[Karmic Wolves 1] Luminous Howl

Marco and Maya

It’s a breathtaking sight—truly magical. All around me, vibrant trees stretch their branches, lush gardens bloom in every corner, and a sparkling pond sits serenely in the center of the village, reflecting the sky like a mirror. The houses themselves are works of art, each unique in its design, seamlessly blending into the natural beauty of the land. Animals roam freely, mingling with the fairies, as though every living creature here shares an unspoken bond.

Everywhere I look, the fairies are working in harmony, their rune abilities coming to life, turning their village into a paradise. My heart swells with pride seeing them so vibrant and free. It’s a stark contrast to how I first found them, broken and cursed. Now they’re radiant, their true selves fully awakened.

Marco and Maya rush over, excitement dancing in their eyes. “Look, Queen Lenora!” Maya exclaims, practically buzzing with energy. She raises her hand and twirls her fingers, summoning a small tornado that spins gracefully in her palm. “I can control the weather now!” Her voice is filled with awe, as though she’s still getting used to the incredible power at her fingertips.

I can’t help but smile, sharing in her joy. “That’s incredible, Maya,” I say, and then I turn to Marco, who’s eager to show me what he can do.

With a confident grin, he opens his hand, and before my eyes, his fingers morph into a gleaming sword. He gives it a quick shake, and it transforms back to normal. But he’s not done yet. Clenching his fist, his skin begins to shimmer, turning into polished silver. “I’ve learned silver magic, Queen Lenora,” he says proudly.

“You both have such amazing gifts,” I praise, my voice full of admiration. “I’m so proud of you.”

They exchange a glance, and for a moment, they seem hesitant. But then, gathering their courage, Maya speaks up. “Queen Lenora? Do you have plans to help the other fairy villages? The ones still under the control of the realm leaders?”

I frown slightly, realizing this is the first time I’ve heard of other villages. “How many other villages are there?” I ask, curiosity piqued.

“Fairies once thrived across the entire Karmic Realm,” Maya begins. “There were four main villages—Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. Our village, the Garden Village, was a smaller branch of the Earth Village. There were many others too, smaller communities scattered throughout the realm. But after the other races fought for leadership, most fairies were confined to their villages. We don’t know how many are left. It’s been forbidden for us to leave for so long.”

Marco nods in agreement, his voice somber. “We don’t know what became of the others, but we’d like to help you find them, if you’ll have us.”

Their eyes are filled with determination, and the weight of their words settles over me. The thought of other fairy villages still trapped, their true selves locked away, fuels a deep fire within me. “If there are fairies in need, then I want to save them,” I declare, my voice resolute. “But know this—my journey is dangerous. I don’t want you to come with me unless you can accept the risks that come with it.”

Without hesitation, they both drop to their knees, their heads bowed. “We understand the danger, Queen Lenora. We are ready,” Marco says solemnly, his hand outstretched. Maya mirrors his actions, offering me her hand as well.

Their loyalty moves me. Slowly, I place a hand in each of theirs, feeling the warmth of their devotion.

Maya’s eyes begin to glow, a bright white light emanating from them, while Marco’s glow a soft, stormy grey. “We pledge our lives to you, Queen Lenora,” they say in unison, their voices steady. “We vow to always respect and protect you.”

As they speak, a pulse of energy travels up my arms, and I feel the familiar sensation of a bond forming between us. Sparks dance across our skin as the link snaps into place, solid and unwavering. A final surge of magic flares between us, and I watch as a teleportation rune marks their arms, sealing our connection.

I pull them into a hug, embracing them both as allies, as friends, as family. “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice filled with gratitude.

As we stroll near the pond, we admire the handiwork of the village fairies, their creativity and power on full display. The community gathers around us, village children offering me flowers while the adults bow deeply in respect.

One of the elders steps forward, speaking on behalf of the village. “We wish to thank you, Queen Lenora. You have given us hope in these uncertain times. You’ve reunited us with our true selves. We may never be able to repay you, but we vow to train our skills, to defend ourselves against the dark sorcerer. We will show him the strength of fairies who have hope in their queen.”

Pride swells in my chest as I look around at the faces of my people—beautiful, powerful, and full of promise. “Remember,” I tell them, my tone serious, “the enemies are still out there. They are strong, and they are merciless. Protect each other, stay vigilant, but don’t forget—I am always here if you need me. Think of me, and I will come to your aid as quickly as I can.”

Tyler, the sorcerer, steps forward next, his expression determined. “I pledge my life to protect this village,” he says, his voice strong. “I will train anyone who wishes to learn self-defense. We will be ready for whatever comes.”

I smile, deeply moved by the loyalty and strength of these fairies. “Thank you, Tyler,” I say, grateful for his commitment.

With final goodbyes and promises exchanged, we leave the Garden Village behind, our next goal clear—find the other fairies, and free them from their chains.