Chapter Thirteen :

Meeting The Futuristic Faery / 

We walked for only about a minute until we came across what the faery who gave us directions had said we couldn't miss - a large blue tent, strung with long strands of glittering beads. Colorful flowers and vines encircled everything. A few deer-like creatures strolled around the tent and the countless trees behind it, their glowing antlers reflecting the rays of sunlight that spilled in through the foliage. 

"Hello?" I called out. "Mirai?" All was silent for a few seconds, then a tall and thin woman stepped out of the tent. She was gorgeous; long, wavy ginger hair twined with flowers, wide awake eyes with shimmery eyeshadow and thick lashes, a hippie-type dress layered with many multicolored fabrics, her arms and neck were covered in bracelets and pendant necklaces, her slightly pointed ears full of piercings, with a moon and stars symbol recurring on her jewelry, belts, and the beads draped over her hair and on her forehead. Butterfly wings grew from both sides of her head.

"And you must be Lavender," She replied. "I've been expecting you." Her deep hazel eyes nearly had me in a trance.   

"Do you know me from the prophecy?" I asked. Her thin brows furrowed. "Prophecy? I know you because I saw you in my vision." 

"So... What else can you tell me, from your vision?" I questioned. She fluttered her hands about in the air, making her bracelets shake. "Oh, I've had countless visions. They started when I was 5. Not just about you, but about everything and everyone. My mother always said I was gifted, until..." Her quick talking trailed off, and then her face crumpled as pink tears streamed from her eyes. She fell to her knees, sobbing. 

I walked over to her and put my arms around her shaking shoulders. "It's okay," I told her comfortingly. "But it's not," She countered. "Because my family was killed by the Corrupt, everyone was." 

"What do you mean, 'everyone'?" This village was full of faeries when we arrived." 

"No," She whispered. "They're tricking you - no one's really here except for me - they've all died."

A faery strode down the path, humming. She paid no attention to us until Dolion called out to her. "Hey, come over here." She walked up to us and stood there silently. Mirai reached out with her hand and swiped at the faery... Her hand went right through, as if the faery were just a shadow. Then the faery turned and continued stalking down the path. 

"They're all like that, replaced by realistic silhouettes." Mirai shuddered. 

"How long ago did this happen? When were they all killed?" I asked. 

"About twelve years ago," She said, a faraway look in her eyes. 

"Twelve years?" I said, confused. But I supposed the deaths of them all had happened before our realms were merged. 

"I'm sorry," I consoled her. "What are the 'Corrupt'?" 

"Anyone that has turned from the peaceful way of life becomes Corrupt," She explained. "There are so many, so many Corrupt. Consisting of creatures of all kinds - they were cast into a deep pit so they couldn't hurt any of us, but the Void Keeper turned as well, and he let them all out. Since our countless worlds have combined, the Corrupt now exist in your world, and you need to be very careful." 

"Thank you for telling me about them, but can you clarify anything about me? What am I supposed to do?" 

"I'll need to tell you in secret," She muttered quietly."They're always listening." And with that, she went into her tent, beckoning for Dolion and I to follow.