The Aether Stone

Looking at Crystal's confusion, an old and wise-looking Pooka with a cane in its hand stepped forward, his eyes filled with ancient wisdom, and his skin greatly wrinkled with the essence of time. He gazed at Crystal and began to speak in a melodic tone, his words taking the form of a poetic prophecy:

"In the realm of mystic lore, Pookas foretold,

An Aether faerie's presence they behold.

With soulmate and twin flame, her mates so true,

And a friend of water, their bond to imbue.

Her kindness a beacon, guiding their way,

Understanding whispers, without words to say.

The Pookas found solace in her gentle embrace,

A bond formed through empathy, transcending space.

In mystic realms, the Aether faerie graced,

To seek a treasure guarded, Pookas embraced.

Entrusted to their care, a precious quest,

She ventures forth, her purpose manifest."

The words of the old Pooka resonated through the air, filling the forest with a sense of mystique. Crystal's heart raced as she tried to absorb the weight of the prophecy.

Marina's jaw was hanging in astonishment as she comprehended all the words of the wise old Pooka. Two mates, one friend with water elemental powers, her kind nature, her understanding of the Pookas, a bond of empathy, her quest, and the answers she was looking for.

Everything pointed to Crystal and the current situation and the main focus Marina held was the two only male faeries in their presence were Ambrose and Aurelius. One was considered the wisest and kindest spring faerie whom any fae would like by their side and the other was the crown prince himself, the most powerful faerie of the Fae Kingdom.

"Sorry, but I still think there is some kind of misunderstanding here. I am not an Aether faerie. I don't even have proper powers," said Crystal dejectedly while giving the baby Pooka back to its mother who kept glancing at her child with motherly worry.

"You possess the innate ability to perceive the emotions of others without the need for verbal expression. Your extraordinary gift enables you to establish deep connections with individuals through the realm of dreams. Furthermore, your unique talents extend to glimpses of the future, providing you with limited insight into the destinies of those around you. These extraordinary capabilities surpass the bounds of ordinary faerie practices. While diligent training and practice allow faeries to summon all four elements, the powers you possess transcend such attainments, as they cannot be acquired through conventional means."

Crystal looked at the other three, who looked back at her in anticipation and she sighed, closing her eyes and her to get it together as her head was spinning.

With a hint of doubt in her voice, Crystal spoke to the old Pooka, expressing that she could not believe him. "But how can I be the Aether faerie of the prophecy if I'm not with my mates?" she questioned, her voice tinged with uncertainty. She knew that her reasoning was not so strong but she wanted to hold onto anything he could.

The old Pooka's eyes sparkled with wisdom as he gently replied, "Child, the threads of fate are not always visible to the naked eye."

Crystal's eyes widened in astonishment as she followed the old Pooka's gaze towards her hand, where a subtle red thread connected her pinkie to Aurelius's pinkie. "It's... it's true," she murmured, her heart racing as she brought her other hand to cover her mouth in shock.

pookas were able to see the red threads of fate and they could make it visible to others as well.

Aurelius's breath hitched as he confirmed his suspicion about them being connected. They were soulmates, and the red thread of fate did hold them together and it was the best part of the day for him to get to know the truth. Yet, little did he know that this revelation would be bittersweet, for within the best moments lay the emergence of the worst.

Since Ambrose too, had a red thread, stronger and thicker than the one Aurelius had connected to Crystal but the difference was that the thread started and ended the knots in their hearts instead of their pinkies that is what the difference held the twin flamed from the soulmates.

Ambrose stood silently, his mind swirling with a whirlwind of emotions. The revelation of the intertwined threads of fate left him speechless, his heart wrestling with the conflicting emotions that blossomed within. He struggled to comprehend the complexity of the situation—a mate, and another mate for his mate.

The old Pooka's voice broke the silence, resonating with a soothing certainty. "Embrace the truth that fate has woven for you. Your destinies are intertwined, and together, you shall navigate the challenges that lie ahead."

"Guys, this is too sudden for me. I hope you feel that same way as well. Just because a single thread had bound us does not mean anything to me," she declared firmly, her determination resolute. Marina couldn't help but let out a frustrated sigh, her palm finding its way to her face.

Both Aurelius and Ambrose felt a pang of disappointment towards Crystal's words but they did not dare show it.

With a knowing smile, the old Pooka motioned for Crystal to follow him. "Come, dear Aether faerie, for we have held your belonging safe and secure for many years. The skies bestowed it upon us, along with another prophecy that foretold your arrival once you turned eighteen, marking the end of the wait that lasted for the last thousand centuries."

Crystal's eyes widened in awe and anticipation as she took a step forward, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and curiosity. She couldn't help but wonder what treasure awaited her, and how were they supposed to give her powers back.

The group followed the old Pooka through the enchanted forest, the trees whispering in hushed tones as they passed. As they walked, the air seemed to shimmer with otherworldly energy, as if the very atmosphere held its breath in reverence.

There stood the tallest tree in front of them as other Pookas made way for Crystal to walk forward and stand beside the old-wise Pooka while Marina, Aurelius, and Ambrose stood behind along with the others.

With a wise nod, the old Pooka raised his hand, commanding the ancient tree to bend its branches and reveal a hidden cavity within its trunk. From within, a radiant light emerged, illuminating the clearing.

As the tree gracefully extended its branches, a beautiful, shimmering stone floated gently into the air, held by an unseen force.

It was a maroon stone, pulsating with pure energy and the essence of the ethereal realm. Its translucent surface glowed with soft, white light. She could sense its power, resonating with her very being. And she could sense that it was not her belonging, rather, it was a part of her.

"This is the Aether stone," the old Pooka intoned, his voice carrying a deep reverence. "It is a conduit of cosmic energy, a catalyst for your abilities, and the key to unlocking your true potential, although not fully."

With a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, Crystal reached out her trembling hand and gently took hold of the Aether stone. As soon as her fingers made contact with its smooth surface, a surge of energy coursed through her veins. The stone seemed to pulsate with a newfound vitality, responding to her touch.

Guided by the old Pooka's words, Crystal placed the Aether stone upon the dip between her beauty bones. In that instant, a brilliant light radiated from the stone, enveloping her in its ethereal glow. She felt a tingling sensation spread throughout her body as if every cell was awakening to a dormant power.

Her friends got worried as nothing surrounded Crystal but light, they could not help but doubt what was going on with her, worried for her safety.

Crystal sensed a connection forming between herself and the stone, their energies intertwining and resonating as one. She could feel the boundless energy contained within the Aether stone flowing into her being, filling her with a newfound strength and clarity.

The envelope of light slowly disappeared around Crystal as her friends relaxed, looking at her safe.

The old Pooka nodded in approval, his eyes filled with pride. "You have awakened the dormant forces within you, young one. The Aether stone has recognized you as its rightful bearer."