Chapter Nineteen
Into the Fae Realm
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After Snow and Yushin disappeared through the portal, Enoxon and Kurai were left alone outside. Arms crossed and eyes scanning the clearing like proper guards, it was evident that the two were agitated. Kurai’s mind roamed back and forth between Snow and what he had shared with her that morning. To his surprise, she took it rather well. He had expected the tears; they were bound to happen. Anger and embarrassment coursed through him as he remembered how sad she looked when he told her the story. He had only just discovered the truth after researching with Enoxon regarding the dagger he consistently took from her to examine overnight. It really was a special dagger.
“Kurai,” Enoxon’s voice broke the silence, his tone both curious and concerned. “You did the right thing by telling her, you know. She needed to understand the significance of that dagger.”
Kurai grunted, his arms tightening across his chest. “I know, but seeing her cry... it pissed me off. I hate seeing her like that.”
Enoxon nodded, his expression softening. “She’s stronger than you think, Kurai. Besides, you care about her, even if you won’t admit it.”
Kurai scoffed, turning his gaze away. “Whatever. I’m just doing what needs to be done. It’s not like I care or anything.”
Enoxon nodded, shifting from one foot to the other. “I fear what it turns into,” he responded, sighing softly. “Knowing this demon was the same one that eradicated your village proves it's a powerful foe.”
“Doesn’t matter. Removing the demon from existence doesn’t fix anything. She’ll be marked by another demon,” Kurai stated bluntly.
“We’ve already discovered she’s not a human. Nor is she of angel blood either.”
The sorcerer sighed, beginning to pace back and forth in the snow. "So what was it?" he questioned himself, trying to think of what Snow could possibly be. Being almost immortal, Enoxon had seen a lot of different beings in the world. From centaurs to pixies to griffins… There had been so many other beings. Kurai had confirmed that Snow wasn’t any of those, nothing that he had seen before. But… It worried him. Why was she such a high target? Indeed, it wasn't just because her parents were high-ranking sorcerers.
"Ren and Sayuri were amazing sorcerers," Enoxon mused aloud, his voice tinged with admiration and curiosity. He had heard stories about them but never had the opportunity to meet them because they had decided to retire into the human world.
When Enoxon heard about the story about that dagger, he immediately began researching it. He found an old story about a stone connecting to a Kitsune, and from there, he started connecting the dots.
“She shared with me that she could feel my emotions,” Kurai stated, breaking Enoxon’s train of thought.
“If you are her guardian, that is common. You said it yourself. It’s similar to being in a pact with a human—a pact you disagreed with. Overall, you are connected with this girl,” Enoxon explained. “Like an angel,” he commented, his eyes thoughtful as he considered the possibilities.
“Gross,” Kurai muttered, turning away from him and looking out into the snow-drift of the forest. But the silence and the snow were still; nothing moved, and nothing stirred. Glancing over his shoulder into the portal doors, he could barely see the outline of his companions. A wave of worry washed over him as he watched for any movement from them, but it was still like the Underworld forest on the other side of the lake. Still and quiet. Questioning their presence, he turned away and poked his head further into the doorway. On the other side of the doorway, Snow and Yushin sat still with hands in each other's, roaming the memory.
"Did they really have to hold each other's hands?" Kurai muttered under his breath. Slyly, the fox-demon entered the portal and separated their hands, not knowing what it could do.
As he did so, a bright blue light appeared from within the portal, and Snow's body began to glow extremely brightly—so bright that Kurai had to look away.
“What is happening?” Enoxon's voice boomed as a roaring noise emanated from the portal. “Kurai, what the hell did you do?!” he snapped at him.
“What did I do? What did he do!!” Kurai howled over the cacophony of sound and light.
Enoxon's eyes grew wide, and he stepped backward. He stared at the bright blue light in awe, wondering what could have happened. Glancing at the now stand-alone Snow, he barely noticed that the connection between the Spirit Walker and the girl had been severed. Instantly, he knew what was happening.
The light swirled, blinding Enoxon and Kurai and forcing them to step back. He could not grab Snow fast enough, but he certainly tried. Shoving Kurai out of the way, he reached for Snow, but it was too late. The portal's light grew so bright and hot that the activation pulse knocked him and Kurai onto their backs. The sunlight streamed out of the tree, causing the leaves and branches to shift from maroon red to a bright blue. The portal had been activated. They were going to be teleported elsewhere.
“Snow!” Kurai’s distraught voice sounded. He ran inside the portal, watching as the light began to disappear. “No,” His anger grew, his fire growing hotter. “I told you this was a stupid fucking plan!” The nogitsune snapped, turning around to face the sorcerer.
"How did she activate the portal again?" Enoxon asked, bewildered. He ignored Kurai, flicking his wrist and trapping him in a bubble.
"Let me out of this shit hole!" Kurai snapped, banging on the bubble that would eventually run out of oxygen, putting out his flames.
Enoxon stepped closer to the tree, scrutinizing the lingering glowing blue light. He ran his fingers along the bark, feeling for any residual magic that might provide answers. "There has to be something here," he muttered, his mind racing.
The sorcerer closed his eyes, extending his senses into the magical currents surrounding the portal. He could feel the faint traces of Snow's energy mixed with the ancient magic of the portal. Ignoring Kurai's continued banging on the bubble, Enoxon focused on the magical signatures. He could sense a unique combination of energies, something he hadn't encountered before. "This is... different," he realized.
As he continued to probe, his eyes fell upon a familiar object lying on the ground—Snow's dagger. It must have fallen out of her pocket during the chaos. He picked it up, feeling the residual magic clinging to it. "The dagger," he thought. "It was with her when the portal activated."
"Hang on, Snow," he whispered, determination setting in. "I'll find you."
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
A sudden bright glow transforms our surroundings and completely changes it into something more. Changing it from a winter scene of the Underworld to something of just a shining moonlight. It entirely morphed my body and changed my perspective of what was happening. All I heard was Kurai and Enoxon’s voices yelling at me as the scene of my memory began to pull away into that bright light of something different.
Momentarily after the bright lights were done, I was whisked away into an area total of purple. I was under the shade of tall purple plants, the sun beaming brightly through the flowers. There was no snow, no cold, just a bit of a breeze and a green overhead. I instantly sat up, gazing around the area. Had I just been teleported? No way. Was this the human world?!
“Yushin?!” I panicked as I saw the many passed out a few feet away. “Yushin, wake up!” I hissed at him. I crawled over to him and looked him over. Yushin's skin was a stunning golden brown, radiating warmth and vitality. He wore a robe that was a deep, dark blue with intricate gold accents, elegantly draped over his frame. The robe was open at the chest, revealing his toned physique. What caught my eye the most were the tattoos decorating his chest—light blue, almost sparkly, they resembled delicate, string-like patterns that seemed to shimmer with an ethereal glow. These tattoos wove intricate designs across his skin, adding an air of mystique to his already captivating presence.
He did not look like he belonged in the human realm if that’s where we were. There was no water in sight, nothing but trees and silence. It was dark here, wherever we were. My gaze trailed upwards to the sky above me. It was night here, too, wherever ‘here’ was. A sigh escaped me as I sat next to the man who was passed out, face in the dirt just about.
"Yushin," I murmured, pulling my knees up to my chest as I hugged them, drawing in the dirt beside me. "It’s very purple here. It’s a beautiful area. I’m not sure where we are or why, but… It’s full of lavender flowers. It’s not even cold, like the Underworld." A small smile played on my lips as I rested my head on one of my knees, looking around the clearing before me.
The lavender flowers surrounded us, their soothing fragrance mingling with the night air. The ground was a soft, velvety carpet of blooms, and the trees had an almost glow to them, casting a gentle, purple hue over everything. It was a stark contrast to the harsh, icy landscapes of the Underworld.
“Mmm,” A muffled sound escaped Yushin.
"Kurai will probably kill you when we get back," I joked, thinking about his sensitivity toward Yushin. I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at the thought of his anger. "I thought portals were shut down, so why are they working for me? Who am I?" I questioned aloud.
I knew I was mostly talking to myself, but the possibility that Yushin might be slightly awake was reassuring. I was so used to being with others that feeling alone again felt daunting. Being alone in any of these worlds—the Underworld or the Human realm—was a scary thought. I noticed Yushin had shuffled a bit, but his eyes remained shut, and his breath escaped him slowly. The smell of the lavender around me made me feel at ease, and I was not worried about much of anything.
I questioned why I was here because it definitely was not the other side of Abigail’s Tree—the one that I had initially gone through. I brushed some dirt off my simple white dress, which was now slightly stained, but that was okay. I guess I wasn’t meant to wear anything nice. It was the Underworld, right?
“Mmmm, what happened…?” I heard Yushin’s voice grumble.
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I jumped at the sudden voice that broke the silence of the valley of flowers. Turning to look at the young man, a smile appeared on my lips as I realized he was finally waking up.
Where are we?" he asked, brushing his unique two-toned hair out of the way. "Why do I feel so weak?"
"Well, you see," I stated, glancing back out to the field of lavender, "we are... um, teleported somewhere?"
"Oh," he said simply, and his bright blue eyes widened. I'm sorry. Teleported?" he questioned.
“Yes, teleported,” I confirmed, feeling a bit sheepish. I don't know how or why we ended up here. Everything seems different, almost magical.”
Yushin’s eyes scanned the surroundings more intently, and then a look of recognition crossed his face. “This place... It’s the Fae realm,” he said, his voice filled with awe and caution. “I’ve been here before.”
“The Fae realm?” I echoed, my curiosity piqued. “How do you know?”
“I’m a Spirit Walker, remember?” Yushin replied with a slight grin. “I’ve visited different realms, including this one. It all fits the lavender fields, the glowing trees, and those creatures. I even had a funny encounter with a nymph here once.”
“Oh?” I asked, intrigued. “What happened?”
“Well,” Yushin started, chuckling as he recalled the memory. “I tried negotiating with a nymph to pass through her territory, but she decided to trick me. She enchanted the flowers around us to sing whenever I tried to speak. Imagine trying to have a serious conversation with a chorus of flowers singing over you!”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the image of Yushin being outwitted by a nymph. “Did you ever get her to let you pass?”
“Eventually,” Yushin said, shaking his head with a smile. “I had to sing a duet with the flowers to entertain her. She found it amusing enough to let me go.”
“I hear voices,” A voice whispered through the darkness, causing my body to tense up.
Yushin, noticing my tension, forced himself on his feet and scanned the clearing, trying to see what may be approaching us. I scooted closer to him awkwardly and stood behind him slightly, trying to see what was there.
“Welcome, Travelers,” one of the Fae’s greeted us, a knowing smile on their lips. “You have entered the realm of the Fae. What brings you to our domain?”
Yushin stood, his posture respectful and relaxed. “It’s been a while,” he replied as he bowed to them. We seek nothing but answers today and perhaps guidance. We mean no one harm, just wondering if possibly my friend has come by here lately.”
“Mmm,” The Fae spoke; its wings were the largest, and its eyes were a deep, enchanting purple. “Who would that be?”
“Yuna, the Spirit Walker,” Yushin replied, keeping his posture tall.
“Yuna, the Spirit Walker, you say?” It repeated after him. “She had passed not long ago, seeking something of great importance. But beware, my friends, the Fae realm is as treacherous as beautiful. Follow me if you dare; perhaps we can help you find her.”
With that, the Fae turned and began to walk away, their figure blending seamlessly with the ethereal surroundings. The other Fae followed, their movements graceful and otherworldly. Yushin and I exchanged a glance, and with a deep breath, we rose to follow, ready to face whatever the Fae realm had in store for us.
“Where are we going?” I whispered to Yushin ever so lightly.
“Probably to their home,” Yushin replied gently.
As we traversed the winding paths of the Fae forest, the air shimmered with magic. Flowers bloomed in impossible colors, and tiny lights danced in the shadows, hinting at the presence of more unseen Fae. The journey felt timeless and swift as if we were moving through a dream.
Eventually, we emerged into a clearing where a village lay nestled among towering, ancient trees. The architecture was whimsical and organic, with homes growing naturally from the earth and trees, adorned with glowing crystals and silken webs.
The Fae led us to the village center, where a large, intricately carved throne sat beneath a canopy of wisteria and ivy. The Fae King and Queen sat upon it, their presence commanding and majestic.
The Fae King was tall and regal, with emerald green eyes that sparkled with mischief and wisdom. His hair was a cascade of silver, flowing like a waterfall down his back, and his attire was woven from leaves and vines, giving him an air of being one with the forest.
Beside him sat the Fae Queen, strikingly different from the rest. She possessed an ethereal beauty that set her apart, with heterochromatic eyes—one a deep ocean blue, the other a warm amber. Her hair shimmered like moonlight, cascading in waves around her shoulders. Her gown seemed made of starlight and shadows, shifting and changing as she moved. She was clearly of a different fae kind, and her aura was enchanting and mysterious.
“Ah,” A loud voice chuckled as we entered the village. “Yushin!” The King exclaimed, rising to his feet. “How long it has been! The last time we met, you were nearly outwitted by a nymph, if I recall correctly.”
“King Eldrin and Queen Seraphina,” Yushin smiled sheepishly, bowing low. "Your Majesties, standing before you once more is an honor."
Seraphina leaned forward, her voice like a gentle breeze but laced with an edge of suspicion. "We are beyond excited to see you, Spirit Walker. The Fae realm has missed your presence. Tell us, what brings you to our village? And who is this you’ve brought with you?” Her gaze jumped to me, her piercing eyes looking right through me as she approached. “A mortal woman? Why have you brought her here? She is not to be around you,” Seraphina said, conveying disapproval and mistrust.
I felt a chill run down my spine; her presence was awe-inspiring and intimidating. I could barely muster the courage to hold her gaze, feeling utterly out of place under her scrutiny. I frowned as I began to play with my long white hair, running my fingers through it awkwardly.
“Curious,” She murmured as she pulled a strand of my hair randomly. “What is your name, mortal?” She asked me.
“I-uh. Um, my name is Snow.”
“Snow? The white flakes that fall from the sky? You are named after the weather?”
Embarrassed, I nodded my head and looked to the ground immediately.
“Why are you with Yushin?”
“She is a companion,” Yushin jumped in, his expression resolute. “We seek Yuna, the Spirit Walker.”
Seraphina’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she was not convinced by his reply. “Why should I trust a mortal?” she questioned.
“Queen Seraphina,” Yushin replied gently, “this is important. We need to find Yuna.”
“Sera, leave the mortal alone. If she is not quick-witted, she will be forever lost in the Fae Realm,” King Eldrin called out to his wife.
My body tensed as he said that, slightly sweating now.
“Mmm, fine,” she sighed as she turned away, leaving our side and returning to the throne.
Eldrin's gaze softened as he turned back to us. "You both must be weary from your journey. Allow me to offer you a place to rest for the night."
I felt relief wash over me at his words, and I glanced at Yushin, who nodded appreciatively.
"Thank you, King Eldrin," Yushin said with a respectful bow. "We are indeed in need of rest."
Eldrin beckoned to a nearby Fae, who stepped forward gracefully. "Ariella will show you to your quarters. You will find all you need there. Rest well, for tomorrow we will discuss how best to help you find Yuna."
Ariella, a petite Fae with delicate wings and a gentle smile motioned for us to follow her. "This way, please," she said softly.
As we followed Ariella through the village, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and serenity of the Fae realm. The homes glowed with soft, otherworldly light, and the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the sound of distant, melodic laughter.
Ariella led us to a charming cottage nestled between two towering trees. "Here you are," she said, opening the door to reveal a cozy interior adorned with plush cushions and silken drapes. "Please make yourselves comfortable. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Ariella," I said, finally allowing myself to relax.
Once inside, Yushin and I settled into the comfortable surroundings. I couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place, but the warmth and comfort of the cottage helped ease my nerves.
“Yushin,” I murmured in the silence of the small cottage, taking a seat on the couch. I’m sorry that I had teleported us.” My insecurities rose to my chest, knowing that we were here because of whatever I had done.
“You have no reason to apologize, Snow. There’s a reason we were teleported here—and think of it this way! They’ve seen Yuna!” His eyes lit up with excitement like a little kid finding candy.
“You must be really close with Yuna,” I commented, seeming to pick at his strung-out determination.
At my words, Yushin’s attitude shifted. The excitement faded, replaced by a brief, almost smug expression. “Well, she is important,” he said, his tone more guarded. “You’ve no understanding of what I’m going through, what the souls of the Underworld and the Human realm are going through, Snow.”
Our gazes locked, and he sat across the room from me in one of the armchairs. “I don’t,” I replied. I don’t understand much of the underworld, it seems.”
“You don’t, and you probably never will,” he commented. But there’s still a reason Yuna chose you. You said she saved you from a demon, right? Is that the same demon that marked you?” he questioned, pointing toward my arm.
I smoothly reached out and grabbed my arm, which was barely hidden by the dress. “The same demon that destroyed the Sayaka Tribe and my parents,” I said quietly, my voice barely a whisper.
“No one has seen the demon that slayed the Sayaka Tribe,” Yushin replied. “Tea?” He asked as he began to conjure up some tea. “Here, a Fae’s specialty. You know, I’m surprised Kurai made it out alive. As far as I know, the demons left the traitor alone.”
Traitor.
I gave Yushin a cold glare when he said that. “Kurai isn’t a traitor,” I said coldly to him. “He was banished and raised by the King and Queen themselves!”
Yushin’s blue gaze locked with mine as he held the cup of tea before me. “I’m not sure of the stories of your friends, Snow. I know very little about them—except Enoxon. I know little to nothing about Mundus, Astaroth, or Kurai,” he replied, his tone gentle as a flowing river. “But your cup of tea is burning my hands.”
I snatched the tea from him, huffing.
Yushin took a sip from his own cup and nodded thoughtfully. “I understand your loyalty to your friends. It’s commendable, really. But understand that not everyone sees things the same way. Stories get twisted, and perceptions can differ.”
“Perceptions can be wrong,” I shot back, feeling the heat of the tea matching the fire in my chest.
“Snow,” Yushin gently replied, a small smile on his lips. “You remind me a lot of the old Reaper; she was quick to defend anyone misjudged.”
“She?” I questioned, listening to his story.
Yushin nodded, grateful to have my full attention. “The Lady in Red,” he began. “Or the Scarlet Reaper. She’s never exposed her face to anyone, nor did we ever learn her real name. One day, she simply disappeared. Yuna and I searched for her, hoping to find some clues. But we found nothing, not even a drop of blood. I’m not sure why I feel compelled to share this with you,” he paused, sitting back in the armchair and giving me a thoughtful look. “But your spirit is strong. It will be an amazing addition to ours, and I look forward to meeting you on that day.”
“I'm so glad you can’t wait for me to die,” I muttered into my tea. Maybe I should just let the demon have me then.”
A soft chuckle escaped him. “That’s not what I meant. Sorry, I’m not good with words,” he said, scratching his head in embarrassment. “I mean… Your spirit is pure, sweet, and strong. I can see mortals’ spirits lingering around them. It’s impressive, really. You remind me a lot of the previous Reaper.”
“Well, I’m definitely not a Reaper,” I told him gently, taking a sip. The memory of my first day in the Underworld crept into my mind. It exposed me—I remember seeing that little spirit. But I was also being chased by a demon. I thought about it and looked down. “Let me ask you this,” I sighed. “Does the name Kirasa mean anything to you? When I ran from the house, I was caught by the demon—and that’s when I saw Yuna too. I was pulled into this void-like place, surrounded by darkness, and saw a blue light. She spoke in riddles. I can’t remember exactly what was said. She called him a ‘Soul of the Damned.’”
Yushin’s expression turned to one of surprise as he stared at me, his bright blue eyes full of curiosity. I saw something nearly painful flash in his eyes. “Kirasa? I, uh, haven’t heard that,” He said nervously, avoiding my gaze.
I rolled my eyes and sighed, “Whatever. It doesn’t mean anything; the demon probably mistook me.”
“Yeah, probably…” Yushin trailed off before shaking his head and letting out a deep, pained sigh. “Well,” he said quickly. “Um, are you sure you’ve never seen a spirit?” he asked me, curiosity filling his tone.
I gripped my little teacup tighter. “Well…” I trailed off. The memory of the little blue thing flashed back in my mind. “It may be possible? The night I was transported here, I heard someone crying for help, and I… Went after it. I felt like I had to,” I told him sadly. It told me not to look at it, so I didn’t. But it wasn’t a human. And it said the demon wanted it.”
“Have you spoken to Kurai and Enoxon about this?” he asked, switching seats to me.
“I never told them about what the demon called me - I felt it was insignificant. Nor did I mention the little spirit - I figured I was seeing things because I had hit my head. Or my drink had been tampered with, I’m not sure.”
“Interesting,” He murmured.
I did start feeling sleepy, though, as I finished the last bit of my tea. “Mmm, thank you for the tea. But I… Need… Sleep,” I murmured, feeling as though the world around me spun into darkness as I p