7 - Flower that Blooms

As we are walking towards the deeper part of Euphorium Forest, these little sounds, like of someone is following us kept bothering me.

“Whoever you may are, come and show yourself.” I bravely said out of the blue that made Prince Zephyr and Aellah drown into confusion.

From the bush not so far from us, a little pink light came out and flew to our side. A pink lightfly?

“Is this how you treat your visitors here?” she angrily asked. There I saw her form closer, tiny salmon colored wings, combination of pink and white hair with white daisies on it.

Visitor?

“Do you know her Naia?” Aellah asked and I shook my head.

It was my first time to see a talking little fairy. She’s so little that she can possibly fit in my robe’s pocket.

“Clem?” Prince Zephyr offered his both hands to the pink fairy and she landed on it with her giggles.

“Has been a long time Prince. You did well earlier.” I raised my eyebrows with what she had said.

She gave Prince Zephyr a high five before turning to me, as if she saw my facial expression.

“I was the one controlling the vines on the obstacle.” she smilingly said.

“Woah?!” Aellah exclaimed and rushed to the tiny fairy with adoration.

“As I have thought, but how?” I asked.

“You haven’t heard of Pixies?” she answered me with another question.

And so I found myself in her front, almost stealing her from Prince Zephyr’s hands.

I never knew they are actually existing! I only heard them from Mother’s stories, read on my favorite fairy tales, yet to meet one, having this face to face conversation, it is one of my dreams!

“What happened to your friend? She’s acting weird.” the Pixie said as I played with her tiny hands.

“Maybe fell to your charms?” Prince Zephyr answered and I just nodded my head.

“I am Naia! What’s your name?” I asked her in delight.

I still can’t believe this once in a lifetime opportunity.

I need to do everything to make my friend!!!

Pixies are known for their soft demeanor, and their power to control plants, trees, flowers, sometimes animals too. They are healers too like the Undines but they rely on medicines more, herbals.

“You can call me Clem, short for Clematis.” felt like my eyes are shining now.

Her name is too beautiful, just like her appearance!

And to think that even if she’s so small, controlling that big stalk and many vines seemed like easy for her.

She’s that powerful!

My amazement is beyond the levels when I first came here to Eltia.

As we are walking towards the deeper part of Euphorium Forest, these little sounds, like of someone is following us kept bothering me.

“Whoever you may are, come and show yourself.” I bravely said out of the blue that made Prince Zephyr and Aellah drown into confusion.

From the bush not so far from us, a little pink light came out and flew to our side. A pink firefly?

“Is this how you treat your visitors here?” she angrily asked. There I saw her form closer, tiny salmon colored wings, combination of pink and white hair with white daisies on it.

Visitor?

“Do you know her Naia?” Aellah asked and I shook my head.

It was my first time to see a talking little fairy. She’s so little that she can possibly fit in my robe’s pocket.

“Clem?” Prince Zephyr offered his both hands to the pink fairy and she landed on it with her giggles.

“Has been a long time Prince. You did well earlier.” I raised my eyebrows with what she had said.

She gave Prince Zephyr a high five before turning to me, as if she saw my facial expression.

“I was the one controlling the vines on the obstacle.” she smilingly said.

“Woah?!” Aellah exclaimed and rushed to the tiny fairy with adoration.

“As I have thought, but how?” I asked.

“You haven’t heard of Pixies?” she answered me with another question.

And so I found myself in her front, almost stealing her from Prince Zephyr’s hands.

I never knew they are actually existing! I only heard them from Mother’s stories, read on my favorite fairy tales, yet to meet one, having this face to face conversation, it is one of my dreams!

“What happened to your friend? She’s acting weird.” the Pixie said as I played with her tiny hands.

“Maybe fell to your charms?” Prince Zephyr answered and I just nodded my head.

“I am Naia! What’s your name?” I asked her in delight.

I still can’t believe this once in a lifetime opportunity.

I need to do everything to make my friend!!!

Pixies are known for their soft demeanor, and their power to control plants, trees, flowers, sometimes animals too. They are healers too like the Undines but they rely on medicines more, herbals.

“You can call me Clem, short for Clematis.” felt like my eyes are shining now.

Her name is too beautiful, just like her appearance!

And to think that even if she’s so small, controlling that big stalk and many vines seemed like easy for her.

She’s that powerful!

My amazement is beyond the levels when I first came here to Eltia.

“Will you stop what you’re doing right now?” she said and flew to Prince Zephyr’s head, sitting there prettily, leaving my heart broken.

“You don’t to be my friend?” I asked and she laugh so loud making some rovens from nearby trees to soar away.

“She’s a sulky one!” she teased me and I started walking away from them.

“Hey be careful, there might be some burrs here.” Without changing her tone, I almost ran back to them.

“Stop scaring me!” I shouted and all of them laughed at me.

We roamed around the forest, thanks to Clematis who said to live here all her life, one reason why Headmaster Cloudius chose her to be part of our Acombatics earlier. And another is that, she belongs to the royal blood line of Pixies, the Herane.

I asked her to make me small like her, so we can both sit on top of Prince Zephyr but she said that she hasn’t mastered that spell as of the moment. And it would cost me a lot of money if she will do it to me.

What a coldhearted Pixie she is!

I pouted with the thought when Prince Zephyr handed me a freshly picked melgo.

“Thank you!” it instantly lifted up my mood, and I saw them already indulging to other fruits too.

The three moons above us are giving more shine, aside from the numerous lightflies that are flying around the field we decided to take a rest on.

Euphorium Forest, might be a little scary because of the tales told to generations about it, but reaching its center, where one can actually see the moons up close is worthy of every sweat and scream I made after deciding to explore this place tonight.

I sighed. I wish I can share this view and at ease feeling with my mother.

Hope she’s doing fine right now, can’t wait for the vacation so I can visit her.

“Hey…” I heard Mati’s voice and she kinda look sad.

“Hi…” I answered back.

She sat on my right shoulder and kept quiet for a moment.

“Why?” I asked her.

She played with her little fingers before looking at me.

“It wasn’t me, with the explosion.” with her mentioning it, I forgot to ask her about it since she was the one controlling the vines.

“It must have bee Ariesa then.” I said to her and she looked so relieved that I am not mad or anything.

Ariesa could have been secretly putting some air bombs when everyone is busy watching me, or she planted those while she was taking the course. Both could have drained her power, yet the latter seems to be more of a reliable intuition knowing she lost consciousness after her fight. Which is a little confusing since she’s a Feya, who has more mana and stamina more than a Yare like me. If that was the case, it is only possible for her to pass out after the obstacle. To be able to fight while leaving some traps is easier said than done.

“I could have easily dispelled those but Headmaster Cloudius told me not to.” she added.

“Why?” Aellah from behind asked.

She looks mad, probably heard Mati’s confession.

“He wasn’t being biased, he said that punishment for Ariesa will come in time. And he was confident with Naia’s performance, for unknown reasons.” she answered.

I feel somehow flattered, but the fact that Pele and her friends are still tailing me is really irritating and alarming.

Who knows what they might do in the future?

Sabotaging me, ruining every chance I can find to break this curse of mine, and worst is for them to find out my secret, that will lead to my death too!

“Are you alright?” Prince Zephyr’s hand is on my forehead, maybe checking my temperature?

“You look pale.” Are you sick? We should go home now.” he added when I didn’t respond.

I nodded as I feel really cold suddenly.

“Are you going to stay here?” I turned to Mati as I stood up.

“Are you offering your room to me?” she bluntly asked and once again we all laughed.

“I have plenty of snacks too.” teasing her, she stayed on my shoulders and we picked up the remaining fruits they have gathered earlier.

Flying back to the dorm, Prince Zephyr is keeping his distance to me.

I wish every Feya is thoughtful as him. But sadly, Pele and her likes exist, and there’s Prince Rage, with his little moodiness. Sometimes he’s all this cheerful, and one moent after, his poker face shows up for the rest of the day.

Really confusing as hell.

“Thank you for accompanying us Prince Zephyr.” I said as he handed to me Aellah the fruits we brought back to the academy.

“No worries. It was fun to wander around Euphorium again.” he answered with a smile.

He’s too soft for a Feya

“If you want to visit other places like Lionder Hill, I am more than willing to escort you.” he offered.

And now I am curious about the place he mentioned!!!!!

Lionder?

“Come on Naia! Get some rest first. Thank you again Prince Zephyr!” Aellah bowed to him and she dragged me on our way to the dorm.

Mati slept right after I offered her a place to sleep, inside my drawer, kept it open so that she won’t feel suffocation.

Aellah on the other hand started munching on fruits again.

“They won’t stop don’t they?” her voice sound muffled.

“Why are you talking with all the food inside your mouth?” I asked her and rolled my eyes.

Knowing she’s pertaining to Ariesa, Pele and the rest, I wonder if I really should have them expelled.

“I’ll do something about them, don’t worry too much.” I joked and she threw some skins of melgo to me.

“I almost had a heart attack when air bombs exploded near you! What if she has set traps that are more dangerous than that? What will you do? You can’t do anything if you’re already dead! Or bed ridden!” she shouted at me and turned her back, saying she won’t talk to me anymore, for the mean time of course.

“I know….. I’ll get some fresh air outside.” I said apologetically to her.

I am aware of how she’s worried for me.

But having those Feyas expelled might only make more students to hate me. And knowing Pele, her connections branches outside the school, she can do worst to be specific.

I sat on top of an oak tree as I remember my Mother again. I really miss her, her cooking and stories.

“Naia?” a familiar voice called me.

And there I saw Prince Rage, flying towards me. His glittering red wings are being emphasized by the blue skies and moonshine.

“Your Highness!” I stood up on the branch and bowed to him.

He put his index finger on my lips, making me feel a blood rush on my cheeks.

“Don’t make any sound….” he whispered and pointed out something below us.

There are moving figures!

“When will they do it?” I heard a voice from below.

There are five people talking with low voice, yet because of night’s quietness, I can clearly hear them.

“They are on their way to that house, to confirm if she’s really there.” One answered.

Youth, conspiring in the middle of the deep night. Is Price Rage tailing them? Does he know them?