The evening sky of Mirgeth shimmered in shades of purple and blue, a mesmerizing backdrop against the glittering skyscrapers adorned with holographic projections. Ads, news, and vibrant animations danced across the towering facades. In Mirgeth, reality was a malleable canvas, shaped by the will of its inhabitants. The Mirgethis fairies, known for their mastery of illusions and reality-bending magic, lived in this ever-changing world.
Inside the sleek, levitating Ranit—a transit vehicle gliding effortlessly above the skyline—two strangers sat silently. One was an older Mirgethis, her face lined with wisdom, while the other, a younger fairy, radiated youthful curiosity. Neither had spoken a word until a massive holographic projection appeared outside.
A larger-than-life image of Ethan hovered in the air, the words SAVIOR ETHAN: OUR SAVIOR SENT BY OUR PHINIX NEMIN glowing beneath it. The sight sparked a conversation.
Older Fairy: "Sent by Phinix? I don’t believe it." (She turned away from the window with a scoff.)
Younger Fairy: (Grinning) "Why? Because our Phinixes abandoned us? And now they’re sending some fairy-less body half our size?"
Older Fairy: "Exactly! Look at him. He doesn’t even look like a Phinix—or us. And this whole ‘he’ and ‘him’ business? You wouldn’t believe how long it took me to figure out those words meant him. It’s so strange, isn’t it?"
Younger Fairy: "Oh, totally. And don’t even get me started on how that half-sized fairy-less body supposedly wiped out an entire Tigath fleet!"
Older Fairy: (Nodding slowly) "Believe it or not, it’s true. Didn’t you see the footage? He really did it. It’s hard for any fairy in the ten realms to comprehend, but it happened."
Younger Fairy: (Chuckling) "Yeah, I saw it. My Adych showed us the clip the next day. She’s practically his number one fan."
Older Fairy: "Adych? So you’re studying?"
Younger Fairy: (Nodding) "Yep. At the Arcy School of Arcane."
Older Fairy: "In Arcanaeum? You must be a blessed one then."
Younger Fairy: (Smiling proudly) "I am. I’m specializing in Arcane Light studies. And you?"
Older Fairy: (Smiling modestly) "Oh, I’m… just a Bringer. I work at the Afouch."
Younger Fairy: (Leaning forward earnestly) "‘Just a Bringer?’ Don’t say that! You’re the reason blessed ones like me even exist. Don’t underestimate yourself—you’re just as important as we are."
The Ranit’s automated voice interrupted their exchange.
Ranit: "Stop 48: Lbitch Dyfost. Doors will open on the left. Please mind the gap."
The older fairy stood, smoothing her robes.
Older Fairy: (Smiling) "Looks like this is my stop. It was nice meeting you, um…" (She hesitated, realizing she didn’t know her name.)
Younger Fairy: "Elysia. Elysia Zaminera. And it was nice meeting you too! Just promise me, next time, don’t say ‘just’ when you talk about being a Bringer."
Older Fairy: (Chuckling as she stepped toward the doors) "I’ll try, Elysia. I’ll try."
As the Ranit glided to its next destination, Elysia leaned back in her seat, her gaze fixed on the massive holographic projection of Ethan floating outside the window. The words “SAVIOR ETHAN: OUR SAVIOR SENT BY OUR PHINIX NEMIN” flickered in glowing letters across the Mirgeth skyline. Her mind buzzed with curiosity and wonder.
Pulling out her Prodge, a sleek, multifunctional device, Elysia tapped on the screen several times until a well-circulated footage began to play. It was a recording of Ethan, standing resolute amidst the vast expanse of space. To his side was his self-built Statipresser, an imposing device brimming with energy. Opposite him loomed the formidable fleet of Tigath, their numbers stretching beyond sight.
Ethan’s calm demeanor was unnerving, given the overwhelming odds. Then, with a single decisive gesture, he activated the Statipresser, unleashing an intense pulse of energy. The footage captured the moment: a blinding flash followed by a thunderous BOOM. In an instant, the Tigath army was obliterated, vanishing into nothingness. The silence that followed was as deafening as the destruction.
Elysia replayed the clip, her eyes narrowing with every viewing. She wasn’t the only one captivated by it; every fairy across the ten realms was either awestruck or incredulous. Ethan had become a figure of relentless discussion and debate.
She murmured softly to herself as she watched the footage again.
Elysia: How? How did the Savior do this? The article says he built the Statipresser himself, using our resources. But still... how is it possible?
Closing the footage, she shifted her gaze back to the holographic sky. A sense of determination welled within her.
Elysia: If someone half our size, without any powers, can accomplish such monumental feats... why can’t I? He didn’t have our gifts, yet he didn’t let that stop him. I have the Light... I should be capable of even greater things.
Her thoughts weren’t filled with despair but with a renewed drive to push her boundaries, to refine her skills further.
A soft chime indicated the next stop. The Ranit slowed, and Elysia stood up, stepping off onto the bustling platform. She walked briskly to the nearby ticket counter.
Elysia: Quzi Dyfost. Arcaneaum, please.
The holographic interface at the counter responded promptly.
Ticket Counter: 1.42 Huris. Please collect your ticket. Have a safe journey.
Elysia inserted her payment and retrieved the glowing ticket. Her destination was clear: the Arcy School of Arcane in the Arcaneaum realm. She made her way toward the Dyfost, the realm-spanning teleportation system.
The Dyfost was a marvel of interrealm transportation. Each structure varied depending on its purpose, but all were bound by the same core technology: a swirling, blue energy that pulsed in rhythmic patterns, acting as a portal to distant realms.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
- Prime Dyfosts: These colossal structures handled the transportation of massive goods and resources between realms. For instance, Nathro’s Prime Dyfost was vital for water distribution, while Sylvir’s transported food and medicinal plants.
- Antri Dyfosts: Spread across realms for public and logistical use, they connected major areas within a single realm.
- Intra Dyfosts: Sleek, compact teleporters for interrealm travel, catering primarily to individuals and small cargo.
The Intra Dyfost at the station was shaped like a vertical arc, its swirling blue light glowing invitingly in the center.
Approaching the Dyfost, Elysia slipped her ticket into the slot at its base. The arc hummed softly as it activated, scanning her and recognizing her destination. Without hesitation, she stepped into the blue light. The sensation was instantaneous — a mix of weightlessness and warmth.
When she emerged, she was no longer in Mirgeth but on Arcaneaum, standing in front of the Quzi Dyfost. The stark contrast in atmosphere was evident; Arcaneaum radiated with an aura of wisdom and mystique. Ornate structures resembling observatories and libraries towered around her, their surfaces shimmering with intricate runes.
Elysia adjusted her satchel and began her walk toward the Arcy School of Arcane, her heart pounding with anticipation. As Elysia stepped into the bustling school grounds, she was immediately enveloped by its familiar ambiance.
Elysia made her way toward her classroom, lost in thought about her ongoing research on Light. Suddenly, something slammed into her back, nearly knocking her over.
Elysia (stumbling as she regained her balance): "Who in the—?" (she muttered angrily, cutting herself off)
Turning around, she spotted two familiar faces—her friends Trigaha and Livia, both Mirgethis like herself, giggling uncontrollably.
Trigaha (giggling): "Got you, Ely!"
Elysia (walking toward her with narrowed eyes): "Okay, but I didn’t hit you this hard! You almost knocked me flat!"
Trigaha (mock gasping dramatically): "Oh my stars! Is this the same ‘unshakable Elysia’ who swore yesterday that no Concussio Corporis could even make her flinch?"
Livia (joining in with a smirk): "Yeah! You were so confident—like you could survive a Fotris fairy’s punch without a scratch!"
Elysia (rolling her eyes): "Alright, alright, enough already."
Trigaha (grinning mischievously): "What? You owe me 12 Huris. Remember our bet? I said I’d catch you off guard, and look at you now!"
With a resigned sigh, Elysia activated her Bracon, the holographic wristband device, and transferred the amount with a few clicks.
Elysia (deadpan): "Happy?"
Trigaha (beaming): "Ecstatic."
The trio burst into laughter, their teasing camaraderie lightening the morning.
Livia (suddenly animated): "Did you see the Savior’s latest video? Oh, Ethan looked so adorable—he’s barely up to the waist of those Fotris fairies! But still, he saved them. Can you believe it?"
Elysia (curious): "Which video?"
Trigaha (groaning): "Don’t tell me you spent all of yesterday researching Light again instead of catching up!"
Elysia’s sheepish smile gave her away.
Livia (sighing theatrically): "She did spend all day on research. Typical Ely."
Trigaha (exasperated): "You’re so lame, Ely. Come on! Enjoy life a bit. Stop burying yourself in your stupid Light-bending theories."
Elysia (defensive): "Hey, it’s not stupid! I’m close to figuring out how to turn Bringers into Blessed ones!"
Livia (rolling her eyes): "Here we go again."
Elysia (ignoring her, voice picking up excitement): "You know that Philights can possess both! Wigor said it’s possible because—"
Before Elysia could finish, Trigaha slapped her hand gently over Elysia’s mouth and began dragging her toward their classroom.
Trigaha: "Alright, genius, we get it. But please, spare us the morning lecture. We’ve got three Wigor classes today, and I’d rather not start my suffering early."
Livia (laughing and trailing behind): "I can’t believe she’s our friend. How do we put up with her?"
Despite her words, Livia’s playful grin and unwavering steps alongside them spoke volumes of their unshakable friendship.
The air in the classroom buzzed with faint whispers and the occasional hum of the holographic projections as Wigor began her lecture. Elysia sat at the front, her posture upright, her Bracon neatly aligned on her wrist, while her two friends, Trigaha and Livia, huddled at the back, completely engrossed in their Prodge, watching Savior Ethan's video on a loop.
Wigor (speaking in an authoritative yet warm tone):
“Light. A term you all know well. For most fairies, Light is what determines their destiny—whether they’ll be a Light-Blessed, gifted with powers and abilities, or a Light-Bringer, who ensures the continuation of life, giving birth. But let me ask you this: Is that all Light is? A mere mechanism to decide birth and power?”
The classroom remained silent, save for a few distracted giggles from Trigaha and Livia.
Wigor (leaning slightly forward):
“Wrong. Light is much more than that. It is the essence that binds us, fuels our realms, and creates the balance we know today. But tell me this—who bore the first Light?”
A few hands shot up.
Bych 1 (answering confidently):
“The Phinixes!”
Wigor (shaking her head):
“No. The Phinixes were not the first.”
Bych 2 (trying again):
“The Prime Phinix?”
Wigor (raising an eyebrow):
“First, there’s no such thing as a ‘Prime Phinix.’ Second, wrong again.”
The class shifted awkwardly in their seats. Wigor’s gaze scanned the room, finally landing on Elysia.
Elysia (murmuring under her breath):
“We don’t know yet.”
The classroom erupted into laughter. Trigaha nearly fell off her seat, and Livia clapped her hands dramatically.
Wigor (smiling and silencing the class with a raised hand):
“She’s correct.”
The room went still.
Wigor (continuing):
“We don’t know yet. No one knows who bore the first Light or how it came to be. It’s a mystery as profound as Savior Ethan himself—a being from another realm who, against all odds, saved us. And yet here we are, tracing threads of history, hoping one day to uncover the origin of Light.”
Bych 3 (scrunching their nose):
“But if we don’t know its origin, why do we even study it?”
Wigor (nodding thoughtfully):
“A fair question. But consider this—does every civilization know its origin? Do all people know the beginning of their existence? No. What we do instead is study, adapt, and evolve. Our understanding of Light isn’t static—it grows with us, just as our ancestors’ beliefs once grew. And, with time, even the truth may change.”
She turned, her movements precise, and hovered her Bracon near the projection desk. A series of glowing assignments materialized mid-air.
Wigor (announcing):
“As Bychs of Arcane, your task is to understand Light—not just as an abstract concept, but as a living force. For your next assignment, you will conduct a survey. Talk to Light-Blessed and Light-Bringers. Learn about their lives, their struggles, and their experiences. I expect detailed insights in your reports.”
The room collectively groaned.
Bychs (in unison):
“Not again!”
“Another survey? Ugh!”
“Talk to strangers? Why can’t I just interview my mirror?”
Wigor smirked at the familiar resistance, then exited the classroom, leaving behind a trail of resigned sighs.
Trigaha (snapping out of her distraction):
“Wait, what? Did she catch us?”
Elysia (grinning):
“Nope. Lecture’s over. You survived…barely.”
Both Livia and Trigaha shot her mock-glares.
Livia (crossing her arms):
“Oh, the torture. How ever will we recover?”
Elysia (teasing):
“Maybe by actually paying attention next time?”
Trigaha (snorting):
“Or maybe by skipping class altogether.”
They laughed, their camaraderie echoing through the now-emptying room, the weight of Wigor’s assignment momentarily forgotten.