Stormy
Transportation portals have never been my thing. Throughout all the time I've been a witch, those types of spells are not the type I particularly enjoy. Every time they made me sick, but I've done it enough times- being friends with Darcy has part in that -so I've gotten used to it.
I just wish that this time we weren't transported to an abandoned dimension of darkness. The trip didn't take long though, which was surprising. Very soon we were staring at somewhere that seemed to have come out of nowhere.
The fairy school- thank dragons -was nowhere to be seen. Instead, it was just dry, dead fields of grass as far as we could see. There wasn't a cloud in the sky- much to my distaste -but the sky was as blue-grey as a corpse. As well, everything was so still and there wasn't any movement. It was as if time had stopped here. No wind blowing, no sound… It seemed unnatural and unnerving.
No creatures besides us were walking around. Oscurità was empty and barren as if something- someone -was here and just waiting for the right moment to strike us. The entire area was in a state of semi-darkness with no sun in the sky, but still enough light for us to see. I wasn't sure if this was another part of the magic of the Dark World, or if we just happened to arrive at a time in which the weather was less than pleasing.
"It seems we've made it to Oscurità," Icy stated plainly. She wasn't moving, and simply stared off into the distance; taking in all that was around us. Even though there wasn't much to see.
All ten of us were standing still in the same spots we arrived after transporting. We were awestruck at how quickly the scenery changed, and none of us had any intentions of moving forward before finding out if anything dangerous is out there.
Musa and Kat were standing together off to the left, then Aisha and Tecna were standing to the right of them. Darcy and I were standing next to one another in the rough center of the group with Icy standing in front of us. The rest of the fairies were standing to the far right, with Bloom and Flora close to one another and Stella being a few steps away from the two.
Speaking of which, Flora gripped her crossed arm with the other and seemed to shudder. Her eyes were wide with discomfort. Bloom, in a protective way of an older sibling, soon went to her side protectively and worriedly.
"What is it, Flora?" Bloom asked worriedly.
"Everything… Everything is dead here. There are no living plants here at all," she said after a pause, her voice breaking slightly. Flora's hand was clenched tightly as if it pained her to be in this place and not having anything alive around her.
Feeling something was off as well, Aisha knelt down to the ground and placed her right palm on the ground, separating blades of dry grass from one another. Her hand recoiled as she did so, shocked, and soon she stood up.
"There's no water here either."
"Almost like…" Darcy started as she turned to face all of us. "There are no elements here. As if the Dark World itself is trying to make sure that we're not going to be strengthened."
"Agreed," I said as my eyes started to drift around the area. "It's a complete ghost-town in this place."
Whatever elements that Daphne was talking about, it doesn't look like there's anything- or any traces of them -here. If it is this empty in the Dark World, it's going to take us an eternity to find even one of the elements of Inseimix. And if we don't find the elements… We will never get out of this place. Then we will never be able to defeat the Shaman Witch. She'll be able to trap us in our own thoughts for who knows how long.
I shook my head to rid myself of those thoughts. Then I glanced over to my far left. I saw that Kat was looking off into the distance as if in a trance of some sort. I didn't think much of it, as Darcy does a very similar thing when focusing on something, so it wasn't new to me. Musa soon focused on the brown-haired fairy and met her gaze.
"Kat, is something wrong?" Musa questioned calmly and worredly.
A second passed before Kat shook her head slightly before turning to face all of us. Her expression was not of fear, but it was pure unease. As if she wanted to tell us what she felt, but wasn't sure how we would react to it.
"There… Are creatures out there, as well as powerful dark energy. I don't know if it could be the Shaman Witch..." Kat said the name of the witch with hesitation. "But… There is that possibility."
Icy tensed, but she was battling to hide her fright at the mention of the Shamna Witch. The Winx didn't pick up on it besides Kat, as she knew what happened between Icy and the Shaman Witch on Diamond. Darcy and I have seen Icy vaulting her feelings for a very long time, so she can't hide it from us no matter how hard she tries. And this time wasn't any different.
Musa turned towards all of us and glanced at the Winx, not wanting to accept the three of us were here it seemed. "What's our next move?"
To the fairy's mild distaste, it was Darcy who answered her question. "It's starting to get dark here. The time cycle is going slower than the one on Magix, but soon it will get dark enough to be dangerous with what might be out there."
Most of us agreed with Darcy, though it was Aisha and Musa who had protested until even they agreed that none of us wanted to go off looking for whatever is out there when the one dim source of light is gone.
Tecna and some of the others had started making a camp of some sorts so we could be remotely protected. Bloom was making the fire- being a fire fairy and all -while Icy, Tecna, Flora, and Aisha were creating singular tents using their magic.
Flora would create the vines for sort of beams, Aisha would use her morphix to act as a cover over the vines and as well that it actually can be used as a tent, Icy would be hardening the morphix by freezing it so it stays where it was. Tecna was doing all of her calculations, as usual, to make sure all of the shelters are built right, the size will work, and lot's of other things I didn't really bother to listen to.
Musa and Kat had gone off somewhere, likely to talk to one another or something like that. Darcy and I were near each other in a similar way it seems.
I was standing with my arms crossed in front of me while just thinking about what happened. Darcy and Icy know what happened at Linfea- to my family -but I haven't told anyone else. Even though it's been years, I don't like talking about it. One in a while I would just stay quiet and think about what happened, but I rarely actually verbalize when I contemplate what I've done.
Who I've…
Darcy met my gaze and smiled slightly, breaking me out of my thoughts. She knew what I was thinking about, I know that. I hesitantly returned the smile, but I wasn't in the mood at the moment so it was barely something to be called a smile. I just don't want to be shown- to relive -what happened.
Please let the way I gain Inseimix be easy.
Kat
Musa and I had gone off from the camp that Bloom, Icy, Flora, Aisha, and Tecna were setting up. The two of our abilities would not really be useful in that sort of thing, so we decided that the least we could do is to discuss what creatures could be out there. She and I were sitting down on the dry grass, predicting what we'd run into.
"The terrain in this place is very unrecognizable," I started. "So fire creatures, or something that would cause destruction, are very likely not near."
"Maybe something small then?" Musa suggested calmly.
"Yes," I nodded. "It's likely something small, or human-like. Hopefully the first."
I was hoping with all my heart that we would run into a typical, small creature. Maybe an insect from myths, or something like that. I don't know many creatures like that. Even though I like researching mythology, it's mainly Greek mythology. And I haven't even researched in a long time.
"Hey you two," Bloom greeted as she walked over to where we were. It seemed that she had just finished creating the fire so when it does get dark, we'll have light as well as warmth. "Did you find out what creatures we could run into?"
"Not quite, we've narrowed it down to either something small or human-seeming," Musa explained.
I bit my lip. All of us are aware that… The Shaman Witch could be the 'creature' out there. We just want to keep our hope in the fact that we could be wrong. Maybe even the witch can't make it into Oscurità…
Please… Please let that be true…
Two Hours Later
The camp had been set up, everyone was asleep. Well, everyone except for me. I was sitting on the grass several metres away from the camp where no one was stirring, just trying to sleep. I didn't feel at all comfortable going to sleep. With all the things that could be out there, I want to make sure nothing comes close to us while they're sleeping.
It was basically pitch dark, and I could barely see. The light that came from the fire and the fact that I could see through the shadows farther than most people were the only reasons that I felt able to make sure that whatever is out there won't come near us. Plus, being here made it easier for me to think.
There was a soft wind moving around; it was cool, and nice to have a change from just the sitting air from earlier. The only sound was the rustling of the grass, the sound of my breathing, the sound of my heartbeat.
I was staring off into the distance when I heard a sound. It was the rustle of grass that I've been hearing, but it was a more chaotic rustle that didn't fit in; there was no change in wind to encourage that kind of movement. My eyes focused, but the strange sound disappeared as soon as it started.
What was that…?
Soon I heard another sound that broke me out of my thoughts. I turned my head behind me, and I saw that it wasn't just myself that was up. Bathed in the firelight, I could see Darcy was up as well. Tentative energy was coming off her as she began walking towards me calmly.
"Hey," she greeted calmly. I could clearly tell based on her tone and energy that this was still awkward for both of us.
"Hi," I smiled calmly and waved slightly.
Darcy walked closer to where I was and sat down at my right. Right as she did I could feel something was on her mind, as well she stayed silent for a few seconds before coming out. She turned from facing the horizon and met my gaze.
"Uh… I have something I want to ask you," she started slowly. Her tone was anxious, much to my surprise. It looked as if she wanted the answer to what she's seeking, but also like she was unsure of that fact as well.
"Okay," I nodded calmly. I was trying my hardest to keep my energy calm, so that, maybe, it will be easier for her to ask me what she wants to ask me. Several pauses went by.
Based on the energies that were cascading off her, whatever she is about to ask me must be something she's been wanting to do for a while. Or at the least, something she's been wondering about.
"So… On Ovrum," Darcy started. The moment she mentioned Ovrum I knew what she was going to ask me because I remember what happened there clearly. I tensed internally; planning in my mind what to tell her of this. "When Lillith was about to… Possess me," the witch paused in memory. "A shield made out of shadow appeared in front of me, only I didn't create it. Did you…?"
The answer somehow came naturally to me. "Yes," I said calmly. Keeping a soft expression, I met Darcy's gaze. "No one… No one deserved to go through something like that."
"Alright," Darcy nodded to herself. As if my answer was something she expected, but she was just making sure that what she thought was the truth. I, too, had a question on my mind, and the dark witch seemed to know. "There's something you want to ask me, right?"
"Maybe," I said hesitantly and slightly awkwardly. I… I want to ask Darcy whether or not she can feel my emotions like I can to her's. But I'm not sure if it would be a good question to ask right now.
Darcy chuckled slightly. "Just ask me. Getting these things off our chests before going off again tomorrow will help." The witch seemed to be smiling slightly, and that is what gave me reassurance to ask her.
"I've been wondering about this for a while. Can…" I hesitated. "Can you feel my emotions?" I asked with a slightly nervous tone.
Darcy nodded calmly as if it wasn't a big deal.
"What?" I would've definitely exclaimed if the others had not been sleeping, and I was on the borderline of yelling. My eyes were wide with shock.
The moment I said that Darcy smiled- a real smile this time -and seemed to be trying to hold in laughs and struggling to do so. "You really didn't know after all this time?"
"Yes," I shook my head, beginning to laugh slightly as well before something hit me. "How… Long have you been able to feel my emotions?"
As I said that, Darcy's smile lessened and her laughing at my reaction died down, but her emotions didn't turn to negative ones. "Ever since you activated the Vacuums. After that, I've simply been able to feel what you're feeling."
My expression turned slightly concerning. "It's been that long?"
Darcy nodded calmly. "Yeah." The witch's expression stilled. "I'll… I'll tell you something you might not know. Witches… Thrive of negative emotions. Things such as fear are easy for us to absorb. But pain is a harder emotion, and if you can clearly feel someone's emotions… It's hard to absorb their pain for very long. That's why…"
The witch's words fizzled out, and it looked as if it was getting hard for her to explain. But I knew what she was going to say. Now that I think back, I remember some things that connect to this. Back then... Sometimes I was on the brink of collapsing due to… What the Trix did back then… Darcy would say things such as that if they attack me anymore I'll die before they could truly hurt me, or that I wasn't going to tell them any information and to attack me the next day after I would supposedly lose some of my defiances.
But… Now I know that she did those things because she couldn't stand feeling my pain for that long. As well, she used to mainly hurt me mentally and with fear without inflicting much physical pain. That was why she did those things. It was a shock, but I kept calm.
"Don't worry," I said, breaking Darcy from her thoughts. "I get it." I gave her a reassuring smile, and she returned it with one of calmness and serenity.
"Thank you," Darcy said calmly, nodding slightly before glancing towards the horizon once more. "Any idea of what's out there?"
I sighed at her question and shook my head. "Not much. Earlier I heard a change in the rustling of the grass that didn't fit in, so it could be a spirit of some sort, but I'm not sure," I answered plainly and honestly.
Darcy smirked slightly. "Okay, when you start noticing changes in grass patterns, that is normally a sign of exhaustion, as well as maybe slight insanity," the witch joked in a slightly teasing tone, smiling.
"I'm fine," I protested plainly but smiling too. "And I did hear something, it wasn't just me imagining it."
"Yeah I know, I trust your judgment," Darcy said before turning back to face me. "But I was right about the exhaustion, how many hours have you been up?"
"Lost count, I don't wear a watch. But I'm fine," I explained, showing my bare wrist, then protested. She didn't back down.
"Listen, you're going to collapse out here if you stay out all night. There are not many hours until dawn, I can take the rest of the night." Darcy smiled kindly. I was about to protest against the witch's suggestion once more, but she caught it before I could say a word. "I'm not going to back down, you know that. Just get to sleep, and I'll wake everyone up if something's wrong."
She was right though- much to my disliking -she's not going to back down from this argument no matter how hard I try or protest. I smiled, and Darcy and I both stood up from the ground. "Okay," I nodded, giving in reluctantly. The witch smiled calmly in response.
I began walking back to the camp, feeling relieved of all the things that were just cleared up and revealed. A short distance before I reached the camp, I turned my gaze back towards the witch. "Thank you," I smiled softly.
Darcy turned to face me, her expression still as calm as it was. "Don't worry about it," she reassured. The witch turned back towards the shadowed horizon, and I continued walking towards the camp.
After walking past the fire, I reached my singular tent- a time-saver; said by Tecna -and went inside it and lay down. The frosted morphix and vines were still visible, and it gave the tent a natural look that was strangely calming. I let out a soft sigh as I worked on getting comfortable, after all, we are all sleeping on the ground.
It was late at night, and I was tired- though I wouldn't admit it -so it didn't take long before I began to doze off slowly. My mind was calm, and it feels like some of the bricks that I have been carrying for so long from my past have fallen and broken.
I closed my eyes, and darkness enveloped my vision.
Stormy
The morning had come way too soon. If I had the choice I would've just slept longer. I was not eager to go further into the Dark World, and if I didn't know any better, I would assume that everyone else was more than willing to get killed.
Icy woke up early, likely being plagued by nightmares of the Shaman With and Diamond. Aisha woke up soon after, but the two of them didn't say a word to one another. On the other hand, Darcy was up even before the sun. Seemingly, she cleared up some things with Kat last night and took over guard duty. But I couldn't be bothered much about it.
The rest of the fairies soon followed. Stella and Bloom had to be woken up, as they were sleeping very deeply. Right when we were all up, it was insisted that we get a move on and make our way farther into Oscurità.
Hours went on, and we've been walking through endless, dry fields without so much as a sight of something useful. Once in a while, a small conversation would pass between us; relating to this mission being a lost cause, or what could lay before us. The silence went on, but I paused and turned mid-step; feeling a disturbance in the normal lack of wind.
"What is it, Stormy?" Bloom questioned, as she was the first one to see me pause. I was about to answer, but the wind disappeared as soon as it started. I must have imagined it…
"There was a gust of wind suddenly," I answered bluntly. I looked towards the group. "Did any of you guys feel it?" Everyone glanced around, but no one had a chance to answer, before an eerily familiar laugh echoed around us. It can't be...
"What was that?" Musa questioned as she started walking away from where we are; seemingly investigating the noise.
I glanced up at the sky, which seemed to have changed in an instant. Dark- almost-black -clouds were swirling above us. Immediately I recognized it as a lightning storm. I saw sparking of lightning- more familiarity -among the clouds.
"Musa! Stop!" I warned.
The music-fairy paused and turned towards me, her expression was clearly slightly irritated. Musa opened her mouth to say something, but then a dark pink bolt of lightning shot down from the sky and struck the ground barely away from Musa. She took a few fearful steps back and gave me a look that seemed like confused gratitude. Aisha turned towards me.
"Way to go, Stormy," she spat.
I rolled my eyes and glared. "If I wanted to create a storm I would've done so earlier," I said bluntly before mumbling under my breath, "and Musa wouldn't have been the one I would hit."
"Something is wrong girls," Flora said worriedly as she turned around as if looking for any threats. "The nature in this place… It's not normal!"
As the brunette stated her words, a wind started to blow around us. It wasn't as strong as the wind back on Diamond, but there was something wrong with it. It was as if the wind was alive, but not being manipulated by any magic. A second echoed laugh- louder this time -boomed.
"No… It can't be," Icy said to herself nervously, before regaining a strong demeanour. "Reveal yourself! We know you're there!" The witch demanded.
"Come out and fight!" I yelled angrily. I raised up my right hand, sparking with electricity.
Aisha had a hand raised over her eyes due to the wind getting sharper and sharper by the second. "Who the ome are you guys talking to?!" The fairy exclaimed. The rest of the Winx were tense, they were also wondering what was going on.
"Ah, yes, that's right," the same echoed voice mused. "Most of us haven't been introduced, now have we?" Then in a pale light, a figure started to appear several metres in front of us. I recognized it straight away as the Shaman Witch, and Icy and Darcy were the same way.
I gave a knowing look towards Icy, and she nodded in response. The two of us thrust our arms out towards the witch, and then two separate beams flew towards the figure.
"Wait," Darcy protested calmly but urgently. As if she knew that the Shaman would transport out of range of our attack. The two beams flew off to the horizon, and the Shaman Witch simply re-appeared in the same spot she was once standing.
"So you're the Shaman Witch?" Bloom put two and two together.
"Yes," the Shaman Witch answered, amused. "I'm surprised it took you this long to figure it out, the all-powerful fairy of the Dragon." All of our eyes widened. How does she know Bloom?
"Why does she know you, Bloom?" Tecna whispered to the red-haired fairy, who only shook her head and answered with a quiet and confused, 'I don't know.'
"To answer your question, Tecna." How does she know them?! "I know that the Trix sought refuge at Alfea and that they would be trying to find a way into Oscurità. So… I saw it fit to spy on you fairies for a little while," The Shaman Witch smiled as a sphere of magic appeared in her open hand as she gazed into it. "And see what weaknesses I could destroy you with."
"Dragons, if you could think you can succeed in beating us, then you must have ome of an imagination," Stella smiled mockingly, though it was cockier.
"Stella…" Aisha warned, glaring at her friend. Though, the sun-fairy didn't seem to be listening to her friend's advice.
"Besides, we're gonna gain Inseimix in a flash. And when we do, we'll beat you into a pulp before you can even cast one-," the golden-haired fairy started.
"Stella!" Kat exclaimed, interrupting the fairy from revealing any more information. Stella seemed to have realized what she had done and shut her mouth.
"So, the ten of you are looking for the Elements of Inseimix?" The Shaman Witch questioned rhetorically. Musa elbowed Stella, much to the fairy's distaste. Aisha facepalmed tiredly.
"What a foolish idea." The witch's eyes lit up, then she turned towards us. "Though… If you are so eager to face your weaknesses, then maybe I can assist you," the Shaman Witch growled, both her hands glowing brightly. "Flora and Stormy of Linfea."
… I swear I'm going to kill that hag.
"What does she mean?" Flora questioned quietly as she glanced towards me, as well as the rest of the Winx did the same. Except for Kat, who moved her gaze from me and the Shaman Witch.
But I didn't meet any of their gazes, I was too focused on the severe glowing and pulsing of the witch's hands. "Never mind that!" I exclaimed. "Just-!"
That was the moment the Shamna Witch chose to strike. She swung her arms outwards, and then a boomerang-shaped blade of magic sped towards us. In some way or another, we all managed to avoid it. Whether that be putting us a shield, or rolling to the ground, none of us got hit. Soon we all got back to our feet.
"Winx! Cosmix!" The fairies exclaimed as they got surrounded by differently-coloured spheres of light. The same old transformation sequence.
Icy, Darcy, and I gave each other a knowing look. Each of us raised a hand above us- glowing with our magic -and then, as if transported onto us, we were back in our witch forms. Even though we had gone past that with Darkix and Shiftix, we still return to Witchix with our increased powers still intact.
The Winx had now fully transformed, and as they did it was Icy who made the first move. "Freezer burn!" She exclaimed as she swung her hands; two white spheres were directed towards the Shaman Witch.
But the moment before the attack would've impacted, a swirling wind- blended with seeds of grass and grains -flew up in front of the witch; somehow blocking Icy's spell.
The Shaman Witch pushed her hands outwards, and the wind flew towards us. And we were trapped in a cascading vortex, without a clear view of the Shaman. Through the whistle of the wind, I could hear a vague laugh. It wasn't the Shaman's, as it was more high-pitched and almost playful.
"Kapori!" Kat exclaimed, her eyes wide with realization.
"What?" Darcy questioned, confused. The wind was closing around us tighter and tighter. Not unlike the snow back on Diamond, the wind was turning the minuscule seeds into tiny knives. I could feel small- luckily barely noticeable -cuts opening on my arms and face and began to shield my eyes.
"They're grain spirits!" Kat clarified. Grain spirits? Really? We get trapped in the world of eternal darkness, and we fight grain of all things?
"Then the spirit's increased speed is what's allowing the seeds to-," Tecna recoiled as a thin, sharp seed opened a cut at her forearm. "To cut us. We need to find a way to stop it!"
"Ugh, this is going to leave horrible marks on my skin!" Stella complained.
"We have more important things to worry about Stel!" Bloom exclaimed through the wind. "If we don't find a way to stop it we might not make it out of here!" The fairy widened her eyes in sudden realization. "Wait…"
Darcy's eyes widened. "Bloom," she wanted sternly. "I know the fire's your thing but this is not the time to go full arson on the spirits, that'll only make this wind turn into fire." Ah, Darcy must've read Bloom's mind. Thank dragons for that.
Bloom jeered back from her plan, and soon all of us were backed up against one another; the wind was closing in. Meanwhile, on the other side of the vortex, Kat had thrown a black sphere at the wind's walls, but the only thing that it succeeded in was breaking into wisps of shadows.
"What are we going to do then? I don't think our magic can break through these walls. And the spirits are too angry to be controlled," the brown-haired fairy explained, a nervous tone to her voice.
"Don't you know any way to defeat these things?" Icy questioned urgently, turning her head to face the dark fairy. "A weakness besides fire maybe?"
"Uh… Besides fire, I'm not sure!" The wind was closing in even tighter, and so were the seeds. "Kapori are nature spirits so maybe they can be controlled by a stronger natural force, but I don't think earth nature would work because it's too close to them in terms of magic!"
Natural force… But not earth nature magic…
"I got this," I said plainly but calmly as my hands started to glow brightly. I can- I have to -control this wind.
Soon I began to feel my magic gaining control over the spirits. They were pushing back hard against me and making soft wailing noises as they did so. Though, after a minute or two when there was no more room to avoid the cutting seeds, the wind fell to the ground- freeing us and revealing our surroundings once more -before the spirits made their way back towards the Shaman Witch. Of which was still hovering above the ground.
"Hey! Shaman!" I yelled out. The Shaman Witch turned, her eyes mildly surprised. "Still think you can defeat us?" I raised my left hand, still glowing. The rest of the group was busy preparing attacks as well, glowing of different hues.
"Yes, I do," she smiled calmly but coldly. "And I think I will start with you, Stormy."
The Shaman paced her palm towards the ground before raising it; a purely merciless expression over her face. My eyes opened wide as I felt the ground below me begin to rumble and shake slightly. And at the speed of light, pitch-black walls of who knows what shot up around me. It was as if I was inside a dome. I couldn't see Icy, Darcy, I couldn't even see Oscurità from inside here.
I felt my breathing getting quick and heavy. Where am I? Where's everyone? I raised a hand to my chest, struggling to calm myself down. Was this happening to everyone else?
"Icy! Darcy!" I called out, my voice hoarse from fear. "Winx!" When that came out of me, I could barely believe that I said that. It… It must be from shock. I don't care about those fairies. "I don't care about them…" I whispered to myself under my breath.
Then I heard an echoing chuckle. "I'm not so sure about that." I gasped as I raised my gaze, and in front of me- how did the dome get so large? -was the Shaman Witch with a smirk drawn.
"What is happening to the others? What are you doing to them?!" My voice broke. My fist was clenched at my side.
The Shaman Witch met my gaze, her smile was almost pitiful. A pause went by. "Nothing much. But if you really want to know, why don't I just show you?" The witch snapped her fingers. Nothing seemed to happen, but then I heard a whimper-like sound from behind me.
I turned around immediately, and I gasped as I saw who was now in the dome along with the Shaman and me.
"Flora?" That was the choked word that escaped my lips.
The sight of the fairy that lay before me was like a nightmare. She was surrounded by a small dome of vines and branches that were quickly closing in on the fairy. Her face was barely visible through her thick hair, but I could still see tears of fear running down her face.
The fear of dying…
"Flora!" I ran towards the fairy and knelt down in front of the cage-like prison she was in. Her hands were pressed hard against the walls, trying to stop them from closing in around her. But her hands were shaking from the stress of it.
"Stormy…?" Flora said, her eyes wide with struggle.
I looked back behind me. "Leave her alone, Shaman!"
"Hm, you care about the flower fairy? If you are so keen to save her, then why don't you help her yourself," the Shaman Witch smirked, not attacking or doing anything for whatever reason.
"I will," I said bitterly before turning back to Flora. I met her gaze. "Don't worry, I'm going to get you out of here," I began to pull on the branches, but none of them broke. Not even the thread-thin ones.
Flora opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Her strength was being used to keep the branches from closing in around her, and they've already begun to speed up their process.
I stood up and took a step back. I could use my powers... I could break these branches in one hit. But what would happen to Flora…?
"Uncertain are we?" I heard the Shaman speak once more. "You don't want to kill Flora, do you? Well, considering what happened to your mother, I'm not surprised by your utter hesitation"
No… Don't remember…
"Don't say a word," I said to the witch, my voice cracking. Please, don't say anything. I thought I was past remembering all of these things...
"You killed her. You killed a member of your own family!" The Shaman Witch snapped coldly.
"No!" I cried out as I turned towards the witch. Tears were beginning to fall down my face. "It's not what it is!" I could still hear Flora struggling from behind me. How can I help her…?
I… I don't know what to do…
"That's right. You shouldn't use your magic. Let the fairy rot in Oscurità and forget this ever happened," The Shaman.
"Stormy…" Flora said quietly. "Don't… Don't listen to her…"
I clenched my eyes close, built-up tears making their way out. I.. want to help Flora. But.. What if... I only end up hurting her… Killing her… Like I did so long ago…
'Trust your magic, you're the one who controls it.'
That is what Icy and Darcy said to me so long ago… In my freshman year at Cloud Tower when we had only just met one another.
And trust yourself.
My eyes narrowed at the Shaman, as a small smile appeared on my face. Definitely, I turned back to Flora, who was struggling more than ever from the prison of vines that was closing in by the second. I don't trust my magic enough to blast the vines, but I trust myself.
"Flora, you can get out of this. You are the fairy of freaking nature, you control it. It does not control you," I said reassuringly. I reached out and wrapped my hand around one of the vines. "You can do this."
Flora's wet eyes met mine. Slowly, she moved one of her hands that were still holding up the prison to mine. She squeezed my hand thankfully before her eyes furrowed; glowing a bright, emerald green. Flora took in a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"Everlasting nature!" She exclaimed strongly. Flora began glowing the same green hue that her eyes were, before the vines around her started to break and crack. In a flash of white light, the fairy burst out, levitating up in the air with her hair blowing every which way.
"You did it, Flora, you did it," I said quietly, smiling to myself.
But then I felt it.
I felt my magic flowing through me stronger than ever before. It was as if my magic wasn't just of me; it was part of me that I could never let go of. I glanced down back at the ground, and I found myself levitating! Seemingly I was surrounded by a blue-grey light. My eyes widened and I gasped slightly.
What is this?
Before I knew it, I reached the same level as Flora. Our eyes met. "Stormy, I… I think this is Inseimix. I think we gained Inseimix!" The fairy beamed, her eyes wide.
"No! This is impossible!" The Shaman exclaimed angrily from below us. "Inseimix is a lost magic!"
I ignored the witch below us and smiled in return to Flora. "How do we transform? Do we just, like, say 'Inseimix?'
The glowing around me started to get ever brighter. I think it may just be so. "I think you're right, Stormy," Flora smiled before she met my gaze. "Let's get out of here."
"Right," I nodded as we gave each other a knowing look. "Inseimix!" I exclaimed hesitantly, and I heard Flora do the same as well.
I got surrounded by a blue-grey light, and all around me, I could feel the sparking of lightning and storms. I raised my hand above my head as I turned; levitating. A grey gust of wind came around me, and a short, fushia dress of different angles and hues appeared over me. Everything seemed natural to me, even as I backflipped and the clouds above me formed heeled shoes. Small clouds came down and formed a thin fabric that stretched across my arms as well as forming mid-arm length gloves. A small bolt of lightning came down near my face, and a crystalline, lightning bolt-shaped crown appeared across my forehead. This… This feels amazing.
I came out of the sphere of light, and I looked over to my left. Flora had gained Inseimix as well! Though, being a fairy and all, she had green wings as well as having a more natural and classic look to her transformation.
"No! I won't let you two get out of here alive!" We heard a glowed voice yell, full of anger. We looked down and we saw the Shaman Witch flying towards us; her clawed hand reached out.
I looked towards Flora. "Let's get out of here," I said plainly. The fairy nodded in response. And the two of us raised our arms above our head, and soon we found that we were back in the dry, barren fields of Oscurità.
Everyone- Icy, Darcy, and the Winx -seemed to be fighting against their own magic like Flora was not too long ago. Most seemed to be holding their own, either by contouring their magic- such as Icy or Bloom -or trying to control it or become one with it- Darcy and Kat were doing so -but all of them were struggling.
Flora and I each- using our Inseimix -got the rest of them out of their prisons. The group was surprised we gained Inseimix, but also were glad that we could finally get out of the Dark World. Flora and I then transported everyone out of there, back to Alfea. But as we transported, a thrilling thought still went through my mind.
I have Inseimix.
24/9/2021
This is my favourite chapter so far. I literally poured my heart into some of these moments, so I hope you enjoyed them. Disclaimer: I will not be able to write as often because of schoolwork, but I am still invested in this story. Oh, and Stormy and Flora had gained Inseimix! (Inseimix art and theme song is posted on the Quotev-version of this chapter, and this story is cross-posted on there)
