ONCE UPON AT SIXTEEN : A Fairy's Tale

Warning: Some contents may be offensive to some readers. Readers discretion is advised. Out of the many things on my list of you-need-to-know, one is that I wish I found out sooner than I did that the real world and real life, isn't exactly like what my mother describes. Heck, she did not describe anything helpful at all ! Not even school prepared me for what I have to go through in life. Have you ever felt so lost? Although I have learned the ways of the world in the hardest way, I wish not the same for you. Maybe by the end of this book, you'll know better or you will know how naive and stupid I was. Before I begin my life's story, I need you to know that I am a fairy. A fire fairy to be exact, and please, do not imagine me like Tinkerbell - I look almost human on the outside. We all do. So, if you decided to stay, I should introduce myself. My name is Tala of the Fire, I am now at my golden age and this is my story. A fair warning, even though I am a fairy, my life is not a fairytale. Ten years ago, when I was 11 years old I was about to start attending my very first human-fairy school. My very first school since I existed. I've been wishing for this for far too long, to which my parents always responded with disappointment and a very, very long sermon of why it will never happen - tho the reason was never clear. My ears might as well bleed. Despite the fact of disapprovement, I managed to convince them somehow - or so I thought. My father, Sir Ior of the Fire, Son of the Sun, Bringer of Light, titles he earned for saving the High Lord decades ago - is a very strict father. He never let me out. It was him who ordered my mother that my existence must be kept secret. Of course, I didn't know back then that I am a secret, I was too naive to even notice. All I thought was that they loved me so much they couldn't bear to let the outside world hurt a single strand of hair in my skin. Even though my father was never really there throughout half of my entire childhood, he never failed to spoil me with presents such as toys, trinkets of all sorts, foods and sweet treats from the human world or wherever realm he traveled from. My favorite amongst all gifts was the books he brought from all around the world in different languages with sorts of pictures. I guess these items were supposed to fill in for his absences - ought to keep me busy from missing him dearly. I was told, by my mother no other less, that I was very clingy to my father when I was a baby - which hindered my father from all sorts of businesses he needed to attend to. Rarely he comes home and never stays long enough. He never talks to me as much as my mother would nor carry me in his arms, if I am lucky I get a hug or a kiss once in a blue moon. He did ensure I got everything I needed to keep breathing. If you so thought that I am living the princess life in this enormous castle with a good ol' daddy that gives me everything there is in a snap of fingers - you thought wrong. He may be generous and far away constantly but he controls the house from thousands of miles away with all the rules that my mother and I must follow. Under no circumstances are we allowed to disobey otherwise there will be grave consequences - to my mother. I must've been the very worst daughter for not knowing that these threats were real and how my mother suffered when I was but an innocent toddler. As I was told later on. Before I further proceed to the story, I must tell you that when I said he controls the house, I meant exactly as it is said. Our house just like every other house is alive and it obeys the head of the family. We live in a world almost similar to Earth - well because it is Earth of a different realm. Athena is the name of our realm, not because of the Goddess but because the oldest colossal tree in the oldest land is called Athena, the mother of life and source of magic, the very reason for our existence. Mom said the tree was one of the many gods in every realm, it stands in the middle of our world, its roots go to the very core thus serving as a channel for the magical dust to arise from the core to surface through Athena's branches. Imagine the colossal tree, with rich and thick green leaves and from the end of each large branch flows pixie dust like mini waterfalls down to the pond surrounding the great tree making it glow and glimmer in gold and red. Millions of years ago, it decided that it wants company, someone to care for, someone to use the dust thus, from its fruits came the old ancestors, the first five fairies, the foundation of our society. Just like how Athena shared her name with her fruits, every tree can communicate with its owner which means the tree choses who will reside in it and therefore, my daddy can talk to our house. Unlike in the human world, trees are the most important and sacred plant here and it is never like the human tree. Ours are enormous, gigantic, it's almost as if land does not exist - just trees, roads and rivers from oceans that flow along the roots. We need not to cut it down to build houses hence it is also illegal and punishable by death. We are really like tiny birds residing in these magnificent and enchanted trees - it can be a home or a cage depending upon the homeowner. I guess I should say, I felt at home in a cage. The larger the tree, the higher the position the head of the family holds, and ours is biggest amongst in Spera Island because my father is the only one here who holds a position within the Fairy Council - he represents our bloodline and talent - he is the Fire. From the outside our world may seem a vast ocean of trees, there are no doors, only windows to each, and one cannot enter without a verbal invitation from the head of the family because the tree would not allow trespassers in its body. Unless the visitor is an esteemed member of the faculty or someone within the council's circle. What will happen to trespassers or whoever breaks the rules? The tree will consume the trespasser replenishing itself with its violators' flesh and blood, while it will t*****e the disobedient by trapping it in a room of total darkness and thorns. It never happened to me and I didn't really believe it either, just thought that maybe it was my Mother's trick to put me to sleep at the right time or make me eat mushrooms. The scares worked because I have been obedient throughout my stay in that tree for as long as I can remember, but I never really did save my mother from the experience as I was told later on. And so there I was, living in that so-called tree castle without a glimpse of what the outside world looked like - I only see as far as the windows could let me. In fact, I've always thought that passersby were ignoring me everytime I waved at them. I thought the children were pretending not to hear my voice when I called for them - I soon found out that the tree was hiding me, too. No one outside ever saw me existed. As I've said, the world might as well end but they will never let me out the tree, not even once since the day I was born. The only fairies I ever know were my own parents. This is why I became fond of books and I took in a lot of hobbies to keep me busy. Singing, sewing, dancing, painting, fencing, boxing, acrobats, indoor plants, swimming in the very long inside pool, embroidery, scrapbooks and diaries - you name it I've probably have done it. All which I learned from reading. Everyday, I stick my nose in books - I try to learn as much as I can as fast as I could hoping that this will make dear father proud. Maybe if I have knowledge of the outside world he might consider my wishes. I must've read every book there was since I was four and I loved every single page, picture and word. They would always bring me somewhere I wish I could go. Everyday is a new place but then, I wanted more. Reading no longer satisfies my desire, I want to see everything with my own eyes! So every year on my birthday, since I was seven, I would always dare ask for one same wish - that is to go to a proper school or at least experience what it is like to be outside. Birthday wishes are supposed to be fulfilled as per traditions but my wish is a long shot, not even worthy of fulfilling according to my high and almighty father. My mother never bothered to argue with him nor ever questioned any of his decisions because as much as she is concerned, I am to stay put inside this castle where I am safe and sound. She was always overly protective of me as if somebody will harm me any second. I am aware it was impossible to convince them but every year I try - I'd rather keep risking my throat. No, he wouldn't kill me. But if stares and words could, I would've been dead many birthdays ago. Well, my mother did and always say, "Why in the summerhell would you ask your father about wanting to go to school? Have you not learned anything from me? I teach you everything a fairy like you needs to know. You've got books of various subjects and genres, approved by your father. You've got hobbies here and lots to learn about making your own family one day. What else must you want to go to a public school? You're a fire fairy, the perfect candidate for a wife and mother when the right time comes, you don't need school. Your life's dedication should be here and here only." Summerhell ! A winter fairy expression, obviously because they are not entirely fond of fires and heats which is why I always wonder, what was she thinking when she married my father - who is a fire fairy ?! She even gave birth to me - a fire fairy ! I must've burned her down there! Anyways, going back, that was exactly what she said, which I still don't understand. If fire fairies are bound to be wives and mothers at the golden age, why must they stop me from doing what I want as much as I can with the little time I have left to be me ? They kept me locked in the house without anyone else to meet or play with, what harm must befall upon me if I step on a soil outside our doors? I mean, my life starting sixteen has been pretty much pre-written by the fairy societies. My father obviously had plans for my life ahead in the future. For hell's sake, I was a child ! Let me run around outside and get bruised or get rained ! Geez. I must've wished upon the luckiest star or I don't know what kind of tinker miracles happened but one morning, a day before my eleventh birthday, at breakfast while I'm sitting on a stool patiently waiting for my pixie seasoned pancakes, my mother sat down on a stool in front of me, looked at me and she said, "Tala, listen to me carefully. One day, you're gonna grow up and you will learn how things really are. I know I wouldn't always be there to keep you from everything…. unsafe. And, there will come a time when you'll have to face circumstances and make difficult decisions - I just hope you'll always make the right ones." Out of every single conversation we had she always said that no matter what happens I'll never be alone. And yet, there she was, holding my hand and it felt like I am alone more than I ever did. She soon stood up as if she didn't want me to keep looking at her sad face. It was very weird of her to say those words. Was that a bruise on her cheek? Then she said, "Eat up your breakfast, you're gonna be late for school." Holy flippin' pancakes ! Shocked ! I was absolutely terrifyingly shocked. I was literally just frozen on my seat staring at my mother awkwardly fiddling with pans and plates and what she said kept playing in my head - just the last part. I squeezed my hands on the edge of my chair and bit my lips so hard to prevent myself from screaming. I took a deep breath and tried so hard to not squirm and stutter, "School? Am I ? Am I going to school?" She looked around and she was muttering something to herself then looked at me from her shoulders and almost whispered, "Yes" I never knew it was possible to be happy by a word - and I am very much happy. Nothing. Else. Matters. It is finally happening ! I am finally going to school - on the first day of spring ! I remembered, running up to my room panicking, anxious, and excited. It was a roller coaster of emotions and there's little tiny sparkles going out on top of my head as I tried so hard to conceal all of these emotions. I'm not allowed, under any circumstances, to let a power outburst or make loud noises. I was doing these little tap dances in my place to divert the surging energy. It was so unbelievable, unfathomable, unimaginable and yet ! It became real. I am finally going to school, I'm going out there - in the world. What do I do? What do I pack? How will I get there? How do I even get there? Do I fly? Can I use my wings? Wait - can I use powers there? It's a human-fairy school. From what I've read only few people actually know we exist and the school was built to help fairies learn to blend in before graduation. Mostly, spring fairies, faunas, and messenger fairies get to go to that school because their presence in ours and the human realm is much needed than winter and fire fairies or every other fairies. Because, high ranking talents such as winter, fire, earth and wind fairies can perform their jobs both in ours and the human realm without being physically present. However, everyone can still go to that school if approved by the parents and council. As I have said, we look almost human. Except for the pitchblack eyes that glimmer of various colors and shades when we feel emotions, oh and the tiny sparkles I've mentioned, the retractable wings that look like butterflies or dragonflies for most guys. My wings are golden red and similar to Mariposa's, by the way. The ever-so beautiful and tall physique, the long tongues, tho I've heard some humans have very long tongues too. Hmm… what else? Humans can cut their hair while we can't because it hurts like a limb getting cut off and if we do cut our hairs, it will not grow back - like a limb. Most of us can change our hair colors at will when we have reached the golden age. The colors of our blood vary like how humans have different types of blood. We can be invisible, well not all of us, most fairies can blend or camouflage by changing the color of their entire body, not as well as fire fairies, we can manipulate light thus we can manipulate what others can and cannot see. It's not easy but I've mastered it since I was two. My parents love to play hide and seek, they would always let me hide and they'll say things like "never let yourself be seen and wait for us to find you" - it will take them hours to find me! So, I was in my room and within a minute with a bag full of clothes. "You'll need clothes when you're there", my Mother was practically throwing every dress she could into the luggage. "Why? Do students have different dress codes per subject?" She helped me put on my bag made of the sturdiest leaves and grabbed the huge bag full of my clothes. I followed along as fast as I could to keep up with her pace as we went down the very long flight of stairs. Again, I heard her muttering something to herself and kept looking at the walls of the tree. "Mom, I don't need to bring the whole wardrobe because I'll be home by dinner", she never answered nor did she put down the heavy bag. She held my hand and said, "I need you to be invisible before we go out the door. Once we are out you'll stay out of sight and walk faster, understood?" I never understood why but I followed her orders. I had to be invisible and very quiet while we traveled to the borders in my mother's car. Yes, we have cars. Yes it looked the same as cars in the human world but ours run on a special liquid that never smelled like gas. Does it need keys? No, it recognizes its owner like how the tree knows who lives in it. Why must I hide the entire travel did not become my concern at that moment. Of course, it didn't matter to me because my mind was so fixated to the fact that I am now getting out of Spera Island to go to school. This was the very first time that I stepped out of our giant tree house or castle. Also, I was so mesmerized by how beautiful the outside is. I saw childrens, some of my age, playing games beside the road. How happy they are! Everything faded to view as we approached the magic wall. I kind of felt queasy when my mother suddenly drove faster through the portal and she never slowed down since. When my mother and I reached and stopped at the end of the road to Spera kilometers away outside the magic wall, there was a human waiting. She's a tall, black, gorgeous woman with amazing long braids of hair. "It's okay, Tala. You can trust her. She will take you far away from here." "Away? What do you mean away? I'm not going to school?" "No, sweetie. It's not safe for you there or here. You'll need to go." "But...why?" "Just get in her car, Tala." What does she mean? I remembered tears blurring my eyes as I let the human see me step out of the car with my mother holding my bags. I watched her and the human talk as they loaded the bag at the back of that human's car. They were looking at me as I stood reluctantly to get in the stranger's car. My mother was going to walked past me and I grabbed her dress, "Then… protect me Mother. I … need you." She turned around to face me with tears on her eyes, "I did and I can't. I failed you, Tala, I should've …. I should've …. I'm sorry", and just like that she disappeared in thin cold air. All I had left in my hand was her scarf. Where she went, only the wind knows. This human lady, with a beautiful complexion of black and shimmer of gold, went in the driver's seat. "You have to get in or else your mother's effort will be in vain" I did and I hid myself, made myself invisible. She just looked as if she could still see me in the mirror then drove away faster than my mother did. In case you are wondering, my mother is gone. Gone and will never return nor will be found elsewhere. Confused and sad was not enough of a word to describe me that day. I was also enraged and shaking and, and, afraid. Terrified of what lies ahead of me now that she's gone. I don't know who the human is. Why must mother give me away?