Both princess and her protector were officially worn out. Victoria sat against the wall with her head back, listening to Jade's uneven breathing. Through the night she had sounded liked she was getting better, but in a matter of minutes she would be beaten down again. She wished there was something she could do. It hurt her enough seeing Jade so vulnerable. She was always so strong. The warrior in red entered, full armor as always, identity unknown since they had yet to see his face. Jade was lying on her side but she quickly sat up and retreated as far away as she could when she saw him. He paused, an air of amusement in his stance, before he continued forward.
"Time to prove your worth. I need a new pet and I think you'll do. Turn into a dog and be the mutt you are," he commanded, towering over Jade. With a sneer she denied his order. He grabbed her by the neck, his literal iron grip strangling as well as burning her. She cried out, struggling to get away, but she was too weak.
"No! Stop! Please! Don't take it out on her! Can't you see, she can't take anymore," Victoria begged, face stricken with fear for Jade's life. He snickered and threw Jade to the floor. She forced herself to sit up, her body slow to heal.
"Are you volunteering to take her punishment?" he inquired. Victoria met Jade's tired gaze and nodded even when Jade shook her head.
"Very well. Turn into a dog or your precious princess gets it," he threatened Jade. She sighed heavily but willed her body to comply. It was difficult, especially in her condition, but she managed it. The transformation was painful but she stood on four legs, though they shook. Her black fur was dusted with dirt when she sat down, too tired to stand.
"Interesting," he remarked, circling her. He picked up the chain meant for her neck and locked it in place. He then removed the others on her limbs. With a powerful tug he yanked the chain free from stone, fashioning a leash and collar out of it. He walked over to Victoria and unchained her.
"Stay close or I won't hesitate to put the mutt out of her misery," he warned. Victoria nodded, concerned eyes on Jade. He turned away and led them out. Victoria stayed close, as she was told, but the proximity allowed her to run her hand over Jade's back. She hoped it brought her some comfort. It did more than that for Jade. She basked in the princess' attention, boosting her morale. She hadn't given up yet. She just needed to time their escape at just the right moment. They were taken outside to the grounds in front of the castle. He pushed Victoria away from Jade and then yanked at the chain, grabbing tightly at Jade's scruff. She whimpered and her ears fell, tail between her legs.
"Now, become a horse. I need a steed to take me to the nearest town. They've defied me for the last time and need to be taught a lesson," he stated. Jade whined.
"Don't forget who holds the power here. In one blow I could end her life and take her kingdom. The fair folk would be all too easy to obliterate. They couldn't hope to match my power," he boasted.
"Only because you stole the heart of their power, their very life source!" Victoria accused fiercely. He snarled and backhanded her. She stumbled but stayed standing.
"Tough little brat," he commented, striking her again. This time she fell under the blow, but she was on her feet again. Jade growled, hackles bristling.
"The once proud king of the Moors put his heart and soul into sealing away the Verdigris Flame and you shamefully stole it to use for your own selfish need for power. Without it, the fair folk will surely die," Victoria continued. Jade shifted back with some difficulty at the news.
"What?" she gasped, wondering how Victoria knew so much about the Flame.
"Enough! I wield it now and it does as I tell it!" the man in red yelled.
"No, you do as it tells you," Victoria corrected. He lunged at her, striking her down again. She hit the ground hard and didn't get up. Jade screamed angrily, green irises blazing like hell fire.
"I'm warning you for the last time…" she snarled, teeth sharpening as well as her nails.
"You carry the Flame by birth. Killing you will strengthen me, returning the part of it that you carry," he schemed, facing her.
"You won't win," she promised, green energy gathering at her hands. He charged at her but skid to a stop when a plume of green fire engulfed Jade. It shot into the air only to clear away and reveal her in dragon form. She roared and unfurled her wings, jaws ready to tear into her enemy. Her green eyes flashed and then she attacked. The man in red parried with his drawn sword, swiping at her. She pulled away in time and swung at him with her tail. He flew through the air and hit the ground yards away. Jade carefully nudged Victoria with her snout until she came around. She laid down, indicating for her to climb on. With some difficulty Victoria did so, gripping the spines along her back while her mighty wings sheltered her. Jade then ran at the warrior in red.
He held out a hand and green magic swirled through the air. It wrapped around a few of his men who had run out to fight, enlarging them unnaturally. Their armor burst to reveal the mutated creature Jade had seen before. It was the magic that made them that way. They might have been ordinary men before but now they were warped into beasts. They all attacked her but none succeeded. The bursts of white hot green flames melted and burned them on the spot. Her claws tore right through them. She was done playing fair. With Victoria injured she spared no one. She knocked aside the last nuisance and turned on the man in red again. Her eyes narrowed and he tossed away his sword. He pulled off his helmet to reveal a stranger's face littered with scars.
"In the past I tried multiple times to make the two kingdoms mine. The first time I tried to steal the Flame I failed and your grandfather used it against me. I was forced to retreat. Enraged, I tried my hand at a more human conquest with the nearby kingdom, but again, I failed. So I bided my time, sent spies and assassins. I learned when the great fairy king of the Moors passed trying to contain the Flame. I almost killed off the newest queen and her daughter mere years ago. Only after finally obtaining the Flame have I come close to success, and I won't let the descendants of my enemies ruin it for me!" he shouted. With that, he shed his armor, revealing a stone embedded with a shiny reflective substance. It pulsed with green light where it hung around his neck. The magic circling it twisted through the air and dug into his flesh, entering his body. With a maniacal cackle his body began to grow, shifting and growing until a large red wyvern took his place. Spikes and thick armored scales lined his back and head. He reared back on his hind legs and let out a roar, bright red and orange fire shooting forth.
"Jade…" Victoria blanched, terrified. A sound of reassurance rumbled from Jade before she took off into the air. The wyvern shot into the air, yellow eyes locked on her. Jade barely had time to drop the princess off in one of the castle's towers when she was ripped out of the air. A pained growl tore from her as claws cleaved into her significantly thinner scales. She fell through the air, kicking and biting at the wyvern, but to no avail. He pulled away at the last minute so that she couldn't recover in time, hitting the ground. She pushed herself up and looked to the sky, seeing him dive at her. She swiftly jumped aside but he cut through the air to aim at her again. He slammed into her and threw her through the side of the castle. It shook and Victoria staggered. Jade quickly removed herself from the structure before any more damage could be done to it. It was the only thing keeping Victoria safe. The wyvern returned as she lifted into the air. She shot green flames at him and he hissed, his winged appendages catching fire. He began to fall through the air, plummeting. She was quick to follow his descent, slamming him into the ground with far more force than his fall alone. She didn't give him time to recover.
She bit deep into his neck, drawing blood, and her claws raked at his exposed underbelly. He gashed her across the face and bit at her forearm but she refused to let up. Her claw came down on his head, forcing away his jaws, and went for the Verdigris Flame dangling at his neck. In her haste, she missed the first time. His hind leg kicked at her stomach when she tried a second time, causing her to flinch. Her sharp teeth shattered the faceted stone, spilling the green flame-like magic. It didn't hesitate to choose a host. Jade roared her agony when it enveloped her, becoming one with her body. Distracted, she lost hold of her form and returned to her own. Her screams were heard all the way up where Victoria stood in the tower. She rushed for the door and down the stairs, intent on getting to Jade. When she finally made it outside it was to see the red wyvern gone, torn shreds of a man all that was left. Jade was writhing a few yards from him, her arms around her torso. Victoria fell to the ground next to her, a rumbling in the sky signaling rain. It had been getting dark ever since the fight, like a bad omen hovering over their heads.
"It hurts. I can't control it. Take it away," Jade pleaded, a hand now gripping at her chest. Her heart was racing and her body ached.
"Jade, listen to me. Focus on my voice," Victoria called to her, hands cupping her face. Jade forced her eyes open and locked them with Victoria's. She sucked in a sharp breath full of shock at their appearance. They were alive with a bright green glow.
"C-can you hear me?" she continued, voice wavering.
"Y-yes," Jade forced out through clenched teeth. They were still sharp, and so were her nails. Jade was trying hard to contain the beast it wanted her to be. It raged for her to get revenge for everything done to her. She wanted to destroy the castle and kill anyone still alive. She wanted to so much, but it wasn't right. The battle was over. She had won. She couldn't let it take over.
"You are the granddaughter of a great ruler. He was just and protective of his people. He gave his life to lock this power away where it belonged and I believe you can do the same. Hopefully, without giving your life. I'm too selfish to let you go," Victoria began, sobbing towards the end. However, the tears could not be seen through the pouring rain. Jade slowly fell still, the magic within her too much to handle. She could barely hear Victoria.
"I love you too much," Victoria muttered, leaning down to press her lips to Jade's. A warmth unlike any other spread through Jade's body. She felt like she could breathe again, the forceful pressure dispersing. She felt strong in a way she never had before. She soon responded and a hand came up to rest on Victoria's cheek. She pulled back with a smile that Jade tiredly returned, her thumb brushing at her jaw.
"I love you just as much, Victoria. Truly," she stated. Victoria cried happy tears and held Jade to her in a tight embrace when she sat up. She groaned and complained about her poor body being squeezed too hard but Victoria ignored her. She never wanted to let her dear friend go.
"Let's go home. It isn't over yet. I can feel it. We'll have to find a way to contain it again," Jade told her. Victoria frowned sadly at the reminder.
"Come on, princess," Jade encouraged, brushing her hair back affectionately. Victoria nodded and helped Jade to her feet. She flexed her wings, stretching them out to their fullest.
"Are they alright?" Victoria asked, running her hand over one.
"They were bound for so long they feel stiff, but at least they aren't damaged," Jade responded. She held out her arms and Victoria stepped into them. Jade picked her up and she held on. It felt so normal to be in Jade's arms again and enjoyed the simplicity. Jade liked the feeling of having Victoria so close, her body solid and lively against hers. It reassured her that she would be fine and it calmed her to know that. The journey back was taken in two flights. Halfway they had to stop to rest and find food. Jade hunted and Victoria found edible berries. Jade wanted to sleep in a tree, which felt the safest to her. She cradled the princess in her arms, wings wrapped around them for added warmth. They slept late into the day and headed out when the sun was high in the sky. Jade touched down at Victoria's balcony window and waited for her to make sure it was unlocked before spreading her wings again. She was halted by a hand on her arm. She was pulled back around and tugged into another kiss she happily accepted. When they parted, Jade rested her forehead on Victoria's.
"I'll return to you. I always do," Jade whispered, opening her eyes to meet Victoria's warm brown gaze.
"I won't stop worrying until you do," she responded.
"Go to Aurora and Phillip. Enjoy being home. Promise me you'll do that," Jade told her, gripping her hands in her own.
"Why does this feel like a good-bye?" Victoria questioned. Jade couldn't answer. She wasn't sure what would happen. All she knew was that if her princess was safe and well then she was happy. So she kissed Victoria's forehead then gently pushed her into her room. She jumped from the balcony without looking back and flew across the fields to her home in the Moors. She landed next to the great tree on the cliff where she was born. She looked to her mother sitting silently with her father. Diaval looked up with a cautious smile but Maleficent quickly stood to her full height. She approached her daughter with a grim expression, taking in her battle worn appearance.
"You brought back the Verdigris Flame within you," she stated. Jade could only nod.
"Do you know what you've done?" Maleficent demanded, tone sharp but eyes tearful. Jade looked away.
"Victoria knew about it. Even our enemy knew. Why didn't you tell me?" she inquired, hurt. Her mother sighed.
"The princess is a smart girl. She found the book detailing the Flame one of the times she visited. I made her promise to keep the information to herself. No one would suspect her of knowing as long as she didn't say anything. Don't be mad at her. If you should be upset at anyone it should be me, but know that I was only trying to protect you," she confessed.
"Protect me?" Jade repeated, finally looking at her mother. Maleficent inhaled audibly when she got a good look at her eyes. She had only seen such a powerful stare in her father many years ago when she was but a child. Her mother died protecting her from that power, and now here it was, staring her in the face again but from the eyes of her own daughter.
"Had you known, you might have gone looking for it. The need to seek out its missing energy would have weakened its containment in its effort to reach you. I myself never went near it once it was hidden away. That, and should our enemies capture you for information you couldn't have given it simply because you didn't have the knowledge," her mother explained.
"Did you not think I would be able to keep it a secret? Did you not trust that I would listen if you said not to go looking for it?" Jade interrogated.
"No, I do trust you and I know you're very strong. You would never give such information no matter what. But it was too great a risk. You have seen and heard what it's capable of. I had to make sure," she informed her, a small amount of regret in her tone. Jade thought it over, wanting to be mad but couldn't in the end.
"I understand," she muttered, nodding once. Maleficent smiled hopefully and made Jade look at her, a hand on her chin.
"Unfortunately, there is only one way I know of to force the Flame out of you and into something that can house it," she stated. Jade's expression showed her fear, plain and clear, but she was also ready to meet her fate. Although Maleficent didn't want to go through with it, she knew in her heart that Jade did. They both knew what had to be done. With a nod Maleficent moved to stand at the edge of the cliff, ready to leave when she was. Diaval approached to grip Jade in an embrace she returned. He released her and she stood by her mother. Together they flew to the very outskirts of the Moors. Maleficent searched for the tunnel system that opened from behind a small waterfall in the west. Shielded by their wings, they spun through the water to the other side. They landed and Maleficent held up a glowing gold orb of magic so that they could see. Jade followed her deep into the tunnels. They didn't stop or say a word until they reached the spacious cavern beyond. The walls were made of the strange stone embedded with the shiny reflective substance. Jade had never seen anything like it. The minimal light seemed to bounce off every faceted surface that was exposed. Maleficent searched until she found a good sized stone. She took it to an altar on one side of the cavern. It looked like it had sprouted from the ground, made from the same stone. She set it in the divot located at the top and then turned to Jade expectantly.
"This is the only material known to us that can hold the Verdigris Flame's power. It is a stone created by magic and helps to spread it throughout our land. Father saw that it was meant to absorb magic and distribute it, created to circulate the Flame and give life to all our magic, so it was only right that it was returned here. But in the process it stole his own magic, taking his life from him," she explained, a sad lilt to her voice. Jade looked to the stone sitting ready for use.
"How does it work?" she asked.
"Simply place your hands on it and will the Flame inside," her mother answered, her voice strangely distant now. She was reliving the image of her father's death, but she returned to the present when Jade moved forward. She held out her hands, inches from the stone. Green energy seeped from her palms, attracted to it. The etchings in the altar began to light up and reflect on the walls. Jade thought of her mother, father, Aurora, and Phillip. They were her family. Then she thought of Victoria. Her princess. She would never see her again. Tears burned in her eyes and her hands shook, but she placed them on the stone. An odd tug from deep within made her wince. Her hands felt like they were melted to the stone's rough surface. Suddenly, it felt like she was being sucked dry, her very life stripping away from her. Her surroundings brightened while she grew weak. She started to get dizzy when a voice whispered to her.
Not even I can smother this power that has taken root within you. It comes from too many ties. It is too strong, a power that is and will forever be the greatest. It has existed before me and so shall it after me. It protects you and demands I take no more. You are free.
A strong pulse from the stone shoved Jade back, but before she could crumple to the ground, Maleficent caught her. She held her close and waited while the cavern came to life around them. She stared at her daughter with bated breath, anxious, and let out a relieved sigh when Jade breathed in deeply. She coughed and curled into her mother, dazed by the sudden return to her senses. Her injuries seemed to bother her all over again and her body felt heavy. She heard her mother speaking but she was already falling into a deep restoring sleep. Maleficent carried her home, flying back to their tree where she and an ecstatic Diaval watched over their daughter. She slept for the rest of the day and the entirety of the next, not waking until the morning after. She stretched out with a long yawn like she used to when she was a child. Her eyes opened, color normal once more. She looked from her mother to her father and groaned.
"I feel as if I could eat a weeks-worth of food," she grumbled. Diaval laughed and grabbed her in a hug while Maleficent watched on, content. After cleaning up and eating almost as much as she craved, Jade sat with her mother at the edge of the cliff. Diaval was off flying circles of joy in the distance, heading to the castle to check on Victoria as Jade asked. It was midday with the sun shining bright and clear now that the rainstorm had passed.
"Harak," Maleficent said out of the blue.
"Pardon?" Jade questioned, turning away from the view of their vast home to look at her mother.
"The man you fought. His name was Harak," she clarified.
"So…?" Jade said, shrugging indifferently. When she saw her mother hesitate her full attention went to her.
"He was your great uncle," she finally said. Jade didn't know what to say to that.
"My father was born here in the Moors, the product of two fair folk, but his half-brother was a product of fair folk and human," Maleficent began to explain.
"What happened?" Jade asked.
"After grandmother died, grandfather fell into a depression. He was heartbroken. He later fell for a human woman who he met when she got lost in the Moors. He helped her find her way back home but they continued to see each other. Eventually, they conceived a child. They assumed he would inherit the magic of our people, but alas, he did not. She felt it best to raise him as a human and not tell him of his true lineage, but he found out eventually. Father told him, believing it to be the right thing to do. He wanted his brother to know. But it backfired. He was upset and angry, claiming that he was cheated out of such a life. He grew bitter, and no one knew to what extent until he tried stealing the Verdigris Flame. But father intervened, and the rest you know," her mother finished.
"It seems our line is fated to fall in love with humans," Jade pointed out. Maleficent turned to look at her.
"Your grandfather and I may have been unlucky in love, but that doesn't mean you will. Victoria is pure of heart. In a way, she's connected to us, just as touched by magic as her mother who had been blessed at birth by those three nitwits. I did the honors when the princess was born, and magic always lingers," she said, raising a hand to conjure a wisp of green flame. Jade raised her own hand to do the same. She could attest to that. Ever since carrying the Verdigris Flame she felt like her magic had strengthened. Maybe she wouldn't be as strong as her mother, but she was a step closer than she had been before. She looked out to the land below but her eyes found her father soaring closer. He landed next to her mother who turned him into a man. As always, he was excited to share news.
"Aurora and Phillip are just fine, although Victoria isn't talking much. She's worrying them. I think you should pay her a visit, Jade," he informed, smiling encouragingly. Jade looked to Maleficent and she smiled as well, nodding once.
"Go to her. The poor girl must think the worst and you've yet to tell her any differently," she encouraged. Jade jumped to her feet and leaped from the cliff, her wings catching the air and manipulating it to take her higher. She took her usual path over the trees and couldn't help but feel like everything was almost as it had been before. She examined the castle as she neared it, happy to see that the repairs were progressing. Balthasar and his people were busy at work, helping in a way only they could. She alighted on the princess' balcony and was mildly surprised to see that the window was left open. An invitation. Jade slipped in, stopping when she saw Victoria asleep on her bed. A book lay open next to her, blank pages filled with sketches of an intense gaze, curved horns, and sleek feathered wings. Jade recognized them all as her own. She shut the book and set it on the bedside table before extending a wing so that the tip of a feather graced Victoria's nose. She scrunched it irritably and waved a hand but Jade pulled away. She waited for her to settle before doing it again.
"Jade, stop it. I'm trying to sleep," she whined. There was a beat, and then her eyes shot open.
"Jade!" she exclaimed, leaping from the bed. Jade caught her and spun her once before setting her down.
"You're here," Victoria stated, her voice tinged with many different emotions.
"I'm here," Jade confirmed.
"You made me worry so much!" the princess scolded, smacking Jade's arm. She winced and fended her off with a flap of her wings. While she was distracted she ran for the door.
"I'm not done with you yet!" Victoria yelled, chasing after her. It was almost like it was when they were children, running through the halls trying to catch each other while the servants, maids, and guards watched on. Years later and they still watched with the fondness they had in the past. Victoria chased Jade outside where she was cornered at the horse stables. She ran in to find a place to hide, knowing the horses wouldn't be bothered. They liked Jade and she was often the only one to calm them during bad storms. She hid in a stall and waited for Victoria to enter. Jadee stayed hidden until she wandered in deeper and then jumped the gate to sneak up on her. She was light on her feet despite stepping on the dry hay underfoot so she easily caught Victoria unaware. Her arms encircled her middle and the princess screamed, startled. However, she quickly realized it was Jade and began ranting. Jade only laughed and carried her outside, hovering feet from the ground. She set Victoria down and she yanked Jade to the ground too.
"I never like when you sneak up on me," she huffed. Jade rolled her eyes and smirked.
"I know, but I find it fun to startle you," she responded. She received another smack to the arm for that. She laughed happily and it was so contagious Victoria started laughing too.
"Let me take you back to the Moors. We could swim or climb trees. We could watch the sun set from the cliff and at night we could talk down by the lake, bathed in the soft glow of the surrounding lights," Jade suggested, leaning in close. Victoria couldn't help but agree.
"Let's go tell my mother and father then. It wouldn't do to wander off, even if it was with you. They've been worrying twice as much now," she said.
"Don't you mean especially if it's with me?" Jade inquired jokingly. Victoria chuckled and intertwined their fingers.
"Yes," she agreed. They made their way inside to the conference room. Only Aurora was present. She looked up when they entered and excused herself from the conversation she was in. She ran over to pull Jade into an embrace.
"I hope you're doing well. Victoria practically worried herself sick waiting for your return," she mentioned.
"I'm fine, thank you," Jade responded, glancing at Victoria and smirking.
"No, thank you for everything. You defended our kingdom and brought Victoria home. I owe you so much," Aurora said, hands on Jade's shoulders.
"You don't owe me anything. After all, you've done your fair share of saving. Without you, my mother wouldn't be who she is today and I might not even exist," Jade responded. Aurora smiled, remembering the past.
"If you insist. I must get back. Was there something you needed?" she asked them.
"I wanted to ask your permission to go to the Moors with Jade," Victoria spoke up. Aurora looked troubled, hesitant to allow her.
"You just got home and already you're leaving again?" she inquired.
"I'll be sure to bring her home early your majesty," Jade told her, earning a glare from the princess.
"Then I will see you at a later time. Victoria, return before dawn this time," she advised.
"Yes, mother," Victoria accepted, remembering a time when she wanted to see the sun set and rise with Jade so she stayed out against her mother's wishes.
"Have fun," the queen said with a wave and a bright smile Victoria returned. She gabbed Jade by the hand and ran for the door. Outside, Jade picked her up. She flew leisurely, taking her time. Victoria wanted to greet Maleficent and Diaval before they went off on their own. It was a little too breezy to play in the water so they sat near it to talk. It started off light and casual, but then Jade changed the subject.
"The man we fought. His name was Harak. You knew of him, didn't you?" she asked, already knowing the answer. The careless smile on Victoria's face faded. Her brows creased and she averted her eyes.
"Yes. I stumbled upon the record book when I was searching for something to read at the cottage. Maleficent told me not to tell anyone due to its sensitive information," she replied, anticipating Jade's reaction, but she only nodded.
"That's what she told me. I just wanted to make sure," she acknowledged.
"As long as you aren't mad…" Victoria mumbled. Jade smiled and took her by the chin, tilting her head up so that she could look into her eyes.
"You were only doing as you were told. So no, I'm not. It's too hard to be mad at you anyway," Jade remarked, nuzzling Victoria who giggled happily at the affection. They sat there until it got dark and everything around them came alive with the usual soft glow of magic and fairy lights. Jade knew it would be time to take Victoria home, and she knew it too, but instead they leaned against each other and took a few minutes longer to just be together. There was no better feeling in the world than that.