Unlock the Doors

Crystal's eyes fluttered open, and she found herself standing in the forest of Mysticum Vale, dressed in the familiar flowing maroon gown. Before her stood Aurora, wearing a serene smile on her wise face.

Overwhelmed by a surge of inexplicable emotions, Crystal struggled to make sense of the whirlwind inside her. Aurora observed her with keen eyes, sensing the inner turmoil tugging at her heart. After a moment of hesitation, Crystal found the courage to speak her truth.

"I don't understand, Aurora. In the Mysticum Vale, I felt a whirlpool of emotions—anger, overwhelm, and vulnerability. It was as if I had lost control of myself. What was happening to me?"

Aurora spoke, her voice carrying soothing reassurance. "Master, when you found the Aether stone, your true essence awakened for a split moment, breaking free from its confines. The surge of emotions you experienced was the clash between your old and new self."

Crystal's brows furrowed as she grappled with this revelation. "So, my old self took over? But why couldn't I control my own body? Why did it feel so overwhelming?"

Aurora's voice resonated with gentle understanding. "Transformation is not a simple journey, my master. It requires surrendering to the unknown and allowing the old self to release its grip. In that process, emotions run deep, and the struggle to regain control can be overwhelming. You were in the midst of a profound metamorphosis."

Crystal remained confused, knowing that Aurora's explanations wouldn't completely clear her confusion. However, Aurora's majestic presence seemed to expand, enveloping Crystal in an embrace of acceptance and pride. "You have done marvelously, my master. The trials you faced and the strength you summoned. The Mysticum Vale recognized your spirit, and you have surpassed its challenges with grace."

"I was annoyed with you at first for giving me the riddle, but now that I have accomplished something without it being handed to me, I feel proud of myself too." Crystal winked at Aurora, finding some peace in the thought that her loss of control might have been a one-time occurrence after gaining her powers.

Aurora's wise eyes shimmered with pride. "You have grown, my master. Your journey in the Mysticum Vale has shaped you into a remarkable faerie. Trust in your newfound strength, for you are destined for greatness."

In that moment, Crystal embraced Aurora, feeling an indescribable connection and gratitude. The hug held unspoken words of love and acknowledgment, a bond forged through trials and triumphs. Crystal pulled away, her eyes searching Aurora's wise face.

"Aurora, I have a gap in my memory. After restoring the Lake of Life to its original state, I lost consciousness. What happened to me?"

Aurora's eyes twinkled with warmth and reassurance. "Fear not, my master. While you were unconscious, as I mentioned before, you formed valuable connections. Your acquaintances took care of you, tended to your needs, and ensured your well-being. Now you are back in Plutus, in your dorms."

Relief washed over Crystal as she listened to Aurora's words. Gratitude welled up within her for her friends who had shown her such care and kindness in her vulnerable state.

Crystal's brows furrowed as she mustered the courage to ask the question that had been weighing on her heart. "Aurora, the Pookas in the Mysticum Vale told me something unsettling. They said that Aurelius is my soulmate and Ambrose is my twin flame. I'm scared and confused about it all."

Aurora regarded Crystal with understanding eyes, her voice soothing and gentle. "My master, the realm of love and connection is a complex tapestry. It is not uncommon for faeries to have soulmates and twin flames. These bonds are woven by destiny, a natural process of the fae finding their eternal companions and walking their paths together."

Crystal's heart raced as she absorbed Aurora's words. The weight of such profound connections left her unsure and fearful of the implications.

"Fear not, my master. While these connections are significant, ultimately, it is your heart that decides what will come to pass. Destiny is a force beyond either of our control, and it is your choices and desires that hold great power."

Crystal sighed, a mixture of relief and apprehension coursing through her. She realized that the path ahead would require her to navigate the complexities of love and destiny. But Aurora's words reminded her that she held agency and that the choices she made would shape her own fate.

"Thank you, Aurora," Crystal whispered, her voice laced with gratitude. "I needed to hear that. It's a lot to process, but I will trust in my heart and let it guide me." She paused before speaking again.

Her eyes filled with anticipation. "Aurora, now that I have returned and have a better understanding of myself, what am I supposed to do? Are there more riddles?"

Aurora smiled warmly, her gaze fixed on Crystal. "My dear master, for now, I advise you to take some time to rest and rejuvenate. You have not realized but you spent a big part of your energy for the lake of life, and it is essential to replenish your spirit. The path of destiny is not always a sprint but a marathon, and pacing yourself is crucial."

Crystal nodded, a mixture of relief and curiosity washing over her.

Aurora continued, her voice filled with wisdom. "During this time, I encourage you to delve deep into your newfound powers. Learn to understand them, control them, and harness their potential. Your abilities are a precious gift, and by honing them, you will unlock doors to extraordinary possibilities. You will need them for what is about to come."

Crystal swallowed hard, a bit scared but she told herself that if it was her destiny, she needed to face it with her head held high.

"And remember," Aurora added, her voice gentle yet firm, "Patience is key. Allow yourself the time to grow and evolve. The answers you seek will reveal themselves in due course, and new paths will unfold before you. Trust in the process, my master."

Crystal took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm settle within her. "Thank you, Aurora," Crystal said, gratitude lacing her words. "I will take your guidance to heart."

...

Under the shelter of the pavilion, Crystal, Aurelius, Ambrose, and Marina sat in an awkward silence. Crystal's nerves fluttered within her as she took a deep breath, gathering the courage to address the tension that hung in the air.

"I had a dream," Crystal began, her voice tinged with nervousness. "Aurora spoke to me again. She said that for now, I should focus on honing my powers and understanding them better. It seems they will play a crucial role in whatever lies ahead." Others had gotten to know through her that someone named Aurora was guiding Crystal through her dreams and last night when they witnessed themselves that she was an Aether faerie, there was no doubt that her dreams consisted of reality.

She glanced at Ambrose and Aurelius, her words laden with apprehension. "I understand that this situation may make both of you uncomfortable. If you feel it's too much or if you don't want to be involved, I'll respect your decisions. I don't want to impose anything upon you."

Aurelius, his eyes filled with warmth, reached out to take Crystal's hand. "Crystal, please know that you are never imposing anything on us. Your well-being holds great importance to us, and we are fully committed to supporting you unconditionally. Above all, you are my dear friend, and my unwavering presence and support are always at your disposal."

Ambrose nodded, his expression filled with determination although he had mixed feelings about Aurelius's hand over Crystals. "Crystal, you have already done me a great favor that you are even unaware of. I owe you my loyalty, and prepared to provide assistance in any capacity you require."

A sense of relief washed over Crystal as she absorbed their words of support. The awkwardness that had permeated the pavilion began to dissipate, replaced by a renewed sense of unity and trust.

"But how are we going to help Crystal find information about her powers?" Marina asked, her voice laced with uncertainty. "Until yesterday, Aether faeries were nothing more than legends and folktales."

Aurelius nodded in agreement. "Even the library of this academy despite being extensive does not contain any references to Aether faeries aside from some novels and tales. We might hit a dead end there."

Just as the atmosphere was growing more tense, Ambrose interjected with a glimmer of hope. "However," he said, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. "The Aether faeries are considered treasures of the Fae Kingdom through those tales, right? Perhaps we can find information about them in the royal library of the Fae Palace."

"The royal library of the Fae Palace?" Crystal echoed, her voice filled with uncertainty.

"Your Royal Highness, do you suggest that it is alright for us to keep sneaking and going forth between the Fae Kingdom and Plutus? I think the greater the desire, the greater the chances of getting caught. We need to be extra careful since Crystal does not want to open up about her powers to others except us three." Crystal gratefully smiled at Marina for caring for her privacy.