REWRITING
A cluster of spirits watched the living plane, each having different terms on the previous conversation.
The elements of Fire, Water, Earth, Storm, Ice, and even Astral and Shadow watched upon the situation as the island grew more and more drastically out of balance. Yet as darkness prevailed, none of them could resist glaring at Shadow.
The dark elemental's robes hung just over her feet, allowing her levitation to be noticeable. Her flowing hair dissipated into elemental energy at the tips, crystals decorating her robes and shining darkly with the element she imbued. Her purple gaze was unconcerned, horns elegantly laid back in a matter supporting her crown, the crown of eternity itself. She might as well be the queen of the other elementals, if it wasn't for Astral, of course.
"What? Did you really think I wasn't going to do this? Especially with that thing around?"
Astral scowled at being called a thing, but Water spoke before the created elemental. "Nice of you to admit it. You won't get a say on our new host then."
"Oh, I guess that's too bad since I already found a perfect one." Shadow wound a strand of her hair around her finger, mocking disappointment.
Fire glared. "Perfect one? For you maybe."
"So... you don't want a host who can see ghosts?"
Earth flicked a cat-like ear. "You expect us to believe-"
"And can already use four elements?"
Storm stared at her. "That sounds... too good to be true."
"But you'll all prefer a host like that, no?"
Astral sighed. "Well... yes. Yet why should we believe-"
The dark element smiled smugly. "It's called an Ivory sweetheart."
"Don't call me-"
"Oh, so you prefer 'thing'?"
"No."
"Well then, do you want to go with this... or some random poor fool who thinks they can be someone?"
Silence.
Finally, Ice spoke. "This better be worth it, Shadow."
The smile that crept across her face was unnerving. "Trust me, you won't be disappointed."
Prologue[]
A little boy sat on the forest floor, giggling as a white-furred mountain lion nuzzled him lovingly. The little boy was gray in skin tone, oversized white wings flopping onto the floor. The wings themselves had faint blue and gold edging, a thin creamy yellow tail curled around him, ending in a fork.
An Ivory Fairy, lucky enough to have a home, a family.
Tears streamed down a scratched-up cheek, mixing with beads of blood.
A woman with the same white hair as the mountain lion stared at the little boy coldly, white tail lashing angrily behind her.
“Get out, you fishna!”
The little fairy didn’t understand why she was angry, or why she was calling him fishna, a monster, “But Maymay-”
Instantly claws raked down his face, red beginning to fill the freshly cut wounds. Tears began to well as the boy fell to the ground, crying out in pain.
Not long after he was running, being driven off an angry white mountain lion that wanted nothing to do with him.
Loathed by his own mother.
The boy held back a sob, torn and tattered wings folded painfully against his back. He was tired, hurt, hungry - scarcely five years old and left to fend for himself.
Yet the worst part?
The worst part was that he had no one to love him, hug him, tell him it’ll be okay. No place to call home, no family to be with, no one to tell him he wasn’t worthless.
It wasn’t even the result of twisted cruel fate, but inexplicable hate.
A fire elemental watched silently, pity overwhelming it.
Silently, it left, the boy wandering through the woods.
Alone.
Chapter One[]
The limp form of the boy lay at the base of a tree, deprived of love and a home.
Bones were beginning to be countable, clothes stained and torn, and injuries scabbed over, threatening to reopen. His chest rose and fell with every breath, tormented sleep overcoming him.
All while a fiery elemental watched, twisted with pity.
The boy had done nothing to deserve this… but Shadow did.
Hair streaked with purple, dreams haunted by a certain dark element. The ghost of the fire elemental was observed unseen by the Ice Fairy standing next to him.
This happened nearly every night, Shadow torturing the child with nightmares of her own. All while his mother watched him, unable to do anything except wake him up.
Every morning, every waking, the boy never seemed to recall the dreams, or awake in time to see the fading purple hair turning white.
Yet, at one point, Shadow went too far. The nightmares were too traumatizing, to the point the boy’s mother had to try and wake him up… only for Shadow to take advantage of currently being in control, burning the Ice Fairy with Shadow Magic.
“Fishna… that doesn’t describe him… it describes Shadow,” the elemental whispered, unheard by all, “this was a mistake.”
A mistake that can never be undone.
Chapter Two[]
Eventually, he stirred.
His hair was now streaked purple, fading to a white as his eyes opened.
"Maymay?" Yet the instant he said it, the heat of pain rushed down his back, reminding him what had happened.
He was alone.
Truly alone.
Tears blurred his vision, the warm liquid streaming down his face. All he wanted was to be loved... and instead, he was broken.
Broken in a manner a dark elemental had planned.
Broken... so that love would be impossible.
Yet a small part of him still tried to.
He continued walking about, wandering aimlessly and trying to distract himself from the pain.
The pain of his wounds.
The pain of being thrown out.
The pain that his little heart carried way too young.
Yet the pain never stopped, only worsened as the days grew bitter.
Red, orange, and yellow leaves drifted past him, sailing to their destinations upon the leaf-littered floor. The branches rustled above, more leaves taking flight in a manner he couldn't do just yet... and might just never will. Soon, snow fell, glistening as it decorated the trees instead of leaves.
Now, the gray fairy trudged through the powdery white, hungry and cold but not caring anymore.
The snow continued to fall from the gray clouds above, the clouds soon drifting past, and the sun beginning to shine. In the frigid snow began to melt, plants began to grow anew, and a malnourished child slept in a cave by a thawing stream.
The days steadily became hotter, the little fairy a bit better fed but still concerningly thin. Walking aimlessly once again. He still didn't know where he was going, just walking to ignore the pain.
The leaves changed color again, being blown and buffed by the wind before landing atop the boy's head. He stopped, noticed, and plucked it out of his hair. He turned it over in his hand, disbelief in his gaze - it had been a whole year.
Not once did his mother come for him.
Not once did anyone help him.
He was to be forever alone.
Chapter Three[]
He sat under a tree, tears streaming down his face.
He promised himself he wouldn't care, but now here he was.
He hugged himself, trying to rid himself of the horrid dreams, pain, and heartbreak he's felt the past year.
But nothing ever helped him feel better.
"BOO!"
A shockingly high-pitch scream filled the forest, belonging to a very terrified five-year-old.
The owner of the voice flinched, hands clasping over their ears. That's when the boy realized what was wrong with them - they were translucent.
A ghost.
But ghosts aren't real... right?
"Who-who are you?" He stuttered, fear filling his amber eyes.
The ghost, having recovered from the screaming, shrugged, flame-like hair "burning", "I don't have a name. Besides Fire, that is. You?"
The boy looked at the floor, "I don't have one either..."
"Well, people must call you something."
He didn't answer, partially because of his overall shock, and partially because he didn't have an answer.
"Hmph. I guess I can call you Gale... you are a fairy after all. That alright with you?"
"Are you going to haunt me?" The fairy suddenly blurted in response, clearly terrified.
That earned him a laugh, "Not unless you want me to, I just want to be friends."
"Friends..."
He never had a friend before, the only other person he's ever been with was his mother... who now wanted nothing to do with him. A friend sounded... nice.
He wasn't sure why Fire wanted to be his friend, but...
"Yes, I'll like that."
The ghost smiled, and suddenly, the little fairy felt a lot less lonely.
Chapter Four[]
"So, what now?" The little boy hopped to another rock in a river, having been chatting with the ghost for a while now.
"You talk a lot, don't you?"
"Well..." he stopped, balancing on a stone at the center of the river, "It distracts me."
Fire looked at him inquisitively, "Distracts you from what, exactly?"
Gale looked at the ground, not answering immediately. Slowly, but surely, he answered, "Has anyone... well when you were alive... has anyone you loved hurt you really badly?"
"Yes... and I knew a few someones who went through that. Did it... happen to you?" The spirit already knew the answer to that question but decided not to mention it.
"...yes," he responded, tail lashing just above the water, "why does it hurt so bad?"
"Maybe... it's because you cared, you trusted, you had actually felt safe with them. Then they betray you, tossing you to the side like you're worthless, hurting you physically... or simply by their words or actions."
The two were silent for a while before the little fairy hopped to the next stone, continuing until he reached the other side of the flowing water. They continued on until the boy stopped.
Fire's orange gaze met amber, "Something wrong?"
The child bent down and picked up a little book, dusting it off, "Just wondering what this is."
The ghost peeked over his shoulder, letting off an odd warmth, "Oh, that's a spellbook."
"A what now?"
"A book that helps you learn magic," he put a pinkish finger on the cover as he read it, "specifically, Astral Magic. You're pretty lucky to find it."
The little boy looked at the book in his hands before frowning, "But... how is it lucky if I can't read it?"
The spirit blinked in surprise, "You don't know how to read yet?"
"No... my mom never taught me." His voice was more of a whisper, gaze cloudy.
Fire softened his voice, trying to sound as gentle as he could manage, "It's okay. I can read it to you... or better yet, I can teach you how."
"You would really do that?"
"Of course!" The ghost's attempted gentleness was quickly lost, "What are friends for?"
The fairy smiled a small little smile, gazing back at the cover.
Maybe this wasn't too bad after all.
Chapter Five[]
The little boy sat in a tree, reading the book. A few branches above was Fire, helping him figure things out as needed.
A while ago, "Gale" had returned to this part of the forest - where his home used to be. The snows of Shiverchill were visible from the forest canopy, reminding him of his mother...
He pushed away those thoughts. If his family didn't want him, so be it.
Footsteps sounded below, but the fairy ignored them, his unusually gray skin tone making him hard to spot. None of them will see him, so they were irrelevant. Yet he couldn't help but eavesdrop.
"Where to now?"
"Ada, I haven't been here in years, it'll take me a minute to remember."
"I still can't believe Austen..."
"Me neither, it doesn't seem like him to get himself killed like that."
Gale slowly lowered his book, names beginning to sound familiar. Even Fire directed their attention towards them.
Ada? That's the Ice Warden, right? What's she doing here? And who's Austen? Thoughts swarmed his mind, interest beginning to pique.
"I think his house is this way - that is, if it's still standing." His heart nearly stopped. A green hand pointed in the direction where his home used to be.
"Are you sure anyone's going to be there?"
"Well, Hilda says he mentioned a son, and logically this is the first place to check."
"Imagine growing up, not seeing your father for anything... I never realized how time-consuming the position of Academy Keeper was."
"Not time-consuming enough, seeing how he died."
His tail gripped the branch tightly, and if he had claws or nails, they've would've been sinking into the wood. Just then, the branch gave way and he crashed to the ground, his book bonking him on the head before bouncing to the ground. "OW!" The travelers, who proved to be Florian and Ada, were staring at him blankly, as they haven't gotten too far.
"...Never mind we found him." The Earth Fairy finally managed to say.
"Wait, she was actually serious about the gray thing?" Ada wondered aloud, retaining a blank expression.
The younger fairy looked between the two Wardens before chuckling nervously, a certain ghost making its way toward him. Why would the Wardens be looking for me?
Florian grimaced, not looking forward to this conversation, "I'm Florian, and this is Ada. I'm guessing you probably know that already."
The boy nodded, confirming that statement before daring to ask a question of his own, "How do you know me?"
"To be honest, we don't." Ada answered, "We were just told what you look like and that you exist, frankly."
"So why are you looking for me?"
"Well..."
The Earth Fairy spoke up, "The thing is, your father died a few days ago..."
Gale wasn't quite sure how to react. It's not as if he wasn't upset about it, but he never knew his father well and it didn't affect him as much as one expected. I'm guessing he must have been really important if the Wardens are here. Too important to visit me, I guess...
"Oh." He finally said out loud, not knowing what else to say.
Ada sighed, "It's a bit of an unspoken tradition for Starhearts to be Academy Keeper so... here we are I guess."
Starheart? So that's what my last name is? Thanks a lot, mom.
He looked between the two Wardens, "So you're saying, you want me, someone you barely know to go to the Academy?"
Florian shrugged in defeat, "Pretty much. Speaking of which, what even is your name?"
He glanced at Fire and shrugged, "Don't really have one, I just go by Gale." At that, both Wardens stared at him. Afraid he did something wrong, he intrigued, "...is something wrong?"
Silence, only silence.
Fire waved their hand in front of one Ada, but she didn't seem to be able to see them. The ghost harrumphed, and finally, Florian spoke.
"Well. It looks like things are going to be... interesting."
Chapter Six[]
The Academy was huge.
Huge.
And he was so small in comparison...
The little gray fairy contrasted drastically against the red carpet, decorated with gold and blue and continuing on up the stairs and to the second floor. Green fairy dust was scattered throughout the hall, supposedly being Florian's doing. Light shone through tall, elegant windows, light reflecting off particles of dust causing the air seems to glimmer. Potted plants were placed by the pillars, striking red and gold poinsettias in full bloom and perfectly round topiary bushes glowing in the light. A carefully made stain-glass window was above the wide-open wooden doors, the blue sky visible as a warm breeze drifted in and ruffled the boy's matt of platinum hair. The walls were a pastel yellow, the borders a soft blue, and patterned red carpeting lining it. The wooden floor was visible between the center carpet and the carpets lining the walls, the dark wooden floor reflecting light. Lanterns hung on the walls, candle flames flickering within the mithril cages. Banners representing the Astral Element hung on the wall, five gemstones placed upon pedestals just down the hall. The cut crystal pulsed, and from what he could see, there was a clear semi-circle of crystal set in the center of the stone.
The boy turned to face the wardens, who were talking amongst themselves, presumably about him. He a few words such as "His mother" and "Austen wouldn't" but couldn't make out the rest, making what he heard pretty much useless. Fire was off exploring somewhere, a shrill scream informing the boy that the ghost was having a bit of fun.
It wasn't long until he heard footsteps behind him.
"Hey there, cutie."
He spun to face the voice, ears laid back and tail fur puffed instinctively.
The owner of the voice was a female wizard with brown hair, purple eyes, comfortable purple robes, and trying very hard not to laugh. "Didn't mean to scare you, what's your name?"
The boy was about to say that he didn't have one when he recalled how the wardens reacted. So instead he muttered, "I..."
"It's alright, you don't have to answer now, I need to go anyways," she adjusted her hat with a smile, "Well, see you around." She waved before dashing off, him turning to face the wardens again. They had just finished talking, Ada walking up to him first.
"Well, seems like you're staying, if you want."
The gray fairy looked off to the side, silent. Part of him was glad for any home but... he wanted to be with his mother, but she didn't want him anymore...
He sighed and looked up at the yeti, "Yes, I'll like that."
"Alright-"
"But I have a question."
She arched an eyebrow but replied, "Go ahead."
"Who's the wizard in purple?"
"Who?" The Ice Warden stared blankly, her hare cocking its head in confuzzlement from its perch.
"She has brown hair and purple eyes...?"
"I have no idea who you're talking about, sorry."
Then who...
Only one day in a new place and there were already secrets.
And there were going to be many more.
Chapter Seven[]
The boy struggled to keep up with Florian, the older fairy clearly impatient to do something, but couldn't because of him. Soon the Earth Fairy flew behind a pillar and opened a door, watching as the Ivory walked in.
The Earth Warden followed, telling the boy to stay put as he went to look for someone. The little fairy glanced around, having nothing else to do.
The room seemed to be some sort of a common room, a warm fireplace off to the corner, flames flickering and sparks letting off a glow before they faded and fell harmlessly on the stone hearth. The dark wooden floor had a rug stretched over it, perfectly centered in the room. The rug itself had a complex patterning of gold, red, blue, green, black, and cyan - representing all the elements instead of just Astral, including, shockingly enough, Shadow. On top of the fireplace's mantle were multiple pictures of the Warden's families, each varying. One denoted slimes, another was of Florian and another fairy, a group of yetis and a single sleepy-looking Ice Fairy, wizards with both a merling and half-merling, and a few more. There was a large window complete with a window seat, pillows with ice patterning tossed against a wall, and a fluffy blue blanket stretched out, a single book atop of it as if someone had been interrupted in the midst of a read. At the back of the room were bookshelves, vines tumbling from a potted plant on the left side, and potion ingredients neatly sorted amongst the books. A few doorways were about, leading to bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, and a kitchen - clearly, the wardens didn't just work at the Academy, they lived here.
Finally, Florian walked out of a room followed by a yellow-eyed wizard with dirty-blonde hair. The instant they saw him their cheeks were tickled pink, the wizard avoiding his gaze.
Meanwhile, the Earth Fairy boredly got to the introductions, "Abner, this is Gale Starheart. Gale, this is Abner Herolight." Abner waved shyly, still quite pink. Florian continued, "Abner will show you around and tell you what to do, in the meantime, I have my own matters to attend to." He promptly flew off, leaving the two children alone.
The wizard looked at him, still pink as a shrimp-fed flamingo, scarcely managing the next few words, "Um... h-hi?"
The fairy waved in response, not feeling like talking.
"So uh..." he awkwardly tugged his short collar, "You're Academy Keeper now, right?"
The fairy shrugged in response, still disinterested.
"Are you... mute-"
"No."
The wizard nearly jumped out of surprise, staring at him intensely, "Your accent-"
He cocked his head curiously, "What about it?"
"You sound like... never mind," Abner shook his head, immediately added, "Austen talked the same way, guess you must have picked it up from him."
The Ivory Fairy immediately stared at the ground, falling silent, "I never... met him."
"Okay then this is weird," he ungainly glanced off to the side, "forget I said anything."
They stood there, feet shuffling and side glancing until Abner broke the silence, "I should probably show you around now."
The gawky teen opened the door, rushing out with the Ivory Fairy back into the Great Hall.
Things were going to be... interesting.
Chapter Eight[]
The Ivory Fairy sat on the window seat, back in the private common room. He tentatively nibbled a Croissant as he watched Abner search through books, trying to find something that explained the spells an Academy Keeper had to cast. Meanwhile, Fire had returned, the boy gazing out the window as the ghost sat next to him.
The minute the wizard realized the fairy was staring at him, he turned very, very, very pink, bonking his head on the shelf as he clumsily stood up, by sheer chance the book he was looking for falling off the shelf. Abner chuckled nervously before swiping the book off the floor, walking it over, and holding it out to him, the fairy accepting it cautiously.
Abner rubbed the back of his neck, glancing off to the side, "Well uh, I better be going, if you need anything else, go to the Archives - there's bound to be something in there. You have the map I gave you, right?"
In response, Gale held up the paper, where a map had been inked out, "Yes."
"Alright, I'll better be going then." The wizard backed away before rushing out the door, red from embarrassment.
Meanwhile, the fairy looked down at the map, frowning at reading a location that had been messily erased. He struggled to read it out, the letters ever so faint, but managed to read the words, "Hilda's Room."
Who's... Hilda?
The fairy hesitated, running a finger over the area just around it. The Archives.
But what was strange was that the Archives was just a huge mark, no distinct walls, rooms, hallways, nothing.
Why?
Gale frowned, glancing out the door. Hilda… who - and what - was she?
There were too many questions swirling about in his mind, too many unanswered mysteries.
He fingered the worn-down book next to him, exhaling deeply before getting up, tail lashing behind him.
He was going to figure this out.
Chapter Nine[]
The little boy clambered down the stairs, his gaze met with a labyrinth of shelves.
His amber eyes widened exponentially. He had never seen so many books, so many shelves, so many, just so many…
The thick, golden patterned, and by most luxurious dark blue carpet sank into his feet, placed sporadically on the elegant dark wooden floor, adding a sense of elegance. The smooth, polished gray granite walls and columns made the room feel rather regal. Lamps were suspended on the walls, producing a faint yellow glow that filled most of the space that provided ample light for any readers - yet a few parts of the room were still shrouded in darkness. The endless bookshelves were lined up in an orderly manner, though a few students had left a bit of mess. Spare stacks of books littered the ground, school supplies scattered about as well. A few pages were lying on the ground, a couple of students picking them up for unknown reasons. Tiny green glow worms and scholarly book worms occasionally popped their heads out of books before diving back in. The smell of parchment, ink, and mustiness was enticing, only strengthening the atmosphere of class, richness, and a hint of mystery.
And he was only one room in.
The fairy found himself wandering about, not sure where he was going exactly but knowing he had to keep wandering.
A laugh interrupted his wandering.
”You’re gonna get lost, little guy.”
It was the same voice he’d heard earlier.
Gale turned. “What do you mean? The door’s right over…”
His voice faded when the doorway where he had just come from was nothing more than solid granite.
Panic was beginning to well up inside him, along with curiosity.
”Did the door just… move…”
The woman nodded, twirling an item Gale didn’t see her with earlier - a purple stick with a purple flower on the end, delicately encased in gray crystal.
”Wow… I guess you really like purple,” he muttered, unsure of what to say.
She laughed again. “What’s your name?”
”Gale, that’s what they call me.”
“Gale what?”
”Gale… Starheart.”
The words felt strange on his lips, unfamiliar. He didn’t know a Gale Starheart. All he knew was a gray fairy with overly large wings. A fishna.
“Starheart? As in…”
He shuffled his feet uncomfortably, tail brushing the floor ever so often as it quivered back and forth.
The two were silent for a while before Gale spoke up. “So what’s your name?”
”Oh, but I think you already know it.”
”I don’t…”
Wait. That’s Hilda?
”You’re Hilda?”
”Bravo,” she said, smiling. It was rather like a grade school teacher helping out a child - though neither seemed to mind.
More silence, before Hilda spoke again. “You’re Austen’s son.”
Only shuffling answered her.
”I’ll take that as a yes.”
The little fairy had fallen quite silent, rubbing his arm and directing his gaze towards the floor. All these people seem to know his father, and identify him by his father, but he had never met him. "Austen" had never bothered to visit him, never seemed to matter enough that the boy hadn't even known he had a father. If he never seemed to matter to Austen... why should he share a name with him? Or for that matter, a family with him, since none of them seemed to care about him anymore...
”Well then, what are you doing here, Gale?”
”I… I don’t really know,” he murmured. “Just exploring the Academy, it’s my new home after all.”
The word home was strange, a distant memory that was on the edge of his mind, yet too vague to properly recall. How did he feel about having a home? He felt something, but what?
Hilda raised her eyebrows as if this news was mildly interesting but nothing special to her. “Hopefully you don’t get trapped.”
”What… what do you mean?”
She shrugged. “Just make sure you’re here because you want to be.”
”Do you want to be here?”
”It’s my job.”
Gale cocked his head. “That’s not really an answer.”
”I don’t need one.”
"Why not?" His tail curled slightly into a question mark shape, his confusion was suddenly more profound.
”I simply don’t need one, there’s no point,” she responded, turning to leave.
"But if you're going to tell me I should want to be here, how come you don’t want to be here yourself?"
”Complicated, Aust- I mean, Gale. I have to go now, there’s someone I want to talk to.”
The boy cringed slightly at hearing the half-said name but watched her go. Yet the second Hilda left, panic rose in his chest as he realized he didn't know the way out.
He rushed to the only door in the room, disappointed when it took him to an unfamiliar area.
The shelves were laid out differently, the trash about was different, and a huge owl was swooping around the room. He turned to go back, but the entrance he went through was gone. There were only two doorways this time, neither looking promising. The little fairy breathed deeply before dashing into the left, only meeting another row of shelves, this time set up like a maze.
Panic continued rising inside him, but he managed to take a deep breath.
How would he get out?
The sound of footsteps met his question.
”Gale?” A familiar voice asked, Florian walking into the room. “What are you doing here?”
”Um…” He glanced at the ground awkwardly, "I got... lost."
”But the Archives are literally a giant hole in the ground, how did you…”
A woman walked into the room, looking around until she noticed Florian and Gale.
Hilda held back a gasp, instead forcing a smile and waving, her and Florian’s cheeks vividly red.
”Oh! H-hello, Florian,” she stammered, studying the purple flower in her wand very closely.
The fairy seemed to have lost the ability to speak, stuttering out a few words. “Er… hello… H-Hilda…”
Gale felt rather like he was invading something personal, what with the way the two were gazing at each other, but he interrupted with a cough.
”Sorry, but, uh… could I get out of here?”
Florian seemed to snap to attention. “Oh. Um, right. Sure…”
Chapter Ten[]
“So what were you really doing back in the Archives?” the Earth Fairy asked, crossing his arms and raising his eyebrows as he looked down at the Ivory.
”Just wanted to see what was in there,” he responded, shuffling on his feet. It wasn’t a lie, just not the whole truth. “How do you know that lady anyway?”
It was Florian’s turn to awkwardly shift. “Um… it’s a bit… personal.”
”What is personal?” a yeti asked, staring the two down.
”Oh, hello, Ada,” he said quickly, rushing to explain. “I was just telling Gale not to examine my personal things, he was getting curious.”
Ada raised an eyebrow, staring her colleague down. After a five-second staring contest, she sighed. “Fine, where’s Abner? He’s supposed to be watching Gale.”
Her question was answered by a Mystile, Mystember, Mysty, Mysticle, Mystyyk, Inferneigh, Charfoal, Pyromane, Blizzhared, Brumble, Acromi, and an assortment of other creatures stampeding down the great hall past them, being chased by a furious blond-haired wizard wielding a bow, a collection of students watching wide-eyed from where the pets presumably came from.
"What in the name of-"
Some very interesting phrases being angrily exclaimed by Abner, along the lines of, "-ASTRAL BLASTED, SHADOW CURSED SPAWN OF THE OLD ONE, I SWEAR TO GOD," before multiple arrows were shot in rapid succession, binding multiple of the pets in ropes of Astral as the Astral Keeper made his way to the front of the hall, all while avoiding being trampled himself, cutting off the pets as an abrupt barrier of Astral energy kept them from going farther.
The wizard continued to grumble in his very unique form of swearing, punctuating it with, "I am not paid enough."
A gray and blue icy gargoyle sprinted out from one of the classrooms, helping Abner herd the pets back to where they were kept.
Ada arched an eyebrow before stating, "Well that answers that question. I guess Abner's a bit too busy at the moment..." She shot Florian a look, "Seems like you'll be doing it."
The Earth Fairy sighed long and hard before gesturing for Gale to follow. “I should show you the towers.”
The little fairy struggled to follow, having to pause to regain his balance ever so often while Florian was able to keep going. Eventually, the two fairies reached the Astral Tower, adorned with stars on its outer blue walls and the doors made of blue and yellow crystal, resembling a Falling Star Smash striking the red and blue carpeted floor. Gold pillars and two topiary trees sided the door frame, and the base of the tower was bordered in gold. As the two walked past the carpet at the very entrance of the tower, one could see a familiar detailedly embroidered star on it.
They headed around the tower and into a public common room, five entrances and benches placed to represent the elements of Earth, Water, Storm, Ice, and Fire.
A couple of the students passing by blanched when noticing Gale’s gray skin tone, making the fairy flinch and pull away from Florian.
”Hey, it’s okay, Gale. People got surprised when they saw this, too,” the Earth Warden reassured him, pointing to his own green skin.
“But you’re not a fishna,” he whispered, which went unheard. Instead, he said, “Well, it’s fine… what are we doing here, anyway?”
"Abner isn't the only one who has work to do," Florian answered, steering towards the Earth Tower.
“Wait - do I have to go to… class… with you?”
The fairy shrugged. “What else is there to do?”
Gale clutched his tail as the entered the tower, twisting it nervously, "B-but..."
"I can't leave you alone, and you're going to have to go to class eventually."
The Ivory let out a sigh before following, clearly not looking forward to this.
Dozens of eyes immediately met his, each one filled with confusion, anger, hatred, judgment…
And not a single look of trust, care, or love.
The little fairy shrunk behind Florian, wanting to disappear. Yet he couldn't.
The Earth Warden stepped in front of him, posture guarded and expression stern. “Please, don’t stare.”
The sternness crumbled and melted back into a lighthearted smirk, him saying, “Or do you want some more detention slips?”
Instantly, all the students looked the other way, still sneaking glances but avoiding making eye contact for more than a few seconds. Florian had the younger fairy sit in the corner as he taught, Gale mostly glancing out the window for most of the class unless the Earth Warden asked him to run an errand.
Through the slightly fogged glass, the fairy watched the movements of the entire island - at least what he could see of it. Wizards milled about, monsters scampered through the woods, and fairies fluttered around what was visible of Firefly Forest. His gaze was soon directed toward Shiverchill Mountain. The Ivory could only see a bit of it from this window, but as he looked at the spot where his home would've been if it were not for the Silvian Forest's illusions, he couldn't help but feel a pang of homesickness.
Yet he couldn't go back.
He could never go back.
Self-consciously, he rubbed his cheek where his mother had clawed him the last time he saw her. The wound had healed over a long time ago, but the trauma it left hadn't. Not once did he dare return home, and an overwhelming sense of regret washed over him.
The little fairy dismissed his thoughts, glancing up at Floran - who was dismissing the class.
This was his home now, whether he liked it or not.
It's the only home he'll ever have...
Chapter Eleven[]
Abner met the young fairy’s eyes for a split second, blushing and quickly looking away. Gale, however, was far too busy absorbing himself in a book to tune out the world.
It was only when a small Ice Fairy cleared her throat did he look up, his amber eyes meeting icy blue.
”You’re in my spot,” the fairy said, raising an eyebrow as she fiddled with a purple heart tied to the end of her long Lunar Staff.
Her pale blue and clearly very fluffy tail flicked with annoyance, her gaze cold and mildly frustrated.
The Ivory managed a few words. “I… okay…”
”Nuh-uh,” Abner interrupted, getting to his feet. “Let him sit there, he was there first anyway.”
The younger fairy sighed. “Fine. Oh, and…”
She noticed the book in Gale’s hands, frowning and muttering, “Hmph, bad taste as well.”
”Get out,” the Astral wizard snapped, for some reason glaring at her with more anger than normal.
”Geez, fine.” The Ice Fairy walked to the other side of the room, tugging Ada's arm, the Ice Warden briefly talking to her before looking up at the two Keepers with an arched eyebrow.
Coincidentally, Abner happened to notice a certain photo on the nearby hearth. Pseudo swearing profoundly, he running out of the room before Ada could even finish walking over.
The yeti laughed lightly before glancing at Gale, "Let me guess, Abner was putting up a fight without checking who he was talking to?"
A nod, the Ivory Fairy mildly confused.
"You know, when he started working here he once told off Florian before realizing he was Earth Warden. I had never seen Florian's look so sorry. Ah, I'm probably boring you, anyhow too late to talk to Abner now - that solves one problem."
Gale went back to his book, but when Ada still didn’t leave, the fairy finally looking up and sighing, “What?”
”Academy Keepers have jobs to do, you know.”
He frowned. “Like… what? I’m too young to… to file papers or something, I’ll need Fire’s help anyway.”
"Who- you know what, never mind," she sighed, "there's a spell the current Academy Keeper has to renew on a weekly basis. If not, I don't want to sound dramatic but, this whole place falls out of the sky at an at least a hundred mile descent, crashing into Lamplight Town, destroying it, killing half the island's population and the remaining pieces destroying the surrounding."
His eyes widened exponential, "Are you serious?"
"Unfortunately," she responded, "did Abner give you Austen's notebook?"
The fairy glanced at the worn book he had tucked in the corner. He hadn't read it yet, nor touched it since Abner gave it to him. After Fire read the title to him he generally felt unsure about it.
Gale glanced back at the yeti, breathing deeply, "Yes."
"Good, the spell should be on the ninth page. Best of luck."
Ada then walked off, talking to the Ice Fairy before leaving with her.
The common room door closed with a heavy thud, leaving him alone.
He then glanced at the little book again and grimly picked it up, a certain ghost peering over his shoulder.
"Looks like I'm learning something about my dad."
The words felt strange, foreign, but that didn't stop him from hesitantly opening it up, Austen's name signed in cursive on the first page. He turned the pages until he reached the ninth, Fire reading it aloud to him.
The fiery ghost skimmed the pages before speaking, "It says, To cast the elevation spell, first draw an outline of Astral Magic around the Academy."
"How am I supposed to do that?" Gale exclaimed as he glanced out the window. The Academy was huge, how could a little fairy like him do that in one day?
"I'm not done," Fire answered, pointing at the writing next to what he read, "I hit the end of a sentence, marked by the dot. You're supposed to stop and breathe so you can continue reading aloud."
"You're a ghost, you don't need to breathe."
"Yeah, but it also helps you understand what you're reading. Anyhow, let's continue." Fire traced his finger down the page, reviewing it before saying, "Note to self: You can do this by drawing a smaller outline in front of you and imagining a larger one outside, then manipulating this smaller one to manipulate the big one."
"Okay, that sounds doable," the fairy muttered, closing his eyes. He lifted his hand and pointed a finger, it being enveloped in yellow elemental energy while concentrating intensely. He shakily drew what he recalled the Academy looked like from outside, the lines wobbly but sufficient.
Fire inspected it carefully before saying, "Eh, it works. Look outside."
The Ivory opened one eye and glanced at the window, a yellow mist in the air around the building, "What's next?"
"There are three gestures that can be used to manipulate the outline(s). Thrusting your hand downward over the outline causes it to descend until you stop it, thrusting your hand upward causes it to ascend until you stop it, and moving your hand in a level manner as to shatter the outline causes it to stop. The last mentioned movement can be used for renewing the spell."
"Like this?" Gale asked as he ever so cautiously moved his hand through the image, shattering the element energy. Instantly, outside, the gold mist faded in unison to the movement, but nothing else happened.
"Supposedly," answered the ghost with a nod.
The fairy sighed in relief and placed the notebook in his lap, curiosity replacing his hesitance.
"Do you mind helping me read the rest of this?"
Fire smiled, "Of course."
Chapter Twelve[]
The very next day Gale tried his hand at the archives again, determined to figure out how to navigate it.
He rushed down the stairwell, slightly more confident then the last time, only to be thrown off by the scenery. The room he entered was completely different from last time, and there were two exits instead of one.
Then he heard flipping pages behind him, the woman - Hilda, he recalled - watching him with a look of concern and pity.
“Is this true?” she asked as she looked back down at a book, eyebrows knit.
“Wh-what’s true…?”
”Nothing. Of course it’s true. I don’t know why I asked…” Hilda said breathily, smiling slightly.
He gazed at her confusedly, wondering what she meant but not daring to ask.
”So… what are you doing here?”
"I'm trying to figure out my way around so I don't get lost again." He replied almost immediately.
She arched an eyebrow, "And how do you plan on doing that?"
"I don't know yet," he planned with a shrug, "I didn't really think this through, to be honest."
"So you're lost?"
"Well, the door is right-" At noticing her expression, he added, "The door is gone again... isn't it?"
”Yes, but I can get you out of here.”
”Can’t I stay a little longer? I just want to… I don’t know…”
”Maybe you should leave-“
"Why?" The little fairy was puzzled by her behavior. Looking around couldn't hurt... could it?
”I… maybe you can come later.”
His expression was unreadable, but he muttered a response regardless, "I guess..."
”Okay, goodbye!”
Hilda dashed off without another word, the door vanishing behind her, leaving Gale staring blankly at a wooden wall.
He sighed before eyeing the only open entrance, glancing back at the wall, then dashing through the doorway. If she was going to forget him, then she'd just have to deal with him running around a bit.
There was only one exit in this room, on the other end of a labyrinth of shelves.
He was about to step in, when a fairy coughed nervously.
“Gale?”
”Oh… hey, Florian.”
“Have you seen Hilda?”
The younger fairy blinked in surprise, but answered, "Um... yeah, not long ago. I don't know where she is now though."
”I’m hungry, aren’t you? C’mon, let’s go,” the Warden said hurriedly, not meeting Gale’s eyes.
The Ivory's amber eyes narrowed with suspicion. This was the second time an adult acted strangely around him and it was starting to bother him.
”Gale? Come on, you might get lost.”
He sighed. “Coming.”
The fairy could’ve sworn he saw a flash of purple behind him… and that Florian had noticed as well.
Chapter Thirteen[]
Two months.
Two months of being the happiest he’d ever been since that fateful day a year ago. Mornings with Florian, who was incredibly kind to him, noons with Fire, who was having his fun with the students the rest of the day, afternoons with Hilda, evenings reading in his little room. He loved every second of the day, cherished each sunrise which he woke to see, but most of all he loved the smell of old parchment in the Archives.
Whatever was going on with Florian and Hilda seemed to have passed, though they still exchanged glances every now and again, and Florian seemed to enjoy her company… though Gale couldn’t care less. Sitting with Hilda in a tiny room in the Archives, always the same one, talking and smiling and laughing and… hugging.
“So you miss your mother, Gale?” Hilda had asked. No word slips. No Austen. Just Gale.
”I…” the fairy curled into a ball, flicking his tail back and forth. “I would say yes, but I think being with you… helps.”
The woman laughed lightly, her dimple showing as she smiled. “It helps me too. I like not being lonely anymore, especially since Florian and I…”
She stopped herself, noticing Gale’s concern. “It’s nothing I can’t handle, alright?” Hilda said, smiling, but there was no dimple this time. “I promise.”
He glanced upwards, biting his lip and twisting his tail before saying quietly, “Fine.”
”Thank you, Gale,” she responded with a smile.
Before the fairy could respond, the woman had scooped him into a hug, the Ivory stiffening before slowly, ever so slowly, melting into it.
”What are you thanking me for?”
”Letting me handle myself. You’re still a kid, you don’t have to get involved, no matter what your other maymay put you through. Got it?”
Gale nodded slowly. “Can I stay here a bit longer?”
Hilda smiled, dimple deepening. “Of course.”
Chapter Fourteen[]
The next year became a schedule, back and forth. A happy one, yes, but the pure elation of his new mother dulled to become relief and joy.
It was autumn again, nearing winter, when Gale sat watching Florian teach his class, the students occasionally glancing behind their shoulders at him when they thought their teacher wasn’t looking. He pretended not to notice, simply drew little figures on the fogged glass.
A little smiling fairy clutched his mother’s hand, their father - who’s features were much more indistinct - standing behind them.
He wiped the image away, pressing his forehead against the cool glass. He could still see where his home stood, a few drops of water staining the glass… though it wasn’t raining.
The Ivory batted his tears away, slipping out of the room soundlessly once again, soon running into a flustered Hilda.
“Gale!”
”…what are you doing?”
”I-I-nothing. Nothing you need to bother with anyway,” she said, backing away with a hand pressed to her stomach, like she was sick.
“Are you okay?”
”Fine,” she said a bit impatiently, shooting a look behind her to glance at the Archives.
”What’s the matter?”
”Will you stop asking questions?” the Keeper snapped irritably. “It’s nothing, alright?”
Gale stepped back. “S-sorry.”
Hilda turned back, glancing at the Earth Tower, where Florian was still teaching. ”Bye.”
”Wait! What do you mean, ‘bye’? Answer my questions!”
”I-I can’t.”
"Why not?"
”It’s not the sort of thing you’ll want to know,” she responded, retreating with both hands around her stomach.
"But I don't even-" He huffed in frustration, his amber gaze pooling with confusion and annoyance. Why can't anyone be straight forward with him?
”I’m actually feeling a bit sick, maybe we can talk later.”
”Wait, don’t you want me to help you in the-“
Hilda dashed out of view.
The little fairy sighed. Great, more secrets. He stood there for a moment before dashing into the Archives, his growing dislike towards secrets getting the better of him. Hilda wouldn't mind if he helped her out a bit... and maybe he could figure something out about this mess of a place.
After entering the labyrinth, he checked under the stairwell for the full crate of his excuse - books. Yanking it out, he reviewed the spines of the books to see where they're supposed to go.
"Geography... Folklore... Mathematics... Is there anything that belongs in the restricted section?" The Ivory sorted the books into stacks, disappointment growing until he reached the last book in the crate, a dusty worn book. The spine of the book was worn to the point it was utterly illegible, it's faded red, gold, and blue cover having no text of any sort, simply the astral symbol at the center. On the side was an intriguing lock, making it evident that it definitely belonged in the restricted section.
Looks like he'll be paying Hilda a visit.
Gale got to his feet, tucking the book under his arm and shoving the books back under the stairwell just before it vanished along with the exit. He turned to the open doorway and darted through, turning left then right four or so times until he entered a dimly lit section of the archives.
At the end of the rows of books was a rather elegant door - near always locked - which marked the entrance to Hilda's room. He made his way to the door, still clutching the book for when she asked what he was doing here, and knocked. Despite being able to hear quite shuffling on the other side, the door did not open. Stubbornly, the young fey decided to wait. Seconds became minutes, minutes became hours, and finally, Gale was forced to accept the fact she wouldn't open the door.
He was alone again.
Chapter Fifteen[]
Months later, the little fairy was struggling to carry a crate, his too big wings making it hard to balance. He still had another year to go in order to grow into them, but in the meantime they were a bit of an obstacle.
The crate was full of books to be returned to the archives, eager to get the job finished so he could say hello to Hilda at the end of it. The wizard hadn't been out in the archives as often and he was really beginning to worry a bit... and get a bit lonely.
He clambered down the stairs, half pulling, half carrying, the crate down the steps. He checked the map messily drawn on the palm of his hand before shoving the crate between two shelves, starting to put away the books.
It was a matter of time before he hear familiar footsteps, tail quivering excitedly as he checked behind the shelf, "Hi Hilda!"
The purple robed wizard jumped, startled. She then turned to face the little fairy, tiredness in her gaze, "Oh... hello Gale."
"Where have you been? You haven't visited me in ages."
"I've been a bit busy, still am actually, sorry Gale." She sighed before leaving, the fairy staring at the ground disappointedly.
The Ivory sighed before resuming shelving the books, only for his ears to prick at the sound of crying. He glanced at the crate and then up where the sound was coming from... then ran. He dashed past bookshelf after bookshelf, nearing where Hilda stayed.
Confusion plastered across his face, yet he peeked into the keyhole, trying to see if he could find out what was going on.
Inside the room, Hilda was shushing a baby wrapped in a blanket, glancing about nervously ever so often.
Outside, the fairy had slumped to the ground, visibly distressed.
Unbeknownst to him, a dark elemental nudged a group of thoughts together, the pieces clicking in a twisted way until one thing stood out from the rest.
Hilda had someone else to care for and didn't want him anymore - that's why she's been avoiding him.
It took every fiber of his being to keep him from bursting into tears, his poor little heart carrying more weight then it should.
All he wanted was love, and instead he was betrayed.
Go away, Fishna.