Volume One Chapter Three Fay Bound

 Return To Fairyland

Lasta Coop heard the chirping of birds as she woke. From the moment she saw the colour of the grass she knew that she was back in Fairyland. She groaned as her body ached as she slowly got to her feet. She heard the popping as she stretched. She looked around to find out where she was. 

By the light she was in the Seelie Court, yet she could tell that she was in a garden. A large one of that, that was filled with roses that were the size of a child’s head and the stems were like emerald snakes with thorns the size of a man’s hand. There were tulips that were the size half the size of a tall man. With bright light emerald grass the size of a woman's leg. She could see apple trees that were the size of small skyscrapers with full heads of leaves and apples.

What a beautiful garden!

“Lasta?”

She looked around to see a blond fairy with crystal white eyes. She wore a pink and yellow dress. Her wings were like a blue butterfly.

“Yes. Who are you and where am I?” She asked with a tone of bitterness in her voice.

“I am Vinnella. We are in the Royal Gardens and I have been given the task to bring before the king and Queen.”

Her eyes narrowed with dread and suspicion.

“Why?”

“There is a strange situation that they wish you to know about.” She said, gravely.

She nodded. 

She was soon brought before King Elric and Queen Elricca.

“Your Majesty.”

“Lasta, I am sorry. However,I have the misfortune to inform you that Salynara, the fairy witch, has somehow been resurrected.” The king said.

She looked at him shocked. Her mind started to race at over one hundred miles per hour as she had to let that revelation sink in as she felt her blood run cold.

“What? How? Why? When?”

King Elric shook his head.

“We are yet to learn of that answer.”

“However all we know is that she is after the relics. We do not know what they are just that she is after only three.” The Queen said.

“So you’re gonna send me after her then?”

“Uses, however, I wish for you to first rat here for the night. I can see that you need it.”

She nodded.

“Yeah, that would be a good idea. I’m beginning to forget what it feels like to sleep in a bed.”

“You have not been home?” Asked King Elric.

She shook her head.

“Not since that witch cursed me.”

“Do you think that it will hinder you in some way?”

“No, I will use that as a motive. After all, I’m gonna make her break this curse of her’s!”

He nodded.

“Then I suggest that you get your rest.”

She nodded.

“Haven’t had a good night’s sleep since I got cursed by her.”

“Then go. You need it!”

“Thank you.”

With that she was soon in the chambers that they provided for her. The moment that her head hit the pillows she was soon asleep. In the next moment she was waking up from a nightmare that was soon forgotten. All she knew was that it was about Otb. Just thinking about him sent a shiver down her spine. She was soon back to sleep, yet she was going in and out of sleep waking up from a nightmare every time.

This was interrupted by a knock on the door and a fairy walked in. Her hair was bright ginger and her eyes and dress were both grass green. In her hands was a suit of green armour.

“I was told to give you this.” She said. “You are expected in the training room.”

“Training?”

“Yes, His Majesty thinks that you must have one.” She said.

“Why just one?”

“I am informed that you hardly have that much time.”

She nodded as she slipped out of the bed.

“Also your breakfast is ready, you will be joining Queen Elricca to eat.”

“Right, thank you.”

She slipped out of her old clothes and slipped on another set of clothes that fit her. Which was black leather trousers and a dark purple shirt. She put on the armour which fit her perfectly and was lighter than a feather. She moved around and noticed that it was easy to move in and she could get around in it as easily as if she was not wearing it.

By the way, what’s your name?”

“Greedara. You met my half sister yesterday.” She said. “She looks more like Father than me.”

She nodded.

She was led to the woman's dining Hall. It was a tall and glamorous room, filled with light that came through the tall windows. The mirrors and the glass chandeliers made it even more so. 

There she was greeted by Queen Elricca.

“Good morning Lasta Coop.”

“Good morning, Your Highness.” She said as she curtsied.

She chuckled that sounded lyrical.

“Please, call me Queen Elricca.”

“Alright Queen Elricca.”

“Now would you like to sit next to me? That way I do not need to raise my voice to speak with you, nor you me.”

She smiled.

“Yeah, that would be a good idea.” She said with a shy smile. “Although, I do admit that this must be the first time I have eaten with royalty.”

“Never fear. I shall teach you all you need to know.” She said as they sat.

Thank you.”

“You are very welcome! Now, you start from the outside and work your way in. Also, when holding a goblet, hold it like this, with your tiny finger sticking out.”

She did what she said. The maid fairy came in and placed down their plates in front of them. Which was olives and pineapple. She observed Queen Elricca as she ate and copied her as she too ate.

“I must say, Lasta, you are a fast learner.”

“Yeah, well, as I haven’t gone to school for ages I must learn what I can when I can and as fast as I can. Yet even before we went to school both me and Lasto learned as much as we could.”

She smiled as she finished. This was soon followed by a full English breakfast. She waited for Queen Elricca to start,  as she did, she noticed that she pushed her beans onto the back of the fork. She flipped the fork over and did the same. Queen Elircca smiled at this as she slowly ate. She made sure to keep her back straight and ensured not to drop her manners. That was until the chocolate cake came. This she did without having to mind her manners, as she ate it slowly as she wanted to preserve every moment. She dug her spin in slowly and left nothing, not even a crumb.

"Right, now we will embark on our training session.”

“Wait, you mean you’re going to-”

“Yes, after all if the Seelie and the Unseelie Courts were to go to war and my husband had to go to war, then it will be up to me to defend the kingdom, here.” She explained.

“Oh, I didn’t think about that.”

She then smiled. 

“Not many people of your world do.”

She has soon led her to the training grounds. She then gave her a sword that was in the shape of a plant with the weight in the shape of a coral red rose and a hilt in the shape and colour of a stem with the guard looking like twin sepals. With a lilac blade. It was light to hold and easy to grip.

They both faced each other and she ran to the Queen and raised her blade which was soon blocked.

"Be careful to not be too obvious."

She nodded as she pulled away. She drove her blade to the side and then the other side. She tried to do this faster and,  as her muscles warmed up, this she was able to do. She then kept up the flurry of strikes, with Queen Elricca doing nothing but blocking her every time. She soon built up a sweat, yet Queen Elricca had not even one drop on her. She then soon had the tip of her blade to her throat.

She smirked.

“You have become faster. That is good.” She said. “Now, time for you to work on your defence.”

She soon was thrusting her blade at her. She blocked again and again,  the Queen getting faster and faster as she went. She felt her heart increase and her mind became sharp as she knew that to fail blocking one would mean that she would be cut. Her eyes darted around as she kept her eye on the blade. She felt herself walking back further and further. She soon started to feel tired, yet she dared not show it. She pushed through the ache of her muscles and she kept on blocking again and again. She soon slipped and had to dodge the blade before it hit her.

She knelt panting as her lungs got as much air as she could.

She smiled.

"Good work. You may be ready, so clean up and we will pack you your food,  and you can keep that sword."

“Thank you!”

This she was able to do faster than she thought she could.

“Here.” King Elric said as she passed her a map. “All we know is that she is heading to this place named The Cave Of Relics.”

“Right.”

“Now, fair well, we will wish you the best.”

Following The Fay

She ran for half an hour before she soon found Salynara. The moment that she did she ran after her as fast as she could like a hound. After all, she wanted this over and done with as soon as she could. The sooner she defeated her, the sooner she could force the fairy witch to break her spell over her. Then she could finally go home. Cry into her mother’s arms and tell Latso and her father all about her adventures and why it took her so long to come home. Then live a normal life.

Then Salynara looked at her and, for a moment, smirked. She then turned tail and ran. She chased after her, her mind drowned out everything and anything else. She knew that she must have jumped over several things yet she was too focused to know what. It also seemed the forest that she was in flew past her in a blur.

After a few hours she soon ran out of breath and her lungs were crying for air. Then her legs ached and gave way under her. She hit her head on something and she was forced to lie there, catching her breath. She felt distracted at her aching body, forcing her to rest.

“Aw!” She moaned before she hit a log next to her.

She tried to get up but her legs and arms were not supporting her. So she just lay there for a while until her energy and strength came back. 

No! Too soon.

The moment that it did she got up. She then looked around her. She spotted a black sparkly dust on the mud below. She then looked back and spotted that it followed the trail that she knew she had just run. She then looked ahead.

So I should find her by following this? Alright.

She then followed the trail but this time she walked, after all she knew that she would have to conserve her energy. She needed that for when she would have to chase Salynara. The moment that she saw her she would then break or into a run. She did this for a long time. She soon got hungry, however she did not want to satisfy her hunger until her stomach hurt. She huffed at herself as she forced herself to sit down. She soon took out her ham sandwich. She soon got it down her and drank some freshly squeezed apple juice. She then went on her way.

She soon regained sight of Salynara. She soon ran after her. She ran and ran, she jumped over branch after branch, root after root. She soon came close to her. She was almost able to reach out to touch her but she suddenly sped up almost like she was purposely going slow. She was soon out of reach. She soon came to a cliff face and she flew up and over it.

She looked at the rock face. She looked up and knew that there was no other way she took a grip of the rock. She climbed up higher and higher until she was almost at the top, but then she slipped. She fell until she gripped a ledge, her body slammed against the rock. This caused the weaker areas of the rock beneath her to be crushed and fall. Her eyes winced for a moment. Then she looked up. She knew that she would have to get to the top soon so there was no time to think about the pain in her small fingers. She knew that if she did then she would lose Salynara again. Yet as she looked down it occurred to her that she was risking her life just to get home. This was when she felt slightly afraid. She shook her head as she shoved her thoughts down. She climbed up the cliff making sure that she gripped strong areas of the rock. She was soon up and she was, again hungry and had lost Salynara. Even worse,  it was night. She ate another ham sandwich as she walked away from the edge of the cliff.

She found cover and set up camp and fell asleep. She was soon off. She soon wrote up from a nightmare and when she was up, she ate another sandwich. She soon saw the black dust even though it was harder to see in the still dark morning. When she became tired again she set up camp and fell back asleep. She woke up from another nightmare only to find that the sun was up. This helped her to see the tail and she was able to follow it. When she felt her hunger coming back she took out another sandwich and walked as she ate. 

She soon finished as she saw Salynara in the far distance. She ran after her but tried to keep as quiet as she could. She was soon closing the distance. She felt her heartbeat increase as she got closer and closer. She then became close enough to touch and as soon as her fingertips touched her wing she flew off and out of her reach. She ran after her as fast as she could,  yet she made sure to keep quiet. This let her get close to her and she touched the wing again. Yet again she flew further and further ahead.

She looked back and smiled. With a flick of her wand she felt a branch hit her in the face. She flew back and hit her back on the mud behind her. She soon got to her feet. She then ran after her yet she had lost her again. She calmed herself and followed the black dust. Yet as she did,  she took this time to look at her map to see where she was. She soon spotted that she was heading to the Cave Of Relics.

She soon came to a break in the trees. She soon saw that the trail led to a small field that soon led to a rocky face where a cave was. This must have been the Cave Of Relics and the trail led inside. She looked at the map to double check and she was right. So she followed her in…

The Cave Of Relics

The moment that Lasta was in the cave the mouth of the cave became smaller and smaller. She ran to it knowing that if she could not get it open then she would be trapped in this cave. Yet by the time that she came to the point the mouth of the cave had sealed itself up. She was able to quickly figure out that this was Salynara. This told her that she wanted her here. This deduction came to no consequence of her, it only meant that their goals were aligned. She wanted to be here too.

She turned and walked in and as she did she spotted that there was a light coming from the back of the cave. She walked to it seeing that there was no other way forward. She soon saw that there were twin rows of fire parallel to each other at the side of each cave. This helped her see things better including the black dust.

She followed the trail and this opened up to the mouth of a chamber. It was filled with treasures of all kinds! Her eyes lit up. She had never seen so much gold, silver and precious stones in all her life! Yet all of them were in many different shapes and sizes too! As she walked on she saw a large golden monkey. She looked closer at the eyes and spotted that the eyes were made of a rare red emerald. She reached out her hands as she was about to touch it until she suddenly developed a bad feeling about it. 

She retracted her hand and looked for the trail. She soon found and followed it. She came to the end and spotted a golden suit of armour. She was about to pass it but she was blocked by the arm of the armour. She looked up at the helmet and spotted that there was none in the suit! Yet in spite of this, it was all too clear that she would have to fight this suit of armour.

So, she pulled out her sword. She also knew that she would have to play fair in order to win. After all, something told her that there were enchantments that would make her lose if she tried to cheat. This could mean that the armour could adjust the fighting to her would help, however that was assuming a great deal of things.

She then waited for the armour to take out its sword. When it did she charged at it and it blocked whack after whack. First to the left and then the right. This she repeated again and again and he blocked swing after swing. Then she went to the head, yet the armour whacked the sword away from her. Yet she kept it firmly in her grip, causing the scabs in the fingers to reopen. 

Then the suit of armour then flung its base to her and she was scrapped back. She was momentarily pushed off her feet. She then landed in a pile of gold coins. She quickly got to her feet as she had to defend herself from another swing. Her feet skidded as a pile of silver coins was scaled up and helped stop her. She then dodged out of the way of another swing and she brought the blade up and then threw the blade to the helmet which was knocked off. She let out a scream as she saw that there was no head!

How am I even supposed to beat that thing!

“You need not fear. You have already defeated me, fair maiden. You have touched my armour.”

She nodded.

I don't have time for this!

“Now, you can go on and good fortune be with you. And may the Lord deliver you from all evil!”

She smiled and nodded. 

“Don’t worry, I’m on the way to do that myself!”

She then walked on. She soon saw the chamber where Salynara was knowing that she was ready.

The Demand Of Lasta Coop

“Well, well, well, you took your time!” Said Salynara.

“Salynara!” Shouted Lasta, feeling her rage fill her chest up.

“Ahh! It seems that you are hardly surprised to see me! I wonder why that is?”

“I was told that you came back from the dead. And as for how, I don’t know and I don’t care. Yet I am glad that you’re back!”

“Oh? But how would you like to know how I did it?”

She rolled her eyes.

“Noone’s stopping you! Plus I’m not going anywhere!”

“Well, before I died I plucked a stand of hair from my head. I put a spell on it so that if I ever died then not only would my curse be on you but I was able to come back.”

“Yeah, I could not care less, speckling of which, I would really like it if you broke that for me, thank you very much!” She said as she took out her sword. “Then I wanna go home and forget that you exist!”

She looked at it with a mocking smirk.

“How about you beat me and I will. After all, I suppose that you really miss home.”

Lasta saw a flash of her mother and father and twin brother. She nodded as the hope of seeing them again and sleeping in her own bed again rose within her. Only this time they will know the truth and she will be able to be honest with them. She would love a hug from all of them.

“Yes. More than you can ever know.” She took hold of herself and pointed the sword at her. “Which I will do all to break that curse. Then I will bring you to King Elric and Queen Elrica in chains!”

She laughed as she put something in her pocket. She then ran to her, Lasta dodged out of the way and brought the sword down to get but she blocked it with a knife. She then kicked the girl in the stomach. This forced her back and as she did she swung her sword to her. She used her magic to force her back. She then hit her and she landed on a pile of coins. Ordinarily, she would have been bothered by the pain,  but she was far too angry. So she got up and ran back to the fairy and swung the base down, but she was forced back again. As she spun she thrust the blade out to her which collided with her back. This caused Salynara to fly with her. She dug her dagger into her and then kicked away and they both hit a pile of coins opposite each other.

She quickly got to her feet and picked up her sword. She then ran down and up at her as she did, she picked up a few coins. She threw them at her then she swung her blade to her, yet she blocked it and as she got to her feet she drew her sword up. She then heard a clunk, however she had no time to think about that. She then threw a punch at her yet she flicked her wrist away as if it was nothing. She then hit her away and she spun away. She lost her footing on the uneven pile and she fell and rolled down to the bottom of the pile.

She hit her wrist and it hurt more than it ought to have. She shook her head as she picked herself up, she felt something around her wrist. She shook her head. She had no time to think about what may or may not be on her wrist. She then turned back to her as she was above her; she thrust her blade up but she blocked her sword with her dagger. She then whacked her sword right out of her hand!

She drew in and was soon in her cold embrace as she drew her knife into her. She spun and thrust her hands out as the blade came close to her. She pushed against it yet she was far stronger than her. She could not hold her away for long as she was far too weak. Seeing that there was no other way she dug her elbow into her side. The dagger dropped and she staggered back. She picked her danger up and drew it to the fairies' throat.

“Now break your curse now!”

She looked at it and smiled. She then let out a broken laugh. This led to a chuckle and then an ear torturing cackle. Angrily she hit her temple with the weight of the blade. 

“I said break your curse now!”

She continued to laugh.

“Stop laughing!”

She then drove her base right to the throat with the full intention of killing her, but before she could strike the killing blow she felt an electric shock spread throughout her body. She dropped the blade as the hand drew to the source of the electric shock. Which was around her wrist. She felt a thick metal bracelet around her wrist. She looked at it and then her mind went over the battle and noticed that it was when she heard that clunking noise. Then she felt the cold of the bracelet. She looked at it as she saw that it had twin red rings on the outside and an inner thick black ring with a yin yang symbol in the centre.

“What-what is this?”

“Ahh! Finally you noticed.” She sang.

“What is this?”

She chuckled.

“A very special one thousand and five hundred year old bracelet.” She said as she raised her wrist to reveal that she was wearing a similar bracelet, however hers had a thick red ring where the black was and where the twin red rings were, were twin black rings. “See it binds the two that wear these together. Yes, now you get it!”

She looked at her shocked.

“So that fight…” She barely was able to whisper as she shook her head and started to breathe rapidly.

“Was a distraction for me to put one of these bracelets on you.”

“But… Was that… Was that what you put in your pocket?”

“No. I put a third in my pocket. One that was forged in the sixth age of legends by a great and legendary witch of another world.”

“And who-who is it for?”

“You will soon see in a short amount of time.” She said. “From now on, there will be no escape from me.”

Prisoner Of The Fay

She looked at her bracelet and back at her in anger. She just could not believe it!

No, she’s lying! She could never do this! She doesn’t have the power. I have her by the ropes and she knows it.

No, she would. She would do this within a heartbeat, at maximum.

“Why? Why are you doing this?” She shouted.

She smirked.

“There is an old saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” She said as she passed her. “Now we ought to leave this cave. I have work to do.”

She then walked on. She found her feet walking after her. She could do nothing but watch her feet walk on and on. She followed her to the closed mouth of the cave. Salynara outstretched her hand and the mouth flicked open. She then walked on.

I can’t believe this! I just can’t believe this!

“Where are we going?”

She laughed mischievously.

“You will see.”

They then walked left.

Seeing this as her opening she ran to the right. She ran and ran but then her feet suddenly made a u-turn. She found herself running after Salynara. She tried running back to the cave but she was soon heading towards her again. She tried running in every other direction away from Salynara but every time she ran to her. She just could not believe it!

She then looked at the bracelet again. It was somehow responsible for this. She did not know how or why, but this bracelet was keeping her near Salynara like a magnet. Thus she knew that she was never going to get away. Not with the bracelet around her wrist. She knew that she would have to get it off. Somehow she would have to get this bracelet off her. Even if she would have to cut it off.

She looked up at Salynara as she followed her in silence. Almost like a predator, stalking her prey. She, unintentionally, started to walk silently too. She kept her eye on her knowing that she would have to wait until she would pounce on her prey. Then she would demand that she would remove it and break the curse.

It soon became night after a long and silent journey. Salynara waved her black wand and a tent appeared. She then heard something coming towards her. She looked back only to feel a twig hit her in the head. She looked at the girl and smiled as the firewood arranged itself and set alight.

“Come on. Time to eat. Then you will be getting a good night’s sleep. After all, you may not get a good one for a long time.” She said as she put a pot above the fire and soon their dinner was cooked.

She felt her stomach growl as the scent entered her nose. She then gave her some stew. She looked at it with suspicion.

She giggled.

“You need not fear! After all, if you die then so will I. No, you will need your strength and as you are my prisoner, I have to look after you especially at your age.”

She cocked her eyebrow as she started to eat. To her surprise, it was actually good. She ate as quietly as possible. She was soon finished. She smiled as she gave her more. They both had three courses. Then with another wave of the wand they all disappeared. 

“Saves time spent on cleaning.” She said. “Now, you are tired.”

She then went into the tent where she pretended to sleep and once she knew that Salynara was in a deep sleep. She took out her sword and thrust it down to the bracelet. Her sword passed through the bracelet and even her wrist and landed on the floor of the tent. She looked at her wrist and band, both were unharmed. She tried to take it off again by pushing it off but that did not work either.

I’m never gonna escape this witch! 

She looked at it helpless as she started to cry. She wanted to go home. She wanted to see her family again, but as long as this bracelet and curse were on her then she would never ever see them again. She was going to be a prisoner of this fairy witch forever. She hit the ground again and again. She wept gatefold to sleep. Even when she was fast asleep,  she was still crying.

Her eyes opened early in the morning. She could smell the ice cold fresh air. She heard the cooing of a bird. She slipped out of the tent. She then ran as far as she could. Then she found herself running back to the camp. She tried running another way. She was soon running back to the camp. She then ran in a circle and started to spiral out but after a while she started to run in.

Thought so.

She looked down at her bracelet. She could not get it off, nor could she cut her hand off either. She could do nothing. She flopped down as she realised that. She took a rest as she opened her map,  just to get her mind off her current powerlessness. She looked around and diverted her thoughts to where they were going.

Why are we going this way… What could she be after?

She soon spotted that there was only one place that she could be after; The Mirror To The Stars And Another Time.

Yes, this must be it! But why would she want to go there? What could she be planning? Does it even matter? I’m gonna find out either way.

She then thought about what Salynara had said.

“Ohhh! You are already awake! Good girl!” Salynara said, interrupting her thoughts. 

She then looked at her map. 

“Can see that you have already figured out where we are going. Though I am interested. Have you figured out why?”

“No.” She said. “You gonna tell me?”

She let out a chuckle 

“No.”

They soon had their breakfasts and were on their way. It was halfway through the morning when they arrived. There was a circle of stones that curled inwards line stone claws, pointing to a large mirror the size of a house. The rim was blue with lilac runes that were in a language that she did not know. The mirror itself was made of silver, yet there was something about it, almost uncanny like CGI silver. There were black glass stairs leading to the foot of the mirror that as each step descended it was wider than the one before. Leading to a black glass circle at the base of the mirror. Which made it look as if it was above a deep pool.

“What a beautiful place!”

“Come on!”

She sang as they walked down the stairs. She noticed that at the bottom she spotted that there was a star engraved into the black glass that was surrounded by Roman numerals from one to twelve. She then felt her hand being held as they walked in.

Linked To Otb

The moment she stepped on the polished and shiny floor Lasta knew that they were in a greatly more advanced civilization. She looked around and saw that the walls were black that were made of a material that she knew that was not on Earth. She looked around and spotted that there was a window behind her. There her eyes rested on the stars and the gas clouds of many different colours.

I’m in space! But, why?

“Where are we?”

“Can you not tell?” She replied with her sly, knowing smile.

She looked around and spotted that the place that they were in was a very secure place.

“A space prison?”

She smiled and nodded.

What does she want with someone here? Never mind that, who does she want here? What did she say,  ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer’? 

She looked around to see what they were in. To her left she saw a plaque.

Intergalactic Prison Facility 

Wait, wouldn’t Otb be in one of these places? Hold on, that's it! No she wouldn’t. She shouldn’t even know about him.

She felt a chill run down her spine as she remembered what he had said. 

“One day those shiny bars won’t work on me anymore and when that time comes…”

She shivered as she looked at the smiling fairy.

“Come along!” She sang like a parent calling her child. 

She was forced to follow. She spotted that there was a pad of buttons to the right. She waved her hand over it. Then the door slid open. They walked through and were greeted by a humanoid blue man that pointed a laser at them. Salynara smirked and then with a wave of her wand the laser gun turned into countless black widows and he screamed as they spread all over his body.

“Stop it! Don’t kill him!” She begged.

She smirked.

“What are you talking about? I’m not doing anything!” She said as he was bitten by all of them and was soon on the ground paralysed. 

She was about to run over to him but Salynara snatched her wrist and pulled her back.

“You killed him! Why did you kill him?”

“Yes, yes I did and he was in my way.” She said. “Now, keep your mouth shut if you know what is good for you.”

She started to feel cold as she looked down pale, all she could look at was the twisted corpse. She kept her mouth shut not even wanting to think about what would happen if she did not. So she followed her feeling absolutely nauseous. She could not get what she had just seen out of her head. This was when it slowly dawned on her that Salynara never wanted to kill her back then and she was just toying with her!

So this must be what she wanted all along! But why? Why is she doing this? Why did she do all this? 

Then things started to fall into place as she came to a cell. She felt the dread as she recognised the scent and her dread increased as she saw that her dread was confirmed as her eyes laid on Otb. Now she knew that they were here for him,  and that Salynara knew of him too. Then another thing hit her with the horror that came with it. This was the third person that would be bound to this group.

“No, please not him! Please not him! Please don’t do this!” She pleaded knowing that it was useless. 

She had already made up her mind.

She smiled.

“I will.”

Then Salynara walked over to the cell and waved her hand over the pad. The cell opened and the moment that it did Otb darted for Lasta. She dived out of the way as his hands flew out. He then grabbed her ram and pulled her back in. She spun around and flung out her fist at him. He let go of her and she tried to run away from him but then her body turned around back at them. Otb frowned and rolled his eyes and smiled. He then ran to her then flicked out a punch. This she ducked and raised her arms to block the next one. She then flung her hand out and dug the heel of her hand into his throat. She then jumped up and kicked him in the head. He fell as he rolled to the side. He then flung out his legs and her face was struck.

She flew back and she soon was on her back. He then ran to her but then Salynara came between them.

‘Is she one of yours?” He asked.

She was shaking as she shook her hand.

Salynara ran to him and then with a wave of her wand he was engulfed in the roots of trees. She held out her hand.

“No! Stop this please not him! Please not him!”

She looked back.

“My mind has been made up.”

“Why? Why are you doing this?”

She giggled.

“You will see dear.”

“What are you two talking about? What are you going to do to me?”

She looked at him realising that even he did not know what was about to happen.

“She’s gonna bind us together so we can’t run away or kill each other!” She cried.

Otb looked at her and frowned.

“Nonsense! Why would an enemy of yours want to even do that?”

Salynara laughed.

“Never fear, you adorable little dearies! You will all know when the time comes.”

“Why not tell me now?” He asked as the bracelet clicked around his wrist. This one looked different to their bracelets. It was all black with a thick red stripe going from the top to the bottom with the yin yang symbol replaced with an X in the centre. 

“And spoil your surprise?”

She then smiled with a double curled lip as the sirens went off. She then released him and grabbed both of their wrists and pushed them both into the window. She was afraid that she would crash into the vacuum of space but she soon saw that they were back in front of the mirror.

Fall Of The Fay

“Where are we?” Asked Otb.

“Fairyland.” Lasta replied, trying to keep herself calm. 

She did not want either to know just how scared she truly was. She tried to keep as far away from them as she could but she knew that there was no escape. She was going to be tied to these two monsters for as long as Salynara wanted them to. She bit her lip as she tried to think of what would happen and how she could keep herself from getting hurt. She then found Otb was next to her.

“By the way, you do remember what I said don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“So you know that if I find out that you’re behind this I’m going to kill you.” He whispered in her ear.

She closed her eyes in dread as her mind went over what he had put her through.

“Believe me, I ain’t. And do you think I’m smart enough to think of something like that?”

“No, I guess not.”

“I don’t even know what she’s planning or what she wants with us!”

They then looked at her as they came to the border of the Seelie Court.

What does she want here?

Salynara looked at the two.

“I think that we ought to take or rest here.” She said, looking around 

She then waved her wand as soon the camp was set up. They soon sat down as the firewood arranged itself in the centre of the camp. Then Salynara started to cook their meal. She sat opposite the two as the meal was done. She gave them their portions and they ate. Then Otb handed in his bowl.

“That has got to be the best thing that I have had in my life!” He declared.

“Thank you, dear.” She said, almost gently. “Now both of you get some rest.”

They nodded and soon Lasta was in her bed. She kept her eyes open as she was afraid that Otb would come in and try and kill her, or torture her in some way thinking that she had some idea what was going on. She was also afraid that he would enact his revenge on her in some way.

She then heard a twig snap.

Oh no! He’s coming! He’s coming to hurt me and the only thing that I can do is defend myself! Why? Just why?

She then heard the running as she closed her eyes, shaking. She covered her head trying to protect it as much as she could. She curled up to keep her vitals protected too. Her shaking became worse as the running came closer and closer. Then she heard him run by her tent and passed it. This made her realise that he was doing what she was doing the night before.

Good. He’s not gonna hurt me.

Then she strangely felt her heart go out to him. She wondered if she should go out and help him. No, she had to remind herself who she was thinking about. He was a monster. A monster that had tried to kill her before she was even nine years old! So she let him find out on his own.

She then heard him stop. Then she heard the door of her tent open. She knew that it was him. She felt his hand on her shoulder.

“You awake kid?”

“How can I be asleep?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Why do you need to ask?”

He chuckled lightly, almost warmly.

“So this isn’t your plan. Well that makes that fairy your enemy.”

“Oh? How could you tell?”

“Simple, no friend of yours would ever nine you to me.”

She nodded. She could not stop herself from flinching as his hand rested on her head. He smiled. He knew that she was at his mercy. He then moved it back to her shoulder.

“So you can’t get away from me, just as I can’t get away from you.” He said with a smirk. 

Her eyes winced.

“Yes!” She said with a high-pitched voice.

“Then that means that you want to be here less than I do.”

She looked to the right trying not to cry.

“Yes.”

“Then what’re you doing here?”

“I want to go home.”

“So, she is the fairy that cursed you…” He tailed. “Tell me, does it hurt? Knowing that you can’t go home?”

Oh you know that it does! She thought but she knew better than to say it out loud. No, she did not want to give him any satisfaction nor any fuel for further torment.

“Shouldn’t you go back to your tent? After all, we both need our sleep.” She said trying to sound braver than she felt.

He smiled and nodded.

“Yes, I guess I do.”

He then got her in the stomach. She then clutched it in shock and pain.

“Now I can sleep.”

He then chuckled as he left. She cried herself to sleep that night.

They were soon awakened an hour before dawn. She quickly rounded them up and smiled, noticing the bags under their eyes. She silently cooked their meals and gave them their food and as soon as they ate it they were both alert and awake. After breakfast, they were soon on their way and passed the border. They followed her into the kingdoms of the Seelie Court. She looked around and with a wave of her wand the sky turned black.

“What are you doing?”

“Just setting the mood.” She said as she heard the drumming of thunder. 

She smiled at the two of then looked at the sky. Then she saw the lightning fall and set a hut on fire! Suddenly she saw a family of fairies fleeing their hut. She smiled as they looked at her and ran from her. However she raised her hand then ice shards flew out of her hand and struck them before Lasta could speak. All she could do was scream.

She then spotted that she was going for another family. She ran to her and gripped her arm.

“Stop it! Just stop it!” She shouted. 

She flicked her off her arm and shot more ice shards at them. 

“No! Please don’t do this! Please just stop!”

Salynara just laughed at her.

“Oh, but Lasta, I have but started!" She sang. 

She then waved her wand and gasmasks appeared on all their faces. She tried to pull it off but she could not. She knew what was about to happen before it did. With a wave of her wand green and purple has left the tip. Then with the other hand the gas spread. She tried to run up to her to stop her but Otb stopped her. Soon they were surrounded by the thick gas that became pink and spread like a cloud. She then heard the coughing and then came the screaming. This followed by the crying. She rushed over to Salynara.

“Stop this! Stop this please! They’re innocent! They have nothing to do with this!”

“I know. Now come along!” She sang.

She moved on and all she could do was cry as her legs forced her on. She then used her hand to spread the cloud out further and follow them. Lasta wished with all her heart that her mother was with her. She was so scared that she wished that she could hide. She did not want to see what she was seeing. It was too horrific.

Then Otb came up close to her.

“What’s wrong? Can’t handle all this?” He taunted.

“H-how c-can you?’

He raised his eyebrow in agreement.

“Can’t argue with that.” He said he put an arm around her. 

She suddenly felt the dread build as she tried to move herself away from him. However he pulled her back in closer to him. So all she could do was walk with him knowing that he was going to hurt her at any moment.

“After all, we both know that right now, all you want is comfort.” He said. “You’re just a kid after all. You shouldn’t be getting involved in all of this. You should be going to school and playing with your friends and family. So why do you do it?”

She looked down, trying not to show just how much she wanted it.

“Because it’s the right thing to do.”

“True, but that’s just like you. Always doing the right thing regardless of the reward.” He said.

“Sometimes there are.”

“Sometimes yes, but I have learnt a lot about you in jail. Both you and that future of yours. I heard that we have many. None of which I want to have.”

She looked at him confused.

“Why?”

“None that I’d be willing to go on. Especially that rumour that I utterly loathe.” He said as he looked at his bracelet. “It seems, with this, it makes sense. Not to mention it also means that we will be in this situation for a long time. I see that you don’t like that.”

“What do you think?”

He nodded as they left the town.

“Oh, and you’re welcome!”

“For what?”

“For distracting you.”

She looked back and felt a moment of relief which was interrupted by a punch in the gut. She clutched it and continued on her way.

“Next time, thank me.” He called pulling away from her.

Then they soon came to the gates of the castle. Salynara looked back at the kingdoms, now covered with the pink poison gas. She smiled satisfied. She then let the cloud disappear leaving nothing but fire and death. Lasta had to close her eyes as she started to cry. She felt line time had stood still. She was suddenly in hell and she knew it. With a wave of her wand the gas masks vanished. Then she pulled Lasta in then pulled out a dagger and pushed it to her throat. She put away her wand and then pulled up and gripped her arm and slashed it. She screamed as the pain stung her. They looked at her and then opened the gate. They tried to pull Lasta away buy Salynara slit their throats. This caused more to appear. They were dead before anyone could do anything. Knowing that none could do anything they had no chance they opened the door and ran at her. With a flick of their wand tiny black glass shards flung at them and hit all their throats. She then pushed her through the door. Lasta was sniffing as she tried to stop herself from crying.

Within the castle Salynara killed every fairy that she could see. None could challenge her. Lasta could do nothing but cry and clutch her arm. She was forced to go onwards. She was going to get hurt and there was nothing that she could do about it. She gaited this hopelessness and helplessness.

“Bet that hurt.” Otb tainted.

She tried to move away from him but she was clutched in the arms of the monster of the one that was responsible for all of this. Yet he came close to her and Salynara let go of her. He looked at the wound.

“Makes everything that you’ve been through look like a paper cut.” He said as he groped her arm. 

He then pulled it closer to him. Her other hand went to it but he hit it away. 

“It won’t kill you, but it will leave a scar. It seems that she knows what she’s doing. I’m impressed!”

“Please let me go.” She tried to yank it away, but his grip was too strong. 

“Just let me look at it.”

She felt a lump in her throat as he did. He was going to make it worse and hurt more. He then looked up.

“Looks like we’re here.” He said.

“Otb, dear, could you do me a favour and keep the girl in your grip?” She said. “And ensure that she does not look away for one moment.”

He looked at her pleasantly surprised and then looked at her horrified face and smiled. He stroked her arm slowly, implying what he would do if she did.

“And Lasta, if you do not look away then I will heal that arm of yours, maybe release you from my curse.”

Her eyes swelled as she felt a hint of hope rose within her and she looked at her surprised. She thought about her mother and father and brother too. Oh how she longed to see them again. To cry and sleep in the warmth of her arms. Then tell them all that she had been through and just to get help from them.

Otb pulled her in and put one hand on her shoulder as he kept his grip on her arm. She opened the doors and their eyes tested on King Elic and Queen Elrica on their thrones.

“What is the meaning of this?”

His eyes widened with shock as he looked at Lasta.

“How dare you-”

“Says the one who sent her after me? Now, now, now, how can you flame the moral high ground?”

“Oh please we both know I had no choice, after all, we both know that it is difficult to get hold of her as an adult.”

She smiled.

“Yes, I am aware. Has it ever occurred to you that maybe you might be the reason why that is?”

His eyes widened notably. He then looked down in shame. Then he looked up at her almost admitting that what she was saying was true.

“That would make sense.” He muttered.

“Anyway, enough of this, Otb, keep her from getting involved.” She said. “Now, enough talking.”

She then looked at Queen Elrica. She ran over to her. Seeing that she was her target King Elric pulled out his sword and rushed between them. She took out her dagger and smirked. She flicked his sword out of the way and then sparks flew as she drew it to his throat but he flung his head back. He drew his blade up to her hip. She jumped and flung out her wings and drew another blade and threw it at Queen Elrica. Then King Elirc blocked the blade as he flew between them. She smiled as she started to fly higher. She then flew higher and higher. He followed her.

What is she doing? What is she gonna do? Lasta wondered.

Soon they were at the roof which was the height of a flat complex with ten floors! She then stopped. King Elric then flew after her. He flung his blade after her, She blocked and his blade fell and dug deep into the stone. He then took out another blade and aimed for her heart. He flung it at her but, again she blocked it with a swing. This left him right open, she flew over to him and raised her dagger he drew his arms in to keep his heart safe. Yet when she dragged it down too high. He did not realise what she was going to do until she took hold of him and then looked at him and smirked. She then let go. He tried to fly but he could not. He looked at his wing only to see that she had cut it off! He hit the ground hard. His body was in a bloody pool. 

She then landed in front of him.

“Still alive?”She asked. “Then enjoy the final moments of your life. However, you need not worry, you will soon join your wife.”

“Please, do not! Please not her!”

She giggled as she walked up to Queen Elrica. 

“You better give a good show for the girl. And your husband.”

“You will never get away with this!”

“On please, keep your generic words to yourself.”

She then charged at get and then threw a series of small blades at her as she ran in front of Lasta. This stopped her.

“P-please do not kill her. Kill me not her. Just leave her alone!” King Elric pleaded.

“Lasta did you not say words like those?”

“Yes.” She said.

“Did that stop me?”

“N-no.”

She laughed as she ran to Queen Elrica and flung dagger after dagger at her. She tried to block each one but like stopping raindrops she could not block all of then and one hit. She then waved her wand and then the curtains flung at her. She took out a dagger and ripped them up. Yet as they did they spun around her like a flower. Then they came closer and closer to her. Soon they were wrapping themselves around her like bandages. She tried to cut each and every one. She tried to use her magic to turn them all into butterflies. Yet Salynara then turned them into a swarm of Aisian giant hornets then raced to her and stung every part of her. She fell down dead and then finished off the fairy king.

Lasta looked at it shocked.

“Did she look away?” She asked.

“No.”

“Good girl.” She said as she stroked the wound and it sealed itself without a scar to be seen. "However, as for your curse. I will remove that when it suits me. Alright?”

She nodded yet she could not look at her.

“Now onwards.”

“Thank you.” She said robotically.