Kayla's Wish Chapter IV: Kayla Meets Mutia

Torla gave Kayla a hand. "I know someone who makes good clothes. She also happens to be my sister. It'll only take a few minutes to get there."Kayla just stood there sheepishly. She didn't like being naked among strangers."Look, don't worry about being naked. A lot of us fairies don't wear much anyway."
As they walked Kayla looked around timidly. That was when she noticed what Torla meant. Many of them were wearing what looked like nightclothes, and some of them were almost transparent.
Moments later, they were at Torla's house, where she lived with her sister. A green-haired fairy greeted them.
"Mutia, this is our new houseguest."
Mutia waved hello.
"She also needs new clothes. She used to be human, but Titania took pity on her." Torla explained.
Mutia nodded and made gestures.
"What's all that about?" Kayla asked.
"She can't talk. And do you know why? Because your guardian, Selenia, took out her vocal cords when she caught Mutia spying. Now she only uses her hands to talk instead. SHe just said she'll start making your clothes." Torla said cruelly.
Mutia made more gestures." She doesn't deserve kindness, Mutia." said Torla. "For all we know, she maybe working for Selenia."
Kayla had had enough. "Stop that! Do you realize how she treats me? It's a wonder I'm still alive. She doesn't feed me. My clothes are rags. Frankly, I don't even know why she even took me in. Whatever plans she has for me, I want nothing to do with them."
Mutia began taking measurements.
"Sorry, but you're not going to get any sympathy out of me. As far as I'm concerned, you're the enemy."
"What can I do to make you change your mind?"
"For starters, you can get rid of that necklace."
"But that's my mother's soul. It's all I have of her."
"Exactly. You're not letting her rest. She deserves that, at least."
Kayla took off her necklace crossly. "Here. Happy now?"
Torla gave it back to her. "If you're really going to do this, We're going to have to do this publically. Your mother is too important. We'll do that later, maybe after Mutia gets your clothes ready."
Mutia nodded and left them alone. She went straight to work.

Chapter III: Kayla's Request

Queen Titania was alerted to Kayla's injury and came to help.
"So this is the child who was attacked by the zagool." She place a hand on the bite and wove a spell, counteracting the poison.
When she awakened, Kayla looked into Queen Titania's purple eves."What is your name, child?" asked the red-haired queen.
"Kayla." said Kayla weakly.
"May I see your necklace?"Kayla handed her the necklace.
As Titania held it, she felt a familiar aura.
"So you are my neice." Titania said. "This necklace holds the soul of my sister Varla. Varla fell in love with a human and that love must have created you. Did she give this to you before she died?"
"No. I got it from Selenia. I was wondering something. Golda told me you could make me a fairy. Would you?" she clapped her hands pleadingly.
"Kayla, are you truly sure you want to give up your humanity? Why do you wish to join us?"
"Because I am unloved. If I am one of your kind, perhaps you will love me."
"Child, I cannot give you your wish just because you want it. However, you did come all this way. I believe I can do something." She placed a hand on Kayla's forehead and recited a spell.
Kayla felt as though she was falling. Everything around her grew bigger. Then she felt as though her entire body had turned to ice. Sharp pains assaulted her back."What have you done?" she exclaimed. "It hurts!"
"Nothing is gained without suffering. It is time you learned that."
Moments later, the change was complete. Kayla walked over to a mirror and looked at her new wings in awe. They were a deep turquoise. She tried to see if she could move them. After a few seconds, she got one to twitch. She laughed, marvelling at the new gift.
Titania called for one of her guards, a female fairy named Tolka. A brown-haired fairy entered the room moments later.
"Tolka, I want you to take care of this child. She was once under Selenia's thumb and wishes to be one of us."
"Your highness, if that is true, then I must refuse. May I speak freely?"Titania nodded. Unlike Selenia, she welcomed differences of opinion, provided they were reasonably presented.
"Do we know anything about this child?" asked Tolka. "She lived with Selenia. You naively think she is to be trusted? Your highness, for all we know, she could be working for Selenia!"
Kayla started to object, but Titania shushed her.
"I understand." said the queen. "But we cannot know for certain where her loyalty lies unless we test it. Besides, she is not a full-fledged fairy yet."
"What do you mean?" Kayla asked crossly. "I have wings! I'm pretty sure I can even work them and fly!" She tried to do so but was unable to fully control her pattern. She eventually landed and realized it would be best to remain as calm and silent as possible.
"I purposely left the spell unfinished." Titania explained. "You look like us, true. But you possess no magic. I am testing you and if you pass, you will gain magic."
"And how can I pass?" Kayla asked.
"My people are brave, unselfish, and resilient. You must show that you possess all these qualities. But I will not be so heartless as to give you no one to protect you. That is why I chose you, Tolka."
Tolka shook her head. "I feel you are making a mistake, my queen. But I suppose I can fulfill your request. We won't know what Selenia is planning otherwise." She turned to Kayla."What is your name?" Tolka asked."Kayla."
"Well Kayla, I think you need some clothes, so that's what we'll do first. Your human ones are now obviously too big."

Kayla's Wish Chapter II: Kayla Finds the Green

Kayla only got one thing for her journey, other than the clothes on her back: a jeweled necklace. Inside it was all that remained of her mother--her mother's own soul. She crossed the lake that surrounded the castle where she lived. She brushed her red hair from her face and smiled. She knew the fairies would accept her. Or at least she hoped.
She soon found herself in a forest. The treees were several feet taller than Kayla, making it difficult for her to see the sun. Not that she was looking for it. Instead, she was looking for a landmark Rela had told her of. She was to look for a circle of rainbow-petaled flowers and mushrooms.
"There they are!" she exclaimed. Then she closed her eyes and recited an incantation Rela had taught her. The air became mist.
"Human, how do you know of those words?" said a voice. A golden orb circled her.
"A fairy named Rela taught it to me." Kayla explained."Rela? You know Rela?" the fairy asked. "Oh, wait, my manners have come back. My name is Golda. And what is your name?"
"Kayla." she answered.
"Tell me, Kayla, what is your business here."
"For as long as I can remember, I have lived under Selenia's thumb. I ran away."
"Selenia? The witch? We fairies know her all to well. She was once among our kind." The fairy moved in for a closer look. "Wait a moment! Your eyes--they're purple! I must report you to the queen at once!" the fairy motioned for her to follow.
"Why are my eyes so important?"
"Only fairies have purple eyes. There is only one way you can have those. You must have fairy blood somewhere.""I was never told anything about that."
"Apparently, Selenia has told you little of your heritage."
"She doesn't even love me. That's the reason I've escaped. Rela told me you could make me one of you."
"Well, I don't have that ability, but I guess our queen could."Unbeknowst to Kayla and Golda, they were being watched by Selenia, using a magical pool.
"She is foolish enough to think she will not be watched." Selenia thought. "She doesn't realize that her departure was actually a part of my plan." She clapped her hands and a giant, doglike monster called a zagool appeared.
"What do you wish, my mistress?" it asked.
"Our plan is ready." said Selenia.
Moments later, a giant, dog-like monster spotted Kayla.
"What does that thing want with you?" asked Golda as he unsheathed his sword and began fighting the monster. The monster turned to face Golda and was momentarily distracted.
"I don't know. I know it works with Selenia, but it's never bothered me before."
The monster leapt onto her and bit her neck. She screamed as the world blurred around her and she fell unconscious.
Golda composed himself and readied an arrow on a spring-loaded crossbow he had on his arm. He fired at the zagool and knocked it out.
A guard came to help.
"About time you showed up." said Golda crossly.
"She could still be alive. I think the Queen could help her. She knows how to handle zagool bites."
The guard nodded and brought her to a guest room in the castle.

Kayla's Wish Chapter 1: Kayla's Decision

Kayla saw a flickering light outside her barred window."You won't believe how troublesome this was!" a voice said.
The light passed between the bars and grew bigger, materializing into a butterfly-winged human about the size of an infant. The room didn't have much else, just four walls, and a bed.
"I'm too hungry to care." said Kayla. "If that witch had her way, I'd probably eat once a month if I was lucky. I'm grateful to you, Rela, believe me."
"I know, little one." The fairy nodded and reached into a pocket. He pulled out a plate the size of a dime and waved at it while reciting a spell. The plate grew to the size of a dinner plate.
"Well, there's your meal." he said.
But Rela had been spotted. Moments after Kayla had finished eating, someone knocked on her door.
Rela disappeared for safety, as fairies often kept their existence a secret in the human world. Kayla was a special case.
Kayla opened the door and a black-haired woman entered."I know that fairy is here." said the woman. "I can sense his presence."
The light re-appeared. Rela materialized himself. "I don't understand. I thought they took away your magic."
"Oh, funny thing about that." said the woman. "I eventually found a way to get rid of those magic-sapping bracelets. I've even managed to get some of my magic back, although not enough to return me to my original state. In fact, I could use some of your magic." She smiled maliciously and recited a spell.
Rela felt weak and fell to the ground."No! Don't kill him!" Kayla pleaded."It's too late. I'm going to enjoy draining his magic from his soul." said the woman."Selenia...you will pay..." Rela gasped.
"I hate you!" Kayla exclaimed. "I'm going to run away and live with the fairies! Rela was going to take me anyway."
"Oh child, do you really think they'll accept you?" Selenia laughed.
"Rela has. He doesn't care that you are my stepmother."
"One mind doesn't matter as much as many." Selenia pointed out. Then she thought for a moment. "Oh, I don't care if you do leave. Go ahead."Kayla was surprised. A smile appeared on her face.
"But you can't take Rela with you. I haven't used his magic yet."
"NO!"
"Child, there is nothing you can do. You humans have no magic. So you see, it's futile. They won't believe you. And Rela will die, so I win either way. So go, I don't care."

Kayla's Wish Prologue

It was an event few would forget. Selenia had murdered many fairies in an attempt to gain their souls and increase her own magical abilities by drawing energy from them. She was not good at covering her own tracks, and eventually was caught.
The accused fairy was brought before Queen Titania. Her violet eyes shone with defiance."Selenia, you have been accused of treason and murder. You have killed three fairies, including my husband and my sister." said the queen.
Selenia spat on the ground. "I should be queen. That is part of the reason I did what I did. Your sister and your husband got in my way. Be glad I at least spared your neice. But you'll have that unfortunate stain of her birth still on your family. She is half-human, after all."
"Your acceptance of your guilt will not make this easier." Titania said.
"I was not expecting it to. Can we just skip to the part where you tell me my punishment?" Selenia blew a tuft of her black hair from her face.
Titania nodded to two guards. "Very well." The guards fitted Selenia's arm with cuffs that had a spell cast on them that resisted magic. She would still be able to move, but unable to cast spells without removing them first. They then forced a foul-smelling liquid down her throat.
"Selenia, when you approached the Age of Turning, you were given a potion that stopped your aging. Did you not think we had an antidote?" Titania said.
Selenia swallowed the potion with no resistance."You now have only forty years to live. Now, for the second part of your punishment, you will be forced to wear those restraints for the remainder of your life. You will not have the pleasure of drawing magic from nature. Finally, you shall be exiled from our domain."Selenia was led away, screaming insults and pleading for mercy.
"You've ruined your chances for that, I am afraid." Titania said sternly.
"You do realize she will be taking the child along." said a fairy named Golda. "I do not know what part that innocent child may be forced to play." said Titania. "We shall have to wait and see."

Dragon Children Chapter XIV: A Visit to Paradisia

(Note to Readers: As of next update, I will be taking a break from my updates. I need to get the creative juices flowing. In its place will be a whole new story. I might even alternate)
Pandora watched from her scrying pool as Sophia recounted her story of how Stephan had killed her husband and daughter.
"So, she still grieves for them." she thought. "This gives me an idea."

Drak approached Saiyune. "I have received a message from Pandora." he said. "We are to enter Paradisia."
"But I thought that it was impossible to enter Paradisia without dying." said Saiyune.
A goblet materialized before her. "Drink that." said Drak. "It will induce a state that is close to death. This will alleviate that."
Saiyune nodded and drank. Her heart quickened, then slowed until it almost stopped. She found herself in an arid, desert-like void. There were melting clocks on the landscape.
They soon came upon a green-haired and green-eyed girl wearing a white dress that came down to her ankles. She was quietly picking petals off a flower. The girl looked about ten years old.
"Who are you?" the girl asked.
"My name is Saiyune. Your mother has asked for you." Saiyune said.
"My mother? But she wants me to wait until her work is complete."
"She feels she needs you to help her." Saiyune explained.
"Then I shall help you. My name is Ariel, by the way."

****

Meanwhile, Jewel had grown hungry in her cell. She approached the cell door, which was guarded by a bat-winged demon.

"I'd like some food, please." she pleaded.

"Your mother has said you are not to be fed more than once a week." said the guard.

Suddenly, a dragon appeared at her window. It was Abdiel. He had a slain deer on his back.

"Your mother's spell did not work fully on me." said Abdiel. "I am working on an escape plan. In the meantime, eat this deer. You will need your strength."

The Dragon Children Chapter XIII: Ariel

Sophia was an apprentice to the Spirit Mage, Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a tall man with white hair and blue eyes. He was three years older than Sophia, who was in her twenties at the time. She had come here five years before with her dragon, Minerva. She was told by Iawia that she was to be taught by him. During that time, their relationship had blossomed into a closer one, more like lovers. She soon gave birth to a green-haired joyful girl named Ariel.
When Ariel turned seven years old, she was bonded to a White Dragon named Cirrus. Two years later, a young boy and his black dragon arrived at their doorstep. The boy's name was Stephan, and his dragon was named Kor.
"The dragon's voice is in my head and always makes me do bad things." Stephan explained. "Can you help me stop it?"
"The fact that you have come to me is proof that you have hope. " Ezekiel said.
For four years, Ezekiel was able to help Stephan suppress Kor's influence. Then Stephan met a beautiful woman with long, flowing red hair and green eyes. Her beauty bewitched Stephan and he fell in love with her. This woman was Pandora. In time, she was able to seize his will and became her servant. He no longer attempted to suppress Kor's influence. After that time he returned to Ezekiel and Sophia.
"I see the prodigal son has returned." said Ezekiel. "Have you turned from Pandora's influence?"
"No." said Stephan. He pointed at Stephan and drained his life energy from him within moments.
Ariel rushed to her father's side.
"What have you done to him?" she asked.
"You will join him, child. Don't fear." said Stephan. He killed her as well.
Sophia saw the whole thing, but was too stunned to act.
"Why are you doing this?" she tearfully asked.
"Pandora knows she cannot kill you yet. You cannot die until you have completed your mission. Pandora has sent me to convince you to reconsider."
"Do not let him convince you." said Minerva.
Sophia shook her head. "I will defy you and Pandora. I will make sure you pay, not just for my grief, but all the grief you have caused."