"The crazy explosion..." Timothee fell silent, his gaze drawn downward as he knelt to inspect the lingering dust clouds left in the wake of the explosive blast. "Like a specific poison of flower powder."
Right after that moment, Fae Aurora's sneezes erupted like a symphony of tiny explosions. Simultaneously, a peculiar, tickling itch crept under my skin, dancing like mischievous fireflies.
"Quick, get inside!" Timothee yelled urgently, motioning for me to follow him into the safety of the building.
Dwarf Altairs quickly dragged me into the old castle, but another explosion occurred in that old castle.
"Damn!" Timothee let out a loud snort, a sound echoing defiance, before propelling himself forward like a bolt of lightning. In a burst of energy, he whisked me and Fae Aurora away from that place with a speed that seemed to defy the very laws of nature.
The erratic breath made it difficult for me to focus on what was happening in that old castle. Timothee led me out of that forbidden forest area.
My breath was raspy as if I had just been passed by a very dusty truck. I coughed a few times, but luckily Timothee quickly told me to take a deep breath and exhale slowly.
Timothee's eyes met mine, a whirlpool of concern swirling in their depths.
"Listen closely," he began, his voice low and intimate, as if sharing a secret meant only for the two of us. "There's someone—cunning and dangerous—who is using the pollen as a weapon. It's no ordinary flower powder; it's engineered to harm, maybe even control us."
He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in, before continuing with a reassuring warmth. "But we're together in this, and I promise to keep you and Fae Aurora safe. We're smarter and stronger than any poison, no matter how devious."
For a moment, the world seemed to tilt on its axis, reality blurring at the edges as panic knotted in my stomach. Timothee's words reverberated through me, a chilling symphony underscored by the pounding of my heart. Poison?
Engineered to harm? My thoughts were a whirlwind of fear and confusion, the dangers we faced suddenly crystallizing into an all-too-real nightmare. The air felt too thick, each breath a struggle as if the very atmosphere conspired to suffocate me.
Timothee's presence, solid and unwavering, was the only anchor in the storm of my mounting dread.
"But how?" I managed to stammer, clutching at the lifeline of his promise. "How can we possibly stand against something so insidious?"
The vulnerability in my voice was raw, a stark contrast to the strength I so desperately sought.
Dwarf Altairs, sensing the shiver of fear that ran through us, cleared his throat softly, drawing our attention.
"Look," he began, his tone conveying a mix of wisdom and reassurance, "the villain behind this knows well that Fairies are susceptible to pollen, using it as a weapon against those like Fae Aurora. But,"he paused, a gentle smile playing on his lips, "you and Fae Aurora have evolved far beyond those frail beginnings. Your powers, complex and profound, offer a shield no mere pollen can penetrate."
He leaned closer, the fire of determination kindling in his eyes.
"This enemy," he continued, "relies on fear, hoping to weaken us by exploiting ancient vulnerabilities. Yet, what they fail to recognize is the strength you've both garnered, the layers of power you've woven around and within yourselves. This," he said, gesturing to encompass both the narrator and Fae Aurora, "is your armor against such tricks."
The warmth in his voice wrapped around us like a protective cloak, bolstering our spirits. "Together, with such might at our disposal, we stand not only as survivors but as conquerors. Fear not the pollen nor the one who wields it, for in your hands lies the capability to turn their tactics into mere whispers in the wind."
"You are safe here," Timothee shrugged quickly and then pointed to a small pathway covered with wildflowers.
"This is the path to the highway." Dwarf Altairs cupped his chin in wonder.
"Well, that's true. I want you to join us to the Silver Armor Pack," Timothee replied with a broad smile.
Fae Aurora paused, her eyes widening in astonishment as she turned to Timothee, "You really mean that?"
"Yes," Timothee affirmed, his hand sliding into his trouser pocket as he offered her a reassuring nod. "I really do."
Her voice was a mixture of disbelief and hope, like a gentle breeze carrying the scent of spring flowers.
"Joining the Silver Armor Pack is something I've only dared to dream about. But you...you see that in me?"
Timothee's gaze softened, a tender light dancing in his eyes as he took a step closer to Fae Aurora.
"Yes, I see that in you, and much more," he said, his voice low but filled with unwavering conviction.
"You have a heart as fierce and brave as any member of the Silver Armor Pack. And there's something else," he paused, a playful yet sincere smile spreading across his face, "You should know, you're my mother-in-law in the future."
A laugh bubbled up from Aurora's throat, light and unburdened, like raindrops shimmering on sunlit leaves. She watched Timothee, a mix of wonder and mirth in her gaze.
"Your... mother-in-law?" she echoed, the words dancing between them like leaves caught in a playful breeze.
Timothee's grin widened, and he nodded, his eyes alight with a joy that seemed to illuminate the surrounding forest.
"Yes, but no pressure," he added, his tone teasing yet tender, a gentle reminder of the serendipitous thread of fate that seemed to weave their lives together. "I'm not sure if Barbara will accept me."
"Why are you talking like that?" I whispered. "And why did you propose to me in the forest like this?"
He took a deep breath, his eyes searching mine for a hint of understanding.
"Because," he hesitated, a soft smile forming, "this forest, it's where I realized I loved you. Where every leaf whispered your name, where every beam of sunshine reminded me of your smile."
Suddenly, the tranquil air around us was shattered by an unexpected rustle, a shadow darting between the trees. His expression shifted, a protective instinct instantly awakening