The air is as fresh as though it were in the mountains. A soft and warm breeze blew through the trees blowing the gentle petals of peach trees from its branches. Surrounded by the soft rain of the petals, a soft cry called out in surprise under the night of glistening stars void of clouds.
"Woah... I've never seen so many stars before in my entire life! This is amazing!"
Surprised, a figure in black turned in surprise to find that the origin of voice was coming a small child ragged brown clothing beside a tall woman who he recognized as Maleficent's sworn sister. Seeing her horns and eyes, the figure could hardly believe his eyes!
This was the almighty of the great seven?
He could hear the rustle besides himself and turned in confusion to find that it was Maleficent herself as she was displayed in statues. Nostalgia shone in her eyes as she whispered, "It would seem that my sister has finally found peace tonight..."
"Fairy of Thorns, why is it that you are dressed in...?" Malleus hesitated.
"Why was it that I was dressed in rags as a child?" Maleficent chuckled, "Those rags were created by the faes of the Moors. Without family, they were the ones who raised me as soon as I was orphaned as an egg. I had no relatives. No parents, no grandparents. Everyone around me raised me and treasured me. So, even though they looked like rags, I did not thought so when I was a child. I taught myself to weave as well and failed to do so. So, the others weaved for me. In the past, I took everything for granted and only learned what it took to raise me when I was taken in and raised by my sisters. Money is not something that could be found on trees, could not be given or thrown away as easily as roses. They are earned through hard work and diligence and could be spent as easily as water flows through the fingers. I was a penniless orphan, whose parents were murdered by a neighboring king and hated by the humans. Nobody thought to raise me and the only human I ever trusted pushed me aside after robbing me. Since then, I too hated humans. In my sister's world, I was robbed of my power and family, in my world, I was robbed of my freedom. All by the hands of the humans, I lost everything but the staff in my hands. I traveled outside of the Moors on my own away from the righteous path and guided by a heart of hate. During that time, I met an old human wizard and started a fight. However, the wizard was too stealthy and witty. I lost to him in the humiliating way, through his trickery. Yet, he asked me what was wrong and not why I harmed humans as I had. He was not a powerful mage but never minded it as he only loved magic and seeing the fates of others. So, he chained me to his side or rather, he stalked me for years to come."
"Did you tell him what was wrong?"
Maleficent shook her head as she gazed at the starry skies, "I did not. My pride was damaged and my stubbornness showed no bounds. Rather, I believe it would not be wrong to say that I may have pouted and said nothing everytime I was asked the question. Overtime, I came to appreciate his presence all though neither comforting or calm. He was a good 'friend' you could say and I feared that once I told him what was wrong, he would leave me all alone too. However, when the time came, he had found a strangely powerful magical hat and he was called away to a castle and could not follow behind me anymore. The serious tone in his voice did not change after I told him what had plagued me. Instead, he told me that I was doomed to fall from grace and die miserably."
"You must've took offense to that." Malleus looked to her in surprise.
"Hardly." Maelficent sighed, "Everything he said was on track to what was going during that point of time in my life. My enemy who robbed me had married the daughter of the neighboring king and used my belonging to gain power. I wanted nothing more than vengence during that time. That man knew how I felt and thus spoke these words as he knew I would follow my choices to the end. However, vengence was all that was left in my mind and I knew it myself that it would even cost me my life in the long run. So, I requested him this... Once that vile pig king births his first child, I will place a curse on him or her with death. When that time comes, he must advice that king to invite three fairies who are powerful and willing to give three wishes of their choosing upon the child as a gift prior to their birth. He will then orchestrate my own demise using my weakness to silver weapons while that child is facing the most difficult moment of their life."
"You orchestrated your own death?!" Malleus turned to her with wide eyes.
"I did." Maleficent laughed aloud yet even that sounded as pitiful in contrast to her proud figure known across Twisted Wonderland, "Truth be told I was already on the verge of losing my sanity... The orb ornament on my staff is very special. It is made of a powerful jade artifact in my sister's world. With it, I can record and store all of my power within bit by bit, but, in turn, I will slowly lose my sanity and overblot when I could no longer handle my power and emotions."
"Even the most brilliant stars will begin to fade and disappear over time. How is it that, not even the most powerful magician can avoid death? Death will come upon all one day. However, how one lives depends on themselves. If I were to perish, I want to at least tell my sister all that has happened towards the end of the life they have managed to salvage and save." Maleficent added as she stared at the skies, "Granted, I did not retain the same powers as I had many years ago. However, I never would've imagined what happened to them after I left. Seeing third sister's mind finally less chaotic, I feel that it must've been a long time since she slept quietly."
"It was certainly a surprise to find how much we have in common..." Malleus hesitated, "However, I've never thought that the Fairy of Thorns would struggle so much more later on in life and plan her own death."
"One was not born wise and strong. I was simply a child much like any other growing up. Spending my life in another world, I learned that I was simply no different from other children of my mental age. I struggled like any other children while finding my own path in life. I was also chained back by my own circumstances and I certainly was forgotten very often by my other sisters. The only one who never did was my third sister." Maleficent responded with great calm, "Around your age, I was struggling with my own powers and being forgotten to many occassions and parties. So much so, I grew rampant and acted out. I skipped classes to go eat in restaurants with my sister and drew mustaches or made them disappear from my teachers. My sisters spoiled me to no end, especially my third sister. I took advantage of that and did as I pleased without restraint. What I did is probably partly similar to how you want to do somethings during your age. In truth, we're actually not that different from one another or the other children and teenagers. The only thing that made me stood out from everyone is my magic and my appearance. In the past, it had bothered me how much it set me apart from my family and friends. It wasn't till I left did I realize how much love I received from my sisters and friends and how much I hurt them because of my actions."
"It sounds like your third sister is a very caring person." Malleus noted feeling rather funny on the inside, "Can you tell me more about her?"
"I wish I could, however, it seems that this dream is starting to come to its end." Maleficent sighed as they noticed the skies starting to blur, "I hope that you can find my sister before she completely forgets who she really is. If only my good raven was still around. He would be of good help in your endeavors in your search."
Hearing this, Malleus hesitated. It has been a long time since he last spoke with Maleficent. It would seem that the remains of her magic has indeed grown weak over time. However, with this, it is unknown if he can find her reincarnated third sister before she grows out of control. Thinking this, Malleus unintentionally wanted to claw at his chest which had been itching for a while inside.
"Fgnaa... What's going on?"
Malleus turned his head in surprise before it all becomes too blurry and saw a faint yet familiar figure before him. Is that...
A blue flame cat monster?