On the outskirts of the empire, in a small abandoned village near the kingdom of Amleth, I live.
The foul air, the swamp that does not welcome outsiders, the water that no matter how you look at it is far from safe to drink.
The sound of men, all gambling with the few coins they have, playing cards while drinking their hearts out.
"Diana! Go get the water from the fairy spring!"
One of the men shouted at me while holding his disgusting bottle of alcohol.
As an eight-year-old, the best I can do is just stare at them. This weak body, no matter how much I want to, could not possibly beat a bunch of adults in their prime.
Dissatisfied, I can only do what they tell me to do, because I'm the only one who can go back and forth to the mysterious fairy spring, and that's the only reason the whole village keeps me alive, because I'm the only one who can bring them a fresh supply of water.
"Heh, for an orphan, she kept herself in pretty good shape"
"The next time those slave traders come, we should sell her for sure.
"She will surely bring us good money.
No matter how you look at it, selling me to a slave trader is nothing but a bad idea for the whole village, but I'm sure no one in this horrible village would care. As far as I know, most, if not all, of us have an innate ability to resist even the most powerful poison in the world, at least that's what all the villagers are so proud of, along with our ability to use numerous magical abilities.
(I wonder... Is it because of the water from the fairy spring?) [Diana]
As I left the hall where we were all gathered, the chief began to open his ugly mouth, telling the result of the discussion between Emperor Byzan and Queen Amleth of the Amleth Kingdom.
"Those damn siblings, if it weren't for them, we wouldn't have lost so many of our comrades!"
"Nar and Sas, those two are the only reason that little kingdom is still in one piece!"
"They got help from other tribes and nations as well, but those two brothers are really powerful."
"To think that our tribe, once blessed by the fairies, lost to those two who were once unknown, just who are they?"
I couldn't help but smile, most of the men and women who act like they're God and Goddess, who always hit and kick me whenever they feel like. In fact, I am grateful for the two heroes of the Amleth Kingdom.
"I suggest we sell this little Diana for our next war fund!"
One of the drunkards shouted loudly, causing the tense atmosphere to become strange.
A chill ran down my spine, and I quickly ran towards the fairy spring, leaving the hall behind.
(I should run...) [Diana]
My feet became faster and faster, from walking, to walking faster, to sprinting, to the only place I knew to be safe from any kind of danger, to the most beautiful place in the whole world, to the Fairy Spring.
As the horrible swamp started to be fill with flowers, as the nasty flies started to become fireflies, as the toxic air slowly being replace with scent of high quality roses, I knew the spring, and the place where the fairies and their queen rest is right in front of me. I might not be able to see them, but somehow, I knew, I always knew they're watching me, and when I beg my heart out, asking for their help, an adult woman, with a tiara on her head, gorgeous wing that the world never see, simply hug me and ask me
"Drink this" [?]
She gather all the spring water and concentrate it into a small glass of water, while pouring something from her wing into it. She look sad, but somehow, I have a feeling, that this will be our first and last meeting.
I wanted to ask so many thing, but she simply smile and ask me to drink, for which I do as was told. I couldn't help but do so as I feel nothing but love on her very action. A beautiful lady, whom I can only presume to be the fairy queen, pat me, play with my long curly yellow hair as I slowly gulp the water.
"You will feel pain afterward, and you will likely pass out for a few days, but never fear, for I, Titania, and my people are here for you, our sweet sweet Diana. Sadly, this will be the last day us fairies will be on this land, as THE THING started to show sign of waking up from slumber. This drink, this is our parting gift to you. When you wake up, please be strong and please, save us all" [Titania]
As she finish hee sentences, a tightness in my chest occur, and my vision started to fade away, into the ever lasting darkness, but the warmth of her hand can be clearly felt
When I woke up, I find myself in an unfamiliar place, and the Fairy Queen Titania, no more