Winx: The reincarnation 2

Chapter forty

Danielle moved steadily through the forest, her steps quiet against the mossy ground.

The dense canopy above cast shifting patterns of light and shadow, and the air carried the scent of blooming flowers. A faint magical energy pulsed in the atmosphere—the concealing barrier of the Pixie Village.

She was close now.

A rough voice echoed in her mind, sharp and commanding. "You know what must be done. Do not disappoint me."

From the treetops, a watcher pixie spotted her approaching and let out an excited squeal before darting off toward the heart of the village. She flitted into the royal court, where Queen Ninfea sat among her attendants.

"Your Majesty! One of our saviours from Alphea has come to visit!" the pixie announced eagerly.

Ninfea's expression brightened. "Oh, how wonderful! Do let her in."

The watcher pixie fluttered off, quickly going off to do what she was told. Meanwhile, Danielle kept walking, her expression unreadable as she stepped past the first hidden barriers of the Pixie Village. The magic shimmered faintly around her, allowing her passage.

As she entered, the village revealed itself in all its splendor—tiny homes, glowing lanterns strung along branches, and the magical dust filling the air. The moment the other pixies noticed her, delighted whispers spread among them.

Ninfea offered Danielle a warm smile. "Welcome back, dear one. What brings you here today?"

"I need something," she said, eerily.

Ninfea's gentle smile faltered. "Oh dear... what is it that you need?"

The nearby pixies gathered closer, curious and unsuspecting.

"I'm sure it won't be too much trouble," Danielle said with an eerie smile. "I just need a few things from you."

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"I've alerted the other schools about Danielle," the Assistant Headmistress announced as she entered the office. "They're all keeping an eye out."

"Good," the Headmistress replied with a firm nod. "We'll need all the help we can get. This is no small matter."

"There's more," the Assistant Headmistress added. "The pixies... they're here. They're worried."

She opened the door, allowing the girls' bonded pixies to flutter inside.

"Girls!" Symphony called as she and the others flew in.

"Is she really gone?" Violette asked, her voice trembling as she wiped at her eyes.

Artemisia replied. "We don't know where she is exactly," she said softly. "But we're going to find her. I promise."

Gladys spoke. "She didn't seem like herself at all."

"That's exactly what we're afraid of," the Headmistress said gravely. "The Shadow Phoenix has found a way to influence her."

Cybele floated near Lithia. "So what now? Are we just supposed to wait while she's out there with the codex?"

"She wouldn't do anything terrible, right?" Kiki asked in a trembling voice.

Carissa lowered her gaze. "We don't know... That's why we have to find her."

Just then, Luna rushed to the window. "Girls, look! There's a Red Fountain ship approaching!"

"It looks serious," Crystal said, squinting at the ship's swift descent into the courtyard.