Vanessa has spent her life believing she was abandoned, shuffling between neglectful foster homes and haunted by strange nightmares. When her suppressed magic resurfaces, she is thrust into the mysterious world of Alfea, a school for fairies. There...
The sun barely peeked over the horizon as Vanessa stepped out of her dorm, the chill in the air biting at her skin. The bond thrummed faintly with Alexander's usual steadiness and Sky's warmth, but there was an undercurrent of tension she couldn't ignore. The events of the past few days-the awkward reunions, the strained conversations-had left her feeling unbalanced.
Vanessa made her way to the training field, hoping the routine of practice would clear her mind. She was early, the ground still damp with dew. She raised her hands, summoning a small vortex of air and fire, letting the elements dance in her palms. For a moment, the world fell away, and she focused only on the hum of magic.
"Up early again?" Sky's voice broke through her thoughts.
Vanessa turned to see him approaching, his sword slung over one shoulder. His usual grin was in place, but there was a flicker of concern in his blue eyes.
"Couldn't sleep," Vanessa admitted.
"Thinking about Bloom?" Sky asked, his tone lighter than the question deserved.
Vanessa sighed, extinguishing the magic in her hands. "She's so angry, Sky. And I don't know how to fix it."
Sky stepped closer, his expression softening. "You don't have to fix it all at once, Nessa. Give her time."
The bond pulsed faintly with Alexander's presence, and Vanessa turned to see him approaching from the far end of the field. His green eyes flicked between her and Sky, his expression unreadable.
"We need to focus," Alexander said, his tone brisk. "Today's mission is going to be challenging enough without distractions."
Sky rolled his eyes but didn't argue. Vanessa nodded, her chest tightening with the weight of unspoken words.
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The trio gathered in the courtyard with the rest of their year, waiting for Professor Silva to give the day's briefing. Bloom stood among the first-years, her fiery red hair catching the morning light. Vanessa's chest tightened as their eyes met, the bond thrumming faintly with Sky's concern and Alexander's quiet disapproval.
"Today's mission is a retrieval exercise," Silva announced, his voice commanding. "You'll be split into teams and sent into the forest to recover a magical artifact. The terrain is difficult, and there will be obstacles. Work together or fail-there's no in-between."
Vanessa found herself paired with Alexander, Sky, and-much to her surprise-Bloom. The bond buzzed sharply with Alexander's tension as he glanced at her.
"This should be interesting," Sky muttered, his tone laced with sarcasm.
Vanessa forced a smile, though her chest felt heavy. "Let's just get through it."
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