A Fairytale...

Chapter eight: old wounds and new discoveries

The Royal Archives were a labyrinth of ancient texts, scrolls, and relics, each one containing secrets from the fairy realm's long history. The air was thick with dust and the scent of old parchment, but that didn't deter Kristin and Marieke as they entered the vast chamber. They were on a mission, and nothing would stop them from finding the answers they needed-nothing except, perhaps, an old enemy.

As they made their way to the central research station, Kristin's eyes narrowed at the sight of a familiar figure hunched over a stack of books. Farrah, the palace's top researcher, was absorbed in her work, flipping through pages with an intensity that suggested she was onto something important. But to Kristin, the sight of her former friend only brought back painful memories.

"Farrah," Kristin called out, her tone clipped.

Farrah looked up, her expression immediately hardening as she met Kristin's gaze. "Kristin. What a surprise," she replied coldly. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"I'm not here for a reunion," Kristin shot back. "We need answers, and we need them fast. This isn't about you and me."

Marieke, sensing the tension, glanced between the two women but wisely kept silent. She had heard stories of Kristin and Farrah's past, how they had once been inseparable until a mysterious incident tore them apart. The details were murky, but the animosity between them was clear.

Farrah stood, crossing her arms over her chest. "Of course, it's always business with you. But I'll tell you now, if you think you can just waltz in here and demand my help, you're sorely mistaken."

Kristin stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "This isn't about pride, Farrah. There's something dangerous out there-something that could threaten the entire realm. I don't like this any more than you do, but we need to work together."

Farrah's jaw tightened as she considered Kristin's words. She hated to admit it, but the urgency in Kristin's voice was impossible to ignore. Finally, she sighed, pushing her anger aside. "Fine. But only because the stakes are too high. What exactly are we looking for?"

Kristin hesitated for a moment, then explained, "There's a powerful aura we've detected-something strong enough to evade our usual tracking methods. We think it might be connected to a witch from our past, but we don't know who or what it is. We need to find out before it's too late."

Farrah frowned, her mind already racing through the possibilities. "A witch, you say? That narrows it down, but not by much. There were many powerful witches in our history, but only a few who could match the description you've given."

Marieke, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "Do you have any leads? Anything that could point us in the right direction?"

Farrah walked over to one of the massive bookshelves, pulling down a heavy tome that looked centuries old. "There's one name that comes to mind-Hina, the Queen's sister. She was known for her extraordinary magic, but she disappeared years ago. If she's returned, her power could have grown even stronger."

Kristin's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Hina's name. "Hina? You think she could be the source of the aura?"

"It's possible," Farrah replied, flipping through the pages until she found the section she was looking for. "But there's no way to be sure. We need more information, and we need it fast."

The three women gathered around the table, their past differences momentarily set aside as they worked together to unravel the mystery. The tension between Kristin and Farrah still simmered beneath the surface, but for now, they were united by a common goal.

As they pored over the ancient texts, the weight of their task pressed down on them. The answers they sought were buried deep in the past, but the clock was ticking. If they didn't find the truth soon, the entire realm could be in danger.

And as they worked, the mysterious aura continued to linger in the air, watching, waiting, and growing stronger with each passing moment.

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I think I'm gonna make a under 900 words chapters unlike the firsts ones hope you enjoy this story thou! I think I'm gonna end in Chapter 20 or 30 depends on the plot I'm doing