Dangled from a tree in the middle of the forest is Maria’s body, with her ankle tied by a rope that is connected to a tree’s branch. Just when she was about to consult the Advisor about what to do next, a chorus of laughter, like tinkling bells, filled the air.
“Hahaha, See? I caught her. I told you it would work.” exclaimed one voice triumphantly.
“Yea, yea, I can see it. You don’t have to yank my skirt." grumbled another voice from a nearby bush. Emerging from the foliage were three figures, no bigger than six-year-old children, with radiant wings twice the size of their bodies, adorned with beautiful, colorful patterns. One had fiery red hair and wore a pair of glasses, while another had sky-blue hair, and the third had a shade of purple hue.
"Now then, little human, how did you manage to find yourself here?” asked the red-headed fairy with a quizzical expression, stepping closer to Maria.
Maria wanted to appreciate their beauty, but it was hard when she got hanged upside down. She wanted to answer their question with honesty, but she felt that it wasn’t the best option. After all, she couldn't make head or tail of what happened to her too. "I could have asked the Advisor. Hmmm, too chaotic, head empty. I should next time." Maria thought.
“I don’t know” Maria finally answered.
The red-headed fairy stepped closer and narrowed her eyes when she stared at Maria, trying to read her facial expression. However, Maria, whose face was naturally expressionless didn’t give out any hint. Seemingly understanding that it was useless, the red-headed fairy pinched Maria’s cheeks in frustration.
"Come on, work your magic. I give up." she sighed, giving up on her attempt to glean any information from Maria.
"Eh? I think we should escort her back to our village first?" The blue-headed fairy answered.
"We should WHAT?" The red-headed fairy yells in disbelief. It did not last long before she regain her composure "Another one of your "read" again?"
The blue-headed fairy nodded in confirmation, unable to offer any further explanation.
Seeing her friend's confirmation, the red-headed fairy sulked "never makes any sense, always works. I hate this rigged game we are playing."
Sulking, the red-headed fairy flew up and swiftly cut the rope that held Maria's ankle hostage. The blue-headed fairy caught Maria mid-air, safely returning her to the ground in an upright position.
“Sorry about that. Lena here has a bit of a problem when it comes to illogical nonsense and she has to deal with it twice today already. My name is Ami. This one standing silently over there is Nemu." Ami introduced herself and her companion with a hearty laugh "What’s your name?” She asked.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“Maria…” Maria replied.
“Maria, that’s a beautiful name." Ami smiled.
"Meh, generic" Lena added dismissively.
Ami ignored her friend and continue "It is not safe for a little girl like you to stay here. Do you want to come with us? We will treat you as an honored guest as an apology for dragging you into our little quarrel.”
It was an offer that Maria would gladly accept. She nodded.
“Alright, then please hold my hand and close your eyes, Maria.” Ami instructed.
Maria obediently took Ami's hand and closed her eyes, feeling a flurry of activity and noises surrounding her. Tempted to take a peek, her curiosity grew, but suddenly a pair of hands appeared, covering her eyes.
"No peeking" A voice came from behind her.
When the noise disappears, so does the pair of hands that covered her eyes.
“Alright, you can open your eyes now.” Ami called.
When Maria opened her eyes, a small town made entirely of trees filled her vision. The town teemed with fairies, resembling the trio flying beside her but half their size. Despite their diminutive stature, their number was enough to block out the sky. Their eyes sparkled with curiosity as they gazed at Maria's arrival.
"All right, that's enough. Everyone, back to work. anyone who does not fill the quota today will be stamped and sent back." Lena shouted and tried to disperse the crowd.
Ami giggled at the scene a little before leading Maria to a big tree house under the observation of surrounding fairies. Inside, the treehouse's warm living room was filled with furniture that seemed to grow organically from the tree itself. Gesturing for Maria to take a seat, Lena settled directly across from her, while Ami and Nemu flew into the back room.
The silent awkwardness between Maria and Lena only lasted for a moment before a loud crackled and a mysterious shining light came from the room in the back, drawing her attention away from Lena's intense glare. A moment after, the light disappeared. Ami and Nemu emerge from the room, holding a wooden tray 10 times bigger than their size over their heads, and put it down on the table.
Inside the tray floated strange, shiny marbles, seemingly controlled by an enigmatic force. Maria glanced at the fairies and attempted to touch one of the marbles, but it evaded her grasp, bouncing away from her fingertips.
"Those are the fruits of the great ERA tree," Ami giggled, observing Maria's attempts to catch the marble-like fruit. "Here, have a taste." Ami take one of the fruits and handed it to Maria.
Maria hesitantly took the fruit and hold it in her mouth. Maria frowned. The fruit itself tasted quite bland. Actually, there was no taste at all. Puzzled by the fairy's food of choice, Maria was about to ask when a familiar voice rang in her head again.
"That's on me. I haven't reactivated your taste bud yet. Do you want to do it now? " The advisor asked.
"Yes" Maria silently replied without a second thought.
"Acknowledged, reactivating taste in 3...2...1"
Immediately after the Advisor finished her sentence, an overwhelming taste begins to replace the blandness and a sudden dizziness attack. Before Maria knew it, she immediately got transported to the familiar white space from before. This time, however, the crimson throne and Miss Advisor were not there to greet her. Only an empty vast white space stretched out indefinitely before her.