The Great Fairy Fountain [Clooby & BP]

Arifa winced hard, as if the sound was physically pressing her down, when one of the Shadow Beasts howled loudly in response to its comrade falling. Eyes screwed shut and her hands covering her ears, she shook like a reed until the last traces of the sound wave had fully vanished from the air around her. By then, she could stand straight and took a deep breath before she uncovered her ears. She had not been mistaken, then. These beings were like Fion in that they were antithesis to her own existence. But unlike the child, they were aggressive, actively hostile... pure darkness weaponized. If they were to touch her, would she erode? Corrode? What would happen if she touched them, she wondered?

But she wasn't at her full power, far from it. And the beasts were so solid, so physically present, in this realm... HER realm, really. Making a fist, she concentrated on what lay beyond the beasts. Her Fountain... she recognised the marble pillars and the faint buzzing of magic so similar to her own. If the beasts howled to revive their brethren as soon as one fell... Then they would have to fell all of them in one go. But that would require incredible coordination... "Sir Julius, inform your men to spread their efforts and try to deal the deathblow to all three simultaneously." She stelled herself. "It doesn't have to be perfect. We only need to buy enough time to make it inside the fountain. Once we're inside, I can tap into its power to help the men recover from any harm the beasts might have done."

Their power was incredible. Certainly, Arifa was sure there were spells that could easily have taken the beasts out, especially when cast by a dedicated light mage or a Great Fairy such as herself, but for a young race relying on mundane means... she was thoroughly impressed. "Yes!" she exclaimed when Julius reminded her of her promise, hovering past him. "Follow me, please. Don't be afraid, the darkness within the cave will subside after a few steps." She hovered into the cave, between the pillars, ahead of the man, raising a hand to open the way.

Once inside, she was greeted with the familiar black marble walls, shimmering with a faint orange light. In the middle of the cave, at the end of a shallowly descending staircase, was a large pond of water, a decagon framed by more marble and with large pillars, reaching up to the ceiling, at every corner. As she hovered down the staircase, throwing her thick brown mantle aside, the resident Great Fairy ran her hand over the pillars, feelings as if she'd been away from home far longer than she truly had been. However, something was wrong...

There was no power in the fountain. That was to be expected, but there were no Tiny Fairies, either... What had happened, Arifa wondered? Had her absence, and the subsequent loss of power in the fountain, caused her friends to wither? Had they been expended helping passing travellers, as she had ordered upon her departure? Or had something far more sinister happened..?

Sighing, she decided that she would find out later. For now, there was a troop of Hylian warriors behind her waiting to be healed. She stepped into her fountain, hovering a little higher and turning around to the entrance. Spreading her wings a little further and her arms out in a welcoming gesture, she spoke the words she had been speaking for years before she had left, even as she infused the water below her with healing powers once more.

"Welcome, travellers. I am the Great Fairy of Guidance. Come, let me ease your weariness."

As Julius explained his situation, Arifa lowered herself until she stood on the shallow water, herself. She nodded when he concluded his tale. "I understand. I've heard of this 'Twister' before..." She lightly placed a hand on his face. "Although I have a few ideas, I must warn you that it is entirely possible they might not work. The Twister is an entity beyond mortal understanding; and sadly, as long-lived as we are, us Great Fairies are no more immortal than the younger races. Its power may well surpass ours." She shut her eyes, concentrating her power. "That said, you've aided me in reaching my Fountain, even before you knew who I was. 't Would be poor form if I didn't at least try."

With her power concentrated near the ends of her fingertips, she exhaled. "Sir Surgate, listen closely. I am going to cast the most powerful healing magic at my disposal. Doing so will render me unconscious, but do not worry about me when that happens- it is normal and does me no harm. The fountain will remain active so long as I physically touch it, so your men may continue to use it." She frowned, her face serious as she held off on the spell. "However, this spell is not designed to reverse curses, and combined with the Twister's unknowable powers, well... There is a good chance it will fail. I know of an alternative, but I cannot perform it myself. It is called the Song of Healing, and exists to heal a troubled spirit. It may be able to reach where my tears cannot. Do you understand?"

Upon seeing his confirmation, Arifa shut her eyes once more and concentrated on the disgusting skin under her fingertips. "Very well. In that case... I shall sleep." With that, she cast her Fairy Tears spell, channeling every bit of healing magic she had into Julius's being. Seconds after, she felt her hand breaking the contact as she pitched forward, unconscious before she landed in the waters of her fountain with a small 'splash.'

Arifa watched the men leave, making a note to remember his name. If she did need any help, Julius Surgate could promise to be a powerful and valuable ally. But as it stood, she had other, more pressing concerns... She turned back to look at her fountain. What had happened here? Had the barrier failed, and if yes, why? And what had those shadowy creatures been doing in the Lost Woods? How had they gotten here?

There were too many unanswered questions. She needed to find the answers to them before she would resume her initial search...

But for now... she thought, yawning, she might need more rest.

*~End of Thread~*