A shimmering veil of white enveloped Iris's captivating amethyst eyes, casting her into a trance-like state that seemed to suspend time itself.
The dormant energy that had merely clung to the girl now roiled with a simmering fury—transforming into the shape of a disembodied hand that lunged toward the unsuspecting pixie with predatory intent.
In an instinctive reaction, Argastal conjured a protective shield around the blue-flamed pixie, enveloping her in a radiant dome of shimmering lustre. The vibrant hues danced like the northern lights, swirling with an ethereal glow that contrasted sharply against the encroaching darkness.
As the shadows surged forward, ravenous and relentless, they writhed like serpents, their inky tendrils clawing at the air in a desperate attempt to devour her. The luminous barrier pulsed with life, casting flickering reflections that illuminated the surrounding gloom—creating a stark battlefield of light and dark.
Within the dome, the colors shimmered with an almost sentient energy—emerald greens mingled with deep azure, evoking a sense of hope and protection amid the chaos. Each pulse of light seemed to echo Argastal's determination, standing resolute against the suffocating darkness that threatened to engulf everything.
“Agh!” The fairy king gasped, a sharp exclamation escaping his lips as he felt an unsettling shift in his fingertips—mirroring Iris's color and tainted appearance. The sudden transformation in his essence sent a jolt of fear coursing through him, momentarily engulfing him in dread.
Centuries of wisdom and experience flashed before his eyes in a fleeting moment of terror, as if the weight of his existence hung by a fragile thread. But the dark alteration was fleeting; Argastal's protective shield shimmered to life—instantly dissolving the ominous taint and restoring his fingertips to their original, radiant state.
Iris clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with shock as she gasped at the sudden surge of darkness that erupted from her own malevolent energy. Realizing her actions had repercussions beyond herself, she exclaimed, “I’m so sorry!” Her voice trembled with urgency, a heartfelt plea echoing in the charged air.
Fortunately, the blue-flamed pixie Yzen was spared from the girl’s tainted energy—thanks to the fairy king's swift reaction that encased her in a protective barrier, shielding her from the sudden surge of darkness. In an instant, Argastal rose from his kneeling position, his senses heightened as he detected the shifting auras and energies swirling around the two.
Something isn’t right, he thought, his gaze narrowing as he observed the energy around Iris pulsating wildly, as if it were being manipulated by an unseen force beyond her control.
A cold shiver danced down Argastal’s spine as he sensed the shadowy mist coiling around Iris, its tendrils swirling with an eerie grace. The mist began to take on the shape of a figure behind her—wrapping around the girl in a gentle yet foreboding embrace that sent a thrill of unease through him.
Who—?! Just as the fairy king prepared to intervene, his heart racing with urgency, the mist suddenly dissipated, unraveling into a fluid swirl of energy that whirled around her like a tempestuous waltz. The moment hung in the air, charged with an intoxicating blend of danger and allure.
I was right to refrain from cutting our journey short with magic. Argastal thought, shaking his head as he noted the unsettling energy enveloping Iris. This phenomenon is deeply concerning and needs to be further investigated.
He turned his attention to Yzen, the blue-flamed pixie, who had been unceremoniously hurled into a bush not far from where the darkness had first struck.
“I didn’t mean to! It was out of my control... I—” Iris exclaimed, her voice trembling as she watched the decay unfurl around her like a sinister flower. The taint and malevolent energy surged through her, spreading its ugly, corruptive influence on everything it touched, leaving a trail of withered leaves and darkened earth in its wake.
The fairy king nodded slowly, his expression softening with understanding. “I know... I’m not condemning you,” he sighed, acknowledging the weight of the power she struggled to contain.
“Do not move,” he instructed in an icy tone, urgency lacing his words as he rushed toward Yzen. The pixie pouted, pulling twigs from her hair as she shrugged her shoulders in response.
“My king, while I appreciate your protection, I could have simply flown away. Your intervention was unnecessary,” she replied, her voice tinged with annoyance and indignation.
Yzen brushed away the dirt from her pristine, flower-like appearance, a testament to her resilience and good condition. “Do not take this matter lightly; she could have killed you,” Argastal warned, his voice edged with urgency.
His gaze shifted to the ominous trail of darkness left in the wake of Iris's outburst—a long, sinuous line that writhed like a living shadow, capable of instilling dread in anyone who dared to approach. It halted just a few steps from where the pixie had taken flight—a stark reminder of the chaos that had unfolded.
“If she wanted to, she could have done it with a single touch,” Yzen shot back defiantly, her stubbornness flaring like a spark in the dark. "Not by whining and crying like an infant."
Argastal’s patience thinned as he retorted, “It’s not a question of whether she wishes to harm you; it’s the terrifying reality that she unwittingly does.” His voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade, his frustration palpable as he struggled to contain the tempest brewing within him. He had no time for the pixie's haughtiness, especially when shadows loomed so dangerously close.
At his words, Yzen was momentarily rendered speechless, her childlike demeanor evaporating like mist in the morning sun as she grappled with the weight of his message. A flush of embarrassment crept over her, making her feel foolish.
“Are you not afraid of her? Of your own life?” Argastal pressed, his voice a low rumble that echoed with urgency, each word dripping with concern and an undercurrent of dread. The pixie's heart raced, fear surging through her like wildfire as she realized the gravity of the situation.
“If so, then you should leave—for your own safety,” he added, his tone sharp as a blade, cutting through her bravado and leaving her to confront the chilling reality that loomed over them both.
“Your assistance has been invaluable; I will reward you for your bravery once this is settled,” Argastal said, his voice steady yet laced with an undercurrent of urgency that soothed the growing worry in the blue pixie’s eyes. “Now, return to your family at once.” His words resonated with authority, each syllable a command that brooked no argument.
Yzen, momentarily silenced by the weight of his gaze, nodded slowly, her heart heavy with unspoken fears. With a flicker of her wings, she ascended into the shadows of the forest, leaving behind the tension that crackled in the air like a distant storm.
Iris flinched at the fairy king's sudden pivot toward her, her body trembling with fear as the weight of her mistakes bore down on her like a suffocating shroud. Argastal's expression twisted with bitterness as he cast his gaze downward, taking in the aftermath of the incident.
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The clearing lay before him, a haunting tableau that resembled the site of her awakening—dead and utterly horrifying.
The forest has endured enough suffering at the hands of my curiosity, Argastal thought, a heavy sigh escaping his lips as he felt the weight of the trees' silent anguish pressing against him.
“I really am sorry... I didn’t mean for this to happen,” the girl murmured, her voice trembling with remorse as her eyes flickered nervously to the rot beneath her feet, a grotesque reminder of the decay spreading through the forest.
“I know it wasn’t your intention; you meant no harm to the forest or its inhabitants,” the fairy king replied, his voice imbued with a hint of understanding, careful not to provoke an emotional outburst from her. “However, I have a question about this... ability of yours,” he added quickly, maintaining a mild and gentle tone.
His blue eyes remained fixed on her, keenly aware of the swirling mist that clung to her like a dark shroud, whispering secrets of untamed power.
"W-what is it? I'll answer anything I know!" Iris stammered, summoning her courage piece by piece, desperate to salvage the damage she had wrought.
“Are you aware of any other forces at play here?” Argastal's question hung in the air, heavy and enigmatic, leaving her momentarily bewildered as confusion flickered across her face. He sighed in frustration, the sound heavy with disappointment, causing Iris to feel even more useless and frightened.
“Is there a bond you sense... with the... ‘energy’ around you?” He emphasized the word "energy" with a palpable distaste—as if it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Iris pondered his question, her mind racing as she searched for the right words. Finally, she gave a slow nod. “There’s definitely something... it feels both terrifying...” Her gaze fell to the indigo veins snaking across her hand, a haunting reminder of the power coursing through her, and she contemplated the duality of its presence. "—yet strangely.. comforting."
“Comforting?” Argastal nearly scoffed at her words, a flicker of anger igniting within him at the softness with which she spoke of the dark entity that had nearly consumed the life of his forest.
Argastal stepped closer, his blue eyes narrowing as he confronted Iris. “You don’t seem to understand the danger you pose with this 'comforting' power,” he said, his voice low and simmering with frustration.
“I... I’m sorry, I... that’s just how I feel with this power,” Iris stammered, taken aback by the sharpness in his tone as her gaze snapped back to him—wide with surprise.
"My apologies." The fairy king silently reprimanded himself, recognizing that her emotions were now tangled in this dangerous web.
I have to be more cautious, he scolded himself, a steely resolve hardening in his chest. The urgency of the situation pressed upon him like a weight, and he felt an even greater determination to seek counsel from the other ancient spirits about this troubling issue.
Argastal stood rigid, the forest around them seemed to hold its breath as he continued to stare at Iris, his expression a mask of calm that barely concealed the turmoil roiling beneath. “We have to cut this journey short,” he then said, his voice steady but laced with urgency. “We need to meet with the council immediately.”
Iris felt her heart drop. “What.. will happen to me if we do?” Her voice trembled, fear creeping into her words as she recalled the cold intensity in Argastal’s gaze just moments before. The way he had nearly snapped at her sent chills down her spine.
His calm facade faltered for a brief moment, revealing a flicker of something darker—an emotion that hinted at the gravity of their situation. “Iris, it’s not safe for anyone if you continue to stay. The council needs to assess what’s happened,” he replied, his tone softer now but still firm.
Strangely, a wave of unexpected peace washed over her as Argastal uttered her nickname, wrapping her in a comforting embrace that felt almost otherworldly. The fear that had gripped her mind began to dissolve, transforming into a swirling mix of anxiety and concern—like dark clouds parting to reveal a hesitant glimmer of light.
“But what if they see me as a threat?” she pressed, her eyes wide with apprehension, searching his face for reassurance. “What if they decide I can’t be trusted?”
Argastal stepped at a cautious distance, his presence both protective and imposing. “You must trust me,” he urged, his voice low and steady. “Their knowledge and experience could help us uncover the origin and true extent of the power that courses through you.”
“O-oh... I see,” Iris replied in a soft, tremulous tone, her mind swirling with the possible origins of the mysterious powers she had manifested. A flicker of joy and determination ignited within her, but it was quickly overshadowed by a creeping dread and trepidation at the thought of unearthing the truths and secrets that lay hidden within her unique abilities.
Surely, they will know something, right?
Sensing her hesitation, Argastal sought to soothe her unease by offering a glimpse into the intricate hierarchy of the Ethereal Highlands and its enigmatic members. “The Highland Council is comprised of five ancient spirits—myself included,” the fairy king declared, his voice firm and resonant, ensuring that his authority pierced through the air like a blade.
"Five?" She questioned him nervously, her voice barely above a whisper, looking towards Argastal with worry evident on her face.
It seemed she's quite uneasy and fearful about the upcoming gathering of the council. With a comforting look and gentle tone, Argastal responded, "There will be only four spirits present during the meeting."
He went on to specify, "These beings are myself—my beloved Neris, the spirit Inanis, and the spirit Petros." The fairy king's soothing and reassuring presence did little to quell the girl's uneasiness, as she continued to focus on the potential presence of the fifth spirit.
"You have a partner?" With the subtle tilt of her head, she managed to catch Argastal off guard, as he seemed surprised by the random nature of her question.
The unexpected nature of her question momentarily dissolved the tension in the air, like mist evaporating under the sun. A warm glow flickered in his chest at the reminder of his heartbound, brightening his spirits as a soft chuckle escaped his lips—amusement dancing in his blue eyes.
“Of course, I have a soulmate,” Argastal replied, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, "Is there any reason you find my relation so surprising?"
"No, not particularly." Iris's response was fairly concise and simple, quickly brushing the matter aside. Despite her quick dismissal of the subject matter, Argastal was able to detect a fleeting look of longing and sadness flickering on the girl's face for a moment.
That was rather unusual. Is she perhaps harbouring a deep sentiment for someone? Upon realising the tender nature of the girl's sentiments and emotions, Argastal deemed it wise to not press her on the matter any further.
He decided to gently transition the conversation to a different topic, stating, "Very well then. We shall conclude this journey without delay." Argastal continued, "Please take care to conduct yourself with proper respect and refrain from touching anything." He finished with an emphasis on the danger of upsetting their delicate balance.
Iris gave a quick and respectful nod, acknowledging the fairy king's words and taking the advice given to heart.
"The council has been awaiting our appearance, and we have unnecessarily prolonged their waiting time." Argastal stated before he turned away from the girl and lifted his hand towards a gulmohar tree. His grip glowed with a crimson hue as he conjured a magical force that lifted the red leaves from the forest grounds.
The leaves then swirled and circled around in the air like an invisible whirlwind before eventually forming a small, crimson-hued portal in front of the two.
"Well then, please enter the portal." Argastal instructed in a calm and controlled manner. Iris eyed the crimson swirls of energy that filled the air around her, feeling slightly nervous but also intrigued.
As Iris took a tentative step forward, an odd and unfamiliar force tugged at her arm—an invisible grip that felt as if someone were trying to restrain her. The sensation was fleeting, a ghostly caress that vanished almost as quickly as it had come, leaving her momentarily disoriented.
“Stay.” The voice echoed in her mind, a whisper laced with an unsettling urgency that sent shivers down her spine. She spun around, her heart racing as she searched desperately for the source of the command. A puzzling mix of fear and intrigue washed over her, compelling her to heed the phantom's unspoken desire.
“Who...?” she murmured softly, glancing around to find only the haunting remnants of the withering forest left in her wake. Ignoring the eerie voice that lingered in her thoughts, Iris stepped into the portal that the fairy king had opened, drawn toward the mysterious realm beyond.
—Unbeknownst to her, faint shadows of a phantom loomed just behind, its presence a silent testament to an unyielding possessiveness that sought to keep her close.