I open my eyes to the golden rays of dawn streaming through my window.Mum, seemingly having just opened it, speaks when she sees that I’m awake.

  “Good morning, girls. Breakfast will be ready shortly.”

  “Good morning.” “Miep.”

  Judging by the sun, it appears that I slept in a little today.However, there’s still a slight chill being carried in on the breeze.Not that the cold bothers me any, but it’s a sign that summer is over, or soon will be.

  Mum begins walking away, yet stops when she’s sees something on the floor.

  “What…Aki, is there a reason your bnket is lying here?”

  My bnket?But aren’t I under it?With a gnce, I quickly realize that the one I’m holding is pink.Nibi, who is being her typical, sleepy morning self, is ying at my side, partly in both beds.It seems she decided to share her bnket while I slept, and while she is tched onto my arm, at least she isn’t clinging quite as closely as usual.Or sleeping on top of me.Perhaps this is her attempt to keep me from asking her to sleep on her own again?Yet before I ponder that further, I should answer Mum.

  “I had a visit from a giant insect st night. I fought it off but lost my bnket in the process, and I didn’t feel like finding it again at the time.”

  “Giant insect?”

  Uh, perhaps I shouldn’t have told her that?She considers my words for only a moment before her expression becomes one of realization quickly followed by concern.

  “Are you okay!?”

  “Yes, Mum. I’m perfectly fine.”

  “What kind of insect was it?”

  “Only a roach. But having it be such a rge size made it considerably more frightening.”

  At that, she visibly shivers, likely imagining what I saw st night.

  “I’m so sorry, Aki. I didn’t…I didn’t even consider what might now be dangerous for you inside the house. Especially at night.”

  “It’s okay Mum, I-”

  “What if it was a spider? Or a bee? Or-”

  “Mum!”

  “-wasps!? Even ants-”

  “Mum!”

  “-could be a problem! What if rats-”

  She’s not listening, and my tiny voice is, once again, too quiet.While I don’t mind her worrying about me a little, this is too much.Moreover, being reminded that all the tiny creatures might now try to eat me is not the most pleasant thing to hear.I think now would be a good time to show her my new talking spell.

  First, I loosen Nibi’s grip and slide out of bed.Then after spending a few moments to properly gather and form my magic, I put it into effect.Even as the essence begins shimmering in front of me, Mum still rambles on.

  “-would I keep out a many-legs!? If one came-”

  “Mum!”

  “Aah!”

  She reacts to my shout with a start.Perhaps I ought to adjust this spell further, as it still seems a little loud.But at least she stopped panicking.

  “Mum, I’m okay. I’m not defenseless. I have magic, remember? And I have no intention of letting any tiny creatures have me as a snack. I may be this size, but I’m not a child. So, please, stop worrying.”

  At my words, she takes a deep breath and composes herself.Admittedly, I may have spoken words a bit braver than I truly feel, but Mum being this anxious about me is the st thing I wish to cause.Again.At least, not when she has a somewhat legitimate reason to do so.

  “I’m sorry, dear. But are you certain you’ll be okay?”

  “During the day, at least, I should be fine. I was able to devise a spell to protect myself, if necessary, and you know Nibi won’t leave me alone. Yet, I ought to find a safer pce to sleep. One that will keep away the bugs.”

  “Very well. I’ll…I’ll see what I can do. Perhaps one of the carpenters will be willing to fashion something small…Oh, here’s this.”

  She then returns my lost bnket to my bed before continuing.

  “But I see you’ve managed to get your voice back. Somewhat. Ah, well, the peace and quiet was nice while it sted.”

  “Mum!”

  “Do I really need to tell you to stop yelling in the house?”

  She fshes a quick grin and then begins moving towards my door.

  “Hurry up and get ready for breakfast. We’ll need to leave shortly afterwards.”

  Right.We’ll be visiting Talia’s friend this morning, so I ought to get moving.But at least Mum seems to be back to her normal self.

  Nibi and I proceed to change our dresses, separately this time, thankfully, and join Talia and Mum at the table.Breakfast is a simple spread, mainly bread and cheese, as our honey has all been eaten.With the ck of desirable fvors, I only consume a few bites, while Nibi simply absorbs a cup of water.In fact, only Mum truly eats much, as Talia is still pinly feeling the effects of her feasting.

  Shortly afterwards, Nibi and I again climb onto Talia, and all four of us begin moving towards the southern gate.Inside the vilge, running nearby the palisade, there is a path that leads from one gate directly to another.Since our home is near the eastern gate, it’s the quickest route for us to exit the vilge in the direction that we wish to go.

  As we walk along this path, or at least, Talia does, I notice her life force feels slightly different than the st time that I rode on her shoulder.Perhaps because I now have a greater familiarity with the essences mingled within her, or possibly even because she’s still growing?Whatever the reason, I’m not going to explore it.After all, I don’t yet know if actively searching her body with my magical sense will harm her in any way.However, simply by ying here I can tell that she feels a bit warmer than before.Is she okay?

  “Talia, are you certain you’re feeling well enough to travel?”

  “I’m fine. I-”

  Her words cut off as I both feel and hear her belly gurgle.She rapidly changes from merely warm to hot but continues speaking.

  “W-well, my belly feels a bit…icky, but I’ll be fine. I want to tell Varia before any more time passes.”

  “Very well, if you’re sure. Maybe next time, don’t eat so much.”

  “Like you’re one to talk, Sis.”

  “Hey, I got turned into a fairy. How was I supposed to know that I couldn’t consume that much magic? I’d never done it before.”

  “It’s not as if I’ve ever eaten that much before either.”

  Oh.Right…The st time we had a feast, Pa was responsible for how much she was given.This may have been the first opportunity she’s had to eat that much food.We usually only have small meals, and rger ones were always split between three people, after all.As a fairy, I certainly don’t consume as much as I used to, even with Nibi also partaking, so there’s more for her.Well, I suppose it’s a good thing that Sis has more to eat?

  *ding*ding*ding*Suddenly, a bell sounds out from the guardhouse ahead us.While the gates are often unmanned, though that is surely not the case any longer with all of the recent trouble, there is a house near each one that a guard lives inside, with an arm bell nearby to summon others.Mum urges Talia into a jog, and as we round the st home between us and said bell, a simple, single-horse wagon comes into view.After telling us to wait, Mum moves towards it to inquire what is happening.As she does so, I try to get answers myself.

  “Sis, I can’t see well through your hair. Who is in the wagon?”

  “I don’t know. It’s a woman that I don’t recognize, but she might be from Regia. She’s slightly tanned and has dark hair like Sinora, although it’s completely bck and much shorter than hers."

  A visitor then.Did she run into trouble on the road?But she made it here, so why would the guard be calling for aid?Then a feminine voice that I don’t recognize calls out, followed by the guard.

  “Well, aren’t you going to go help them?”

  “I’m doing what I can. I already rang the bell, and the others will be here momentarily. When they arrive, we’ll all go together.”

  “You ought to go now, or they’ll have been ripped apart before you arrive. The merchant’s wagon was overturned st I saw, and I doubt it will take long for that thing to chase down a couple of girls. Unless you want that?”

  Something happened to a merchant?Perhaps a monster attack from the sounds of it?Seriously, here?Those are incredibly rare in these parts.Wait, a couple of girls..?Mr. Loka and his family are expected to be home shortly!Maline!

  “Talia, walk over to the palisade!”

  “Sis? But Mum said to wait here.”

  “Maline and Lucia could be in trouble, and I can get to them the quickest! I know I can help, so please, just go to the wall!”

  Thankfully, she doesn’t argue further but runs over to the nearby wall.Once she arrives, I push Nibi out of my way and then cmber onto Talia’s shoulder properly.

  “Is anyone watching us?”

  Swiveling her head, she takes a quick look around.

  “I don’t believe so.”

  “Tell Mum I’ll be back soon.”

  With that, I unch myself through this brown veil and immediately fly over the wooden palisade with Nibi following close behind.

  Once outside, I rapidly absorb as much wind essence as possible.From what that woman was saying, I won’t be of any help if I don’t get there quickly.Thus, I’ll have to fly as fast as I’m able and put my wind shell in pce while I move.There’s no time to stop and little time for caution.

  Flying just above the grass to hopefully remain unnoticed, I speed toward the trees that run along the road, while attempting to focus on my spell that I formed yesterday.After tinkering with it as much as I did, it’s simple enough for me to remember exactly how I made it.Pushing my intent into my magic, it rushes forth from my hands and wings, yet it doesn’t gather together, nor do I get the urge to hold it between my hands.The cyan energy instead swirls about me, then vanishes, and an instant ter, I feel a connection to a wall of wind surrounding me.I must be getting even more skilled at magic than I thought I was, but I can’t dwell on it now.There’s no time for that right this moment.I need to fly!Faster!!

  Wind billows from within me and soon each fp of my wings sends me hurtling forward.Thankfully, my practice at the hidden gde has made me incredibly skilled at flying.I’m now quite capable of controlling myself at this speed.Though flying in a straight line is a bit difficult.No matter, I’ll perfect it soon enough!Yet, it seems I’m depleting my essence rapidly.Well, that’s easy to correct.I’ll simply pull in more while flying.It’s not as if there’s a ck of it.

  Hahaha!This is exhirating!I’ve never traveled this fast before in my life!I’m almost to our forest gde already!Wish I had someone to race, but it seems I’ve lost Nibi.Of course, there was no way she could keep up with me.She’s about as slow as that covered wagon.Or perhaps not quite that slow.It doesn’t appear to actually be moving.Hah, it’s even lying on the ground.How can it accomplish anything in that state?

  Wait.That’s my goal!Uh, how do I stop?Energy, go the other way please!Not like that!Ack!Have to stop spinning in circles!

  *Phew*I didn’t crash.There’s simply a few shredded flowers that got in my path.Perhaps several small branches broken off the nearby trees as well.They should have moved quicker.Speaking of which, where’s the zy wagon?Ah, back there.

  Seems like the horses are gone.At least they know better than to do nothing.Unlike Mr. Loka, who’s lying on the ground, partly underneath the wagon.Though, I don’t think a leg is supposed to bend that way.That might make it difficult to run.

  *Crash*What’s that sound?Gss breaking?Oh shit!What is that!?It’s a huge, brown, furry creature!

  Oh, a bear?But why is it here?They’re good animals, which travel a long distance for food.Usually, they avoid people.They certainly don’t attack merchant wagons!In fact, they’re quite rare.Some foreigners even think them a myth.I’ve only ever seen one.They typically stay deep in the forest.But, the other I saw wasn’t quite this rge.Although, I am a bit smaller now.

  This one is munching on the contents of certain barrels and baskets.The mixed smell of which is rather vile.However, it seems to be almost finished with its meal.

  Oh!Another fsk just struck the ground.But where did it come from?Ah, I found Maline and Lulu!Seems they’re using some of their goods to distract this creature.Yet they’re almost out of things to throw!What should I do!?

  Perhaps I can distract it.I’ll just fly in front of its eyes and get it to follow me.Then my friends will be safe.Should be easy enough.*Crunch*On second thought, those teeth are as big as I am.

  New pn.I’ll hit it with magic to draw its attention from here.But I’ll need a strong gust of wind to make certain it notices.A slight breeze won’t do at all.Well, I’m filled to the brim with wind essence.If I use everything I have, it ought to be enough.So I’ll do as I did with my barrier.Push in my intent and make it go over there.No, wait, something’s wrong.

  Pull the essence back in!!Think, Akari!Remember what this magic does to me!My wonderful wings are entirely cyan, so I’m probably not quite as capable as I believe I am!I know I’m skilled at nearly everything, but I’ve not even tried using the wind this way before!Be a little careful!Maline and Lulu are directly opposite the beast.And I don’t want to hurt my friends!

  *Phew*Okay, several fps to the side to ensure my magic won’t unintentionally affect those two.Now, grab my essence and form an orb.Make certain my magic knows I want to use all of my energy.Attempt to make the wind blow hard enough for the bear to react.Ugh, this is slow, and the magic is shaking so fiercely.But I suppose I don’t want to bother anyone but the bear.Maline wouldn’t appreciate getting blown over if the breeze travels in her direction.Just one more tweak to ensure it won’t stray from my target.There, that ought to do it.Hopefully this will be enough to get the bear’s attention.Here I go!

  A moment after I release my magic, an immense roar fills my ears, but not from the bear.Meanwhile, an unexpected wind surges past me, though not magical in nature, sending me spinning.Luckily, my filing attempts to catch myself with my wings bear results, slowing me shortly before I crash into the ground.After quickly gathering my wits, however, I remember the creature that may very well be coming towards me right this moment.Hurriedly, I look this way and that, searching for it, but I don’t see the bear anywhere, nor do I hear it.Only the sound of various animals scurrying through the forest reaches my ears, none of them loud enough to be what I’m looking for.Well, there’s only dirt where I’m standing, so I must have nded on the road not far from where I was flying.But, where’s the bear?

  With a fp of my wings, I rise off the ground once more and survey my surroundings.Somehow, I flew a considerable distance from the wagon, yet I’m still nearly underneath the boughs of the forest that line the path.Moreover, there seem to be two roads intersecting here, though I don’t recall there being a trail leading into the pins at this point.

  After a few moments spent struggling to comprehend my situation, I finally begin to realize what it is that I’m looking at.Kind of.

  What the heck just happened here!?!