Chapter 3 | The Quest for Blue Fairy Hair and a Magical Mushroom
1791 Words
Phoenix’s POV
I let out a soft groan as Lisa rolled off me, and my body grumbled at the sudden movement. “Ugh,” I mumbled, getting up and dusting off the dirt clinging to my clothes. With a serious face, I said, “Hey, where’s the rush? Get it? ‘Cause we’re like—”
“I got it, seriously,” Lisa interrupted, her eyes rolling with a mix of annoyance and endearing frustration. Clearly, my attempt at being funny fell flat, and she wasn’t in the playful mood she usually was.
Suddenly, without warning, her entire attitude shifted. She erupted into screams, her voice cutting through the air as she danced around, as if struck by a sudden bolt of lightning. I was confused, watching her antics, my patience wearing thin as time dragged on. Annoyed, my foot began to tap on the ground.
Finally, just as suddenly as it started, her crazy performance stopped. She was out of breath but glowing with excitement. “The Super-Duper School of All Things Super-Duper has room for ten super-duper creatures!”
Her excitement was contagious, and before I knew it, I was swept up in a wild dance of celebration. Our shouts echoed around, like a crazy party that surely woke up even the sleepiest monsters. It was chaos, but it felt right, a fitting tribute to how awesome this moment was.
Suddenly, the fun got interrupted by my dad’s voice barging in. The change in mood was instant, the air feeling heavy as soon as he appeared.
“Um,” I stuttered, caught off guard and feeling a bit embarrassed under his gaze, “the school has openings for supernatural creatures, and we kinda wanna go.”
One eyebrow raised, my dad turned to Lisa, obviously wanting more info. “I didn’t start it,” she said quickly, holding up her hands in a ‘I’m innocent’ gesture.
Our excuses just hung there as my dad gave a firm “No.”
“Pretty please,” I begged, my voice a mix of wanting and desperation.
He stood his ground, not giving an inch. “No,” he repeated, sounding final.
But I wasn’t ready to give up. I kept going, pouring my heart out like a waterfall, my resolve unshaken even though he kept saying no.
Time ticked by, a stubborn back-and-forth. Finally, my frustration hit its peak, and I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Why can’t I go? I’m tired of hanging out in the underworld all the time, with no connection to the outside world or other cool magical creatures.”
My dad’s tone changed as he grasped how serious I was. “Lisa, could you give us a moment?” he asked gently. She nodded, her eyes reflecting both disappointment and empathy, and she walked away, leaving me to confront my father on my own.
He released a heavy sigh, folding his arms in a protective stance. “Listen, kiddo, I’ve gathered my fair share of foes over the years, and it’s just not safe for you to be roaming around.”
Desperation oozed from my voice as I begged, “I’ll be careful, I promise. All I want is the chance to check out the world and figure things out.”
His brow furrowed, fingers tapping on his hip. “But haven’t you already—”
A nervous chuckle escaped me, and I glanced away. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
He smirked, a mix of love and mischief in his eyes. “I mean those times you sneak out and somehow manage to sneak back in right before your training starts.”
I bit my lip, a nervous habit taking over as I thought about his words. “You knew?”
His expression softened, understanding and parent-like worry in his eyes. “Yeah, I’ve known for a while now. But even with that, my answer’s still no. Now get some rest. We’ll talk about this later.” He kissed my forehead gently before turning to leave. But my words stopped him.
“Mom would want me to do this,” I whispered, almost scared to say her name.
He sighed, his resolve wavering a bit at the mention of her. “You’re right. She would.”
Silence hung heavy, full of unsaid feelings. Then, like a soft breeze rustling through leaves, he spoke again, reluctantly giving in. “Okay.”
My eyes widened in shock. “What?”
He turned to meet my eyes, his gaze unwavering. “You can go.” he sighed.
A surge of excitement coursed me, and I to leap into the air, clapping my hands in delight. “Hold on,” he interjected, piercing my happiness like a precisely aimed arrow. “I’m not finished.”
I froze in mid-air, my anticipation written all over my face. Still smiling, my happiness unwavering, I waited for him to continue shaping my new adventure.
A mischievous grin played on his lips as he revealed his proposal. “You’re up for this adventure, but you gotta complete a little mission,” his voice carried a hint of amusement.
Deep inside, a sense of unease settled in my stomach, a gut feeling that accepting his terms might bring unexpected twists. Yet, I couldn’t help but say, “Sure, what’s the deal?”
His smirk grew wider at my eagerness. “Glad to see you excited,” he quipped.
Then came his next words, each one feeling heavier than the last, adding to my growing uncertainty. “I need you to get a strand of blue fairy hair.”
My initial excitement wavered, but I tried to hide my hesitation. “Doesn’t sound too bad,” I pondered, starting to turn away.
His interruption was sharp and direct. “Hold on, I’m not done.”
A groan escaped me, a mix of frustration and understanding that this task wouldn’t be a walk in the park.
His tone remained firm, showing the depth of his demands. “I also need a magical mushroom from the Witch Kingdom.”
I frowned, my brows knitting together. “Wait a minute. I thought you said one thing.”
A hint of impatience crossed his face. “I need it for a spell,” he snapped, urgency in his voice like an unspoken command. My confidence faltered under his pressure, and I raised my hands in defeat, my earlier enthusiasm dwindling.
He raised an eyebrow, studying me closely. “Complaining already?”
Caught off guard by his intensity, I stumbled over my words. “N-no, not really.”
But the fog of uncertainty still lingered. “Hold up. Who’s this blue fairy, and what’s the deal with this magical mushroom?” My curiosity danced on the line between caution and intrigue, unsure if diving into the intricacies of spells and magic was a good idea. Yet, the unknown had its allure.
With a resigned sigh, he shook his head. “You’ll have to hit the library to get started. Time’s ticking, and school starts in a week.” His voice was firm as rock.
My own sigh echoed his, a heavy exhale carrying the weight of the task ahead. “Wait, a library?” My disbelief was clear, a sign of how much I still had to learn about our world. The very idea of a library existing here was mind-blowing, and a surge of curiosity bubbled up within me.
❖❖❖
Amidst the tense air, Lisa’s hesitant voice cut through. “What exactly are we supposed to find?” Her uncertainty matched my own, making it clear that we were in this together.
I let out a sigh, my words heavy with the weight of our task. “We’re on the hunt for information about the blue fairy—anything that tells us who she is and where to find her. And we also need details about that magical mushroom.”
With our determination set, we set off for the library. As I entered, the sheer magnificence of the place swept over me. Bookshelves appeared to extend endlessly, stocked with volumes covering every conceivable topic. Strange skeletons of creatures I couldn’t recognize and colorful potions adorned the shelves, creating an atmosphere of magic. The air was a mix of ancient book scent and the crackling energy of the supernatural, filling me with awe and anticipation.
Hours slipped by as we scoured the shelves for a book that held the answers we needed. But luck remained elusive, and the setting sun outside reminded us of time slipping away.
Lisa’s voice was barely above a whisper as she found an intriguing book. A sudden burst of light erupted from it, accompanied by the roaring sound of a dragon. Surprised, the book slipped from her grasp, and I instinctively moved, slamming it shut with a thud. My heart raced, adrenaline surging as fear took hold of me.
It was easy to forget the power some books held—the potential to transport, summon, or release. Such knowledge was a stark reminder of the depth of the supernatural world’s mysteries. I made a mental note to be more cautious as we continued.
Lisa’s stomach grumbled loudly, breaking the tension and reminding us of our own needs. She sank onto a nearby couch, her hands on her hungry belly. The room’s peacefulness was interrupted by approaching footsteps, and I let out a sigh that mixed frustration and resignation.
“Any progress?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice that grated on my already frayed nerves.
Lisa’s response was tinged with exasperation. “None.” Her eyes held a glint of tears, mirroring our shared frustration, and I couldn’t help but feel for her.
And then, almost unbelievably, he chuckled. The audacity of finding humor in our situation sent a surge of anger through me. I balled up my hands, attempting to restrain the boiling anger within me.
Sliding a book my way, he spoke again. “Here. This should have what you need about the mushroom and the fairy.” I eyed the book suspiciously, furrowing my brow as I tried to hide my surprise.
“Did you know this all along?” I grumbled, flipping through the pages. My eye twitched involuntarily, annoyance bubbling up. The thought that he could have saved us so much time was testing my patience.
His laughter echoed once more, stoking a fiery glare in my eyes. I attempted to communicate my frustration with a pointed look, yet even in light of my clear vexation, his laughter endured. I had to summon all my self-control to prevent an exasperated groan from escaping. Seriously, the audacity of it all was truly nerve-wracking!…
- Writer
