The creature that currently occupies the space above Fintan village hasn't moved for a while. It gently flaps its wings as to not destroy the buildings that are below. It looks down upon Fishy who stood below it alongside the executives, unsure of what action to take.
"So it's a celestial…" Fishy said. "But what's it doing?"
"I don't know…" Said Ziu who was wielding his sword in his right hand just in case the worst did happen.
"I don't think it's our enemy," The elder interrupted. "Look…"
They looked to the skies to see it emit what seemed like fairy dust. A light glowing particle that kindly turned to nothing before hitting the ground. The butterfly that was above them started to emit a bright white light that blinded the whole village. By the time their eyes had adjusted, the butterfly had disappeared, and instead, a small girl lightly stepped down through the air to where Fishy stood. But after making some distance, it was clear that she was taller than most.
The girl stood in front of Fishy who looked passed. Unable to look at her mature face and elegant pink hair that curled like a butterfly's antennae before resting just above the ground. It was as if the ground was too dirty for her hair and it was repelling it like a magnet.
"Pleasure to meet you." Her voice was as soft as one would expect from such an angelic creature. She showed no signs of hostility and looked as if she'd never harm a fly.
"My name is Beauty." She said, "I am the butterfly celestial."
"I've heard…" Fishy said before pushing everyone back to their normal working lives so he could have some privacy. "Want to talk inside?"
Inside the meeting room that was built for him. Fishy sat opposite a strange creature. One that introduced themself as a butterfly but became a beautiful woman before his eyes. She carefully sipped tea as if she was royalty. Sitting with her back straight and politely making sure she didn't make any noise.
"So what can we do for you?" Fishy dared to ask.
"I came asking for a favour." She said, "Truly you would be foolish to decline a favour from the butterfly celestial."
Fishy hadn't even heard what he had to do and was already against it. A strange girl showing up out of nowhere can only mean trouble. Fishy's bad luck with girls was one that caused him to think this way, but he was interested in having something he could use against a celestial should need be.
"So if I accept whatever you are about to tell me. I can come to you and claim my favour. Is that how we are doing things?"
"Of course." Beauty said, continuing to sip her tea after having Tin pour more.
"Very well," Fishy said relaxing all the muscles that were tense on Beauty's arrival. "Let's hear it."
"The forest which I guard is currently housing many different creatures. It appears one creature has moved in that I do not welcome. I want you to remove it."
"That's it?" Fishy said, wary that there would be more. It seemed too easy of a deal to make Fishy do it. "Why can't you do it yourself?"
"I cannot." She said, "It is against our rules."
Fishy listened as sceptical as one could be when faced with a strange butterfly creature turned human.
"I doubt these rules are real… She's hiding something." Fishy thought to himself.
"I think we should do it, my lord," Ziu spoke. "It could be beneficial for us. Plus we can explore that region. Not many are allowed in that forest as it is guarded by the druids which serve the celestials."
"So why don't you get the druids to do it?" Fishy asked Beauty after hearing new information that he was sure she'd have an answer to.
"They are not as strong as you. From your presence alone, you are the strongest one around here."
"What do you mean?"
"Haven't you noticed?" Beauty said, almost laughing at how little Fishy knew. Not that he could be blamed in his eyes. "You've probably been able to sense others' presence with magic. There are many presences that you can see with special magic. The easiest to sense is bloodlust and power level. Many hide these things, of course, yourself included."
Fishy listened wishing he had also managed to find a mage in the city of Va who could have told him this stuff. He leaned back in his chair aware of what she just said. Without knowing it, Fishy had been sensing everything around him. Some could call it reflexes but it was undeniably because of his magic.
"Can I ask?" Fishy said wanting to make the most of this opportunity. "How strong am I?"
Beauty calmly placed down her cup of tea and looked directly into Fishy's eyes. As if reading his future.
What happened next wasn't caused by any magic, an immense pressure flooded the room. It was as if Beauty was saying that this was how strong she was. Everyone was unable to breathe. They all had several thoughts that went through their mind. Even the villagers outside felt the same.
"We are all going to die."
"But enough about that!" Beauty cheerfully said causing the room to return to its normal atmosphere, not that it was easy to return after that as everyone was gasping for air. "You ask how strong you were?"
"Yes! I've always been told I'm strong but don't know how strong."
"Well… you saw me just then… that's a little bit of a celestial's power but as you can see it's hidden. As for you…?"
She looked again at him but this time as if she was staring at another human being. She wasn't trying to look through him. She was looking at an equal.
"I don't know." She said leaving everyone on the edge of their seats. "You hide it too well… but I do know that I wouldn't want to risk fighting you."