[https://i.imgur.com/pLR0Mst.png]

A mesmerizing blend of muted grays and chilly blues cascaded by Styx. The morphing colors spun wildly, blurring together like a painter drunk on visions beyond understanding, blindly trying to capture the inexpressible on canvas.

But the visual spectacle was only part of the experience. Portals had a distinct smell—the crude essence of magic itself. Reminiscent of a dying star fusing fundamental elements, tearing into reality. But underneath that note of cosmic creation lay earthier tones, the lush humidity of the ancient forest, verdant with life.

There was even an unmistakable taste accompanying traveling through the folds of time and space. A combination of spicy pepper and crisp apple. Beneath that sweetness lay the taste of hot iron blood, echoing the bitter struggle between life and death. The flavors collided, intertwining creation and destruction in equal measure. Not that she went around licking portal walls, but everyone who traveled this way inevitably experienced it.

Styx breathed deeply, letting the scent and flavors roll through her. They were the purest distillations of magic’s volatile essence, barely contained by the throbbing sides. Headier than the most potent ale, more overwhelming than the richest meal.

Time itself altered in this place, bending around the warped borders of the portal. It was not a significant difference, only proving Einstein’s theory that time is relative. Mortals created standardized time to provide structure. But within the swirling colors, time as they knew it ceased to exist.

If she stopped and summoned just a faint trace of power. They could look between the walls of the portal into any moment in Earth’s history. They could slide into that fold and experience Earth in 100 BC, or 4020 CE. Perhaps one day she’d take Caleb on a time traveling adventure.

Usually traveling like this as Death was invigorating and sharp. But today, fear tainted those usual undertones.

Styx was afraid. Afraid for Emma. Afraid for Caleb. Afraid for herself. They were moving towards a great unknown. A potential disaster that could spell the conclusion of this budding relationship.

But that trepidation carried an excitement within it. Because if she could kill a demon, even a single one, it would change the tide of this growing war. It would prove that the four horsewomen could triumph over this evil. It could signal the start of the end for those interlopers.

There were few moments in her never-ending life that she could point to with the same feelings. As an all-powerful being, she was used to dominating. But now, there was a real risk of failure. She could be walking to her demise. She could lead Caleb to his death and Emma to hers. That tremble of the unknown was wreaking havoc within.

Because if she failed, if she sat on the ground holding his lifeless body. No part of her would remain unscarred, irrevocably altered by that. That’s why she had to end the soul bond.

His death would mean nothing if they didn’t share a bond. Mortals died every day. She escorted their souls. Listened to their cries of mercy and calls of jubilation. But to watch his soul drift behind her. That was something she couldn’t bear.

Subtly, she cast a glance at Caleb. Humans didn’t do well in portals. They lacked the real understanding of everything to not go insane. Which was understandable. Even with his experiences with magic, he seemed unnerved. The glisten of sweat on his upper lip hinted at his turmoil. How ridged he held himself, spoke to the torment. She’d do whatever it took to remove this strain from him.

Now, as they neared their exit, Death summoned her full strength. It was a dynamic dance between control and out of control. Because she was power incarnate as Death.

Magic bent to her will. It altered to the twist of her fingers. It formed with her whispered words. She would not go quietly into the night. Not when she had the strength to change darkness to light and back again.

Just ahead awaited the path into the unknown. This could be where their story ended and worlds collapsed. She may be about to discover what happened when an immortal god perished.

But she would not be afraid. Because she was Death! The strong fled from her. The weak cowered before her. No demon would infect her with the blight of fear.

Raising her scythe, she sliced through the portal, and in the same motion, formed the exit. Smooth, like silk, she stepped from the folds back into the mortal world.

Behind her, Caleb flopped and fell, rolling a few times before he slid to a stop. “Ouch.”

They were on a quiet suburban street. Rows of brick houses with empty driveways and small gardens lining the road. There wasn’t a soul for miles, human or animal.

“I can smell you, demon,” Death said, her voice low and menacing. “Your stink of brimstone and blood is in the air. I feel your tainted power. Reveal yourself!”

“Yeah!” Caleb stood a few paces behind her, bits of grass on his shirt and pants. “Yeah, we’re going to kick your asses for threatening my Emma! Uh…where are they?”

Death pointed her scythe. Caleb peered cautiously around her to where she indicated. Trash bins and gardening supplies cluttered the alleyway between two houses. Something in the shadows moved, and Death prepared herself.

“Emma!” Caleb cried out.

He stumbled twice over the uneven ground before finally regaining his balance. The rhythmic sound of his hurried footsteps echoed through the confined space, reverberating off the walls. Death reached out to hold him, but froze before she touched him.

“Caleb!” But even with her shouted warning, he didn’t stop.

The shadow moved again, and Emma’s pale face peered up. The terror she obviously felt was clearly evident. But when her eyes lit upon Caleb, some of that fear drained away.

Emma cried out as she ran and jumped into his arms. But Death couldn’t appreciate the touching scene. Whipping around, she narrowed her focus across the street. A demon was watching, their blue eyes like ice in the black. The demon vanished into the darkness before she could move. Death lingered, stretching her magic to ensure there were no more of those evil creatures nearby.

“It’s okay,” Caleb cooed as he held his niece.

After confirming there was no more danger, Styx let Death dissolve. The menacing cowl and scythe vanished in a puff of smoke and swirl of darkness.

[https://i.imgur.com/dktLcTp.png]

Styx kept most of her attention to the surrounding area, unwilling to be ambushed. However, she was happy to see how he was comforting Emma. The soothing lilt of Caleb’s voice and the fierce caring in his eyes as he cradled Emma pierced Styx’s heart. None but a loving, worthy man could offer such selfless comfort.

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

“Are you okay, Ladybug?” Caleb asked.

“Physically I’m fine. They didn’t touch me. Mentally, I can’t say. I’m shaking so badly.” She held up quivering hands.

“That’s the adrenaline,” Styx said.

He smiled and kissed Emma’s forehead. “I have the fix for that.”

“Please don’t say something like dragon’s toenails or unicorn spit,” Emma groaned.

“No, ice cream!”

Emma perked up. “Ice cream?”

“Yes, sugar, distraction, comfort, all in one package,” Caleb said. “Besides, it’s been a while since we’ve gotten some.”

“Do you like ice cream, Styx?” Emma asked.

“I do.”

“Then it’s decided. The shop is close by. Together, men, uh, women!” Caleb pointed down the street.

Styx chuckled as he led the way down the road. Soon they were sitting around a cheap table with heaps of ice cream between them.

“This is superb,” Styx said, taking another bite. “Who knew brown butter bacon ice cream would be so delicious?”

“Yeehhahhh,” Caleb said, his mouth full.

Emma swatted him and he blushed. “Remember your manners, Uncle. Carl owns this shop, and he makes all the flavors himself. Local ingredients too. Sometimes he even has sheep milk flavors.”

“That sounds interesting,” Styx said.

Styx went to take another bite, using it as a distraction to study Emma. The girl wasn’t doing well. Her face was too pale, and her eyes kept darting to every little movement. Caleb frowned as he noticed. A wave of anxiety flooded her, and Styx knew where it was coming from. Caleb was nervous for his niece and unsure how to help.

“I’ve learned that you’re in the drama club,” Styx said, sliding another spoon into her mouth.

“Yeah,” Emma said. “I’m not an actor. See, I’m totally into fashion. That’s the best place to get experience making costumes and things.”

“No way! I love clothes.”

Emma perked up. “Really? Is that why you’re always dressed so nice?”

Styx grinned. “Yep. I have three rooms of clothes at home.”

Caleb’s jaw dropped, and mouth draped open. “Three?”

Emma bounced in her chair. “Three rooms? Three? Where did you get enough to fill up so much space?”

“I’m immortal. Some pieces in my collection are older than the bible.”

Caleb snorted and winced. “Fuck, I just inhaled ice cream. It burns.” He held his face in his hands.

Emma and Styx glanced at each other and laughed.

“I’m glad my pain is so funny,” he choked out.

“It is,” Emma said. “The look on your face is priceless.”

“Yeah, it is.”

He coughed again and shuddered.

“What play are you doing?” Styx asked.

“A Midsummers Night Dream,” Emma said, taking another bite. “Here are the designs we have.”

Emma rooted in her backpack before pulling out a sketchbook. Styx leaned closer as Emma went through each page of notes. The girl had a good fashion sense about her. All the designs were captivating and interesting.

Styx cast a quick glance around the shop. There weren’t any other customers, and the employees were busy. Knowing this might be a dumb idea, Styx hesitated only for a second before leaning across the table.

“Would you like to see real fairy items?” Styx whispered.

Caleb choked again. “Are you sure that’s smart?”

She waved him off. “Mortals will see what they want.”

“I don’t care if it’s smart or not! I wanna see!” Emma said.

Styx smiled and winked. She could have sworn that Caleb groaned, but when she looked at him, he was studying his half-empty bowl. After checking once more, Styx released a little magic.

Emma’s eyes went wide as inky tendrils unfurled across the tabletop. With a snap of Styx’s fingers, a shimmering portal blossomed to life, no larger than a dessert plate.

Swirling grays and striking blues danced within the mystical doorway, mirroring the flecked granite pattern of the table. The mini portal flickered with otherworldly light, sending wisps of arcane energy twirling around the bowls.

“Wow! What’s that?” Emma asked.

“That is a portal,” Caleb said. “Magical beings use them to travel between the realms. They use a special type of magic that slices through reality. It’s perfectly safe.”

“That’s awesome.”

Styx reached inside, knowing what she was going to grab. When she pulled the item from the small circle. Emma and Caleb gasped. As they should.

“This was King Linden’s crown,” she said, placing it on the table.

[https://i.imgur.com/HR9FQNa.png]

Caleb and Emma shared the same reaction. Wide eyes and gaping mouth.

“He ruled the Fae realm for 1200 years before leaving for the Undying lands. Because of my service to his kingdom, he gifted me his crown.”

Fairy artisans wove the crown from golden branches and studded it with emerald leaves that caught the light spectacularly. The base curled and twisted like gnarled tree roots while delicate golden spires reached towards the heavens, topped with a single flashing peridot.

“My god,” Emma exhaled. “I’ve never seen anything so pretty.”

“I’ve heard about him. He is the king who ended the war with Olympus and gifted them the Horn of Amalthea.”

“You’re right. Linden recognized the terrible toll the war was having on the realms and ended it. He was a wise and loved ruler.”

Emma shook her head. “I can’t accept this. No, no, no. Someone will steal it and then you’d hate me for losing such a treasure.”

“First,” Styx said. “I could never hate you. Second, this is a highly magical item in a world with few magical items. I can track it anywhere. So you can take it and use it for your fairy king.”

“Thank you, Styx. Wow, this is fantastic.” Emma looked from the crown to her.

“But wait, there’s more!” Styx smiled as she reached into the portal again. Withdrawing another crown. Emma gasped, and Caleb nearly toppled from his chair.

“This is the crown of Queen Aurelia. She was the first fairy queen. I received this crown after saving her daughter from a band of hybrid trolls.”

[https://i.imgur.com/1rqRcqM.png]

The queen’s diadem featured a silver vine base ensconced with luminous pearls like glistening raindrops. Tiny sapphire blossoms adorned the vine, surrounding the centerpiece—a dazzling moonstone carved into a crescent moon, resting on the brow.

“Now you have your fairy crowns for the king and queen.”

“Styx, this is more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you so much!” Emma delicately touched the moonstone.

“It’s my pleasure.”

Glancing at Caleb, she saw that goofy grin spreading across his face—the one she was trying hard not to fall for. There was something so guileless about his expressions, as if deceit was a foreign concept. She realized that the words he spoke and looks he wore had always rung of truth.

“This is excellent, Styx,” Caleb said. “I was going to craft a few crowns from some black moon wire and a few enchanted pendants. But this is fantastic!”

“Thank god,” Emma exhaled. “I was dreading telling him that his design skill sucks. With a capital S.”

“Hey!”

Emma shook her head. “Uncle, remember that apron you made me?”

“Yeah, it was perfect! I used frozen cherry blossoms from feudal Japan and unicorn hair.”

“Uh, huh. It fell apart the next day and burst into flames. It almost burned down my room.”

Red climbed up his cheeks and he cleared his throat. “This ice cream is melting.”

Both Styx and Emma laughed.

“I’m glad I can save you from burning and melting,” Styx said. “But I think the costume designer gets something, too.”

“No, no.” Emma waved her hands. “You’ve done too much, given too much. I don’t need anything else.”

“Debatable, because if I remember right, Prom is soon,” Styx said with a smile.

“No! I will not accept a prom dress from you. That would be too much! I’d be in your debt, and I’m not sure I can ever pay you back.”

“Except I’m not asking for payment. This is a gift, besides I’ve never worn it and it will look fantastic with your skin tone.”

“Really?” Emma squeaked.

“Really.” Styx reached into the portal again.

She took her time before selecting the right garment. Then, with a last look at Emma’s excited face, she pulled.

Emma’s face went from eager to full on ecstatic. She kept glancing between Styx, Caleb, and the dress, her smile building each time.

“Rei Kawakubo created this. I purchased it to attend a ball at the gnome court. But I ended up wearing something else.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Emma whispered.

Initially, the dress appeared simple, just a steep column of midnight blue fabric. It whispered as Emma caressed it. But on closer inspection, the intricacy emerged. Panels of lace and satin interwove in complex geometric patterns, mimicking the facets of a sapphire.

Each layer built texture and dimension while remaining slim. Strategic cutouts would reveal glimpses of skin like flashes of lightning. Glimmering silver threads wove throughout and caught the light with each movement.

Styx held it up, the back plunged dramatically, echoing a crescent moon curve. With a casual movement, she swished the skirt. An underlayer of the deep purple of dusk at twilight was visible through fine slit detailing.

“When I commissioned the piece, I asked for a dress fit for a fairy queen. Elegant, artistic, and infused with just a touch of magic. While Rei Kawakubo is without magic, she took the instruction perfectly.”

Emma reached out and delicately touched the fabric. “Styx, I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll take it and wear it. It’s been sitting unused in my closet for ages.”

A brilliant smile spread across Emma’s face, and now Styx couldn’t see a trace of the horror from earlier. Even Caleb had lost the tint of fear in his features. Styx smiled, knowing that sometimes it took only a little magic and a lot of compassion to change fear to joy.