Chapter 2: Earth's Last Fairy
Stella tapped her feet, as Barbatea put the last tome on the wagon and wheeled it out of Faragonda's office, closing the doors behind her. "So, like, what is this all about?"
The headmistress, who had managed to gain an impressive pair of bags under her eyes over the last couple of days, took another sip of her tea. "I've been contacting people and reading up on the history of the Black Circle. With the evidence available, I think there can be little doubt that the man was indeed a member of this organization, though what his goal is remains unclear."
"They have shown an interest in me before," Bloom commented. "Maybe that's why."
"I don't know," Faragonda sighed. "I simply don't know. But I fear that is the case. So until we have more information, I have asked Saladin to provide a team of bodyguards for you, until we're sure you are no longer in danger."
"Wait, hold the fucking phone," Techna interrupted. "Bodyguards? Seriously? After everything we've been through, now is the time to bring out the bodyguards?"
"To be fair, it would not be the first time we have had people sent to protect us," Flora pointed out. "They have just been called escorts and guards until now."
"Is it really that serious?" Stella asked. "I mean, sure, they're bad, but, like, are they worse than Darkar and Valtor?"
"I suppose I should elaborate. Though be warned that this is one of the more obscure parts of our history, so some details will be rather vague," Emanuela explained. "The short version is that yes, the Black Circle is incredibly dangerous and I'm going to take all measures possible to protect you." She cleared her throat. "To understand the threat of the Black Circle, you must understand the history of the White Circle."
"What's with all the circles?" Musa asked.
"Earth tradition," Aisha said. "Covens of magi referred to themselves as circles."
"To be specific, it was a European tradition," elaborated Emanuela. "The story begins shortly after the fall of the Roman Empire, in a land called Britain. The native people of those isles had long known of a mysterious and magical place called Tir Na Nog. It was home to the magi of the land, who journeyed there to master the arts. However, the Romans had brought their own brand of magi with them from the south, who organised in so-called mystery cults."
"Funky name," Stella commented.
"I think I read about them at some point," Bloom commented. "They were like secret clubs and such. But you're saying they were full of fairies and witches?"
"I cannot say that every such cult was for the study of magic, but it is possible," Faragonda continued. "What can be inferred is that at least a fair number of them were full of dedicated magi. When the Empire fell, many of these cults fell with it. Some, however, had moved out to the fringe provinces of the empire. In Britain, these mystery cults joined up with the fairies of Tir Na Nog, forming the White Circle."
"When was this?" Bloom inquired.
"I think roughly... About the sixth or seventh century according to your time-line." The fairy headmistress looked uncertain. "Precise dates and such have been impossible to find. What is known is that the White Circle began spreading its influence, first in England, Scotland and Ireland, since overseas to countries such as France and the Holy Roman Empire."
"Wait, didn't that empire fall?" Musa asked.
"Guess they made a sequel," Techna remarked.
"You are in a way correct. What little we do know suggest that the White Circle didn't assume control of these countries, but endeavoured to guide them towards peace and prosperity," Faragonda continued. "And that they were quite successful at that."
Bloom looked somewhat shocked. After a small pause, she said: "I had no idea. I mean, all I've really heard is that that period is called the Dark Age and that..." She paused. "Actually, I think I remember that history wise, we actually lack a lot of records from that time period."
"The work of the Black Circle no doubt," Musa grumpily interjected.
"Maybe. But that fairies and such were involved... It's just, most of that is considered myth." The Dominian princess looked very thoughtful.
"Indeed. While its exact origin is unknown, we do know that the Black Circle appeared in roughly the fifteenth century, you time," the headmistress explained. "A lot information about the group is obscure, if not outright lost, but we do know that they declared war on the White Circle. The conflict escalated, throwing the entirety of Europe into chaos as the circles warred against each other. Ordinary citizens were dragged along, used as pawns and accomplices in terrible plots. In the end, after centuries of both hidden and obvious warfare, the White Circle fell roughly in the eighteenth century. The Black Circle stood victorious and magic on Earth faded to what is has become now, a shadow of its former self."
"But that seems weird to me," Aisha commented. "It's not like they assumed control instead of the previous fairies. In fact, Bloom had never heard of them before. Why did they slip into obscurity?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Faragonda admitted. "It is one of the great mysteries. But from what Bloom's parents have told us, it would seem that they are still there, lurking in the background for the reappearance of magi."
"Well, that's all really dandy, but that still doesn't explain why you think they are so terrifying," Musa said. "I mean, sure, they are strong and if some of them are that old, very experienced. But so were Darkar and Valtor."
"The reason why is that during their war with the White Circle, the Black Circle devised several unique spells and rituals of a nature that most of the realms have forbidden the study of," Faragonda explained. "You know of magic suppressant equipment and such, right?"
"Yeah. My brother has to wear one shaped like a collar outside of Lightrock for now," Bloom replied.
"Exactly. Such suppression is tied to an item or location. The Black Circle found ways to bind these enchantments to the very flesh of the magi."
"Which would make it impossible to cast magic until somebody else could dispel it," Flora concluded.
"Very true. Even worse though, is another ritual they developed." Faragonda's face took on a grave countenance. "They found a way to permanently separate the magical spark from a magi, rendering them incapable of ever doing magic again."
Silence fell across the room.
"That's... Wow, I've... Ehm," Stella tried.
"That's fucking gross," Musa said. "Magic is part of who a person is. It's like deciding to chop of a limb."
"To make matters worse, they also found ways to implant the stolen magic into others, turning non-magic users into magi. Thus, every magi taken from the White Circle meant that one of their own became more powerful. There are no records indicating how many of these artificial magi were created, but it was enough to bring the White Circle low."
"Spirits," Flora commented. "I can see why you consider them such a threat."
"I'm glad you agree," Faragonda said. "I fear that they might be interested in Bloom because of her dragonflame. There's an actual risk they might be able to take it from you for good."
"Not even the Bitch Trio managed that," Techna said.
"Because such magic is considered abominable. Little study into these things has been made. But the Black Circle was under no such restraint." There was a beeping from her pocket and she pulled out her cellphone, flicking it open to see the message. "Ah, they have arrived." As she put the phone back into her pocket, she elaborated: "The team sent to keep you safe until this has been resolved is here. I've also contacted the various governments, as an incursion by the Black Circle is a very serious issue. That was all for now. I have more things I must arrange, so I'd advise you to go say hello to the team. You will be working together for the foreseeable future."
"Sounds like a most excellent idea," Aisha agreed, as she stood up. "A proper introduction is paramount for a fruitful cooperation."
"Yeah. What she said," Musa added, as the girls left.
"So that was, like, totally creepy," Stella said, obviously uncomfortable, as the girls moved down through the school.
"Yeah. Didn't think that it was actually possibly to take the magic from a person," Musa agreed. "The fact that the only reason we haven't developed such spells is because we've all agreed not to do it gives me a slight hope for our politicians, even if it's still rather spooky to think about."
"What I am focusing on is everything that was not said," Flora commented, her brows furrowed. "There are still many elements to this story that remain mysterious. For example, what is the Black Circle's motivation for what they do?"
"Well, they were certainly motivated to destroy the White Circle," Musa commented.
"Yes, but why?" Flora continued. "If that was the goal in of itself, why are they still around? And why are they after other magi?"
"Maybe they, like, want to be the only magi on Earth," Stella suggested.
"But again, why? It sounds like they mostly keep to themselves. I do not doubt what Faragonda told us, but the holes in this story are significant." The brunette rubbed her chin. "If their motivation could be discerned, then perhaps we could also figure out why they choose now to go after Bloom."
"Maybe they're just jackasses. I mean, it's not like everyone has a deep and tragic back story," Techna suggested. "Take the Ancestral Witches, for example. They were just power hungry bitches."
"Whatever. This is giving me a headache." Musa said annoyed, as they walked outside. "Let's just focus on..." She stopped, her frown first turning into a smile, then a snicker. "Okay, seriously, be honest here. Are you guys the only soldiers on Red Fountain?"
"Whatever do you mean?" Riven asked innocently, as Brandon and Timmy excited the Red Fountain owl. "It's not like we always end up together."
"Actually, it's a deliberate move on Saladin's part. He figured you'd be less likely to ditch us if you actually want us to hang around with you," Brandon elaborated.
"What, like, why would we do something like that?" Stella asked slightly annoyed.
The three soldiers stared at her.
"Stella, can you even count how many times you have flagrantly disobeyed orders because of one reason or another?" Timmy inquired.
The blonde blushed a bit. "Okay, so maybe we have bent the rules a couple of times."
"And snapped them over our knees at other times," Flora commented flatly.
"What about Sky? Is he coming too?" Bloom asked eagerly.
Brandon frowned. "Well, you know how it is now. He's been very busy and he's very drained. Heck, even I feel a bit sorry for him. And he only just arrived at Red Fountain yesterday, not even completely rested."
"Oh. I see," Bloom said a bit disappointed. "I mean, I understand. I want him to get better."
"I'm glad you're so understanding," Brandon said. Then he turned around and marched over to one side of the ship's ramp and Riven went to the other side. Then they held up their hands, as if holding trumpets, and began honking an obnoxious melody.
"What the...?" Musa questioned. "Have they lost their minds?"
"Dunno. Tune's kinda catchy," Techna replied.
"Presenting to you, the lord of the mattress, king of the bed and ultimate snoremaster," Brandon said, as he dramatically flourished his arm. "His royal majesty, King Sky of bedtime."
"You're both going straight into the dungeon," the blonde prince sleepily commented, as he forced himself to walk out of the ship. He stood a moment, squinting in the sun, only to almost be knocked over as Bloom gave him a hug.
"Wow, easy there. His dainty majesty is quite fragile right now," Riven joked, earning him a dirty look from Sky.
"I thought you weren't coming," Bloom said happily, as she let the blond go.
"Well, Saladin recommended that I stayed at Red Fountain. But these three convinced him that as long as they were on guard, they could handle me being a bit drained for a couple of days." He rubbed his neck. "Besides, kinda banking on this being an easy assignment."
"It never is with us," Musa snarked. "As you should very well have realised by now."
"So how will this work exactly?" Flora asked.
"Well, we talked with Faragonda about this and we're going to set up some field beds in your common room," Brandon explained. "Other than that, we'll escort Bloom from class to class."
"I can see why they were concerned we might want to ditch the company," Musa commented. "But oh well, it'll be nice to have you guys hanging around for a while instead of having you constantly running off because of new assignments."
"You say that now, but just wait. You'll get tired of us before the week is over," Riven cheekily added.
"Doubt it. It'll be more like you begging Saladin to give you any other job available, just to get out of here," the black-haired musician shot back.
Suddenly, a man in a brown coat wielding a camera jumped out of a nearby bush. "Princess Bloom, is it true that you're getting bodyguards because somebody tried to sneak spaghetti into your breakfast?"
Everyone stared.
Then a giant, emerald condor suddenly descended and grabbed the man by the shoulders, dragging him away. "WAIT, LET GO! PEOPLE MUST NOW IF WE'RE ABOUT TO LOSE OUR ROYALTY TO PASTA!"
The group continued staring as the man and bird faded into the distance.
"Well, this won't be boring at the very least," Timmy commented.
"Now, it sounds like we first need an official food taster for her majesty in order to prevent any pasta based contamination," Brandon declared, as Bloom loudly groaned and buried her head in her hands.
...
"There. All professional looking," Riven declared.
"It looks like a college dorm room after a tornado came visiting," Bloom commented, glancing at the four set up beds and piles of various supplies that had been unpacked.
"Professional looking," the magenta-haired soldier repeated.
"So allow me to sum up the situation," Brandon stated. "The Black Circle is a powerful Earth-based group of magi. And now there is good reason to suspect that they have taken an unhealthy interest in Bloom. Is all of that correct?"
"Basically, yeah," Musa repeated. "But missing the part where the Black Circle can apparently rip the magic straight out of people."
"Well, nothing to worry about then," Riven joked. "They haven't got much to take from us."
"True that," Sky slurred, as he lay on his bed with closed eyes.
"My parents have told me they usually showed up shortly after something magical happened back in Gardenia," Bloom mentioned. "Last time was after... Well, the Halloween disaster."
"They must have some way to measure and locate magic," Flora commented. "But how?"
"A tree of life," Timmy suggested. "Best way to keep an eye on an entire planet's worth of magical energy."
"Wait, that thing the pixies have?" Techna asked.
"Well, yes, but it's not the only one of course," Timmy clarified. "I know from the history books that Earth did have pixies once, so there has to be at least one tree of life somewhere."
"And what does pixie reproduction have to do with this?" Bloom asked.
"The trees of life are connected to all the magic of the planet they are planted on, innately sensing it. Furthermore, the trees are connected with each other across dimensions. If you know how to read it, you can more or less figure out whenever magic is being used on any planet that has at least one tree." Timmy shrugged. "One of the reasons the pixies guard them so much. That knowledge could be dangerous."
"Would certainly explain how they keep noticing," Aisha remarked.
Suddenly, there was knocking on the window.
"Huh? Well, that's different," Brandon remarked, as he opened the window.
Suddenly, the blonde pixie Livy flew in, riding a postcard. "Hey everyone." She landed on the table. "I bring news from Pixie Village."
"Please be good news," Stella begged.
"Good? Try spectacular," the pixie messenger insisted. "I'm actually looking for Faragonda, but I can't remember where her office is."
"Big window in the middle of the school, third floor," Musa said. "Say, could you tell us what this amazing news is?"
"Only if it is our business, of course," Flora quickly interjected. "We are not trying to force you to give up confidential information."
"No, not confidential at all," Livy continued. "The new guardian pixie of the tree of life has read its signals. A new fairy has appeared on Earth." She looked around with a big smile, as everyone became dead silent. "Yay?" she tried. "Ehm, what's wrong?"
"Did you say a new fairy?" Riven asked. "Like a newborn?"
"Ehm... Not exactly, no," Livy said, as she read the message she was carrying. "Weird. No, seems like a fairy, like one who would get admitted to Alfea. The person is using his or her magic pretty consistently."
The people in the room exchanged glances.
"Where?" Flora asked.
"Lucky for us, the pixies you brought along managed to snag a map when they last visited Earth," the blonde messenger informed them. "Otherwise, we'd have no clue. It's in or at least close to a town called Gardenia."
"You're kidding me," Bloom said, going pale.
"So that's why," Techna suddenly commented. "Firetop, they must have thought that you've been home. That's why they checked up on you."
"And now, some other poor sod is in danger," Musa said. "Livy, get that letter to Faragonda now, this is very serious."
"Oh, okay," Livy said, sounding a bit scared.
As the pixie flew out the window again, Bloom grabbed her phone. "Mom? It's Bloom. Listen, you remember those weird people that kept showing up? They might soon turn up in Gardenia again. No, it's not because of me or my friends. But apparently there's a fairy in Gardenia somewhere. In fact, those guys might be in town already. You haven't seen them, have you?" The redhead breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay. That's good. Just be careful. I'll call you later. Bye, Mom." She ended the call and turned to the others. "What now?"
"Now? I guess all we can do is wait," Brandon replied. "Take a cue from your boyfriend and relax for now."
Bloom blushed heavily, as Sky snored without a care in the world.
...
Two days passed. Bloom was still escorted everywhere by the guys from Red Fountain, though she was now doubting that it was truly necessary. After directing the pixie messenger to Faragonda, Bloom had heard no news about the situation, which along with the constant attention made her fell even more on edge. The thought of some poor fairy unknowingly being hunted by the Black Circle filled her with dread. Four years ago, that could have been her. If Stella hadn't brought her to Alfea, it would have been her.
And as she sat in the canteen one day, chewing on her food without really tasting it, it became too much. "Okay, that's it," she said, as she rose up. "I'm going to talk with Faragonda about this."
"'Bout what? The food?" Sky asked. "It's meant to taste like that."
"No, about what the pixie said," the redhead replied. "I've heard nothing about it since then."
"Well, strictly speaking, Faragonda is not obligated to provide us with such information," Flora pointed out. "After all, the correct people to contact about this would not be six fourth year students."
"Bloom's got a point though," Techna said. "Seems likely that these Circle fellas will go after whomever the pixies detected. Doubt they'll be able to handle that themselves."
"But we don't actually know that," Brandon stated.
"Captain, you gotta admit, it really is suspicious," Riven added.
"At the very least, clarification about all of this will help put our minds at ease," Aisha said. "So I think going to Faragonda is the right thing to do."
"Well, as long as we don't interrupt her tea drinking, we'll be fine," Musa added, as the group left the room.
It didn't take them long to reach the headmistress' office and be allowed in.
Faragonda blinked as they all entered. "Well, I'm probably going to need more tea," she commented. "What can I do for you?"
"Bloom here is, like, totally concerned about that fairy on Earth thing," Stella said.
Emanuela's eyes fell. "Ah yes. That."
"Oh no," Musa muttered.
"What is it?" Bloom inquired.
"Look, I have already contacted as many realms as possible. And right now, most of them are discussing if they should do something."
"They should do something," Techna stated, as Bloom stared blankly.
"What exactly does that mean?" Riven asked.
"It means that direct intervention on Earth is not seen as a popular move," Faragonda tiredly explained. "No one is interested in attracting the ire of the Black Circle or start a war, even if it could be won. Assisting a singular fairy just doesn't seem worth it."
Bloom blinked. She blinked again. "None of the realms?"
"Well, some haven't outright rejected the suggestion, but they are still debating it."
The redhead blinked again. "Are... Are you fu... ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?" Smoke started pouring from Bloom's shoes. "Somebody is out there, hunted by those maniacs and people are questioning whether or not we should help them? Are they completely out of their goddamn minds?"
"Gotta agree with Bloom. That is not okay," Musa added.
"Yeah. How hard would it be to insert a small team to find the target and rescue her?" Sky asked. "It's a rather simple procedure."
Bloom froze, a strange glimmer in her eyes.
Faragonda recognised it immediately. "Bloom, no, you are not..."
"I'm going to Earth," the redhead stated and turned around to leave the office. "If no one else will lift a finger, I will."
"Bloom, get back here," Faragonda sternly said as she stood up. "You are not to..."
"I AM NOT LETTING SOME INNOCENT BOY OR GIRL GET HUNTED DOWN BY THOSE PSYCHOPATHS!" Bloom yelled as she turned around, heat emanating from her body. "IF YOU'RE OKAY WITH SITTING BACK, THAT'S YOUR PROBLEM, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO APE ALL THE OTHER NOBLES AND PRETEND THIS DOESN'T CONCERN ME! THIS PERSON COULD HAVE BEEN ME! COULD HAVE BEEN ANYONE OF US! THERE SHOULDN'T EVEN BE A QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT TO DO SOMETHING!" She took a moment to breathe heavily as silence descended over the room. "I am eighteen years old, an adult and princess of Domino. But even if I wasn't any of those things, I would not stand by while what could possibly be Earth's last fairy suffers. If you can sleep well after doing that, that's your choice." Then she stormed out of the office.
The old fairy sighed deeply and sunk into her chair again, before burying her face in her hands.
"Wowzers," Stella quietly commented.
"She... Ehm, she probably didn't mean it that badly," Sky tried. "She was just really upset and she has been kinds stressed lately."
"No. She's right." Faragonda rubbed her eyes. "It is not right that an innocent suffer while those with the power to help play politics. I'm just... Concerned. The Black Circle is a dangerous foe. If anything were to happen to her, I..."
"Don't worry. As her bodyguards, we will join her on Earth," Sky immediately declared. "It's our duty."
"Hey, thanks. Tell me, your Majesty, when did you become team captain?" Brandon asked annoyed.
"Well... I mean, it's true," the prince argued.
"Still."
"Welp, gonna go pack my stuff," Techna stated. "Hope my packages arrive before we go."
"I'm gonna help her too," Stella insisted. "She's right. Nobles should set a better example than just sitting on their butts."
"I quite agree with that assessment," Aisha added.
"Here we fucking go again," Musa groaned. "One year. One year without this, that's all I'm asking for."
"Hopefully we will resolve the situation before it spins out of control," Flora sighed. She noticed the others looking at her. "What? I happen to agree. Somebody is in need and the sooner we act, the better."
"I don't like this," Faragonda admitted. "I wish I could help, but I have a responsibility to look after the fairies on the school, especially with everything that has been happening lately."
...
Bloom stood outside in the middle of the courtyard, luggage and Kiko's cage piled besides her, as she tried to figure out how to get to Earth. The air around her was still slightly wavering as the redhead tried to force herself to calm down. It occurred to her that obviously, there wasn't just a bus she could take, a fact that she hadn't taken into consideration during her tirade. She considered asking Stella for help or maybe see if she could borrow a vessel from Red Fountain. She was still weighing her options when the other caught up with her. "Sorry about that," she said forlornly. "I kinda, sorta lost my temper back there. I should probably go..." She stared at the luggage the others had brought along. "Wait, seriously?"
"Why not? Maybe if we go take care of this we can finally get a break afterwards," Musa said.
"Besides, like, what kind of friends would we be if we just left you to do this on your own?" Stella asked.
"You guys..." Bloom started heartfelt, only to be interrupted by Techna exclaiming: "Hold the phone there, Firetop. Is that a delivery truck I spy coming up to the entrance?"
"I think so," Timmy replied.
"Holy shit, finally," the scarred girl exclaimed with a big grin, before dashing off.
"Ehm... Okay," Bloom commented. "I'll do that then."
"Huh. Now that's interesting," Riven said, eyeing the entrance of the school. "I believe that's your department, Flora."
"What do you...?" the brunette questioned and turned around.
A rather stern looking Mirta was marching across the courtyard, dragging a big suitcase with her.
"Oh no," the Limphean noble mumbled, as her girlfriend approached. "Mirta, I can already see where you are going with this and I..."
"No, you listen," Mirta interrupted, poking Flora in the chest. "All the time, you run off to Dragon knows where, often getting yourself seriously hurt. You ran off to fight Darkar. You disappeared several times to try to stop Valtor. And this summer, you suddenly vanished to go off to fight the Coven. And every time, every single time, you come back, wounded, bleeding and bruised and I have to watch you slowly get healed and patched up again. Do you have any idea how that feels?"
"Ehm..." Flora actually looked visibly flustered. "Look, I do apologise for... For any emotional distress I have caused... But I have to..."
"Yes you do. And I understand that," the redhead interrupted again. "But I'm not going to be sitting on the sidelines, waiting for somebody to pour my girlfriend up in a bucket and carry her back. I'm coming with you and that's final."
Flora looked to the others for help.
"Well, you can't really say that she shouldn't come because it's dangerous. I mean, that would be kinda hypocritical," Musa pointed out.
"Plus, it's you who's done such a bang up job getting a spine installed in her," Riven said. "That's your problem."
"Your support is ever the comfort," Flora mumbled a bit bitterly. "Very well, it seems that I cannot dissuade you. I do not like this, but you can come along. Just as long as you do as we say. We do have more experience than you, after all."
Mirta just beamed happily. "I knew you wouldn't make me stay."
"Believe me, I am sorely tempted."
"Lovers quarrel over? Excellent," Techna said, as she magically dragged three crates over. "Now take a butchers at this." She flipped open the lid.
"You're kidding me," Musa flatly stated.
Inside each crate was a metal backpack, with large spindly arms sticking out of them, like the skeleton of a bat's wing.
"Is that...?" Aisha began nervously.
"My wingpack. Three fully functional models, to be precise," the scarred girl proudly declared. "Gorgeous, aren't they? I've taken patent on them and made a deal during the summer. They'll hit the stores in a few months, but I got some early for promotional and recreational use. Figure we could bring them along for this mission."
"The world has gone absolutely nuts," Brandon stated.
"Oh no, it's about to get worse," Riven suddenly said, as he eyed the entrance. "No, not now. Why now?"
"What is it?" Sky asked.
"Aisha, beautiful, good to see you again," Nabu called, as he walked through the gates, followed by a barely standing and completely exhausted Helia. "In fact, you all look lovely today, girls. The sun truly does bring out the magnificent colours of your hair."
Aisha suddenly got obsessed with her feet, as Stella giggled and replied: "Don't worry, prince Nabu. Flattery will get you everywhere."
"I'd say he counts as an unfair advantage. Dude can't speak four words without having to smarm at the nearest girl," Brandon protested, as Stella stuck out her tongue at him.
"Please, Brandon, my compliments are genuine and well chosen. Is it my fault that the world is full of beauty? Truly it isn't. And to deny it would be a crime," Nabu dramatically declared.
"So exactly why have you chosen to grace our presence?" Riven asked, using the word grace as if he was using it to describe some disgusting lump of slime.
"Simple. I was contacted by my beloved's parents after they heard about this new developing situation on Earth," the dark-skinned magi explained, as he began going through his bag. "They seemed concerned that she would, and I'm using their words, go off on another foolish mission that unnecessarily risks herself and her bloodline. So they sent me, as her future husband, to keep her under control. Again, their words."
Musa took a deep breath, as static noise emanated from her. "And how exactly are you going to do that?"
"Me? Well, I figured if I just refrained from encouraging you and occasionally waved this around." He pulled out a sign from his luggage. The word 'Don't' was emblazoned upon it with big red letters. "Then my job would be done." He looked them over. "So, it seems you're all quite busy doing that thing that you're not supposed to do. How fun. I'll just add my luggage to the pile."
"Captain..." Riven started pleadingly.
"I think we can use all the help we can get," Brandon stated, earning a groan from Riven and Musa. The squire paused. "So what's with Helia?"
The painter had taken a moment to sit down on the edge of the fountain, still breathing heavily.
"I was driving down the road when I saw him running at full speed, carrying that unwieldy suitcase of his," Nabu explained. "I felt sorry for him, so I gave him a lift. I think the poor guy would have died were it not for my noble intervention."
"So what's up, Helia?" Sky asked.
"I got an e-mail from Mirta," he said, as he stood up again. "About how she was planning on going to Earth with Flora. Well, I'm coming too."
"Spirits," the Limphean noble groaned.
"Look, you've all endangered yourselves several times," Helia continued. "I may not fight, but I do know a lot about self-defence, magitech and I've taken lessons in first-aid. I've got plenty to offer if that's what you're all worried about. But I feel like I've been sitting on the sidelines too long, watching you all throwing yourselves into the fray."
"You seem to provoke that reaction a lot," Stella said, turning to Flora.
"Please do not remind me," she mumbled.
"Okay then," the blonde said. "Now, if that was all, let's go to Earth."
"Wait a moment," they heard Faragonda call. The elder fairy walked up to them.
Bloom suddenly looked quite uncomfortable, as she said: "Emanuela, I'm sorry about before. I lost my head and..."
"And you remind me a lot of myself at your age," Faragonda said. "And you are right, Bloom. We have a responsibility to help those in need. While I cannot help you out personally, I will lend you this." She handed over a thick tome. "It holds many forms of general magic and rituals, some of which you would have learned this year. Some of them are dangerous, but I trust you all to be sensible with this. I hope it will be of good use in your future endeavours. I just pray that you will manage to find this fairy and save him or her quickly."
"So do I," Bloom said. "Thanks."
"Be careful. And please do stay in contact," Faragonda said, as she stepped back.
"Well then, let us go," Stella said and focused. There was a bright flash and the group was gone.
