I felt my expectations shatter. She burped? Really? That’s not what is expected from a mythical fairy. She looked confused too. Lily got lower and closer to her. Ama tried to reach for her but stopped when he got very close to Fairy. Both Lily and I looked confused but others looked… Frightened? She looked back at him before opening her mouth.

“What are you looking at Eggplant Head?”

Her speech was slurred. Was she drunk? Can fairies even get drunk? Anyways, that was funny. Lily put his hand to his chest, looking very offended.

“I am sorry Miss I am the most cliche-looking fairy in existence. I was wondering why a fly is here when there is no shit for her to eat!”

I had to cover my laugh with a cough. Fairy put her hands on her hips before answering Lily.

“Oh, looks like bland fashion sense is not the only thing you have in your skull! You also have a bland way of disrespecting people!”

"At least my hair has the courage to be bold and unique, unlike your predictable gusts of hot air."

I looked at others for help to stop them but I noticed that they were backing away towards to exit. Morrigan signed me to come to her, her face telling me to do it urgently.

“I was born out of 1312349891222nd wind blowing in this world you meat bag! I am unique as it gets!”

“That means there are 1312349891222 of you! And here I thought just one was bad enough.”

Okay, looks like I have to intervene. I coughed.

“Okay Lily, calm down. Let’s be mature. I am sorry for my friend’s rudeness Miss?”

I pulled Lily back and waited for her to give her name. What I got was even more insults while she pointed to my arm and wounded face.

“Ohh, look who’s talking. A walking 'Beware of Danger' sign. Or maybe it's just a 'Beware of Clumsiness' sign."

I stopped Lily from going off on her again and took a deep breath.

“Are you a messenger of the Stars?”

She turned her face away while covering her nose with her hand.

“You stink of beasts. Go away.”

Rather than back off, I stepped forward.

“I am the Chosen of Aliera. If you are sent here by the Stars, then I demand your respect and cooperation. We are facing a dire situation, and we need all the help we can get."

The fairy looked at me, her expression shifting from annoyance to curiosity. She tilted her head, her wings fluttering softly. I felt like she was finally taking us seriously.

"Chosen of Aliera, huh? That's a big title for someone with a broken arm and a funny face, especially since I can only feel a sliver of her blessings on you."

She took several steps toward me. Lily tried to get in front of me but I stopped him. Her face slowly twisted into a sadistic grin. The air around her changed drastically the moment I spoke Aliera’s name.

“Oh, poor humans. Kidnapped from your afterlife and brought here to do God’s bidding. Tell me, do you see the leash on your neck?”

She puffed her chest.

“I am not like you. You guys are just tools. I was created by Zephyrian.”

That was the Star who chose Lily.

She pointed to Lily.

“I have more of his blessing than you.”

The atmosphere in the room grew tense as the fairy's words hung in the air. Her taunting tone and claims of superiority sent a chill down my spine. I understood why others were that scared. This fairy wasn’t from Disney. She was from original fairy tales.

“Why are you here then?”

I wasn’t going to back away. We were already in one of the worst possible situations.

The fairy clicked her tongue. She snapped her fingers and something appeared on top of her. It was flying. I looked carefully and noticed that it was something similar to a compass. I extended my hand to grab it but Fairy flicked her finger and it got away from me.

“You didn’t say the magic word.”

Her speech wasn’t slurred anymore. She also didn’t look drunk. Did she have the ability to sober up or was she pretending to mess with us before?

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Please give that to us.”

I bowed my head.

“I apologize for my previous outburst. Would you give us that, kindly?”

Lily also joined me.

Fairy laughed.

“Good but not enough. Get on your knees and beg.”

I felt a surge of frustration rise within me. This fairy was testing our patience and pushing our limits.

Honor and pride were important to me. Obeying orders from people who had never been on a battlefield in my previous life made me frustrated beyond words. Following people with no sense of integrity or skill just because of their rank and connection physically hurt me.

Despite that, I always swallowed my pride. Pride didn’t save people. Honor didn’t allow me to rise in the ranks so I can finally have something to say about my man’s life. For the greater good, one must have to be pragmatic.

Reluctantly, I knelt down on the ground my body aching with every movement, followed by Lily. We bowed our heads and clasped our hands together, humbling ourselves before the fairy.

"Please,"

I began, my voice filled with a mix of fake sincerity and determination.

"We beseech you, grant us that which you hold. We are in dire need, and your aid would make a significant difference in our journey. We beg for your kindness and cooperation."

Man, what an ass-kissing plea I did.

Lily echoed my words, his voice steady but laced with a touch of vulnerability.

"Please, we need your help. We will do whatever it takes to prove ourselves worthy of your assistance."

I heard fingers snapping and the compass fell right into my healthy hand. As the compass fell into my hand, I couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph mixed with a tinge of bitterness.

"Rise," she commanded, her voice dripping with condescension. "Consider this a lesson in humility and obedience. You may have the compass, but remember your place."

I nodded, acknowledging her words, even as a fire burned within me. This fairy may have thought she had the upper hand, but we will pay her back.

"Thank you," I said, my voice laced with forced gratitude. "We appreciate your assistance. We will not forget this favor."

Lily and I exchanged a glance, silently communicating thanks to our years spent together.

With a final smug look, the fairy floated away, disappearing with a rush of wind just like she appeared before I could ask what this compass even did. Morrigan stepped forward, concern etched on her features.

"Are you both all right? That was…”

“An elemental fairy. One created by a God nevertheless. I can’t believe you guys talked back at it! You are lucky she didn’t destroy all of us!”

Ama looked 10 years older with stress. I put my hand on Lily’s shoulder.

“You okay? I know what she said but don’t think too hard about it.”

“My feelings are hurt. Can you give me a kiss to make it feel better?”

“No.”

“What is that compass, anyway?”

Ar

slan chimed in. As we gathered around, I examined the compass in my hand. It pulsed with faint energy. I tried to move it around and it kept pointing in the same direction. I tried to see information about it but just like before it only worked on weapons and armor.

“Can we even trust an item given to us by a fairy? They are known to be mischievous after all.”

Ama’s worries were logical. I looked at Lily.

“I definitely did feel his power on her. But I don’t know if we can even trust her.”

“We don’t really have a choice. We should at least have to see what this compass points to.”

Morrigan added. I took a deep breath.

“Okay, Lily and I will check it while you guys reinforce the barrier around here. If we do not return in three days, count us as dead and move on.”

Morrigan, Ama, and Lily all crossed their arms and looked at me with angry eyes.

“Bad Poyraz. No suicidal plans.”

Lily pretended like he was holding an invisible spray bottle. I pushed his hand down.

“This is not suicidal. we can't afford to sit around and wait forever. We need to take action, and this compass might be our best lead. We'll be careful, I promise."

“Even if that compass is pointing towards something useful, it could be far far away.”

I looked at the compass. Encased in a shimmering silver frame, adorned with intricate engravings depicting swirling tempests and flames, it looked mythical. The needle of the compass, crafted from shimmering crystal, glowed slightly with pulsating energy.

“I don’t think so. Aliera set me on this path and now we have this compass. I think she knew or at least predicted what will happen.”

Morrigan sighed her expression a mix of concern and resignation.

“Ama, can you hold this barrier by yourself? If it is possible I want to send Nocturna with them. Having a mage can make the journey much easier and quicker.”

After several seconds of thinking, Ama straightened her back.

“I can.”

With Ama's assurance that she could hold the barrier on her own, Morrigan went out to find Nocturna. I tried to hand Arslan’s sword back to him as I was still holding it but he shook his head.

“You can’t use your armor, right? Then you need a weapon. I have spares.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem. But I need you owe Blaria an apology before you leave.”

“Oh, fuck. I totally forgot that. Alright, I go find him.”

I exited the tent and tried to find our rabbit. It was hard since he was short and all the people were packed in a small area. However, Ursara’s large frame stood out and since I knew they would be together I went to his side. Just like I guessed, Blaria was with him.

“Hello.”

I said, feeling awkward.

“Blaria, I am sorr-“

Blaria raised his hand to stop me. He scanned me from top to bottom before speaking.

“It is okay.”

He stopped for a second.

“Brother, you look worse than me.”

Brother. I felt pain in my stomach. I gulped. Did he really see me as that close?

“Are you okay? You looked unwell for a second.”

Ursara’s voice snapped back me to reality.

“I am fine. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t hurt Blaria too much before I left.”

Their eyebrows were raised the moment they heard it.

“What is the plan?”

Ursara asked.

“Anything we can help?”

Blaria added.

“No. We don’t even sure if it will work.”

Their ears, which were perked up with excitement just a second ago dropped. I hated that I had to break their spirit like that. I calmed myself and mustered my most commanding voice.

“It is okay. We need people here to defend the barrier. I am counting on you guys.”

I stretched my fist forward, waiting for them to do a fist bump. However, the only thing I got from them were confused looks. Right. I forgot that some gestures don’t exist in this word. I awkwardly let my hand down. To my horror, they must understand what I was trying to do as I stopped doing a fist. We made looked at each other awkwardly in silence before I coughed and broke the silence:

“Have you guys seen Larve?”

Blaria pointed me in her direction. I was quickly able to find her since her big horns stood out. She ran to me when she noticed me. She headbutted me while trying to hug me and I had to suppress my groan.

“Are you leaving?”

She sounded like she was about to cry.

“Yes.”

I patted her head.

“This time I won’t leave without permission! I promise.”

“Good. Listen to your elders and never leave the barrier.”

I turned around and was about to leave. But then I stopped and turned around.

“Love you, Larve.”

“I love you too!”