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Isaac is lost in the crowd, not in a bad way as he smiles at spirits, hugs adorable sprites and play melodies and activities with fellow merry loving people. Common folks, barbarians, nobles, and high royals every class seems to be united in harmony with no injustice or hesitations with their hands holding for each other.
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No soldier guards alone as likeminded spirits are there to guard with them.
No prideful noble flaunts his wealth or command at his slaves because the sprites play with their fat bellies or ease them with massages.
No evil monster bares its fangs at the innocent because there are entities who loves to spar with them.
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Good and evil well-balanced under the peak sun and Isaac watch, wondering if this is how the Mægfæge will look like back at the Kinguin he knows… ”RIGHT!” He lost himself in the mood so much so that he forgot that he should find a way to get out.
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He looks around, wondering if Oby is still around and he sure is—being scolded by an old man who wears just like what the lord magister wears, purple robes with an open chest, as well as some wooden slippers. But the one scolding Oby does not wear a silver beaded necklace with the ruby heart.
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Next person to ask would be Amerie but she is still enjoying filling her belly with fruits and he does not want to disturb her. Haures is being flirted by both men, women, and nature’s people. Zephyr chases around a frightened tree that is running for its life. And Ipos is talking to a heard of talking sheep and mountain goats. Peacock flaunts his feathers and being used by a magician to grow big or shrink down to ant sized. The audience claps at the magic, truly impressive—WHICH ISAAC CAUGHT HIMSELF AGAINI IN THE MOOD. “GAaaah, I need to get out…we need to get out of here Isaac. There must be a way to get back…”
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“Are you alright?” Ms. Real comes up holding two coconut fruits—already chopped off for a spoon and straw to use. “Here, I brought you one.”
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“Ah…thank you Ms. Real” Isaac accepts her coconuts and both sit on a log where they can watch many of the activities flying through tent roofs, “Everyone is so happy” he says and he cannot help but smile himself as well.
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“Isaac, yes? What do you think of the Mægfæge? You have not told me since day 1” Sipping her coconut juice,
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Isaac sips from the coconut, savoring the sweet, refreshing taste. At the same time, confused by what Ms. Real mentioned. ‘Day 1?’ He decides to not think about it, "It's incredible, Ms. Real. I've never seen anything like it before. Everyone seems so... united, regardless of their background or status. It's like a dream come true."
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Ms. Real smiles, her eyes twinkling with joy. "That's the magic of the Mægfæge, Isaac. It brings out the best in everyone, allowing them to forget their differences and celebrate life together."
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As they watch the festivities unfold, Isaac cannot help but feel a twinge of unease. Legs and fingers wanting to scratch any surface as his eyes keeps glancing on Ms. Real. "Ms. Real, I was wondering..." Isaac start, but his words were cut short by a group of children.
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Led by a mischievous sprite, running past them, giggling and waving colorful streamers. The sprite notices Isaac and Ms. Real and flew over to them, hovering in front of their faces.
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"Come play with us!" the sprite chirp, its tiny voice filled with excitement. "We're going to have a treasure hunt!"
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Isaac hesitates, glancing at Ms. Real, who give him an encouraging nod. "Go on, Isaac. Enjoy the festival. There will be plenty of time for questions later."
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With a grin, Isaac set down his coconut and stand up. "Okay!” he says to the sprite, who let out a delighted squeal and zipped off, with Isaac and the children in tow.
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As they disappear into the crowd, Ms. Real watched them go, a knowing smile on her face. Then turn to her back whose ant size cannot help him hide from her purple gaze. “It is not good to eavesdrop” saying to no one but then Peacock grows back to his original size, apologizing for being nosy. “And who asked you to be one?”
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“No ONE! Ms. Real…” being overly polite and pecking in front of her.
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“I’ve heard of your kind before” She says, perking the Peacock, “It is true that you help the voiceless and messengers find a way to be heard. But sometimes, your ears become too curious and end up in trouble. And…it is strange for a legendary beast such as yourself to be so far from your valley. What made you go with Isaac?”
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“That…I cannot answer”
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“Oh?” Leaning close to the bird, “And why not? Why can’t you tell?”
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Feeling nervous by the proximity, Peacock decides to ask what Isaac could not, before wondering if she can tell her everything believing that Ms. Real is the same Real… His charlatan mouth tells the truth—EVERYTHING from how they got were in the mist up to the present. The pressure being with Ms. Real pushing his poor bird body to kneel before her, and he cannot help but tell her everything.
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“Is that everything?” Ms. Real ask, irises glowing sharp with purple at the poor Peacock who hides his face under his wings.
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“Y-Yes Ms. Real! W-we aren’t from here…”
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Ms. Real finishes her coconut, scraping every little flesh before glowing her eyes and refilling everything. She asks Peacock to call for Isaac as well as her siblings. Which the bird quickly flees in frantic flight. “Not from here huh…” Swiping the air before a black book materializes before her. She opens it, and inside are the unfamiliar entries of her siblings as well as hers. Their last entries being thirteen days after the May Spring. Taking out a pen and writing down the date of today, 14th of May and everything, living or non-living stops. She lifts the pen from the book and the entire scene remains the same but the hour is now dusk with the sun setting.
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Meanwhile, Isaac and Oby are sitting together around a crowded big campfire. Their eyes set on the clouds parting for the twinkling stars and Oby shakes Isaac awake, pointing at the stars and saying to look at the falling lights. Slowly, the reflection of the falling stars reflects on Isaac’s eyes and the boy smiles wide, showing the same excitement as the others.
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“Quick make a wish!” Oby says, wishing that he can become a magister sooner than later, and live long to see his future visions come true—that four princesses rule the same kingdom, saving a banshee, and staying strong for his son. All in a future that he does not know whether it will happen or not. But he shows a hopeful smile at the heavens, expectant and brave.
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And Isaac, feeling a bit dizzy and unfocused wishes on his own, “I wish…to go home.”
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Oby laughs after hearing Isaac’s wish which the boy also think it is absurd for him to make a wish like going home. They watch the stars. Twinkling high up in the clear night sky with some aurora dancing and falling stars, Quietly and solemnly at the beauty. Not just them, but also the nature’s people gazing longingly and reaching for the stars.
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Isaac sliding in his question, at the longing Oby, “So, you are an elf?”
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“Elf?” his ears twitching, “well I do not really know. Elves are said to have long ears, right? But I have never seen one before except myself.”
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“What? Then, how were you born?”
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“What exactly is that supposed to mean? I’m born in Cyndoryll, I think. Well, my first memories are of Cyndoryll so I am Hemrean…and maybe an elf!”
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The campfire's warm glow casts a soft light on their faces, illuminating their smiles and the curious glint in their eyes.
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“Is your home far away?” Oby asks, watching a hamster sprite running around with six flying ants
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Which Isaac responds as he looks up at the distant stars, “I’m not sure.”
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And they look at each other, one who asked about how elves are born and responded unsurely while the other ask how far away is his home and responded unsurely as well. Both are unsure with each other and they are unsure whether to continue talking about something.
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“Okay,” Oby says, “How did you meet with the beastlings?”
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“Beastlings?” Isaac asks and wonder, “Are those small beasts?”
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“No, no, not them. But Ms. Real’s siblings. I heard that they are hard to find or even talk with so it was surprising to see you be with them.” Isaac is too Hemrean to be someone who would be with the likes of the beastlings, “Did you help them or asked a favor or…”
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Isaac ponders on how he met with Ipos, Zephyr and Haures, all started because he was at the underground plateau, fell into the sewage pipes and woke up at the swamp. There, he ran around and unable to get out until he met Real and the rest of the children of the marsh. But they were not known for being Beastlings, and more of four lochnesses or simply the children of the marsh. “I helped them find their journals” He says, “I saw that it meant a lot to them and we went looking everywhere for it. Only to realize that Haures was holding onto a book with everyone’s journal entry the whole time.”
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“That…sounds like Haures, but are not journals separate for each one? Why is it in the book?”
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“I do not know...and we still do not know how the journals are suddenly placed on one book.”
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“Mmm, you must pretty be strong too if you were travelling with them. Say, can you show me a trick or two? Just for entertainment and prove yourself as well.”
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“What!? I do not really have a trick in my sleeve”
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“Oh, please do stop being humble, I am sure, that my tingling senses know that you have one!”
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“Uhm, okay?” Isaac stands, and faces his back to Oby and think about what he is going to show, which he really do not know anything other than a few silent words Ober taught him. “I will try to—PART THIS GREAT FLAME!”
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“Oooo, go on, me and looks like the others are interested as well.”
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Which they really are staring at Isaac, wondering how he can part a flame spirit. Even the flame spirit himself looks expectant and brighten its blaze. Embers fling around it, warm and scarily. Scary…Isaac feels it again, the strange power rising from his stomach up to his chest.
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“Hey, you alright? Your eyes are turning black,” One of the entities notices, intriguing the rest of the audience as well as bringing a smirk at the great flame spirit.
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In Isaac’s eyes, he can only see grey, hear himself, and a bit of an echo of his own thoughts, wondering what he can show off to everyone. Then, he opens his palm at the great flame spirit, uttering words which are silent from the ears of his audience. A colored form of a verdant bird is coming his way, giving him a confidence that he might be able to show something to them. Bending, and uttering more silent words--
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“ISAAC!” Peacock flies through the great flame spirit like a rising phoenix! His tail train wide open and parting the flame as well as taking some of its embers to his trail. An absolute sight! “WE’RE CAUGHT!”
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And seeing that it is Peacock, Isaac immediately got back to his senses and hugs the bird, “What’s wrong?”
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“I told her” He weeps, “I told everything!”
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But then the entire crowd around the campfire explode in a thundering applause and cheers. Even the sprites, and great spirits are impressed. With the humanoids and monsters clapping and murmuring about wanting to fight with the boy and his ability to summon. Which the excited talks about summoning being an extremely rare talent, almost legendary. “Woah!” Oby stands up in ovation, “That was amazing Isaac! You summoned Peacock!”
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“And proved to himself that he is a Beast tamer!” A drunk Princess Amerie joins in the cheers, “Wooooo! That boy is my friend!”
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And Isaac looks obviously flustered by the cheers as well as what Peacock talked about as he asks, “To who?”
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“Ms. Real” Sobbing, weeping, and wailing in a mess. Isaac decides to run away from the spotlight, leaving everyone bewildered as well as in hopeful wonder. Meanwhile Zephyr, Ipos and Haures are among the audience who heard what Peacock said and the three immediately follows the duo.
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“Ughh, I—I M-miss m-my legsss” Ipos starts crying as well while Haures pats the faun’s head
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“AUGHH shut it, I do not wish myself missing the past but I will admit that I miss it as well! About time we have to head to Real.”
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“?” Haures asks, “Didn’t we came just earlier this morning?”
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“Hello? Did a crab eat your brain? We obviously had stayed for more than 13 days already; it is the final hour of the Mægfæge”
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And Haures stops them both, seriously asking with a worried expression, “We came this morning.”
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“B-Bro…you l-look s-scary…please, I-I-I know w-e came b-but I-I miss the marsh and m-my legs.”
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“Yeah, does your muscles not miss the marsh too? It has been a whole fourteen days already since we came”
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“But…” Haures cannot seem to find the words, “We came today…”
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“You keep saying that because you have nothing else to say, okay? So what if we came today? Let us just head for Ms. Real and finally go home.”
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Haures grips tighten on both their shoulders, “No” he growls, “Not safe”
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“Ow, ow, please, what is not safe with Ms. Real!? This is preposterous of you! But also, kinda still you!”
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“Y-Yes Bro…a-ahh…d-don’t hurt us…” But Ipos sees that Haures does not wish to release them so the faun turns himself into stone and curls out and back from the earthen shell.
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“Ipos!” Haures shouts,
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“P—Please b-bro, you were h-hurting me.”
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“Yeah, I have a high pain tolerance than that goat but I must say this is going too far Brother.”
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“I am trying to protect” He says
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“From what?” Zephyr winces, finally feeling the grip before she too transforms into an empty shell of bark and reappears next to Ipos,
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“I—” His words fail him and his own thoughts betray for not being able to speak out more than he should. He cannot think, somehow, he cannot and his two siblings are going wary, suspecting him. Then, he thought about the book that he has, where everyone’s journel entries are written. Patting himself and clearly remembering that he had the book, he held it back at the marsh and all the way to the flash of light that transported them. Suddenly, he feels a sharp object pierced at the back of his side. Looking over his shoulder and he sees a familiar old man.
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“Oldie Go!” A grandmother approaches and gasps at the sight of his husband whose hands are on a knight that had stabbed through Haures.
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“Vermins!” Zephyr’s eyes glow green for vines to wrap around the old man’s legs, as well as the innocent old lady rooting them both to the ground before Ipos raises the mud up to their waist.
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“Stop it, you two…” Haures says, gritting his teeth while pulling out the knife, “This is nothing”
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And Oldie Go clicks his tongue yelling that he should have stayed dead so he can avenge his family. “You sent them all to their deaths at that valley, forcing people in when you knew it was impossible. But that boy and his bird from that very same place. They know a way to survive but you did nothing!”
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…
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“SAY SOMETHING YOU MONSTER!”
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“That truth” An echoic voice resounds from behind the siblings and they all turn for Ms. Real who carries the black book that Haures has his irises shrinking on. “That truth is not real,”
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