Runes

As soon as we arrive in the forest, the mood lightens, and we dive into a game of teleport tag. It’s a perfect way to help Marco and Maya get the hang of their new teleportation abilities, and their laughter fills the air as we dash from spot to spot, blinking in and out of existence like bursts of energy. We weave through trees, appearing in different places, our senses heightened, hearts pounding with the thrill of the game.

After a while, our playful huffing and giggling settle down, and we gather near a beautiful flower field that stretches out like a sea of color. The blossoms sway gently in the breeze, their fragrance filling the air, calming the excitement from our game.

With a clap of my hands, a large picnic basket appears before us, and we settle in for a meal, the soft grass beneath us and the vibrant flowers surrounding us like a natural haven. The food is simple but delicious—fresh bread, fruit, cheese, and delicate pastries that melt in your mouth.

“So, how did you come to this realm, Queen Lenora?” Daisy asks, her wide green eyes filled with curiosity. She leans forward eagerly, her interest palpable.

I pause, taking a deep breath before launching into my story. I recount everything—how I discovered my powers, the mysterious dreams, the terrifying encounters with the giant wolf, and finally, how I came to the Karmic Realm. When I get to the part about the enchanted encyclopedia, I pull it out of my pouch, the book appearing with a faint glow. It’s a symbol of how far I’ve come, and holding it now reminds me of the countless secrets it still holds.

Together, we flip through the pages, searching for clues about our new runes. Marco, Maya, and Daisy huddle close, their eyes wide with fascination as we find the descriptions that match their powers.

Daisy’s rune is called the Garden Rune. With it, she can summon plants on command and craft all manner of items from them. As we read aloud, I watch her face light up with excitement, her fingers tingling with the promise of newfound possibilities.

Maya has a Weather Rune, granting her the ability to control and summon the forces of nature. The small tornado she conjured earlier was just a taste of her potential, and her smile grows as she realizes the extent of what she could accomplish.

Marco’s rune is Silver Magic. It allows him to create items from silver and even transmute the properties of beings and objects, turning them into shimmering silver forms. His power is unique, and I sense it will play a crucial role in the challenges to come.

Then, we come to my runes. The first is the Curse Breaker Rune, which gives me the power to shatter any curse, no matter how ancient or complex. The second rune I gained is called the Curse Creator Rune, a more dangerous ability that allows me to create and place curses of my own. The balance of power between these two runes weighs on me, as I realize how important it is to wield them with wisdom.

After I finish telling my story, there’s a moment of silence, the weight of everything I’ve been through settling over the group.

“Thank you for sharing your story with us, Queen Lenora,” Marco says cheerfully, his voice breaking the quiet. The others nod in agreement, their expressions soft with understanding.

Maya’s face grows more serious as she speaks. “Before you came, the fairies were in despair for thousands of years. I thought we had been forsaken, that no one would ever come to save us,” she says, her voice trembling with emotion. Tears gather in her eyes, and she wipes them away quickly, trying to maintain her composure.

Her words strike a chord in me. My chest tightens with anger, the injustice of what’s been done to my people boiling beneath my skin. “The Karmic Realm was feared by the other fairy queens,” I mutter, my voice low. “I can’t believe none of them intervened. How could they stand by and let their own kind suffer like this?” I grit my teeth, unable to hide the raw pain I feel. “They’re as gutless as I thought.”

Daisy and Marco lower their heads, their expressions grim. The sadness I feel for my people overwhelms me for a moment, but I push it aside. There’s too much to do, too many battles ahead to dwell on the past.

“Let’s keep moving,” I say abruptly, snapping the remains of our picnic back into the basket and making it disappear with a flick of my wrist. We rise and continue along the path, our feet crunching softly against the forest floor. As we walk, we begin to notice signs of destruction—the ravages left behind by the ravens. Trees charred and twisted, entire sections of the forest reduced to barren wastelands. It’s a haunting reminder of the dark forces still at play.

“There must be an easier way to find the other fairies,” Daisy complains, her voice weary as we walk. “We can teleport, sure, but how are we supposed to know where the other villages are?”

Maya nods in agreement. “We can’t just search aimlessly. There has to be a better way.”

Marco glances over at me, his brow furrowed in thought. “Queen Lenora, do you think there’s a way for you to call to the spirits of the fairies somehow? Maybe they can guide us.”

I pause, considering his suggestion. “It’s possible,” I say slowly. “I’m not entirely sure, but it’s worth a try.”

Stepping away from the group, I close my eyes, focusing inward, searching for the presence of any fairies in pain. My mind stretches out, seeking, feeling the currents of magic in the air. And then—there. It’s faint at first, like a whisper carried on the wind, but it grows stronger the longer I concentrate. A memory—no, more like a vision—forms in my mind, and a location appears, vivid and clear. My arm tingles with the sensation of a new magic rune, and I gasp softly as I sense her.

I feel her pain.