Three days had passed since the fierce battle between Krityalok and Moonrun, and while the dust of the conflict had settled, a heavy cloud of worry hung over the castle. Krurika, the malevolent force behind the chaos, was now imprisoned in a bottle, her dark magic sealed away. Her castle and all its sinister artifacts had been destroyed by the fairies, but the one thing that remained unresolved was Meer's condition.
Meer lay unconscious in his bed, his body showing no signs of life. Numerous healers had done everything within their magical abilities to heal him, but it seemed that his powers had been drained to the point of no return. The room was filled with an air of uncertainty, and no one knew if he would ever wake up again.
Mihir sat by his brother's side, holding Meer's hand as if his touch alone could coax him back to consciousness. Meer's once vibrant complexion had faded to a pale yellow, and he looked painfully thin. For days, he had been given healing potions, but their effectiveness remained elusive.
A young boy, clad in a white cape, entered the chamber, carrying various potion bottles in his hands. Mihir turned to him, his eyes filled with desperation. "Sir Healer, what do you think? How much longer until he wakes up?"
The healer looked at Meer and sighed. "His condition is slightly better than yesterday, but I'm afraid it's still uncertain when he'll regain consciousness."
As they discussed Meer's condition, an earthy-shaded elf entered the chamber. He kept his gaze low and spoke respectfully, "Your chariot is ready, my lord."
Mihir nodded in acknowledgment. "Please inform Sob and Fear Fairy. I'll be waiting for them near the chariot."
He leaned down and softly kissed Meer's hand. "Wake up soon, my dear brother. I miss you and your playful banter," he whispered, his voice tinged with sadness. With a heavy heart, he stood up and left the chamber, his determination to find a solution burning within him.
Outside in the fairy garden, his golden chariot, crafted in the shape of a swan, awaited him. Sob and Fear Fairy were already inside. Without exchanging words, Mihir joined them. As the swan's wings gracefully opened, they took flight, gliding toward a town south of the castle.
Moonrun was divided into six towns, each overseen by its respective head, serving as a link between the town and the crown. Today, Mihir had no desire to visit, but duty called, and he couldn't ignore it, even if it meant facing the painful absence of Meer. Every month, he and his brother would visit the towns to understand the needs of the locals and interact with the town heads. Today, though, it was going to be different.
Sob Fairy spoke softly, breaking the silence. "Have you eaten anything, Mihir?"
Mihir shook his head, his emotions too tumultuous to consider food. Fear Fairy chimed in, concern in her voice. "Skipping meals won't do you any good, Mihir. Please take care of yourself."
Mihir replied in a monotone, "I'm not hungry. Don't worry."
They continued their journey in somber silence, passing through the enchanting blue tree jungle. Eventually, they reached the town of Greytown, a picturesque place filled with cobbled stone roads and quaint houses. The atmosphere was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the vibrant colors of window boxes.
Mihir addressed the fairies, "Sob Fairy, you two, please go to Head Rinaksh and collect important scrolls. I'll spend some time with the locals and address their concerns."
For hours, Mihir engaged with the people of Greytown. He listened to their problems, shared moments with them, and felt a fleeting sense of happiness. A kind lady fed him with her own hands, a thoughtful man gave him a gift, and children played games around him. They discussed various town issues, including the problem of water supply.
But one issue intrigued him more than others - a girl who had been stealing from the townsfolk. A man sitting nearby revealed, "The girl keeps stealing our food and valuable items, and we have no idea where she comes from or goes to."
Mihir inquired, "What about the soldiers? Aren't they stationed everywhere?"
A young girl piped up, "The soldiers are too distracted by her beauty; they can't seem to focus on their duties."
A woman scolded her, "This is not how you speak to a lord, apologize!"
Mihir smiled, trying to ease the tension. "It's alright, I understand. Thank you for your honesty."
As he left the gathering, his thoughts lingered on the girl's unusual activities. In a land protected by soldiers, theft was a rare occurrence. Lost in thought, he suddenly heard a commotion and turned his attention to the source.
A girl was sprinting away from a group of soldiers, concealed beneath a black cape and half-mask that obscured most of her face and her flowing hair. Without a second thought, Mihir chased after her. Although he lacked wings like his father and brother, he summoned a magical string to catch her.
She took flight into the sky, and Mihir followed, defying his wingless nature. He warned her, "Stop now, or I'll have to use advanced magic!"
She retorted, "Go back, you fool!" and hurled a shadowball in his direction, but he pressed on, ignoring the threat.
With a sudden maneuver, he stopped mid-air and conjured a fiery arrow, launching it towards her. It struck her wing, causing her to lose altitude and fall. Mihir rushed to her side as she lay on the ground, her face still hidden beneath the mask.
Breathing heavily, she asked, anger in her voice, "Who are you to challenge me?"
Mihir, defiant, introduced himself, "I am Mihir, from the crown, and I won't allow you to steal anymore."
She stood up looking at him and said after seconds " you have no wings that make you no fairy then who are you exactly"
" I am Mihir ,the elder son of protector Dhruveen " he told her with a proud in his voice.
" who are you other than being the son of Dhruveen, and how are you from crown. "
" I am protector of Moonrun after my Father " he answered back.
She looked at him, a smirk apparent even behind her mask, and taunted, "Who are you beyond being Dhruveen's son? And how do you even belong to the crown?"
Mihir stood his ground, pride in his voice, "I am the Protector of Moonrun, following in my father's footsteps."
Her smirk widened, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I've never heard of a fairy named Mihir being the Protector of Moonrun. What I see is a burden on the crown, living in the royal castle because of your father's deeds, while the fairies take care of you and your brother."
Mihir started to protest, but she cut him off. "Tell me, who are you beyond your father's name? You don't even know who you are as an individual, let alone a soldier or protector of the crown."
She approached him, her violet wings now fully healed, and whispered near his ear, "Servant."
With those words, she retreated and unfurled her violet wings. Mihir desperately tried to pursue her, but before he could react, he was immobilized. His legs were ensnared by a yellow magical rope, rendering him helpless and confined to the moonlit ground.
The mysterious thief had vanished into the night, leaving Mihir in a state of shock and bewilderment, his thoughts racing as he pondered her words and her uncanny ability to elude capture.