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Snow. White flakes circled round in the air, drifting on the roofs, on the houses. Children started squealing, gathering the cold mass in their hands, forming snowballs to throw. Adults however started whispering.
“How in Diana’s name can it snow? It’s only autumn now.” It had started snowing during the night. The first thing to notice was the cold and the need to dress even more warmly. Some people were freezing without their winter clothing, some were lucky enough to have fitting winter gear at hand. The cold felt unnatural and some of the Diana’s children huddled among themselves, concerns on their faces. But then, what was one day? At least to Helia it wasn’t a concern – yet. If it continued, yes it would prove a problem but one day of snow would probably melt by tomorrow. The kids seemed to enjoy it and no one looked overtly worried at the cool temperatures , so why bother? After all there had been snow in autumn before, just not quite this early. There were more important things to Helia.
Like finding out what happened to his love.
Almost two weeks prior she had disappeared with only a message to him a day before
today
. Even if it was cold, Helia would find
the messages content and what she was telling him. While she seemed to have given up on him, he’d never give up on her, gaining her love and trust and a spark of hope for their future. If only she could see as well. There had to be a way for her to become both his and be a guardian fairy.
After all, if she didn’t have hope, why would she send him a message? Whatever contents it may contain, her message showed she still cared about him enough to communicate with him.
Helia was the only one to believe. His best friend, his family and even his grandfather who had encouraged him before didn’t agree with him.
‘
She’s not the one
’
. He didn’t talk with
them;
the looks on their faces told him all he needed to know. They wouldn’t support him in his quest to find her. He refrained from asking them to comb the woods with him or speak to Diana for him. They wouldn’t offer their help even if he asked.
‘
It’s doomed to fail
.’
They had no hope. But then, hope was a delicate thing.
“Please don’t go.” Krystal’s voice stopped Helia from leaving town.
“I have to” he simply replied.
“It’s snowing, the track will freeze.” Resignation spoke from her voice. Somehow Krystal knew Helia would go, no matter what.
“I have been in the woods in winter before.” Determination shone in his eyes. She had to trust him to know what he was doing. Following his heart to find Flora.
“The ice, it’s unnatural. Please. Stay. At least today,” pleading to him, concern showed on her face.
Helia couldn’t fault her, not really. Maybe if he were in her shoes, he’d worry, too. “I’m sorry,” he quickly apologized, then darted into the woods.
“Be safe,” she called after him.
The cold made his walk slower, it took Helia longer than previous trips. The wind kept lashing at him, causing him to raise his arm to shield him from the freezing gusting winds. The meadow seemed a lot darker when he stepped on the grass. The flowers were wilting, hanging down sadly or were torn from the ground. The grass didn’t have the same beautiful green colour but seemed washed out.
What had happened? A sense of dread settled in Helia. The snow, the cold in the town and now the wilted flowers spoke about nature’s imbalance. Diana’s children had sensed it, hadn’t they? Krystal had tried to warn him.
“Flora,” Helia whispered her name, fear in him. Flora was in danger.
Unnatural
. Something was way off here. The Lilo flower she had sent him yesterday had died. Was this her message? Helia started looking around him. The trees seemed dead, the colours lifeless, the sky dark grey. All life, all colour seemed to vanish from the world. Had this started only now? Had he been blind to change in his focus in Flora? He gulped.
A movement in the corner of his eyes distracted him. He spun around, locking eyes with a girl. She watched him, calculating, wheels turning in her head. Not saying a word.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
A movement in the corner of his eyes distracted him. He spun around, locking eyes with a girl. She watched him, calculating, wheels turning in her head. Not saying a word.
Helia mustered her, just as she observed everything he did. She couldn’t be older than thirteen, Helia guessed. Maybe fourteen. Her wavy brown hair shades lighter than Flora’s but oh, how they reminded him of her. Her eyes. She possessed the same jade green eyes as the love of his life.
He recalled Flora telling him about her younger sister Miele. Could the young girl in front of him prove to be her? He had to know, Flora might have sent her to him. It was all he could hope, she was the closest lead he had to the fairy.
“Are you Miele?” he asked her.
She stepped closer to him. “You’re Helia,” she simply stated.
Helia confirmed her statement, nodding.
“Does it mean you’re Miele?” he asked again.
Her eyes narrowed. “Flora wasn’t supposed to tell anything about us.” He could see her thinking. Then she shook her head.
“It can’t be helped. Yes, I am her sister.”
Helia couldn’t help but smile. Now he was one step closer to his beloved.
“Then you can tell me more about her. Where is she?” Eager he walked closer to Miele, only for Miele to back away.
“I’m not telling you anything. I don’t know you.” Hostility spoke through her words.
Helia’s posture sunk. “Oh.” But she was right. He was a stranger to her. How was she to trust him?
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to impose” he apologized.
The winds picked up, ruffling the petals of Flora’s flower.
Helia tried to shield the flower, one strong gust could lead to the petals falling off.
The flower was all that remained to him. Just as he predicted, the winds got stronger and he could see the surprise on Miele’s face when he looked up to her. One particular strong gust made her stagger into his direction. She seemed to listen to the wind, he thought. When she nodded, the wind died down.
“I don’t know where Flora is but she’s alive,” Miele said to him and bit her lips. “Nature said I can trust you. I don’t know though,” her voice trailed off. “I mean, there must have been a reason…”
While Helia could hear her, she wasn’t talking to him but to herself. One piece of information whirled in his head, the rest didn’t stand out to him.
“Wait, Flora is missing?” No, she couldn’t be right? He looked around and remembered the feeling of danger he had earlier. It was snowing, the meadow looked dead and her flower was wilted, in danger of dying.
“Is she in danger?” he whispered, unsure if Miele would trust him enough to tell what was going on.
Miele looked hopeful, gazing at him, forming a plan in her head. Then determination shone in her eyes. “Flora’s life is in danger.”
Helia closed his eyes, feelings of tread threatening to overwhelm him. “I need to see her.” He had to see for himself, maybe try to comfort her or at least do something.
Miele shook her head.
“She’s missing.” Miele’s steady gaze watched him as she confirmed his fears.
Helia was fully aware she was now judging his replies, not giving him full information.
“Please, tell me what’s going on and how I can find her?” He wouldn’t give up on Flora. Not when he could help. What had happened?
Miele smiled sadly at him, apparently deciding he seemed sincere enough.
“A couple days ago we received reports that made Diana send Flora out to investigate but she never returned. We lost track of her even with Diana’s magic. Only one other fairy arrived at Aurora’s domain and she said they were attacked.” Miele pressed her lips together, worry written over her features. “I’m not allowed to leave on my own but Diana can’t leave and there is no one else who could join my search,” she cried out.
Attacked. Possibly injured, in danger. Her life might be in peril. There weren’t a lot of thoughts on Helia’s mind and they were turning circled. Flora needed him. She had disappeared, been attacked and couldn’t be found with just magic. They had to physically search for her and who said it needed to be a fairy to go with Miele?
“Where was she headed? I’m going with you” he spoke determined. No other thought could be found in his mind, no thinking about consequence, only Flora mattered to him this moment. They had to find her.
Miele’s face lit up at his offer.
“Tell me more about yourself. Won’t your friends and family miss you?” Miele probed Helia.
Images of his parents and grandfather flashed through his mind. And Crystal. She had known somehow.
Be safe
she had called after him. Only he didn’t know if he would. For Flora’s sake he would.
“I guess they will. But Crystal sort of saw me of. She’ll tell them.” In that he trusted her. Even if she was worried about him, she’d try to help his parents and hope he’d be back.
“I guess you know Crystal, right? She’s a child of Diana,” he mused. He was just as curious about her as she was about him.
She nodded. “A bit but I mostly know the younger ones; Crystal and Flora were close though I guess.” She pressed her lips together. The mention of Flora’s name made it seem almost unreal to Helia, why they were hiking north in the woods, away from home. Their walk continued quietly.
Helia had often enjoyed hiking but every so often he found himself quickening his pace as if they’d find his love sooner that way. But as he kept his pace he could see Miele struggling to keep up with him whenever his steps became larger.
“Say, don’t fairies have wings? Wouldn’t it be easier for you to fly?” When the fairy remained quite he looked back at her. Her face was unreadable to him.
“I don’t have my Winx yet” she muttered as if embarrassed.
“What’s a Winx?”
Her gaze lifted up to him. “The first fairy form. While I do have magic, it’s not quite as potent. You become a True Fairy once you reach your Winx gaining more power and well, wings.” Miele softly explained to him. “I could help Flora so much better if I had them yet.”
Helia couldn’t help but notice her despondency about her powers and he almost apologized having asked such a personal question. But she seemed so lost in thought he remained silent.
The sun had reached its highest point when they finally made for a break to recharge their energy. Or the sun would have, if they were able to see the sky. Filled with dark clouds, the sky worried Helia and from the looks of it, so did Miele.
“Dark magic,” she smiled sadly at him. “We can still turn around and go back. This is going to be a dangerous trip, I can feel it.” Miele meant it Helia saw the grave face she made. But they’d already decided, hadn’t they?
“Flora needs us.” He’d continue alone if he had to.
“I can see why Flora fell for you,” the younger sister admitted to him.
“What did she tell you about me?” Helia asked her.
Miele shook her head. “Not a lot but I could tell what she was thinking. There are barely secrets among us.” A sad smile was on her face. “We spend a lot of time together but the last months she had barely time for me. She used every opportunity to be with you. You’re as important to her as she is to you so I’m glad…” Miele stumbled to a halt as the wind picked up in strength.
Even Helia had trouble staying on his feet. “Is this natural?” He doubted this was a normal storm and the previous events only indicated dark magic.
“Dark magic. It overshadows all living,” fear etched Miele’s voice. “I can barely feel life around me, it’s like death is closing in on me.”
Instinctively, Helia moved closer to her. Right now, she was looking so young, a young and frightened teenager and Helia had the urge to protect her.
“Let’s get going, shall we?” The sooner they left this place, the better. Or so he thought.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Even Helia had trouble staying on his feet. “Is this natural?” He doubted this was a normal storm and the previous events only indicated dark magic. “Dark magic. It overshadows all living,” fear etched Miele’s voice. “I can barely feel life around me, it’s like death is closing in on me.” Instinctively, Helia moved closer to her. Right now, she was looking so young, a young and frightened teenager and Helia had the urge to protect her. “Let’s get going, shall we?” The sooner they left this place, the better. Or so he thought.
Unknown to them a storm was brewing and they walked right into danger. Forces threatened the balance of nature, tipping into chaos, winter winds rising early. Soon Helia found himself lucky, haven taken his winter coat due to his hometowns untimely snow. The air around them stood eerily still, however the temperature sank by the minutes and they soon watched their breaths form into mist.
Miele’s heart sank. All her senses, magic sense included, warned her of what was to come. But for Flora’s sake she couldn’t turn around. She wouldn’t. The look in Helia’s eyes told her all she needed to know about his stance. He wouldn’t either, doomed or not, he loved her. How she wished she had his optimism on rescuing her. He didn’t know what she did and his lack of knowledge had made him offer his help. Guilt formed in her. If something happened to him, it would be her fault.
Helia was curios of what happened. It was too cold, wasn’t it? Diana, a guardian of nature must know what was going on. Did she tell Miele? Did Flora know? Even he could tell nature was restless and the sense of something being wrong grew in him. They had to find Flora before something bad happened to her. Once again he felt the urgency to go faster but Miele’s steps wouldn’t fasten. Flora was in danger and they couldn’t hurry.
Guilt and danger made Miele unsure, fear their path. It wasn’t too late to turn around and a small part in her wished she did. Yet she feared for her sister’s life and the disappointment of Helia should she do so. He was a stranger to her, yet his heart guided both of them in the moment for he didn’t know the dark magic, didn’t sense its potential, didn’t feel its crushing power. Miele sensed it, felt it crush her will. Without a will, she followed his steps, the magic waging on her.
For a while, they continued, Miele half unwilling, Helia with unusual urgency. When the winds picked up, they were harsh, icy and the cold seeped through their clothes. It became a hazard putting their feet up and continue walking and they could only go a few steps before both decided they couldn’t go on. The gusts were strong, so strong that Helia grabbed Miele’s wind when the storm made her stagger. “What now?” he called to her.
“We got the get out of here.” Though neither knew which direction to go.
“Which way, Miele?” he asked her, he didn’t know the terrain. Neither did she, how was she supposed to know? Shooting the question in his direction, his answer surprised her.
“Can’t you ask nature?”
So she did. Coming up empty handed at first but at his encouraging she kept trying. A faint buzz finally told her a direction so that’s where they went.
The snow hindered their sight. Wind and ice made seeing more than a few centimetres ahead almost impossible. That’s when they stopped quite abruptly. Falling stones clattered all the way down.
“A cliff,” Miele whispered.
They could feel the wind pushing them down, however unwilling the wind seemed. Feeling nature, Miele could tell the storm was of unnatural doing, dark powers wanted them dead. She bit her lip. She couldn’t do anything against it. The gusts pushed her, small steps getting her closer to the edge.
Helia wasn’t far behind her, he staggered too. Even if he tried, he couldn’t keep his feet on the ground, safe away from the edge. The weather was merciless. They were trapped. They had to find a solution within seconds or they’d be doomed. They’d be doomed before finding Flora.
Miele fell.
Her scream echoed, Helia’s feet moved on his own, his hands grabbing her.
“Helia,” she gasped, her hand in his, her body dangling at the cliff. Don’t let me go, she begged but fear made her unable to speak. She shouldn’t be afraid. If only… If only she was less useless. She was a fairy, trained to guard nature, protect it, keep its balance, yet nature wasn’t balanced, she failed to protect it and she didn’t have her Winx.
Truth be told it was quite unknown how a fairy got wings. A fairy proved her worth was all that Diana had taught her. But how should she prove herself in the face of death. Quite obviously it was their only chance. And it depended on her. Helia depended on her, nature depended on her and her life depended on it.
“I need my Winx, please,” she whispered. Maybe the ethereal fairies heard her and granted her wings.
Helia’s eyes widened, confusion, then understanding. She’d be more powerful. Without thinking he tried to assure her.
“I believe in you, you’ll get them.” She was sister to one of the most amazing fairies he knew, well the only one but Flora had always felt powerful to him. Maybe he was unworthy of Flora but he loved her.
I believe in you.
Miele smiled at the words. Helia didn’t know her, yet he trusted her. She could trust him, right?
“Diana should allow Flora to be with you.” She had sensed his heart before but his soul unfolded with those words before her eyes. His kindness, loyalty. She felt she trusted Helia. Helia would save her sister, whatever it would take. He didn’t need her, not without her wings. Knowing that, she channelled all her remaining power to guide him, she might not survive but he would. Her magic was to keep him safe as best as she could.
“You need to find a place called Obsidian” she told him.
Helia shook his head, understanding what she was about to tell him next. “I’m not letting you go.”
Sadly, she smiled at him. “You have to, for Flora.”
Flora. She needed him and every moment he took, his chance slimmed. But Miele, he couldn’t let her go. Sacrificing her seemed barbaric to him. Deep down, he knew he had to get going. He wouldn’t be able to hold her forever but letting her go? It was as if he would kill her. He couldn’t kill. But Flora needed him.
His decision was stolen from him as the young fairy let him go and slipped from his hands. “No,” he yelled, “Miele.”
He had killed her. She died because he couldn’t hold her. He had failed. He had failed Flora. The sisters loved each other. A sob escaped his lips. “Miele. Flora” What should he tell Flora? Sorry I let your sister die? No, no, no. He refused to believe Miele was dead. She could catch herself on something. Maybe she had seen something he hadn’t. Looking over the edge, he could see vines holding onto her body.
A soft light emanated from her, shimmering. Miele felt powerful, strong. The vines had grabbed her in her fall and she knew, she had the power to do, what she should do. Help Helia and help nature. Taking a breath she prepared herself.
“Nature, I command you,” she said confidently. “Winds be still and cease your fury. No more storms, I command you to stop. I give you my power to regain your balance.” Magic fused her words. “To the dark forces, you cannot enslave nature anymore. Stop the storm for nature’s balance. Winter winds shall be no more.” One more final spell was on her lips. “Autumn wind,” Miele cried out.
Sweat was on her forehead as she and nature battled against the other power. She wouldn’t lose. She couldn’t. Nature was too strong. The balance was too important. Once more she was determined, having regained her will. The darkness had lost its grip on her, it couldn’t crush her forever. And finally, she was free of its influence. The winds lost strength, mild breezes replacing the harsh gusts. She had done it.
Helia watched with fascination, true, Flora had once or twice showed him magic but this was different. He felt her raw power, Miele’s soft nature with steel hard resolve in commanding nature. But when it was over, he felt her energy drained and when the vines decayed he felt helpless, watching their grip on Miele loosen. Her eyes closed, a small smile formed on her face as the light emanating from her body faded.
He shook his head, whispering “No,” watched the scene unfolding before him. Unconscious, Miele would be unable to safe herself and Helia couldn’t help her. The vines broke, with Miele falling to her death.