Fairytale Defenders: Book One

The Rise of a Hero Part 1

   Sometime before the events of Two Mirrors, Hibiki exhaled as she entered her own private dressing room. Her eyes were on the floor as someone giggled softly. "You look tired, dear cousin. Perhaps a talk with me shall ease your mind a bit." Hibiki glared at Rose, who was handing her a cup of tea. "Why are you here. This is my private room after performances. No one is allowed back here."

   Rose stared into her eyes before sitting the cup down. Her eyes turn crimson red lizard eyes as white scales quickly cover her neck and cheeks. "Alright. Let's get down to business. Hibiki, I believe it's time you chose a side. You know everything after watching us from afar." She suddenly throws something at Hibiki. Hibiki's eyes expanded, realizing what she was holding in her hands. "The choice is yours to make. However, as a warning, you don't have much time. My grandfather has a plan and is willing to do anything to get what he wants." She walks past her after the scales and eyes disappear. Hibiki lowered her head, shoving something into her pocket.

   About two weeks later, Lucien was writing something down. His eyes scan a page of a book while growling softly. 'Why is there no information about Rose?! It's been about two weeks and all I could find is info about defeating dragons and the different species!!' He slammed his hand against the table.

   "Damn it! Why is there no information about any kind of dragon princess?!" Lucien growled. "I know it has to be here." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. The sound of someone chuckling caught his attention. Something bubbled inside of him when Drosselmeyler appeared in front of him.

   The chuckles grew louder. "Well, well~ What do we have here?" Drosselmeyler smirked, picking up a book. His eyes narrow with a click of his tongue. "You're trying to find information about my granddaughter. None of the works written by humans will not help. The works of the magical beings is what you need."

   Lucien bite his bottom lip as Drosselmeyler summons a glowing book for him. Many emotions caused his chest to tighten. He grabbed the book, exhaling a breath. "If I open this book... What actions will I face? I don't want the others to fall because of me."

   As soon as those words left his mouth, Drosselmeyler thought for a moment. An evil thought shot through him as he just smirked. "Oh you don't have to worry about anything. The others will not fall for this. However, you're right about the actions. Your actions will affect you and only you within the choice that you have to make." He crosses his legs while sitting up straight like a businessman. "Shall we make a deal, young one?"

   Meanwhile, Mana could sense something in the air. She looked around with a spark of wonder in her eyes. 'Weird... Something feels off but I can't put my finger on it. It better not be something important.' A sigh escaped her lips while bumping into someone. Her eyes widen as Flare catches her before hitting the ground. "Woah there. Are you alright?" He smiled as Mana nodded. "Good thing it was me that you bumped into. ...are you sure you're alright? You seem awfully pale."

   "I guess... T-To be honest, I-I feel like something is-s off. L-Like the world i-is about to-o test us." Mana replied. She shook her head, failing to notice the color on Flare's face become lighter. "I-It's crazy right?" The shaking of Flare's head causes her to blink. Flare took her hand and lead her toward somewhere private.

   The sound of birds made something inside of Mana feel calmer. Flare smiled, sitting down on a nearby bench. He took out a weathered lotus phone charm. "Mana, I believe you. There's something in the air and it's magical. Magical beings like us can sense it before it can happen. If you can sense it now, then your powers are growing. Or, you're about to get a very powerful kind of magic."

   She raised an eyebrow before staring at her hands. Flare tries to hold back his laughter while watching her try to cast a spell. "It doesn't work like that. Magic is a weird thing kinda like love. You never know when it will appear. For now, you need to know the difference between good and bad actions. At some point, you'll learn that there is no such thing as good and bad magic." Mana gives him a strange look as she tilts his head.