Beware the Violet

by Maria Vermisoglou

  “That’s Hope for you,” Jacques said and hearing a flutter of wings, I saw Kristy outside of the gate.

  “What is it?” she said, eyeing the both of us. “You look awful! What happened?”

  Looking down my clothes, I realized she was right. Blood stained my jeans along with dirt and bruises that were engraved in my skin. “I murdered a vampire.”

  “She murdered her boyfriend,” Jacques corrected and a bright smile flashed on his face. Kristy’s eyes widened and her mouth opened. “Who would you consider a master in planning?” Jacques said, looking at Kristy.

  “You are,” she said without hesitating. “How did you…why did you murder him?” Kristy looked at me, twisting her mouth while various expressions decorated her visage ranging from confusion to relief.

  “Then how do I get beaten by a human girl with no experience who hatched the perfect plan?” Jacques exclaimed, his corners of his mouth curling.

  Kristy smiled. “Because she’s human? Your fingers are clean!” Her wings fluttered, and I shrugged. “Tell me everything!” A loud boom sounded that shook the gates to the Blessed Realm, and we all watched in the sky where a flash of red lightning disturbed its surface. “Yes, chaos is one way to describe it.”

  “She’s getting aggressive. We have to go now.” If that thing continued, I could have a battle on my hands without being prepared and it would be too late to leave. “Why did we need Kristy?” I said, looking at Jacques and he rolled his eyes.

  “I suppose you’re going to fly to The Moon Realm?” Sarcasm laced his voice. “Fairies can fly to one realm through another without the need of portals. She can get us to the Moon Realm in half an hour.”

  “Maybe sooner, but why do we need to go to the Moon Realm? Can someone tell me what’s going on?” Kristy said with a mystified expression. Opening her palms, a pink bubble coated in fairy dust, surrounded us and rose to the sky.

  “Drive and we’ll tell you,” Jacques said, getting comfortable, but he immediately switched to a rabbit.

  “Jacques, that’s rude!” Kristy chided, but he folded his ears.

  “I’ll fill her in,” I said, looking outside where stars shimmered in the sky.

  ◆◆◆

  “He was drunk in Darkness?” Kristy said after I told her everything. Laughing, she guided the wobbling bubble through unknown lands.

  “From all that, that’s what you retained?” I said, trying to keep a straight face, but I couldn’t and broke into laughter again.

  “That’s the most amusing part!” she exclaimed and held her hands high to immobilize the bubble. “I wish I could have seen it. We’re almost there,” she informed me and Jacques who had climbed on my shoulder.

  “Next time, I’m taking a harpy,” Jacques said the next time he switched back to a human. “That was even worse than walking in Jell-O.”

  “It was funny,” Kristy excused herself. “What do you have to do to claim your powers?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. My grandmother told me to come here and that I would need a shapeshifter.” My mind searched back for any information concerning the Moon Realm but I got nothing. Sighing, I took a look at the scene that unfolded before my eyes.

  True to its name, the Moon Realm was bathed in the moon’s light and even nature’s assets were silver. Silver trees and flowers glowed and nearing the lake, I dipped my hand and it came out silver. The vast land that spread for miles, according to Kristy, was never inhabited by any kind of people, but was thought to be a place of cleansing and was protected by magic.

  “So what—?” Jacques said and suddenly, his eyes glazed over and turned silver.

  “Jacques?” I cast a strange look at him and wondered what happened but when he didn’t respond and his breath came out rough, worry grabbed my heart. “Jacques!”

  “You have finally come, Believer,” Jacques said, but it was not his voice the one who spoke, but an ancient and deep voice who possessed him.

  “Who are you? Leave him alone!” I commanded.

  “I am the spirit of the Moon Realm. Unfortunately, I can only speak through shapeshifters as their heart is as pure as the moon. You have come to claim your powers and defeat the Lady of Darkness.” Jacques held out his hand and three red butterflies came to rest on my shoulders. “You are very close on completing your task. Follow me,” the Moon Spirit in Jacques’s body ordered.

  Without a word, he guided us toward the lake and Kristy held my hand. “What are these?” she said in a low voice, pointing to the butterflies.

  “From the Lady of Fate.”

  “You saw her?” Kristy squeaked out a shrieked whisper. “Is she as dangerous as they say?”

  “I don’t think dangerous qualifies, but she is certainly terrifying. She gave me a warning or maybe it was a prophecy?” I said, casting a worried glance toward Jacques who had not spoken another word and continued his way to the lake. “And I have completed three out of the five pieces.” Stealing another look at Jacques, I held Kristy’s hand. “Do you think he’s all right? I mean, he’s not hurting?”

  “I don’t think so,” Kristy said, squeezing my hand. “I’ve heard of the Moon Spirit and it’s filled with goodness and purity. People come here to seek advice or peace and after a while, they leave. It heals them and settles their soul.” Her gaze studied me for a moment. “Something changed between you and him.” She nodded toward Jacques’s direction. “I mean Jacques.” The Moon Spirit stopped at the edge of the lake and beckoned me. “I’ll wait here,” Kristy said and then added, “After this is over, you are so going to tell me everything!”

  I sighed and walked to the Moon Spirit who held out his hand. Hesitantly, I took it and its touch was strange. Silver and pure, inside my heart I felt the hurt and pain I had endured over the past few months leave and being replaced by peace and hope.

  “You had a hard task, Believer and you still have a battle ahead of you. I cannot see the future, but I pray that everything goes according to the moon’s desires.” Pointing at the lake, he said, “You must claim your powers. Under the moonlight, there is light and wisdom. Inside the lake, you will find what you seek or you will get destroyed. Your heart and soul will be your weapons, but without powers, can you truly succeed?”

  He fell silent, and I looked into Jacques’ eyes, hoping for some sign of him, but only the Moon’s Spirit’s liquid eyes stared back at me. Looking back, I saw Kristy who gave me an encouraging smile, and I nodded.

  Moving forward, I entered the silver lake and felt it soak my clothes with warm water. I stopped, thinking I must swim, but I felt a pull and sunk into the bottom.

  Chapter 13: The Test

  “Violet, Violet! You can’t stay with your eyes closed forever, darling. You must open them to see the real magic!”

  Opening my eyes, I stared at the person in front of me. “Grandma?”

  “You expected someone else?” My grandmother said, and I tilted my head.

  “The Moon Spirit or something from this Realm, anyway.”

  Laughing, she nodded. “I suppose that’s true.”

  “Do I get a scolding again?”

  “No, darling. Of course not.” She placed her warm hands on each side of my face and gave me a glowing smile. “I’m sorry I was so hard on you, but if I knew what your plan was, I would have advised you better.” She sighed. “You took a dangerous path, but you came through mostly unscathed.” Her words burned my heart and tears streamed down my cheeks. “It’s okay, my darling. It’s almost over. For this test, you must have a clear heart and focus on what matters the most.”

  “What?”

  “I’m sure you will succeed, but it won’t hurt to trust your friends. You can’t lift the weight of the Realms on your own. Your heart is set on the right path.”

  “I don’t want them to be hurt,” I said, blinking away the tears.

  “You’re hurting them more by not trusting them and you’re threatening your existence and your inner peace.” My grandmother looked at me
with sad eyes and I hated that I brought disappointment on her. “Good luck, my Violet. Know that I’m proud of you.” With that, she disappeared, leaving her warmth on my face.

  Turning my head, I noted that I was inside the lake, but I could breathe like I would if I was on the surface. A dress made of liquid silver had replaced my dirty clothes and my naked feet touched the silky surface of the silver sand.

  A glowing light shone and a silver fairy suddenly appeared in the sand and looked at me with her silver-plated eyes.

  “Tell me the answer,” she said with her eerie voice. “What is the meaning of having magic when you can’t help the ones you love?” I froze. “Why do you struggle when you’ve already lost?”

  Awestruck, I looked at the silver fairy. “Why are you doing this?”

  “So you’ll know the truth.” Her twisted face looked at me with pity. “You still believe you can save everyone, but you can’t. So, why fight?”

  “Because that’s the right thing to do,” I said, perplexed. This was the Moon Realm where kindness and goodness ruled. Why did she even question my decision?

  “The right thing to do,” she repeated. “That’s the right thing to do if you’re evil, too. What makes you think you can tip the scales?” She raised her hands and a malicious smile appeared on her face. “You’re all alone!” She laughed. “Alone, little Violet is all alone in the darkness where monsters roam freely.” She held her palm up and a ray shot up, opening a window. “Look at this! Do you still think it can be saved?”

  Peering out the window made me wish I hadn’t. Fire and ashes danced in front of my eyes while smoke suffocated me, making it hard to breathe. I was in the Blessed Realm, watching it burn. An evil fire that burned black and scorched everything in its path had circled the land. The tainted Evil houses were demolished while the Enchanted Forest was nowhere to be seen.

  Spread at my feet, creatures lay dead or severely injured and straight ahead, the hooded figure of my dreams laughed, surrounded by the Evil power. Across from her, one woman stood alone to fight her. The last supporter of Good: the Witch. Madelena with her head high, counteracted the Evilship’s powers with her own and I was impressed. I hadn’t realized it before, but the witch commanded all the elements with absolute control and balance but it was not enough. She was alone while everyone else was dead.

  Why did she keep fighting? Maybe the silver fairy was right, and it was all in vain. Suddenly, I found myself in the human world where my human friends and family lay in the same condition as the creatures in the Blessed Realm. Dead. Unmoving. Burned.

  “Diane! Mom!” I ran and shook them violently, but there was no waking them from their endless sleep. My tears streamed down my face, watering the earth, but it was in vain.

  “Do you see now?” the silver fairy said as she returned me to the lake. “There is nothing you can do to win. You’ve already lost!”

  Already lost? Shaking, my body couldn’t withstand the fact the people I loved were gone or would soon be gone and I kneeled down.

  Meanwhile, the fairy sang, “Lost, lost, you’ve lost!”

  My tears continued to form pools down, but I didn’t care. My vision was blurred and their faces was the only thing I saw. I’m sorry.

  “You are really difficult to take a sign, you know that?” A voice disturbed my dark thoughts and I blinked. Wiping my tears, my vision cleared to see a rabbit. “Instead of taking pity on yourself, shouldn’t you figure out a way to snap out of it?”

  “Snap out of it?” I said with a hoarse voice. “It’s a dream?”

  “You’ve been around for a while. You tell me, Believer,” the rabbit said and I blinked.

  “Rabbits don’t talk unless I’m dreaming. You are here to tell me something, aren’t you?”

  The rabbit tapped his foot. “I just said it. Snap out of it! Look inside you!”

  Considering the rabbit’s words, I closed my eyes and thought of the good things I had in my life. My parents, my friends were all caring for me, but what if they were really gone? What then? Should I keep fighting?

  A pink light appeared in my vision along with the chiming sound of bells. “Violet, you can do it. I believe in you.”

  “Kristy? What if there’s no use? What if everyone’s gone?” I said, sadly but she smiled.

  “They might have died for a reason but will you let Darkness overcome the world? Their sacrifice will be in vain and their memory will fade.” I contemplated her words as she held my arms, giving me strength. “You will honor them if you fight and keep them alive.”

  Nodding, a small smile crept on my lips, attempting to break the curse of the darkness inside me. A small light fought its way to the dark cave of my despair. “I think I know what to do now. Thank you!”

  Opening my eyes, I broke the memory and felt my power traveling inside me. A power like never before shot up through my body, giving me life. It was like the sun that gave life and energy to the plants. An unstoppable power that fought to get free.

  Raising my arms, I cried, “I am the Believer! I will not fail! Love and friendship are my weapons. I believe!” The concentrated power formed a giant violet fireball and willing it free, I directed the power to the silver fairy.

  Surprise along with awe were etched on her face, the silver fairy couldn’t defend herself and perished in a puff of silver.

  “Fairy dust,” I said and smiled.

  “That’s not how fairy dust is created,” a voice said and I turned ready to fight because I had recognized it. The silver fairy flew and levitating, she smiled. “Congratulations, you passed the test.”

  “Congratulations?” I said in disbelief. Taking a better look at her, she seemed different…lighter. Her silver color was the same, but her ugly face had transformed into a beautiful young fairy’s face and joy made her glow.

  “Yes, it was a test, and you passed. You can now use your powers and reach your full potential!” She clapped excitedly. “I’m sorry if I hurt you, but it was part of the test,” she said, sheepishly.

  “Oh.” Twisting my mouth, I bobbed my head, but I was not ready to forgive her yet. “Is this really that bad?”

  “Not yet, but you must hurry. Time is running out. I only showed you the worst case scenario of the future in the hopes that it would awaken you and it worked.”

  “But you helped me.”

  Shaking her head, she cast me a careful glance. “I didn’t, it’s forbidden. Whatever you saw, it was you.” She held her palms together and a silver bubble of light appeared. “You got your powers now, but you must hurry. If the Blessed Realm is destroyed—”

  “—the balance will shift,” I finished the thought, remembering Madelena’s words, and she nodded.

  Through the bubble, a butterfly flew out of it and rested onto my shoulder. Suddenly, the bubble started shimmering while red lightning writhed on its surface.

  Touching it softly, the silver fairy gave me a somber look. “This is the fourth butterfly. Only one to go, but the one you seek will not be as easy as the rest,” she said the rest of the words in a whisper. “You think the supernatural world is dangerous, but you have no idea what you will face. The sacrifice…”

  “…I’m the sacrifice.” I remembered what the Lady of Fate had told me as I recited them for a long time in order to understand them. “So, I have to die?” A lump went up to my throat. I hadn’t paid attention to the gibberish warning at first and afterward, my goal was to gather the butterflies and take my revenge. Until now. Why should it be me that had to die? I wanted to live and make my dreams a reality. Why should I be the one to save them all?

  “It’s never fair,” the silver fairy said as if she had read my thoughts.

  “Why me?”

  “I do not know. You’ve been in the past before, so you recognize that some things are impossible to avoid.”

  Closing my eyes, I felt my tears running hot on my face and I willed my mind to go back to my safe place. Feeling the ground shift under my feet, I looked and
saw I was in my house but no one could see me. Was I in the past again?

  My mother was cooking, and the house smelled wonderful from her homemade recipes. Humming, she put a pinch of curry and smiled, tasting the wooden spoon. At the door, my father entered with his hair in an upright position and his clothes streaked with mud. Passing her fingers through his hair, my mom laughed, waving her wooden spoon at him. He kissed her before leaving, whistling a happy tune. Diane bolted from the door with sweat trickling on her flushed face. My mother walked toward her and embraced her.

  The little moments my family shared warmed my heart. I was so busy looking ahead that I didn’t realize what was happening all around me. Insignificant things, but still beautiful, cherished moments that I had missed.

  My mother turned and looked at me and I got the sense she could really see me this time. Speaking with a cheery voice, she said, “Violet, Violet!”

  Her image was gone along with the house and I felt a hand shaking my shoulder and calling my name. “Violet! Violet!” Or was it two voices?

  Opening my eyes, two figures loomed before me wearing matching worried expressions. “Jacques? Kristy?”

  “You’re alive!” Kristy screamed and hugged me. “We were so worried!”

  “What?” I stammered. “Why?”

  Pulling away, she stared at me. “Well, because you were unconscious for quite some time. Don’t you remember?”

  “We were at the Moon Realm,” I said, frowning as images appeared in my head. “Then, I went to the lake, the test…” My eyes widened. “You were possessed!” I turned to Jacques who grimaced.

  “Don’t remind me.”

  “Are you all right?” Concerned, I searched his eyes, but he waved his hand nonchalantly.

  “Sure. If you don’t count that I am covered with silver dust from top to bottom, anyway.” He stared at me and kneeled on the ground. “Are you? After you were gone, the Moon Spirit released me and we were transferred here. We waited until the moment where a flash lit the whole place up and you fell here.” He gestured, and I noticed that silver dust fell from his hands. “You did take a long time to wake up, and we were getting worried.”