Chapter 11: The Hungry Sisters

When Alexander returned to the game following a date with Allana in a VR theme park, he was glad to see that the Fairy had disappeared from the tree hollow. Whether she had been eaten by some animal or gone home, he didn't really care. Just the fact that he was free of her was enough to make him happy.

Like so, he began his journey again, heading towards the next mountain.

After a few hours of traveling, game time, he spotted a wild deer and couldn't help but lick his lips. Holding onto his staff, he snuck close and happily blurted from the animal's side, "Bonk."

Just as the animal tensed up to flee, it was hit by his staff and frozen; its face was a mix of panic, surprise, and confusion that looked hilarious. He began to laugh while leaping back before the animal became free from his ability and fledged. The odd thing was that when his laughter subsided, he could still hear snickering.

Looking around in start, he yelled, "Who's there!?"

The next moment, he heard a tussle from a nearby tree branch before a small figure with red hair and clade in a red dress flew down, calling, "Hey! I'm Therma, the Fairy of burning embers." Hovering mid-air, she smugly put her hand on her hips and finished, "You may now praise my brilliance."

Seeing another Fairy and knowing there was probably another one in the tree, the Elf nodded to himself and turned to flee as fast as he could. Unfortunately, a familiar high-pitched voice snapped, "Not this time, you dumb Big Person!"

A small mound of earth rose up to block him, atop which the earth Fairy from before appeared, looking angry. In a desperate voice, the Elf cried, "What do you want with me? I'm just trying to reach the End of the World."

At this point, a new, spunky, erratic voice exclaimed, "The End of the World! That's crazy... unless you are looking for the Garden… Then it's extra crazy."

From his left, the Elf saw a yellow-haired fairy appear, darting round in a jolting, zig-zag motion almost faster than his eyes could register. Retreating a few feet, the Elf whined, 'Why can't you fairies leave me alone?'

The earth fairy looked at him smugly and shouted, "Because you are a bad Big Person, and we're not going to let you hurt the nice animals."

Alexander was terrified as he pleaded, "I never hurt any of the animals. I just Bonked them. It doesn't even deal damage."

The yellow-haired Fairy darted over to his shoulder, responding, "No damage! That's crazy…" She flew around to look him in the eyes and added, "I'm Electra, fairy of swift lighting."

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The Elf hesitated but responded, "Ah, it's nice to meet you."

The earth Fairy pulled at her hair and roared, "Electra, don't patronize with the enemy!"

Darting forward, the red-haired Fairy landed on the Elf's shoulder and responded jokingly, "What you mean, sis? He doesn't look that bad to me."

The brown-dressed woman looked ready to scream when a mellow voice spoke out from a slow-moving, blue-haired Fairy at the edge of the clearing. "Gia, you said the Elf was a bully, but he's so passive." She flew over to the side of the yellow-haired Fairy, who was now upside down and grabbed the Elf's nose. Meeting the Big Person's eyes, she introduced, "Hello wandering hermit. My name is Aqua, Fairy of flowing water."

Alexander didn't know what was going on but retained his manners. " It's a pleasure to meet you, Aqua…" he glanced over to the red-haired Fairy and added, "And you two Therma."

Gia let out a howl of anger and bellowed, "Stop playing around! He's evil, I say! He tricked me and kidnapped me!"

Ignoring their companion, Theram poked the Elf's cheek with a warm hand and asked, "Hey! Big Person, our sis said you're giving away Mana for free."

The Elf knew what was going on here. These fairies were all looking for a free meal. With this knowledge, he asked, "If I give you some mana with you all, leave me alone?"

Electra pushed his nose playfully and darted to his forehead, where she pulled on his hair curiously and responded, "No way! That would be crazy… You're way too interesting... for a Big person, that is."

Aqua then retook the stage and asked, "Friendly hermit, don't mind my sister. But do tell me, do you not desire to form a contract with us."

Alexander shrugged at this and responded honestly, "I mean, it sounds cool, but I don't know anything about forming contacts. I also don't like fighting, so I don't really see what I would even use a contact for." He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and asked, "Please, can I just give you ladies my mana, and you all stop bothering me?"

The fairies froze up at this before Aqua giggled slightly and responded, "You're very interesting for an Elf."

Alexander shrugged and responded, "I just want to finish my journey and head back to Camelot."

Therma couldn't help but blurt out at this, "Oooo, are you on a quest."

The Elf shrugged again, "Not really. I just made a promise to someone important to me that I would make it to the Edge of the World and see what it looks like. Once I'm done, I have plans to meet up with some friends." He thought for a moment before adding, "If you're not going to leave me alone, then how about a Verbal Contract? If you guys help me navigate the mountains, I'll give you Mana. No need for binding magic or anything."

Gia couldn't restrain herself anymore and roared, 'He's tricking you; he's a bad, bad, Big Person.'

Therma glared and shot back, "Girl, you think every Big Person is a servant of Morgoth himself."

Electra nodded and darted to the Elf's ear before adding, "Yeah!... You're crazy… This guy's energy is super pure… He's practically a lamb…"

Alexander nodded and added, "Plus, I'm only level 1. You guys could easily kill me if you wanted."

Gia didn't believe this and voiced her frustration, "Liar, you said you had over 500 Mana."

The Elf shrugged, "I do, I meditate a lot."

Therma stretched excitedly and exclaimed, "Who cares? I'm so hungry."

Alexander smiled, finding this more friendly Fairy pleasant to be around, and held out a hand, "Here, go ahead and eat."

In quick persession, the four fairies gobbled up roughly 100 mana each. The Elf was left feeling a bit empty but simultaneously gained a better understanding of how his Mana flowed inside him. At this point, he began to travel again, now accompanied by the sisters. As he traveled, they played and made mischief, and their pure joy and innocence soothed his tired heart.

He had gained some unexpected companions, though as time passed, he was glad he had.