While the Ogres had been searching for their Ministry, Elena, Mikaya, Yevad, and Danny had begun their journey through the Death Woods. Nothing eventful happened until night began to fall, around the same time the Shadow Lord had invited Nissassa to speak with him.
At that time, the group reached the Fairy pond. They decided that, since no one had eaten yet that day (and they were all tired and sweaty), they should stop and rest.
"Let's make this fast," Elena said. "The Elves and Fairies aren't exactly best of friends."
"Oh." Yevad hadn't known.
Mikaya thought of the Fairies prancing around the pond and shuddered.
Yevad looked at them.
The pair of Elves made slightly disgusted faces and looked around to make sure that no Fairies were around.
"Danny, do me a favor and fill the water skins," Elena said.
"Okay," Danny said and went to fill the water skins.
Yevad took the opportunity to pull Elena and Mikaya aside and talk with them.
"The rumors said that the Fairies had been attacked, and that soon the other kingdoms will fall under attack as well," Yevad said. "Do you think that's why this place seems abandoned?"
"It could be," Mikaya said.
"When did you hear that they'd been attacked? Last I heard, all the kingdoms had received anonymous warnings of impending attacks, but none had actually been hit," Elena said.
"That's the news I've been wanting to tell you guys since I met you at the inn. I haven't wanted to say anything in front of the boy, though. I don't trust him. He's hiding something," Yevad said.
"Yeah," Mikaya agreed.
"It's okay. He's only going to be with us until we reach the Elf Forest. He'll be safe there."
"But, he's human. Won't the others object?" Yevad asked.
"I just don't want to leave him where he can get himself hurt, and seeing as how those creatures were after him, and only him, I just don't see leaving him anywhere else," Elena responded.
"He is only thirteen years old," Mikaya added.
"Okay . . ." Yevad gave in.
Danny walked back and rejoined them. He handed them their nice, full water skins. Every one drank some of the magic purified pond water and sighed with satisfaction. It washed down the left-over turkey from the night before really well.
Unfortunately for the group, some Fairies were still lingering near the Fairy Pond. They hid from the sight of the travelers, but they listened intently to what they were saying. They had heard what Yevad had said and it made them angry to know that these travelers knew so much already.
"They must be looking for proof, sister," a Fairy said to another Fairy.
"They should be stopped," she responded.
"Yes," added a third Fairy. "Let's kill them."
"This water is amazing," Yevad said. "It's so clean and cold!"
Just then, the travelers were ambushed. Pitch darkness suddenly surrounded the four and they were instantly separated from each other.
Yevad found himself struggling to see in the darkness. Suddenly, he was blinded by the appearance of a bright light. When his eyes adjusted and he looked around again, he saw that he still sat by the Fairy pond. A beautiful blue light emanated from it.
Mikaya, Elena, and Danny were gone.
Something rose from the pond. It was a beautiful Fairy woman. She wore a light blue dress that came down to the top of her thighs. Then see through streams, like icicles, continued from that point to her knees. Her white face shone and her eyes were an even lighter blue than her dress, with little black specks in them. She had long silver hair. It glistened, with beads of water slowly dripping down its length. She emitted such a brilliant light, and butterfly-like, crystal wings spread behind her.
Yevad couldn't take his eyes off of her.
The Fairy flew to him and spoke in a sweet voice.
"Hello little human. Aren't you just adorable," she said as she put a finger under his chin. "How would you like to stay here with me?"
"Um . . ." Yevad said nervously. "I c . . . can't . . . I have to go . . ."
"Don't be silly. You know you want to stay here," she said as she began caressing his shoulders.
Yevad froze. He had no idea what to do in this situation. "Listen," he said nervously as he took her hands into his and pulled them away from his shoulders. "I . . . I'm flattered, b...but I can't stay here . . ."
This made the Fairy intensely angry, and her face became distorted. Her nose became very big as her cheeks sunk in and her lips began to protrude outward with fangs four inches long pushing their way out. Her eyes and chin sunk into her face. She became thin . . . so emaciated that her ribs stuck out, and instead of a Fairy she looked like a banshee.
Yevad screamed and unsheathed his sword. He slashed her shoulder blade, but at the same time she swung at him with knife-like nails that cut through his armor and sliced into his arm. He screamed in agony and dodged her next two attacks.
***
Mikaya found herself in the dark as well, but she had been transported a little farther than Yevad, and unlike him, she could see just fine in the dark. She smiled and began casting her disappearing spell.
"Oh no you don't!" came a shrill scream and knife-like nails came down at her.
They missed Mikaya as she melted with the darkness, and the light of the Fairy didn't reveal her.
Mikaya stared in quiet shock at the Fairy. She was hideous!
Mikaya had seen Fairies before, and they were beautiful, but here was this pink monster with ruby hair standing in front of her. She growled and shrieked. "I'll kill you Elf!"
Quickly, the Fairy began to yell out the counter spell to Mikaya's, but it was cut short as a sword stabbed her through the stomach. She screamed and swung her nails furiously in front of her.