How does one introduce themselves if they do not even know who they are? The girl asked hopelessly, feeling lost and alone under the creature's unwavering stare. She felt engulfed by a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty, a creeping sense of defeat settling over her like a heavy fog.
"My.. given name is Iris." She spoke timidly, her voice little more than a whisper in the presence of these ancient spirits. Their expressions shifted for a brief moment before becoming genuinely awed, the air growing thick with surprise and disbelief.
"It spoke!" came the exclamation from Petros, his tone filled with utter surprise and disbelief. "Yes, we all heard her," Neris sighed in return, her tone one of mild annoyance.
"You said given," Petros repeated, his tone suddenly softening as a curious expression emerged. He asked the questions relentlessly—as if he were trying to unravel some mysterious enigma. "Given by who?" he added, his disdain and mistrust now gone, replaced by genuine curiosity. "What is your real name?" he further questioned, his eyes suddenly gleaming with an appetite for knowledge.
The girl’s expression shifted from uncertainty to a veil of sadness as she struggled to gather her thoughts. The tension among the three of them began to dissipate, all eyes now fixed on Iris, waiting for her to speak.
I might as well just tell them the truth.
“I apologize, but I have no memories of my past, so I cannot answer any of your questions,” she said, her voice laced with regret. She clenched her fists tightly, fighting against the rising tide of frustration and emotion. Each repetition of her predicament echoed in her mind, a stark reminder that she was utterly adrift in this world, with no anchor in sight.
“Well, that’s disappointing,” the serpent replied, his tone dripping with disdain as a grimace of contempt twisted his features. He followed his words with a dismissive snort, leaning back on his throne like a king surveying a court of fools.
“Oh, Inanis, I didn’t even notice you were here,” Petros quipped mockingly, casting a smirk toward the snake. Inanis remained calm and stoic, ignoring the jibe as an air of heavy silence settled around him, thickening the tension in the room.
I don't like this.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Iris immediately tried to defuse the tension, speaking quickly in a fluster to avoid any conflict. "B-but... Argastal had given me the name!"
Her words were met with a stern glare from Petros as he slammed his bulky hand on his throne—the sound piercing the air and causing a sudden silence. His expression was stoney and intense, and the edge of his words was sharp and cutting like a blade. "The stench you emit already enrages me," he continued, the anger in his voice evident as he looked down on her. "—Do not let your lack of manners make me resent you even more," he finished, his words an implicit threat of some sort.
W-What is with this spirit? Iris thought, her heart racing as she answered his question. Her hands clenched into shaky fists, a tumultuous wave of fear and shame rising within her, threatening to engulf her senses.
“Calm yourself. The girl is a unique case; it’s understandable she lacks knowledge and etiquette,” Argastal interjected, his voice steady and authoritative, a soothing balm against the fury radiating from the enraged earth creature. He raised his right hand, a silent command that stilled the tension in the air.
Were his words meant to comfort me? Iris wondered, a bitter pang twisting in her chest. Although the fairy king’s tone was not overtly hostile, it felt laced with condescension. She struggled to discern whether he was being sincere or merely mocking her in his own subtle way. The fleeting shift in his expression—from detached apathy to a flicker of sympathy—before returning to his stoic demeanor left her feeling adrift in confusion.
“I... I apologize for my rudeness.” The shadows around them seemed to grow darker, mirroring the turmoil within her as she tilted her head downward, unable to meet the ancient beings' piercing gazes. Silence enveloped them for a heartbeat, thick and heavy, as the ancient beings processed her words, Argastal choosing not to shatter the stillness.
It was not common knowledge that fae possessed the uncanny ability to wield immense power over other beings by withholding their true names, as if they held the keys to dominion over both heart and mind. A palpable tension hung in the air as the spirits exchanged knowing glances—their expressions a mix of concern and disbelief.
The king of fae himself had bestowed a name upon her—a rare act that suggested his power could not fully subdue her should the girl choose a path of destruction.
“Lift your head up, girl.” The soft, soothing voice of the doe spirit, Neris, wrapped around Iris like a warm embrace, coaxing her to slowly raise her gaze from its previous position. Though a trace of sorrow still lingered in her expression, Neris's gentle tone quelled the tide of despair threatening to engulf her.
“Ignore the rock statue,” Neris continued, her words flowing like a tranquil stream, accompanied by a smile that radiated warmth. In stark contrast, from the corner of Iris's eye, she glimpsed the earth creature’s expression morphing from simmering anger to slight offense. His body language spoke volumes; he turned away from Neris with an exaggerated roll of his nonexistent eyes, his posture rigid and threatening—a mountain ready to erupt yet too proud to voice his irritation.
“Would you mind removing that ward of yours? It’s... a bit vexatious,” Neris asked kindly. Her tone was imbued with compassion that enveloped Iris like a soft blanket. A sense of warmth blossomed within her, replacing the hostility she had felt moments before. “I assure you, Petros would be much kinder if you dissolved it.”
Ward? What is she talking about? Iris wondered, confusion knitting her brow as her expression shifted to one of uncertainty.
"Finally! Something we agree on, droplet." The rock creature replied with an exasperated tone, raising his muscular hand in what looked to be a gesture of victory. The creature's expression shifted from one of anger to a self-satisfied grin; it seemed as if he finally felt like he had an ally in the circle.
Argastal shot a brief glare in Petros's direction at the nickname, his almond eyes contorting in a mixture of irritation, anger, and slight apprehension.
"It's pressuring enough to hear the wailings of life on a constant basis," Petros ignored the look—rubbing his mossy, tree-like eyebrows with his fingers. The earth creature seemed genuinely irritated as he spoke, his voice filled with discontent and annoyance. "But having to deal with that awful stench of rot is aggravating!" he continued, his tone shifting from frustration to outright anger.
Apparently the smell of decay or death was particularly bothersome for him—as would be expected of someone whose element is earth.
The water spirit gave no comment or attention to the earth creature; her perpetual smile was a gentle ripple on the surface of a serene lake, as though her emotions danced just beneath the shimmering facade. Her skin glistened like polished pebbles in a sunlit stream, reflecting shades of azure and aquamarine that seemed to shift with her every movement.
"I apologise but what 'ward' are you talking about?" the girl questioned, her expression becoming slightly puzzled. "I don't think I have that," she explained, the comment prompting a confused look on the water spirit.
The serpent named Inanis scoffed in disbelief, his tail flicking sharply as he looked over her. The water's spirit's expression also moved from one of politeness to disappointment.
"You dare lie directly to our faces?" Petros's voice boomed, reverberating throughout the courtyard.
Why do they keep accusing me of things? Why are they so upset with me? The silence was deafening, wrapping around Iris like a tightening noose as she felt the weight of everyone's gaze bearing down on her. Her heart pounded in her chest like a war drum, each thud echoing the rising tide of panic that threatened to engulf her.
"I-I'm not lying!" The girl managed to speak, her words trembling and shaky as she attempted to defend herself. "I don't even know how to cast magic!" she continued, her eyes darting from the earth creature to the water spirit and then back again in an attempt to appeal to their sense of reason.
Their eyes held nothing but doubt, cold and unyielding. How am I supposed to make them believe me? Iris's gaze flickered to the fairy king, a silent plea for support or intervention. As Argastal finally spoke, his calm and neutral demeanor ignited a flicker of hope within her.
“I can vouch for the honesty of her words,” he declared, his voice steady and confident, like a lighthouse guiding her through the stormy seas of skepticism that surrounded her. The weight of his endorsement wrapped around Iris like a protective cloak, momentarily shielding her from the piercing scrutiny of the others.
"You said that she has a peculiar ability?" The snake spirit named Inanis asked calmly, his eyes never straying from the girl, his predator-like gaze fixed on her no matter where she moved.
Argastal nodded in response, confirming the snake's question. "The pixies had forewarned me that everything that comes under the touch of her powerful essence will inevitably perish in an instant—without any intent on her part, of course," he explained, the fairy king's words receiving a shock look from the other three spirits.
“And you thought it would be wise to bring her here? To the heart of the Highland?” Neris whispered under her breath, her voice flowing like a gentle stream, yet laced with an undercurrent of tension. The forced smile plastered on her face shimmered like sunlight on water, concealing a tempest of emotions swirling just beneath the surface.
Though her words maintained a soft, melodic tone, the venom underlying them was as clear as ripples on a pond, even to those not paying close attention. Neris’s eyes glistened with a depth that hinted at hidden storms, their cerulean hue darkening with discontent.
Neris was not happy. The girl could sense the underlying fury emanating from the water spirit beside the fairy king, a force as powerful and unpredictable as the ocean itself. It was as if the very essence of water had taken form in her presence—beautiful yet dangerous, calm yet capable of unleashing chaos.
But Argastal did not want to fan the flames of his wife’s wrath, and so he responded instead with a sigh of defeat. "To allow her to roam freely through these woods with her destructive capabilities would be to bring forth far greater risk and danger."
The girl could feel the tension between the two spirits growing and felt as though she was caught in the vortex of their conflict. Her face remained downcast, unable to look anyone in the eyes.
The tense atmosphere was broken with a small snort from the left, specifically from Inanis. The fairy king sighed, looking towards his fellow spirits as he spoke—"It is clear to me that she is unable to tame or control the power that she possesses,” he began to justify to the others.
The other spirits all glared at the young girl, their expressions shifting from anger to curiosity. Iris's body was trembling, and her stomach began twisting into knots. They seemed to think on his words, weighing the likelihood of the fairy king’s claim against their own assumptions.
"How are you certain about that?" came the question from the serpent, the creature's tone sounding almost accusatory. Petros had maintained his silence this time around—although he remained staring at the girl with what seemed like a newfound contempt.
Neris's smile had also vanished, replaced by a cold expression on her face. She was silent as she stared at the girl, looking as though she were evaluating the situation again with a renewed sense of logic and pragmatism.
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It's scary. I can feel their hatred for me. Iris did not lift her head, remaining completely still, unable to move her gaze away from the ground. The atmosphere had become completely thick, with tension hanging heavily in the air.
"An incident earlier," Argastal said, causing Iris's head to jolt up at the spirit's words.
The girl felt the grip of fear tighten around her heart like a vice, a cold dread coiling within her as anxiety spiked with each passing moment. Uncertainty gnawed at her insides, leaving her mouth dry and her throat constricted, as she braced herself for the king’s response to the pixie incident. Her expression shifted to one of taut anticipation, each heartbeat echoing like a drum in the suffocating silence.
Does he know about what happened with the animal? Or just the pixie? She dared to sneak a glance in his direction, but something in his cold, unyielding gaze sent a chill racing down her spine. It was as if he could see straight through her, piercing the veil of her thoughts to uncover every dark secret she harbored. A shudder of realization washed over her—he knew about both.
The weight of that knowledge pressed down on her like an iron shroud, amplifying her fear and twisting it into a knot of dread. She could almost hear the whispers of judgment swirling around her, taunting her with the consequences of her actions. What would he say? The anticipation hung heavy in the air, thickening with every breath she took.
"—Any extreme or excessive emotions that she may experience will cause her powers to run out of control and lash out in proportion to the extent of her emotions." The king elaborated, his eyes meeting the girl's. Iris felt the relief of his words wash over her when he didn't emphasize the wellbeing of her victims. However, something else had taken its place: a sense of curiosity.
This new sense of curiosity overtook her mind as she remained completely intrigued by the king's explanation and what he meant by 'lash out.'
"Any emotions?" Inanis followed up, his face lighting up with sudden interest. He stared at Iris with a rather unsettling grin on his face, his elongated features making the expression even more disturbing.
"That... I have not yet come to know." Argastal hesitated, his calm demeanour vanishing for a split second as the realisation that her ability could possibly respond to any emotions hit him like a freight train.
"It could certainly be possible that it is more affected by negative emotions, though that is merely speculation and nothing more," he said, his tone now more confident as he attempted to appeal to the other spirits.
There was a momentary silence before Petros suddenly spoke from his silence. "We need to discuss this with Amorphus," he said, his suggestion triggering only more silence from the others.
Amorphus? Could that be...?
In the center of the chamber stood Amorphus’s throne, an exquisite creation that seemed to defy the very laws of gravity. Crafted from shimmering strands of silver and translucent crystal, it appeared as if a gentle breeze had woven together delicate filaments of air into a mesmerizing form.
The throne rose like a wisp of cloud, its base swirling and undulating as though caught in an eternal dance with the wind.
The backrest soared high, curving gracefully like the crest of a wave, adorned with intricate patterns that mimicked the swirling eddies of a tempest. Wisps of ethereal fabric cascaded from the edges, fluttering softly as if caressed by an unseen breeze, creating an illusion of movement that made it seem alive. The throne was crowned with a delicate halo of mist that shimmered in hues of soft blue and pale white, reflecting the light in a way that evoked the fleeting beauty of a sunlit sky.
As Iris gazed upon it, she felt a strange mix of awe and trepidation. The throne seemed to pulse with an energy all its own, whispering secrets carried on the wind.
"I believe we should discuss this amongst ourselves before making such a decision," Neris's voice sounded out, calling the group's attention back to her. The spirits all exchanged nods of agreement before the water spirit raised her hand, warning the girl with a tone that seemed to be the antithesis of her previous disposition.
"Stay still, girl." The water spirit said in a harsh tone devoid of its former friendly and welcoming vibes, her voice cold and ice-like.
"W-Wait! What are you—" Iris's voice was cut off in a moment, a dome of water quickly encircling her from all sides. While she could still see the spirits in front of her, the girl could not hear anything as the water completely muffled any sounds outside of the sphere.
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"I honestly thought the barrier wouldn't work." Neris sighed as she stared at the girl trapped within the aqua pura. The water spirit now seemed completely at ease, her expression shifting to one of satisfaction as she watched the girl within the dome.
The barrier did indeed work as intended, and the young girl seemed powerless to stop it.
"What makes you think it's a good idea to bring Amorphus into the meeting?" Argastal asked, seeming frustrated as his hand rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"His wisdom as one of the original nine spirits surpasses all of us! His words could be enlightening and helpful to the current situation," Petros said matter-of-factly. He was confident in his opinion, refusing to concede on this particular matter.
"I daresay that he would not take kindly to the news of a harbinger of death residing within his territory." The earth creature exclaimed further, causing the others to fall silent as they processed the disturbing concept. Iris was essentially a walking catastrophe—she was capable of annihilating life and causing destruction anywhere she went.
"I disagree." The serpent's words caused all of them to turn and look at him, their surprise evident in the fact that he was sounding more interested in the discussion than usual. The serpent began to justify his reasons, saying, "She is an anomaly that possibly came from our time."
Inanis continued to rationalise his position, saying, "Aside from her emotions, her character does not pose a threat, and we can gain more knowledge about her by testing her ourselves."
"That is a huge risk," Argastal countered, this time with the support of Neris. The water spirit nodded along in agreement, her tone serious as she stated, "Her powers are unknown, none of us are able to comprehend their source or affinity."
"Isn't that all the more reason we should test her?" The snake now seemed slightly irritated and done with the conversation. "I have the capability to manipulate and mould the minds and thoughts of others. It would be fascinating to dive into her mind and observe her memories."
"What you're doing is based on selfish reasoning, not to mention a breach of privacy." Argastal now spoke with an exasperated tone, clearly feeling as though this conversation was going in circles.
"Your ways are forceful and will only hurt her, what if her powers suddenly burst from your tinkering?" The fairy king added to the argument, his words dripped with disdain, as if every syllable was tainted with disgust for the mere use of the word—'tinkering'
"Even after all these years," the serpent smirked, an edge of superiority in his tone. "You seem to have no trust for me, Argus." Inanis looked directly at Argastal when he said this, a slight sense of amusement on his face as he added a flick of his forked tongue at the fairy king.
"One would be a fool to put all their trust in a snake," the fairy king fired back, his tone cold and sarcastic—but the serpent only grinned back at him.
The air now seemed even thicker and heavier with a tense atmosphere, a stark contrast to the atmosphere that prevailed during the mock contest between the earth spirit and the water spirit.
"I propose we seal her off." The deep and loud voice that filled the heavy silence belonged to Petros, his suggestion filling everyone else with more surprise than had previously existed.
"What?" Inanis hissed in annoyance and disbelief.
All the spirits had swiveled their heads towards Petros, their eyes were fixated on him as they waited for his suggestion to be fleshed out.
It certainly was a rather extreme solution, but the thought of simply leaving the girl as is while they continued to discuss things also seemed a little irresponsible.
"Letting it go would only bring disaster," the earth creature now explained, but his words now came with a slight shrug of his bulky shoulders instead of his sharp and arrogant tone. "But keeping it here is also a risk," he added, but the tone now had even more concern and less arrogance.
"The girl had just woken up." Neris's voice was dripping with a combination of irritation and concern as she put extra emphasis on the word 'girl' with a narrowed look. "You can't possibly be suggesting we put her into another eternal slumber!"
"Then what do you propose, droplet?" The earth creature spoke with anger this time, his glare at the water spirit intense and his words cutting like a blade. "You clearly haven't contributed any ideas in this situation," he added.
"I propose we create a restricted chamber for her," Neris replied, a sharp glare fixed on Petros before adopting a smile of pride and satisfaction on her face with her suggestion. "It will allow us to monitor the girl while also keeping any dangers at bay," Neris continued, her words being met with nothing but an awkward silence from the other spirits.
"How is that any different from what I suggested?" Inanis snapped, clearly irritated.
"What you suggested was stress-inducing and risky for your own selfishness," Neris snapped back, her smile fixed on her face regardless of the tension and frustration that was building within her. The water spirit was now trying to argue her point rather than just presenting her suggestion.
Her words came with a sharper edge, as if she felt the need to justify her proposal. "If we allow her to feel comfortable and relax with her environment—" she continued, "she will be bound to discover something about herself, and that will help us in return."
"Realising the pivotal role that emotions play in the manifestation of her powers," Argus now chimed in, offering his support of the water spirit's suggestion. "That will certainly make for a suitable and effective plan."
"Well then, any objections?" Argastal questioned, looking to the others around him as he now waited for their final answer.
“Why can’t we just exterminate her?” Petros blurted out, his words slicing through the air like a knife. The thought of Iris as nothing more than a dirty pest lingered in his mind, though he managed to stifle that sentiment before it escaped his lips, aware that voicing such disdain would only invite scorn from the others.
“Did you ignore everything I’ve explained, Petros?” Argus sighed, frustration lacing his voice like a taut string ready to snap. “Clearly, her ability acts as a shield without her awareness. What assurance do we have that our powers won’t backfire? Or that her dark energy won’t envelop us before we can even act?”
The suggestion hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, revealing just how little regard the spirits had for Iris’s life.
“If you’re scared of little bunnies, Argus, just admit it,” Petros sneered, his voice dripping with mockery as he dismissed any concerns with a wave of his hand. The laughter that escaped him was harsh and jarring, echoing off the walls like a taunt. Argus groaned, frustration evident in the deep lines etched across his face, while Neris shot back with venomous precision.
“You’d be the first to wither into nothing but mud!” she retorted, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. But Petros only found amusement in their banter, his eyes glinting with a cruel light.
“Why should I make her aware of my presence?” he continued, a sinister smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "I could just..." With a sudden, forceful motion, he thrust both bulky hands forward as if orchestrating a massive boulder crashing down upon Iris without a shred of remorse for her fragile existence. It was a chilling display that revealed just how little regard he had for her life—a mere flicker in his grand design.
“Not something I expected from you, Petros,” Inanis remarked, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. But the laughter that followed was quickly drowned out by the sharp voices of Argastal and Neris, who spoke in unison.
“Seriously, how childish can you be?” Neris chided, her tone laced with disbelief and irritation.
Petros shrugged off their disdain, but the tension crackled in the air around him. Argastal’s frustration was palpable as he glared at Petros, his eyes narrowing like storm clouds ready to unleash a tempest.
“Do you even hear yourself?” Argastal continued, his voice rising with exasperation. “This isn’t a game, you’re toying with lives.”
The fairy king's gaze locked onto the hollowness of Petros's sockets, a storm brewing in his eyes. “You know firsthand what it’s like to have your life played with.” Argus’s voice was calm, yet it carried an undercurrent of tension that crackled in the air like static electricity—a warning that reverberated through the chamber.
The silence that followed was thick and suffocating, each heartbeat echoing like a drumroll before a reckoning. Petros shifted uncomfortably, the weight of Argus's words pressing down on him. The shadows seemed to deepen around him, amplifying the gravity of the moment.
“Do you think I’ve forgotten?” Argus continued, his tone unwavering but laced with an intensity that sent shivers down Iris's spine. “Return to your roots, Petros. Remember what it felt like to be at the mercy of forces beyond your control.”
Petros simply huffed in anger, irritated by his own lack of influence over the situation. Inanis appeared entranced by the girl in the dome—clearly in thought.
"What Neris suggested is the best course of action we'll take," Argus said, breaking the tense silence in the room.
"Inanis, I trust you to utilise your power to induce temporary slumber in her." Argastal now nodded towards the snake, the creature rolling his eyes out in response to the irony.
"Neris, you can lower the barrier now," the fairy king said, turning towards his wife, his smile soft and gentle. The water spirit was now given a chance to implement her plan, and she nodded in response before lifting her hand. The water swirled around and slowly subsided into nothing as the force field went down.
Once the dome dispersed, they could see the girl trembling. Iris had kneeled down to hug herself, seemingly due to instinct and fear. Her eyes were wide and were beginning to glisten as she looked up at the spirits, her expression a mix of panic and confusion.