Jia`s jaw dropped. She blinked rapidly before shuffling away from Tristan and closer to Elina," She was real?"
"She is real, "Tristan corrected. He immediately took in the role of translator. But Elina asked him a question which made him frown," Are you sure?"
Jia spun around to Tristan," What did she say?"
"She wants to Mind Meld with you, to show you her memories of Cybil and tell you her story."
"Can she do that?"
"Fair Folk can do all kinds of things, "Tristan explained, "They can mind meld, open portals, show soul mates and create or destroy magical artifacts."
The sorceress turned and nodded at the Elina, "I`d be honored."
Elina`s light seem to shine brighter and shimmer before she floated over to Jia forehead. She felt Tristan reach out to touch her shoulder when the slightest touch was felt against her forehead. In rush of wind and light, Jia found herself standing next to Tristan in front of a woman who had a pixie cut brown hair and green eyes. On her shoulder was a shimmering Silver and purple scaled dragon. The woman looked to be conversing with Elina. Looking around, she seemed to be in a garden near a camp site and judging from the tribal clothes that Cybil had on, it was during the Dark Ages.
"That`s Cybil with her Dragon Ursa," A gentle voice spoke in her ear.
Jia gasped," Elina, is that you?"
The voice chuckled, "Yes, child."
She turned to Tristan," Is this what she sounds like to you?"
Tristan shrugged, "More or less."
"Charmer," Elina teased and Jia snickered, "Cybil was the first of her people to reach out to the Fair Folk during the Dark Ages. This was before the Great Divide of the Kingdoms."
"In the wake of the Great War, the Great Goddess had approached her to be the champion of her people," Both teenagers watched as another scene materializ e before them ,which showed Cybil marching into a War room and wearing a blue dress that melted away to reveal a form fitting purple and black armor," She caused quiet an uproar because there had never been a Female General or Champion before."
The scene changes to where several men refused to listen to Cybil and wave her away," She was the daughter of a Chief but that was all she could ever be. A daughter and a wife. Never a General of Battle."
"But that all changed after the Battle of Neverland," Elina continued and once again the scene changed to reveal Cybil fighting against a man on a battle field, she was being aided by her Dragon who charged her sword with purple energy before Cybil used it to behead the man in front of her," She was able to defeat one of the Emperor`s Five Generals. And she did this all while not knowing that she was with child."
Jia`s jaw dropped, "She was pregnant?"
The scene showed Cybil and five other people combining their magic before they closed in on the Emperor. Cybil screamed and Ursa breathed a cloud of dark blue flames at the Emperor.
"Yes, but she didn`t find out until after the Final Battle against the Emperor," The scene showed Cybil sitting in bed with a handsome man seated beside her holding her hand as a Healer gave them some news. Jia saw the other people from earlier in the room who were smiling and clapping as Ursa flew around the room happily.
"Unfortunately, after the Emperor was defeated, Orion and Cybil had left for a life in another dimension," Elina concluded as the scene shifted to show Cybil hugging the five people before she turned to nod at Elina, who hovered close to caress her cheek. Cybil smiled sadly at her before she and Ursa left with the man from earlier, walking through a portal of green and red.
"Was she married?" Tristan asked. The scene shifted to show Cybil with Ursa on her left shoulder, folding her arms and looking unimpressed at the same man from before. He was looking down at her with a frown as two older men watched them.
"Yes, she was married to her betroth, a wonderful man named Orion, the second Prince of a small province that would become the Kingdom of Azazel,"
"Wait, betroth? "Jia asked," Was it an arranged marriage? That`s horrible!"
"It was. And for a time, it was a cause of great distress for her, for she hated Orion," Elina explained," Cybil thought that he would control her and she wanted to marry for love. But Orion`s Province needed to forge an alliance with the Dragon Riders Tribe and her father didn`t want his daughter to ever set foot on a battlefield. He thought her new husband would control her."
"But he didn`t." Tristan stated.
"Yes. He encouraged her," the scene changed and showed what looked to be a training room, similar to the one at the Viola Institute. Cybil and Ursa were fighting against Orion. He looked worn out but he seemed to be enjoying himself," He was there when the Goddess chose her and he was tasked with preparing his wife for battle."
"That`s so romantic," Jia sighed happily.
"I didn`t think you were interested in any of that stuff," Tristan spoke up which prompted Jia to pout at him," If a man encourages me to train and fight especially when everyone tells me not to, I will marry him."
Tristan chuckled and shook his head, "Noted."
The scene changed once more, showing Orion holding Cybil`s hand in front of the Elders of the Fair Folk. They were both in white robes and Cybil had a veil on her head," In time, they came to us Fair Folk, asking us to give them a real wedding and to bless their marriage, and so we did," They saw Cybil turn to Orion as he lifted her veil and kissed her firmly as Ursa smiled from her perch near the alter with several Fair Folk surrounding her." I personally blessed her bloodline and gave them my blessings."
"How did you become friends with her?"
Elina seem to sigh," I was rescued by her."
Both teenagers turned to see Elina trapped in a cage with several men running after the Fair Folk, chasing after them with nets and cages." Fair Folk were hunted for our magic and our wings during the Dark Ages. I was young and thus slow so I was easily captured. We thought that was it for our village. But suddenly a roar tore throughout the jungle," A young seven-year-old Cybil flew down from the tress and landed in front of the men with a bow staff in hand. She pointed at them and seem to shout something but the men all laughed.
She then sighed and rolled her eyes before a set of large claws slammed down beside her. Cybil smirked as the men screamed and ran when they saw Ursa behind her, her nostrils flaring and her mouth wide open." She saved us all that day because she had gotten separated from her camp and was looking for the way home when she stumbled upon us."
The scene shifted to Cybil opening the cage that held Elina. She smiled at the Far Folk before she gasped and saw something behind her. She glanced back the Fair Folk before bowing to them.
"She came back to us and visited us. The Fair Folk`s secret as we liked to call her and my best friend."
"Wow," Jia whispered as the scene faded until Jia saw that she was back in the forest with Elina hovering in front of her and Tristan seated beside her." That was breathtaking. Thank you."
Elina whispered and Tristan translated," She said your welcome. She `s also asking if you`re feeling okay now."
"Definitely! This has been so amazing, I honestly forgot why we were here in the first place," Jia exclaimed loudly.
"Your near death experience."
Jia`s immediately frowned, "Oh yeah."
Suddenly Tristan hissed and Jia turned to him and was mildly amused to see several Fair Folk hovering around him. She kind of got the feeling that he was just slapped and was now being scolded.
"Alright, alright, alright, I won`t do it again," Tristan apologized as he held up his hands in surrender at the tiny Folk. Jia burst out laughing as Tristan was then forced to apologize to her.
After spending a few more minutes with the Fair Folk, they said their good byes before Tristan led her back to the beach but she left with a promise to Elina that she would guard the Fair Folk secret and visit with Tristan next time.
Back at the beach, everyone was settling down to eat when Roy noticed that Jia was missing.
"Where is she?" He asked Kyra, who instantly turned pale.
"She didn't," Kyra tried to reason.
"There`s Jia! Hi Jia!" Zoey shouted from her place, which was currently in between Cole`s legs as she leaned back against him on his beach towel. Everyone watched with wide eyes as Jia came out of the jungle with Tristan behind her.
"And she`s with Tristan," Mike added.
"Oh Goddess," Chase whispered with a groan. He peeked at Roy beside him to see that their friend`s face had darkened. Roy was fuming and silently taking note of Jia`s sarong covered body and his teammate`s fully dressed appearance.
Thanks to the brilliance of Elina, both teens had changed before they left so as not to grab any unwanted attention.
"Where have you two been?" Dylan asked as he approached the two out of everyone in the group and gave them both a soda can.
Jia accepted her drink and opened it, "He was babysitting me, I wanted to go chasing butterflies."
Dylan nodded with a smirk, "Right."
As soon as Jia sat on her seat, Kyra moved her chair close and leaned towards her. "Butterflies?" Kyra asked.
Jia shushed her,"I was getting something done."
"Right, and you just so happened to do it with Tristan with you. Alone. In the jungle?" Kura asked as she leaned even closer to her teammate and wiggled her eyebrows," With only your sarong and his shirt in the way."
Jia pushed her away with a snort, "Go away gutter brain."
Kyra chortled and continued to send her teammate teasing glances. The barbeque didn`t last long as everyone was tired and they began to pack up. Jia had bent down to help her friends pack up when she heard someone clear their throat behind her. She straightens and spins around to see Juliet.
"Something we can help you with, witch?" Kyra drawled from behind Jia. She had seen Juliet approach them but chose to ignore her because she didn`t think she would have the guts to talk to Jia. According to the Grape Vine, a lot of the girls in the school were intimidated by her. Her looks were being the first barrier and the way she spoke and carried herself was another.
Juliet gave her a tight smile," Nothing from you, darling. I came to see Jia."
"So what is that I can do for you?" Jia asked as she felt someone put their hand on her shoulder. She glanced behind her to see Zoey looking worried and she gave her friend nod. She wouldn`t be starting any fights with witches.
"Stay away from Tristan, he`s mine," Juliet warned Jia firmly.
The white haired sorceress burst out laughing," Oh honey. "She then stepped closer to Juliet and stared her down with a teasing smile, "What gave you any idea that I was interested in him and besides, isn`t he your ex?"
"Oh, you are so barking up the wrong Sorceress," Kyra warned with a wince.
Zoey shook her head sadly, "Lady, Jia will squash you like a bug."
"Shut up!" she yelled at the two. Kyra was taken back before she began to stomp towards her only for Jia to hold out her hand to stop her, Juliet glared at the white haired sorceress," He and I are on a break right now so girls like you need to keep your filthy hands to yourself. I don`t want you touching my boyfriend."
"No offence, but maybe you should tell him that," Jia retorted as she turned to her friends, whose jaws had dropped at her declaration," Let`s get out of here. This girl needs a Healer and I am not in the mood to be saint."
The girls then left their things and made their way to the boys Squad Ship and Jia went straight in while Zoey explained to Cole that Jia had a headache and needed to lie down. Chase and Mike went back with Kyra to grab their things while Jia pretend to nap in the ship. She refused to speak to any of the boys and Zoey was tasked with keeping her company. Her mood was instantly ruined by Juliet. Kyra would be coming back with her brothers so Jia and Zoey traveled back on the boys' ship.
When the two sorceress were finally dropped off at Viola, Zoey helped Jia off the ship after quick goodbyes. As soon as they were out of sight from the ship, Jia stomped her way back to their room while Zoey giggled because her roommate looked so cute and funny stomping in a sarong and sun hat. Once inside, the three remaining roommates pounced on them.
"Did you get it?" Rose asked.
"Yep," Jia said as she opened her bag pack and handed over the plant, "Now we can cure Lisa."
"Lisa, one of the girls from next door? "Zoey asked as she came in and put down her beach bag," What happened to her?"
"We sort of turned her into a plant and we need this," Clary said as she held up the plant, "To bring her back."
"Is that why you disappeared?"Zoey asked Jia who pinched the bridge of her nose and nodded, "Why didn`t you just use the school stock?"
Rose cleared her throat uneasily as she placed a red hibiscus pot plant on the kitchen table, "It was an outside experiment. By the way, "Rose pointed at the plant," This is Lisa, she's been a plant for three days now."
Zoey slapped her forehead and groaned, "Dear Goddess why?"
"You will not believe what just happened at the beach!" Kyra exclaimed as she came running into the dorm with her beach bag and slamming the door. Jia shuffled away quietly to her room as Kyra exclaimed, "Juliet just threatened Jia to stay away from Tristan!"
"What?!" All three girls yelled in union.
"Oh yeah, that happened too," Zoey mumbled.
Jia closed the door of her room as Fiona asked about the details," I`m too young for this drama."