"Hey, Sushie!" chirped Chipi, fluttering down from a leafy branch, a glint of excitement dancing in her eyes. Althea was close behind, her wings shimmering like dew-covered silk as she descended with a basket cradled in her arms—woven entirely from flower petals and trailing the sweet scent of blossoms.
"Come with us," Chipi invited, eyes twinkling.
"To… where?" Shiya asked cautiously, brushing strands of silver hair behind her ear. The breeze carried a faint scent of honeysuckle, rustling the grass beneath their feet.
"We're delivering these seeds to the Elf Tribe," Althea explained, lifting the petal-basket toward Shiya. Inside were golden seeds that shimmered faintly, pulsing like tiny stars.
"Oh… sure," Shiya nodded, though her voice faltered.
Althea and Chipi instinctively spread their wings, ready to soar into the sky—but paused when Shiya didn't follow. Althea tilted her head. "What's wrong, Princess?"
Before Shiya could respond, Chipi quickly offered, "Ah! Let's go for a walk today instead." Her tone was casual, but her eyes darted to Shiya's twitching wings, which still hadn't unfurled.
"Y-Yes… I agree," Shiya stammered, glancing away. Her wings trembled slightly, tangled with cobwebs and pollen.
She doesn't know how to use them, Althea realized, keeping the thought to herself. With a silent sigh, she folded her wings and nodded.
"Elf Tribe is far," she thought, "but I suppose a walk will do."
Shiya smiled weakly as Chipi and Althea helped untangle the webs from her wings. "Sorry for the bother…"
"It's alright, Princess," Althea replied warmly. "You're doing great."
The trio began their journey through the meadows, winding between fields of whispering sunflowers and towering mushrooms that hummed with fae energy. After nearly an hour's walk, they reached the hidden glade that held the Elf Tribe's home—a mystical realm nestled in a miniature landscape protected by illusions and enchantments.
"I'll deliver the seeds," Althea said, taking the basket from Chipi. "You two can explore a little."
With a shimmer of light, she shrank into a thumb-sized version of herself, zipped into the air, and passed through the magical barrier into the Elf realm.
Shiya stepped forward, eyes widening. "I… I thought there was a barrier. I didn't see it until she flew inside. Look!" she pointed. "There are miniature mountains, too!"
Chipi giggled. "You're always amazed, Sushie."
Inside the Elf Tribe, the head elf Cheska approached Althea. She had flowing golden hair and eyes like polished jade. "Is that… Sushie?" she asked, seeing Shiya from afar.
"Yes," Althea replied quietly. "But she's… different."
"What do you mean?" Cheska asked, voice tense.
"She doesn't fly. She doesn't seem to remember certain things. Erica asked me to keep an eye on her… and honestly, I don't understand why."
Cheska nodded solemnly and took the basket. "Thank you for these." As she scattered the seeds across the enchanted soil, a group of elves joined in to water them with glowing droplets from crystal pitchers.
Before Shiya's eyes, the seeds bloomed into towering fruit trees and kaleidoscopic flowers in seconds.
"That was… so cool," Shiya whispered, captivated.
Just then, a butterfly—marked with royal blue patterns—fluttered to Chipi and whispered something only she could understand.
"Sushie," Chipi said gently, "the Queen's calling me back. Will you be okay waiting here?"
"Yeah, I want to see more," Shiya replied, her voice light but distant.
As Chipi took flight, her gaze lingered on Shiya, concern etched in her expression.
Far away in the castle, Queen Krystle was deep in conversation with Erica.
"Why did you ask Althea to watch her?" the Queen asked.
"She's not the same," Erica replied, eyes narrowed. "I can read minds, you know that. But hers? It's a void. I tried again yesterday… nothing. And more disturbing…"
"What?" Queen Krystle asked.
"The Book of Prophecy. Some words—lines—are fading."
Queen Krystle stiffened. "Ornaphendreul."
Erica nodded gravely. "We need to act soon."
Meanwhile, Shiya wandered away from the Elf Tribe's edge, drawn by a towering silver-barked tree that seemed to pulse with ancient energy. She climbed halfway up and found a thick branch to sit on. The wind whispered through the leaves, and she closed her eyes for a moment, basking in the serenity.
Then—suddenly—a shadow fell over her.
Opening her eyes, Shiya gasped. "Xyon…"
He hovered a few feet above, disbelief written across his face. "Are… those wings?" he asked, stunned. "How did you…?"
"How did you even get here?" Shiya snapped, panic rising.
Xyon ignored her, his hand reaching out as if trying to confirm what he saw. "Are these real? Are you real?"
Before she could react, a violent gust of wind swept through the tree. A large arm wrapped around Xyon and slammed him to the ground.
"Who are you?" Yon Zue's voice growled with deadly calm.
"Yon Zue, wait!" Shiya cried, rushing to them. She clung to Yon Zue's arm. "He's from my world! He's someone I know!"
Yon Zue narrowed his eyes, scanning Xyon's strange clothing and could see resemblance from the Prince's face. "He doesn't belong here. Duplicates can take faces, Princess. You must be careful."
Xyon coughed under Yon Zue's crushing grip. "Why is everyone here so intense?!"
Yon Zue's hold tightened, and Xyon began choking.
"How did you get here?" Yon Zue demanded.
Shiya stepped in. "You'll kill him before he answers!"
Yon Zue finally released him. Xyon gasped for breath, staggering to his feet. Rage flared in his eyes, and he lunged toward Yon Zue—only for Shiya to intercept him.
"Stop, Xyon! He could kill you!" she hissed.
Xyon stood protectively in front of her, still panting. "Don't come near her again," he barked. "I'm taking her back."
Yon Zue drew his sword, the blade gleaming with a dangerous hum. He pressed it to Xyon's throat. "One step… and you'll be beheaded."
Shiya grabbed Yon Zue's arm. "Wait. Let him explain."
"How did you enter this realm?" Yon Zue asked again, unflinching.
Xyon's voice shook. "I don't know! This is the second time it's happened. All I know is I was in your room. I fall asleep maybe… and I wake up here."
Shiya's eyes widened. "Then… if I'm dreaming… and he's here again… does that mean—he can enter my dream?"
She turned to Xyon slowly, heart racing. "You… you slept beside me?"
Xyon opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Shiya snatched an arrow from Yon Zue's quiver and plunged it into Xyon's chest.
Xyon's eyes widened in shock as his body began to dissolve into silver light, particles scattering in the wind.
"How dare you sleep with me without permission!" Shiya shouted, her voice breaking. "Don't invade my dreams again!"
Yon Zue blinked in disbelief as she turned to him, hands trembling. She grabbed his sword and pointed it to her own chest.
"Stab me," she inflicted. "Do it!"
"What?"