Adeline's eyes brightened up as she helped Evander in the ring. She would occasionally hold his cape and his top hat from time to time. That is…until he decided to spicen things up.
"Stand still," he whispered, now placing his forehead against her stone. Once he did, the stone lit up a bit and then it stopped glowing. Adeline was confused, however, because she could not see it light up.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"You will see. Now go to the griffins' cage. It is time for you to help with them," Evander grinned, now ushering her towards the cage. But Adeline let out a shout of fright as the griffins looked wild and out of control as they flew around and let out shrieks of anger.
"They will eat me!" she gasped.
"Close your eyes, relax, and take a few deep breaths," Evander replied, his white eyes now glowing as he gently squeezed her shoulder from behind. Adeline closed her eyes and did what she was told. After a second, her eyes opened and they glowed white too. She then walked forward with boldness that she didn't have before! She entered the cage and grabbed a chair and a staff. Once a griffin would try and nip at her, she gave him a warning smack with the staff.
"What is a small human doing in here?!" a griffin snapped. These griffins were wild and did not respect anyone if they acted fearful or unsure of themselves.
"Calm down," Adeline said sternly, now keeping her staff handy.
"Calm down it says…why this human is no more than an infant," another one sneered. The one that knew Adeline from before looked at her in concern.
"Remain in control! Don't let them frighten you," it called, now dodging a claw from its' peer. Adeline nodded and smacked another griffin with the staff when it tried to claw at her back. She then somehow did a flip on the complete far side of the cage! She was in shock because she had no idea how she did that! Within a moment, all of the griffins were in a row and kneeling before her respectfully. The audience roared with happiness at the sight before them! A young girl just made beasts of legend kneel! Adeline was snapped out of her thoughts by the roar of the crowd. Evander then walked inside the cage with her and had her take a bow.
"Well, well…you're very brave for a human," one griffin said, making Adeline look at him.
"What do you mean?" Adeline asked, now looking at the chair and staff in her hands. "I don't even know how I did all this! It's like I just…knew."
"That is how magic works," a griffin said, now glancing at Evander who was watching with a small grin on his face. He then motioned for her to bow with him and the entire crowd was in an uproar even more! Adeline's eyes shined as the crowd cheered for her and she got tears in her eyes.
"T-This is amazing," she whispered to herself. No one had ever showed this much enthusiasm for anything she did! She just helped tame beasts that are technically myths and did things she had never been able to do before!
"How are you feeling?" Evander soothed, now glancing at her. She looked over at him and grinned.
"WONDERFUL! No one has ever been this excited for things I've done!" Adeline grinned happily.
He nodded and then after the crowd died down, Evander walked with her towards the back of the tent.
"You did great," Colossus grinned, now looking at Adeline.
"Thanks. I appreciate it," she blushed, now seeing the others come over and greet her. Even the snake being gave her a friendly rub in congratulations.
"And there will be more shows for you to learn even more skills," A mermaid splashed from a nearby pool.
"I can't wait!" Adeline said. But as she walked towards her dressing room, she saw them all slowly getting themselves together and beginning to pack.
"Come Adeline. It's time for you to prepare. We are going to another realm. You are to stay by me at all times," Evander replied.
"Ok. But Evander, I have a question," she asked.
"Yes?" he responded, now looking at her intently with his white eyes. Adeline could almost feel her heart flutter a bit.
"Well…after you touched my head earlier, I could do things I know I couldn't do before! How?" she said, now just picking up her backpack.
"Well…your stone has certain properties Adeline. Not only does it bind you to us, but it gives you the ability to briefly absorb the abilities each of us have for a limited amount of time." Evander grinned calmly. "My species is able to do….unique things. Therefore, I gave you some of my power."
Adeline's mouth dropped open! No wonder she felt so strong and powerful! She was covered in Evander's power.
"I did that to ensure that you would be safe in the cage. When you become more confident, you won't need to absorb anything from me." Evander replied, now brushing his hair from his face.
"That was incredible. But what is your species Evander? I don't think you ever told me," Adeline smiled.
"I am an enchanter Adeline. We have a lot of power and in this realm, we can be similar to a fairy. Only we have a wider range of powers," Evander replied.
"An enchanter? That's incredible! So you all are really made of magic?! You all really exist?! I didn't think anything such as giants, mermaids, or fairies were even real?! But why do humans think you all are still a myth?" Adeline asked.
"That is a story for another time. Now come…we leave tonight. The realm I told you about before. It is called the Dragon's realm; King Ryu is the dragon king." Evander said. Adeline felt her heart go heavy and slowly sink down to her feet.
"D-D-D-Dragon king?!" Adeline stuttered.
"Yes. He is very dangerous and especially lethal towards humans. Adeline you must always stay near me and do not say very much." Evander replied.
"Can't I just stay in the back of the tent?" Adeline asked, not wanting the dragon king to see her.
"No because he will still smell a new scent. He may not know you are human, but he will still want to know more about the new scent," Evander said. "We will disguise you, but as long as you stay by me and do not say too much, you will be fine."
Adeline nodded uncertainly and followed Evander to prepare for the trip to the realm. She was unsure if now being part of the circus was a good idea. Especially if dragons were involved!
A few hours had passed since that conversation and soon everyone was ready to go. As Adeline gently gathered her items, she stood with the others as Evander waved his wand and opened a portal. As everyone began to walk through, Adeline's eyes widened as she began walking from the greenery of the forest to a realm that had red and white shooting starts flying through the air. There was a deep smell of sulfur and lava that filled the air and Adeline's scream got caught in her throat as she saw a large winged beast fly above them. At that same moment, Adeline was pulled aside by Colossus and he placed his head against her stone and closed his eyes. After a second, he pulled back.
"Stay near Evander. If all else fails, you will know what to do," Colossus replied as he took off his collar and grew to his giant height. Adeline nodded and then turned back to Evander who waved his hand and gave her a disguise. Soon Adeline's dark brown hair turned into bright red and her dark brown eyes turned into a bright green. Her tan skin was then turned pale because she was going to be similar to a fairy! Then bright butterfly looking wings sprouted from her back as well! Adeline looked in a nearby puddle and gasped at her new reflection; she, for the first time in years, felt….beautiful.
"W-Wow…is that really me?" she asked.
"Yes it is." Evander said, now waving his wand and placing her in a teal and sparkly blue dress that came to her knees. That made her look like she was a real fairy.
"Welcome guests…please…join me in my castle," a deep voice rang from the sky. Soon, the entire circus was teleported inside a black and red castle. As they appeared in the throne room, they saw the large dragon king sitting on his throne. He had black skin with red markings and large horns that curled at the top of his head. He was intimidating and definitely a sight to behold. He had long and straight black hair that hung wildly around his face and a black loincloth like garment on. He had a long black tail that curled to the side and razor sharp teeth. His yellow eyes pierced right into them all!
"Cirque Mystique…I have waited for your arrival. It has been centuries Evander," the king greeted lowly. Evander walked forward and gently knelt before the king.
"Thank you your majesty. Whenever you are ready, we are prepared to entertain you," Evander smiled.
"Perfect," King Ryu said, now waving his hand and other large dragons appeared in the room. "Begin."
And with that, the performers got into their positions and began the performance! They began to flip and do their dances in perfect rhythm. Adeline stood by Evander just like she was told. But Evander glanced at Ryu and noticed he began to gently sniff the air.
"Adeline…move quietly and quickly to the back of the room. Ryu has caught your scent," Evander replied. Feeling her knees go weak, she gently began to move back. However, Ryu began to sit up more and developed a sly smile on his face.
"Evander…you have a new member of your cast," he crooned smoothly. His voice was deep and self-assured, which made Adeline want to scream! It was like the calm before the storm!
"I assure you King Ryu. Many have joined us since the last time we performed," Evander replied.
"But there is something different here," Ryu said, but gently shrugged and sat back. "No matter. I will find out later. But in the meantime…"
He then pulled out something that looked strangely familiar to Adeline. It was a plate that was filled with meat. Not just any meat…it looked like all strange kinds of meat and some of it was beef! Beef that looked like it came from Earth.
"Guards…do place this in the back room where the performers can have some refreshments. No doubt they will be hungry when they take a small intermission," King Ryu said, now eyeing the performers carefully. "Yes…they will be very hungry indeed." The large dragon guard did as he was told and gently took the meat to the room where the performers would rest. Adeline then watched as King Ryu spoke and talked with other performers who were currently not performing. He was speaking with the centaurs, minotaurs, and even Colossus when he was not doing his act. After an hour or so, she felt wonderful because the king didn't' even glance in her direction. She breathed a sigh of relief to herself.
"I don't think he even noticed me. This is great."
As Adeline leaned against the wall of the castle, she was just about to tell Evander until she gasped as King Ryu made eye contact with her and they locked eyes for what seemed like hours.
"You are new…are you not?" a voice said lowly. Adeline gasped as she heard the voice in her head and put her hands on her ears and looked around the room. "Do not panic young fairy. I mean you no harm."
Adeline turned and saw Ryu lean his chin on his clenched fist as he supported himself on his elbow. He then began to look at her up and down and he grinned at her shyness.
"Shy are you? I have not known many fairies or pixies to be shy before. You are quite unusual," Ryu smiled, now widening his eyes slightly in excitement.
Adeline was beginning to become afraid until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and it was Evander.
"Adeline…what is it?" Evander asked, now staring at her hard.
"Evander…King Ryu is speaking to me telepathically. What do I do?" She said in a slight panic.
"Be calm. He sought you out because your face is new. He is meeting everyone in the cast either in person or telepathically. But whatever you do…do not panic Adeline. I…" Evander paused as Adeline's face took on a slight look of horror. She then eyed back and forth between Evander and the throne. Evander then looked over and saw her reason for panic…King Ryu was standing up and slowly descending from his throne!
guestsurprise: Oh my! Interesting is it not? ;)