Tension arose as Aurora began to mentally prepare to tell the truth about a bloody war. However, she first began to glow in purple light before suddenly Pheo's entire party and Aria were teleported next to her.
The party and Aria looked around in confusion before looking expectantly at Pheo, who simply nodded and gave a thumbs up in response. Aurora cleared her throat as suddenly all light vanquished, with only a small light remaining around her. Her eyes glowed their familiar yet eternally mystical purple as she spoke:
"Centuries ago fairies lived in peace and joy. They wandered forests endlessly with no type of order or system, early civilizations simply knew them as spirits of the forest and some even worshipped them as gods. However as civilization advanced and the fairies were recognized less as mystical divine beings and more as simply separate species, they too adapted and began to form a civilization. There should not have been an issue. Although it was different than our previous living styles, still turned out great and remains so as you've seen. However, some fairies became spiteful, they truly believed the words of the old civilizations and believed themselves to be higher spirits with a divine right to the forest. That anger swelled and swelled through generations, despite the royalty's best efforts. Those who were bitter soon incorporated into the royal families, and that would include my parents…"
Although Aurora had stopped short it was enough for everyone to figure out. The princess, reading everyone's emotions, immediately turned to Eli anticipating something from him. Luckily Liz had also anticipated it and as Eli was about to raise and slam his fist Liz had already grabbed his arm as she stared intensely into his eyes, "Calm down Eli." Her eyes carried a more intense aura than his, however, and the shaking of her body told that she felt the same, if not more angered.
Finally, Pheo spoke what was on everyone's mind, "Are you implying that this war wasn't for territory, but instead the fairies' own selfish desires and feeling of birthright to the forest?"
Aurora merely looked down sadly and sighed in confirmation.
Pheo kept a straight face and closed his eyes as he took a deep breath in and out.
Liz looked thoughtfully at him, "You took that better than I expe-…" However, before her sentence could finish, Pheo stared Aurora directly in the eyes and with no hesitation and a completely straight face politely stated,
"Hey, Aurora, I think I might want to kill your parents."
The absolute blatant tone of this exclamation left everyone except Aurora frozen in shock.
Aurora, however, did not seem very phased as she responded, "Well aside from the fact they are still my parents and I wouldn't very much prefer that. And you wouldn't stand a single chance either. My father isn't too powerful but my mother, the Queen who rules the most, is one of the strongest and has some of the highest magic capabilities ever recorded."
Pheo gripped his fist and took another deep breath, before letting out a sigh. Seeing Pheo's down mood, Aurora continued to explain, "My mother is smart, she purposely confiscated the locations of other kingdoms from me so I wouldn't spill. But Pheonix, you have a type of charisma I think might just work, if anyone can convince my mother to share, it's you."
Pheo appeared somewhat flustered as he questioned, "R-really?" He was surprised to be praised so suddenly.
Aurora flew face to face and held his cheeks as she stared deeply into his eyes, "Yes, really. You said you wanted to kill my mother, but we all know fighting isn't your specialty, so kill her in your own way."
She stopped and sighed:
"Although be careful. Most fairies can vaguely read emotions. I can read minds, my mother, however, can completely read someone's mind and personality. So you'll have to be careful." Pheo smiled and nodded before he brought Aurora into a tight hug, Aria and the rest of the team joined in as well.
As the hug had finally broken Aurora turned to the nearest wall and took a deep breath as mana began to flow around her, "I'm gonna open a portal to my mother and deal with introductions. Everyone else, keep quiet. Pheonix, work your magic."
Pheo nodded as the mana around Aurora got increasingly intense. Finally, a portal opened in front of her. She slowly walked through, motioning for everyone to follow her, Aria and Pheo led the others. As they walked through the bright purple portal a chilling sensation invaded their bodies as their very souls were deeply caressed by the mythical magic of the fairy princess.
They entered an extravagant-looking room befitting of royalty; the walls an elegant red and the carpeted floor displaying a beautiful red and golden pattern. Directly in front of them laid a large bed with elegant curtains all around, obscuring whoever was on the bed. Beyond the curtains, a feminine silhouette that seemed to belong to the Queen sat up and seemed to stare back at everyone in silence.
Aurora stepped forward and opened her mouth, but was sharply cut off by a deep and demanding yet elegant and soft voice booming from the curtains with unquestionable authority, "Speak not my daughter."
The silhouette's eyes glow a dark purple:
"I already know everything I must. If I shall be honest, I'm not quite sure how to feel… I feel as if I should be disappointed, but I know you better than that, Aurora: getting you to open up is no small feat.
I can sense the rage directed at me. However, I can also sense its noble origins. Selfish as you may call me, I am not heartless after all. That, coupled with this boy's determination… I'd be lying to say that it did not intrigue me slightly. However, do not be fooled into thinking I shall at any point take back my decisions, I simply wish to hear what this boy has to say.
You may enter, Pheonix. The rest of you may stay where you are."
Everyone looked expectantly at Pheo as he began to freeze up. He was a mere human who happened to be pretty strong and smart in the presence of such absolute authority, the power that radiated through every word of the Queen nearly made Pheo bow on instinct as his entire body could only comprehend how entirely insignificant he is in the presence of such a being.
His mind began to race endlessly when suddenly, Pheo snapped out as he felt his hand be held. Pheo looked to his left he saw Aurora looking deep into his eyes. "Pheonix, I know you can do this. Stop listening to your fear, trust your instinct: it's your strongest tool."
Suddenly his other hand had been grabbed as well, looking to his right he saw Liz, "Listen, I haven't known you very long, but what I do know is you are someone I can depend on. Eli and I may be stronger and smarter, have more experience than you, and fear has practically left us. However what makes you special isn't any of those attributes, but how you lack them, yet continue on anyway. Pheonix, you can do so many things I can't, and it's not because of any strong attribute, it's just because you are yourself. And that's why we all look up to you."
Eli placed a hand on Pheos shoulder as well, "She's right ya know. I hate to admit it but I look up to you in a way. In spite of lacking in more than a few categories, don't even sweat it, little bro, you're a natural lady killer."
Suddenly both Liz and Eli spoke at once:
"I believe in you, captain."
Pheo's face flushed red and tears welled in his eyes. With a sniffle, he wiped his tears and turned to the Queen. He muttered a small "thanks", entered the curtains and sat on the bed with the Queen.
As he entered the air itself was filled with mana giving a mythical and floaty feeling, the bed was incredibly comfortable and Pheo nearly wished to go to sleep as soon as he touched it. He took a deep breath, put on as much confidence as possible and he looked at the Queen.
She was as tall as Pheo, slouched sideways on the bed in an elegant purple nightgown, her hair was a deep purple and so were her eyes which stared deep into Pheo's soul. Her gaze was more piercing than the princess's and her aura was many times more oppressive. Pheo nearly froze just staring. However, with a quick headshake, he snapped himself out.
He attempted to stare directly into the Queen's eyes, though he was clearly nervous. The Queen smiled and put a hand on his own, "No need to be nervous: if I wanted to do anything to you… I would've by now."
Her voice had changed from authoritative to calm and soothing, "Also, I cast a spell so no one outside the curtains can hear us, this is a private conversation now."
Pheo closed his eyes in a very quick reminisce of his past and took a deep breath to calm himself before looking back into the Queen's eyes with more assertiveness than earlier.
The queen smiled, "Good, you're improving already. Now we can truly speak about whatever you'd like. So go ahead, plead your case." In spite of the politeness and softness of her voice, there was an air of arrogant sarcasm, for Pheo it was clear: the Queen had already decided she would not be swayed, and she simply played along for entertainment.
Pheo cleared his throat as he attempted to intensify his stare and spoke, "I'm not stupid nor a fool. I know I can't convince you of anything, and I never intended on trying." The Queen was almost shocked at Pheo's conviction in admitting he can't convince her, "I'm not gonna let you make a fool of me," As Pheo continued, his confidence and conviction seemed to rise, "So lets ski formalities."
As his confidence reached his peak he got closer to the Queen and positioned himself so he was looking down from close up, staring deep into the queen's eyes: "So I want to challenge you." He declared, having completely let impulse take control as his mind could no longer limit him.
The Queen at first remained in surprise, even while reading Pheo's mind she didn't quite expect this. However, after a mere second, her composure returned as she smiled with sly once again and gently lifted his chin as she rose above him, "Your sudden determination, it's… cute. I can see now how you charmed my daughter. Normally I'd go on a monologue about how I'm not so easily swayed but you seem to already know that, how respectful~ Your challenge offer was quite interesting, I must sa-" Before she could even finish her sentence in the next second Pheo's hands were on her neck and he had flipped her over pushing her down as his hands violently choked her.
In spite of how violent this action was as they both smiled at each other, Pheo spoke first, "I apologize, but I told you I wouldn't be made a fool of, that includes allowing you to belittle me so freely. But surely a human as lowly as me attempting to choke you is truly no threat to your greatness, right?"
The Queen smirked and gently grabbed his arms that were choking her, "No, I suppose not. Well then if you truly cannot wait I suppose I can entertain your idea for a challenge, go ahead."
Pheo smiled, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I was thinking of a game of intelligence, of course. Although I don't believe in ever winning against you in a match of intelligence, let's say, I have a plan."
The Queen raised an eyebrow, "You know of my abilities, so in what intelligence game could you possibly out-strategize me?"
Pheo smirked and confidently replied, "Checkers."
The Queen nearly laughed, struggling to take it seriously, however she could sense the confidence in Pheo. She already knew his nature though. She won't allow any tricks to get past her just because of her hubris, so she simply smiled and nodded, "Then it's settled, tomorrow, checkers. I'll allow my daughter to deal with housing you, have a nice night~"
Pheo smiled while he got off, "You too." and then promptly left the bed. The curtains were drawn and he returned to his friends: Aurora, Aria, and Liz looked at him flabbergasted, Eli meanwhile just gave a thumbs up.
Aurora ran at Pheo, grabbing and shaking him, "WHAT THE HELL! I know I said to be yourself but also use a little common sense… FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE! We could see your silhouettes! Why did you pin and choke my mother, and how on the Great Forest did you get away with it?! "
Pheo tried to hold in a laugh and started snickering before breaking down into full-on laughter. He fell to the floor, not being able to control his hysterical attitude.
Aurora, however, continued to panic, "This is not funny, WE ARE DEAD, YOU ARE DONE!"
Between the laughing and panicked yelling, it was absolute chaos, but it was all broken as the familiar booming voice of the Queen interrupted them:
"Worry not, my daughter, everything has been settled. Tomorrow we shall hold a checkers match to settle everything. House him for tonight."
As the authoritative voice cleared everything up, Aurora sighed, when Pheo took her hands, "You said you trusted me right? Well, trust me just once more." He said with a deeply earnest look in his eyes.
Eli nodded and patted Aurora on the back, "He's right, ya know. C'mon, we've gotten this far, have some faith in our little bro."
Liz and Aurora both sighed and muttered "Fine" simultaneously.
Pheo extended his arms for a hug and everyone joined in happily. Aurora muttered "Okay, let's deal with where you're gonna sleep for tonight. After all, you're really gonna need one hell of a sleep…"
Love is a soft tune
On a dim afternoon
Till the moon threatens
To turn all to black
The suns tune
Is that of the somber moon
With love gone
Nothing can last