Glass or Diamond: Fairy's Wish

The Demon Ash plague is a terrifying curse of a disease consuming a small section of the great forest… for now. Though its spread seems to be concentrated to a relatively small area, it seems to be extremely infectious, having brought the legendary hero, Murtoa of Lakia, low with but a mere scratch to his skin from an infected wolf.

Left to fester, the disease seems to cause an intense increase in aggression in the infected subject, as well as remove all of its pesky vulnerabilities from being alive. Even light and void magic prove ineffective against the fully-infected creatures, and only dismembering them could stop them in their tracks. Due to the failures of magic to effect the monsters, it indicates they aren’t ethereal monsters, such as undead or phantoms. However, they also are immune to a fairy’s wish, supposedly, meaning that the plague is the most unstoppable ailment anyone has ever encountered.

Granted, Lykha, the young fairy, has an extremely limited experience base to compare to.

Regardless, she’s prepared to do just about anything to recover her first non-fairy friend, including, in her emotional reaction, spend her wish before she was stopped by the villagers of the nearby village. She regrets losing so much control of herself, as it’s strictly forbidden for her to ever use her wish, and she would feel nothing but regret if she used it, even for Murtoa. She hopes he would understand, since he also tried to stop her from using her wish.

Presently, Lykha is watching with slight embarrassment and disgust as Maerin mixes vials of biocide capable of killing the infectious material propagating the plague itself. She thinks, unable to verify without proper equipment, that the infectious material is some kind of mold or fungal spore that’s causing the plague. Unfortunately, the infection already has a grip on Murtoa, and Maerin is skeptical that it’s safe for him to ingest the concoction.

And, Lykha is prepared to die before she allows him to try.

Thankfully, they have time -hopefully, six more days-, and there is an oasis in the middle of the infected area that seems to have been spared being massively contaminated by spores of the plague. Lykha has strong hope that there is a reason the oasis exists; something that won’t require her to do something embarrassing.

The younger fairy asks her senior, “You're sure this will work?”

Maerin hiccups, nodding as she caps one of the vials she prepared. “It’ll keep any *hic* ugh, any of those monsters from thinkin’ twice about nibblin’ on mah wings and toes.” She laughs a little deliriously, but no less manages to continue her work.

I wonder if something was in the water. Maerin seems to have caught the crazy.

The inebriated fairy has to rest her forehead on the vial stand she has nearby, taking a breather from becoming dizzy. She does her best to balance herself and keep working. She starts unscrewing her flask’s lid, and Lykha sighs. She hovers over to Maerin, urging, “Come, now, Maerin. I think you’ve had enough.”

Suddenly, the older fairy sniffles, and Lykha looks down at her senior. Maerin is deteriorating into tears, and Lykha quickly drops to her knees, hugging Maerin. “Shhh, it’s okay…”

“No it’s not… I… I thought for once…” She sniffles, adding, “I thought for once… I wouldn’t be… I could be…”

“Shhh,” Lykha pets Maerin’s head. She has a pretty good idea what specifically is eating at Maerin, as it’s the same reason she so quickly snapped back to drinking.

The mature fairy whimpers, “I thought I could… finally be… proud again…”

“You can, Maerin. You should be immensely proud. You’re so brave and smart, even when you don’t have to be. You work hard…”

“He’s going to die! I don’t know what I’m doing! I’m just pretending! This… this won’t save him! It’ll barely protect us!” She sobs into Lykha’s shoulder, dribbling liquor on Lykha’s legs. It’s soaking into her pants, but she doesn’t budge.

Lykha coos as she pets Maerin’s hair, “Shhh… Maerin, it’s okay. We’re working together. We’ll save him. We have to. If we don’t… Who will fight the colossi of the world?”

Maerin cries even harder, but Lykha doesn’t give up. “There has to be a loophole. I-if the worst happens, we’ll figure out how to use my wish. If we have to wish for the knowledge of how to save him, I will. B-But…”

No… Can I really do that? She swallows hard in guilt. Of course I can. I have to. Mury would do the same for me, if he could.

A sudden doubt fills her mind, though, as she remembers his lack of haste in trying to save Maerin, as well as Coco, when each was in danger at different times. Murtoa of Lakia is a hero of legend, but he’s not a white knight rushing to the aid of all those in trouble.

No… Don’t think like that… He’s a good person…

Lykha sighs, simply focusing on Maerin for the time being.

Lykha can feel the trunk winder finally come to a stop, and she holds Maerin a little longer while the mature fairy calms down. Normally, Maerin is rather emotionally stable, though that’s usually due to the fact that she’s too drunk to process her emotions fully.

Coco appears in the hold, saying as she gathers her gear, “We’ rolled in’ne oasis. No signs of wonked out goobimals.” A squeak comes from Coco’s gearbag, and Lykha gasps. “What was that!?”

“Tha’?” Coco withdraws a small purplish-colored mammal with cute, racoon like features. She explains, “No’ but Blastie.”

“HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THAT!?”

Coco hugs the small creature, and it doesn’t give any signs of protest. She retorts defensively, “Wha’!? Blastie jus’ as scared as all’o us when we was slapfeetin’ away from the goobs! I could’ne just leave the little critterscritch!” She pets ‘Blastie’s' head, and the small blaze panda coos, somewhat concerned with its surroundings, but not particularly afraid.

Maerin sniffles as she wipes her nose. “How are we just now seeing this?” she asks skeptically.

Coco replies, “Blastie was sleepin’ in me workin’ bag. Almos’ forgo’ I had ‘im, ‘til I needed me turna.” She feeds the small creature a handful of nuts, and Lykha sighs. “Fine, whatever. Now’s not the time for this. We need to…”

Gyrryth cuts her off politely, saying, “If I may, Gentle One; it may be best if we make camp here. It is already late, and the oasis appears to be quite expansive. Additionally, there appears to be a cave ahead with structures intentionally constructed by people. Though, who and why remains to be seen. In order to enter the cave, though, we will likely need to leave the trunk winder behind to venture further into the oasis.”

Lykha fidgets with her hands, glancing at their human warrior companion who is still currently bedridden. She nods nervously, “O… Okay…”

Gyrryth nods, “I’m going to wash down and open the vents. Mature One, may I have some of your cleaning solution?”

Maerin nods, passing one of the vials up to the drakyk spellshot. He cautiously opens the roof hatch in the hold, so that the ramp doesn’t scatter dust everywhere. He keeps his face and nose guarded with his duster’s collar, using a rag to clean the area around the hatch briefly. “Thankfully, the hull appears to be minimally contaminated. If you notice odd behavior from me, do not hesitate to tell me.”

Lykha scoffs, shooting a glare at Murtoa. He’s fairly still, but with his armor and helmet on, it’s impossible to know if he’s awake without disturbing him again. Lykha asks, “Is… Is there anything I can do? I can fly without touching anything.”

“Actually, if you wouldn’t mind doing a wider perimeter search, see if you can discern any living creatures in the area to be worried about. We won’t be able to maintain an external watch without risks.”

Lykha nods. “Sure thing!”

Coco warns with a stern point, even as she cradles the blaze panda in her arms, “Don’ get snatched, Tricksie! I’m no’ obligatee ta rescue me rival.”

Lykha laughs, “I’d be too embarrassed if it came to that. Just leave me captured.”

The group chuckles, accepting the brief moment of levity. Lykha flies out of the hatch above Gyrryth, inspecting the area as he washes down the vent intakes and ensures to make good use of Maerin’s concoction. The young fairy prays no one notices its true nature.

She starts by inspecting the trunk winder briefly. Ashen dust is coating most of the surfaces of the trunk winder in varying thickness, most heavily along the lower portions and undercarriage. She hopes they can clean it off, but as she’s inspecting the tracks, she notices something strange. The plague dust seems to be shifting on its own.

Lykha’s heart races.

It’s moving on its own!? I-Is it related to the Solaghoul?

She watches carefully. Unlike the solaghoul, it doesn’t appear to be moving in unity as one creature, but as if the wind is simply pushing it. Lykha holds her hand out, thinking deeply as she ponders the mystery. Presently, there is no wind. Regardless, the dust seems to be slowly moving, from the dust sticking to the sides to the clumps of dust in the tracks. She notices Gyrryth spraying down the trunk winder, and she remembers that she has an important duty to verify the perimeter is as safe as possible. She flies up to look around. She can pretty easily see the border of the plague dust, which appears as a desolate wasteland of white and grey. She shivers at the sight of it so close, not only because of remembering the infected animals that attacked them, but also because it just feels like death is all around them now. There is no movement, no real noise reaching them, and very, VERY little remaining forest in the plague zone, and the colossal redwood trees are ashen and shedding sections just like anything else infected. She can see plague dust sprinkling from above like a very light snow. But, something still feels off to the young fairy.

She turns her attention inward to the oasis, though. The brush is fairly typical, though more… elegant looking than the general portions of the forest. It has a sort of exotic aura to it, like the plants have more flowers, more shades of green, and even some reds and purples in the leaves of various plants. The cave entrance that Gyrryth mentioned seems to descend into a steep rock face that extends pretty far around the oasis itself, like a sort of island in a sea of death. The cave entrance is decorated with carvings that seem somewhat familiar to Lykha, but she’s not sure how she remembers them. They’re mostly indistinct swirls and geometric shapes, though there is distinctly some sort of bird-like figure on each side, from which the shapes seem to be emitting. From the bird’s tail, though, there appears to be waves or swirls of air or some other element spreading outwards.

Lykha follows the rock face a ways, and sure enough, it seems that the center of the oasis is raised all the way around. While she searches, though, she ensures to scan for footprints -particularly especially large ones, which are much easier to spot in the dirt-. Knowing how her life typically goes since leaving the village, and the adventures that she and her friends end up in, there’s almost a storybook guarantee that there will be a colossus somewhere in or around this ridge. Could it be the bird like creature? Another nightenmael perhaps? Lykha knows Mury has assembled some of his favorite gear, scrapped together from whatever he scavenges from wrecks and abandoned equipment as they travel, and ‘lent’ chemicals and explosives he needs from either or both Coco and Maerin.

Lykha smiles at the thought. She knows neither Coco nor Maerin are likely to ever call upon Murtoa’s debt, except to tease him and perhaps make a specific request carry more weight with him.

Among the items Murtoa has prepared, there are the strange whistle bombs he makes, as well as the very similar pike bombs he uses for nightenmaels -and probably some other types of creature-.

While Lykha would rather NEVER encounter colossi ever again, she would be thankful if it’s something that even SHE knows how to beat… at least, as much as she can provide assistance for. Now, she can even keep Mury from falling more easily and heal him more efficiently. She finds herself holding her hands together in front of her, praying softly, “Pleeeease let it be a nightenmael if nothing is too much to ask for. M-Maybe a little nightenmael…”

She looks around, thankful no one heard her. She resumes her perimeter survey, hovering a little way up the wall. She remains cautious, constantly scanning the area around her, just as she was taught. With lizards, rodents, and predatory birds, she could escape even after being caught, and it was rare that they tried to attack her. But now, she’s learned how quickly true danger can appear. Additionally, she’s been tasked with a highly important job; making sure the campsite is safe. If she overlooks something, like the rock face being a colossus, or infected monsters lumbering towards them, then her friends are in extreme danger.

Fortunately, Lykha is able to explore pretty far with NO signs of life, including insects and birds. It itches at the back of her mind as off, but she’s not sure if it’s related to what she saw earlier or not. Surely, there have to be SOME kinds of creatures in the oasis, or the flowers would not propagate and would die out, let alone the other foliage requiring living creatures to thrive.

Perhaps it hasn’t been long enough for the repulsion of insects and birds to affect the oasis, but something feels very wrong.

Knowing that she is but a naive fairy, Lykha flies back to the group, where Gyrryth has opened the vents and returned to the inside of the trunk winder. The young fairy reports, “I didn’t find anything hazardous in the immediate area, but something’s off. I noticed the demon ash seems to be moving on its own, and additionally, there doesn’t seem to be any insects or birds.”

Coco crosses her arms, asking, “Why tha’ so s’prisin’? The fewer itchas and snackstealas, the betta.”

Gyrryth scratches his neck scales as he thinks, replying, “Insects fertilize flowers, and birds, especially, spread seeds. Because they can fly, they should be at minimal risk from the plague, as long as they don’t become contaminated. Otherwise…”

Maerin hiccups, finishing for him drunkenly, “We all be screw-ed already…”

Gyrryth nods. He adds as he looks up, “It’s probably for the best. If insects possesed the same hardiness and aggression as the wolf, the fowl, and the stag, then an overwhelming swarm of these abominations would most likely be too much for us to hold at bay.”

Lykha nods, “Agreed… But, why would they all be gone?”

The group thinks on it, and Lykha can’t help but glance at their incapacitated comrade. Would he know? He always seems to know everything, whether he tells the truth or not… No. Mury doesn’t know everything. It just seems that way because his knowledge is rather broad, but he is not an expert of all things. He can’t make the devices Coco makes, he can’t make the chemical concoctions Maerin creates, and he can’t use magic like Gyrryth or even me.

She resolves to let him continue to rest, lest his body succumb more easily to the disease. However, she suddenly has a thought. “What about some kind of totem?” she asks, looking to Gyrryth.

He looks at her, and she explains, “I’m certainly not a master of such magical arts, but I did once read about oovo nithings, and I actually saw one being prepared in the first village Mury and I arrived at after we met.” She blushes, fidgeting, “I… may have showed off my knowledge about it when I was trying to convince him… nevermind. I know such a totem can magically curse a being to death, and it is amplified by spiritual and blessing magic. C-... Could there be something like that here? Maybe not to kill everything, but… repel it?”

Gyrryth nods, replying, “Yes, indeed. Such a magic apparatus would certainly be within what is possible. I have never known magic to be used in such a manner. Although…”

“‘Although’?” repeats Lykha cautiously and curiously hopeful.

The drakyk spellshot massages his chin with his broad fingers. “I have heard of technologies that could accomplish such a feat; driving small wildlife from an area.”

Maerin replies somewhat dryly as she sits on the workbench gracelessly, “No good. Those things give us fairies *hic!* a headache. We’d know.” She massages her temples, murmuring, “Then again… My head is killing me right now…”

Lykha scoffs, stating to Gyrryth, “I don’t have a headache right now.”

He chuckles and nods, and Coco speaks up, “If ye can tell me how this headacher works, I’d happily tinker it meself.”

Lykha smirks with a light glare at Coco, retorting, “Very funny, Coco.”

The teen shakes her head, “I be serious as a deadtingle. Four times, I haftae scorch line bugs out’ta slicks and cornas o’ this runna.”

Gyrryth replies honestly, “I know not how it works, only that I’ve heard of such technology. If I hear of it again, I will certainly inquire on your behalf, Fiery One.”

Coco nods, shooting a devious grin at Lykha. The young fairy frowns, but they return to the task at hand. Lykha asks, “So, what do we do now?”

Gyrryth replies, “I believe it is in our best interest to rest for now. We need fresh eyes and fresh minds to solve this problem. Engaging in exploration in darkness is highly dangerous. The trunk winder’s hull will protect us from all but the largest of threats. Coco, Maerin, I ask you to take shifts on watch tonight, lacking our usual primary.”

Coco nods, “O’course. ‘Bando owin’ me a whole list o’ favas!” She snickers deviously, and Maerin waves her hand, saying wearily, “‘Least let me take the third watch. Need’ta go sleep off me drink.”

Gyrryth nods, and Lykha asks urgently, “What about me?”

Coco snorts, retorting, “You daf’, Tricksie? Mages need sleep. Even I know tha’.”

Lykha crosses her arms skeptically, retorting dryly, “You only know that because you asked Gyrryth.”

“Nuh-uh.” Coco looks to the side, murmuring, “Maerin…”

The inebriated fairy hiccups, waving her hand as she’s making her way towards her bunk, “True statement.”

Lykha urges to Gyrryth, “I can help. I don’t…”

“We will not hold it against you, Lykha. You are our most capable mage. Versatile, specifically.” He added ‘versatile’ just before she could object, and she halts her objection. He adds, “It is true, though, that the burdens of night watch fall to those not magically inclined. Sir Murtoa often bears the greatest share of time, but in this case, I will still get enough rest, as long as I do first or last watch. We will begin our incursion at dawn.”

Coco puts her hands on her hips, adding sassily, “O’course, Boss Machen prides herself on takin’ the wors’ watch for her team.”

Maerin scoffs as she’s leaving the room, and Gyrryth chuckles. “Much appreciated, Coco. Truly. I shall awaken you when it is your turn, if you would like to turn in as well.”

The teenage techromancer nods, “I jus’ need’ta do a few last checks. ‘Night.”

Lykha and Gyrryth both murmur softly, “Good night,” as Coco retreats forward to make whatever final checks she wants to make.

Lykha asks Gyrryth, “What about the dust, though? Should… What if it’s like the solaghoul?”

“When I was cleaning the vents, I didn’t notice anything of concern. Though I did not feel a breeze, the dust may be light enough that even the smallest air currents can carry it.”

“Wouldn’t it be spread further in the forest, then?”

“I do not know, I’m afraid. For now, get rest. If I notice anything during my watch, I will be certain to awaken everyone.”

Lykha nods. “Okay… I-... I’m going to s-sl-...” She swallows hard. It’s a serious thought, but she feels sheepish admitting it out loud. “I’m going… to sleep with Mury. I-IN CASE he needs something! B-Because he can’t speak loudly, he can nudge me for anything he needs or wants.”

Gyrryth nods. “Very well. I sense we will need every strength we have to overcome this plague’s effects on our friend.”

Lykha nods, clutching the collar of her shirt briefly. “Right. Good night, Gyrryth. I-If I can help with anything…”

“Worry not, I shall retrieve whomever is needed, you included. Thank you, Gentle One, and sleep well.”

She nods, hovering towards the bunkroom. She passes Coco as the teen is dressing down into her sleeping clothes, and the young fairy retrieves her pillow and blanket from her own bed. Maerin is snoring lightly already, though she may not actually be asleep so much as drooling on herself. Lykha peeks around the divider separating the two fairies in one bunk, and sure enough, Maerin simply flopped herself face down. The young fairy smiles, taking a moment to adjust her mature counterpart and tuck her in. She then flies down to Murtoa’s bunk, cautiously approaching his helmet. “M-Mury?” She suspects he isn’t asleep yet, and he confirms when his helmet turns towards her.

“I was listening…” he whispers.

She smiles and nods. “I figured as much. I-If it’s okay… I’m going to sleep down here with you, so that if you need anything, you just have to nudge me. O-Okay?”

“It’s unsafe…”

Lykha ignores the statement, setting up her pillow next to his head. “Don’t spit or bleed on me, then. Good night.” She smiles as she nestles against him, and he doesn’t shove her away. He is capable of moving, he’s just sluggish and weary.

Though Mury is in a dreadful state, and Lykha fears for the outcome, she feels strangely at ease. Maybe it’s nothing, but… something feels safe… comfortable about her current sleeping arrangements.

If only I could sleep with him always.

Lykha squeaks. The voice in her head wasn’t her own, this time, but she’s once-more surprised by someone reading her like a book. Schieranna’s silky voice giggles in Lykha’s head, adding gently, Sorry, I had to. Enjoy, little Lykha.

This time, all of the spirits snicker, and Lykha whimpers in embarrassment. She’s thankful for their aid, but because she’s becoming so close to them, they aren’t shy about teasing her out of the blue.

Still, Lykha finds her comfort once more.

I will save him. And maybe then…

***

“Hang on, sister! Please! We’re almost there! I found it! I actually found it! I can save you! Just a little further.” Rhianna hovers wearily through the air with her beloved older sister, Quiriemm on her back. Rhianna heard from an elder that there’s a way to save her beloved sister, who became ill when Rhianna splashed her with tainted mud.

It’s all my fault. If I didn’t want to explore… If I didn’t make such a mess with my magic… Qui… I’m so sorry!

Rhianna sniffles, trying to keep her strength up.

I gathered everything I was supposed to gather. Now, I just have to bring Qui, and she’ll be cured. Th-Then, I swear, Qui. I’ll never cause you any trouble again. Please, don’t leave me…

Carrying her sister isn’t easy, as Rhianna is a young fairy, and her flight is usually enough to make her fly with ease. Even with magic bolstering her wings, Rhianna is struggling immensely just to keep herself and Quiriemm airborne. Quiriemm is unconscious, meaning she’s dead weight, with none of her own magic alleviating the burden.

No! Not a burden! She’s my beloved sister, and this is my fault.

Rhianna shifts her arms, balancing Quiriemm’s weight better. Thankfully, as long as her wings are spread and she has magic, Rhianna can fly, not needing to flutter her wings, unless she wants a more powerful burst of speed, which she wouldn’t be able to muster now, anyway.

Rhianna carefully flies through the air, keeping high above the ground. She dare not get close, and she diligently watches for anything trying to snatch them both out of the sky. If she gets sick, too, it’s all over.

But, hope is in sight. She can see her destination. She got the ingredients, she provided them at the altar as she was instructed, and now, she simply needs to get Quiriemm there, and it will all be ready when they arrive.

Don’t worry, Qui. I’ll get you healed, and we’ll go back home, and we’ll live happily together forever.

She sniffles, descending towards the safe area, where the cure for Quiriemm will be waiting.

She does notice, however, a vehicle parked at the perimeter, where there wasn’t one before.

As long as they don’t get in her way, she doesn’t care. Maybe they heard about the cure as well.

Still, though. I should be careful. If they come after my wish… I’ll just stay hidden and fly carefully.

Rhianna can’t think of anything worse than losing her sister.

If only there were nothing worse than that.

***