Hadas Oscuras

Part 1

For centuries, magic has been the root of all things benevolent and sinister. This realm has always been occupied with magical creatures and powerful beings alongside mortals that have very little exposure to it -till now. Specifically in the world of fairies, there are only 3 kinds of fairies: good fairies, dark faeries, and the transformed. In this tale, we find common ground where pure meets complex, creating something wicked and satisfying.

~

Every step was a struggle as they climbed the mountainside. Green moss and leaves crushed underneath their bruised feet. The shadow of the moon barely lit the path for them. The air was growing steeper as oxygen levels grew low as they scaled up the mountain. No one from their village had been this high up before. To keep the peace among the different fairy clans there were boundaries and treaties put in place. This is the first time a clan is willing to defy those agreements.

Exhausted. Out winded. Cold. And sick. These were only a few of a long list of challenges the fairies were faced with as they climbed the mountain bare-handed. Blood dripped down from the cuts and abrasions from their hands onto their once beautiful chiffon and silk pastel dresses. These are the circumstances they live in now.

Mariposa yelled as she climbed ahead, "IF WE DON'T MAKE IT UP THE MOUNTAIN, NO ONE IS GOING TO MAKE IT OUT ALIVE. THEY'RE COUNTING ON US!".

The rest of the survivors struggled as they continued to scale the mountainside. The moon was not guiding them tonight. The crescent moon hid behind a group of clouds. Even this high in elevation its white light teased them. Along with the others, Mariposa dropped her wings as she could see up ahead at the summit's edge. This was their ultimate sign of respect, but even such a gesture as this could not save them from what could be a second wave of danger waiting for them at the top of the mountain.

She stated, "If they come for us, don't fight back. We are here to ask them for help. Remember, if they refuse, we are as good as dead."

Isla weakly blurted out, "But they're dark fairies. How can we trust them?"

Mariposa answered, "We have no choice, so stop talking and keep climbing!".

They all took a couple more exhausting steps before a cold feminine voice projected from the top of the mountain.

"Stop! If you take one more step, we will have to harm you," said the mysterious voice.

Fearfully, they looked around, but their sight was robbed by the fog that quickly surrounded them. Mariposa shouted, "Please Buffy, it's me.... We need your help."

An unseen force seemed to tug at their essence and bodies as their bodies started to sink into the mountainside. Everyone tried their best to resist but that only made them sink faster into the rock. Mariposa knew better than to fight. It didn't stop her from getting consumed. However, that didn't matter when she was the last one to see the dark sky, crooking her head back the last thing she saw was the moon standing alone.

A honeyed voice whispered into Mariposa's ears, "Hello, Mariposa."

In the end, darkness enveloped everything.

One by one, they all woke up, their minds in a state of discombobulation. Mariposa was the last one to awaken. The cries and prayers from Isla and the others crept into her peaceful slumber. Quickly, she propped herself up against Isla for support and consolation. Against her exposed skin, she can feel Isla's soft satin auburn curls.

She could see the fear in their eyes as they panicked, noticing they were all tied up and gagged. A red metal door on the opposite side of the room swung open. Quickly, they scooted behind Mariposa trying their best to push up against each other. The ropes tied their wrists and arms across their chest; their thighs tied together restricting their movements. Mariposa shuffled towards the door ready to face whatever was waiting on the other side ready to beg for the help they so desperately needed.

Buffy's rich dark complexion and tall slender body stood in the doorway. As soon as Mariposa's eyes meet Buffy's she broke down and cried hysterically. Buffy came in desperately ripping away the ties off her body. She held Mariposa in her arms, trying her best to soothe her.

A decade later, Mariposa still felt safe in Buffy's arms.

Buffy yelled in rage, " UNTIE THEM NOW!".

A small group of dark-haired fairies rushed into the room and proceeded to untie the rest of the girls. They moved like shadows dressed in dark clothing and silver jewelry as the moonlight jumped off them.

Buffy instructed them to take the rest of the group to the village hospital to get checked out.

Mariposa sobbing said, " Go with them.... Trust me you guys will be fine. We can trust them. I don't want to hear a word."

Isla and the others hesitated as they walked out of the room, each of them taking one last look at Mariposa. The door closed slowly behind them as the group left- leaving Buffy and Mariposa alone. Mariposa gathered herself together as all she needed was a moment to cry.

Buffy placed a soft tender kiss on Mariposa's forehead before she proceeded to ask her what happened.

A recount of tonight's events will forever be burned in the minds of those who lived it and those who will learn what happened. Buffy held onto Mariposa tightly as she explained what occurred.

Her voice shook as she spoke. They had been celebrating the first fall crescent moon when all of a sudden the children started to foam at the mouth. The adults rushed to aid the children till they all started to foam together resulting in everyone passing out. One after another everyone woke up tied up to wooden poles and their homes on fire.

Mariposa was separated from the rest of the clan as they questioned and tortured her for answers. She was the one left in charge as The Mothers visited the Draco Clan to finalize the spring marriages. Once, they realized that Mariposa nor anyone else had answers for them they dragged her back outside.

To her dismay, she unearthed the scene of some of the matured fairies lying lifelessly with slashes in their wings. A small group of children jumped to get away from the sparks of fireworks being thrown at their feet.

These vile men were not here to kill them all, that was clear to her. However, if they weren't there to kill them they were here to torture and imprison them. As Mariposa laid on the floor, watching in horror with everyone else, she devised a plan to escape and to go seek help.

Mariposa trembled, " Alongside the others and Isla we were the only ones left behind to be transported. The first opportunity we saw to escape we took the chance and came straight here."

Buffy asked, " Mari.. how did you escape?".

With shame and regret in her eyes, Mariposa could barely glance at Buffy. She tearfully answered, " I set the executioner on fire."

Buffy tightened her arms around her, and with her right hand, she grabbed Mariposa's cheek with the most loving alluring determined look Mariposa had ever seen. Buffy said, "We will set all of them on fire."

Exhausted and relieved, Mariposa fell into Buffy's chest. She wasn't completely sure if she could trust Buffy and her clan. Unfortunately, with the little strength she had left, she chose to take that gamble. Her stomach wound was still slightly bleeding, and she felt herself falling into a state of distress. She could vividly hear Buffy urgently yelling for medical help and telling her to hold on.

Before she could open her eyes she could feel several nurses treating her wounds. The sensation of water, the piercing of needles, the soft textures of cloth, and could hear a pacing Buffy waiting for her to wake up. Her consciousness was awake, but her body was not. The feeling of hope that was struggling to stay alive within her might as well be a flower growing in a dark room. Could she trust this feeling? Could she trust them?

Only time would reveal if for once they could be united for the survival of their sisters.