The gentle breeze of the Fairy Isle caressed Lilya's face as she walked along the flower-lined paths leading back to the Fairy Kingdom. The skies above the island were painted in hues of pink and gold, as though the sunset was forever frozen in an eternal twilight. The ancient trees guarding the kingdom's entrance shimmered, their emerald leaves dancing to the sound of an ancestral melody. Despite being back in her homeland, Lilya couldn't shake the unease that churned within her. Something was wrong, and that feeling only grew stronger as she neared the heart of the island.
Soft light reflected off the fields, and in the distance, the great tree of Yggdrasil stood majestic, its branches stretching beyond the horizon like guardians of the world. Lilya knew what that tree symbolized—life, death, and rebirth.
Upon arriving at the sacred glade, where streams intertwined and the winds sang ancient tales, her sister, Aeris, awaited her. Sitting on a moss-covered stone, with her delicate feet submerged in the crystalline water, Aeris seemed like a part of the landscape. Her golden hair fell in soft waves, and her eyes, blue as the clearest sky, reflected a serene curiosity.
- Aeris: "Lilya..." - She called out with a soft smile, her eyes shining with the tranquility that always surrounded her. - "You've finally returned. I could feel the unrest in your heart. But... I think you truly should help them."
Lilya, still standing, took a deep breath, searching for words to explain her feelings, but Aeris continued.
- Aeris: "Why do fear and distrust of humans still consume you? Even after all we've seen, after all the kindness we've found in some of them?"
Lilya turned her gaze toward the great tree in the distance, feeling the weight of her sister's question.
- Lilya: "Aeris... humans are so unpredictable. They lie, they manipulate. And the worst part is, even when we believe we've found purity in them, that's when they surprise us the most. I can't anymore..."
- Aeris: "But we can't live in the shadow of fear, sister." - She stood, walking toward Lilya with an expression that was gentle yet resolute. - "There is so much light in them too, and if you keep closing your heart, you'll suffocate the very hope that still exists within you."
Before Lilya could reply, a dense presence filled the air. A sudden shift in the island's energy set the fairies around them on edge, and the once-serene trees began to sway with an unnatural force. A shadow advanced, darkening the soft glow of twilight.
Lilya and Aeris turned simultaneously, sensing the arrival of something—or someone—of immense power. And then, he appeared. Lucifer. The air around him seemed to crackle, his imposing presence filling the space like a storm about to break. His deep red eyes locked onto Lilya, but there was something more in them—a hunger, a dark purpose.
- Aeris: "But he is... Lucifer..." - Aeris whispered, her voice barely audible. She felt the danger, yet she stood firm beside her sister.
- Lilya: "What do you want here?" - She stepped forward, her fury and distrust radiating from her like a shield. - "This realm is no place for a being like you."
Lucifer, unfazed, cast his gaze toward the great tree of Yggdrasil in the distance, his lips curling into an enigmatic smile.
- Lucifer: "Is that any way to greet an old friend?" - His tone dripped with sarcasm. - "I'm here for something that belongs to me."
Lilya narrowed her eyes, her heart pounding faster.
- Lilya: "What exactly do you think belongs to you in this sacred place?"
He took a step forward, the intensity in his crimson eyes growing.
- Lucifer: "The sacred fruit of Yggdrasil. The fruit that ripens once every three thousand years... capable of granting death and rebirth, a single time."
- Lucifer: "Last I saw, it was still growing, but now, it's ripe. I've come to claim it."
- Lilya: "I won't allow it." - Determination burned in Lilya's eyes. - "That fruit... belongs to life and death itself, not to you."
Lucifer chuckled softly, a sound that reverberated through the air like distant thunder.
- Lucifer: "Do you think you can stop me, Lilya? There are things in this universe beyond your understanding. And there are matters I must fulfill."
- Lilya: "Why the fruit?" - Lilya demanded, stepping closer. - "What do you intend to do with it?"
Lucifer remained silent for a moment, his smile fading.
- Lucifer: "That's not a secret for you to uncover."
Suddenly, the sky above began to crack, as though the fabric of reality itself was unraveling. Demonic portals opened, and through them, shadows of grotesque creatures emerged, ready to invade the sacred realm of the fairies. The trees, once tranquil and serene, began to tremble with the ominous presence of the demonic troops.
Lilya and Aeris looked around, sensing the chaos about to engulf everything. The invasion had begun.
- Lilya: "You won't do this!" - Lilya shouted, raising her arms as her halberd floated to her, ready for battle. - "Not here. Not in our land!"
Lucifer remained impassive, his red eyes fixed on her.
- Lucifer: "I don't need to fight you, Lilya, my friend. The fruit will be mine. And nothing—not even you—can stop that."
In the distance, the troops continued to pour out of the portals. Something greater was orchestrating the invasion, and while the mastermind had yet to reveal themselves, it was clear Lucifer wasn't acting alone. Aeris reached out, placing a hand on her sister's shoulder.
- Aeris: "We stand together, Lilya. Whatever comes, we'll fight for our land."
Lucifer cast one last look at the two before stepping away slowly.
- Lucifer: "Try, if you must. But remember... destiny has already been sealed."
And with that, he disappeared, leaving behind the growing darkness and the invading troops to overrun the realm.
The chapter ends with Lilya and Aeris preparing for the battle that would decide the fate of Yggdrasil and the Fairy Isle itself.