I felt warm and content. That is new. Whenever I fall asleep of my own free will and not because I passed out or was drugged, I always had nightmares. Now though, I felt thoroughly relaxed and well rested. My heart rate was steady and my thought was calm.
I like this. I hope this happens more often.
I tried to turn on my back but found I couldn't move. I immediately stiffened and started struggling.
No no no no. Am I back there? No, I don't wanna go back!
"Jay? Jay, open your eyes! You are okay. You are okay, Jay. Just open your eyes for me."
My eyes flew open as I recognized that voice. Gorgeous green eyes stared back at me in worry.
Oh.
I looked down at our bodies and realized I couldn't move because she had her arms wrapped around me, holding me close.
Had she slept here all night?
"Are you okay? Was it a nightmare?"
My face grew hot. "I'm sorry. I- I thought that..."
A look of understanding crossed her face and she reached up and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "It's okay. I'm here. And you are never going back to that place again. I made sure of it."
"Did you—" I was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Jay? It's Ember. Are you awake?" He opened the door and walked in without waiting for my response.
Aethera sprang off the bed like she had been burned, startling me and Ember who had just walked in.
"Holy shit, you scared me! Wait, did you sleep here?" He turned to me, "Did she sleep here?"
I nodded innocently. Didn't people do that here? Mira and I used to hold each other and cuddle sometimes. "I asked her to stay. I didn't want to be alone."
Ember's eyebrow rose in surprise and amusement as he stared at Aethera.
"Don't you fucking dare." She growled and stomped out of the room.
Ember let out a laugh, shaking his head while I stared at her vacant spot in confusion. This was the second time she would walk out of my room with that attitude.
"Don't worry your pretty little head over her, Small. She'll come around."
"Small?" I raised my own eyebrow in disbelief. He did not just call me that.
"Well, you are small."
"Hey! I am not!" I let out a surprised gasp as he suddenly reached over and grabbed me off the bed, placing me on my feet before him.
"See? Small."
"You.... You- I am five foot five, you giant!" I stomped in indignation.
He merely laughed and patted my head. "Go freshen up, Small. The bathroom is through that door. I'll leave a change of clothes for you on the bed." He patted my head again and leaves. "We leave in twenty minutes!" He calls out as he walks out of the room.
I grumble slightly as I walk to the door he mentioned and opened it. It was a small room with the same earthy tones as the rest of the cabin. It had a toilet, a shower and a sink.
I moved towards the sink to wash my face and jumped back in fright when I saw someone move in front of me. I stared at the figure in front of me and she stared right back. I waved and she waved back. She was even wearing the same clothes I was ... Wait a minute.
Holy shit! Is that me? That IS me.
I took tentative steps towards the mirror in front of me. That is me?
I have not seen a mirror for almost as long as I have been in The Underground. They believed I was capable of turning it into a weapon.
I was. I am.
But that is besides the point. The point is that I had no idea what I looked like now. The image I had of myself in my head was based off of my five year old self and even that was a faded memory that I barely remember. One thing I do know is that this couldn't have been the eyes I had. I would have remembered that they were something so.... abnormal. The eyes staring back at me in the mirror were two different colors. One was silver ringed with dark blue and the other was dark blue ringed with silver.
Staring into the mirror, I reached up and touched my face as if I had to convince myself that the reflection was actually me. I traced my cheekbones, fingers brushing over skin that felt foreign. My fingers fell to my lips, then my chin.
My skin had the same tone than I always had—bronzed like caramel, with the softest hint of scars barely visible under the light. I healed from fights pretty well with literally no scar left behind but for some reasons whenever they performed their sick experiments, their twisted magic never seemed to heal completely. It always left scars. Little reminders of my survival, etched into my skin.
My hair, something Stella has always called horrible 4b/4c hair. Whatever that meant. They have grown so long they are literally past my waist. I cannot tell you how long they have been in this braid, they are probably all permanently clumped together now.
My eyes though, my eyes were still the biggest shock—a haunting mismatch that looked both beautiful and strange. I didn't remember them like this.
A pang of anger, of grief, surged through me as I took myself in. I looked sick and exhausted. My cheek gaunt, my eyes seemed too large for my face. I literally looked like I was one breeze away from collapsing even though I didn't feel like it.
Compared to all these Fae, I looked like something a Tyrnn chews on, on a daily basis.
Somewhere between the messy emotions clawing their way to the surface, I heard the echo of Ember's voice from the other room. "You've got about fifteen minutes, Small! Move it, or I'm dragging your ass out of there myself."
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes at his ridiculous nickname. Five foot five was not "small." Well, maybe to him and his godly height, but still.
I finally decided to get ready, quickly brushing my teeth and washing my face, dropping all thoughts about trying to fix my hair because.... Yeah, just no. I noticed the small pile of clothes Ember had left on the bed. They were surprisingly... normal. Just a simple tunic and trousers. But they felt clean, fresh, a stark contrast to the tattered rags I'd left behind. I slipped into them, the soft material unfamiliar on my skin.
I stepped out of the bathroom, the air in the cabin still warm and rich with the smell of wood and nature. Ember was waiting just outside, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, looking as casual as ever. His gaze shifted to me when I emerged, his eyes twinkling with that mischievous glint I was beginning to get used to.
I approached him, eager to ask the question that had been nagging at me since yesterday.
"What about the brownies you mentioned yesterday? I haven't see them."
Ember gave me a half-smile, pushing off the wall with an easy, fluid motion. "They don't usually show themselves to unfamiliar faces. You'll probably see more of them at the city or the academy, though. Don't worry—I'll point them out when they do show up."
I nodded, the thought of tiny, elusive creatures already slipping from my mind as I stepped outside the cabin. The crisp air of the Fae realm felt almost magical, alive with possibilities. Ember led the way, and I followed him toward the group of people waiting just outside the clearing.
"Here." He hands me a bar of something covered in plastic. "You can eat that as we go."
I sniffed it. "What is it?"
"It's a protein bar. Just a snack to tide you over until you can eat."
I nodded and placed it in my pocket. "Thanks."
The rest were already waiting for us. Aethera, ever composed, stood tall and confident, her posture commanding. Terran leaned against a nearby tree, his eyes focused on the horizon. Kali and Zura, the twin sisters, stood close together, their laughter soft but noticeable in the quiet. Orion stood apart, his gaze as distant and intense as ever.
"Ready?" Aethera asked, her voice casual as we gathered with the others.
I nodded, sounding braver than I actually felt. "Yeah, Let's go."
We set off, leaving the cabin behind us. I was still processing everything—this entire world, all the new faces, the strange magic that swirled around us. The air felt thick with it, and every time I moved, I could sense the energy of the land beneath my feet. The Fae realm was so alive, so different from everything I'd known. I'd been in captivity for a long time, but I didn't remember much of the outside world before that.
As we ventured deeper into the woods, the path gradually opened up, and I could see glimpses of a village up ahead, nestled in the distance among the rolling hills. The sight made my heart race slightly; it was the first time I had seen a settlement that wasn't The Underground or anything resembling it. For a moment, I forgot to speak, just absorbing the serenity of the place.
Ember broke the silence as we walked, his tone casual. "So.... Small, how about a little background information about where you are?"
"Yes please. I've been so curious." I answered quite eagerly.
He smiled at me before speaking, "The Fae realm is different from the human realm. It is like another world or dimension that is parallel to the human world. We visit from time to time." His eyes twinkled mischievously. "The Fae realm is split into four seasonal courts. Each court is ruled by a monarch, and each court has a connection to specific powers."
I listened closely, intrigued. "What kind of powers?"
"The four courts are Winter, Summer, Spring, and Autumn," he continued, eyes scanning the horizon as we walked. "Each court has its own strengths. Autumn is Fire and Air, Winter is Ice and Mind Manipulation, Spring is Earth and Shape-shifting, and Summer is Water and Healing." He glanced at me, adding, "You'll see more of it soon enough."
"And where are you from?" I asked, curious.
Ember flashed a grin, clearly enjoying my curiosity. "I'm from Summer."
"Summer?" I frowned, confused. "But yesterday, you lit the fireplace with fire magic. Shouldn't you be using water?"
He grinned, "Smart little thing, aren't you? I'm a bit of a special case. I don't fit exactly into the mold. We'll leave it at that."
I frowned, still unsure, but I wasn't going to push the matter further. We were coming up on the village now, and the subtle hum of activity reached my ears.
"Who else is from which court?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
Ember gestured toward Aethera, who was walking ahead, her gaze fixed on the path. "Aethera's from Autumn, like Orion."
I raised an eyebrow. "Orion's from Autumn? But he isn't very Autumn-y."
Ember gave a slight nod, his lips quirking into a faint smile. "Yep. You can't tell he is from there because his power's more tied to Air than Fire, so it's... a little different. It's rare, but it happens."
I glanced at Orion, trying to reconcile his quiet demeanor with the fiery, intense nature I associated with the Autumn Court. It didn't seem to fit. His connection to air made sense, though, when I thought about it. I had noticed he had some kind of ethereal quality. His presence quieter, lighter somehow. "Huh," I muttered to myself, watching as he moved ahead, his expression unreadable.
Ember continued, a little more thoughtful now as he spoke, "Each court has its strength. But like I said, not everyone fits into the same mold.
I gave him a sideways look, but before I could respond, I realized we were closer to the outskirts of the village, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting beneath the surface of this strange land. My senses buzzed with the vibrant energy of the Fae realm—magic swirling in the air, the faint hum of power beneath the ground, and the subtle pulse of life all around. Every step I took, every sound, every flicker of movement seemed to be a reminder that I was no longer in the world I once knew.
The village ahead was not very large but wasn't small either, nestled at the foot of towering trees with their vibrant autumn leaves hanging like fiery jewels in the air. It looked... peaceful. A sharp contrast to the chaos I had endured for so long. The houses were simple but elegant, built from stone and wood, and the streets were lined with flowers that bloomed even in the fall. The atmosphere was warm, the kind of warmth I hadn't felt in years. It reminded me of something, but I couldn't quite place it.
The people in the village, though, were the ones that caught my attention. They weren't just living; they were alive in a way I couldn't describe. Their expressions were clear, their movements purposeful, and their eyes... They held stories, so many untold stories. A few glanced up as we passed, and I could feel their eyes on me. But they didn't seem hostile, just curious, maybe even a bit cautious. I noticed some of them whispering to each other, pointing in my direction. Maybe it was because I wasn't from here—or maybe it was the sheer fact that I was with them—Aethera, Ember, Kali, Zura, and the rest.
Their eyes followed us. Some stared openly, others whispered among themselves. I felt the weight of their gazes, and a knot formed in my stomach.
"Why are they staring?" I asked quietly, my voice betraying the uncertainty I felt as their eyes flicked between me and the group.
Ember, who had been walking beside me, turned his head slightly. "They recognize Aethera and the rest of us as the Elite warriors. We're... well-known around here. People respect power in the Fae realm, and Aethera's the best of us. As for you?" He gave a slight smirk. "They're probably just intrigued by the newcomer with round ears. Don't worry. We'll reach the portal soon."
Portal?
I nodded, trying to push down the unease stirring inside. I was used to being watched, but this felt different. There was something about the way these people carried themselves—so sure of who they were, so connected to the world they lived in. I felt out of place, like I didn't quite belong in their perfect, flowing rhythm.
I watched as a few villagers dipped their heads in respect as we passed, while others continued to whisper among themselves. It felt... strange, walking through a village and having so much attention focused on us. But I didn't question it further. It was clear that Ember and the others were known, respected, even feared in this realm.
When I caught a glimpse of the way some of the villagers looked at Aethera, I had to fight back a smile. There was a quiet respect, almost reverence in their gaze. It was as if they knew her without words, and she, in return, carried herself like someone who knew the weight of that respect. The kind of person who commanded without trying.
It wasn't long before we got to the outskirts. The village faded into the distance, replaced by a large open clearing, where the air shifted again—sharper now, like it was alive with purpose. There, standing at the edge of the forest, was the portal.
It looked... strange. Not like the simple gates or doors I had expected. No, this portal was more like a tear in the air itself, a swirl of shifting colors, a ripple of magic that hummed with a deep, resonating power.
I stopped in my tracks, my heart racing as I took in the swirling vortex before me. "That's the portal?" I asked, voice barely above a whisper.
"Yep," Ember replied casually, though I could see the edge of focus in his expression. "It's a little more than just a doorway. These portals are tied to the veins of magic that run through the land. Without the right key, they'll either take you nowhere or consume you entirely. Only certain places in the Fae realm have these... gateways. You need to know where you're going and have the key to make it work."
I furrowed my brow as I processed his words. "What's the key? And how do you know where you're going?"
"Simple enough," he said, reaching into his cloak and pulled out a small, ornate metal object. The key looked ancient, its surface etched with symbols I didn't recognize, glowing faintly with a blue-white light. "This is the key to the Academy. I'll use it to direct the portal's energy where we need to go."
As his fingers wrapped around the key, the air around the portal seemed to pulse, a ripple running through the very fabric of space. The swirling vortex began to solidify, taking shape as the magic aligned with Ember's hand. I could literally feel it at the magic interacted.
Aethera's voice cut through my thoughts. "This is how it works, Jay. Each portal is unique, and the keys are tied to specific locations. You need to have a key to lock in on the location you are going. Because if you relied in your imagination alone, the moment your mind falters, the portal will consume you."
"So you are saying I could technically use it without a key as long as I can hold my focus." I asked
"Yes but you'll see why why that can be difficult in a sec."
I looked back at her, absorbing everything she said, my mind struggling to keep up with the vast complexity of the Fae realm and its rules.
"Can we really... trust it?" I asked, my skepticism creeping into my voice.
"Absolutely," Ember answered, his confidence almost too much for me to ignore. "We've used these portals countless times. It's safe."
A sudden realization hit me as I stared at the swirling mass of magic before me. I was about to step into something... bigger than I could imagine. A whole new world, a new way of living, of fighting, of surviving. And with these people, I wasn't just some test subject or an experiment. I was a real person with a name in this world and I wasn't sure I was ready for it.
But I had no choice now.
I stepped forward, the portal's energy tugging at me, urging me in. The others followed behind me—Aethera, Ember, Kali, Zura, Terran, and Orion—and as we all crossed the threshold, the world I knew vanished in an instant. The last thing I saw was the familiar faces of the warriors who would be my new reality, before everything was swallowed by the magic, and the unknown began.