Welcome to the Aether Faerie

After marveling at the splendor of Ambrose's quarters, the group carefully slipped out, ensuring that no curious eyes lingered in the corridor. With stealth and grace, they ventured deeper into the palace, guided by their shared curiosity.

Their footsteps led them to a chamber tucked away from prying eyes, its entrance guarded by a majestic golden door that opened only when Ambrose touched it. Behind the door, they discovered a majestic storeroom housing ancient artifacts and treasures of immense importance to the Fae Palace and the Fae Kingdom itself. The room resonated with a sense of reverence, as if the very air held echoes of long-forgotten stories of the Fae Kingdom.

As Crystal ventured further into the room, her steps faltered, her senses drawn to a particular passageway. It was a narrow, dimly lit corridor that seemed to beckon her with an uncanny familiarity. Her heart skipped a beat as she gazed into the darkness, feeling a strange pull tugging at her being. It was as if this corridor held a significant connection to her, like a distant memory or a dream. She yearned to explore its depths, to uncover the mysteries it held.

But before Crystal could succumb to the temptation, Ambrose's voice broke through the enchantment that had momentarily ensnared her. "Crystal, we must continue moving," he urged gently, his hand resting on her arm.

Reluctantly, Crystal tore her gaze away from the enigmatic corridor, a lingering sense of curiosity and longing remaining within her. She nodded, understanding the urgency of their mission, and took a deep breath, refocusing her determination.

Amidst the shimmering displays and delicate charms, they came across a familiar sight—a humble hut, the same one Crystal had seen both on Earth and on Plutus.

"Wow, I had expected the portal here to be more lavish," she sighed, unable to hide a flicker of disappointment as she looked upon the modest hut. She had imagined the portal to exude a touch of luxury, seamlessly blending with the brilliance of the Fae Palace. Her whimsical imagination had conjured visions of intricate archways or grand doorways enveloped in shimmering mist for the portal.

Her companions chuckled softly, their laughter dancing in the air. Marina, with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, playfully nudged Crystal. "Sometimes, the simplest things hold the most extraordinary secrets," she whispered, her voice brimming with mystique.

As they approached the hut, Ambrose's hand reached out to touch the weathered door, imagining the Mysticum Vale. One by one, they stepped through the portal.

As Crystal emerged on the other side, anticipation and awe washed over her. She had arrived at the forest she had seen thrice in her dreams—the place she had come to know as the Mysticum Vale with Ambrose's help.

The forest unfolded before her like enchantment. The same towering ancient trees reached toward the familiar starlit sky. The moon, a radiant pearl amidst a sea of twinkling stars, cast a gentle glow upon the landscape, illuminating the carpet of moss and wildflowers embracing the forest floor.

Crystal closed her eyes for a moment, taking in the familiar scents of mud and blossoms caressing her senses. It felt as if the forest recognized her presence and welcomed her.

The Mysticum Vale, once a realm confined to her slumbering mind, now unfolded before her in all its splendid glory.

Hope and apprehension stirred within Crystal. She yearned for Aurora to be there and then questioned her readiness. If Aurora stood before all four of them with her might and splendor, would the others accept her reality?

With cautious steps, Crystal moved forward, her companions silently following behind. The forest's hushed atmosphere filled her with unease and curiosity. Her heart whispered words of guidance, urging her to continue despite the gnawing uncertainty.

"I don't know why," Crystal began, her voice trembling with doubt and determination, "but my heart tells me to keep walking ahead."

Aurelius, ever steadfast, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "If your heart speaks of a path, then we shall follow," he affirmed, his voice filled with trust and conviction. The others nodded in agreement, placing their faith in Crystal's intuition.

Venturing deeper into the forest, the air grew heavy with anticipation. Suddenly, the stillness was shattered by the sound of rustling bushes and quivering leaves, as if something unseen were deliberately trying to capture their attention.

The wild commotion echoed through the trees, growing louder with each passing moment. Eyes wide with curiosity, Crystal and her companions pressed forward, drawn toward the mysterious disturbance. However, they could not see anything amidst the thick greenery.

The branches of the trees started growing toward each other, interweaving and blocking all directions around them. They shared looks of worry and questioning.

Ambrose blasted some of the interwoven branches with his fire magic. "I assume it is the doing of the Pookas. The legend says they are the protectors of the wild, and no other creatures lie in the forest among them."

While Crystal's heart broke a little at losing the possibility of meeting Aurora, Aurelius, being a spring faerie, commanded the trees to return to their original structures.

Marina also joined the crew and blasted water projectiles at the branches to snap them away from the trees, but none of their efforts seemed to work, leaving them stuck in one place. The trees kept growing their branches, blocking their path.

While others were busy clearing the path, Crystal witnessed a small creature falling from the tree behind her. It had sleek fur, agile and wrinkly gray skin, a skinny small body, dainty slim limbs, big bulging eyes, a small button nose, and ears that resembled butterfly wings.

The creature was wounded and nestled amidst the chaos—an injured Pooka! Crystal assumed that since no other creature would be found in the Mysticum Vale.

Its golden eyes pleaded for help, and Crystal's heart swelled with empathy, prompting her to offer a tender gesture of kindness as she walked towards it without hesitation. Its cries in her head told her that it was a small Pooka baby who had been separated from its mother amidst the chaos.

The Pooka stopped crying as soon as Crystal scooped it into her arms like a human baby, although it was almost a quarter the size of an actual human baby. It looked at Crystal with its big adoring eyes, and Crystal's heart melted.

"You're safe with me," she told the creature, which tilted its head, looking at Crystal with wonder in its eyes.

Soon, one by one, more Pookas emerged from the shadows and surrounded all four of them.

"Crystal! What are you doing?" Marina shrieked, looking at Crystal standing away from the other three with a small Pooka in her arms.

"Don't be afraid. They are not dangerous at all. I feel like they are here to extend their hand of friendship," Crystal said, trying to prevent any commotion between her friends and the Pookas, as she could already see the gratitude they held towards her for having their kin. They radiated a warmth of welcome, and Crystal knew it was safe to let their guard down.

In a chorus of tiny voices, the Pookas harmoniously spoke, their words carrying profound significance. "We welcome the Aether faerie of the Fae Kingdom," they declared, bowing before Crystal in reverence.

All of them stood dumbfounded, including Crystal. How was she an Aether faerie? Were the Pookas still playing a prank on them? She couldn't help asking the questions.

"Uhmmm, maybe we have a little misunderstanding here. I am not an Aether faerie," Crystal tried to make it crystal clear, no pun intended. But the truth, determination, and admiration in their eyes told Crystal that they were not playing pranks. They meant what they said.