Moments ago, Capria flew away, leaving me, Nibi, and Aquia hovering near this pond.I never thought I’d appreciate my actions being seen as that of a child’s, but thankfully, it seems she thought nothing more of my magical fire than a youthful call to py.Speaking of which, for the first time, my magic did something that I didn’t want…

  *Sigh*Actually, I suppose that’s not true.I was quite angry, still am in fact, and getting some revenge on that fairy sounds delightful.So my magic did as I wished, only before I had the chance to truly consider what such an action would mean.

  At least I now have someone I can consider to be responsible for what happened to me in this pce, other than the fairies as a whole. Though, judging by the strength of her magic, I doubt anyone could hold her accountable for anything she’s done.I’ve never been quite able to bme Nibi, as innocent as she often seems, even though the insane idea was hers, but a fairy who I assume is near Aquia’s age, I have no trouble being angry at.From what that fairy said, she led the others and directed the terrible power that performed the deed, meaning she must be the one who ultimately carried out what was done to me.Yet as to the exact details of what occurred, I’m still waiting for Nibi to tell me in her own words.Not only to hear her side of the story, but also to fill in the bnks in my memory, as most of that night is still missing from my mind.

  Strangely, Capria’s speech seemed simir to that of a wind fairy for a moment before returning to normal, and her eyes were oddly shifting in color.I wonder why that was…

  As I’m contempting, Aquia’s voice interrupts my thoughts.

  “Capria will not take kindly to me remaining here for an extensive time. Is there any additional knowledge that you desire to learn before I depart?”

  Before answering, I gnce at the two fairies beside me.Considering her neutral expression, it seems that Aquia also didn’t find anything strange about my response a short time ago.When I look at Nibi, however, she appears to be a bit down, apparently pondering something.Yet she returns to her cheerful self once she notices my attention.I would ask about her thoughts, but I have yet to attend to the most important reason for my visit here, and Aquia will be leaving shortly.So I give my reply.

  “I need to know if fairy magic is dangerous to humans. Or anything else about fairies, for that matter, magical or not, such as that dust. And I don’t mean magic that is intended to harm, but something that happens on its own. Something that I might not be aware of.”

  “An unusual request, although if you wish to dwell amongst humans, I understand the reason for the inquiry. To my knowledge, the concise answer is no. Our magic is extremely unlikely to harm a living creature unless we desire it to do so or it goes beyond our control. In addition, intelligent beings with distinct life essence subtly repel that which is foreign to their own, so unless you inundate their environment with energy, your mere presence will have no detrimental effect on them. As for physical danger, surely you already understand how little threat we pose?”

  Inundate their environment?Again, I’m not entirely certain of the meaning of some of her words, but I believe she’s saying that it’s okay to use my magic near my family.As long as I don’t make a mistake with it, at least.However…

  “But what about corruption? Do fairies cause it?”

  At my question, her expression becomes one of mild confusion.

  “Corruption? … I have never fully turned my attention to that affliction, more properly known as magic metamorphosis, but I am aware of its effects. However, to my knowledge, not a single fairy has ever been directly troubled by it. Why would you suppose us to be a source? For several millennia, fairies have generally remained in the circles, yet corruption may still be found scattered across the nd. Do you have some circumstance prompting your inquiry?”

  “Uh, are you asking if I have a reason for my question?”

  “That would be a correct rephrasing of my request.”

  Then why didn’t she just say that!?

  As a reply, I tell her of my morning adventure and the corrupted bear, as well as my experiences with magic in that gde.When I finish my tale, she considers my words for a few moments before speaking.

  “It is most probable that the beast enjoyed the energies that had absorbed into the pnts. The dust we create contains potent and concentrated essence in a form easily accessible to all but fairies. Within this gde and the surrounding environs, the magic of the circle draws any fallen fairy dust to itself, preventing it from severely influencing the area in addition to increasing its own power, ultimately resulting in a new fairy. A symbiotic retionship if you will. Beyond this portion of the forest, however, the essences you cast off would have quickly flowed into the foliage and remained for a time. While I find it impusible that fairies are a direct source of corruption, it is quite possible that providing a living creature with an overabundance of essence would alter the mixture within. From what little I know of them, I believe one may safely assume that beings which rely on a stable life force typically do not fare well after ingesting a significant portion of essence, even if done so indirectly.”

  If I’m understanding her correctly, she’s saying the bear was affected by eating too much magic?From the dust I left in the gde?Considering all that she has said, it appears I needn’t worry about spreading this ailment merely by being nearby, and as long as I’m careful to not push too much energy into anyone-

  Suddenly, Nibi grabs my arm, breaking my chain of thought and appearing to be quite distressed.

  “Miep! Talia!”

  Talia?Why is Nibi so worried about Sis all of a sudden?I haven’t even used any nature magic on her, and my mistake with life essence only affected Mum.Aquia just said that-She said that the essence from my, clearly magical, dust was absorbed into the pnts.

  Oh no.What about what I left in the garden, which resulted in Talia’s special dinner?More importantly, how much essence did I force Sis to take in when I covered her with golden sparkles in the gde?The odd feeling coming from Aquia’s words is leading me to believe that this could be what she meant by, what was it, unindating something with magic?Which, according to her, means it could even harm a person.

  Considering Talia’s actions ter in the day, she must have taken in a substantial amount of energy.And while I haven’t pushed any essence into her directly, she may have consumed it on a couple other occasions as well.Moreover, merely coming into contact with this dust may also have an effect, which she has done multiple times, so she may be in a simir situation as to what happened with the bear.

  Hastily, I turn and shout at the one with answers.

  “Aquia! How much essence can a human absorb before it harms them?”

  “I do not know. They do not currently draw my interest, so even if I knew at one point in time, the memory is faded.”

  Argh!Typical blue fairy!Only interested in one thing.Yet I wager Maline would know how much magic Talia could safely take in, or she could at least work it out, and if not her, then surely her mum.Moreover, if Sis is unwell, they would be the ones to ask for help in any case.I need to return home.Right this instant!

  “Well, thanks for answering my questions, though I would have preferred learning without having my frickin foot cut off! But I need to leave, immediately!”

  “You have my gratitude for allowing me to observe such a unique specimen amongst fairies, and I would appreciate it if you would grant me the pleasure of your company again in the future. But for the time being, I bid you farewell.”

  Mum taught me to not be rude when leaving after a visit, especially after visiting someone as powerful as this fairy, but with my most pressing questions answered, I don’t believe I’ll be searching out this lunatic in the future.Thankfully, it seems that she was merely visiting this gde, so hopefully, it will be some time till I see her next.If I’m lucky, we’ll never cross paths again.But never mind that for now, it’s time for me to leave!

  “Okay Nibi, let’s hurry home.”

  “Miep!”

  Together, we wing our way towards the edge of the clearing and carefully pass through the protective trees.Upon seeing the shimmering magic outside, I’m reminded to activate my wind shell once more.However, due to not wanting to halt while I slowly form the spell, my thoughts return to when I left the vilge this morning.I was entirely filled with wind essence at the time, which helped me considerably, but I believe I should be able to rapidly form my shell again.Following the remembered feeling, I spread my arms and concentrate on my intent.Wind energy immediately begins surging down my arms and flows from my outstretched hands as well as from my wings, and I roll through the sky while continuing to race forward.An instant ter, the magic snaps into pce around me, and the flowing energy slows to a trickle, sustaining the thin, spinning barrier.

  It worked!I did it!Without having to gather and shape my magic, instead applying it exactly where and how I wanted it, I was able to form my protection in only a moment.This is much faster!At another time, I surely ought to attempt other spells in this manner, in a safe pce, of course, but for now, I need to get back to my family.

  Time passes as we dart through gaps in the trees, speeding towards the vilge as directly as my knowledge of the forest allows.As we fly, I gather a small amount of nature energy from the trees to help bance the others I’m carrying.While I am aware that taking in more wind essence would certainly allow me to fly faster, it would also mean leaving Nibi behind, which would go against Mum’s wishes for us to watch out for one another.Moreover, after seeing my own soul in Aquia’s mirror, which is still a bit disturbing to think about, I’m a little wary of how often I tend towards wind magic.If I continue to depend purely on that essence, there may come a point where I’ll drop all the others and become a wind fairy entirely.Hence, as I’d prefer to keep my personality from being changed further, if possible, it’s for the best if I avoid overusing it.So I’ll do my best to lead both of us home as quickly as I can without more of that magic.

  Suddenly, as I pass near a tree branch, the same as countless others I’ve flown by, a burst of motion catches my eye.What at first gnce appears to be a tiny twig with two bent, thorny sticks on one side of it, unfurls and shes out at me faster than I can even comprehend.

  “Eek!”

  Yet, before its presence even fully registers in my mind, causing me to voice a squeak of surprise, the living “sticks” snap and my attacker is spttered across the forest floor, where I lose sight of its remains in the greenery.However, it didn’t leave me unscathed.With an indrawn hiss, I pull what remains of a barbed limb away from my arm where it had caught hold of me.Thankfully, the stinging, bloodless cuts sparkle and disappear before my eyes, and soon my arm is as smooth and whole as it was before.

  I…I think that was a mantis.An ambushing insect.In the past, I’ve curiously observed them hunting, even held them harmlessly in my hands.But now, they’re nearly as rge as I am, apparently making me their prey.Or, I should say, I am as small as they are.Thankfully, my magical barrier was sufficient to thwart the attack, because without it, I would have been caught before I was even aware of that insect’s presence.Yet it seems my wind is not a perfect defense, as those sharp bdes moving with such speed were able to cut through it for a brief moment.I’ll certainly need to fashion more ways to defend myself in the near future.

  “Akari?”

  But that is a thought for ter.There is a much more important matter to worry about first!

  “I’m okay, Nibi. Let’s keep going. Quickly!”

  …

  Sometime ter, we arrive at the edge of the forest, the vilge already covered in shadow as the sun dips out of view.As we did on my st return from the fairies, we circle the vilge under cover of the woods till we’re closer to home.Then, after ensuring that nobody is in sight, we rush to the palisade, staying close to the grass.Following the base of the wall, we continue circling until we come to a small mark I created upon leaving.Having known I would need to return, I had Talia carry us to the nearest portion of the wall when we departed, which is a fairly short distance from the rear of the house, and left this here.Hence, when we fly over the palisade, I am instantly able to see my home without the need to fly through the vilge first.Moreover, I can see the garden behind it, which Talia is currently working within.

  Oh thank goodness!Sis seems to be okay.She’s even merrily humming a tune while harvesting some of her crops.Either the essence she took in hasn’t harmed her, other than her odd behavior the other day, or we still have time before it does so.I’ll need to have her go to Mrs. Narissa to make certain nothing is wrong.Ah, it seems she noticed us, as she’s standing and waving now.

  Then the sensation of gloom begins to rapidly grow as the sunset starts to dim.My sister puts her hand down, taking a step towards us as we enter the garden.But then she abruptly stumbles before catching herself and giving a light shake of her head, seemingly attempting to clear it.

  Oh no.Please tell me she’s just sleepy!

  “Talia, are you alright?”

  “Welcome back. And yes, I’m okay. Just a little tired. It’s quite hot tonight, and I’ve been busy while you were gone. Helped Mum with her chores and harvested what was ripe out here. Don’t want it to rot if you happen to speed up the growth again.”

  “That was for one pnt! And I have no intention of spoiling your garden.”

  “Oh, so you intended to do…to do it…st time?”

  Midway through her words, she began breathing heavily, even though she’s merely standing still.Her provocation distracted me for a moment, but now I’m even more worried.This doesn’t seem good, but I don’t want to scare her.

  “Why don’t we go find Mum. Then I can tell you what I’ve been doing.”

  “Okay...You can tell…Garen too…He came…about the needle…”

  She’s getting worse!

  Suddenly, she cmps a hand to her forehead, her face locked in a grimace.A sheen of sweat swiftly covers her, turning the dirt on her skin to mud.

  “Talia!”

  “Miep!”

  “Ugh. Sis, I…I don’t feel…so good…all of a sudden.”

  Shit!I need to get her to Mum, right now!

  “L-let’s go inside so you can y down.”

  However, instead of walking towards the house, she starts swaying in pce.Did she hear me?

  “Talia?”

  Directly beside me, Nibi’s blue glow fres up, the gloom all around now being of sufficient strength to press into our wings.Yet my attention is only on my sister, as a moment ter, she colpses to the ground without a word.My shrill, horrified scream is matched by Nibi’s beside me.

  “Talia!” “Talia!”