Four Shards of Love 1

Chapter 14: Fairy Homeland

All of them are frozen in place right after they reach the end of the tunnel. Their jaws are dropping, their eyes widen, and their legs are stoned. The first thing they see is an enermous tree that lies at the center of the fairies' homeland.

"The mountains prevent any outsiders from seeing the tree. Welcome to Fairy Homeland, fellow adventurers." A tuneful male voice pierces everyone's ears.

It appears to be a young human, just like them.

"A human? Who are you...?" Knight Sigrun asked.

"My name is Zun. I am the head researcher in Fairy Homeland. Decades ago, the Empire threw me away in the cursed woods because I was against them in some serious racial matters. I discovered this wonderful place while exploring the cursed woods. Good thing the fairies helped me out, although they did not trust me at first. Due to being indulged with ancient fairy magics and alchemy synthesis activities, the Great Tree blessed me with longer lifespan." Zun introduced himself.

"Interesting. So the Empire was ruthless long ago. I'm glad Lord Weigner turned it into a kind and welcoming Empire now." Commander Layhunt lets out a sigh of relief. Zun is slightly shocked to hear that.

"Pleased to meet you, Head Researcher Zun. I am Knight Sigrun from the Sun Empire in the sixth continent. We come here to help Nio out with a case regarding werewolves. Can you explain the details?" Knight Sigrun walks closer to Zun.

"Zun...me...ask...help...from...humans..." Nio flies to Zun. Zun thinks about it for a few seconds. He then stares at everyone.

"Are you perhaps...comrades with the two fighters who came here before all of you?" Zun wants to make sure.

"Eh? There are other humans here?" Knight Sigrun is confused.

"Let me take you to them. They came here a few hours before you guys. I suppose they are currently resting in the Fairy Inn. Come, this way." Zun guides them to a road that leads to the Fairy Inn. Everyone follows him while enjoying the wonderful view of their surroundings. Other fairies are looking at them. Some are smiling and waving, while the rest glare at them. Green terrains are coupled with purple lights. The sky is blocked by the mountain, but the radiant orbs fill it and provides light to the place. Fragrance of flowers can be smelled all the time. The Great Tree that lies at the center is even bigger once they get closer to it. They finally reached Fairy Inn after a few minutes walk.

"Please, come in." Zun greets them in.

Knight Sigrun enters the inn, followed by Commander Layhunt, Warrior Pijanes, Samael, Nio, and Melisa. Zun kindly tells them to wait at the lobby. He walks upstairs and calls out the two humans. They come out of their room and quickly walk downstairs.

Everyone notices the loud footsteps coming from the stairs. They are shocked to see the two faces. The two of them are Cyril and Marksman Johnson. Cyril quickly runs to Melisa.

"Melisa, I'm glad to see you!" He smiles widely.

"How did you end up here, Cyril?" Melisa asked him.

"It's kind of a long story. Me and Johnson buddy ended up at the North area. Since we were quite blank and do not have skills in map reading, we just wandered deep inside the forest." Cyril explained and takes a deep breath.

"We encountered several raged wolves and got slightly injured and tired after defeating all of them. As we were about to go to a clear route, a werewolf came out of the bushes and attacked us. We got badly injured after barely defeating it. Luckily, a fairy found us and took us here in this wonderful place. We heard their troubles regarding werewolves so we decided to help them out once we recovered." Cyril looks at Marksman Johnson.

"Now that you're all here, we can help these poor fairies. We can continue our main quest afterwards. What do you say, Commander?" Marksman Johnson asked Commander Layhunt.

"Good grief, we are also planning to help the fairies. Let's do our best, everyone." Commander Layhunt smiles at everyone.

Zun is relieved after hearing that they will help the fairies. He kindly asks everyone to listen to him regarding the werewolves case.

"Recently, werewolves came to our home at night and destroyed many things such as wagons, storage rooms, and wood supplies. The worst part was, last week, they kidnapped some of the fairies, including the fairy head chief. When a few fairies including Nio brought you guys in here, some of us thought you will save our home, while the rest thought you are allies with the werewolves. That is why you can see different faces from the fairies when you came here. I can seal the cave now with my magic, but the spell won't last forever. Once the seal is gone, the werewolves can come out from the cave. It takes a week for me to be able to cast another sealing magic. We are not combat people, so we are merely powerless. All I ask from you guys...is...save us..." Zun looks down and closes his eyes.

"If this keeps up...fairy homeland will be destroyed...and more fairies will be kidnapped. You guys are strong fighters. Werewolves are dangerous, so please be careful." Zun opens his eyes and looks at them, expecting an answer.

Knight Sigrun pats Zun's right shoulder.

"We will help you. I'll come up with a detailed plan to exterminate the werewolves. First, we need to find their lair. Then, we will form a tactical combat strategies and examine their whereabouts. You can count on us, Head Researcher." Everyone smiles while looking at Zun, a sign that they are willing to help.

"Thank you, everyone!" Zun is very happy. He kindly tells everyone to rest for a night in the inn. Tomorrow, he shall tell every details about their new quest, which is saving Fairy Homeland.

Melisa gets a room of herself since she's the only woman. She jumps off to the bed and tries to sleep. Nio comes in and flies to her.

"Melisa...save...Nio...friends...?" Nio asked.

"Of course Nio...I know how you feel...it's frustrating when your friends are in troubles, right...? Come, let us sleep together. I will do my best tomorrow." Melisa invites Nio to sleep with her.

"Nio...happy...Melisa...is...nice...Melisa...is...Nio...new...human...friend..." Nio smiles widely. Melisa is slightly touched to hear Nio's soft voice.

They fell asleep minutes after closing their eyes.

A sudden howl pierces everyone's ears hours after they took a sleep. Melisa and Nio rush out to the lobby to meet the others. Cyril and Samael notice her.

"Cyril...Samael...where are the others?" Melisa asked, feeling slightly worried.

"They left a few minutes ago. We were told to guard this place in case the werewolves try to sneak in." Samael explained.

"Werewolves?!?!" Melisa is terribly shocked. Nio flies close to her, feeling terrified.

"Some werewolves swarmed the homeland. I don't know where they came from but Knight Sigrun and the others are dealing with them outside. You must stay with us, Melisa." Cyril asked her to stay with them inside the inn.

Minutes have passed and no werewolves sneak in the inn. Zun, Knight Sigrun, Commander Layhunt, Warrior Pijanes, and Marksman Johnson come in and meet the Rose Garden members. The look on their faces are not so good. Knight Sigrun assembles everyone and makes a plan.

"We managed to locate their lairs. They came from a hidden underground cave not too far from here. I have bad news though, the werewolves are commanded by a leader..." Knight Sigrun stopped and takes a deep breath. Everyone stares at him, expecting him to continue his words.

"...and that leader is...Vizrock...the sixth invader..." Knight Sigrun closes his eyes and lets out a sigh of worry. Everyone is speechless at the moment. Not that they are totally scared by Vizrock. They are just wondering how he ended up in the cursed woods and why did they his werewolves make a fuss at Fairy Homeland.

End of Chapter 14