"Are you sure we can summon it, Firewings?" asked Deer-Runner anxiously, as she walked down the dirt path. Lush rainforests lined each side, with exotic flowers as large as trees swaying in the warm breeze.
"We better hope so. Otherwise that world is doomed." replied the tall, slender creature. Reflexively her iridescent red and orange wings tucked in, and her pale slender fingers ran through her thick red hair.
"It might be doomed anyway. The Huntress has never been reasonable, even at the best of times." reminded Deer-Runner as she twirled her black curls even tighter with her fawn-colored finger. The tips of her silvery white wings shivered.
Both girls were nervous. They had never left Fairyglade. And they had never openly questioned The Huntress. Nobody questioned The Huntress, Queen Of The Fairies.
"Deer-Runner, if we don't try, we know what's going to happen. She's going to purge Earth of every living thing. Then when her invisible subjects have finished their terrible work, she will bring in life from Fairyglade, Gnomevanden, Elfenvale, and her other favorite worlds."
"Would that really be a loss for us? I'm not interested in traveling, and until now you never mentioned wanting to go anywhere."
"This isn't about us. It's about doing what's right. She feels that one species has tainted the whole thing. She thinks even if she exterminates them, eventually the other life forms are doomed to follow their path. I think that they deserve a chance! The worst that they can do is kill each other off, right?"
"Why do you care so much, Firewings? We've never laid eyes on any of those creatures."
"I don't know... I guess because I wouldn't want anyone to do something like that to Fairyglade. Ah, there's The Chasm!" she said, referring to the massive crack in the ground. It was as large as an average sized city, and as black as Deer-Runner's hair.
"Let's get to it, before I lose my nerve." sighed Deer-Runner. She knew her friend was determined, so there was nothing for it except to try to keep her out of too much trouble.
"First we have to turn our backs. We can't watch, or nothing will happen. Then I have to play this miniature harp, it has cords made from the tail hairs of a unicorn who travels effortlessly between worlds." she said as she pulled out a little golden harp, with white strings. On top pranced a magnificent white unicorn, with a golden horn.
"You can play this." she said, handing Deer-Runner an intricately carved flute, which sparkled with all of the colors of the rainbow. The holes were surrounded by dragons so lifelike that they might have been alive.
"It's beautiful! What is it made of?" asked Deer-Runner, examining the instrument.
"It's the very tip of a dragon claw, whittled down and hollowed out. The dragon who donated it is very powerful in opening divides."
"Here's the music we have to play. The Huntress composed it herself to open The Golden Divide, which leads to Earth." Said Firewings, handing over a small sheet of paper.
The two girls played the soft, sweet melody. Had they been watching, they would have seen a golden glow in the middle of The Chasm, expanding ever outward in waves of golden light and energy. Closing their eyes, they turned towards the newly opened divide, and flew blindly over the massive hole.
When they felt a cold blast of air, they reflexively opened their eyes. In front of them was a lake that seemed to go on forever. Waves were crashing onto rocks with a mighty roar. The full moon lit the scene, casting a white hue. The Huntress stood on the biggest rock, surrounded by water. She was singing.
"Let's try to talk to her now, before it's too late." suggested Firewings. Not waiting for a reply, she flew low over the water. Some of the mist sprayed her face, and she licked her lips. Salt?!?!
Deer-Runner was right behind her, and soon both girls were standing beside the powerful Fairy. Firewings bowed low in front of her queen, and kissed the hem of her velvet soft cloak.
"Who do we have here?" asked The Huntress softly, looking down at Firewings.
"It's Firewings. I'm here to ask you to show mercy on the creatures of this world. Purge only those who are responsible for the destruction. Let the others have a chance."
"My child, the damage has already been done. All life here is tainted. Maybe it's my fault for not recognizing the problem sooner, but as you know, I never really spent much time here. I thought the strange behaviors were just a unique trait, until recently. Now the most merciful thing is to stop the madness before more can suffer."
"Are all creatures already infected?"
"To some degree, yes. Some more than others. That's why it's better to start fresh."
"I disagree! Let's purge the life forms responsible, and let the rest survive or not. At least give them a chance."
"Very well, Granddaughter. Because you have shown such skill and bravery, I will grant your request. However you and your friend must help me to purge Earth of this infestation."
She took a piece of paper out of her pocket, and swiftly wrote with an exquisite feather, colored every shade of blue in existence. Soon the three of them had formed a circle by holding hands. They sang, and the wind blew harder. The waves crashed over their feet.
Then everything went deathly still. The water was as smooth as glass. Then little black specks appeared everywhere, falling from the sky. They were no bigger than a thumbnail.
"What are they?" asked Deer-Runner. She picked one out of her hair, and examined it. It looked almost like a miniature vulture, but inside of its beak were needle sharp teeth. And instead of tail feathers it had a stinger. The ugly little creature was writhing in pain, until it eventually stopped moving. Seconds later, it disintegrated into a fine black dust.
"They are what caused the other creatures here to act unnaturally. They came from a divide so dark that it has been sealed off forever. But first we purged all life. Everything there could only be described as evil. Until recently I wasn't aware that anything from that world still existed."
"Now that they're dead, it's over?" asked Firewings hopefully.
"No. The taint will remain, that's why I was going to do a complete purge. The creatures here are dangerous, they kill each other. Some have even adapted physically to require flesh to survive. They can never be what you and I consider normal. But at least it won't get any worse now."
"Thank you for sparing them, my Queen. It's not their fault that they are like this." said Firewings, smiling.
"Our job here is finished, my child. It seems that you two are skilled in opening divides. You may open the way home."
Cover image is Original Fractal Artwork By Me, edited in gimp. Text added in Canva.
