Never Ever

30

The fae trained long and hard, magic and physical abilities alike. Even the civilians were asked to train, just in case

The sirens and pixies arrived and joined the training

This time around, Norland and co were actually serious, they'd figured they'd have enough fun after the war was over

Lady Farrow approached Ever: My dear..

Ever curtsied: Lady Farrow

Lady Farrow: No need to stand on ceremony, after all, we're kins

Ever smiled

Lady Farrow held a necklace with a few colourful crystals towards Ever, they were the same crystals in the cave in siren territory: This is for you. It will not work as well as in the cave, but it will still help enhance your song

Ever took it: Thank you

Lady Farrow smiled: I understand you were able to use magic even without a crystal. I'm impressed. Can you try that again, without the crystal at first

Ever nodded. She took a deep breath and started singing

All the people around stopped what they were doing, listening to her

Her cheeks flamed, her song didn't get the desired effect exactly

Lady Farrow smiled: It seems you lack the proper incentive, either that, or that you're just shy. No worries, you'll get the hang of it soon enough. Now try it again wearing the necklace

Ever obliged, this time the result was better, but it faltered, she was too conscious of the eyes fixed on her while she sang

Axel gave her an encouraging smile, she smiled back

Lady Farrow: Hmm, I think I foumd just the right incentive for you
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Maya was holding her own pretty well with the fae

Her practice partners were truly impressed, and Romeo beamed with pride

She was making remarkable progress. She really was a natural when it came to magic

Having her train with them and willing to fight, combined with her skill, even when she was exempt from fighting by the royals, gained her the respect of many fae
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Lady Farrow used Axel, when he wasn't training, as target for others to attack him and Ever to try saving him using her siren song magic

She was smug finding it worked just as well as she hoped

Ever was making good progress. There was true potential here, even though the girl hasn't practiced it before

Lady Farrow made sure a good deal of the training was done without the necklace, while it was helpful, there was no telling what will happen when in battle, she might lose it, so it's best that she learns to be independent from the use of it
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Everyone made sure to be alert and ready at any time for the enemies to attack

Their efforts paid off.. One evening, out of the blue, there was dark magic in the air, dark elves started attacking, together with rebel pixies, sirens and trolls

Every species took on their own, the elves against the elves, pixies against pixies, etc., and the trolls were battled by a mixture of oponnents

It was incredibly hard for any side to win. The two sides were almost equal at power

King: So it was you Beningham.. I see you've managed to lead others astray as well

Beningham: This would have been prevented, if you would had his highness marry my daughter

King: I would never force him to do something he didn't want

Beningham: It would have been best for the realm. Nerissa would make a most suitable queen

Ever: A queen has to be kind and compassionate, unfortunately, Lady Nerissa is neither. Even if Lady Maya wasn't here, it would have never worked. It's just more convenient for you, you only want to get into power

Beningham: Pest, you should only talk when adressed

Ever ignored him

Nerissa: If that human wasn't here, I would have been able to comfort him, get him to love me, but no, you have to make everything harder, stupid Nightingale

Ever: He would have never went for you..

Nerissa: And I suppose you think you have a better chance

Ever laughed: I never said I did, but unlike you, my world doesn't revolve about that

Nerissa grit her teeth

Beningham: Enough chit chat, face us

And the greatest battle of all magical races began