situation. But of course, Princesses Stella and Aisha had no idea of what was really going on.
"If you two would kindly not consider us as being an evil-doer who has some kind of grand scheme of things," Arcadia spoke ever so gently towards Aisha and Stella who seemed to be flushing out of embarrassment.
"In your eyes, you would believe that, and I wouldn't blame any you because you are unaware of the truth of what really happened. I don't know how to say this kindly without managing to crush your fragile hearts."
This had caused the fairies to exchange worried glances at each other, trying to dwell on the words that had been uttered.
Bloom had felt her stomach drop, knowing that this hadn't sounded reassuring whatsoever. A cold creepy sensation had washed over her entire self; her brain was spinning all around in confusion.
Arcadia had given the girls a delicate smile. "Lassandra, I do believe that we had made use of your favor upon your granddaughter. But unfortunately, we cannot bend any more rules as we have done quite enough."
Lassandra was taken aback by such information. She blinked her eyes a couple of times. The Elders had already manage to use her favor on Bloom without consulting her or her husband about it. Puzzlement had crossed her face.
"What?" the word had easily slipped out of Lassandra's lips in genuine shock. Disbelief had rose across her face. "When did that happen?"
Arcadia titled her head to the side; her smile faded and looked Lassandra in a way that made her heart plunge to bottomless pit of the abyss. She didn't like the look that the elder fairy was giving her, and Lassandra knew that there was something odd about the situation.
"If you really want to know, the Crystal Labyrinth can give you the answers. And as you are aware there are hard decisions that Bloom will have to face."
Marion gave a nod, completely understanding Arcadia's words. The moment the fairies had started to walk, Arcadia had simply halted the rest of the fairies except for Lassandra and Bloom.
"But—" Marion had started to panic as she had wanted to be right at her daughter's side, giving her the comfort that Bloom would desperately need from her own mother. In a way, she had felt somewhat offended by Arcadia.
"Unfortunately, Lassandra and Bloom will be crossing through the Crystal Labyrinth alone to seek out the answers."
"I can't let my daughter do this alone," Marion had tried to protest.
Arcadia had cut Marion off in a polite way, trying to reassure the young fairy with a kind smile. "Marion, as an Enchantix fairy you must learn to trust the people around you and those who truly love you, especially family."
Marion felt her cheeks burn, averting her gaze due to her embarrassment, but the girl was met with a tight embrace. She had looked up to see Bloom had given her a hug.
"It's going to be okay, mum. I'm with grandmother and it shouldn't be terrible," Bloom had whispered in her mother's ear before pulling away from Marion. The girl had wiped the tears from her mother's eyes, smiling at her.
"I know," Marion muttered, "just please be careful my love."
Marion had watched as Bloom fluttered over to her grandmother's side before disappearing in thin air along with Arcadia to the Crystal Labyrinth.
"Everything going to be alright, you'll see Marion." Stella had placed her hand on Marion's shoulder, giving the redhead fairy full sympathy—truly understanding her feelings.
Marion had turned her attention onto the blond Solarian Princess. "I've heard you've done this from before?"
"Yeah, and it wasn't easy to say the least," Stella chuckled light-heartedly. "It was me, Tecna, and Musa who actually gone through the Crystal Labyrinth."
Niobe's ears had perked up and she glanced at her own child, curious brown eyebrows being raised. "You haven't gone through the labyrinth?"
"No. I suppose it's based on selection or something like that. Me and Flora were the only ones not to do anything, but we were stuck in a trance," Aisha said much to her own dissatisfaction.
"Oh. So that's how it works?" Luna batted her eyelashes, being super intrigued.
"So, what were the hard decisions you had to make?" Marion had asked out of curiosity.
"Well, one thing for sure it's different for everyone. It kind of tailors to one's strong or weak points. But for me, well, I had to sacrifice my beautiful face for an ugly mug. . ." Stella had purposely stuck out her tongue in disgust, as she had vividly described how her face looked like after entering the exit.
Marion was simply horrified, automatically lifting her had to touch her beautiful face. The girl couldn't imagine losing her lovely features especially her vividly emerald-green eyes or her rosy plumped lips. It must've been horrifying for Stella. A nightmare. Poor girl.
Luna nearly had fainted, dramatically falling into Niobe's arms nearly hyperventilating.
"For Dragon's sake Luna! Calm down! There's no need for you to be overly dramatic about it," Niobe shook her head.
"But didn't you hear?! An ugly mug," Luna had scrunched up her nose in utter disgust, her tone sounding somewhat whining.
"Yes, I've heard it loud and clear Luna. But is Stella looking like that right now?" Niobe said flatly.
"Err. . . no," Luna muttered.
"Well, they did reverse it in the end. They gave Tecna back her emotions after choosing to be logical." Stella shuddered as Tecna's cold clinical (statical) voice had entered her mind. "And they gave me my beauty back. But the only thing I think they won't back is a dead loved one."
Awkward silence had befallen the group.
Marion had felt rather uncomfortable when Stella had uttered those particular words, even though it had made sense in every way. No one could be resurrected from the dead and to be given the chance at life once more.
"But if I have to say one thing ladies, you had to go through such challenges in order to receive the Water Stars and prove that you care more about universe than yourself. But in this case, the situation is rather different," the Centaur Man had causally explained.
It had struck the girls, nearly forgetting that the rest of the Elders were still here within this massive room with them. A golden silky large sofa had appeared from thin air before the girls.
The mermaid had gestured towards the comfy sofa. "It might be awhile, and you might grow tried from standing for way to long or from flying."
"We appreciate your generosity," Niobe said, falling onto the soft cushiony sofa, relieved. Her back had started to ache from all the fluttering as the girl wasn't accustomed to flying for prolonged hours.
Marion had settled in the middle between Luna and Niobe—still looking somewhat perplexed. She bit her lips out of pure habit. The girl hoped that they wouldn't take too long.
A blinding light had flashed before the fairies' eyes as a screen came up—revealing to be Lassandra, Bloom, and Arcadia walking through the Crystal Labyrinth.
"You will be observing them as they go through the Crystal Labyrinth and the trials and difficult choices they'll be making at the very end," the Centaur Man said carefully.
"This is a lot more different than last time."
Aisha was stunned as for she and Flora had to wait for Stella, Musa, and Tecna to exit the labyrinth to see what choices they had scarified for the universe, and it had been utterly agonizing.
"Yes, it is. I regret to tell is that they won't be able to hear your voices no matter how much you try to put in your outlook on the situation. Be wary of that, because there will come a time where you might just lose it," the Blue-Eyed Mermaid tried to rationalized to the young fairies.
Marion had turned her gazed back onto her mother and daughter, wishing for the best outcome, but the girl knew that there was a small simmer of hope.
"It so beautiful," Bloom commented.
"But it's also dangerous," Lassandra narrowed her eyes, having Bloom's latched onto hers as the woman observed the crystals.
The crystals had shifted rather unpredictably every time she and Lassandra had encountered a dead end. But still, the way it had glistened upon catching the rays of the starlight that had shoot across the darkened sky had impressed Bloom.
Lassandra and Bloom had decided to walk on foot rather than fluttering. Their backs were starting to ache, until they had reached the starting point of the Crystal Labyrinth, where the fairy of the Golden Kingdom had waited for them.
"You two will be walking through the memories of the past," Arcadia said coolly.
This had caused Lassandra to stiffen in her place, not liking the sound of this. Arcadia had noted the distress in the woman's face and had softly reassured her. "I've chosen you and your granddaughter for a reason. Your lives are a lot more similar to each other. There's lots of parallels and it would help you two to better understand one another on a deeper level."
Bloom wasn't entirely sure what Arcadia was trying to imply, but there was hints of compassion in her voice, as if trying to soothe her grandmother. Her red brows had knitted together, puzzled.
"Lassandra, please don't grieve yourself over what had happened to you in the past. It was beyond your control, and you know that. Bloom hadn't had the best past either."
It had made Lassandra's heart break even further knowing that Marion had lost the chance to raise her younger daughter, Bloom.
In fact, none of them hadn't gotten the chance to get to know Bloom from the very beginning (before ending up in the past timeline of her young parents who were still currently in Alfea and Red-Fountain). Bloom hadn't even known that her (blood) family had even loved and cherished her.
Lassandra had indeed noted the similarities between her and her younger granddaughter. "I apologize for my behavior; this is very unlike me."
"There's no reason for an apology. This is still very fragile to you, no matter how many years had passed," Arcadia had expressed wholeheartedly. "But know that you indeed had found a bright future and everyone around you loves and cares deeply for you."
Lassandra had wiped the tears that had trickled down her cheeks. It was true. Adrian, her beloved husband who loved her endlessly and would forever cherish her until the ends of the world and even in the afterlife.
Adrian's love for her had burned so immensely that Lassandra couldn't understand how someone could hold that much tenderness and intimacy within himself.
Lassandra had children who were utterly beautiful, and she had given all of her love and attention towards them and doting over them no matter how old they grew to be. Marion and Alec had meant the world to her.
Lassandra and Adrian had managed to shelter them from the cruel and barbaric world and most importantly from people who would harm their precious children.
Arcadia had gently touched Bloom's shoulder without managing to startle the girl. "Be mindful of your grandmother's past, there are somethings what I would consider to be discomforting and so delicate for Lassandra." Arcadia had whispered in Bloom's ear without Lassandra overhearing a single word that she was slipping to her.
"Your mother and uncle are unaware of their mother's past. She never told them anything. Your grandmother is going to need you more than ever, Bloom."
Arcadia had vanished from their sights, leaving the two fairies all alone.
Bloom's blue eyes had widened, shocked by the revelation. Goosebumps had formed all over her skin. She had swallowed hardly. Her chest had tightened.
Poor mum and uncle. . . Guilt had somewhat filled her entire soul, knowing that she was going to find out about Lassandra's life story.
The girl had gently latched her arm onto Lassandra's, gently resting her head to the side, her blue eyes shining with utter warmth and undeniable love. Sensing the girl's touch on her, Lassandra had gazed down at her grandchild.
Bloom's lips had twisted into an understanding smile.
"We'll go in whenever you're ready."
Lassandra had gazed at the purplish mists that were swirling all around the crystals. She took a deep breath in and gathered in all of her strength to revisit her past. Fierceness had burned brightly in her sapphire eyes. She was ready to confront her fears.
Bloom gave a slight nod and the duo had stepped into the purplish mist—the labyrinth dissolving into thin air. Bloom had watched as the scenes had changed, as it unfolded before her own eyes.
Lassandra was on the very edge, fiddling with her pale blond-hair and her eyes darting to every corner—utterly anxious.
It was a cold and winter night.
The winds were howling, brutally as the tree branches were trashing against the window of the little girl's bedroom—startling the girl from her sleep.
A little blond-haired girl dressed in a ruffly pink nightdress, holding a stuffed animal that was clutched closely to her chest, utterly terrified. She was in front of her father's desk.
He had several alcoholic drinks scattered all over his desk—some of his bottles were empty and some were only half-full. Lassandra knew that her father had been drinking as usual to her own annoyance.
The little girl had glanced up to see her father leaning back in his chair. Her father had looked even more tried than usual, but the girl had noticed that he looked in her direction with ire burning in his sapphire eyes—the eyes his daughter had inherited from him.
"Dragons! How many times do I have to tell you to get the damned hell out of my face, Lassandra!" the man had deliberately shouted at her with full rage, cursing her. His breath had reeked out of alcohol.
"But Daddy!" Lassandra cried, tears streaming down her rounded face. "I'm scared and I can't sleep!"
The black-haired man glared at his young six-years-old daughter. "It's just a fucking winter storm! Go to bed now or I'll make sure you'll sleep outside in the freezing snowstorm!"
The man had grabbed a glass cup and out of his anger and blindness, he had
threw it directly at his daughter without knowing the consequences. The glass cup hitting her head, shattering.
"Don't you understand how much I want you out of my life! You're a burden! Get out of my sight! NOW!" Lassandra had burst into uncontrollable tears of pain all the way up to her bedroom. Blood dripping behind her.
"I wish you were here mummy," Lassandra had sobbed silently in her room—but unknowingly she had magically healed the side temples of her head, where no more blood trickling out of her.
Bloom for the first time in her entire life was completely baffled by that man's actions. Nothing. . . well, she was certain that some people had had horrible, uncaring, unfit, and cruel parents. But this was on another level. Her own grandmother had to endure a heartless father.
Tears had streamed down Lassandra's face. "He was a cruel and cold-hearted father Bloom, always drunk and was never a functional man. I never speak of his name or bring up that man's mere existence."
Bloom furrowed her brows.
She couldn't understand why Lassandra's father had treated his own child that way, as if he had truly resented his own daughter? It had added much to Bloom's confusion.
Curiosity had gotten the best of Bloom.
"Where was your mum in all this? I don't think she would've condone his uncivilized behaviors."
Lassandra had looked at Bloom with anguish in her eyes. "I never met my mother, Bloom. She died while giving birth to me and my father had blamed me for her death."
A cold shiver had wracked Bloom's entire body when she heard those words being uttered from her grandmother.
"I despise my blue eyes that I inherited from my father. If I only had inherited my mother's brown eyes. . . but . . . oh he would've hated me even more." Lassandra had shook her head, stifling in tears.
"Oh grandmother," Bloom had given her a warm embrace, tears also sliding down her face out of pure heartbreak.
Eventually the two had broken apart.
"Let's keep going Bloom otherwise it'll take forever. But after that night, let's say my father could no longer tolerate my presence and he just kicked me out on the streets."
Bloom was utterly horrified; her face was several shades of green in absolute disgust. It had her feel sick to her own stomach. "But isn't that illegal? Is there like some sort of child services on Domino? Or something equivalent?"
Lassandra had a sad smile, realizing how much her granddaughter had cared for her well-being.
"My father was a powerful and influential man; he had manage to pull several strings at his own convenience. He'd somehow persuaded everyone that I was not his daughter and that my mother had cheated on him."
The redhead princess had stopped dead in her tracts, spluttering. "He did what, now?!"
"Bloom! It's okay because we know that's not true."
"But he tarnished your mother's reputation?! How could you be so kind and so forgiving of him? I know I wouldn't. Hell, I wouldn't forgive that man even if he is my father!" Bloom seized over the way Lassandra had been treated. She wasn't sure how her own grandmother could be so forgiving and so loving was beyond her.
Lassandra had raised a blond eyebrow. "Who said I'd forgave him? I certainly did not, but I simply no longer care for that cold bastard. But I don't want to turn out anything like him. An absolute monster."
"But why didn't your mother's side of the family take you in? What you were going through was child abuse and they wouldn't like that."
"From what I know, after they heard what my father had to say, due to his twisted lies about my mother. My mother's side of the family had wanted nothing to do with me. They were disgusted by my existence."
"But it was a lie! I mean, there are ways to proves that—" Bloom's blood had boiled—it was infuriating her to no ends.
"Honestly Bloom, I prefer it that way. All of them are out of my life and in a way it feels freeing." Lassandra had spoken rather calmly despite the overwhelming sadness reflecting in her eyes.
"But. . ."
The scene had easily dissolved and changed.
Bloom had noticed that her grandmother had looked older as she was no longer a child, but a young teenager around sixteen or seventeen years of age.
It was near dusk hour.
The sun was setting on the horizon; the sky was slowly turning dark. The magical lights within the lampposts were beginning to illuminate.
Lassandra was cornered in the alley by four men who were surrounding her with thirsting looks in their eyes as if they were planning to devour her simply due to her alluring beauty.
"Where do you think you were going little fairy?" Rhys's dark eyes had glittered dangerously, taunting her as he approached her. He yanked Lassandra by her blond-hair cruelly. "Did you really think you could escape me? And take my unborn child with you?"
Tears spilled from Lassandra's blue eyes, as she had clutched at her swollen belly in fear. "Please. . ."
Rhys had flashed his gleaming teeth. "You belong to me, little Lassandra. Perhaps I should refresh your memory? Hmm? Your father was the man who sold you to me."
Lassandra had whimpered in fear.
She was utterly broken and hollow on the inside. The young fairy had loathed men with all of her heart. She hated how they toyed around with her.
Hated the way they would cat-call her in the streets and stare at her beauty like she were some kind of shiny trophy. Or how the men had ogled at her curvy body with their eager eyes like there were no tomorrow, and the way their drool had escaped their lips. It was utterly repulsive.
Most of all, Lassandra had despised Rhys with every fiber of her entire being or forcing himself up and knocking her up. Kissing her all over her entire body without having her constant. Touching her. Grappling at her plumped breasts.
The dark-haired man had leaned in, burying his face in Lassandra's neck—smelling the sweet scent of strawberries. His dark eyes were filled with utmost lust towards the blond-haired woman.
Rhys had placed his hand on Lassandra's swollen belly, as the men had forcefully undressed her slivery glittering dress (as they were ordered by their boss).
"No. . . No . . . Please . . .Rhys. . ." Lassandra had begged of the man. Her blue eyes had bulged out from its sockets—mortified as she was unclothed—standing in the nude.
Bloom wasn't entirely sure how to feel. She was speechless. Angry. Upset. Distressed. Disgust. Appalled. Horrified. There were several mixed emotions rising within her. Fury had lingered in her eyes.
Was her uncle. . . but he looked exactly a lot like his father, carbon-copy with the exception of his blond hair who Alec had inherited from his mother.
It can't. . . it just didn't make any sense.
Bloom was utterly surprised to a see a figure coming out from the shadows to Lassandra's aid to only see that it was her grandfather, Adrian.
"This is when I first met your grandfather, not exactly the ideal situation, but for me it truly was. He's the one who saved my life and I'll forever be grateful. He was one of the kindest men I've ever encountered in my entire life," Lassandra had reminisced on her husband's generosity and utmost kindness.
Lassandra had stirred from her unconsciousness to see that she was no longer on the streets in a ditched alley, left for dead. She had blinked her eyes a couple of times, adjusting to the bright sunlight that spilled between the slits of the curtain.
It was early morning.
Her head had spun all around as Lassandra had collapsed back into the soft, cushiony pillows. The memories of last night had flooded into her mind. Shivers had ran down her spine as Lassandra had wrapped her arms around herself for comfort, knowing that she was safe.
It had been so long since she had slept in such a comfortable bed with thick blanket sheets to keep her warm at night.
The young fairy had shot out of bed in panic, fully realizing the gravity of the situation. Lassandra hadn't even know where she was—only knowing that she was in a stranger's house. Her blue eyes had caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Whoever had saved her last night had put a lot of care into her.
But why? Why would this stranger consider taking her in? Lassandra had placed her hand onto of her swollen belly protectively.
The girl was terrified out of her wits.
She must find a way to leave this place. Lassandra was pulled out of her thoughts upon hearing a sharp rapping on the door.
"Are you wake?" the man spoke gently, but with full of concern.
"Uh—" Lassandra had stuttered, face draining out of color. She knew that the man was going to check up on her and possibly question her behaviors.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you or anything. I just want to make sure you're okay and comfortable."
Lassandra could easily detect the kindness in the man's tone. It would be quite rude not to invite him in, after all, he was the one to bring her to his own place—giving her shelter for the night.
"Uh, you can come in," Lassandra replied.
The girl had watched as the doorknob had twisted, the door creaking open, revealing to be a handsome man. His long light brown-hair had fallen to his waist. His bright emerald-eyes was the first thing that had enchanted her. The man's lips curling into a charming smile.
Lassandra had noticed the man's uniform—it was crimson red with silver amour and golden trimming and the symbol of the Great Dragon. It was the official emblem of the Royal Guards of Domino as Lassandra had instantly realized that man had worked for the royal family.
"How are you feeling?" Adrian asked.
Lassandra wasn't entirely sure if she had wanted to answer Adrian's question. A bubble of fear was rising in her chest. She had averted her gaze.
"Hey, it's going to be alright. There's no need for you to be afraid of me," Adrian had reassured her with his calming words.
"But you work for the royal family, don't you?" Lassandra's lips quivered.
He let out a chuckle. "Is that what you're afraid of? But why?"
"You don't understand! I could be executed for breaking the laws! For having a child out of wedlock! Do you know what they would call my child? A b—" tears had overflowed Lassandra's blue eyes, finding herself once more in utter distress.
"Whoa. Just clam down and breath in and out," Adrian had suggested, glancing at her with pity. "Tell me your story. How you came to be with child? Did you voluntary consent to this?"
"What! Dragons no! I never wanted this to happen to me," Lassandra cried out, her hand delicately rubbing her swollen belly—feeling the movements of her child's kicks—giving a slight wince. "I'm only sixteen! I barely know anything about the real world, much less raising a child!"
"Well, that sums it up then. The story adds up," Adrian said with a muse.
"Uh? What do you mean?" Lassandra eyed the man suspiciously, not liking his tone entirely.
"It's obvious that you were raped. Just as I speculated when I rescued you. You know those wire bracelets that were wrapped around your wrists, they were no ordinary—"
"I know. They prevent me from using my magic," Lassandra said, not realizing that Adrian had managed to break them off of he—freeing her from her horrible fate. Though she could see the scars that were left behind because it had pressed deeply into her pale skin.
"But it is also an indication of you being sold to men as a sex slave. Did you know that? Now, I wonder," Adrian had narrowed his eyes, fury somewhat lingering in his face. "Who had sold you off to such barbaric men? No women should ever have a price over her head."
Adrian's tone had chilled her to the core. She froze. Her heart had raced against her chest—pouncing at every corner in absolute fear.
Adrian had grimaced. "You don't have to tell me if you're not ready. But may I ask what your name is?"
"Lassandra Ashsorrows."
"Ashsorrows?"
Lassandra had glanced at the man; her pale blond-brows furrowing upon seeing Adrian's reaction as if he heard that surname from before.
"You mean as in Aaron Ashsorrows' daughter?" Disbelief had rose across his face, arching an eyebrow at her. "Are you sure? He claims that he doesn't have any children nor a wife."
Lassandra had closed her eyes as anger had swelled within her.
"Of course, it's typical of him to do. We never had a good father-daughter relationship, and he blames me for my mother's death."
Adrian had given her a sympathetic look. He wasn't sure what to tell the young girl as the man hadn't wanted to offended her (or to unintentionally break her heart). No child should ever be blamed for a parent's death. He could even tell that the girl was deprived out of warmth and love by her own father.
"I'm so sorry. What your father had done to you was unforgivable and disgusting, Lassandra."
She had simply nodded before glancing at the man whose expression had soften—his brilliant green eyes filled with much tenderness. "I do believe that I hadn't gotten your name. I would like to thank you for saving my life and for your kindness."
Adrian's face had flushed brightly. "I'm Adrian Lovell."
A flicker of a smile had appeared on her lips. "Thank you for everything, but I really need to get going, Adrian."
"No. You'll be staying here Lassandra where it's safe for you and your baby."
"But—"
Lassandra was cut off by Adrian who seemed to be grinning at her.
"Let's see. Your only sixteen. You have no family to support you. No roof over your head. No job. Wait? Do you even know how to use your fairy magic?"
The girl had found herself flushing intensely out of embarrassment. She never knew how to use her magic properly. The only time her bracelets were ever off her wrists is when Rhys had forced her to use her healing magic on him.
Adrian had lifted an eyebrow at her; he was utterly concerned about her fairy education if she even attended one (which was mostly likely not). No. He simply couldn't leave a vulnerable pregnant fairy out on the streets.
"And whatever laws those barbaric men told you, were old laws dating back from more than a century ago. When women were oppressed and had no rights back then. It was easy for them to twists such lies to young women who have no education."
"But why would you take me in? I'm a burden and this is my responsibility, alone."
Utter determination had burned in his emerald eyes as he wasn't going to allow this girl to slip into the life of the streets; it was no place for a young mother and her child to be in. Adrian had insisted to her.
"No, you aren't a burden. I'm going to call for a healer. You and your unborn child need to be checked out. Right now, your health is a first priority. After that I'm going to bring a female educator to teach you magic and I'll teach you the updated laws myself."
At this point, Lassandra had burst into heavy, unimaginable tears, but it wasn't out of sadness. This man before him had offered his home for her out of generosity. No one had offered her this type of kindness from before.
"I. . . I . . . don't know what to . . . say," Lassandra had fumbled in her words, sniffling.
No words could be uttered as Bloom watched the utter kindness that her grandfather had displayed towards her grandmother. Tears had rolled down her cheeks.
"Wait grandmother? Is uncle. . ."
"What no! I can assure you that Alec is Adrian's son, Bloom." Lassandra said sharply. "He looks exactly like Adrian."
Bloom was red in face over her uncle's appearance. He did indeed look like a spitting imagine of his father. The only difference was that Alec had inherited his mother's blond hair.
"Then. . ." Bloom had furrowed her red brows, completely confused as Marion was only about two years younger than her older brother.
Lassandra's smile faded into a sadden frown. "Alec and Marion don't know that they have an older half-brother. I never wanted them to know about him."
"What?" Bloom had whispered, completely stunned by such revelation by her grandmother. "But on the family tree. . ."
"You're looking at it from Adrian's side of the family and that's why you only see Marion and Alec and not their half-sibling's name. I've tampered with my family tree so they wouldn't know, because . . ." it was hard for Lassandra to utter the name of her first-born son, not ever since. . . she had winced over the memories of her little Aiden flashing in her mind. The pain of losing him had been unbearable. "Aiden had been kidnapped when he was a child."
It had chilled Bloom to the bones. It had hurt Bloom to see her grandmother so broken like never before—as if someone were pouring salt to her old, opened wound.
Bloom had placed her hand on Lassandra's shoulder. "This must be too painful for you. . . I. . . I'm so sorry for asking such sensitive questions."
"Bloom. It's okay, you didn't know."
Lassandra had held her son Aiden in her arms. He had messy brown hair with piercing blue eyes like his own mother. The boy was fiddling in his mother's arms, though she had her other hand placed on her swollen belly. Her diamond wedding ring glimmering in the scant of the moonlight—spilling though the large glass window.
Her baby was getting bigger with each passing day.
It was only a matter of a few weeks at most before giving birth to her third child.
The woman had looked all around the nursery that was coated in pink. The cradle had beautiful fairy ornaments spinning all around. Stuffed animals were neatly organized on the wooden shelves.
Lassandra was startled out of her wits upon a heavy hand being placed on her shoulder as she had spun on her heels to see her husband gazing at her with love in his eyes.
"Where's Alec?" Lassandra instantly asked upon not seeing her son in Adrian's arms, somewhat panicking.
Adrian looked at her coolly. "He's fast asleep in our bedroom."
"Adrian! You can't leave him alone. He's only a year and ten months old, and Alec could roll off the bed and—"
"And I've already used a protective barrier spell around the bed, Lassandra." Adrian told her softly. "We've been married for nearly four years; shouldn't you be at least trusting me by now? Alec is fine, but I'm worried about you, my love."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to become a daily habit," Lassandra said; there had been days in which she would linger in the nursery room and simply gaze through the window, spacing out from the world entirely.
"I know."
"I thought I would be an all-boy mum, Adrian," Lassandra muttered, gently caressing her enlarged belly. "And not a girl mum. It'd be easier that way. I don't know how to raise a girl from my own life experiences, and I didn't have any mother-figure in my life. In fact, I'm scared over how boys would treat my little girl in the future. What if she goes through—"
Adrian's bright emerald eyes had hardened.
"I promise you Lassandra that our little girl isn't going to go through the same situation as you did. And if someone were to dare to attempt to do something or pull a damned move on our daughter, I would not only break his fingers, but mutilate him to pieces until he becomes unrecognizable."
Lassandra was taken aback by how utterly protective he was of their little girl who was growing within her belly. The blush across her face had intensified upon feeling his hand being placed on her belly.
"She will be protected at all costs. And besides, she'll have two older brothers who would look out after her and they'll make sure that boys would stay away from her." Adrian said thoughtfully. "Have you thought of a beautiful name to give to our little princess?"
Lassandra shook her head, not having any ideas as to what she would name their baby girl. She had glanced at her husband who seemed to have an idea.
"It looks like to me, you already have a name in mind, Adrian?" Lassandra smiled warmly.
He cracked a grin. "Oh, I do, Lassandra. If I'd ever have a daughter in the future, there's this particular name that I've always been fond of. It's a beautiful name."
"I'd like to hear it."
"What do you think of Marion? Of course, there are other versions of the name like Miriam or Mariam. But I preferred Marion as our daughter's final name."
Adrian could spot the wet lines of tears tracing her rounded cheeks, but it was out of joy.
"It's a lovely name, Adrian."
He lifted her chin upwards in order for Lassandra to greet his handsome face—though out of the corners of his eyes, the boy was not liking being held in his mother's arms as he continued to squirm around.
"Dada?" Aiden had fumbled in his words once he'd seen his father. His little chubby warms were stretched out towards the man.
Adrian only smiled. "Well then, let me take Aiden in my arms. He's getting a bit big for you to carry around."
Adrian had took the young child from his wife, giving Aiden a kiss on his forehead lovingly. He had adored the little boy.
"Come on my love. Let's go to bed."
Bloom was genuinely touched by how heartwarming her maternal grandfather was towards his wife. So, Adrian was the one who'd named his daughter. Bloom noted another nice parallel as Oritel was the one to her and Marion had given the name Daphne to her first-born daughter.
Lassandra smiled at Bloom. "I didn't want your mother to suffer the same experiences as I did when growing up. But Marion turned out to be a strong and independent young woman, capable of warding men off. I'm so proud of her."
Bloom had seen the way Marion had expressed her attitude towards men who disrespected women and treated them like mere objects, like in the case of Issac.
The way Marion's tone had hardened on Sky who had managed to breaking her own heart not once but twice was very much evident that Marion had despised men who played games with a girl's feelings. Marion had her eyes on Sky.
"That's because you and grandfather had raised her to be strong. And then there's uncle who manages to scare them off," Bloom chuckled light-heartedly.
"And as your uncle should. But sadly, to say for you, you managed to have rotten luck with men and that's worrying me, Bloom."
Bloom had let out a weary sigh.
"I know and that's becoming a problem for me. I told Dad all about that and trying to get his advice. Honestly, I don't know what to do grandmother. I mean Sky is a great guy and all, but right now my life's too complicated for a relationship."
Lassandra had considered Bloom's words, looking at her with curiousness. "Well Bloom, what do you out of your life? Do you love Sky enough to you see yourself as being his potential wife and future Queen of Eracklyon?"
Bloom stopped in her tracks.
A flicker of a frown appeared on her lips. She really didn't know what to say to her grandmother. She did cared about Sky, a lot.
But romantically. . . she wasn't entirely sure anymore. Bloom had never considered all those things from before as Lassandra had carefully explained to Sky back in the hypership. It was making her rethink about her relationship with Sky.
"Bloom, your silence is unsettling me. If you really don't love Sky or you're trying to force yourself to love him, it's going to be a big problem for you in the future," Lassandra had cautiously advised.
"I think I should talk to Sky about it. But I'm afraid of what his reaction would be like. He kind inherited Erendor's infamous temper," Bloom had admitted.
Lassandra frowned. "If you're that worried, I'm sure that your father or uncle won't mind being there with you. They'd be more than delighted to make sure you're being supported."
Bloom had given a nod, knowing that her family would be there for her no matter whatever decision she would chose in the very end. They would continue to pour their love for her, endlessly.
Aiden and Alec had slept in the middle of the bed, surrounded by Adrian and Lassandra. Alec had suckled on his pacifier and Aiden had drool coming out of wide opened mouth. Lassandra had slept with her full-fledged fairy wings.
"Um. . . why did you sleep with your wings. . ."
"Ah, I thought you might ask. It's simple Bloom. I wanted to. Haven't you noticed your people's appearance?"
Bloom blushed out of embarrassment.
She had indeed spotted most of her people always having their wings out throughout the day despite not having any conflicts whatsoever. They simply enjoyed using their wings and embracing their full fairy heritage.
"I prefer to hide my during daytime hours because it's a hassle and it gets in a way and among other things. But at night, I'd like to let out my wings and your grandfather enjoys a nice view."
It had made Bloom's face go scarlet.
"And Mum?"
"When she was little, Marion would have her wings out all the time. She would use to tease her brother all the time whenever she flew around.
But when Marion gotten older, I told her it wasn't necessary since she was no longer a child. Only transform when needed to. I told her this because I didn't want any men ogling my young daughter," Lassandra explained.
"That makes sense."
Dark smoke had spilled from the glass windows of Lassandra and Adrian's bedroom—swirling all around. At instant, Adrian's eyes had fluttered wide open upon sensing the presence of dark magic filling his home.
Before he could have the chance to jump to his feet, to protect his family, Adrian was struck in the shoulder by a glowing sliver arrow—preventing him to be paralyzed, unable to twitch a single muscle, use magic, or utter a single word.
Out of the corner of his green eyes, he had spotted a similar silver arrow struck in his wife's upper thigh. Her face staring up at the ceiling.
"Aiden. . ." a faint voice had uttered, as the dark shadows had surrounded the older boy who was sleeping peacefully, undisturbed from the looming smoke that was slowly encircling on him.
Chuckling wickedly . . .
Tears had dropped from her eyes over the unimaginable horror, fear, and heartbreak that had bled in her grandparents' heart that night over the loss of Aiden. They had been unable to protect their older child from unwanted dangers.
"Ever since that night, we have been unable to track Aiden down. Adrian had used every resource possible to try to find him, but it was like . . ."
Bloom could detect the heavy sorrow fill her grandmother's voice that caused her heart to throb. "Aiden just vanished into thin air, never to be seen again."
Marion wasn't sure what to make out it entirely.
She had hand covering her mouth out of horror. Several degrees of disgust had crossed her face. Her hands had turned into fist balls of absolute rage.
Nothing in her entire life had made her ache as deeply and painfully as possible until Marion had to witness her mother's past.
The indescribable emotions that was running through her very being. . . it was completely mixed out of anguish, hurt, utterly vexed at her grandfather for his treatment of her own mother.
Marion never knowing who her grandfather was. . .she had despised him with all of her being. She had never known what true hatred was until today. Her grandfather was beyond wicked or cruel. . . he was the very definition of what rotten evil to its core looked like.
Valtor had come off as saint compared to that foul bastard (who had shared Marion's flesh and blood). Marion had cursed under her breath. Tears had continued to roll down her cheeks.
Her mother had always been so clam and a collected woman. Never in her life had Marion once seen her. . . she shook that thought out of her mind.
Disbelief had rose across her face.
She had a half-brother. Aiden.
"Fuck him to Shadow Haunt for all eternity," Marion muttered under her breath, lividly. She wasn't the one for cursing people. . . but . . .this had befitted the situation.
The girl had vowed to herself that if she had ever seen her maternal grandfather in person, she would unleash all of hatred upon him as her revenge.
"Why didn't she tell me and Alec that we had an older-half-brother? Why didn't my mother talk about her life from before? We're adults?! We're not children anymore!" Marion spluttered, feeling utterly hurt, as if someone had manage to jab a knife into her heart.
"Marion," Luna had whispered to her best friend, as the fairy had placed her hand on Marion's shoulder.
Fresh tears had overflowed Marion's emerald eyes—her entire face swollen and tinged with redness. She couldn't stop crying for her mother. "Why did she lie to me and Alec? Why?"
"Oh darling," Luna had muttered, pulling her best friend into a tight embrace.
"I'm positively sure that you mum didn't want to intentionally lie to you or Alec. She was just trying to do her best to raising you two and sheltering you and him from cold, barbaric world." Marion felt Luna's hand rubbing her back, gently, trying to cheer her up in the best possible manner.
Marion sobbed like a child. "It hurts so much. She used to tell me all those lovey-dovey stories about meeting my father being the best thing to ever happen to her . . . but it wasn't true. . ."
"In a way Marion, it kind of was the best thing to happen to her," Niobe had felt for her friend's endless heartache. "Think about it."
"But it wasn't—"
"Yes, the timing wasn't ideal. But your father had freed your mother from unimaginable horrors, Marion. He was her savior. Her prince charming." Niobe elaborated.
"Plus, your mum isn't going to tell you that she was raped and so and so happened to her, Marion," Luna said gently. "She probably wants you and Alec to see a better version of her and not. . ."
Marion sniffled. "Yeah. Probably."
Stella and Aisha were utterly disgusted—several shades of green had crossed their faces and the two girls felt sick to their stomach.
"How much longer do we have?" Stella asked the Centaur-Man. The Solarian Princess was highly worried about Marion's mental health. She was so fragile at the moment.
"Not much longer. All we have is showing the final battle between Valtor and Bloom, in which the true answers would be there before Bloom would make her ultimate choice," the Green-Eyed Mermaid had spoken so gently.
"Do you think it would be a good idea for Marion to witness her daughter's battle with Valtor?" Aisha said concernedly.
The Blue-Eyed Mermaid was about to respond—
"I still insist on watching to the very end," Marion, still red in face, said out of determination.
"Are you sure?" Aisha said, frowning.
"Yes. I mean, I'm pretty sure it can't be any worse from what I just discovered about my own mum. I'd rather know that hard, cold cutting truth than a pretty lie." Marion dabbed at her eyes.
Luna and Niobe exchanged glances as the two girls were worried about their dear friend who seemed to be insisting on watching.
Marion was in no right state of mind to witness the battle of Valtor and Bloom. It would only increase Marion's stress for the worse. Or it would cause Marion to spiral into a deep depression. The two girls were glued by Marion's side—trying to keep her at bay in the best way possible.
Marion's emerald eyes had fluttered open. The girl had heard Aisha and Stella gasp in horror as if in utter disbelief, their hands covering their mouth. Tears had filled their eyes.
"No. . . it really can't be!" Stella had gone deathly pale. "No. I just don't believe it! This has to be some kind of cruel joke, right?"
"Impossible! This. . . this has to be a lie!" Aisha had snapped.
It had made Marion's blood run cold upon witnessing the Bloom's Dragon Flame being sputtered out for good alongside Valtor's Dark Flames. It had meant one thing. Bloom had truly scarified her own life for the sake of her friends, family, and the entire Magic Dimension. Bloom had died during the final battle.
Marion's head had spun all around. . .this was all too heavy for her to find out all at once. She was sick to her own stomach . . . her daughters . . . her mother. . .
"I don't feel so g—" Marion's said trembling. Her visions were blurring. . . she could no longer hear anyone around her. The world of darkness had overcome her. . .
"Dragons! Marion!" Luna cried out, as her best-friend had manage to faint catching the girl in her arms. Tears had stained Marion's face as Luna pushed away the bangs away from Marion's face.
Bloom and Lassandra were at the end of their journey, but only for the duo to be highly traumatized by the events. Neither of them had spoken a single word.
Both fairies were lost in their own thoughts—reminiscing on their own life.
She had wished that Nabu's words were true—that they indeed had some kind of evil scheme, but the reality was. . . it was never that. Everything was broken.
Her family was shattered to a million of pieces.
The entire situation of knowing why she in this mess in the first place had been beyond her wild imaginations. Bloom hadn't even consider the possibility that she had actually died. That she had indeed sacrificed her life for the safety of the entire Magical Dimension.
"This has been quite an emotional and grievous journey for the both of you, but also an experience for the two of you to understand each other on a deeper level," Arcadia said wisely.
Bloom was still trying to process the fact that she had literally died. She had knitted her red brows together, still confused as ever. "But it still doesn't explain why I lost my memories."
"Ah," Arcadia smiled. "We simply erased your memories from knowing that you in fact had sacrificed your life for the Magical Universe. If you were intact with your memories, people would know that we had tampered with your life which you can imagine the outcome if people knew about that."
"I see." Bloom murmured more to herself, as fresh tears continued glisten down her pale face.
"Lassandra and Adrian had done something quite extraordinary for us and we simply had to thank them for their kindness." Arcadia smiled warmly.
"It was the favor?"
"Yes. It is a wonderful story for them to share with you."
Bloom felt Lassandra's hand holding onto very own, giving her a tight squeeze. The girl turned around to see her grandmother, who appeared to be in a better emotional state. A flicker of delight danced in her sapphire eyes.
"Perhaps tonight once we get back home."
"That does sound nice," Bloom said. "After everything we've been through. I'd like a happy ending."
"And now, for the moment of absolute truth of your choices Bloom." Arcadia had waved her hand in front the crystal labyrinth—forming two kind of exits.
Bloom had looked into her choices but frowned.
"The exit is on your right Bloom."
"But?"
Bloom felt her stomach drop to bottomless pits of Domino. Bloom didn't like either of choices she was given, but. . . she had remembered how hard the decisions that Musa, Tecna, and Stella had made in order to obtain the Water Stars and it hadn't been pretty.
But this was rather incomparable.
The choice was either she'd be trapped in the Golden Kingdom for all eternity alongside the dead or she'd forever stay with her family, never going back to her original timeline, which had meant. . . she'd lose . . . the old life she'd once known.
Bloom would either be permanently among the dead or sacrifice the life she had once had with her friends the Winx and Specialists. Dragons!
There was no other choice as Bloom's entire body had trembled, tears had stained her face.
"Bloom!" Lassandra snapped at her. "With everything that just happened, you want to drive my daughter, Marion into a depression!"
Bloom blinked her eyes.
The girl wasn't too sure about her own decision.
She knew that her friends might just despise her for remaining to stay in her parents timeline and not return with them—to their original timeline.
Her heart was being torn to pieces.
"I—I. . ." Bloom had fluttered over to the right exit where her grandmother had awaited her. Lassandra had wrapped her arms around Bloom's shoulder. She had looked down at her grandchild. "Good choice."
Bloom and Lassandra had fluttered into the right exit—vanishing, thus Bloom making her ultimate choice in which had shattered her own heart. The girl had hoped that her friends would only understand the decision that she'd made.
-Fin
Author's Note
Holy Shiz Sticks! I'm actually done with the first book in the duology! But of course Book II is in the works! Although I'll give you a little premise when I update this for the final time. Well. . . what do you think? I've been excited since last year. . . to get to this build up! The ending is well. . . a damn cliffhanger (in my opinion)!
Valtor's presence is Book II is gonna be super fun to write but of course his redemption arc is gonna be like hell when he tries to seek out forgiveness from Bloom and her family (that's all what I'm telling you!)
Yeah, I'm not sure if you guys like OCs but they're certainly fun to write. . . and they are important to Bloom's storyline in Book II. So there's that! Idk I certainly do enjoy writing family drama - especially there will be more of it in Book II and it might even involve some Royal drama . . . but Book II will contain even more mature elements/themes to explore. It will be a direct follow as to what happened in this finale.
I noticed that this Book had begun super light hearted in the beginning until mid-way around chapter 12 or so . . . it had more mature elements and by the near end it grew dark (my bad).
Anyways, I'm not sure if any of you know, but I'm not a fan of Season 4 and beyond so there will be no plot lines from that and I never liked how they resurrected Daphne back to life again. It didn't feel like the same OG Daphne from 1-3. Plus this story is definitely AU.
Magical Adventure I do like it cuz it has funny moments and it was pretty interesting and of course for Oritel x Marion moments (dies of laughter when Oritel decides to drink a WHOLE HOT tea kettle when he had chocked on the raspberry tart XD).
Our next adventure will continue in Book II. . .
Until We Meet Again in . . . (this is not the title LOL)
Release in sometime 2023. . .
