Walking on the road, we went our way. Might as well, we thought, since the town was close enough. Somehow, the changes brought to reality modified how even the seasons work.

I wasn’t prepared for this cold. Just two days ago we were entering summer break when that happened. I didn’t realize this before, as everything still feels like kind of a fever dream, but that cold breeze, gray sky, my dry and burning breathing. We’re definitely in winter. Fortunately, Vera is a fire mage, in this merry fantastic universe.

She enjoys showing off, like before. Igniting a small fire to warm us up as we were moving, her stealthy proud smile dimly lightened up. I come to think how fitting this is.

Back then, I’d probably say that if she had an element, that would be fire.

My memories from before and after that dream are merging, and little by little, the information I should know about this world unfolds. The first of them was the capacity of using magic myself.

We have been walking for some time already, and something catches my eye ahead.

A little person sitting by the side of the dirt road, looking closer, I see small wings on their back. A fairy? Why would she be like this?

Though everything newly added to this world is based on man-made concepts, it’s not like I ever knew anything about fairies.

Concentration, Matt. See if anything comes to mind.

Not two seconds pass and the warmth of the fire is gone. Vera has dashed ahead.

“My, my! Young travelers! Thank God you showed up!” the fairy exclaimed – “I’m too tired to fly, you see…something is very wrong with the mana around here!”

I ran ahead to catch up, to see Vera with a puzzled expression.

As if the memories of another version of myself come to light, I remember a vague description, defining fairies as fairly common nature entities in rural areas. It’s said they help with the harmony in the forest and the flow of magic, as regulators; it’s also said they can grant fair wishes to those who help them.

“You two seem like a pair of good children,” she said, with a naughty smile – “so help me find my way!”

“For sure, for sure!” Vera replied, turning to me – “Right?”

You leave me no choice, but okay.

“Fine. We’ve taken a detour already, anyway.”

We had to mislead any friends of the guy I fought earlier, so this was a roundabout way to our destination. Well, I don’t have a lot of clues yet, but something unusual really seems to be happening around here.

Getting away from the road and walking for an hour in the fields, we reach this extremely dense forest, where the sunlight hardly passes through the trees. It is well lit, though, as a lot, and I mean hundreds if not thousands of fireflies spread out throughout the woods and make way for our passage.

I wasn’t remotely close to the type of person that explores the wild. But this otherworldly sentiment doesn’t seem right.

We approach a small pond, which gives rise to a small stream. A frog and another fairy were in the middle of a conversation, stopping to cheer at our arrival.

“Apricot! Apricot! Finally!” the fairy cried – “Good thing you made it!”

"That was a close one," she replied, flying out of Vera's shoulder - "I have those two to thank!"

The three of them look at us; I'm looking straight at the talking frog. Good things hadn't happened to me when talking animals showed up.

"That means the couple has a wish!" the frog says - "But I'll say it in advance: do not wish for me to become a prince. I'm still waiting for a princess."

That's funny, man. But we're not a couple. Better not correct him though, I don't wanna make him ask Vera for a kiss. But it would be funny. Should I do it?

"Do not worry, I have it decided already!" Vera replies

"You're a quick one! But it has to be a fair one, keep in mind!" Apricot says

Vera smiles at her and confidently asks:

"You should come with us!"