Fae Kingdom & Fae Palace

Marina stepped forward, her eyes shining with determination. She extended her arms, summoning water from the air and surrounding Crystal with a gentle mist. The water took on a mesmerizing, fluid form, ready to be shaped into wings.

Ambrose, with controlled precision, approached Crystal and stretched out his hand. Flames danced and flickered across his fingertips as he infused the water with the fiery essence of his powers. The combination of water and fire merged seamlessly, giving birth to magnificent wings that shimmered with both ethereal blue and fiery orange hues.

Breathless with awe, Crystal raised her arms as Marina and Ambrose carefully placed the vibrant wings on her back. The touch sent a surge of energy through her, and a sense of liberation washed over her entire being. With a graceful leap, Crystal launched herself into the air, her wings carrying her effortlessly through the sky. She did not need to do much as she remembered from Professor Fortis's class on Flight Technique. She just needed to guide the wings where to go through her desire, and the wings would accept her command.

"MARINA! I CAN FLY!" she shouted from above the sky, and the wind rushed past her as she soared higher, preventing tears from welling up in her eyes, a radiant smile spreading across her face. The collaboration between the ocean and fire fae had granted her a gift beyond measure, an experience that transcended her wildest dreams.

Aurelius admired her radiance and respected Crystal for not being nervous on her first flight. Ambrose, too, captivated by her bravery, held a genuine fascination. Contrary to what Crystal had assumed, handling wings made out of elemental summons was not so easy, especially on the first try.

Filled with joy for her dear friend, Marina couldn't contain her happiness. As Crystal gracefully glided through the sky, Marina summoned her own wings and joined her in the ethereal dance of flight. She flew closer to Crystal, their hands interlocking, and they twirled together amidst the vast expanse above.

In the midst of their aerial swirls, Marina's voice carried on the wind, expressing her admiration and love for Crystal. "You are incredibly brave, Crystal," she exclaimed, her words filled with genuine warmth and excitement. Crystal's eyes sparkled with gratitude as Marina's words washed over her.

Crystal and Marina continued their flight with Aurelius and Ambrose by their side as they summoned their wings too and flew high in the sky, forming a quartet of fae soaring over the Fae Kingdom. Below them, a mesmerizing landscape unfolded.

As they moved forward, Crystal's eyes widened in awe as she looked down. Fluffy clouds floated just inches above the ground, creating a dreamlike scene. Perched on these clouds were charming houses, their rooftops adorned with colorful flowers that mirrored the surrounding pastel beauty. Some houses had enchanting gardens that cascaded down to the clouds below, showcasing vibrant blooms and whimsical statues.

Marina, acting as Crystal's guide, eagerly pointed out the enchanting elements they encountered, explaining the joyful playgrounds where fae children laughed and played, swinging on delicate vines and dancing with the wind. Crystal's heart warmed at the sight, cherishing the innocence of the Fae Kingdom. She now realized how much she missed the children from her village on Earth.

Everywhere they went, everything shimmered with faerie dust, a magical element Crystal was still unable to produce. She had learned that every fae could generate faerie dust once they summoned their wings, fluttering them to produce an unlimited amount. Crystal, with her fake wings, still couldn't do that.

Crystal's eyes caught sight of a mystical lake glistening below, and she immediately sensed a stark difference in the energy surrounding it. The lake emanated a sense of dullness, lacking the vibrant hues and sparkling faerie dust that she had witnessed in other parts of the Fae Kingdom.

Curiosity prickled within Crystal, and she turned to Marina, her voice filled with wonder. "Marina, there's something peculiar about this lake. It feels so dull and lacks faerie dust compared to the rest of the kingdom. Why is that?"

Marina's expression mirrored Crystal's intrigue, and she nodded, acknowledging the stark contrast. "You have a keen perception, Crystal. Legend whispers that this stillness of the lake is tied to the ancient history of our realm. Queen Tenebra Maximus, who cursed the arrival of the cursed one, was known to frequent this very spot. Some say she sought solace here, drawn to its serene nature. It is still tainted with her dark magic essence and rejects any power and faerie dust supplied by the faeries."

Crystal turned her gaze towards Ambrose, who flew proudly alongside them. She wondered if he could hear them and what he thought about being referred to as the cursed one by the faeries, or if he even knew about it. His steadfastness and ability to ignore it were truly admirable.

As Crystal, Marina, Aurelius, and Ambrose soared through the sky, their journey led them to the magnificent Fae Palace. The palace gracefully floated amidst the fluffy clouds, its appearance a sight to behold.

The palace gleamed with a magical aura, its walls adorned with intricate patterns of the fae symbol Crystal had seen in the Book of Origin. The symbols seemed to be made of glistening crystal, softly glowing in the sunlight, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

Approaching the palace, they were greeted by a symphony of tinkling bells and whispers, filling the air with enchanting melodies. The fragrance of blooming flowers and delectable treats wafted through the breeze, delighting their senses.

Lush gardens surrounded the palace, filled with vibrant and luminescent flora. Butterflies of various colors fluttered around, leaving trails of sparkling dust very similar to the faerie dust as they danced through the air.

"May I inquire about your intentions moving forward, Your Highness?" Aurelius asked, his sharp voice betraying his displeasure. his sharpness of voice giving out how he was not really liking how he had witnessed Crystal stealing glances at Ambrose from time to time on their way to the Fae Palace, but neither Ambrose nor Crystal understood why. Only Marina could sense the jealousy radiating from him, evident by his reddened face that he could now even easily be mistaken for a fire fae.

"My quarters are located in the southern region of the palace," Ambrose shared, somewhat excited. It seemed he had ventured in and out of the palace undetected many times before. "There is a barrier cast on my balcony, but we can bypass it if I go first, avoiding any potential alarms."

With Ambrose leading the way, they made their way to the south side of the palace. They stood before a balcony guarded by a subtle enchantment, visible as purple hues shimmered in its presence.

Ambrose stepped onto the balcony, and the enchantment yielded without a sound. The others followed, slipping inside the palace undetected. Following Ambrose's lead, they arrived at his room, and a wave of wonder washed over them. The crown prince's quarters were majestic, embodying the nature and history of the fae.

The room seemed to emanate an inner glow, its walls adorned with enchanted murals. The furniture appeared crafted from living trees, their branches intertwining to form patterns mirroring the delicate wings of fae.

Crystal chanced a glance at the ceiling and gasped in amazement—stars twinkled above, seemingly suspended in the velvety night sky.

In one corner, a small waterfall cascaded down a crystalline structure, and nearby stood an array of intricately carved shelves housing ancient tomes and mystical artifacts.

Ambrose's bed, a magnificent canopy adorned with shimmering silk and feathery plumes, seemed capable of transporting one to the realm of dreams with a single touch. It was a sanctuary befitting a prince, a place where reality blended with the extraordinary.

Crystal, Marina, and Aurelius exchanged astonished glances, their eyes reflecting the enchantment of the room.

"You certainly went all out with this room, didn't you?" Crystal unintentionally joked, causing Ambrose to look at her in confusion.

"I have not departed from this room; I remain present before you," he mumbled, puzzled, as he glanced at himself, unsure why Crystal would suggest otherwise.

"No, no, I'm sorry. I just said something silly. It doesn't mean anything. We should keep moving," Crystal said, feeling a pang of reluctance to leave such a magnificent space.