The Enchanted Queen

Falling Angels

Vera's POV
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Ren led me into the crowd, spinning me into his arms as the music began to play. We danced as the spirits of thousands of fallen Fey descended upon us. Children rejoiced at the sight of their parents, family's were rejoined, and cheer spread like wildfire. It was almost as if Asya was completely forgotten and lost in the crowd. The previous squabble was a distant memory to all of the people of the forest.

There was nothing quite like this in the human realm. Once someone was dead, that was it. They were gone. There are no second chances. There are no last goodbyes. When a Fey dies, their spirit becomes one with nature forever. Their essence was recycled as energy and magic, and the power that the late Fey left behind is what binds them to their loved ones. On this day, spirits are allowed to walk freely, but in this realm, spirits are allowed to interact and be seen.

Something strange grabbed my eye from across the room. The painting jumped out at me like a nightmare. I looked into the faces of my late parents, happy, with a young child in hand. The silver hair was unmistakable. The child was definitely me. I neared towards the piece of artwork, feeling Ren on my heels.

Numbly, i reached into the leather pouch and took out my brush. My whole body was reactive to it. Ren sliced my hand open and clasped it around the wood. The cut was small, and the blood seemed to draw into the brush, winding it into its ancient patterns. I felt the bond of the weapon tether around me.

Suddenly, two silver figures drifted from the artwork. "Mom and dad." I whispered. They seemed to drift across he floor rather than walk. I slid the brush back into its case.

I approached them cautiously, reaching out to touch them. My mother shook her head.

"I'm so sorry to see you here." She spoke. Her voice sounded the same as I remember. "I tried to hide you away before they found us."

"Who?" I asked. "Who did this to you?"

"Your biological parents." My father spoke. "I was unable to have children, and your mother desperately wanted a child. We tried everything. The fertility doctor couldn't even help us." He sighed.

"When we found you on the edge of the woods, we couldn't believe it. No one claimed you. You were left for dead. We were able to adopt you immediately." My mother added. "We soon realized that our blessing was only temporary. You were meant to be much more than just our daughter. You are the savior of this realm. Whoever left you in that forest eventually returned for you, and we protected you with our lives. This painting is famous in the realm." She gestured to the piece of art, and i glanced at Ren's shocked glare.

"The Lost Child." Ren whispered.

"The lost child is you, Vera. As a gift for protecting you, our souls were bound to the forest. We were always with you, throughout your entire journey, and always will be."

"Vera, you don't understand what this means." Ren clasped his hand around my arm.

"What's wrong?" I gasped. Ren pulled me close, whispering urgently in my ear.

"The Lost Child is the most famous painting in this building. Probably in the entire realm. The return of the lost child is the beginning of something revolutionary. It's a prophecy. The lost child will return to the ancient city, and the veil between the two worlds will finally fall. It is what some humans would call "hell on earth." But to all of us, it's freedom.

"Do you know who my biological parents are?" I whispered. Ren nodded sharply.

"I had my suspicions. Now I know for sure. Vera, we have to get you to the ancient city. Your mother and father are the rulers of the land. This is the city of bizarre, lost magic. It will be tricky to get us inside safely. We haven't had contact with the ancient city since the war. All of the Fey were reduced to distorted beasts in that kingdom. The magic is so unpredictable that no one has ever lived to bring back a report. If your parents still rule that land, they must be plagued with the disease too. But if the prophecy is correct, you will bring peace to the realm. I'm hoping that means somehow you will be able to return everyone to their past forms."

"Hold the hell up." I snapped. "I barely know how to use magic! I just get lucky. What do you mean I am the savior of this realm? That's impossible. I can't even save myself!"

"The prophecy says-"

"I don't care I'm not Jesus Christ GODDAMN IT!"

"Who's that?" Ren asked.

"Never mind it." I sighed. "What does this mean for humanity?" I asked, looking to Ren.

"They become food for the wolves." He chuckled.

"They have nuclear bombs now." I whispered. "Dog vs nuclear bomb, who's going to win?"

"We will have all of the elements of nature on our side, plus the abilities of thousands of magical creatures. I doubt the human military can withstand something that they can't comprehend."

"This is the beginning of the end then." I looked around. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I watched as Asya and Casper talked with a group of wolf spirits. The room seemed to be filled with dancing silver entities. If only they knew how much chaos was ahead.

And I was somehow the centerpiece in it all.