Hundreds of fairies flew around, setting up the route of our race, it was amazing to see so many of Larana’s kind, then I remember how talismans came to be, compared to them Larana had lost her freedom.

I knew I would be at a considerable disadvantage as I did not know these forests like the ones who called it home and my size. The density of the trees I could see did not leave me with a lot of space to avoid them.

“You sure you can do this master?” questioned Larana.

“Don’t have faith in me Larana?” I smiled at her concern; she was surprised at my response. “I believe in your power; it will guide me in this race, and we will win for King Alton.”

“Right.” She disappeared.

I released Larana’s power, summoning forth the wind, encircling me coming together forming into Larana’s wings. I didn’t need to do such a show of Larana’s power, but I wanted to show it off, show them she was as powerful as their stories told. I looked ahead. “I am ready.”

“Very well,” said Gina. “When this leaf touches the ground, you begin.” She flew above us, letting go of a single leaf, faintly shining in the sunlight. I watched as it fluttered downwards. “Remember three times around the forest.”

I barely heard her as I felt Larana’s power ready to go, watching the leaf intently, almost counting down in my head, a little longer and go.

I dashed forwards propelled by Larana’s wind. I was surrounded by ten little fairies as they flew just as fast as me, seemed sized meant nothing.

The line of trees came in, I was right, in most places there was only enough room for me to fly through. I didn’t slow down for a second, I couldn’t hesitate, trusting in myself to dodge the oncoming trees.

I kept my eyes on what was ahead of me, doing my best to spot the best trees to slip between, most were too tight of a fit for my liking, unfortunately it also slowed me down a little bit.

“You’ll never win.” A fairy in blue flew passed. “I’m the fastest of our kind now, the wind fairy Larana is just history now.”

“You’ll regret those words.” I heard Larana.

“I doubt it,” she giggled, speeding ahead.

“We need to go faster Larana,” I said.

“If we go too fast, they’ll be a danger of hurting yourself, the forest is too dense.” Larana was concerned, but I had to win.

“Larana, trust me.” I summoned more power, speeding through the trees to catch up with her, a second fairy came up behind me.

“Be careful, the thicket is ahead,” she warned, it seemed not all agreed to Gina’s test.

Up ahead I saw thick bramble with only a small tunnel. I suspected wild animals used it. I was glad Larana’s wings weren’t actually physical otherwise it would have been impossible for me to fly through.

“Follow,” she said speeding in front, it showed I was still not fast enough. I wanted to doubt I could win but images of Tigra laughing with her dad appeared in my mind, I needed to win for them both.

I didn’t hesitate to follow the fairy through the maze of tunnels, coming out in a small meadow where I spotted her. In the open I could give myself a speed boost, no holding back.

I zoomed passed the fairy who had helped me. “Thank you.”

The meadow was full of beautiful flowers that looked similar to lilies, the petals a combination of pink and white. The scent drifted up my nose, sweet. I felt this pure energy from them and knew these were the Goddess Plume.

I could have stopped, taken what I wanted but this was about Larana’s honour on the line, all she had done for their future protection, and they disrespected her.

I caught up flying just behind the lead fairy, but I soon had to slow down again as we re-entered the forest and entered the second lap.

“Dolana, hurry up!” shouted Gina, so that was the lead fairy’s name.

Dolana glanced back at me. “I don’t think so.” She turned to face me, holding her hand out, summoning webbing between the trees, right in front of me. I was caught struggling to break free. “Bye,” she smiled, pleased with herself.

“This isn’t fair!” shouted Larana. “You dishonour my…” She stopped herself as Dolana flew off. I felt Larana’s sadness and pain.

“Larana, what happened?” I asked swiping at the webbing. She appeared her darkened past filling her eyes.

“The hunters of sacred creatures had wiped out almost all of my kind to make talismans, my small village was one of few left, they found us and began to capture my friends, family. I was powerful, but not strong enough to withstand the power of the talismans they had brought with them.” Larana remembered everything so clearly even so many centuries ago. “My wind only fuelled their fire, in the end I had no choice, to save the others I manipulated flames, destroying my home, trapping myself and them within.” She looked around. “Just before I was captured, I dispersed the fires creating the fogs that now protect this place. They dishonour my sacrifice.”

“Larana.” She’d faced so much, perhaps the others had too. “Wind cutter.” I released myself. “Trust me with all your power, I will win.”

“You are not ready.” Why did she hesitate, we’d shared our power for a long time now.

“Trust in me Larana, like I do you, these forests may have changed but they are still your home, still under your forever protection,” I smiled. “Let’s show them your true power.” I held my hand out.

“Alright, master.” She took hold of my hand, her whole body glowed, then so did mine. I felt a rush of her power through my body, I saw her past flash through my mind, she’d faced so much before becoming a talisman.

I faced the way Dolana had gone. “Time to catch up.” I flew onwards feeling my speed had quadrupled, with no hesitation I headed through the trees feeling the wind as it guided me to where I needed to go.

I passed the other nine fairies in the race; they were not as fast as Dolana or the one who had helped me.

Dolana was quite far ahead but as she reached halfway through the final lap, I had caught up with her, right on her tail.

“No one can stand against Larana’s power over wind.” I came up beside her in the open meadow.

“No.” She held out her hand, creating webbing aimed at me, trying to stop me.

“Nice try,” I laughed, surrounded in Larana’s power the webbing circled round and redirected at her. I had noticed I had been getting faster, ninety-nine sync rate with Larana, my body pulsed with her raw power.

I smirked as I shot passed her, in a few seconds I was passing over the finish line, buzzing with the power Larana possessed.

“I win.” I stopped directly in front of Gina. “You have dishonoured Larana, her power and endangered King Alton’s life, father of Reira’s future mate.” I wasn’t going to be kind, not after the dirty tricks.

“I just can’t give the nectar away, it is sacred,” she snapped.

Raziel had been waiting patiently about to speak but it was Arata who did. “You disgrace the honour of sacred creatures and the kindness of the goddess, for such actions I will sentence you to death.” He opened his mouth, ready to strike her down.

“Arata.” I held my hand out to stop him. “They have been confined to this place for too long, they do not know the world beyond.”

Gina had no response, her eyes wild with fear, then she composed herself. “Bring them all the nectar we have in storage.” A group of fairies disappeared. “We have continued to live in fear, wondering if the danger of the past will return for us.”

“Only the darkness,” said Raziel. “They need our sacred light more than ever now.”

The fairies brought back two pouches, handing them over. “Inside is all of it.” Not a lot I thought, opening it up I saw nothing but a small distant shimmer, dimensional magic.

“Thank you,” I bowed.

“I am sorry,” said Gina, glancing at Arata, she was scared of him, no surprise he could be scary.

“It’s not me you should apologise to, after everything Larana did, you should have just given it to us.” I turned my back. “Next time I come for more I expect to be given it in a golden sack.” I wanted to leave before Arata went off again, I could sense his power sparking, he still wanted to punish them, but that would endanger everyone. “You should leave this fog once in a while, you’ll be surprised what you can learn.” I smirked; they’d simply lost there way just like Milliana.