The Fairy Kingdom Part 3

  The conversation with the Fairy Queen had been quite revealing. We learned how this peculiar world was born from the ashes of Atlantis's tragic end and how these halls, now strange ruins embedded in the planet's core, were the same ones we fought for during the war against the dragons. I learned that the place these small beings now called home—their kingdom—was nothing more than the remnants of the garden in the castle where Nanami used to play as a child.

  The fairies looked at me with fear, hiding their faces throughout the room. I could see them trying to hide among the leaves whenever I looked their way, but they would peek out whenever a new question arose. The fairy queen spoke with me, answering each of my questions with total honesty. She defended her kingdom with her only weapon: knowledge. These curious beings possessed an innate fascination with nature, always inquisitive and eager to learn something new with the innocence of a child discovering the world for the first time.

  Tifa stood by my side. She hadn't left my side once during the entire conversation. She was worried about her people. This was her first visit in a long while, yet here she was, standing with me in the center of the makeshift forum instead of running straight to her parents' home. But she felt no fear. After all, she knew I was protecting her and that there was no danger of an attack because she was surrounded by the people she trusted the most. Too bad the other fairies didn’t know that.

  "Hey, Elise, could you please not become a Legendary God in the lore of my homeworld, too?"

  "It’s unsettling to think that the person I married is an ancient legend in the place where I grew up."

  "I feel like you're being casually inserted into everything I ever knew about Etria," Tifa said sarcastically, close to my ear.

  During several quiet nights at home, instead of falling asleep right away, I found myself thinking about how to solve Tifa's problem—how to help people who would never be able to defend themselves from opportunists, unscrupulous people, and the greedy. It wasn’t an easily solvable problem. What good would it do to protect them from one enemy now if they’d be facing a new one in a month while I was away? How would I even hear about an attack when this kingdom was always changing locations? How could these beings, incapable by nature of causing even the slightest harm, possibly survive?

  I concluded that this world was not safe for them. Earth wasn’t either. It would only be a matter of time before they became the newest additions to zoos or pets of some rich idiot. I'm sorry, but I'm selfish, too—I wouldn't leave their future in someone else's hands. The answer thrilled and frightened me, but after many nights of thought, I found it—the answer that might bring Tifa peace and make her proud of the path her husband chose for her race.

  Far from here was a new world—a floating continent in the middle of nowhere. For many years, this land was plagued by war, death, and destruction. Then, it remained in ruins for a long time, a dangerous wasteland devoid of any trace of civilization. Yet it was covered in unique vegetation, with only the most basic life forms—incapable of evolution—as its final inhabitants. In one of its lower regions, there was a beautiful city that was once one of its most prestigious ports. The royal family would set sail from there on their ships for leisure and, during a few turbulent years, for their most important battleships during wartime.The conversation with the fairy queen had been quite revealing—learning how this peculiar world was born from the ashes of Atlantis's tragic end and how these halls, now strange ruins embedded in the planet's core, were the same ones we fought for during the war against the dragons. The place these small beings now call home, their kingdom, the floating rock is nothing more than the remnants of the garden in the castle where Nanami used to play as a child.

  The village of Remshys was known as the Last Refuge, the final rest stop before certain death for thousands of soldiers. Once a recreational city for Atlantean nobles, it was transformed into an impregnable fortress and military base during the war against the dragons. Now, it is nothing more than a strange place frozen in time. Its houses remain intact, its buildings emit light into the night, its gardens are filled with beautiful flowers, its aerial defenses scan for enemies, its high walls are reinforced for the final siege, and its magical protection shield is at full power. Its energy and magic flow as if it were the last day before or after the war. But no one lives there anymore. There is no sound of people talking, no footsteps in the streets, and no soldiers standing guard.

  It was one of the few cities where I didn't remember everything being pure misery. I personally wished to see it restored as it was in the old days—like the beautiful city of rest before a cruel battle, where the last ember of hope still dwelled. Since the war ended, I haven't allowed anyone to set foot on the continent. But these fairies need a place where they won't be hunted again.

  "Queen Aledra,"

  "You've been generous enough to answer my questions so honestly."

  It's time I do the same."

  "Without a doubt, the information you’ve shared with me has revealed knowledge I never expected to find."

  "Today, I’ve seen that this place, through its miseries, adventures, and tragedies, has a shared origin that’s difficult to discern from the outside."

  "I’m honestly surprised at how everything seems to be part of a puzzle and how things are slowly falling into place, revealing a larger picture of a story that has haunted me for years."

  "I don’t think it’s a coincidence that, at the moment I’m searching for something of great importance to me, I find myself in your welcoming kingdom with a story that seems to hold answers to my many questions."

  “...”

  “Agh, screw it. I’m not Tamamo; I can’t talk like that. I feel weird.”

  "You know what? Let's drop the act and get straight to the point."

  "All right, here's the deal: Tifa, the fairy beside me, told me about everything you’ve had to go through.”

  "It saddens me how badly things have gone for your people in this world. You honestly seem like creatures from a cheerful children’s tale, stuck in the middle of the tragic world I come from.”

  "To be honest, I don’t think that living here or on the surface will end well for you.

  So, I’m here to offer you a solution."

  “Far from here, beyond this land, there is a world that gave birth to this one."

  "The origin of all these ruins. The very place the elves came from and have completely forgotten.”

  "Atlantis."

  "..."

  "Due to certain circumstances, I became the heir to that kingdom."

  "Right now, that land is dangerous in a different way. It's filled with deadly war machines, and bones are scattered everywhere."

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "There's a particular place I've been thinking of restoring, but I lack the manpower to make it happen."

  "So, as you might have guessed, I thought this might be an opportunity for us to reach an agreement."

  "Here’s my offer: I want you to restore the city of Remshys to what it was when it was a place of recreation."

  "For several serious reasons, I can’t allow you to leave the outskirts under any circumstances."

  "However, the city has more than enough space to support a human town with farming areas, rivers as big as oceans, and forests for self-sustainability."

  "Which, surely, for a people of your stature, would be more than enough, I imagine.”

  "There's plenty of space for crops and a human-sized house for every fairy family."

  “A beautiful park where you can plant the seeds of your family trees."

  "A place far from any other civilization."

  "It might be a bit lonely, but I'm sure that's exactly what you're looking for."

  Queen Aledra fell silent and motionless for a few moments. Her eyes scanned the tiny kingdom she had loved and defended so dearly. It was the only land her sisters called home. It was no larger than her own throne. Through the folds of leaves and vines, she spotted the curious faces of her fairy sisters peeking out with fear and hope from their hiding places. She took a deep breath, aware of the generations awaiting her word. Then, she looked directly at me.

  "I have heard your proposal, Lady Elise," the crown fairy replied. She lowered her formality, seemingly sensing how uncomfortable the pomp and grandeur made me.

  "My people no longer have a place in this world. That much is true. We adapted; we survived.

  "But we did not live."

  "And if we ever had a kingdom, now we are only roots without soil and leaves without branches."

  "If the Kingdom of Remshys still exists, if its roots still sing and the promise of peace is real, then we will make it our new home."

  "We will care for it. We will restore it in your name, Lady Elise, savior of the fairies."

  "We will be the guardians of the Kingdom of Remshys. On behalf of my people, accept this treaty."

  "We will carry our seeds to Remshys. If the spirits allow, we will make it bloom again under the Empress's blessing. Wise ruler of Atlantis, she will guide us."

  Tamamo, who had been listening attentively to the conversation, smiled once again when she saw that the negotiation had reached a good conclusion and that she had played a part in it. Pleased with the result, she rose from her seat and walked back toward the angels’ camp. She wanted to speak with Stella about preparing to relocate the Fairy Kingdom. The Fairy Kingdom was compact and tightly clustered, so it would likely not take up much space. Surely the same spacecraft that had brought us to these caverns would be more than enough to carry it in its entirety.

  The hidden fairies could no longer maintain their poor concealment, so they emerged from their hiding places to celebrate. Several came to offer me flowers, leaves, and grass shaped like animals as a gesture of gratitude because they had nothing else to give.

  Tifa gave me a soft kiss on the cheek, like a silent promise of gratitude and courage. Then, she heard the murmur of her parents' voices rising above those of the gathered fairies in the forum. Without a second thought, she left my side and quickly made her way toward the group waiting beyond a curtain of braided vines.

  When she arrived, her parents stood up, surprise in their eyes. Her mother had worn a worried expression ever since learning that Tifa was negotiating with outsiders whose power clearly surpassed that of Queen Aledra. Her father, thin and gentle-eyed, welcomed her with a warm embrace. It was a hug that reunited them.

  "Dad! Mom!"

  "I'm so happy to see you again!"

  "I'm so sorry for leaving the way I did that day."

  "I said so many hurtful things that I now deeply regret."

  "I never considered the consequences of my decisions in the heat of anger."

  "When I was captured, the only thing I could think about was apologizing to you both over and over again."

  “...”

  “...”

  "I know it sounds strange, but I’m also grateful for what happened."

  "Because that’s how I met the love of my life—the person who saved me, who I trust more than myself, and who saved our kingdom today.”

  “!!!!”

  "Oh, right! I brought a gift for all of us fairies!"

  She held out a small book that she always kept in her tiny backpack—the same one that she had stolen from one of the dolls that I had bought to decorate my room. Its pages were filled with her notes on everything she had learned about the plants of the surface world and the farming methods humans had developed over time, including hanging gardens, greenhouses, fertilizers, seeds, irrigation systems, soil types, and crop rotations. She had worked on it for many nights, writing down the results of each experiment she tried at home whenever she used the computer or watched documentaries.

  But just as suddenly as she had come, Tifa stepped away gently.

  "I can't stay any longer. There are things I have to do."

  I need to go back to Elise."

  "But I promise I’ll come back soon. You won't have to wait long this time."

  Don’t worry about me. I’m living in an incredible place, somewhere exciting, where something new and amazing happens every day."

  "That day, I’ll introduce you to Elise, the person I married. He may be a little strange, but, as you saw today, I trust him with my life.”"

  Her parents watched her leave, holding the precious notebook tightly. They were certain that the future of the Fairy Kingdom had begun to glow within its pages.

  Only a few minutes later, Tifa returned, leaving behind the shadow of that small reunion. She appeared at my side with a brave smile, a determined spark in her eyes, and a new lightness in her step.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to stay at your parents’ house now that you’ve reunited with them?” I asked the fairy sitting cheerfully on my shoulder.

  "Well, if I'm honest, I really would like to."

  "But right now, that’s not where I’m needed."

  "Right now, my dear husband is close to finding the place he’s been searching for so long."

  "So close to the place that caused him so much pain—the very site of his greatest tragedy—seeking answers."

  "It’s my duty to be by his side in his moment of greatest need again."

  "If my presence can help him, I’ll gladly follow you to the ends of the earth—or beyond, if necessary."

  "Besides, I now consider your house and our strange little family my true home."

  When I returned to base camp with Tifa, I noticed a few people were missing—my sister Maria, Lisa, and Voranoa were nowhere to be seen. In their place, Tamamo and Stella were arguing while pointing at a pair of marines who were moving crates into the spaceship. When the angel noticed me approaching, she stopped and came over to speak with me.

  "It's good to see you back with us after your royal duties."

  "I'm pleased to inform you that the preparations for the relocation are complete. The ship can house the entire kingdom’s ecosystem, including the Mother Tree.”

  We’ll place it in a stasis field to ensure a safe journey.”

  "If we depart this afternoon, we should reach Remshys before nightfall.”

  “Excellent, that's great. I assume Tamamo already gave you all the details, so everything should be in order.”

  “Hey, where the hell is my sister? Weren't they supposed to wait for us here?"

  “Oh, if you mean Miss Maria, she...”

  "Damn it! What has Maria done now?"

  "She got impatient and decided to explore the cave with Voranoa and Lisa."

  “She’s with a Marine recon unit,so there’s no danger.”

  "Ugh, seriously, that girl gets on my nerves faster than some of the worst things I’ve ever dealt with."

  “Can you contact her by radio and ask her to stop? We’re leaving soon, and we're waiting for her at the rendezvous point.”

  "Well, about that... She actually contacted us just a moment ago."

  "It seems that by following the lamia, they’ve already found the entrance to the Celestial Forge.”