Hello, people. It's been a while. Sorry for my lateness with this chapter, last week was all about A World Of Fiction and my newest one shot, Some Scars Never Heal. If you're a FloraXHelia or MusaXRiven fan, I suggest you read it because there are plenty of scenes with these two. There are also many Timmy scenes and mentions of TecnaXTimmy.
I think you'll be glad to learn that I've finally decided what I'm doing for the last chapter (sobs) of A World Of Fiction and I should post it by the end of this week. I have also started thinking of a possible sequel that I want to post this year, but only once I'm almost done with this story.
Now that college has started, I realized that I won't be able to update as frequently and chapters will only come once a week, maybe less depending on how much reading I have to do or how many seminars I have to prepare. I wish I could write everyday, though.
Now, let's get to the shoutouts:
winxkate: There will be more this chapter, it's all about them, plus some Aisha scenes too. You'll see in a few chapters just how much trouble they can cause. You'll have all these answers before Part 2 starts, so in about 5 chapters. Also, thanks for your review to Some Scars Never Heal.
Flora: Yeah, that makes two of us. Just joking. I wanted to make it more mysterious and more inclusive.
Sweety Chou: Hello there. I always love reading your reviews, they're amazing and make my day. I had this idea since I read your story, to tell the truth. I always wondered what it would be like if they were friends from the very beginning. That's a great theory, I'm afraid you'll have to wait until Part 2 to have your answers.
I love them in the show, it's a shame it took so long for us to meet them, but they're so cute and adorable! What are your thoughts on Lily and James then?
Alemara: No problem, my update was late too, so we're even. Thanks for your kind words, I hope that it will live up to your expectations. You're a TXT fan, aren't you? I think you should check out Some Scarns Never Heal when you have the time, it has many moments with them and also FXH.
FloraXHelia fans, this chapter is for you. Enjoy!
At Limphea...
"Happy birthday to you!" Flora, Aisha, Lily, James, Saladin, Andromeda, Alyssa, Rollos, Miele, Niobe and Theredor sang. It was a beautiful night with a clear sky filled with shining stars. It was also the night that marked Helia's 15th birthday, so everyone was reunited in the palace to celebrate such a special day.
Flora and Aisha, who had grown even closer, happily clapped their hands and jumped with joy. Both wore beautifully designed gowns in pink and green and their hairs were let down. Helia wore a blue suit that complimented his eyes and his own long hair was let in a loose ponytail.
"Now, Helia, make a wish." Lily told him as she approached him with his birthday cake, made of chocolate and covered with strawberries. The young boy took a good luck at his best friend, who was currently whispering to her younger sister while the two giggled. Over the years their friendship had grown and he had found himself having feelings for her, though he never acted on it. He didn't even know what these feelings truly were, being so young, so he just ignored them. But he was unable to keep the smile off his face whenever she was around.
What he wished more than anything in the world was that the happiness he saw in her eyes would forever remain, that she'd never have to go through heartache or sorrow. So that's what he wished for on his birthday night. Who would have known that his wish would eventually go the other way?
"Can I have the first slice? Please, Helia, you know how much I love cake." Flora begged after he had blown the candles and he laughed at her excitement.
"I don't know, I was thinking of giving the first slice to Aisha, since she hasn't come here and started annoying me into giving it." He replied jokingly, mentioning to the way she tugged on his sleeve while trying to get his attention.
"No fair. I am simply asking my best friend to give me the first slice." She replied with a frown, arms crossed over her chest.
"I don't even want cake, so I guess you're gonna have to comply, Helia." Aisha told him with a smile that she wore every time she saw the two of them interacting this way. She loved their friendship and she suspected that maybe it would turn into something more in the future. She didn't mind becoming the third wheel in this relationship since she knew that they would never make her feel left out. The three of them were best friends first, so no matter what might happen between Flora and Helia, they would always think of their friendship first.
"No, I have a better idea. The first slice of this wonderful cake, thanks mom by the way, will go to my favorite princess." Helia said with a smirk and Flora looked at him in confusion before her expression turned to a frown when he gave the cake to Miele. The little girl smiled brightly before taking it.
"Thank you." She said before taking a few bites. Helia looked back at Flora, who had her arms crossed over her chest, and he couldn't help but think that she looked really cute when she was angry.
"Don't worry, Flo, the second slice will be all yours." He told her with a wink and she rolled her eyes.
"You two always put a smile on my face." Lily told them while laughing.
"Yes, it's incredible seeing how close you are. I hope it lasts for a very long time." Alyssa added and their children eyed them with big smiles, their little fight already forgotten.
"We made a pact, mom, so you can be sure that we'll be best friends forever." Helia told them and Flora nodded.
"Yes. Even if he can be so annoying sometimes, I'll still want to be friends with him." Flora added and she smirked upon seeing Helia frown.
"Now, are you ready to receive your presents?" James asked his son gently and Helia nodded eagerly, his smile coming back.
"Can I go first?" Aisha asked the adults and they nodded, so she used her powers to bring Helia's present, which had an image of the ocean in the wrapping paper.
"Cool." The blue haired boy said before he carefully unwrapped it. Inside it there was a box containing something he had been wishing for a while now. "No way! Thanks, Aisha!" They hugged and he missed the look that passed between her and Flora. They had agreed on giving Helia presents that he needed and would complete each other, so Aisha gave him new canvas for him to do his paintings and Flora was in charge of the materials.
"Can I give mine now?" Flora asked after they pulled apart and Helia thanked Aisha once again.
"Sure, dear." Lily told her with a huge smile, already aware of what her present was. Flora used her own magic to make two presents appear, a big one and a small one. Both were filled with drawings of flowers, something she and Helia appreciated.
"Did you two combine this?" Helia asked after he had opened his first present and Flora and Aisha looked at him innocently.
"No, why would you ever think that?" Aisha asked him and he raised his eyebrows.
"Yes, this is just a fortunate coincidence." Flora said with an innocent smile and he decided that it's best not to argue with his two friends when they were like this. Sometimes he hated when they would gang up on him, but usually it was funny to watch.
"Anyways, thank you for the materials, Flo. I sure need them to continue my paintings." He thanked her and the two hugged tightly, Flora's second present still in her hand.
"I'm not finished. Here, you almost forgot about this one." She gave it to him and he looked surprised before he took it.
"Wow, two presents. I must not be so annoying after all." He joked and she once again rolled her eyes. Inside the small box there was a miniature painting of the most famous waterfall in Limphea. "This is amazing? Did you really paint this?" He asked her and she smiled.
"I may not be an expert like you, but I have my secrets." She replied mysteriously and he smiled rightly.
"Well, you truly are amazing, maybe tomorrow we should paint instead of going for our walk in the forest. What do you think?" He asked her and she nodded eagerly.
"It's a wonderful idea. But only if Aisha does it too. She draws pretty well, you should see it, Helia." Was her sweet reply and the fairy of waves blushed when everyone looked at her.
"Aisha, darling, I didn't know that you liked to draw." Niobe commented while Teredor looked at her proudly.
"It's not my favorite activity and I'm not that good, but sometimes it's fun. I've known Helia for long enough to pick up a few hints on drawing." She shrugged her shoulders.
"I didn't know that, Aisha. It's great to hear that you too enjoy painting. How about we try something now?" Helia asked her excitedly and she raised her eyebrows.
"Now? But you're getting your presents, it would be rude to leave." She replied sternly and Helia's face fell.
"Ah, that's okay. You're still young, so go have fun, you three." Alyssa told them with a smile and Flora and Helia thanked her before running out the door and towards Helia's art room, which was located near the Greenhouse.
"Someday I'm going to end up losing these two with how fast they are." Aisha mused while shooking her head and the adults laughed.
"Then you'd better hurry, dear Aisha." The queen of Limphea gently told her before she remembered something. "And take Miele with you, she wanted to spend more time with Flora." She then turned to her youngest daughter, who had just finished eating her slice of cake.
"No problem. Come, Miele, let's see if we can beat them to the art room." Aisha told the young girl and Miele left her plate on the table and excitedly walked her way. The two of them soon disappeared.
"It's hard to believe it's already been 6 years since Miele was born." Alyssa commented after they were gone.
"I know, love, it feels like only yesterday we were having that grand party.'' Rollos added while wrapping an arm around his wife.
"They sure grow up so fast, soon Aisha will be turning 15." Niobe mused with a faraway look on her face.
"Don't even mention it, dear. Makes me feel old to know I'll have a 15 years old daughter." Teredor added and they all laughed.
"Hey, if someone should feel old here it should be me." Saladin turned their attentions to him and James rolled his eyes.
"You need to stop with this father. He has been bugging us about it ever since we invited him to Helia's 15th birthday." He told the others while the older man crossed his arms over his chest.
"So I'm not allowed to talk to my own son anymore?" He joked and Lily glared at her husband.
"Of course you can, James is just being way too dramatic." She gently told her father in law and the royals were having fun watching them.
"I know, he got that from me." Andromeda piped in with a shy smile before she coughed, making them worry.
"Andromeda? My love, are you alright?" Saladin asked her with concern and she shook her head.
"I don't think so. Perhaps I should sit down for a minute." She replied sweetly and Saladin and James helped her to Helia's bed, where she slowly sat. It didn't help at all, soon she was coughing again and their worries increased when blood started coming out.
"Oh my." Niobe looked horrified and Teredor pulled her closer.
"Don't look, dear. It might frighten you." He whispered in her ear and she held onto him tightly.
"Get help." Saladin all but commanded while holding his wife. Alyssa nodded before she left the room and went looking for Limphea's expert doctor. His name was Dr. House and he was sometimes rude, but he was a good doctor.
"Don't worry, my love, you'll be alright." Saladin promised Andromeda after Alyssa was gone. Her violet eyes looked at him unsurely, but she said nothing because another coughing fit came. He looked desperately at the door, hoping that Alyssa would come back soon with the doctor and everything would truly be okay.
At Helia's art room...
"What are you drawing?" Miele curiously asked while stopping by Helia. She had been walking around the room while the three teens were painting. Helia had the idea for them not to show each other their works until they were done, so him, Flora and Aisha were scattered around the room. Miele had already went to Aisha, who was concentrated on drawing the ocean, and Flora, who tried to replicate her favorite place in the castle: the Greenhouse.
"Can't you tell?" Helia asked the young girl as he stopped painting for a second. Her eyes widened when she realized what his painting was about and she almost screamed, but he covered her mouth just in time. "Don't scream, they can't know what I'm painting, remember?" He warned her and Miele nodded, so he let his hand go.
"It's so pretty and real. She'll love it." She excitedly told him and Flora, hearing this, grew curious.
"Okay, I'm finished." She said while looking proudly at her work.
"Then you'll have to wait." Helia told her and she sighed with impatience.
"Are you almost ready, Aisha?" She turned to her best friend, who didn't take off her eyes from her canvas.
"Not even close. Seriously, this is going to take a while." Was the fairy of waves' response and Flora frowned.
"Great. Now I'm bored." She complained while looking around, searching for something to do. Her eyes met the glass that led outside and she could see that there was a light in the Greenhouse. "Now that's strange." She said and Helia, sensing that something wasn't right, followed her line and vision.
"Why are the lights not out?" He questioned with widened eyes and an unsettling feeling in his stomach.
"I don't know. I think I'll check it out." Flora replied and this time Aisha stopped looking at her painting, only to send her best friend a warning glance.
"Are you crazy? This could be dangerous!" She exclaimed and Flora looked nervous, but determined.
"Aisha's right, you shouldn't go there alone." Helia added worriedly and she cast him a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, Helia. My mother probably forgot to turn off the lights. I'll be back in a second." He still looked unsure, but she was gone before he could say anything else.
"That girl's too stubborn for her own good sometimes."Aisha said aftewards while shaking her head.
"Should we go after her?" Helia suggested.
"No, I think she'll be fine. If she isn't, we'll sure know." She replied reassuringly and he decided to push away his worries and go back to painting.
In the greenhouse...
Flora entered the room feeling worried and uneasy and it increased once she saw a dark figure right by the fountain. "Hello?" She asked, heart hammering in her chest and fear rising. The figure didn't move and she started wondering why she was still there when it was clearly not safe. "I just came in to turn off the lights, I'll go." She nervously added before getting ready to run like hell.
"Don't run." The figure spoke and she was startled when they stood up. She guessed it was a man due to his voice.
"Who are you?" She asked and the man said nothing. Suddenly, all the candelabres in the Greenhouse were lit and she could finally see his face. He looked young and if she wasn't so terrified, she would notice that he was very handsome, with golden curly hair and blue eyes.
"I apologize for scaring you, I wasn't expecting you to come here so soon." He told her with a gentle smile and the uneasiness she felt started to fade away.
"So you were expecting me?" She curiously asked while taking a step forward. Somehow, she found herself eager to trust him. Her mind told her not to do so, that it was stupid, but she decided to follow her heart instead.
"There are many people expecting you, some good and some bad." He replied enigmatically and she wondered how it was possible for someone to seem so calm.
"So, which one are you?" She knew it was stupid to ask, but she did anyways.
"I guess telling you that I am one of the good guys won't convince you, so I'll prove myself." He told her while taking unsure steps her way. She nervously glanced towards the window that showed Helia's art room before taking a few steps back. "Okay, then, I won't come any closer." He stopped and put his arms up in a clear sign of surrender.
"What do you want from me?" She asked him, voice shaking with newly returned fear despite her previous feeling that she could trust him.
"I came here to give you a gift, Princess Flora." Her eyes widened once she heard him say her name. "Something that will protect you." He added and suddenly a beautiful silver necklace with a purple stone appeared on his hand. She eyed the jewelry curiously and amazingly.
"That's beautiful. But why would you give it to me when you don't even know me?" She questioned and he laughed softly.
"You're so clever and curious, as interesting as you are powerful." He replied afterwards and this time she didn't move when he approached her. "Here, take it." Her hands touched the necklace, but she didn't take it.
"Only after you tell me something about yourself." She replied with a smile and he laughed once again.
"Okay. What do you want to know?" He asked and she looked thoughtful for a second.
"What's your name?" She then asked and his smile died down.
"I'm afraid I can't answer that question." He gave her an apologizing look. "But I can tell you something, I am what you may call 'a guardian angel'. My job is to protect you and that's why I'm giving you this necklace. It contains ancient magic." He pointed at the jewel in his hand and she once again looked at it curiously.
"So does that mean that I am in danger?" She questioned and he shook his head, though she didn't miss the way he flinched before doing so.
"You're perfectly safe. This is just a precaution." Was his reply and she sighed before deciding that no harm could come from putting on a necklace. So she took it from his hands and held it close to her chest.
"Thank you." He nodded before giving her a gentle smile. Before she could say anything else, he was gone.
"Flora! Are you okay?" Helia screamed as him and Aisha came into the Greenhouse.
"I'm okay." She reassured them, but Aisha still looked suspicious.
"There was a man here, wasn't there?" She asked and Flora nodded.
"Yes, but he didn't do me any harm. In fact, he came here to give me a gift." She showed them the necklace and while Aisha looked at it with wonder, Helia still looked worried.
"Are you sure that you're okay?" She nodded once again before moving to hug him. The necklace was taken by Aisha, who wanted to examine it closer. "I'm so glad you're safe, when you were gone for a while I started getting worried." He whispered in her ear before hugging her even tighter and she patted his shoulders.
"I'm sorry. I got distracted and I forgot to tell you." She apologized after they pulled apart and he smiled at her. The two stared at each other intensely, unaware of how close their faces were or that there was someone else in the room.
"Sorry to interrupt, but we should get going." Aisha called for them and they looked back at her with identical blushes on their faces.
"Of course. I almost forgot." Helia said, his face falling and Flora worried.
"Is something wrong?" She asked her best friends and Helia breathed sharply before answering.
"Yes, it's my grandma. My parents didn't elaborate, so I really want to see her now." He told her before him and Aisha helped turn off all of the lights and leave the room, Flora's new gift safely hidden in her dress pocket since she decided it was best to wait to tell their parents about it. She wondered if the strange man's words were true and the memory of the way he flinched when she asked if she was in danger gave her goosebumps.
Three days later...
"I'm so sorry, Helia." Flora sadly told her best friend as she sat by his side. They were currently in his art room and Helia was concentrated on finishing the same painting that he had started on the night of his 15th birthday. It was a beautiful portrait of Flora.
"So am I." He responded simply before drowning his paintbrush in the brown ink so that he could finish her gorgeous light brown hair.
"You know, maybe talking about it will make you feel better, instead of painting." She suggested and he sighed, knowing that she was right. But this was who he was, every time he was upset about something he would lock himself in his art room and focus all of his attention and emotions into making beautiful paintings. Their parents would sometimes comment on how they were so much alike in this aspect, since Flora would lock herself in the Greenhouse and pay attention only to her plants.
"I know. I just... I don't want to talk about it." He tried to hold himself, but it was no use. The paintbrush fell from his hand and towards the ground, splashing them both and tears started falling uncontrollably. Flora stood up only so that she could drag him to the small bench where she had been sitting. She wrapped her arms around him tightly while he cried.
"I know, sweetie, I know." She whispered comfortingly in his ear and he placed his head on her shoulder, where her long hair fell and he could smell its sweet perfume. "It's so unfair, you and your family definitely didn't deserve this." She mused and he said nothing as the tears kept coming.
After a few minutes, he finally regained composure and so he pulled apart with a small blush. "I'm sorry for being a crybaby." He apologized and she smiled sadly.
"Hey, you never have to apologize for crying in front of me. You're my best friend, you can trust me." She told him gently yet firmly and he smiled for the first time that day.
"It's amazing how you always manage to make me smile." He commented and she smiled too.
"Our friendship is magical." She replied simply and both laughed at the irony of that statement. Helia stopped after a few seconds and he watched her in amazement.
"There you two are, I've been looking for a while." They heard and Flora stopped laughing once she spotted James and Lily, both looking devastated.
"I told you that they'd be here, darling, you're the one who didn't listen." Lily argued playfully, though the usual glow in her eyes when she joked was no longer there.
"Why were you looking for us, dad?" Helia asked him and James looked at him with the most broken expression he had ever seen in his father's face.
"It's time for you to say goodbye to your grandma, she'll be taken back to grandpa's house until the...funeral." He told the two teens with a shaking voice. Helia's face fell immediately at the thought and Flora put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
It had been three days since Andromeda had been coughing harshly and the news that Dr. House had given them were far from good. They were told that she was sick with tuberculosis, a terrible and incurable illness. Lily and Alyssa researched on ways to heal her, but it was no use. Within two days she was so ill that she could no longer get up and by day 3, she passed away.
"I'm sorry to interrupt what appeared to be a fun time, sweetheart." Lily added with a small smile, though she looked like she was about to cry.
"We weren't having fun, mom." Helia replied with eyes downcast and his parents looked at him, so lost and broken.
"I have an idea." Flora said, calling their attention to herself. "Why don't you use this for now? It will make you feel better, Helia." She mentioned to the purple necklace on her neck. Three days before she had brought it to her parents and told them about the mysterious man in the Greenhouse. The king and queen, worried sick, sent the army to look for him, but there were no signs. It was as if he had disappeared as quickly as he had appeared, so they gave up on their search though they reinforced security around the castle.
The necklace had been brought to Astrid, who had told them of how there were no residues of dark magic in it and it was perfectly safe. The king and queen believed her word, though they missed the way she flinched when she first saw it or how her voice shook when she claimed to have no idea who was the man who had been in the Greenhouse. Flora, however, didn't and she wondered if there was something Astrid knew and wasn't telling her. Trusting the older woman, she decided to wait until she was ready to reveal the truth.
"Are you sure? I thought this was meant for your protection?" Helia asked unsurely while Flora took off her necklace.
"Hey, who needs any protection when I have a powerful wizard like yourself?" She joked and he smiled once again before taking the necklace and pulling it over his head. James and Lily watched them while smiling for the first time since Andromeda's death. Suddenly, there was a beep and the two teens looked around worriedly.
"It's my father, he said that he was just called back to Red Fountain." James told them and Lily frowned.
"So he's already left?" She asked him and her tone made it clear she wasn't okay with that action.
"He doesn't have a choice, love, now that he's the Headmaster he'll have to put his students first. But according to his message, he's just going there to meet with Miss. Faragonda, Alfea's headmistress." James explained and Lily remained silent.
"So, shall we get going?" Helia nervously asked and his parents nodded. Him and Flora stood up and followed the two adults out of the room and towards the infirmary, where Andromeda's body would be. During their walk, Helia shyly held onto Flora's hand and she tightened her grip.
"Can you do me a favor?" He whispered once they arrived in the room and Lily and James entered, leaving them to wait outside.
"Of course, anything." She replied determinately and he sighed.
"Promise that you'll never leave me." He pleaded and she smiled gently at him.
"Of course. You're stuck with me forever." She told him and he smiled before they hugged once again. Both wondered why something horrible like this had happened to them and prayed that they wouldn't have to go through more heartache. Unfortunately, they had no idea that this was only the beginning.
What did you think? Did you enjoy the way I portrayed Flora and Helia's relationship here? What about their close friendship with Aisha?
And once again, who is that mysterious man? Do you have any guesses?
I know it was sad that Andromeda died, but it was necessary. For those who read A World Of Fiction, you know that I have a habit of killing characters, but only for the sake of the story. Although (SPOILER ALERT), this won't be the last time you'll see Helia's dear grandmother.
Lastly, is anyone a fan of greek mythology, like gods and stuff? Cause this story's pretty much based on it!
Next chapter should come by next week and it won't have Flora X Helia scenes. If you're a StellaXBrandon fan, you'll enjoy it. Also, a new reveal will come that will complicate the story even more. Think we can make it to 3 reviews for this chapter?