28 – What lurks in the shadows
“Lily, please don’t be selfish and share your toys with Mimi.”
When this woman speaks the trees tremble and transmit her words throughout the forest.
Her green hair as clear as a pure lake frames her face and beautiful eyes shone across the forest. She’s wearing a jade green dress with gold trimming and flowers dirty that never gets dirty and no-one in the forest is unaware of who she is.
She’s Remia, the Spirit Queen.
Unlike humans, spirits are not born from a womb but nevertheless, every spirit in this world has her as their mother.
Because of the legends that gave birth to her it’s not an exaggeration to call her one of the strongest and oldest beings in Berseria.
“Anyway, perhaps I should pay a visit to the western border. I think Nymph has noticed some wild creatures getting too close to our forest. Perhaps I’ll lend her a hand and drive them away. They can’t enter the forest, but it’s troubling to have them so close.”
The tree’s rustle around her and small girls with wings appear.
They are fairies.
“Is that safe?”
“Are you going?”
“Is Mama going?”
All the fairies speak out.
“It won’t take long. Don’t worry. We spirits live in harmony with nature so I won’t harm them. I’ll only chase them away.”
Remia moves through the forest by floating just above the ground.
“By the way, can you please stop arguing with each other until I am away? No more pranks on Efreet while I’m gone. Lily, Mimi and Fiffy, got it?”
The fairies laugh at her words.
“I wonder?”
“Think about it.”
“Maybe we will… maybe we won’t.”
Remia stares at the innocently smiling fairies.
“I’ll get angry girls.”
The fairies straightened their posture and covered their mouths with their hands. Though Remia was talking normally the 3 fairies had stiffened.
“You can’t fool me. Stop pretending to be scared.”
“Mama, it’s not that.”
“Wrong… It’s coming.”
“Danger…”
“Hmm? What are you girls talking about? Who’s coming?”
“Scary…”
“Scary one is coming.”
“Mama, it’s here.”
Eventually, a figure emerges from the bushes.
A tall man with black hair and dark green eyes. He wears a black cowboy hat, a white cravat scarf, a black shirt, black pants and black shoes. His shirt is covered by a coat of feathers that are attached to his body. And on his back there was a scythe attached.
“I’m sorry to barge in like this, ladies. Please accept my sincere apologies.”
Remia turned on the figure with fierce eyes.
“Who are you?”
“Hou? Is that question really necessary? You probably can see right through me to begin with. Well, either way, I guess it’s courtesy for one to introduce themselves. You may call me Vanamir.”
“And how did you manage to enter Eternium?”
“I guess that is a more appropriate question. Dearest Queen, fret not. Your barrier is still intact. However, it was about 10 years ago when you allowed passage for a group of merchants. Thankfully one of them managed to plant a seed that could serve as our back door. A one time trick, but it was worth the wait.”
“Our?”
“Ah yes. I brought 3 friends with me. They already dealt with the fire spirit that was blocking our way and I instructed them to not let anyone pass.”
“Eeh? Uncle Efreet?”
“What did you do?”
“Mama, I can’t feel uncle’s presence.”
“Don’t worry girls. A spirit can never be truly killed. Even if his body is shattered as long as his legend persists, he will revive.”
*Clap**clap*
“Such a collected mind. You truly do live to your reputation. Rejoice, Spirit Queen. For today you shall join us. For we are… Legion.”
“Girls… scatter. Right now!”
At Remia’s words the fairies dispersed while muttering words like “hang in there, Mama”, “must find help”, “let’s follow the flow of mana”.
“I have no interest in the small fry. They can go. My only goal is you.”
“You just appear suddenly and what are you even saying?”
“Nn?”
Vanamir tilts his head to one side.
“What’s wrong? You should be pleased. By joining us, you will open the door for our lord and eventually…”
“Sorry but I refuse. Vanamir, I am well aware of your corruption. Beings from a lost age that still cling to a past that never should have existed. Stop talking about ancient history. I will say this once. I am the great spirit Remia and I will not tolerate such nonsense. Your corruption shall not stain my forest. Leave while I still allow it.”
“Haha.” Vanamir lets out a dry laugh.
“I’m afraid you don’t have a say in this.”
Vanamir walks slowly towards Remia who raises a hand.
A magic formation was drawn and aimed at Vanamir.
“Don’t think you can do as you please within my home.”
At that moment the trees extended their branches towards him as if they had a will of their own. The tips turned into sharp needles and thrust towards him from all directions piercing him.
“A vile creature like you… I’ll absorb all your magic power and liberate your soul.”
“That’s a wonderful power you have, great Queen. However… I have no soul. Piercing this body means nothing if you can’t hit my vitals. And are you unaware of the power bestowed upon me by my lord? Let me remind you… this power.”
Vanamir took in a deep breath and shouted:
“My word is absolute. Obey me!”
With his words, the trees pulled their branches out of him and went limp. He instantly healed.
“Impossible! Control over the very essence of magic? But that means…?”
“Correct. So you do remember. Allow me now to return the greeting!”
This time Vanamir extended his arm and various pitch black tentacles erupted from the ground, completely immobilizing Remia.
“Guaah!”
“Since you refuse to join us willingly I will alter the very essence of your legend. You will still remain the mother of all spirits but you shall also become… the mother of Legion!”
Black sparks started assaulting Remia.
“Aaaah!”
“It’s pointless to resist. We’ve prepared ourselves for this day for a long time. Nobody will save you, so just accept your fate.”
------
Sasha and Stella were currently chasing butterflies. We were at the outskirts of the Spirit Forest Eternium and as expected, we can't get in. So until I can come up with a plan I let the girls play.
While trying to figure out a way how I could get through this troublesome barrier I heard Yuki's voice calling out to me.
"Darling, are those… fairies?"
I turned my gaze around only to…
*Slam*
A human girl with wings no bigger than a doll slammed into my face.
"I found it. Mysterious energy."
"Found help for Mama?"
"Weird woman is strong?"
Okay… what the hell is up with these things?
"Ne, come with us."
"You must help Mama."
"Mama in danger."
"Slow down you flying Tinkerbells. What are you talking about?"
"Spirit Queen Remia is in danger!"
"Scary monster showed up."
"Please help us."
"And why would I do that? What's in it for me?"
"Eeeh!?" (x3)
I can guess that something is going on in there. And although these fairies might allow me to enter, why not squeeze a little more?
"Eto… you can have my shiny seashell."
"I'll give you… my honey stash."
"You can have… my flower bed."
"Just please help." (x3)
"You can keep those trinkets. I have no use for them."
"No way…"
"Mean woman…"
"At this rate Mama will…"
They were about to burst into tears. It seems something like currency doesn't exist for spirits. Yare yare. Don't start crying. I'm not a monster.
"Don't give me those puppy eyes. I'll help you. But I want something instead. I have a hunger for knowledge. Tell your Queen that if I save her she has to answer all my questions."
"That's it?"
"Mama is a good teacher."
"We can do that. It's a promise!"
I could hear Sasha and Stella giggling behind my back. But for now I decided to ignore them.
"So, do you agree?"
"Yes, yes."
"We shall grant you passage and keep our promise."
"Just please, weird miss… save mama! We beg you!!"
"Fine. Leave it to me. Just point me towards who's ass I have to kick."
Work never seems to stop coming one way. Well, at least this way I can get inside. Now let's see what kind of monster made these fairies so scared.