SPELLBOUND

Subconsciously, Evie gripped her wrist. She did not know why but she was suddenly reminded of the dark fae prince.

"Back in Dacria… you told me to come here before the dark fae catches me. Does he already know about me?"

"The dark fae prince once lived in Crescia as well when he was still young. So, despite him being a dark fae, he'd certainly learned about that song. He is very powerful and intelligent so it wouldn't be a surprise if in the countless of years that he was trapped inside that crystal not able to do anything, he must have figured out the meaning behind this song too. That was why he took an interest in you when she saw your power awakening in Dacria." The light fae answered.

"He must have already felt the power in you, and he must have realized you are not just a descendant of the light faes but a royal descendant as well. It was very easy for him to identify just by sensing your magic. That's why if he catches you, that dark prince would definitely kill you or use you to gain everything he wanted."

"What more does he want? Didn't they succeed in their aim since they have ruined this land already?" Evie felt an anger surged inside her chest.

"Now that the Middle Empire had fallen, I believe he wanted to conquer the entire continent of Lirea as well. And that's why he had targeted the vampires as he knew they are the superior race now. But I believe he would still want this land too. That is, once the tree of light has been brought back to life. He would want to conquer it again from you since he failed thousands of years ago. We don't know what he is planning but knowing him, he'd definitely be carrying out all the worse things imaginable." The light fae's voice was tight and filled with wrath.

Remembering the duration of the time limit that her men had given her, Evie glanced at the tree again one last time before turning around and both Evie and the light fae returned to the throne hall again.

Evie had immediately thought that awakening the tree of light now in this land's current state would be useless. If Thundran attacks again with the help of the vampires, she would definitely not be able to defend this place against them. Even if Onyx was being added into the equation.

"These are all the remaining light faeries right?" Evie asked and the light fae nodded.

"I believe the queen's purpose was to preserve the race by saving these young ones. I don't know if she knew about the prophecy on the daughter of light, but I want to believe that she had preserved everyone in this state, hoping that one day, someone would free them from their despair."

"How can we free them? Can I free them?" Evie was half asking the light fae and half questioning herself.

"Yes, princess."

Evie looked at her and then the thought of her using her blood again made her worry a little.

"Please be assured princess, these crystals wouldn't need your precious blood." The light fae somehow again, read her mind and responded, causing Evie to heave a sigh in relief.

"But didn't you say, Thundran had used the dragon guardians' blood to free himself?" Evie remembered this point.

"The dragon guardians are different from you, princess."

Evie was appalled again as she looked at her with questions in her eyes.

"The dragon guardians were indeed the descendants but due to the long generation of your family being married off to humans, the fae's blood was almost gone. That's why Thundran had to use so many guardians' blood before his spirit was finally freed and then eventually, his body. That was only because the guardians' blood was not that pure anymore. But your blood, princess is very much closer to the real faeries and one of royal descent too. The scent of your blood is the proof. I believe it was because you are the destined one."

The light fae stood near a crystal and looked at Evie.

"All you have to do is touch them and command them to awaken, princess." She told her.

Evie swallowed.

"What will happen when I free them?" she asked. "Would they serve me and obey me?"

The light fae smiled. "Yes. They will, without a doubt. Free them, princess… we need more of our people to protect you."

At that moment, Evie glanced at her men. Seeing their numbers, she knew that the light fae was right. However, Evie was a little torn now. Because her plan was to learn everything. The secret of her powers and then how to use it. She had come on this journey to learn about the origins of her powers and how to freely call upon the dragons and control them fully. She had thought that once she has all the answers, she would then go and look for her husband. And then next would be to save her father from Thundran. Not forgetting the Dacrians too, who were waiting for her return.

Suddenly, Evie did not know what to do. If she awakened these faes, would they come with her and help her find her husband first and foremost? Would they support her if she prioritized her beloved before this land?

She knew this land needed her but was it wise to bring this land back to life when the danger of the dark fae was looming just around the corner? Deep within Evie, she felt that it was not yet the time for this land to rise again from the ashes. There were too few light faeries… this number would never be enough…

If this land were to rise again, the light faes will be needing allies to defeat Thundran and his allies. And Evie just believed that the one ally they needed the most would be Gavriel. She had seen it before, how her husband had led a small place such as Dacria to victory against the army of a whole empire. If it was not for Thundran and the dragons, he would have won the last war too. If only she knew about her powers at that time, she would be able to support him.

Evie clenched her fists tight as she remembered how she had been so helpless back then and could not even help. But it would be different now. She swore to herself.

She would learn everything and grow even stronger than ever so she could go and look for Gavriel. She must find him.

___

A/N: If we reach rank 1 in Golden ranking at the end of this week, I will give bunos chapter. ^^