Chapter 54: Facing Destiny

Jo is finally conscious and appears to have no permanent damages from the physical assault by the orcs who kidnapped the princess combined with the magical burning done by the Dark fairy's message spell. Nurse Zella healed her relatively quickly.
"Thank you for healing my friend immediately."
Bran says in a serious tone.
Even Nurse Zella did a double take hearing Bran become subdued for the first time. This human girl must mean a lot to this young ranger.
Nurse Zella knew Bran well enough to observe the sudden attitude change here. She has taken care of Bran, along with Caspian when they were young since their fathers were busy with their ranger duties. Both young fairies grew up without their mother since they were born.
"Bran, just let your friend take it easy for a while. Now, I must return to our realm."
Nurse Zella replies dutifully.
"Young lady, can you handle the knowledge of what transpired here? If not, I would be willing to cast a memory magic."
Nurse Zella asks Jo directly.
"I would not even dare choose to forget this madam. My best friend is in grave danger. If I could do anything to help her, I would. So, the answer is yes. I can keep a secret madam if that is what you mean."
Jo responds quickly without hesitation.
"Very well then, you could help Bran here think of a very convincing story for the absence of the Princess as well as Caspian. Please call me Zella, my dear."
Nurse Zella smiles appreciatively to this human girl for her strong loyalty to their Princess.
"I must go now. Bran, do not leave this lady. This is your duty for now."
Nurse Zella makes her way out of the house silently.
"She is nice. I like her."
Jo comments as she closes the blue door of her best friend's house.
It is already dawn but her parents and Anna's are still out. They must have gone to her house to help unpack.
Jo takes a deep breath to relieve the tension she feels. She just got back and it feels like a lot of things happened already.
"So, I have fixed all our stuff from the camp. There are no clues of destruction. We just have to make sure our story is plausible enough."
Bran informs Jo.
"Better leave that to me. I just hope Anna is alright."
Jo answers confidently but somehow her fear for her best friend's life overwhelms her. This fairy tale is turning into a nightmare.
She just prays for Anna's safe return.
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Princess Aria sits quietly on the floor. She is debating with herself if she would dare escape from her cell now or wait for a better opportunity. She still blames herself for losing her locket for her lack of emotional restraint. But then again, it served as a decoy so the Dark fairy cannot attribute the magic he senses from the Princess' true knowledge of it.
Alirion seems not keen to dispose of her at the moment. If she stays and continues to pretend that she has no magic, or not able to use it, she would have some time to talk to this misguided fairy.
She thinks it is her destiny to somewhat change the heart of Alirion. She just wishes she would succeed. After all, he is still a fairy and Caspian's uncle. Maybe there is still hope for him.
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The fairies of the four realms have gathered at the foot of the Dark Mountains. What used to be color-coded garments from the last gathering at the Azure is now a cohesive shade of white representing the stand of the united realms for purity in their endeavors to rid the land of all evil.
Only the leaders of each realm wear a distinct color: green for earth, blue for water, silver for air and orange for fire. King Merlion, Aramir and Aldar lead the earth fairies. Melandra insists on coming but the King decided that she should be with the Queen.
Cleon stands proudly in front of the other air fairies. The seasoned ranger was able to convince Queen Aine to remain at the White Haven.
Princess Ava stands side by side with Ailsa, with an eager expression to move along. Her water fairies trooped behind them.
The Fire Lord resembles an intimidating character in orange garments with both hands emitting electric sparks. He stands way ahead of all his fire fairies with his loyal Haco beside him.
Caspian and Cleo scout ahead with four other fairies for whatever creatures that would hinder their climb to the Dark Mountains.
No one dares to speak. Words seem to be unimportant for they have all planned this mission together. Each fairy, each realm works synchronously being linked mentally by magic. This is the moment they have prepared rigorously for.
After the historical battle a long, long time ago, this is the destiny they all have to face to secure the peace in the fairy kingdom once and for all.
The fairies start their climb. Each one steadily keeping up with one another carrying an air of confidence. Their group resembles an army of ants as observed for the peak of the mountains.
Surely, their progression is being watched from above those peaks. However, their numbers are undeniably great.
But is it enough?
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Caspian and Cleo sprint soundlessly along with four other scout fairies. They are attempting to cover more grounds to secure that their advances are not opposed by any other creatures inhabiting these treacherous mountains. So far, they have encountered a few pixies arguing among themselves but let them pass undisturbed.
When they reach halfway the first mountain, they overheard some orcs bantering nearby. They stop at their tracks to listen.
"Dark fairy say wait here."
One orc says.
"I want hunt food. Hungry."
Another one grunts in anger.
A smacking sound follows.
"Ouch! Stop. Pain..."
The complaining of the first orc clearly heard.
Cleo nods to Caspian and the others in silent conversation. So, Alirion has enlisted the services of these orcs. What were they promised by the sneaky fairy?
Caspian signals to their group to surround the arguing orcs. It appears there are just three of them in sight. They can handle this easily.
The other four fairies move to opposite ends while Cleo and Caspian stay in between.
"Be quiet. Hear something."
They heard one of the orcs command.
The fairies hold their breath in suspense.
"Smell them."
One of the orcs reacts.
"Now!"
Cleo shouts.
All of the fairies move to enclose the orcs. The first battle encounter starts now.