“GET BACK HERE!” The disembodied voice called to Zoe as she leaped from the second story window onto the tiles of the college roof. For the past six years since she fought the Seraph and saved the Queen, Zoe had enjoyed the thrill of the action and taken to preforming all manner of dangerous stunts around the college grounds despite the professors wishes.

Having rained the night before, the professor concerned she would slip and fall from the roof. Zoe however had done this so many times now that she knew exactly where to put her feet with every step.

Because she had done this so many times the professors had taken to locking the doors and windows in order to prevent her from escaping every single lesson. The only lessons that she did not seem to escape from were the ones that were undertook outside in the fresh air. It had taken her weeks for the professors to forget to lock the window but the moment she noticed that they had, Zoe seized the opportunity and made a dash for the window.

The history of the kingdom of Fraoveth, the western kingdom and home to the college on the continent of Ariliden was never the most exciting topics for the professor to teach. While there were many lessons that the continents history had many lessons to be taught with its vast and rich history, there were few students that ever had the patience to take seriously.

The professor had done little more than to turn his back to write the first words on the blackboard in the room and in that moment she struck, dashing for the window. Just as the professor turned back, she was already one foot out and on the run. Diving across the fragile wooden table she had sat at. It cracked under his weight and he collapsed to the ground amongst the pile of broken wood, splinters piercing his hurt body. He did his best to claw his way to his feet and once again dove for Zoe who he had no chance of catching at this point.

Zoe could hear the professors screams coming after her from the classroom, a smile appeared over her face as she knew the professor would not dare to follow her out onto the slippery roof tiles. She ran across the roof until she run out of roof and jumped, landing in a roll to get back on her feet, picking up the run without missing a beat. Several classes were out in the yard, taking advantage of the sunshine while they could, even going so far as to have dragged a blackboard out into the lawn.

Professor Blackburn was still yelling at her from atop the second story window which drew the attention of all the classes towards the running girl. Each of the professors took turns diving after her as she passed by them but Zoe stepped over each of them one after another much to their annoyance. The students on the other hand cheered on the girl as their professors found themselves eating dirt having failed to grab her.

Making a break for the forest just outside the northern wall, the same forest that she had almost been killed by a werewolf some years back. With so many creatures migrating through the forest on a yearly basis there was always something new to see and for Zoe it was always her favourite lesson, she loved ending up walking through the trees, nature all around her, the thrill of wild animals around her at all times. Considering how many times she had been in this forest, it still always amazed her that the sunlight was never able to fully penetrate the canopy, sending shadows in all directions, bouncing off the towering redwoods causing even more shadows.

The redwoods were common around this area of Fraoveth and kept the college safe from prying eyes of the outside world, most having been around since long before the four kingdoms existed and would outlast Zoe. It didn’t take long after she passed the tree line that she could no longer see the college through the trees. The forest was a magical place for Zoe but it was also dangerous, she had been told many times about the wild creatures that used to live in the area and lure young children into the forest, never to be seen again, their last sound they made being a scream that was never heard by anyone.

Zoe realised she was lost when the forest became so dark she was unable to tell which direction was the way she came, she stopped when she found a fallen log blocking her way forward. She did not exactly want to go back to the college just yet but she didn’t actually know which way that was either. She hoped that by the time she found her way back to the college, the professor would have calmed down somewhat and the trouble she would get in would be so much less. In the distance, as she sat on the log looking around she spotted a dim yellow light appear in the distance. She squinted for some time trying to get a better look at it before she realised that the light was growing bigger. This was the way she needed to go, either to get out of the forest or there would be something of interest.

Zoe noticed that there were no birds or insects making any noise but she swore she could have heard the faint howls in the distance of a large beast she did not entirely recognise. Thinking back it would be a sound she would never forget but for the moment the howl turned into a truly horrific sound that grew more frightening by the second as it was reflected around the trees around her.

The source of the light held something strange, she thought for a moment that she could almost hear something coming from the direction of the light, it was almost like a whisper in the very background of the forest. It was difficult for her to tell what was being said at first but as she listened closer she could just make out the voices.

“Not yet.” said the first Voice

“She's not yet powerful enough?” set the second voice

“Soon it will be time.” said the first again.

She could not be sure but it sounded as if one man was talking to himself in two different tones, she could not see who was speaking but the voice was a hissing almost serpent-like voice creeping out of the darkness. Before she can get closer they went quiet and disappeared back into the Shadows and she was alone again. The voices terrified her and she knew it was time to find a way out of the forest before something bad was going to happen. She did not pay any attention as to the direction she was going but she found herself running closer to the source of the light. She kept running until her feet were pained and she was on the verge of collapsing into the dirt.

Pushing herself harder she entered a small clearing, the light illuminating the entire area, which was weird because Zoe could not tell where the light was coming from, as the canopy still completely covered the clearing but sat much taller than the rest of the forest. In the very centre was a small hollowed out stump filled with a clear and sweet smelling water that was still being filled from the leaves hanging over the top of the stump. Zoe felt drawn to the water, she had been wandering through the forest for some time and did not bring any supplies with her, as she did not expect to be getting lost. Taking a drink the water had a sweet smell she immediately associated with the leaves and a heavy wooden taste which was not surprising considering where it was being collected. She gulped enough handfuls down that she noticed the water level drop, then before her eyes it started to fill up again but not from the dripping coming from above which made her think it was being filled from some secret below.

As she looked at the refilling pool she could have sworn that behind her in the reflection, shadow passing behind her, she spun around, fear running down her body but there was no sign of something moving behind her. Thinking about whatever was calling out to her before she started to panic especially when she noticed that the sounds of the forest, the chirping birds, the humming of insects and even the howls of the beasts had all gone silent when she entered this clearing, as if everything that lived within chose to avoid this part of the forest.

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When she did not see anything, she started to assume that the noise was simply a trick of the mind, returning to look back in the pool. After a moment she looked back up only to be shocked back by the appearance of a creature that was not there a moment ago, standing on the other side of the stump. It was not something she had ever seen in any of the many books she had read, it stood slightly shorter than Zoe, its skin was a reflective grey like it was covered in a shiny silver film. Zoe’s eyes were drawn to the creatures own solid black, as she looked at them she swore she could almost see through the darkness into its very soul.

She jumped back, only to trip on a fallen branch she had stepped over, a piece managing to pierce through her old worn leather pants drawing blood straight away, a drop or two landing on the grass. The creature moved before she could react, zipping in front of her with an outstretched claw to prod at the fresh wound.

She slammed her eyes shut with pain shooting through the wounds, fear taking over as she did not know what this thing would do. Expecting the worst she waited only to feel the wet soft feeling touching the would and a tingling feeling radiating out into the rest of her body as it began to fade away. She opened her eyes only to see what looked like wet grass pushed against her stopping the bleeding. Once the bleeding stopped the strange creature twisted its clawed fingers around in almost impossible motions and before her eyes the clothing around the cut began to mend itself before her eyes, the blood that had stained the edges of the cut vanishing until she could no longer tell where the cut had been.

“Thank…. thank you.” She managed to stammer out, “What are you?”

Looking up at her the creature’s eyes caught particular attention to the wavy brown hair that sat slightly above the shoulder, it was tangled up in knots as she refused to brush it herself or allow the handmaiden to do it either despite numerous attempts. It started to reach out to run those claws through her hair but at the last moment thought better of the idea.

“Fae,” it said in a quiet, wispy voice.

At hearing the name Zoe became quiet confused, There were myths throughout all the books she had read on the monsters and magical creatures inhabiting the world, the Fae were always listed as mythical creatures never proven to exist. If this creature truly was what it said it was then this was the first time in all history that they had chosen to reveal themselves.

Zoe stared at it, still unsure if she could take it at its word, it was unlike she had ever seen in person. She was unable to fully dismiss the fae as it had shown her a gentleness in treating her wound.

“The Fae are not your enemy child.” It said in a dry tone

“Why are you here?” Zoe asked

“Our kind use this and other forests as thoroughfares between our realms.” It said, “When I saw you, I could sense the potential power course through your soul. It was intriguing and I had to meet you.”

“Power?”

“Surely you can sense what is bubbling inside you as a child of destiny, it is virtually a limitless potential.”

“Child of destiny? I have heard that before.” Zoe said remembering her time with the Queen of Adrelalind. The Seraph had called her that then as well but she did not entirely understand what it meant.

“What do I call you?” asked Zoe.

“A name is a very personal thing.” It said, “It should not be given out lightly.”

“Oh! Well I am Zoe” she announced anyway.

“You are very trusting to give a Fae born your name. Very well a name for a name, I am Nimbus Tigerflower, High Scribe to the Fairy high council.”

“Nice to meet you Nimbus.”

“Oh child of destiny, your fate has so many twists and I sense hardship in your future. Let me offer you a place away from Destiny’s reach. The Fae realm will see you safe.”

Zoe listened to what the fae creature had to say but there was an odd feeling in the back of her mind that left her feeling wrong about his offer. Nimbus kept a glare on her, waiting for an answer. Zoe was stuck on his use of the phrase child of destiny repeatedly, a memory came back to her.

Almost a year ago in the college, late one night well past curfew when Zoe was just sneaking back in after yet another day skipping class. she had chosen to go past one of the less used hallways which happened to pass by the headmaster's office. Professor Netherridge, a good man that Zoe could trust not to stay late. As she walked past the office thinking she was alone she turned the corner to see the light still coming from the office. A cold wave ran across her as she realised the headmaster was still there blocking her way.

“There is a growing energy building inside her.” A voice she thought she recognised as Ms. Stavenger, the head of magical education in the college.

“Are we sure what the cause is?” Professor Netheridge asked.

“Yes, it is a result of her being the child of destiny.”

“Is this also causing her to become disobedient, her professors are noting it becoming more and more frequent in her classes. It is getting so bad that she is running from classrooms in the middle of lectures, and even spotted leaving the college during the night.”

Zoe knew instantly this entire meeting was about, if they came out of the office right this second than it would be just another thing they could throw back at her as an excuse to throw her out of the college. Panicking, she threw the cloak’s hood over her head and darted past the door hoping they did not see her as she tried to sneak back to her room.

Hearing what they were talking about triggered something in her memory, about hearing that name. She never did discover what it meant and why they were calling her a Child of Destiny but she was curious.

“What do you say, child? There is little time to decide.” The Fae creature interrupted her train of thought.

Before Zoe could answer they were interrupted by shouts coming from outside the clearing. Zoe turned to see multiple torches coming towards them.

“Her tracks go this way!” A male voice called out.

“Go! They will capture you for study, they will never let you go!” Zoe barked at Nimbus.

The sudden shift of the Fae’s expression came to a surprise to Zoe, its whole demeanor changing to be more aggressive and anger flowing out of him.

“YOU INSOLENT LITTLE CHILD! YOU WILL BE MINE!” Nimbus screeched lunging for her.

The professors burst into the clearing, but Zoe just stood there alone recoiled and waiting for the attack that never came. Professors Belltower, Lackman, Brightwater, and even Netheridge. Their collective faces were concerned when they saw her posed as she was

“What is going on in her? What do you think you are doing young lady?” Professor Netheridge demanded.

Zoe broke down as he yelled at her, after being turned on by Nimbus she then was not ready for Professor Netheridge to then turn on her as well. She felt tiny in their presence and wanted to run away all over again. Professor Netheridge grabbed her by the arm to drag her out of the forest as quickly as he could manage.

The rest of her day was spent in the headmasters office, as one by one each of her professors came by to speak with the headmaster then individually scold her for her actions. Leaving her feeling worse than she did before. By the time dinner was being served the last of her professors had just finished up yelling at her and it was finally time for her to meet with the headmaster.

“Zoe.” He said pausing for what seemed like an eternity, “I have spoken to almost all of your teachers and seen that they all had to say the same thing. They all told me about your recent behaviour in class and”

“You’re throwing me out aren’t you?” Zoe said meekly

“It was something we considered.” A voice came from behind her that she had no idea was even there. The voice belonged to Amelia Dumein, Amelia was the highest order mage under the headmaster and had always given Zoe a fair amount of leeway that many of the other professors did not. “Zoe if we were to remove you, you would have no where to go but if this behaviour continues we will have no choice. Your actions todays caused significant disruption to the entire college, with many of the professors forced out of their classes to go searching for you.”

“I know you find the theoretical courses boring but they are vitally important for your future. You need to pay attention during these lessons and stop trying to escape.” The headmaster chimed in, “Do you have anything you wish to say?”

“You are letting me stay because I am a child of destiny?” She asked much to their surprise.

“Where did you learn that term?” Netheridge asked

“I have been called that a few times, once by the order guy, once by you, and once by the creature in the forest by a member of the Fae I encountered.”

The mention of a creature in the forest drew their attention, when she mentioned the name of the creature being a Fae, their curiousity was truly peaked. Generations of stories had been told of Fae but none of them were ever confirmed. They knew this story was something important, it was going to change everything if they could confirm it.

“A Fairy. How do you know it was a Fairy?”

“He told me.”