Flight Without Wings

Chapter 5

       The next day, the three of us woke up as the sun just began to rise. The sounds of birds singing and countless creatures caroling stirred us from our sleep.

       Thanks to their power, Jade and Rey were able to provide a meal consisting of any kind of fruit they could find or grow.

       "Alright, we need to get moving." Jade said the moment we had finished eating.

       As before, Rey was invaluable for navigating the forest. We tried to avoid being seen from the houses in the treetops. Occasionally, a fairy would fly above us, but the undergrowth was so dense that it was difficult to see us below.

       Eventually, Jade got the idea of draping himself and me in vines and other plants he could grow with magic in order to blend in. Soon, I was wearing a scarf made of plants woven together. Thankfully, my dark skin tone and black dress meant I didn't stand out from my surroundings as is.

       Suddenly, we saw a hut on the ground. Instantly, we corrected our course to go around it. Jade's pointed ears perked up.

       "Someone's coming, hide!" He whispered. Each one of us hid as best we could, although Rey had a hard time due to her vibrant wings. She used her power to just barely grow the plants around her to mask her better.

       Through the lush vegetation, I saw who Jade was referring to.

       He was a winged fairy with dragonfly wings and casual attire. He walked intently towards the hut. He had tan skin, black hair, and brown eyes.

       His steps were strangely quiet, but Jade had no trouble hearing them.

       I watched him walk into the hut. Then, there was a brief moment of silence.

        A scream of agony erupted from within the hut. I instantly shot up. All three of us ran from within the underbrush. It took a moment to break from the bushes.

       Suddenly, I saw the man run out the door with a bloody dagger in his hand. He was running away from the hut.

       I began to pursue him.

       "Wait, Zyara, what about the person inside!" Rey shouted. My eyes widened. She was right, someone else had been in there.

       As we entered the hut, the gruesome scene became obvious. A young, wingless fey woman was lying on the ground in the hut. Two massive holes had been punctured in her chest. Rey stopped.

       "I-I thought my healing could help her. But... she's gone." Rey stammered, her eyes beginning to water. I put my hand on her shoulder in an attempt to console her.

       "Look out!" Jade shouted. Suddenly, there was a flash of light from behind us. The man was right there, with his hands outstretched.

       Then, an impact hit me. Sound exploded through my ears painfully, but I stood my ground. Jade was slammed into the back wall of the hut and Rey collapsed to the ground after being hit by the blast. The man spread his wings and took off from the hut.

        I felt my power rushing through me, almost in response to being harmed.

       "Rey! Jade! Are you alright!" I shouted, helping a coughing Rey stand up. She put her hand on her chest and her whole body glowed with light. When it faded, she breathed a sigh of relief.

       "I'll go heal Jade now." Rey said.

       "I never knew you had healing powers." I said. Rey put her hand on Jade's chest.