Silverwood

One step closer.

"Why are you not purple then?"

What should I do now? Devi, think, think of something. 

"I...."

"Hm"

"I... am...I am under a spell."

"A spell?"

"Yes. You can not see my actual appearance for now."

"And why you created that spell?"

"How can an elf create a spell? It is my friend's mischief."

"Oh really? But why an elf can not do a spell?"

What a dumb fairy? Maybe he is old enough, so he is being like that.

"Because an elf is...."

"n***d!...." One scream.

Oh no.. Arun is here. He can not see me like this. 

Flashback:

( When I was about to enter the castle under the water, I found a beautiful midnight blue flower. I admired it. Vidya told me that, that was a bit of a toxic flower. The guard uses it to d**g others and puts them in a deep sleep. 

I plucked one and kept it inside my bag. Vidya scolded me for doing so.)

I think I have to use it now.

"Aaaap" I took a deep breath and took the flower out. 

Its pollen dusted over everyone, including Plum and Arun. All the tiny fairies, the n***d Arun, and dog Plum fell asleep.

"What did you do?" Vidya asks.

"They are only sleeping, right?"

She nods a yes.

I drank my potion. Got something to cover Arun. And waited till they are awake.

"No..no.. no!" Arun screamed and woke up.

"You okay?"

"Hm"

His stomach made a growling sound. 

"Want some?"

He accepted my offered food.

"Wuff"

"Hey Plum! You want some?"

"What happened? One time I was n***d and the other time I.."

"Still the same."

He tries to cover him, but the cloth is short.

"Elf? You are truly an elf." The old sprite says.

"Told you."

"Why is your friend like this?"

"Actually, we were in the Apah abyssal and the time of potion is over now and we are back to our original selves."

"So that's why you were hiding your true appearance. You were n***d too. We got it. Let us help you."

The group comes again and they used the glitters to make a beautiful peach and pink dress for me and something wearable for him. 

"Thank you so much."

Arun thank them too.

"Have you seen my book?"

"This? I can not understand anything."

"What about her?" He points to Vidya.

"She can't either," I answer.

"Then who can?"

"What is the matter, kids?"

"Nothing.."

"Can you read this?" I ask.

Arun elbowed me.

"Hmm.. mmm. This is ancient writing."

"So... you can?"

"Yes, I can."

 "This is a book of the spells." The old sprite says.

"No use for me."

"Why boy? This is the book of spells for elves only."

"Elves can not do magic right?" I ask.

"Who told you?"

"Amm.."

"What about the curse?" Arun asks.

"As per my knowledge, I have never heard of any curse. Elves stopped using magic on their own."

"No no no. In our village, everywhere in the world, it is said that we are cursed to be a magic less species. And you are saying we stopped magic on our own?"

 "I am a hundred years old. I have never heard of it before. Though it's too long since I have been out of this island, but I know many things."

"So we can do spells too?"

"Yes of course."

The spark in his eyes, the glow in his face was beyond everything. 

"How can I know, how to use it?"

"Go to the island near east Apah. In the pyramid, you will get the answer."

Pyramid? I am supposed to go there too. Cool. I can tag along with him. 

"About this. Can you help me read this?"

"I would love to. Going back to the old profession reminds me of my old days."

"Your old profession?" I ask.

"I was the spells teacher of the elves. But after the war ended, they stopped me from teaching. I heard that they stopped using magic. So I don't dare to visit their village. It is just a few-hour flight from here."

"Where?"

"The elf mountain."

"I am so close to my home."

"Yes, you are."

"Vidya!" I call her loud but she pretended as she didn't listen to me.

She is enjoying the breeze alone. I feel bad. Why is she mad?

"Will you teach me the ancient language?"

"I can."

"Sir, you were teaching the spells to the elves in the ancient language?" I ask.

"No. I had a book where it is translated in the simple language."

"Do you have it now?"

"Do I? Let me think. I guess. I kept some. Come with me."

"Let's go."

"Arun, I think I will stay."

"Why? Don't you want to do the magic too?"

"Vidya needs me."

"Whatever!"

He made a long face and left.

I walked near Vidya.

"Enjoying alone?"

"Habituated."

"What if I say sorry?"

"Won't work."

"What if I say I'll miss you?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"When I'll get back I'll miss you."

"For going back you need to get to the pyramid. That too before five days. For that, you have to convince your best friend too. After that only you can leave me here alone."

She is mad because she feels leftover. She was a slave and after me, her life will be lonely. 

"What if you come with me?"

"What?"

"If I can survive here. Like the air, the atmosphere. You can survive there too. Come with me. We'll stay together."

"You will?"

"Yes."

"Don't fool me. I know you are not serious."

"I am serious. I am just one step apart from my destination. Why would I fool around?"

"You are not one step apart. You have just got one step closer."

"Whatever, but the fact is I am getting close, no. And I am asking you. Will you come with me? I would love to have your friendship. Forever. I have never had a staunch friend before."

Maybe I had, but I didn't recognize her.

She hugs me.

"You promise, right?"

"I promise."

"You have to keep your promise."

"I will for sure."

She laughs softly. Then asks.

"Tell me about your world."

"My world. It differs significantly from here."

"Really?"

"Yes. Imagine a world without magic."

"Oh, my god. How do you live there?"

"Though we don't have magic, we have science. Which is more like magic too."

"Awesome."

She is so cute. And too curious. She asked every detail, and I answered her every question.

I didn't realize when she falls asleep. 

"She is sleeping?" Arun asks in a whisper.

I nod to a yes. We sneak to a scheduled area. Looking at the sky.

"Thank you."

"Dude, why are you thanking me?"

"For everything."

"Like?"

"Like..."

We hear Plum's snore. We laugh.

"Plum will wake Vidya up."

"Vidya hates me."

So true.

"No, it's not true."

"No, she does. In Apah she showed her true feelings."

"Yes, she did."

"Look."

"When you were in the deep she was the one who wanted to save you."

"Don't lie."

"I am not."

"I wanted to go alone to save you. I did so but she was insisting to get in danger for you."

"You mean for you."

"Okay..." He rolled his eyes.

"I mean for both. She doesn't hate you. She just feels left out. And it is natural for her. She was a slave before. No one treated her well. I did, so she wants my attention. That is not bad."

"Hm.."

"Sorry..."

"No, I am sorry."

"You didn't know her story so.."

"No"

An awkward silence spread. He took out the compass. 

"This is yours."

What the...... He didn't have the one as I had, he actually had the one I had. Did he steal it from me?

"This.."

"Actually I want to confess something."

"Go on."

"You know my ancestors were the reason for the curse, right?"

"But there is no curse."

"Will you just listen?"

"Sorry, continue."

"Curse or no curse, but everyone blames us. My father left us because of this conflict. My mother hid me from others. And said that they did not relate to me to that family. I wanted to clear my family's name. For that, I went on a quest. I witnessed the sorrow of others. Just because of my grandparents. On my quest, sorry but not so sorry to say that I became a thief. I went to the giant valley to meet Gyan. But he said he gave the compass to a girl. The compass that shows the direction to anything you desire."

"This one."

"Yes. I was too depressed, till I met you. You came to me asked for help. The deal was good, so I agreed. I thought it will be great if I could at least feed my friends. But I messed up. And you left. Just for the sake of the snake people, I followed you. You are a troublemaker. I saved you, and we were back on the deal. At the mountain range, after I drop you there, you paid me and left. I felt I should be there with you. But I saw you were holding the compass."

"You did?"

"Yes. I thought of many things. And got to a conclusion, to wait for you. I wanted to ask you why were you possessing the compass. What was your mission? But felt if I do so you will leave me. So I kept silent. After I saved you, I got the chance to steal the compass from you. But I hesitated. In the Snake village, I stole it from you. I wanted to run away."

"But you found that we are heading in the same direction?" 

"Yes."

I sigh.

"Sorry, but my intention changed."

"Yes, you wanted to use me."

"No. I wanted to protect you."

No. I won't melt in his fake words.

"In the ship, I was too happy. I wanted to help you with your mission. But Vidya reminds me that I don't belong with you. So I went to search for the answer alone. I never thought that you'll come for me. I swear. I thought the only time we spent together will be enough for me. But now I want to be selfish. I want to be with you. When I'll get the cure for our curse. I can proudly declare that yes, I belong to the family that brought you the curse but, that family member brought you the cure too. But I want to marry you."

I gasp.

"Ya, I know I am in a rush but. I like you. Whatever your goal is, I promise I'll help you get it. I'll protect you."

I am speechless. What can I say? I will be leaving soon. I don't belong here. I was about to marry someone. What...

"Ahh"

"No need to answer now. I know I have surprised you. It's not yet a two moon and I asked you such a question. You can take time."

What is this two moon? Vidya is asleep too.

"One question. Need an answer now. Will you come with me?"

I asked the same question to Vidya, and now Arun is asking me the same. What a coincidence. 

"Where?"

"To the pyramids? I know you had other plans but.."

"Yes"

"You will."

I nod to yes.

"I promise. I'll take you wherever you want. After the pyramid, I am your slave. Your mission is my responsibility."

Saying this he left. He is so happy. But his happiness will not stay longer. I won't stay here for long. As per the giant Gyan, the last piece is only left. Once I get it. I'll assemble it and get back to my world. There is no place for him in my world. I am getting married. Vidya, Plum. At least I can take Vidya. I have to say bye to Plum too. I don't know if I'll get a chance to miss him or not. 

What will I do after I get back?