Early the next morning

Village Chief: "We are gathered here for a traditional battle of Faerie War! Lazar, reigning village champion, has challenged newcomer Kai! If Kai wins, our dear Gladys will leave with him, perhaps never to return. If Lazar wins, Gladys will stay with us!"

Kai (inside his head): "Wow. It sounds like I am a kidnapper. Or at least a really bad guy."

Village Chief: "I will remind all participants of the rules. Faerie War is a battle of magic and wits! Each round, participants trade turns casting one spell. One participant attacks, while the other defends. Failure to defend against a spell by casting a counterspell ends in immediate defeat. No items, weapons, or non magical attacks are allowed! Additionally, spells of a similar type may not be repeated by either participant once cast! There will be a maximum of 10 rounds, after which the match will be declared a draw!"

Lazar laughs and bellows a response: "I have never lost a battle of Faerie War or even come to a draw! If Kai can last 10 rounds, you can declare him the winner!"

He mutters under his breath: "We all know he can't cast a single spell though. Why he would even agree to this nonsense..."

Village Chief: "Then let the participants take the stage!"

The stage is a specially prepared area outside the village - a clearing with a large, round plateau about a meter high off the ground. Over two hundred villagers - almost the entire village - is present. Lazar jumps up one side of the embankment with ease. Kai clumsily climbs up the other.

Each participant is dressed in traditional costume - headpiece, glittering wings, and the full-body attire of an ancient Faerie. Every inch of their body is covered. Lazar's costume includes a spectacular golden crown - proof of his title as champion of Faerie War.

Village Chief: "As the challenger, Lazar will begin the battle! Faerie War!"

Lazar: "Fireball!"

A spark of flame gathers in Lazar's outstretched hands, then grows in size until it's half a meter in diameter. The heat is hot enough that the crowd can feel it. The ball shoots across the stage at a blinding speed, and dissipates as it hits a round golden barrier that appears around Kai.

Village Chief: "Fire and Barrier spells have been used! Kai will begin the next round!"

The crowd snickers. Using a Barrier spell this early in a fight is a rookie mistake. A falling wall of water - as a water spell you counter fire - would have been a better option, as that choice would have kept barrier spells for a later, more difficult round. But a newcomer like Kai wouldn't know that.

Kai raises his hands overhead and storm clouds gather. Lazar glances upwards, looks back at Kai, then readies a spell in each hand. The hair on the backs of the necks of each audience member begins to rise, and a massive bolt of lightning streaks down toward Lazar, who is suddenly coated in metal with his left arm stretched toward the sky. The bolt hits him, travels through the metal on the outside of his body, and down deep into the earth.

Village Chief: "Weather Manipulation and Body Strengthening have been used!"

The crowd murmurs.

Lazar: "You! You claimed you had no ability to use magic! I can understand Barrier, but now you call Lightning from the sky?!? Liar! I will never let Gladys go with you! I will wipe you from the face of the earth!"

Lazar opens his arms wide and yells out loud: "Cosmic Vortex!"

The crowd on Kai's side suddenly begins running away from the stage. In the center of the stage, the air begins to waver, then turn darker, until it has become an inky black ball. Light near the edges warps and the entire stage seems to bend. The black hole moves towards Kai, who reaches out his right hand. From it beams a brilliant laser that hits the black hole, causing it to collapse, then violently explode into fireworks of color.

The crowd goes wild.

That was Lazar's finishing move. The untouchable method that no one has ever dispelled. And yet, somehow, this newcomer was able to dispel it?

Village Chief: "Cosmic Vortex and an unknown beam spell have been used! Kai will begin the next round!"

Kai crouches down and presses his hands to the ground, and the earth rises in front of him to create a massive golem made of rock. Lazar raises his hands to the sky, calling, "Summon Water Elemental!" A magic circle appears on the ground, and a massive wave of water shimmers into existence. The two entities collide and disappear, the crowd protected by golden barriers held by a few of those inside.

Village Chief: "Creation and summoning spells have been used!"

Lazar raises his hands and points at Kai, who immediately points back at him. They both begin to sway side to side, then both fall forward to the ground, catching themselves with their outstretched hands.

Village Chief: "The spells of Domination and Confusion have been used simultaneously! A short break will be held to determine adequacy!"

The crowd murmurs. The signs and patterns of each spell are well-known, but spells without visual components are harder to detect. The normal rule is that if the attacking spell is successful, the attacker wins. Lazar cast Domination, which gives the caster control over the mind of the one he chooses. Kai cast Confusion, which causes another being to lose control of their mind. They are both mental manipulation spells, which take effect immediately. It looks like both spells were cast simultaneously... and that both were also effective, since both participants ended up being dazed and confused for a few moments. The crowd quietly waits for the ruling from the Village Chief, who is conversing with the village council.

Village Chief: "The spell of Confusion made Lazar unable to use Domination, which means that the intended effect of the spell was blocked! Spells that alter mental state have been used! The round continues!"

The crowd's murmurs grow larger. Domination is another almost-always-win spell in Faerie War. The amount of power and control required to cast it is enormous. But, in the case of Lazar, being able to simply point a finger at his opponent and compel him to give up is a pretty effective method. Maybe someone had attempted to contest Domination with Confusion before... but no one had ever seen it work. And definitely not with a Confusion that lasted the entire time of the spell effect!

Kai's arms raise, and a massive tornado forms in the center of the stage.

The crowd chatters. Weather manipulation was already used! That means that Kai is disqualified! Lazar looks at the approaching tornado, then notices that air is coming from Kai's outstretched arms. Weather Manipulation is a skill that calls weather patterns into existence by communicating directly with weather spirits. This... this isn't weather manipulation. Well, it is, but the tornado is created by the vortex of air pouring from Kai's outstretched arms, not by weather spirits in the sky.

Lazar crouches to the ground and puts his hands on the earth, then suddenly removes them. He can't cast earth wall. Creation spells have already been used. He stands back up, and as the tornado reaches his location he blinks out of existence and appears behind Kai on the other side of the stage. No one in the crowd can hear his voice through the costume: "What are you hiding, Forest Boy?!? What do you want with Gladys?!?"

The tornado disappears, and Lazar blinks back to his location.

Village Chief: "As the tornado was made by air alone, and not weather manipulation it is allowed! The teleportation spell effectively protected against the tornado! Air and spatial manipulation spells have been used! The seventh round continues!"

Lazar raises his hands and waits a few moments.

He snaps the fingers on his right hand, and suddenly a black hole appears underneath Kai, who immediately falls.

Lazar: "There you go, Forest Boy! And you thought you were so smart... teleport out and lose, or fall forever in a bottomless hole!"

The crowd cheers the win of Lazar, who laughs and approaches the hole. After looking inside, though, he steps back. Moments later, Kai's head appears above the hole, then his body, held aloft by clear sets of wings. The diamond wings of his Faerie costume sparkle in the morning sunlight as they flap faster than the eye can see, holding him aloft above the stage and setting him down in front of the hole.

He turns to the hole behind him, lifts an arm, and the hole fills in with earth. Then he returns back to his location across from Lazar.

Lazar: "But... that's impossible! That's... that's..."

Village Chief: "Spells of destruction and animation have been used! Round 8!"

The crowd talks eagerly amongst themselves. There is a slight distinction between spells of creation, which use materials to create something new, and spells of animation, which give motion to something that is already there. When Kai created an Earth Golem, he used a spell of creation. If he had created wings to escape Lazar's spell, that would have been a spell of creation. If he had hardened the air or created jet streams, that would have been air manipulation. And if he had simply flown, that would have been spatial manipulation - all of which had already been used in the battle. By animating the wings of his costume, he had dispelled the spell and used a type that hadn't yet been used.

The longer the battle of Faerie War, the greater the difficulty, as spell types become unavailable. Novice casters usually specialize in one or two types of magic. But to win in Faerie War, a caster must be able to respond to any circumstance, using progressively more creative choices.

To say this was an interesting battle would be an understatement. No one had ever lasted this long against Lazar.

Kai raises his hands high in the air. A faint humming sound is heard, and the earth shakes slightly. And then hundreds... thousands... tens of thousands of insects pour out of the cracks in the earth and fly through the air toward Lazar. Lazar is looking toward Kai with a look of wonderment. He raises his arms in front of him, and water quickly condenses into a massive droplet. He presses his hand to the droplet, and there is a massive explosion centered on his position. Water flies through the air and coats the ground, freezing everything it touches. Thousands of insects fall to the ground, frozen solid.

Village Chief: “Animal Communication, Water, and Temperature magics have been used! 2 rounds remain!”

The referee has final say in which types are banned, but the basic rule is the more complex a spell, the more basic types that get banned. Lazar’s ice spell was created by manipulating water present in the air and soil, directing it through the air, then freezing it as it hit obstacles and enemies in the way.

Lazar looks across the stage and calls out: “Kai! I don't know what you have done to get so much power. A deal with a daemon? Blessing of the Goddess?”

Kai is silent.

Lazar: “It doesn’t matter! I cannot let you take Gladys from us… even if it kills both of us!”

Lazar raises his right hand toward the sky. A few moments pass, and then the sky slowly darkens, while golden light begins to gather a meter above his right hand.

Lazar (yelling): “Have you ever witnessed the forbidden spell, Kai? This spell is so potent, it will take my soul in exchange for yours! There is no way to block it! Your lies end here!”

The crowd suddenly scatters, and everyone runs for the surrounding forest. Kai seems to hesitate for a moment, then sprints toward Lazar.

Village Chief: “Kai! This is a battle of magic only! Physical attacks will result in disqualification!”

Kai keeps running and jumps into the air, tackling Lazar at his stomach.

They both roll off the stage. The golden light above them converges into a massive beam that strikes the spot where Lazar had been only moments before, leaving… a streak of black.

Village Chief: “Kai has broken the rules! Lazar the Champion is declared the winner!”

Lazar and Kai are wrestling on the ground. After a few moments, Lazar pins Kai: “I knew it was you, Gladys! That stunt with the Faerie Wings is something you’ve always talked about! You’re even wearing the costume you made yourself!”

Kai: “Spells are forbidden for a reason, Papa!”

Lazar pulls the mask off.

But underneath the mask was… Kai?

Lazar: “What? What sorcery is this? You… you… I will destroy you here and now!”

Lazar raises his hand again, and golden light gathers above him.

Kai looks at him and sighs: “I hoped it wouldn't come to this, Papa.”

He snaps her fingers and the golden light above Lazar disappears.

Lazar: “What… what have you done?”

Lazar raises his hands, but nothing happens.

Lazar: “Daemon! This daemon has stolen my magic!”

Kai (speaking in a firm, loud voice): “Calm down, Papa!”

Kai extends his hand to Lazar, and Lazar is silent. He opens his mouth but words no longer can leave it.

Kai turns to the Village Chief: “Chief! I agree that by moving from my position I broke the second rule of Faerie War. But before I moved, Lazar broke the first rule!”

Village Chief: “What do you mean, young man?”

Kai (yelling loud enough for all to hear): “Faerie War is a battle of wits and magic. Each participant takes turns attacking and defending. The forbidden spell sacrifices the life of the caster, then uses that energy to destroy his opponent. By casting the forbidden spell, Lazar attacked himself, before attacking me! By attacking out of turn, he has lost the battle of Faerie War!”

Lazar angrily rushes Kai, who snaps his fingers. Lazar stops in place, his motion completely frozen.

Kai (still yelling to the townsfolk, who have returned): “Look at our traditions! Never has it been allowed to cast a forbidden spell! Forbidden spells are forbidden for a reason!”

Kai bows to the Village Chief.

A moment passes.

Village Chief: “A break will be held! We will discuss the results of the round!”

The crowd murmurs. Some of them rush to Lazar’s side, who is still fully immobile.

Kai: “He’s fine. I just had to keep him from hurting himself.”

Ten minutes pass. Then the Village Chief climbs to the stand and speaks.

Village Chief: “For the usage of a forbidden spell and attacking out of turn, Lazar is disqualified! The winner of this battle of Faerie War is Kai!”

Kai: “I think it's time to tell the truth now.”

A golden light shimmers around Kai, and he splits into two. On the left, wearing adventurer clothing, is Gladys. On the right, dressed in full Faerie War regalia, is Kai.

---

Gladys raises her hand: “Before anyone makes an objection, let me say one thing. True Puppet Master.”

Village Chief: “But… this battle was…”

Gladys: “It was between Papa and Kai.”

Village Chief: “But you…”

Gladys: “Kai cast every spell, using my magic power.”

Village Chief: “But that spell… that means…”

Kai turns to Gladys: “Why are they so confused? Has this never happened before?”

Gladys: “True Puppet Master allows the caster to completely merge with a compatible subject. During the time of the spell, both personalities share the same body. Usually, it’s cast to take advantage of someone’s strength or speed. It's technically possible to cast spells, but even basic spells would use an enormous amount of magic power, based on the compatibility of the two. No one has ever used it for Faerie War to my knowledge.”

Kai: “So that means your magic power is...”

Gladys: “It means that you and I are perfectly compatible, Kai. And even Papa isn't so dull to deny that.”

She snaps her fingers and Lazar regains his ability to move.

Lazar: “Cheater! Gladys, you cheated! You can't go with him!”

Gladys: “Papa. You should understand by now that I can do what I want, right?” She holds her fingers in a ready-to-snap position.

Lazar looks at her hand and stops moving.

Lazar: “But Gladys…”

Gladys: “You promised that if Kai could beat you in Faerie War, I could go with him. I used True Puppet Master, and with my help, he beat you. We both know what that means. Don't go back on your word, Papa.”

Lazar begins to cry: “I just… Gladys…”

He slumps to the ground, and Gladys kneels in front of him.

Gladys: “You know I’m serious Papa, right? I’ll come back to visit.”

Lazar: “I’ll miss you Gladys. I don't know what I'll do without you.”

Gladys: “Well, for a first you’ll get back to work on your Faerie War game! You almost summoned an earth wall against the wind tornado!”

Lazar: “That’s the usual go-to! It's not my fault you used creation magic to attack the round before!”

Gladys: “And you didn't expect that to be the case? Faerie War is all about knowing your opponent!”

She hugs her father and lifts his head to look into his eyes.

Gladys: “I love you Papa. I will always love you. I love Kai, and I’m planning to spend the rest of my life with him.”

Kai (quietly): “Oh mannnnnnnn…….”

Gladys: “I want to leave with your blessing.”

Lazar looks at Gladys through tear-filled eyes.

Lazar: “Kai may not be able to protect you… but no man will ever be good enough for me. My girl can protect herself. You’ve proven that. You can go with him. You have my blessing.”

Gladys kisses him on the forehead and wraps him in a huge hug: “Thank you Papa!”

Lazar holds her tight, then suddenly pushes her back to arms length and looks at her sternly: “On one condition!”

Gladys looks at him with pursed lips, about to argue.

Lazar (quietly): “Just promise me that… you’ll come back to visit your mother.”

Gladys looks up at him: “Papa, I can't promise that I'll be back often. Or when. But you have my word. I will come back to visit you, and when I can't visit, I'll write you.”

She, her mom, and her dad gather together in a family hug.

---

Later that day, the entire village gathers for a celebration sending Gladys away from home. It's rare that someone leaves Faerie Beach.

Kai watches everything happen from the trees at the edge of the firelight.

“Shall we go now?”

Gladys is standing there next to him. She has his travel bag, along with her own.

Kai: “Now? I thought you wanted to leave in the morning.”

Gladys: “I’ve said my goodbyes and told my parents. And this way it'll be easier for Papa. He always does better with his emotions after he sleeps.”

Kai: “Then let’s head out. Which way is the Capital?”

Gladys: “You really are clueless, aren’t you? I love that about you…”

Kai: “Just as long as you realize that I still don't feel the same way.”

Gladys (smiling): “I know.”

We walk together through the forest on the dirt road for half an hour, and then Gladys stops.

Gladys: “One last thing.”

I stop and turn to her.

Gladys: “This is the edge of Faerie Beach. Just one moment.”

She crouches down and touches the ground, and, after a few moments, a golden line stretches through the dirt to her right and left, which then rises through the air. The golden line stretches, forming a curtain that rises high into the air. I look upwards, and see the curtain close into a golden dome that covers the forest of Faerie Beach.

Gladys (softly): “Goodbye, Faerie Beach.”

And we walk into the darkness.