Saving my Boyfriend from an Evil Villainess

The Flashback Episode

Andrea's heart jumped when she saw a man with kohl eyes and fancy clothes emerging from the forest. She couldn't believe it was him. "You!" she exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and relief in her voice.

The man smiled. "Me indeed," he replied, his voice smooth and melodic. "I see they are still kicking, as they say. Not the bucket though of course – or perhaps I myself am dancing in the heavens."

"No, we have not kicked any buckets," Andrea replied, feeling her tension melt away. "But why were you following us?"

The man's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Ah, my bell, a riddle for a riddle. Perhaps I was following you to ensure you were safe?"

Andrea chuckled. "Perhaps," she said. "But it doesn't matter now. I'm just glad you're not a threat."

"Nor I to you, my lady," the man said with a bow. "I simply wished to catch up to you, to see if you had solved the riddle that I gave you before we parted ways."

Andrea's brow furrowed in confusion. "The riddle? I don't even remember you giving me a riddle."

The man smiled gently. "No wakkers," he said. "Perhaps I will give you another one."

Andrea laughed, feeling a sense of comfort around the man.

"Who the hell is this?" Etherea interjected, eyeing the strange man that Andrea had just reunited with.

Andrea felt embarrassed that she hadn't shared her encounter with the man before. She had completely forgotten to mention it to the rest of the group.

"I'm so sorry, I forgot to tell everyone about him, with Johno being a nuisance at the time and such. I met him a few weeks ago by a pond. He spoke in riddles and said some strange things, but he's totally harmless. I'm sorry, I should have mentioned it before."

Etherea eyed the man up and down with intense judgement, "He looks as though he's been lost in the fairy realm for way too long." She said with a loud cough.

He snapped out of his stupor, "I have indeed been lost, but I've found my way back to you, my gorgeous angel, without you my world is meaningless!"

Andrea continued as if he hadn't said anything at all, "I never caught his name. He disappeared shortly after we met."

"Well, we have more pressing matters to worry about than some lost fairy man," Etherea said as she turned to walk back to camp.

"Oh, but he is so lovely Etherea! He is hilarious too; you'll totally like him- "

"No way Andrea, I don't trust him. He's too mysterious and unpredictable, plus not my type at all, god I could barf just looking at him."

"Ah, but that's the fun of it, isn't it? The unknown and unexpected? Have you truly lived if you haven't motivated the very soul of your twin flame? Your paramore? With everything that I am I would give it all even if I am marked with an air of discomfort!" the man interjected.

"Okay, I definitely think we should keep an eye on him. Oh, but look at him Etherea! He's literally playing with the grass," Andrea whined.

Said man had in fact dropped into the grass with a thud only moments ago, the sound echoing through the quiet forest. The man's eyes gleamed with an otherworldly light as he spoke, his words expressing every syllable and dancing across every vowel - like a melody.

"Friends, I've heard you are all very anxious and troubled. Scallywags and sailors need not fret, I have brought with me a thing that will calm your nerves and soothe your souls. It is a gift from those who know the troubles of the world." He then reached inside of his satchel and pulled out a small, wrapped package, before holding it out towards Andrea and Etherea.