Energy
781 Words
Focusing my ice magic, I break the chains of all one hundred workers in a single motion. The sound of the shackles shattering echoes through the cavern. Slowly, they turn to look at me, hope flickering in their tired eyes.
“Hold hands,” I tell them gently. “I’ll take you to the others.”
They obey without hesitation, forming a chain of clasped hands, and I teleport them to the rest of the rescued group. As we arrive, cheers erupt from the crowd. More new faces have joined since my last visit, the numbers growing steadily.
Clapping my hands, I summon more food and chairs to accommodate the ever-growing crowd.
Daisy arrives moments later with a group of five. She’s breathing heavily but grins widely when she sees me. Without a word, she kneels and touches the ground. A tree begins to sprout, growing rapidly until it towers above us, its branches heavy with ripe fruit. It’s the same tree she grew back in her village.
Breaking off a fruit, she hands it to me. “Eat, my queen. You could use the extra energy.”
I eagerly take it, the sweet taste a welcome relief. “Thank you, Daisy. This is exactly what I needed.”
The others—Marco, Maya, and Arya—arrive soon after, each accompanied by a group of rescued workers. Nodding at the tree, they all grab some fruit, and we sit together, sharing stories of what we’ve encountered. The weight of exhaustion hangs over us, but there’s no sign of anyone wanting to give up.
Once I feel my strength replenished, I stand. “We’ll be back soon,” I say, and without delay, we resume teleporting back and forth, freeing more slaves and taking down ravens wherever we find them.
The buffet area swells with people—at least 3,000 now. The space, though large, is beginning to feel crowded. Most of the rescued fairies and workers have finished eating and now sit in groups, talking softly, their faces reflecting a cautious optimism.
My guardians and I gather together again, eating the energy fruit that Daisy provides. After a while, I stand, turning to address the crowd.
“My name is Lenora,” I begin, my voice carrying over the murmurs. “I am the fairy queen.”
Silence falls over the group. Thousands of eyes lock onto me, filled with hope and anticipation.
“I am here to break the curse that has been placed on fairy-kind and to save my people. There are many questions I have about this place, but those will have to wait. For now, if anyone does not wish for me to break the curse, raise your hand.”
No one stirs. I nod in acknowledgment and allow my light to spread over the entire group. I can feel my energy connecting with each person, touching the remnants of the curse that binds them. A final pulse of light radiates out as the curse shatters, and the fairies begin to blossom, their true forms emerging.
“You will all continue to grow into your true selves,” I explain, “but for now, I need to take you somewhere safe. Everyone, hold hands.”
They do as I ask, and in an instant, I teleport them to the village we saved earlier. As soon as we arrive, Elaine runs forward, her eyes filled with tears. She rushes into the arms of one of the men, her husband, and they collapse into each other, sobbing with joy. Maggie, their daughter, jumps into the middle of the embrace, and the three of them hold on tight.
All around us, other fairies are reuniting with loved ones, tears and laughter filling the air. It’s a scene of raw emotion—years of fear and separation melting away in an instant.
“Thank you so much, my queen,” Elaine says, turning to me, her voice thick with gratitude. “I never thought I’d see my husband again.”
I smile warmly at her. “You’re welcome, Elaine. This is over half of the group, but there are still more people I need to save. Help the men adjust, and I’ll return with the rest soon.”
With a final nod, I teleport back to the cavern. More people have arrived since I left. Clapping my hands, I refresh the buffet, making sure there’s enough food for everyone.
Grabbing another piece of fruit, I eat quickly, feeling the toll of my magic on my body. My energy is waning, but I can’t stop—not when we’re so close to freeing everyone.
Not while there’s still more to save.
- Writer
