Ethereal

Fae

Serenity continued her walk through the woods toward the main camp. She did not know how difficult it would be to convince the clan to accept her family back, but she knew that she had to try her best.

"I swear that I shall reclaim our lost honor. I swear that I shall make the name Grevali a proud name once more!" shouted Serenity. She then knelt down and started reciting prayers to the goddess *Elisa. "Please let this work.. please.." She gripped her hands tight and continued the prayer.

"That won't work, you know." called a voice from the woods.

"What? Who's there?" Serenity called out, standing as she did so.

"No one important. I am but a spirit of the woods. Who I am does not matter, it is who you are and what you are destined to do that matters."

"What do you mean? I have not done anything in my life really. My only goal has been to try to get my name back."

"You shall try, Serenity, but you shall fail. No one can get their name's value back once it has been tarnished. The history of a thousand years can be wiped away in one second by one person. You grandmother knew this, but continued anyway."

"You never knew her! You have no right to speak of her!"

"Ah, but did you even know her, my dear? You knew what your parents wanted you to know. Did that thought ever come into your mind, or do you trust everyone that speaks to you?"

"I don't trust you."

"Then you are learning already, yet I am the only one you can trust. I am your guide, Serenity. I am Fae, the goddess of wind. Whether or not you accept me is up to you, but know that I shall always remain here for you."

"Why are you helping me? I mean, you just insulted my family I mean I-"

"Silence." the voice hissed. "I never insulted you. I merely told you the truth that has been hidden beyond your knowledge. I am opening your mind. I am teaching you."

"Why would I want you to teach me?"

"Don't you want to know the real reason your family name was taken? Or do you wish to live in ignorance?"

Serenity stopped. She had no response. Does this mean her whole life has been a lie? Is everything false? The stories of her mother and father, were they a lie too?

"Fae, I have a request, if you shall allow it."

"This should be interesting. Okay, I shall hear your request."

"Could.. could you tell me what actually happened? With my grandmother, I mean..?"

The wind was silent. Then, a small chuckled was heard. The leaves around Serenity started flowing back and forth. They began to all surround the young girl. The leaves then began to tear and shred into pieces of art. One leaf was tore into a figure that she knew.

"Mother..?" Serenity called out as she touched the leaf. It fluttered away as soon as Serenity's skin had felt it.

"Your grandmother, Astrid, was never banned for what they said. She never conspired against the clan, nor did she give information to the humans as to your clan's location."

"But what did she do then? Many people saw here leave multiple nights at a time. She claimed to be 'searching for a new spot to set up the clan', but everyone knew that the spot they had was perfect in every way." 

"Ah, I think it is best if I start from the beginning, young one.."

"I would appreciate it very much, Fae."

Leaves came together and formed a comfy spot for Serenity to sit. As she sat, the wind began to howl an otherworldly sound. Serenity looked around at the trees swaying from the powerful wind. She closed her eyes out of fear. She could hear the wind rustling through the trees and grass around her. Suddenly, the wind ceased. The once fluttering leaves fell to the ground in a neat pile. As her eyes reopened, she looked around and saw what looked to be a woman. She was wearing a long white dress and had the longest white hair with hauntingly bright blue eyes. Her skin was very pale, and her lips were almost a light shade of purple. She had no shoes, but looked to have lace around her ankles. She began to walk, holding the sides of her flowing dress and dragging the lace ribbons on the ground. Serenity was in awe. She had never seen anyone with such beauty.

"Serenity.. I am Fae, pleased to meet you in a similar form." she smiled warmly and held out her hand.

"N-nice to meet you too, Fae." she replied, taking her outstretched hand. Fae's hand was cold and bony, but it seemed tender to Serenity. Fae and Serenity stared at one another for a few moments before Fae sat next to her.

"Now my child, keep an open mind. Forget what you were told of this story. The lies held in your mind make it harder to learn the truth." Fae took her hand from her side and flung it upward. The figured leaves on the ground fluttered to life once more. "Let the story begin."

*Elisa - goddess of luck