No one wants to be stuck with a father that doesn't love them. No one wants to be stuck with a mother that rests in the grave. No one wants to be stuck with a little brother who has more love and attention than you. No one wants to be stuck with an older sister who's corrupt with power and hatred. No one.
Though you can’t always get what you want. Fate controls you, and it has its own cruel little way of working. Deformities… Death… Trauma… Memories… and siblings.
Prologue[]
Snow, snow, and more snow.
Astral magic drifted through the air, guiding the falling snow to cover two sets of tracks. One set of footprints was small, but the strides were long as if they were running. The second set was oddly shaped, somewhat like pawprints but not quite. There were multiple impressions in the snow where one might have fallen, and small curved trails resembling the trails an Evoltus or Prodaxis leaves - yet these tracks were only present near the imprints.
A man was bent down in the snow, wings folded and hand-stretched out as he made note of the tracks. He looked up where they lead, watching as they faded with the falling snow.
He huffed in discontent, got up, pulled the hood of a cloak over his head, allowing the sleeves to fall over his hands, and crossed marionette sticks levitating near the end of the sleeves. The cloak swept around him, making him unrecognizable in all aspects - except for his unmistakable yellow-amber eyes.
The man left, heading in the opposite direction of the tracks; he had other things to do.
Across the island, a girl stood with a little boy, near the coastline - as far as they could get from home. The boy let out a little cough, sickly, while the girl began to investigate the clearing.
"This is just going to have to do," she finally said, all-business. The boy's tail lashed back and forth as he watched the girl use both Earth and Shadow Magic, the elements swirling together and creating a structure. It wasn't much, just a little hut guised by an illusion, but it was going to have to do for now.
She beckoned for the boy to come inside, and the two snuggled inside the small shelter.
This was their home now.
As the boy fell asleep, wings tucked and tail curled, the girl looked at her reflection in a small frozen puddle of water.
Shaggy blue hair, tired violet eyes, and little crystal wings peeking out from behind her - one of the crystals cut. Hidden fear, hurt, and anger shone in her gaze as she made herself a promise, "I won't trust anyone ever again. Never."
And that included the little boy...
The Tower[]
Mira[]
The tower is falling again.
Rock crumbles from the structure, finally crashing to the ground.
Mira watches it fall, a hundred stories up. She wishes those footsteps would fall, fall like the rock did. Those footsteps of someone climbing up her tower, those footsteps bearing her doom.
The sound of footsteps in her tower… those footsteps ended at some point. Yet these steps kept going, reaching her.
“I just wish he’d go away,” Mira mutters to herself, brushing shaggy pale blue hair out of her eyes. A hundred floors have been cleared halfway… only fifty more and she’d face the one thing she’s been running away from her whole life.
The footsteps keep going.
“Stupid fairy.” She mutters, purple eyes stinging. “Yeah, that’s right.” She says to the rock ceiling above her bed. “You’re just a fairy. I don’t know you. Why can’t you leave me alone?”
Mira sighs and returns to her tower. One hand on the wall and the image of her little brother and a dragon flashes through her mind.
Grandoff, don’t play nice. The thought travels down fifty floors, straight into the mind of a dragon.
Its rumble makes Mira flinch. Though she shouldn’t be picky. After all, the dragon was one of the only friends she ever had. Not that she was complaining.
Friends were pointless.
So was family.
Gale[]
Footsteps sounded in the stairway as a little boy climbed down to the 50th floor. A sleeping, dragon-like creature rested near a well-like structure at the center of the room.
It lifted its head to look at him, long gray horns forming a crown, and black feathered wings lifting regally as the crystal near its chest bathed the room with an orange glow.
The scruffy little boy stood on his toes, deformed legs making it difficult to walk normally, golden-colored tail swishing furiously to give him balance. A gray hand clutched a blanket as it dragged slightly on the floor.
His voice was quiet as he addressed the creature, "Hi Grandoff..."
Grandoff lowered a wing as the boy neared, allowing him to hide under it and snuggle close, warming up under his blanket and trying to ignore the frigid stone floor.
Now he clenched a wand, guilt churning as he stood before the very same creature, white and gold wings fluttering nervously behind him. Yet he had to do this. I have to.
Mira[]
Grandoff, don’t be soft! Mira repeats, thoughts louder this time.
The grumble makes her laugh. Mira claps her hand to her mouth. No laughing, no happiness, no positivity… at least not while that man walked Prodigia.
Mira sighed, remembering the fairy that now walked the tower, determined to see her.
“Gale, this is Grandoff!” A young Mira said happily. A baby dragon half the size of her purrs like a cat.
“He’s nice?” Her younger brother asked, wings fluttering.
Mira sighs. “Don’t be a wimp, Gale. Of course he is.”
A blast of flame singes a chunk of her hair off. “See? Harmless!”
Gale laughs. “Sure.”
The dragon rolls over on his stomach, rolling over and flame bursting from his nostrils.
Mira rolls her eyes. “Up, Grandoff!” A blast of water magic makes the dragon recoil.
Gale winces. “Mira…”
“I said, don’t be a wimp!”
Gale rolls his amber eyes. “Fine. You’re so mean.” With a sigh that ruffles his platinum bangs, he walks away, out of the tower.
Mira shakes her head lightly to get the memory away. No good memories. No memories at all. They’re a waste of time.
But was she so mean? No, Gale was being a soft baby like always.
She shoves the memories of Gale away and returns to her practice.
Gale[]
The only reason he took a hit was because of how reluctant he was to fight the dragon. Even so, that didn't stop him from stroking Grandoff's scales once it fell, then muttering an apology before continuing up the unwelcoming stairs.
He felt slightly silly at remembering an argument from years ago.
"You're too nice." A girl told him while rolling her uniquely vivid purple eyes. The little boy was giving a Peeko a treat, petting it as it purred in response.
"I'm not! You're too mean!"
She glared, "Am not. They're pets, not people - if you keep babying them they'll never learn."
"You don't know that." He huffed defiantly, now hugging the cat-like creature protectively.
"I'm older."
He crossed his arms and pouted, causing her to sigh.
"Well it's true," she placed a hand on his shoulder, "how about we see Grandoff? I'm sure he'll like the company." As expected, his eyes lit up and the two down the stairs, the argument soon being forgotten.
He still didn't think he was too nice, but he knew Mira would laugh at him if he brought that up in front of her, If she'll see me at all...
Soon he arrived at the top of the stairs, yet another battle waiting for him.
Mira[]
Mira sighs. “Another floor, tower?”
Of course, there’s no response. “Figures. Stupid boy was always so determined.”
With a sigh, she glances at the early morning sun, bright and cheerful. But as the day goes on, that sun disappears in blood-red light.
“Why, Gale?”
“Why, Mira?”
“Because I want to find another pet. You didn’t have to come along.” Mira says, arms crossed.
Gale stands by her side, cradling a young Forest Neek. “But I want to!”
“Then don’t ask annoying questions.” Mira responds, peering through the trees, eyes glued to a Sentinel.
“Fine.”
The two stand in silence for a while, until Mira angles her wand and blasts the monster to the ground in a blast of fire.
Gale yelps. “Mira! You can’t do that!”
“Since when? I can do what I want.”
”I can do what I want.” Mira mutters. “Stupid Gale.”
Gale[]
Floor after floor he battled, battle after battle guilt began to press harder, and eventually, he stopped. Standing on the steps of the stairwell, he gazed out a small window. He couldn't keep doing this, and Mira knew it. One of the ways she kept me away, I suppose...
Off in the distance, a floating island rested in the sky, the Academy - the very place he called home for the past few years. He could always give up, go back, and pretend nothing ever happened. Pretend Mira and the tower didn't exist. No. I'm going to do this, I just... need to find a way to cope, just like last time.
"Miraaaa!" The little fairy whined, hugging an old blue blanket.
But she continued to ignore him, walked out the tower, and shut the door in his face. His ears drooped and his tail swished half-heartedly as he walked to the center of the room, watching a Fathom swim in the well as he moped.
He didn't understand why Mira was avoiding him, and it was really beginning to sting, especially since she promised...
He sighed, knowing there was no way she was going to remember if she had forgotten his birthday.
I'll have to learn myself, he thought while stepping away from the well and gingerly stretching a wing. His wings were certainly big enough now, he just had no idea how to fly.
With a gulp, he climbed up the stairs and leaped back down, scraping his knees as he crashed, the Fathom gaining interest. He struggled to get to his feet, took one glance at his bloody knees, and began considering giving up and hoping Mira would stop ignoring him. No. I can do this.
He marched up the stairs and tried again.
Mira[]
Why is he trying to reach me?
The question had tugged on the very strings of Mira’s sanity. Nobody wanted her, that was common knowledge. Gale was loved more, and that was common knowledge as well.
Then why?
The possibility of love began forming in her mind, her heart reached hungrily for the love. But she shut it out. After all, she was Mira Shade. Cold. Calculating. And most of all, emotionless.
“Go away, Gale!” Mira snaps, only disgust and frustration showing in her face as she stares down at her younger brother.
“But, Mira…”
“Go away! Go back to your job, like I’m doing. I don’t care what you do, just go away!” Mira yells, making the little boy stumble back.
“But… I just wanted to visit you.” Gale says quietly.
“Visit someone who wants to be visited!”
The clang of the door’s slam rings through their ears.
Gale[]
Another floor, another battle, those were the rules of the tower. Why did strangers have to battle? Fear... fear Mira would never admit to having.
Now he was the stranger, battling and climbing the tower. How did he become a stranger? He didn't know, and he might never know if he didn't reach the hundredth floor.
He stood on the 65th floor, wings folded and fairy dust scattered on the floor where he had flown out of the way of a spell. He couldn't remember the events that lead to this tower very well, all he remembered was how scared Mira looked - which wasn't very comforting towards a 5-years-old running away from home with his older sister.
He snapped his fingers, and the fairy dust vanished with the gust of telekinesis, being swept away outside the window, golden dust being blown away by the wind.
Leave no tracks... He remembered solemnly - the small act being done out of sheer habit.
He looked at the stairway and climbed, wishing his wings weren't too big for him to fly up the stairs.
Another floor, another battle.
Walls built of paranoia and trauma, spells to conceal and protect, windows small so no one could come in... or go out. The stone was cold to his bare toes, cold and hostile.
Just like his sister.
Mira[]
Tears press against Mira’s face like acid. Floor 89… what will happen when he reaches me?
That’s the worst feeling of all. Helplessness. She’s never felt so helpless.
Mira sighs, scrubbing the tears away so hard she leaves stinging red on her cheeks. “Bottle it up.” She says, chanting it like a mantra, like a prayer. “Bottle it up.”
”Bottle it up…”
Mira begins walking towards her newly created tower as if in a trance… this tower is her home. Her haven.
But something holds her back… literally.
A fairy clings tight to her arm, amber eyes filled with tears.
“Don’t go, Mira!”
She sighs and tugs her arm out of his grip. “Don’t be a baby, Gale. We have to go separate ways. I choose this. You chose the Academy. Now, go.”
Before I come to my senses. She thinks, watching Gale’s tail lash back and forth.
“F-fine.”
Gale[]
Floor 90...
He knew what was on this floor, he knew how it worked, but... what if he couldn't do it? Battling himself wouldn't be easy, but he was so close...
He tightened his grip on his wand and pulled out a Fire Relic, seeing a familiar shimmer at the edge of his gaze.
A small, silvery creature was seated in his palm, gazing up at him. Its fur was soft and sparkled as it caught the light, but looked as if it was made of glass or crystal.
He looked up, amber eyes meeting purple, "What is it?"
Mira stood at the other side of the room, holding one of the creatures in one hand. She raised it slightly, looking thoughtful, "Not sure, but they're shapeshifters. Found out the hard-way with Winston."
It’s the first time Gale has seen Mira smile in a long time.
"Winston?"
"Someone I know."
His eyes narrowed as he glared at her, he didn't like it when she kept secrets from him, and she had a lot of them. He put down the little creature, it joining another which had been waiting on the floor, before storming out of the room and down the stairs.
He didn't bother with asking, she wasn't going to answer him anyway. The same way she didn't explain why they had to leave home, or what happened to their mom, or why she was even so scared.
She was never going to tell him, and will always dismiss him as an "annoying brat".
Fire blasted from the ground, him flinching away instinctively. He never liked Fire Magic for a reason, but he had to do what he had to do...
Mira[]
“Fire magic? The boy’s braver than I thought.” Mira mutters, a hand pressed against the wall.
“Now Water… what is he thinking?”
Mira began plotting in her mind, envisioning the usual monsters littered about. Earth spell, area Fire, out. What was he thinking?
He never thought. Not even as a child.
“Ow!” A young fairy exclaims, sucking his bleeding finger. A Scally is flying away behind him.
“You’re so stupid, Gale! Just because our Luminite just loooves you, doesn’t mean all monsters do.” Mira says. She rolls her eyes, hands on her hips.
“You’re just jealous that Thunderbolt likes me and not you!”
“That’s not true! I don’t care if some tame monster likes me or not.”
“Just because he’s nice doesn’t mean that’s a bad thing.”
“Please, he’s just a lazy, spoiled brat. Like you.”
“Why are you so mean, Mira?” Gale yells, tears in his eyes. “And I’m not lazy or spoiled! You think I’m just your little servant!”
He runs away, back under the trees.
“Gale! Wait - where are you going?”
There’s no response.
“GALE!” Mira yells, dashing under broken branches and over rotting logs. “Gale, get back here!”
A whimper answers her. A horde of angry monsters growl at Gale, who is flat on his back, surrounded.
“Get away!” Mira yells, sending the monsters back with a wave of Shadow magic. They back away and run, terrified of the shadows.
“Mira, now they’re scared!”
Mira clenches her fists. “You baby! I just saved your life, and you’re saying I scared them?”
“Well, you did.” Gale points out.
“They attacked you! Aargh!” Mira says, stomping her foot. “You’re such an idiot.”
The two turn and walk back, not speaking.
Gale[]
More stairs. There are always more stairs. Why did there have to be so many?
5... Neeks, waiting to be battled.
4... Creators, anxious and aggravated.
3... Callers, prepared and ready.
2... Neeks once more, to make any intruder overconfident.
He stared at the staircase, doubt filling him. Was this really the best idea?
"Leave." The word was frigid as the stone of the tower, his sister's eyes filled with hostility.
"O-ok." He responded quietly, tail tucked between his legs. He turned to go to his room when he heard her voice ring out.
"No, I want you to leave the tower... Gale." She said his name with an air of disgust, as if he was the most horrid thing that existed. Soon, it dawned on him what exactly she meant.
"But... Mira-"
Her back was turned to him now, fingers curling into tight fists, "I SAID, LEAVE."
Tears pricked in his gaze, but he walked, or should one say, padded out the door - right out into the cold, bitter, unwelcoming snow.
The fairy sighed, it was too late to turn back now.
1...
Mira & Gale[]
“Stupid, aren’t you?” Mira says, watching a fairy straggle up the steps and onto the top.
”Y’know, if you weren’t such a sniveling little baby, I’d pitch you over the side.” Mira continues briskly. She avoids his gaze.
”Mira!” The young boy protests.
She assesses the boy, walking around Gale without looking at him. “I thought you’d have given up. And really, you wouldn’t have gotten past the fifth floor if the tower and I weren’t being so kind to you.”
"That's-that's not true!" He protested yet again, tail lashing, "If you were being nice I wouldn't have had to come up here!" He had to stop himself from adding, "You've never been nice to me." That wasn't true... was it?
”I wasn’t being nice. Is that all that matters to you? How nice I am? I have a life outside you, y'know.”
Gale’s eyes sting. “I know that Mira, but… why can’t you just see me?”
”Because I’m above that stupid nonsense!”
Or was she? Maybe she was just too weak, too helpless, to confront her brother.
”Now get out before I show you just how powerful I am.” Mira says harshly. She waits for the boy to go… but he doesn’t.
"No." He responded softly, then said again more forcefully, "No, I'm not leaving. I climbed all one hundred floors to see you, Mira. Does that mean nothing to you? Does anything matter to you anymore?"
”Yes! The world doesn’t revolve around you, Gale!”
“I know, but I tried so hard and you deny me?”
“Of course!” Mira turns around, back to the fairy. “You’re still an idiot. I closed you out for a reason, and a sob story isn’t going to change that.”
Gale backs away. “Mira…” Tears blurred his vision, and he struggled to find a way to respond. Eventually, he left, climbing down the stairs.
The School[]
Gale[]
Of course she sent me away, I was stupid to think she won't.
He walked the halls of a castle-like school, hesitating before turning out lights, rushing to get to the next lit section of the hall - trying to outrun the dark. Eventually, he had reached a pillar with a small door tucked next to it. He conjured a small crystal of Astral energy, shining bright, before turning off the last lantern.
The darkness immediately closed in, pressing until he felt like he couldn't breathe - like it'll never stop. Finally, the shadows retreated from the ring of light, and he hurriedly opened the door and shuffled into the room.
Inside the room were a few crates pressed against the wall, a spare bookshelf holding his things, and a makeshift nest of blankets in the corner. A few empty crates had a blanket inside and a pet sleeping soundly in it - all of which he found and rescued to some extent. A Tarragon with a cold, an Acromi with a broken wing, an orphaned nest of Snoots, and so many more.
He plopped down on the blankets, a Keeper lifting its muzzle to look at him tiredly. He carefully took off a pair of makeshift open-toe shoes before rubbing his sore and numb feet. After a bit, he flopped backward onto the nest of the blankets and bit his lip as he held back a scream.
He wanted to scream and yell and cry, but at the same time would feel bad if he disturbed his pets. His hair fell in his eyes as he rolled onto his side, and his tail curled around him like a cat's. The Keeper padded closer, sensing his distress, and snuggled close as tears began to flow.
Why does she hate me? Why won't she tell me anything? What did I ever do? He thought while stroking the creature's fur and staring at the wall.
Of course, there was no answer. There was never an answer, only hurt.
Mira[]
He thinks I’m cruel. And he’s right.
Mira stares out over the balcony, staring at the Academy above her tower. The only building higher than the Dark Tower.
”Cruel is the only option. I have to be cruel. Why can’t the idiot understand?” She mutters, throwing a piece of crumbling stone over the island. The stone’s gray reminds her of Gale…
The emotion pushes back harder, but her own power, her own will, her own mind pushes it back.
”Pointless.” She mutters, staring at the horizon. The sun’s light begins to ebb away, just like her tears.
Under the covers, the tears finally flow. With a final sob, Mira slips and falls into memories…
“Mira!” Gale yells, chasing her in an empty clearing. The late afternoon light illuminates their faces.
“You can’t catch me!”
“Yes, I can!” Gale yells, stumbling on his misshapen legs. “Mira, you know this is hard for me!”
Mira slows to a halt. “Obviously. You have to push yourself. I’m just helping you.”
“Sounds like it’s just for your fun.” Gale mutters, glaring at the girl.
“That too.” She says casually, spinning in a circle. “Can you blame me?”
“Yes!”
A twinge of regret rushes through Mira. “Fine. Take a break.”
Gale cocks his head. “What?”
“I’m being nice… take a break if you want.” Mira says, trying to sound nonchalant.
Gale smirks. “You’re being nice?”
Mira turns strawberry red. “Yeah, and?”
”And I’m never gonna stop teasing you for that.”
“Hey! When I get my hands on you-“
Mira rushes after Gale, smiling slightly as he laughs.
“If only I could laugh now.” Mira sighs, staring at the night stars. “If only…”
Gale[]
At some point, he must have fallen asleep, as the sun was beginning to rise when he opened his eyes. Down-hearted from the other day, he sluggishly got up and tugged on the robes that branded him as Academy Keeper - the youngest one. After pulling on his shoes, he quickly feeds all his pets with a sweep of telekinesis, them giving him a confused look as he normally feeds them one by one.
He didn't bother with eating, not like he had much food to begin with, and walked out the door. Thankfully, sunlight lit most of the Academy, but rooms were still dark and shadows still loomed.
Pushing down his fear, he walked down the hall, lighting up the building with Astral magic, before arriving at the large wooden doors of the structure. He tiredly pulled out his keyring and unlocked the doors, the sound echoing throughout the halls.
There he stood as the doors swung open, a small, underfed Ivory Fairy with strange-looking legs. Eyes red from crying all night, tattered wings folded behind him, and a shaggy mop of whitish hair. It was hard to believe he was anyone of importance, let alone Academy Keeper.
He sighed before walking back in, tail swishing behind him. He walked back to the little room and shut himself in, wanting no one to see him. He crawled back into the nest of blankets and continued to cry. Missing home, missing his parents, and most of all missing his sister - not the Mira who hated him, but the smiling, happy Mira who used to care.
A girl held his hand, tugging him along as they walked through the dense grove of trees.
"What are we doing again?" He asked her, struggling to keep up.
"Finding an Ivory Triptrop." Mira responded, pausing to regain her bearings.
"Aren't those really, really, REALLY hard to find?"
She smiled, "Well I found you when we played hide-and-seek this morning, so it shouldn't be that hard."
"Hey! That doesn't count! I didn't know you could still see my tail." He grumbled in response.
Mira bit back a laugh, then paused as a rustle sounded up ahead. Gale immediately lost all sense of balance and fell on the floor as an Ivory Truckle walked out from the bushes. It gazed at him curiously before padding off, deeper into the woods.
"Well," she said after a bit, beaming, "You can't say I didn't told you so."
"That. Was a Truckle."
"Still counts!" She said cheerily as the two walked back home.
He twisted his tail between his fingers, wincing as he did so. There's no point remembering the past if Mira didn't want to be remembered...
Mira[]
The cold of the night air is nothing but comforting. It’s the memories that discomfort her.
The girl leaves her balcony, hugging her own arms. “Just shake them away… bottle them up…”
The screams keep coming, the memories keep coming… but she pushes them back.
What is it you want? She thinks. I want to smile. I want to be happy. And how do I achieve that?
”Revenge. Revenge on him.” The wizard mutters, feet gliding up and down flights, no rhyme or reason as to where she’s going. The sudden roar of a dragon makes her wince.
”Good, Grandoff.” Mira mutters absentmindedly, stroking the dragon with one hand. “Ruthless is best.”
The young girl glances out the window. “Don’t you ever want to leave? Stop being alone?”
The dragon nuzzles her forehead.
“I know I’m not really alone, but you know what I mean. I miss mom. I miss Winston. I miss… I’m crazy for saying this, but I miss Gale. But does it matter? I need to stay alone. Last time I trusted… I lost everything.”
Without her meaning to, wings appear out of thin air behind her back. Fragile things of blue, purple, and white crystal that lift her gently in the air. One of them is significantly shorter, though, like it was cut by someone. But she retracts them quickly.
”Never trusting again.”
The dragon licks her face, but she brushes it aside. “Never.”
Gale[]
He wasn't sure how long he had stayed there, but his Keeper sat down next to him, eyes wide and pleading. He sighed, sat up, and looked around the room. He couldn't mope forever, he had way too much to do. Struggling to get back on his feet, he held out his arms and his tail swished furiously, trying to maintain balance.
Once he was sure he wouldn't fall down, he grabbed a bag from behind a crate and walked over to the other side of the room, feeding and checking on his pets one by one. They all seemed to be doing fine, but he frowned at seeing that one of the Snoot eggs still hasn't hatched. I'll just have to deal with that later...
He creaked open the door and peeked out, seeing students rushing to class or catching up with friends. He looked back at his pets and beckoned for the Keeper to follow as he slipped out the door.
He tucked his hands in his pockets and walked close to the wall, avoiding making eye contact with anyone. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the pedestals, keystones placed and shining as if nothing had ever happened - yet the scars on his hands and the never-ending tiredness said otherwise.
Eyes as amber as his, looming shadows and flowing purple robes-
He shook his head, trying to shake out the memory, but an unebbing sense of familiarity lingered.
The fairy eventually sat down next to a floatling, who was busy binding a book.
"Hi, Zhi."
The floatling looked at him, startled at hearing their name. "Oh, hi Gale."
"Mind if I help?" He beckoned to the ever-growing stack of papers.
"I guess..."
He picked up a spare needle and thread, carefully stitching through the fabric that'll help hold the pages together. He needed something to keep him occupied, and this might as well be occupying enough. Even if he didn't need something to do, at least it took a workload off Zhi, not many people realized how much the floatling did.
He occasionally glanced at the doorway, immediately cursing himself for doing so. What was he hoping for? For Mira to come and visit him? I need to get realistic...
He sighed and resumed sewing, trying to push away his feelings.
Mira[]
Meanwhile, another girl was keeping her feelings at bay. A burst of light, a wave of darkness, then a strange rock-like, cold purple material jutting out of the floors. Crystals. A twinge of annoyance dances across Mira’s face… she’s tried so hard to hide those crystals. Hide her true identity.
”Gale doesn’t do that.” She finds herself muttering. “Gale doesn’t hide himself.”
That’s because they love him. That’s because he’s not the spitting image of Mom. She thinks back, watching as the crystals emit a lavender glow.
She waves her hand. And no crystals.
The crystals jutting out the wall vanish, only to be replaced by dark shadows. Better. Now, time to practice.
Fire crackles from one hand, the smoke above them swirling and turning into wispy air, that liquefies and lands on the ground with a splash. The water freezes, then turns into soil, plants bursting out of the ground. The cycle repeats, over and over, until the whole room is filled with the five elements.
“Good enough,” Mira mutters. “Are you proud of me?”
No response.
”Of course. No one is. And no one will be.”
Someone was, though. But that person was gone.
"Mom is gone." She chides to herself. "You're being a baby like Gale."
Crystals appear again, this time forming a sort of halo around her body. "What's the point?" She asks herself. "What's the point if everyone forgets you in the end?"
Revenge. To the mind of Mira, that's the answer for everything.
Revenge.
Gale[]
His Keeper had begun to play with a spare spool of string. Pouncing and darting about, approaching students and hoping for a treat, and standing still as a statue if someone asked her to stand guard.
Classic Ice, he thought with a small smile, but it quickly turned back into a frown as he thought of how Mira would maltreat her pets into "perfect" obedience. Would the Keeper even be that playful if Mira hadn't kicked him out? Hadn't decided he wasn't worth keeping around?
He wasn't sure, he might never know, but a small, dreaded little voice made its way into his thoughts. Maybe things were for the better...
No, he snapped at himself, Mira's still my sister and nothing she does or says is going to change that, which makes her family. And family sticks together.
He poked through the fabric with the needle frustratedly, pricking his finger in the process. Biting down a swear, he grabbed a thimble and continued.
The tower fell again.
How many times has it fallen? He doesn't know, he stopped counting.
Mira was pacing, panicking, yelling, and most of all mad at him.
He had come back to visit her yet again, regardless of her being upset about his visit last time. Yet what was he to do? Ignore that the tower fell and stomp down any feeling of concern?
He knew she wasn't going to let him stay, but he could still help her... right?
His tail quivered as he pushed away the memory. She had a reason, apparently. A reason to avoid him, and he'll never know it.
Hope and remembrance were now... pointless.
Mira[]
Purple light, sobbing brother, screaming mother, feet running and running and running away from the scene of horror.
Violet eyes burst open. “Stupid, stupid, stupid, Mira!”
A rock hits the wall, clattering to the ground… pointless and forgotten… like her.
“You thought memories would help you?” She mutters, watching the gray rock roll across the room. “Stupid! Stupid like him.”
Mira falls to her knees, staring up at the night sky. "And I'm not stupid."
"But you are."
Mira turns. A woman stands behind her, looking so real... but she's nothing but a hallucination. Just like most of her life.
"I'm not."
"I suppose you're not stupid, all you are is unable to see the answer. The right one."
"This is the right answer! I'm avenging you!" Mira protests, getting to her feet with a defiant yet doubtful expression.
"What if I don't want to be avenged?" Her mother murmurs.
Mira thrusts another rock at her with a yell, but of course, it just hits the wall. Her mother is nothing but an illusion.
"You do, mother. You must."
Gale[]
A pile of books was now stationed in place of the papers. Zhi looked quite accomplished, they haven't been able to complete this many books before. He smiled before leaving the floatling to their thing, he had other matters to attend to - and a lot of them.
A gust of telekinesis moved throughout the halls, resulting as if no one had walked through them to begin with. He made sure all the classrooms were stocked in supplies, then once again went back to Zhi to pick up the books and shelve them.
The lingering Shadow magic in the Archives always gave him a headache, but he had to do his job - at least it's not as bad as before. He clambered down the stairs, glad it was only a few compared to the Dark Tower.
Looming shadows caused him to tense as he made his way to the proper bookshelf, and he tried to get it done as fast as possible, trying ever so hard to ignore the pounding headache.
He sat in a hollowed-out tree trunk, watching the snowfall.
Normally, the cold didn't bother him much - all he had to do was ignore it, but now? It was all too hard to ignore the bitter cold as hundreds of questions swarmed through his thoughts, one thing managing to shine through - hurt.
He cried himself to sleep that night, tears freezing as soon as they hit the floor, curled up in a ball and hoping it'll all go away.
He awoke to seeing fur. A lot of fur. He scrambled back, seeing a napping Shardic by the entrance of the hollow. It flicked an ear, yawned and stretched, then looked at him, cocking its head curiously.
An image flashed through his mind as he recalled Mira yelling at him after he got himself cornered by a monster. So when it approached, he gulped, pressing himself against the wood and eyes shutting tight.
Surprise overcame him as it snuggled up next to him, him opening his eyes as it fell asleep in his lap. That's when he realized how dark it was.
He instinctively hugged the Shardic, it squeaking in surprise, pleading for the sun to come up. Yet it didn't, as it was shrouded by clouds for days...
He ran up the stairs as he turned off the lights, bursting into the great hall. How many times will he have to do this? Running from something that'll do nothing to him?
Or so he thought.
Mira[]
Soft purple eyes, small wings like hers, platinum hair like that of Gale. A soft touch, a smile, a laugh, a hug.
Her eyes spring open, her mind scrambling to recollect itself. The dream still tingles in the back of her mind, the look of her mother. Her heart tries to keep it, while her mind pushes it away.
”Mom… where did you go?”
There’s no response… only the howling wind that seems to sound like screams.
Mira’s eyes sting. “You’re gone, aren’t you?”
More wind.
The girl gets to her feet, walking gracefully across the cold stone of the tower and down, down, down to the very bottom. The stones become colder and colder, each step slower and slower.
Finally, she reaches the doorway. One hand grabs the frame as she swings out, inhaling the fresh air and smell of spring. “It’s been so long.”
Grass.
For a second, Mira flinches away before hesitantly stepping back in the grass, not used to the feel. “So long.”
She looks up at the Academy, just barely noticeable as it hovers in the sky.
Unbeknownst to her, a fairy had just glanced out the doorway, straight into her eyes.
Another few seconds of happiness before Mira sets off, running to the huge building that comes closer and closer.
Gale & Mira[]
Gale was about to lock the doors when he heard the footsteps. Someone was still here.
He whipped around so fast he nearly lost his balance, tail swishing left to right as he tensed. "Who are you?"
A hooded figure stood before him, "Sheesh, are you really so dumb that you can't recognize me?"
”M-Mira?” The fairy asks incredulously.
The girl clearly rolls her eyes. “I’m regretting this already.”
"What are you doing here?" His amber gaze was hopeful... but wary.
Ice, sensing his fear and becoming aggravated about the intruder, had begun to approach Mira, pressed against the floor and sticking to the shadows.
The wizard turns to Ice. "Keeping more tame pets, Gale?"
He crosses his arms. "Yeah."
Mira looks him up and down. "Well. You're a big boy now. Wandering the world."
A bit of longing fills her voice.
"I suppose..." He muttered, avoiding her gaze. He wouldn't exactly call exploring the Academy "wandering the world", but she didn't know that.
"'Oh, Mira, dear sister, why did you come here?'" She mimics, tears pressing at her for some reason.
Gale scowls. "You pushed me away before."
"That I did. But I came again... and honestly, I don't know why."
The words come faster now, as if she's dispelling them from her heart.
He had grown quiet at hearing Mira say that, and the next few words were so tentative, as if he wasn't sure of it himself. "Did you ever consider... that you might be lonely?" He wanted to say "miss me" but feared the harsh words she would have in store if he did.
Mira hesitates. What to say? She isn't ready, to be honest, but the lies are drowning her.
She settles for changing the subject.
"I just came to help you up. Make you less of a babyish wimp who can't even capture a pet right."
The harsh words sting Gale, but to Mira, they sound hollow. A disguise of coldness and harshness.
The little fairy closed his eyes, clenching his fists ever so slightly, "No. If by hurting an innocent pet you mean capturing? I don't want to know the right way."
Mira rolls her eyes. "Whatever. You're still gonna be stubborn."
She looks about the Academy. "Not bad, huh? Granted, my tower's better in a way, but this is fine too."
That earned her a confused glance, "What?" Does she think... I live here? Well, she's not wrong... or right either.
"What do you even do here?" She frowns. "Academy... why bother teaching incompetent children to be at your level? If they're not talented from birth, kick them to the curb. If they don't work hard enough, if they're not ruthless enough, if they're not skilled enough... they're worthless. How many times do I have to tell you that, Gale? How many times do I have to remind you that you must strive to be better?"
"I..." He looked at the ground, refusing to meet her gaze, the answer ringing in his thoughts, I clean classrooms never I'll learn in. I help Zhi fix books I'll never be allowed to read. I open the doors of a school I can't afford to go to. I'm... I'm worthless, I suppose...
The more she spoke, the more he began regretting ever wishing for her to visit him, the more rueful he became of climbing her tower. It took every fiber of his being to keep from crying, it took every bit of willpower not to run and hide because right now - Mira was the dark.
"Okay, sorry. Look..." the girl moistens her lips, as if preparing to give a huge speech. "I'm sorry. That was... rude."
She regains her composure. "I came because I'm-I'm lonely. I miss mom. I miss Winston. And, crazy as it sounds, I miss you."
Are you crazy? She thinks. You're being so stupid! You're not focusing on the right goal! You're being nice!
But the words keep coming.
"And I just wanted to see you, so I didn't feel so lonely. But I still can't escape it. Even now, with you here, I'm lonely. Even more so than when I'm at home."
Ice had rubbed against Gale, him subconsciously petting the Keeper. He continued avoiding her gaze, saying nothing, absolutely nothing. Finally, he looked up at her, distrust burning in his amber gaze, expecting Mira to take it all back with two stinging words - Joking, loser.
She doesn't. "I know. It's hard, but..." Mira waves her hands through the air, as if that makes up for all the questions in Gale's head. "I still want revenge, still... but can I also have happiness? Love, even?"
What is love? It's been far too long since she felt it... is she feeling it now?
He closes his eyes, and to her surprise, pushes past her - running off to who knows where.
It was just too much - way too much - to see his single wish come true. He hadn't realized the stability her hate had given him, one thing that stayed the same no matter what happened, one thing that he could always be sure of, no matter how much he wished for her to love him.
A door slammed, ringing through the great hall, and he slumped against the wall, delayed tears streaming down his face. An Acromi hopped over to him, wings folded and bandaged, but letting out a curious little hoot.
Soon, footsteps sounded, stopping outside the door.
He should've known better than to think Mira wouldn't follow him, she's determined - the only thing that never changed about her.
But the footsteps paused, shuffling about as if unsure what to do... a new sensation for her.
A single tear traces its way down Mira's cheek, but slowly, reluctantly, as if needing permission.
She permits it to fall.
Then she leaves. Never again... that was her one promise to herself, the one thing she lived by, relied on, needed no matter what. Never trust again. And look what happened.
She trusted... she opened up... she loved...
And only more sorrow met her.
The Forest[]
Mira[]
The tears don't come.
Mira lies emotionless, stone-faced, willing herself not to feel anything.
Sorrow was pushed away, anger was snuffed out, longing was pointless. But one emotion peaked through. It was hatred.
Self-hatred.
"I am an idiot. I can't do anything. I say I'm strong, but..."
"You're only deluding yourself." The hallucination finishes for her. Her mother stands in front of her again, this time glaring at her with the same hatred she felt herself.
"You're weak. Powerless. You're nothing but a stupid, sniveling, coward who can't do anything right."
"I-I'm worthless. And I don't deserve anything." She finishes, perfectly in chorus with the hallucination. I couldn't save you, mother... and now I can't even save myself.
The girl crumples to the ground, trying with what little might she had to hide the wings glimmering behind her.
They shone through the darkness, casting light on her face...
But the light was concealed, just like every last drop of purpose she had left.
Mira picks up the knife.
Gale[]
"She tells me what she really thinks of me, and then she expects that she can just say that she misses me and try to fix everything?" An unknown emotion pushed its way through his thoughts, seeping into his words like poison as he ranted to his audience of pets. Hate. That's the word for it.
He sat down on the makeshift pile of blankets, hugging himself. He couldn't comprehend what was happening to him, this new barrage of emotions he manage to avoid feeling before now.
Yet out of everything Mira had told him, one thing echoed through his thoughts, "Why bother teaching incompetent children to be at your level? If they're not talented from birth, kick them to the curb. If they don't work hard enough, if they're not ruthless enough, if they're not skilled enough... they're worthless."
Tears flowed, dripping onto Ice's fur - for the Keeper had snuggled against him as usual. He was hungry, cold, and upset. He knew he could always ignore the cold, ignore the hunger, and he would be fine - it was in his nature. Yet his feelings outweighed it all, and he didn't have the energy.
Tiredness caused his eyelids to droop, and he held back a yawn. That's when he heard a strong, firm knock on the door - definitely not Mira - and he realized in his rush to get away from her, he had forgotten to turn out the lights.
He was caught.
I guess I'm finally getting what I deserve, Mira...
Mira[]
"No."
The girl lay sprawled out on the cold ground, forcing herself to sleep there despite the freezing stone and brutal winds. A knife was still clutched on her right hand, her fingers frozen around its hilt by both the cold and her sled-hatred. Occasionally, she brings it to her neck before putting it down.
Why does killing have to be so hard?
An Acromi stands next to her, clutching a letter that she reads distressfully.
"Gale's been fired?"
Neglect to treat the prestigious Academy well... refusal to leave willingly... mistreat of pets...
The date of the so-called crime was January tenth, in the evening.
Right after she'd visited him.
"I ruined his life."
The words fill Mira's mind. She had really ruined his life by visiting him. If she was being sensible, she'd have realized forgetting to turn off the lights was just a simple mishap, but she wasn't being sensible. Not in the slightest.
Mira snatched the paper off the Acromi's claw, squeezing it so tight it ripped. Clearly, they'd been itching to be rid of him for quite a while now... as he was a fairy and a young one at that. Not to mention that his name was Shadesong...
"My name. Mother's name. F-father's name."
I forced this onto him. I let him get fired, I didn't let him stay here, I caused all the pain and struggle. It was me!
Forget the oppressive Academy staff. Forget the helpless boy's neglect to "take proper care of his pets." Even... forget the Puppet Master.
She was the one to blame. She was the one Gale would be going after to seek revenge... and who could blame him? She was a joke. A bully. A worthless...
"A worthless, heartless, evil, coward." She mutters, words matching that of her mother's.
Annoyance flickers across her face, Mira struggling to her feet. "You again! Mother, why are you here? To remind me what a horrible person I am? I know how horrible I am! I know how I deserve to die!"
She holds up the knife. "But I'm still too cowardly even to kill myself!"
Tears trace down the paths they have so many times, despite her refusal to cry.
"No tears. No emotion. No letting yourself feel. You don't deserve it." Her mother reminds her. "And you don't deserve to die either. You deserve much, much worse."
"What could be worse?"
But she knows the answer.
"Love."
Gale[]
He walked down the old dirt road, not paying attention to where he was going. A bag was slung over his shoulder, his Acromi riding in it along with a nest of baby Snoots, sharp owl-like eyes surveilling. On his right was Ice, his left was his Tarragon, and he clutched a singular Snoot egg to his chest - the one that never hatched.
He had released all his pets that were healthy enough to live on their own - he had no other choice - but Ice had refused to leave him. He couldn't bear to drive her off, so he allowed the Keeper to accompany him for now.
He wore a dull, faded shirt and beige shorts instead of his usual robes, and looked... smaller than usual. Fired. I never thought I would hate a word this much.
Gale walked aimlessly for a while, soon reaching a fork in the path. He was about to let Ice decide where to go when he realized - he recognized this place.
A sea breeze came from the direction of the left path, and he instantly knew what lay in that direction - the Dark Tower. He never felt such a longing for home until that moment, yet...
He recalled how he responded to Mira the other night, guilt worming its way, but he couldn't go and apologize, especially not now. She'll just think of me as a worthless rat with no other place to go.
With a heavy heart, he walked the other way, deeper into the forest, walking away from the closest thing he had to a home.
Mira[]
She looked back at her tower, tears pressing at her eyes but her cold heart pushing them back.
Mira allowed herself to whisper one thing. "I'm sorry, tower. I'm pursuing selfish goals. Take care of yourself, okay?"
No response. Of course not.
She sighs and leaves, her hand occasionally drifting to her pocket, to the only thing she'd brought with her... the knife.
Let Gale do the job. I'm too much of a wimp to do it myself, and I certainly don't deserve to go that easily.
She wanders onto the crossroads in front of her tower, a mix of emotions in her heart-piercing her harder than the knife ever could. "Where to?"
"Wherever I am." A voice says. It's another hallucination... not her mother, like it usually is; but her brother. Gale glares at her with just as much hatred as she feels to herself, the combined feelings making her double over.
"I'm sorry, Gale." She whispers.
"Sorry isn't good enough!"
"I know. Will killing me be enough?"
"Death is always enough. Find me, recognize your evildoing, and maybe, just maybe, I'll grant you death."
"Thank you."
"Find me first. And don't act grateful. Don't act happy. You don't deserve it."
"Then what do I deserve?"
The hallucination is gone.
Mira keeps going.
Gale[]
What was he even doing? He wasn't achieving anything by wandering - only proving Mira right.
He had stopped by one of the many rivers that ran through the forest, Ice scavenging nearby. His tail curled around his legs, and he dared to look up above the treeline - the Dark Tower was still in sight. He doesn't know why, but he kept circling back, keeping a distance away from the tower.
He looked back down, where in his lap was the Snoot's egg. Anyone else would've gotten rid of it by now, but he still clung onto it, having learned to recognize if something was alive in there or not, hanging on to the shred of hope he had left.
There was a crash, and he alarmedly looked up to see Ice fall off a tree branch. Yet she got up, shook out her fur, and trotted over with an apple in her mouth - proud of her find. He smiled a bittersweet smile and stroked her fur when she approached, earning himself a purr-like noise from the creature.
He sighed. Ice deserved so much better than this, better than what a homeless boy could give him. He on the other hand... apparently deserved worse. His Tarragon shuffled over, laying beside him - scales a sickly pale.
He scratched it behind the ears, knowing exactly what Mira would say if she ever saw wyvern. "Why don't you put it out of its misery already?"
Gale watched as Ice shoved a piece of the apple she found to the Tarragon, it gladly accepting. Because I can't do that, and never will be able to.
Then without meaning to, he nodded off, the events of the day before finally catching up to him.
Mira[]
"Gale?"
No, it's just the howl of the wind. But it sounded like crying...
"Mother?"
No, it's just the rustle of leaves. But it sounded like dying breaths...
"Gale?"
No, it's just an eagle, flying with wings spread. But it looked like him for a second there...
It goes on like this for a while. The two faces fade on and out of sight. They'll never leave her, they'll never stop pushing her for the crimes she was too cowardly to face until now.
Mira keeps walking. Where will I go? She doesn't know. Where is Gale? She doesn't know. What will I do? She doesn't know. How will I do it? She doesn't know. It's a new sensation, not knowing anything.
And she hates it.
One hand absentmindedly picks an apple from a tree. She hesitates to bite it, despite her starvation. Is this how she deserves to die? Alone, never finding, unknowing, away from home?
But she takes a small bite. "Survive for now. At least until you find Gale and find him a home."
She cuts her freezing fingers into the bloodred apple, trying to control the freezing and shaking.
Her right-hand drifts back to the knife hilt, pressing it against her neck occasionally as if planning the best area to stab. Her home was gone, her family was gone, her few friends were gone, her will to live... all gone.
No way home, people would say. But she didn't have a home at all.
Gale[]
A rustle jolted him awake, amber eyes panicked and pets tense. Ice's haunches were raised, a low growl in the gargoyle's throat.
He got up, hand held protectively in front of his now-wide-awake Tarragon, his other hand wrapped around the Snoot's egg, fear filling his gaze.
Then out of the bushes burst - his Truckle?
The ivory deer-like creature approached him slowly, before settling beside his Tarragon.
"Great. Another pet who refuses to leave." Yet he couldn't help but allow himself a smile, at least he wouldn't be lonely out here.
Instantly, he thought of Mira, and how she was alone in her tower, supposedly missing him. His smile faded, and he slowly sat down in front of the tree trunk.
Maybe... I should visit her again. I mean, if I don't tell her I was fired she won't get mad... right?
He was desperate, the guilt had been gnawing at him since he passed the crossroads, but also the longing for the home. He had called that little closet in the Academy home for a while now, living in fear that someone would find him and kick him out - and finally, someone did. He couldn't go home to his parents, he couldn't even remember where they lived... or what they looked like, for that matter. And then Mira...
The fairy sighed.
He would never have a home, never.
Mira[]
The Dark Tower's beautiful purple top finally vanishes from her field of vision.
Her home is gone for good. No going back now, with the tower so far away, the knife clutches so tight, and the inescapable hatred from Gale, her mother... and herself.
It's been hours upon hours of nothing but walking. Occasionally, she'll collapse only to force herself up again, ignoring the mud now caked on her clothes.
Her eyes are weary, the dark circles and bags under them making her look grotesque. Mira can't stop the shaking now, and her legs wobble harder than those inflatable tube men every time she takes a step.
She trips on a root and falls onto the rough ground, her knees bleeding and hands unable to support her. Her legs finally give out. Mira collapses, unable to staunch the flow of blood and the crushing exhaustion.
"Please... let me..." she falls onto the ground, resting her head against a tree roof and folding her hands over her stomach - like she's already in a coffin. "Let me die."
"You think you can get off the hook that easily?" Gale hisses, his face appearing yet again above her. A look of disgust, hatred, and coldness fills his gaze. "You ruined my life, and this is just a taste of the suffering you deserve."
"I-I know, Gale, but..."
"But you're being selfish." Her mother responds, standing next to Gale. She looks even worse than Mira, but still glares at her with resentment. "Kill yourself. Do it."
Mira lifts her arm, but it falls back to the ground. "Is this how I'll die?" She whispers to empty air. "Without a fight?"
"Perhaps. If you will strive to keep going..." The two voices hiss, their voices fading into the wind.
"Can I keep going?"
Only more wind.
Gale[]
He was sitting in the tree, hungrily eating an apple and occasionally tossing down one of the fruits for his pets to have a bite to eat.
His Acromi had finally hopped out from the bag, keeping tabs on the Snoots that had decided to explore and fiercely protecting the unhatched Snoots egg. He glanced around, his gaze searching for a place they could stay. He hadn't managed to find the tree he had settled in when he first had to live by himself, but it's not as if he and his pets would be able to fit anyways.
That's when he saw something moving in the distance.
Gale scrambled down the tree, instinct screaming at him to run as he grabbed his bag and the Snoot egg, the Acromi and the baby Snoots knowing to hop into the satchel.
He had been lucky enough to be simply fired instead of being sent straight to an orphanage, but if someone found him... it wasn't long before his shred of luck ran out. He dashed off in the opposing direction - Ice, Truckle, and Tarragon following - to the hiding place he spotted earlier.
Finally, he got there - a small cave by the end of the river, vines hanging over it - but not without hundreds of thoughts swarming his mind. Why am I doing this? Why is this my life? Why does no one love me?
He collapsed and burst into tears.
Mira[]
Was walking all that awaited her?
All she could do was keep going and wonder how she hadn't died from starvation, exhaustion, thirst, or pure emotion yet. The emotion wouldn't stop, the hatred and trauma and depression and so much more... it taunted her.
"Please, Gale... let me find you," Mira mutters. The only thing she's been doing is walk, fiddle with her knife, and occasionally adjust her wings. She wasn't used to exposing them like this.
For the first time, no one responded. There was no one left but her, just a sad little girl with a knife and wings too broken to use.
She fell to her knees, barely able to drag herself into a tiny cave in the forest. She curled up against the cold stone wall, emancipated and entire body shaking. She'd last one more day, two if she was lucky. Or unlucky.
The Dark Tower was gone. Her mother was gone. Her brother was gone. And she'd join them soon enough.
Was Gale dead? She didn't know... but didn't care.
She was already dead.
Gale[]
Footsteps, the one thing he was dreading at the moment.
He sat up, tears streaming down his face, noticing that his Truckle was gone. Good for you-
His eyes widened at seeing what stood outside, however. Every single one of his pets was back, making it clear that "go away" was the one thing they won't listen to.
He crumpled to the ground again, overwhelmed. He could barely take care of himself, nevertheless all of his pets. Mira's right... I'm way too nice, now I'll never escape...
The fairy held back a sob, crystals sprouting near the cave entrance - unbeknownst to him. Why can't I be put out of my misery...
Yet he knew if he didn't have the heart to kill a simple monster, there was no way he could kill himself.
He pulled his legs to his chest, tail curling around him and the Snoot's egg as some of his pets settled next to him. The underfed, deformed fairy stayed like that, wishing for one thing.
Death.
Mira & Gale[]
Morning sunlight streamed into the cave, and a certain Ivory Fairy reluctantly woke up. He sat up, causing Ice to shift in her sleep, growling slightly to let him know she didn't want to be awakened. His vision was a bit blurry, but it soon cleared - and then he saw it.
At the cave entrance, somehow unnoticed the other night, was the limp body of someone he knew.
"Mira?"
The girl stirs, forcing herself up. She frowns. "I could've sworn someone said my name..."
Then she notices the little fairy in front of her. "G-Gale?"
He opens his mouth to say something, but before he can, Mira's rushed over and pushed a knife into his hands. "Do it!"
The knife hilt is wet, like Mira's been clutching it for hours without rest. The tip shines with a bit of reddish-brown when Gale holds it in the sunlight. "Mira... what do you mean?"
There was no answer, only a sob.
The Ivory Fairy looked Mira up and down, in a state of shock. Her wings were out, she looked like she's been through a hurricane, and not to mention she was crying.
He had never seen Mira like this, and it was even a bit scary to see so his sister so... helpless.
He put down the knife between them, Ice being awoken by the movement, then immediately blurt out, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to run away from you the other night, I just... didn't know what to do. I was just so used to you hating me and saying I was worthless that it scared me when you tried to love me and I freaked out. I never meant to hurt your feelings, and I... I feel horrible about it." Tears started to flow again and his tail curled around him. "I guess I really do deserve this..."
Mira rubs her eyes, trying to stop the endless flow of tears. But the dam has already broken. And the tears won't stop.
All she can do is shove the knife into his hands. "Do it now! I know you hate me! And now you're making me even more guilty because I ruined your life-"
She stops for a second, noting his confused expression. "W-what?"
"I don't think you ruined my life," he began slowly, "I don't blame people like that. What happened was my fault, I broke the rules and had it coming. Things just got... speed up a little. I never hated you, and if I should hate anyone..." He looked down at the knife, a sadness in his gaze, "It should be me."
Then Mira... laughs. A watery, broken laugh. "Still going for guilt? I know you hate me. Please, just do it. If you won't..."
She shrugs. "I-I'll do it myself."
He gripped the knife, beginning to become aggravated, "Mira I'm serious, I'm not trying to guilt-trip you - and if I did hate you, I can't even put Wyven out of his misery! I'm too much of a coward to kill myself, nevertheless you." He began to fiddle with it nervously, his next sentence being aimed towards himself, "And besides... if I did kill you... it'll only make things worse for me."
Mira buries her face in her hands, looking so helpless for the first time.
Gale frowns, aghast at how not her she looks. Her ribs show clearly, her violet eyes are dull and lifeless, her blue hair is a messy nest dotted with dirt, and she's bleeding. She also has crystalline wings floating behind her back... which makes him wonder.
"Mira..."
"Fine. I'm doing it."
She reaches for the knife, but Gale immediately snatched it away.
"I... can't let you do that."
Mira's sobbing now, reaching over. "Please, just DO IT!"
The sentence ends on an unearthly screech, the girl completely unhinged.
Ice growled, darting between the girl and boy, hackles raised.
The Crystal Fairy doesn't move, but she looks at her brother with a look of total desperation.
Gale gives the knife to Ice - who runs off with it, before moving close and hugging her saying, "I don't want to be alone, and I would miss you."
"Then join me on the other side."
He falters.
Finally, he says, "Fine..." He paused, already regretting this, "I'll let you do whatever you want... only if you tell me what happened to mom and dad."
Mira wastes no time. "Mom's dead. Dad killed her and went crazy. Now give me the knife!"
Gale looks at her in disbelief, but then closed his eyes and said, "Ice, bring it back." Yet the Keeper stayed put, tense.
"Call your stupid tame pet off and give it to me. Why are you always so-" she makes a yell of frustration and punches the ground, ignoring her bleeding knuckles. "Nice? You're so good, so perfect, so innocent, so-"
Another punch against the cave ground, which makes her cry even harder.
Gale curled his hands into fists, and something inside him snapped. All those years of being "nice" as Mira put it was driven by one thing - hope.
Hope that he'll see his mom again, hope that things would go back to normal, hope that someone... would love him.
The last piece of hope shattered.
"I'm good? I'm innocent? I'm perfect? Really Mira? Have you ever bothered to actually look at me? I'll never be perfect, I was born broken, and there's no way I'm innocent either - not with you as my sister, not with mom dead, not with dad..." He trailed off, then forced himself to continue, "As for good? I'm not good in any way, I just don't want to be like- ..."
"Me?"
"No, Mira, I didn't mean..."
"It's fine." She says, curling into a ball and hugging her knees. Her left hand traced shapes in the rough dirt, her fingernails soon caked with brown. They sit in silence for a minute before she starts up again. "You were born broken. I was born evil. You were given things because people loved you. I worked for things because nobody cared about me. Why? Because I chose evil, and you chose good. Look where that brought us."
"If that's the case, why did I live in a closet? Why, praytell, am I scared of the dark? Why did mom die? Why was dad horrible enough that both of us had to run? And why are we here waiting for death instead of going home?"
"Because of me! Because mom and dad and I all brought the name Shadesong upon you! And I'm the reason mom died!" Mira screams, finally letting loose the one thing that caused all this. "It was me."
She buries her head between her knees, sobbing.
Ice grimaced next to him, clearly questioning the sanity of both children. Gale was stroking her fur nervously, amber eyes pooling with confusion.
"How?"
"I don't know how exactly." She begins tentatively. "But... father... he always praised me, and hated you. You were the biggest disgrace of his entire life."
"Gee, I wonder how that feels. I'm used to it."
"One day..." she swallows nervously. "Mother tried to protect you from his... his rage. He hurt her, and then I jumped in..."
Her voice trails off, Mira closing her eyes and taking a deep breath before plowing on. "And I told him some horrible things. He tried to hurt me, and mother intervened... then she was..."
There are no more words.
The Home[]
Gale[]
He struggled to get to his feet, hissing "I can do it myself" when Ice tried to help him. He walked right outside, ignoring Mira's gaze.
He needed to be alone.
He didn't go too far, of course, not wanting to make the same mistake as before, and stopped once reaching the river. He got on his knees by the water, gazing at his reflection.
The tattered wings, the scarred arms, his twisted deformed legs.
He was broken, and no one could fix him... nor love him.
Tears filled his gaze, a single tear dripping into the water and rippling the reflection.
Even his own family hated him, at this point the whole world hated him.
He screamed in frustration, the sound coming out primitive. Why? WHY?
There was no answer, no light, no hope. There never was.
The flowing robes, the amber eyes, the stinging hatred in that gaze...
The fear of the dark, the fear of shadows, the fear of being a monster like him...
Suddenly it all made sense...
...and he hated it.
Mira[]
She chases after her brother, tears running down her eyes.
"Please, just give me the knife so I can-"
He's gone.
Mira stands in shock. "Wh-what do I do?"
She collapses... only for a pet to help her up. Ice looks at her with a gaze that reads, I'm only doing this for Gale. Now get up.
Discipline. That she understands.
The girl gets to her feet, one hand pressed against her stomach to stop the growling.
Ice gives her a look before plucking an apple from a tree and tossing it into her hands.
Great. I'm being cared for by a tame pet, she thinks. But Mira still takes a bite, focusing on her teeth breaking the fragile skin and each drop of juice rather than the big problem. But apple after apple, and eventually she can't ignore it.
"What will I do with my life?"
Only another crunch is the answer.
Gale[]
He was standing again, angrily throwing stones in the water and watching it ripple. The sparkling blue water's reflection shattering constantly.
He screamed again, this time more primitive and furious than the last. "Why does no one love me? I just want a home! I just want to be with my family! Why can't I?"
He crumpled to the ground, sobbing. "Why can't it all end..."
That's when he noticed something glinting in the water, resting on the round pebbles of the riverbank.
He reached in and grabbed it... then pulled out the knife.
He stared at it for a moment then raised it to his neck, sobbing, pressing down to the point it cut through skin - then he stopped.
He couldn't.
He was a coward.
The fairy dropped the knife back into the water, blood trickling down his neck, and watched it sink - the blood-stained blade turning the water crimson.
"Why?"
Mira[]
"An egg?"
There's a tiny yellow-speckled egg on the ground that Gale had dropped, about twice the size of her hand.
Ice makes what might have been a shrug before running off... leaving Mira alone again.
But is she alone?
Crack.
The Crystal Fairy jumps backward, groping around for anything to protect her before realizing nothing was happening. She exhaled, violet eyes occasionally drifting to gaze out the cave entrance.
"Well, where did that crack come from?"
She answers her own question.
Another crack comes from the egg, making her frown.
"It's hatching?"
Mira watches the egg with an impossible mix of feelings. Is she happy that there's a new life in the world? Sad that she can't take care of it? Angry that she's been burdened with this?
She can't answer these questions, she can't do anything. She detests this... this helplessness, this weakness that she's been feeling more and more.
Unbeknownst to her, this feeling is love.
The egg keeps cracking.
Gale[]
The fairy sighed, washing the cut on his neck and smearing some Witch Hazel on it.
He leaned against the tree, still feeling overwhelmed and unable to think straight.
The wind blew, causing the tree's branches to sway gently, the grass waving in the wind. Gale closed his eyes, finally calming down, but still being gnawed at by an unending turmoil of thoughts.
He wasn't even broken anymore, not even destroyed - he was annihilated.
He couldn't understand what was happening to him nor why he felt this way. Why couldn't things go back to the way they were before?
The fairy exhaled deeply, wings fluttering slightly. His tail quivered, causing the grass to rustle.
That's when he heard footsteps.
He looked up to see Ice on her hind legs, standing over him. She cocked her head at seeing the Witch Hazle smeared on his neck, sniffed it, then made a sound that could only be the Keeper's version of "Bad!" before furiously bonking him on the head.
"Ice! Ow! Stop it-"
He caught her paw, sighing. Ice immediately snatched her paw away, somehow threw back her shoulders to put her paws on her hips, and started with a chorus of growls, yaps, and annoyed hisses - as if she was telling him off.
He tolerated the duration of it, pretending to understand Keeper's ranting and even going as far as apologizing at the end of it.
Ice starred at him for a bit, before darting behind him and shoving him forward.
"Whoa, what are you-"
She growled at him, dropping to all fours and dashing off, obviously wanting him to follow.
And the fairy, reluctantly, did.
Mira[]
"Gale, you idiot." She mutters. "Mira, you idiot."
Mira presses her back against the hard stone wall, wanting to complain about the egg at her feet, but she knows she doesn't deserve the chance to complain.
Instead, the fairy picks up the egg and hugs it against her chest, each little crack in time with her heartbeat.
Then...
A tiny bird fell out of it, crashing onto the ground and laying there limp.
Mira bit her lip, hovering her hand over it before steeling her nerves and picking it up.
She sits there for a while, just holding the tiny pink bird that stared directly into her eyes without making a sound.
"Hello."
The baby Snoot squeaks in fear and falls out of her hand with a splat.
Mira picks it up again, trying a gentler tone. "Hello."
The Snoot falls out of her hand again.
The girl laughs, picking it up and cupping it in her hands gently.
Then she curses herself. "No happiness. Leave the weak alone. Leave it."
Mira hesitantly places the bird on the ground, the two sides of her heart ripping her in two. Should she try? Try a new life, one that she's always been too scared to try? One of goodness?
She runs.
Gale[]
The gray fairy was led back to the cave, and he stood outside, hesitant. What if Mira's mad at me?
He sighed, knowing if that was the case, looming outside would only make things worse. He stepped in... and saw no one. The cave was desolated besides his pets sleeping in random corridors, and Ice running around - alarm being showed in every movement.
His heart sunk, depression beginning to cloud his thoughts again, when-
"Squeak!"
He looks down to see a newly hatched Snoot, chirping hungrily. I... I forgot about the egg, didn't I?
He cursed himself but scooped up the little bird, it stopping its chorus and staring at him. He blinked, and then it started chirping more loudly, him holding it away from his face and wincing at the noise.
"You imprinted on Mira, didn't you?"
There were only chirps in response... but Ice managed a nod.
"I guess I better get you to Mira then... wherever she is." He sat down, placing the Snoot on the ground, curling his tail around it so it could stay warm. He continued talking to it, having nothing else to do. "I mean, she's probably going home by now - she always felt safer in her tower. Plus... what's the point of staying with someone who ran away from you... twice." He sighed, tears welling in his eyes, "I'm a horrible brother, horrible enough that she thinks I hate her."
The Snoot simply chirped, but Ice walked over and gave him a comforting lick to the face.
He wiped away his tears and stood back up, clutching the baby bird to his heart, and walked out the cave, Ice trotting beside him.
Mira[]
"Are you crazy? It's a baby bird! Hundreds of them die every day!" Mira chides, ignoring the tears pressing at her eyes.
Her eyes keep drifting to the cave, but she forced herself to focus on getting back to her tower.
"Alright, Mira... back to the same routine? Back to the tower?"
Part of her is happy, but part of her screams to go back. Is waiting and waiting in a tower that will never have visitors all that awaits her? Maybe...
She shuffles towards the tower, walking and walking and walking. Hours upon hours of walking until she reaches the same familiar home.
Emotions churn and whirl inside her, none of them distinct.
Anger? Sorrow? Hope? Love? Confusion? Indecision?
All of them, and none of them. Nothing at all.
Mira throws the door open and walks in. The tower's slightly musty, though virtually unchanged.
But she's changed forever.
The door slams shut behind her.
Gale[]
He was already a distance away from the cave, one hand in his pocket, the other holding the protesting Snoot.
The fairy had left the rest of his pets back by the river, planning on going straight back after he brought the Snoot to Mira. Ice was padding on all fours beside him, making sure he didn't try anything.
He glanced around nervously as he continued down the path, soon reaching the fork in the path.
The boy exhaled deeply, visibly nervous. "Should I really go looking for Mira? She did leave after all..."
At that, Ice's tail flicked in irritation and she headbutted him forward.
With a sigh, he continued, walking down the winding path until he exited the forest and a tower lay before him. He followed the laid-out cobblestone untile reaching the cold, uninviting staircase, finally reaching and knocking on the dark wooden door.
Yet no one answered.
Maybe she's too high up to hear me? But... she always seemed to know when someone was at the door... Maybe she doesn't want to talk to me anymore...
He waited a bit longer, before finally turning and walking down the stairs, picking up his pace as neared the woodland.
"If my family doesn't want me, so be it."
But his words didn't stop the tears from flowing, nor the Snoot from chirping.
It didn't change anything.
Mira[]
The next few weeks were a daze, where all Mira did was watch her family berate her. To her mother, she was a sniveling coward. To her brother, she was heartless, worse than the Puppet Master. To her father... her father was proud.
That one was the worst.
It had been weeks before she even spoke, before she did anything besides wander about her tower, looking out windows and over balconies at the forest before her, where her life changed forever.
Mira tried to survive, but it was a lost cause. She could barely drink or walk, let alone eat.
Crystal wings shone behind her in all their glory, cut section and all. She didn't care anymore. She didn't care about anything. Mira was... empty.
No voice, no feeling, no will to live, no nothing.
A final memory flashed through her mind.
"Stupid boy! Stupid misshapen fairy!"
Gale backed away, cowering at the angry amber eyes glaring at him. "Dad-"
"Don't call me that!"
A girl rushes in, eyes taking in the horrific scene.
A tiny fairy is huddled against a wall, shaking and weeping. In front of him towers another man in purple robes, behind him a woman who attempts to soothe him.
"Father, stop!"
"Ah, Mira... do you not understand? Your brother is weak. Why bother trying to make this child at our level? If he's not talented from birth, get rid of him. If he doesn't work hard enough, if he's not ruthless enough, if he's not skilled enough... he's worthless. And we're lucky to be rid of him."
"No, father!"
"Then should I be rid of you?"
The woman speaks up, running towards him with wings spread. "Don't!"
Then it was all a blur...
And the man was gone. And the woman was dead.
Eyes opened, deep calming breath...
That's what happened.
It was sunsets upon sunsets before the cycle repeated again.
A weak knock on her door.
What now?
Gale & Mira[]
A sniveling gray fairy sat on the steps, a Keeper snuggled beside him. He was clutching something protectively, oblivious to the now open door and the girl standing behind him.
"Gale," Mira says, voice devoid of emotion.
A strangled gasp, and he looks up into his sister's eyes. Then he looked back down at what he was holding - a sleeping baby Snoot.
"Come in. You brought the thing." For a second, her tone softens... but barely.
The boy struggled to his feet, but didn't go in. He stood there hesitantly, Ice waiting for him to do something.
"What? Come in or leave, I don't care." Mira says, hostile as ever. "What do you want?"
He flinched at her tone and looked at the ground, but finally spoke. "I can't take care of the Snoot... it imprinted on you, not me, so it's not eating anything I give it. Just take it... please." His shoulders sagged as he held out the little bird to her, ashamed of asking her for help.
She shrugs and grabs the bird, ignoring its squeaks as it's flung through the air. "Is that all? You can leave now."
The fairy's amber eyes were searching. He opened his mouth to say something, but instantly closed it and shook his head instead. "That's all..." I'm enough of a burden as it is...
He cast one last look of regret before turning to leave, tail tucked between his legs. However, Ice didn't follow in his movements, staring at Mira intensely.
"Get your pet away." The girl calls after him. "And hurry up and leave. Now."
The boy stopped with a sigh, "Ice, we're going now." Yet the Keeper stayed put, even going as far as sitting in front of Mira and shooting her a death glare.
"Get out." Mira snaps, readying a spell. "Get out NOW!"
Ice got up... but not to leave. Instead, she nipped at Mira's heels and darted behind her, legs positioned to run.
A blast of fire was directed at the Keeper, but it was random and chaotic... not at all like Mira's usually precise magic.
The pet quickly dodged, headbutting Mira down the stairs.
The fairy groaned. "Just go away, please. I'm not paying attention to you or your stupid pet." It's too hard hiding my emotion. Much too hard.
Gale rushed in and grabbed Ice, who growled in protest, stretching out a paw and swiping at Mira, "S-sorry."
"Can you just go now?" She begs, voice cracking slightly. "Please?"
He looked at the ground before turning to go again, but Ice wormed out of the fairy's grasp and launched herself at Mira, the two falling to the ground.
For some reason, she just starts crying right there. Frustration, anger, sorrow, regret, lost hope... they all combine into endless tears. "Get off of me and GET OUT!"
That's when she catches it.
Ice has purple eyes.
The Keeper slowly got off, tail flicking ever so often, and nudged Mira pointedly.
The girl shakes her head to be rid of the idea that had begun to form in her head, then muttered, "What? Can't you go away?"
Ice lets out what could only be a huff of annoyance before trotting over to Gale and headbutting him forward - towards her.
He stumbled momentarily, tail lashing to give him balance as he mumbled, "What's up with you today?"
"Nothing. I'm... fine."
Nobody believed the words, not even her.
"If you were okay, Ice wouldn't be acting like this."
"Just leave. Please."
He looked at her before turning to leave again, immediately being stopped by Ice, who growled at him.
Behind them, Mira was still crying. "What's the matter with you? You've got your answer, now get on with life." She says between sobs, face turned away from him.
"Mira, I would leave, I really would, but..." He sighed, "Ice won't let me." With that, Ice had padded up to Mira, this time rubbing against her legs like a cat.
"What does it want?" She snaps. Behind her, the Keeper tenses at the use of pronouns. "What do you want? I know you want more than the answers I gave you." The girl continues. "That's the problem with you. You always want more. You don't know when to stop."
The Ivory fairy hugged his tail, looking at the ground, "I don't want anything..." Yet that wasn't the least bit true.
"Just tell me so I can get it over with. All I want right now is..."
She glances up at a window, at the several hundred-foot drop.
Gale fiddled with his tail nervously before muttering something unintelligible. Ice gave him a displeased stare, as if she wanted him to speak up.
"What? Tell me." Mira says harshly. She's sick of being helpless. Sick of not having answers. Sick of life.
He flinched at her tone, but answered, "I want... I want to be loved. I want to have a home. I want to spend a day without worrying about things I shouldn't have to worry about. I want to matter, to not just be some burden no one wants. Yet I know you can't give me that, I know you won't give me that. So I'm not asking you." He turned to go, "Come on Ice..."
He had his hand on the doorframe when she spoke.
"I want it to end."
The fairy turns.
"I caused so much pain. To you. To mother. To the baby bird you hold. I don't want to hurt anyone else anymore."
The words keep rushing.
'I want to be loved, but you yourself told me I don't deserve it. I want to have a home, but I've had to make it myself. I want time to reverse, to go back. But it can't. So I'm finding my own solution."
Mira looks out the window, down... down... down. "And you can try my solution as well."
Ice snuggled against the girl, trying to cheer her up.
At the doorway, Gale looked up at her, amber eyes somewhat dull, "I never said you don't deserve to be loved."
"You think it. And you have every right to." She murmurs, clutching the windowsill.
"No... I don't. I love you, even if you don't love me back - and it seems the same goes for Ice. What's the point of hating the only family I have? It's not going to change anything."
Those words. She never thought she'd hear them. I love you.
Three words can break a person.
"You love me?" Mira screams hysterically, tears running down her cheeks. "You can't! You shouldn't! And I don't want you to!"
Does she? The hatred her family supposedly felt for her was gone, and now... what?
As if the words he just said carried no meaning, he simply shrugged. "You've said it yourself, I'm too nice. Did you really think I wouldn't even to the least bit care about you? Doesn't matter if I shouldn't... there's no point in holding a grudge and wanting revenge - it won't fix anything, just make you feel worse. Even if you don't want me to... you can't change what goes on in my head."
"I can't do anything!" The girl snaps, picking up a rock and throwing it over the tower.
"Yes, you can. You built this tower, didn't you? You learned everything there is to know about magic, didn't you? I can't do anything like that. I can't even take care of myself..."
As he spoke, strange purple rocks jutted out from behind him, glowing slightly...
Mira's eyes widened and her body stiffened. "Yes you can, Gale. You can do a lot."
The boy, however, was unaware of the crystals entirely. "No, I can't. I'm... worthless..."
"You're stupid, but not worthless." Mira gaped, fists slowly curling as she watched the crystals grow. "Now stop that!"
He blinked, confused, "Stop what?"
"Those..." she swallows before saying the word. "Crystals!"
"What crystals?"
The Crystal Fairy groaned and buried her head in her hands. "Turn around."
He did, eyes widening exponentially at seeing the cluster of purple crystals. "I..."
"You don't realize what those are, do you?" Mira's tone is softer now... no, it's not softer. It's quieter. Like she's treading around a set trap as carefully as she can.
"You don't realize, do you?" She repeats, eyes glued to the crystals.
He shook his head solemnly in response, not having the slightest clue on what was going on. Ice, however, oddly enough, seemed to know all too well what was happening and had seated herself near the budding crystals, seeming to be inspecting them.
It takes a while for Mira to answer... this is the hardest thing she's ever done.
"Mother was a fairy. A Crystal Fairy. That's what I am. Well, I mean, half Crystal Fairy. The thing you just did... Crystal Magic. It's just..."
She tries to say more, but all she can do is look out the window.
It's quite the fall.
Ice had looked up at Mira, a perplexed expression written across her face.
"It's just what?" He asked quietly, in a state of disbelief.
"It's childhood."
The word isn't kind or loving. It's a time of joy that will never be replicated, a period of happiness that is gone forever.
Ice padded up to girl, rearing up onto her hind legs and bumping against Mira gently, trying to comfort the Crystal Fairy.
Gale however, looked more an more confused, "I... don't understand."
Mira scoffs, sounding for a second like the old her. "Of course you wouldn't. You're lucky."
"Lucky? How am I lucky? I wish I remembered-"
"Believe me, Gale. You don't."
Her voice is bittersweet, her eyes teary but somehow bright.
Silence ensues. But silence is powerful.
Violet eyes meet amber, each filled to the brim with emotion. Bursting with questions that don't have answers. Glowing with hope that seems pointless. Filled with tears that aren't allowed to fall.
But here, they do.
Ice sat down, purple gaze sweeping from Gale to Mira. She looked down at her paws, then back up at the crystals that poked out from the stone, and padded between the two children tail flicking for balance.
The Keeper sat down next to them, tail curled around her, before stretching out a single claw and tapping the crytals, unsure of herself.
"Your pet seems smart." Mira says, in an attempt to break the silence that she can't drown in anymore.
Her brother frowns. "Are you trying casual conversation?"
The fairy shrugs. "I don't know. I've never had it before. Never had friends."
"Me neither... besides pets, I mean."
While they spoke, Ice tapped the crystals again, nothing happening. She let out a little annoyed growl before swipping at them, more crystals of varying color bursting from the ground nearby. The Keeper beamed, then looked up at the siblings, whose mouthes were agape.
Mira managed one word. "Crystals..."
Ice, content that she snared their attention, tapped the crystals again, watching them fade and reform into three lettters; "m", "o", and one last "m".
Silence, while they let the words sink in...
And then Mira screamed, purple eyes meeting their match.
Gale frowned, "W-what..."
"MOM?!"
Ice padded up to Mira, managing something similar to a purr, whlst a certain Ivory Fairy just stood there, confused.
The fairy pushed the Keeper away. "No! You hate me!"
Ice simply darted under her arms and rubbed against her affectionately, carrying little regard for her statement.
More tears, bitter ones of disbelief as the girl shed the one thing she's always believed.
That her mother hated her. That she wanted to be avenged.
"Stop, please! Leave!" Mira cried. "Stop!"
But Ice kept gently nuzzling her, licking her face.
The girl pushed the Keeper aside and ran for the window, tears wetting the area where she stood.
Ice, having figured out what Mira was planning to do, dashed to block her path; but it wasn't Ice who stopped her.
The golden mist of a fey step drifted through the air as an Ivory Fairy stood, arms outstreached, infront of the window. "Mira, don't!"
"Go away, Gale!" She screeched, trying to push him aside. "I want it to end! Please!"
"Killing yourself won't fix anything!" He blinked, startled by the words that had come out of his mouth, but continued, "It'll only leave more problems in your wake. It won't end what you're running from - it'll just keep on happening. All you're going to get out of it is more pain before you die. You'll be leaving Grandoff alone, and I know you have a soft spot for him, regardless of what you say. And.... you'll be leaving me alone.... not that it matters anyway...." He sighed, saying one last thing, "Killing yourself is selfish, especially since you do matter to some people, but if you want to continue with that mindset of yours, go ahead." He waited a bit before stepping to the side, only to reveal Ice perched on windowsil, wings raised to block it off.
"I don't care if it's selfish! I don't care about anything!" Mira snapped, but she didn't jump yet. "And what does that thing think?" She gestured to Ice, her gaze filled with anger and desperation.
"Seeing how she slapped me until I had an ounce of common sense the last time I tried suicide, I'm assuming she's about to do the same to you." He mumbled in response.
"Well, I'll just jump before mo-before your pet tries anything again!"
At that, Ice lunged at her, knocking the Crystal Fairy to the ground. The Keeper sat down, tail curling and brushing Mira's nose, and stayed there, evidently not getting off until the girl returned to her senses.
It would be quite a while before she did.
Hours of crying, sobbing, screaming, flailing, begging. They never ceased, and to the Keeper and the boy, it was sheer torture. Watching Mira so helpless, so weak, so utterly broken.
Meanwhile, the baby Snoot sat on the cold stone floor, forgotten and overwhelmed by what was happening. It hopped over to Mira cautiously, eventually crawling ontop of her and staring right into her eyes, cocking it's head as if to say: "What's wrong?"
A hand knocks the baby bird away, Mira giving up on struggling and simply lying on the ground.
The Snoot squeaked as it fell, tumbling on the ground until it flooped onto its stomach, wings outstreached in all it's downy feathered glory. Gale bent down and gave it a little nugde, helping it back onto it's feet, and it immediately hopped back towards Mira, crawling on top of her again, and sitting down in front of Ice's paws.
"Can't you leave me alone?" Mira whispers to the air, voice hoarse and ragged.
In response, Gale sat next to her, one leg bent and the other stretched out, "I would, but can't."
She didn't seem aware of him, only continuing to whisper, "Please... just let me go... I'm sorry."
Each word takes something out of her, dissolving a clump of hatred and mistrust and hostility that she lived with for so long.
Ice continued staring at the girl, apparently waiting for her to continue. She nuzzled Mira while she wept, each tear being absorbed by the fur.
Eventually, she calms down, wrapping her arms around Ice's neck for support. She gets to her feet, then seems to come to and lets go. "Mother..."
Ice stood on her hind legs, the Snoot sitting on her shoulder, and affectionately nuzzled the girl. Gale however, watched the two with ever growing confusion.
"Gale, this is mother. At least, her reincarnation." Mira responds, smiling yet still crying.
A blank stare.
"Are you... sane?"
"Seriously. Ask her."
He arched an eyebrow, but awkwardly turned to Ice, "So... uh... Ice? Do you just happen to be my mother reincarnated?"
Ice trotted over to the crystals, tapping them again and forming a new word, "yes".
And he fainted.
"He's so dense." Mira said, but her voice was affectionate. "Oh, Gale..."
Ice stood over the unconcious fairy, concern briming in her violet gaze, before licking at his face until he stirred.
"Mother?"
The Keeper turns, staring at her with a gaze much too full of emotion for an animal's.
"Thank you."
She tilts her head as if to ask, "For what?"
"For helping Gale. For loving me. For protecting us, so long ago. For letting us meet."
The boy woke up, smiling ever so slightly. His eyes flickered between the Keeper and the fairy.
There was a second's pause while they smiled at each other, a family reunited.
Silently, wordlessly, they embraced.
Their fates really were intertwined.
Epilogue[]
A teenaged boy sat on cobblestone steps, an Acromi perched on his shoulder. His tail curled around to his side, flicking back and forth as he gazed foward with an expression of affection and amusement.
A tower loomed behind the gray-skinned boy, several flowers blooming in pots by the doorway and blossoming vines tumbling out the windows. To the boy's right were a set of red, blue, and gold robes - neatly folded and a letter resting on top of them. To his left lay a Keeper, alert and watching the scene playing out before her.
In the field in front of him was a young, blue-haired woman standing before the father of dragons. A smile was plastered across her face and her violet eyes twinkled with delight. She was speaking to a dark-skinned, purple-haired, boy, the two laughing and smiling.
The woman crossed over to her brother, hand in hand with the other boy. Their eyes met, and, after a quick assessment of the items next to him, they embraced. A Keeper watched them happily, before padding off with the gray-skinned fairy.
The woman grabbed the purple-haired boy's hand again and waved goodbye to her brother and mother, watching the two walk off in the sunset.
Joy at last.