Chapter Text
Phinium and Lydia stood before the Fairy Entity, their hearts heavy with desperation as the winds began to swirl around them, stirring the air with an ethereal energy. The majestic figure before them exuded an aura of ancient wisdom and power.
"Listen, there must be another way! We'll find another way!" Phinium's voice rang out.
"You must understand! We just want to live with our sweet girl! You can't take her from us," pleaded Lydia, her voice trembling with emotion as she clung to Phinium's arm.
The entity regarded them with an unreadable expression. "Then we have no deal," it replied, its voice resonating like the whisper of the wind through trees.
Desperation etched across their faces, Phinium and Lydia felt the weight of impending loss pressing down upon them. But just as the entity began to turn away, Phinium's resolve flared within him, and he found the strength to call out, "Wait!"
The entity paused, its attention drawn back to Phinium as he stepped forward, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of newfound determination. "I... have an offer," he said, his voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions churning within him. He looked up at the entity, his gaze unwavering as he gathered his thoughts.
"I can't bear to see my daughter leave us," Phinium began, his words measured and earnest. "But I would do this just for her.” He stated, and the entity waited for him to continue, “...What if we stay with you forever, all of us, but Johanna can leave whenever she wishes?” Lydia's eyes widened.
"We…” Phinium glanced at Lydia, with a solemn expression, "I am willing to do this, to offer my life in exchange for the opportunity to remain with our daughter, until she finally decides to go her own way,” Phinium continued, his voice resonating with a fervent sincerity. “I, too, am willing to do this.” Lydia said firmly, “For our daughter's sake. She deserves to grow up with her parents.”
Phinium nodded, "Please, consider our offer.”
As the last echoes of Phinium's words drifted into the air, the winds seemed to still, and a profound silence descended upon the scene. The Fairy Entity regarded Phinium and Lydia with an inscrutable gaze, and for a timeless moment, the very fabric of existence seemed to hang in the balance.
Then, finally, the entity spoke, its voice carrying a note of contemplation. "Your offer is bold," It said, its words echoing with a weight that seemed to resound through the very foundations of the world, "Johanna is to return whenever I see fit." The entity concluded. “So, do we have a deal?” Phinium asked, extending his hand to shake on it. The entity slowly nodded.
“A bargain.”
***
Hilda raced through the enchanting landscape of the Fairy Country, Twig chasing behind her. The air was alive with the vibrant hum of magic, and the towering mushrooms that dotted the landscape provided the perfect platforms for her daring exploits.
With nimble agility, Hilda hopped from one mushroom cap to the next, her tresses streaming behind her as she weaved through her surroundings. Twig followed closely behind her, his tiny form a steadfast anchor amidst the whirl of motion and excitement.
Bounding across the terrain, Hilda and Twig swiftly ascended one of the tallest mushrooms, pausing at its peak to catch their breath. From this lofty vantage point, Hilda gazed out over the fantastical expanse of the Fairy Country, her eyes alight with the thrill of adventure. Twig chirped softly, his eyes reflecting the same sense.
But as Hilda savored the breathtaking view, a distant voice called out her name.
"Oh! That must be mum!" Hilda exclaimed, a smile brightening her features as she hoisted Twig into her arms. "Are you ready, boy?" she asked, meeting Twig's gaze. In response, Twig nodded.
With a determined glint in her eye, Hilda took a few steps back, then, with a burst of energy she sprinted forward and jumped off the edge of the towering mushroom. For a fleeting moment, she felt the rush of wind against her face as she fell, then her fall transformed into a flight as she was carried aloft on unseen currents of magic.
"Woo-hoo!" Hilda's laughter rang out as she soared through the sky. Twig chirped with glee. Hilda soared through the sky, the wind rushing past her and Twig as they flew over Fairy Country. As she looked down, the landscape below took her breath away.
"This place is wonderful," Hilda muttered, her voice filled with awe and wonder, “It's all I could ever imagine… but there's so much more to see out there!”
Twig chirped happily in her arms, clearly enjoying the flight just as much as she was. As they descended, Hilda's heart raced with excitement. She spotted her mother and Aunt Astrid waiting for her on the ground, their figures becoming clearer as she approached.
"Hi, mum, Auntie Astrid!" Hilda beamed as she touched down on the soft grass. Her mom turned to face her, a bright smile spreading across her face. "Hilda! There you are!" she exclaimed.
"Hey kiddo, we were just about to leave without ‘cha." Astrid said with a grin, reaching out to ruffle Hilda's hair as Loam picked up their bags. Her mom, with crossed arms, rolled her eyes as Astrid walked away laughing. "The other side is wonderful, I can't wait for you to see it," She finally said.
“I can't wait to see it either,” Hilda admitted, “But… why didn't you stay?” She asked. Her mom looked around, “Uh, well, I couldn't.” She shrugged, with a gentle smile, “If I could, I definitely would have.” She sighed, “Moving on, are you ready to go?” Hilda smiled and nodded, “Ready as I'll ever be!”
“Good,” Her mother said, “Now, don't go off telling people you're a fairy, or that you can fly, or that you can do magic. Okay?” Hilda looked down and nodded, “Okay.” She replied. Her mom knelt down and gently caressed her cheek, “I say this because I love you and I don't want to see you get hurt.” Her mom whispers softly, “Some of the people there aren't as accepting as the people here. I just don't want anything… bad happening to you.” She gently smiled. Holding her mother's hand, Hilda looked up with a small smile on her face, “I know,” She whispered back.
“Alright then, why don't we get this show on the road?” Astrid said, placing a hand on Johanna's shoulder. Johanna and Hilda stood up and faced the place they've lived forever. “Hilda!” Her grandfather shouted as he, and his wife, descended from the sky, “Do tell me all about your adventures when you come to visit!” He smiled as he and Lydia waved goodbye.
“I will! I promise!” Hilda says as her mom and Astrid wave goodbye. “Alrighty, Twig, it's time to do your thing.” Hilda said, looking at the young deer-fox next to her. Twig let out a howl, then Astrid extended her hand toward Twig and began to channel her own magic into the small creature. As she did, a faint glow surrounded both of them, and the air crackled with energy.
Soon, a shimmering light-bridge began to form before their eyes, its iridescent colors swirling and dancing in the air. Hilda stared at it in awe, marveling at the sight. "Man, that never gets old!" She laughed, her eyes twinkling with excitement. She had seen Twig do this a few times for her mom, but she never came with her.
With a gentle nudge from Astrid, Hilda, her mom, Loam, and Twig started to make their way up the bridge. As they walked, the bridge seemed to hum with a melody of magic, carrying them across to the other side. Then, they all entered the white light, and in the blink of an eye, they found themselves in a place unlike any they had ever seen before. The other side. Hilda sat up with a gasp, taking in her surroundings with wide-eyed wonder.
"Now this, this is wonderful. Everything is so… beautiful! So alive!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with amazement. She turned towards the nearby house. "Are we living here?" Hilda asked.
Her mom shook her head, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "What?" Hilda asked, her excitement tinged with confusion.
"We're not living here, Hilda," her mom explained, her gaze filled with warmth. "We're going to be living quite far away. But,” Johanna smiled, “We're gonna get there the fun way.”
“The fun way?” Hilda asked, running over to her mother, “What's the fun way?”
“Ah, I wouldn't call it ‘the fun way’,” Astrid quoted with a droopy face, “I'd call it… The mediocre way. Flying's better, and cooler,” Astrid said as they started to walk forward, “But, this way is more peaceful. And you don't have to worry ‘bout birds flyin’ into ya,”
“Speak from experience?” Hilda joked.
“No,” Astrid answered, “But your grandpa flew into a bunch of ‘em when we were younger.” Astrid added with a smirk. Hilda paused and blinked before running after them, “Wait, so grandpa flew into the birds? Not the other way around?”
“He claims the birds flew into him,” Astrid shrugged. It didn't take long for them to arrive at what Hilda assumed to be a station. “Here we are,” Johanna hummed, “The fun way. And it looks like we're just in time!” She said as she saw a row of wheeled cars that are linked together start to approach and slow down before stopping with a “tschhh”. Steam coming from some sort of chimney as it stopped moving. “Whoa!” Hilda exclaimed, “What is this?” She asked as the thing came to a stop.
“This is a train,” Johanna said as she ushered Hilda inside, “It's a method of transportation used by humans.” Hilda sat down on the chair and looked out the window. Twig hopped onto her lap and got comfortable. “Transportation…” She whispered as the train started to move, “If they can build this, why can't they build wings or something to make them fly? Then we wouldn't be as weird, would we?” Hilda asked, turning to her mom and Astrid.
“It's not that simple.” Astrid replied with a sigh. Hilda'a gaze shifted to the window as she huffed, she put her head on the glass, watching as everything moved by her at a quick pace. The consistent sound of the train moving slowly lulling her to sleep. She closed her eyes and drifted off.
***
“Whoa, that is a big wall.”
Hilda said, her mouth agape. “Why is there even a wall?” She asks, turning towards her mother and Astrid. “To keep the bad things out.” Her mother replied, glowering. “Come on then! Don't you want to see our new house?” She inquired, walking ahead of them.
“I do, I do!” Hilda said, chasing her mother with Twig in her arms. Astrid shook her head and followed the two into Trolberg. They walked the streets of Trolberg as they made their way to their new home.
“Hilda,” Astrid began, catching up with the girl in question, “Don't you think Twig would've been safer if he stayed back home?” She asked. “What? No way!” Hilda giggled, Twig huffing in agreement, “Twig's gonna love it here.” Johanna groaned, “Sometimes I wish we had a car. While you two start setting up, I'll be busy.” She laughed. “Well, I like the walk.” Hilda said, hopping on one leg before switching to the other, “It just feels nice, you know?”
“Oh right,” Her mom suddenly said, “I need to get you some new clothes too!”
“Why? What's wrong with the clothes I'm wearing now?” Hilda asked, “Now that I think about it, you two changed your clothes! Why?”
“Hilda…” Johanna trailed off.
“There's nothing wrong with your outfit, Hilda.” Astrid replied, “But with these people's standards, it looks like you're wearing rags. Like you're poor.” Astrid explained, “Not many people are kind to those folk as they don't trust them.”
“What? That's ridiculous!” Hilda cried, “Why on earth would you judge someone just from what they're wearing?”
“I suppose that so many of them act like that, people just assume. A stereotype.” Astrid shrugged.
“T-Then we should break this stereotype!” Hilda countered. Astrid turned to face her with a serious expression, “You are one person, Hilda. Even if you got them to change their view on you, that doesn't mean that you changed their view on that group of people as a whole.”
“But,” Johanna interrupted, “I'm sure you'll like your new clothes. You can even come with me to pick out some. Sound fun?” She asked. Hilda looked down, “I guess.” She said, defeated.
“Don't be like that…” Johanna frowned, then turned towards the houses, “...Because we're here!” She grinned. Hilda looked up and saw her mom heading towards what is bound to be their new home. “Wait for me!” Hilda said, running after her mother. Astrid quickened her pace as Loam ran ahead of her. Hilda hopped up the stairs as her mother opened the door to the apartment.
Hilda entered the area and looked around. It was empty, they could put whatever they wanted in here? That sounded like a dream! “Alright, Hilda, go pick which room you want.” Her mom said as she took their bags off of Loam as Astrid came inside. “Right,” Hilda said before dashing towards one of the rooms, she opened the door. Empty. And it was her room! Twig came into the room, and Hilda turned and picked him up. “Isn't this so cool, Twig? My room! I mean, there isn't anything in here right now, but I can make it look like whatever I want.”
She pointed to the corner next to the window, “Maybe I can sleep over here on a bed! That's what my mum calls it at least. If it were up to me, I'd call it the ‘sleepyhead retreat’. Oh and maybe my workspace can go right here!” Hilda said before walking over to the area across from where she said her bed would be, “Do you think a wardrobe would be good right here?” She asked Twig before laughing, “Wardrobe.” She repeated, “Such a silly word. Wor·drowb.”
Hilda laid on the floor, and Twig sat next to her as she looked up at the ceiling. ‘To keep the bad things out,’ Hilda thought, “What could possibly be out there that's so bad?” She muttered, “Maybe there's a dragon!” She suggested, “Fierce and scaly.”
“My mum said that there used to be all kinds of creatures in Fairy Country.” Hilda whispered, “She said that all magical creatures came from the Fairy Isle.” She smiled, then frowned, “...But one day they all left. Well, aside from you, boy,” Hilda said, scratching Twig's neck, “I don't really know much about those before me. But I'm willing to find out.”
***
Hilda laid on her new bed, gazing out of the window into the vast sky. The moon was starting to rise. Her mom was out, and Aunt Astrid was sleeping. The cool night air rustled the curtains, carrying with it the faint scent of adventure.
"C'mon, Twig," she said, reaching out to pick up the deer-fox. Hilda pushed the window wide open, peering around to ensure that nobody was watching before swiftly scaling the building's exterior. Hilda expertly maneuvered her way up, her nimble movements driven by a sense of excitement.
Reaching the rooftop, she paused for a moment to take in view before her. The city lay sprawled out below, its soft glow stretching into the horizon. Despite how loud, crowded, and bright it is during the day, it looks extraordinary right now. With a playful grin, Hilda backed up a few paces before launching herself from the rooftop, effortlessly leaping from one building to the next, with Twig following closely behind.
After bounding across the rooftops, she finally reached the end, where there were no more buildings. There was a large gap between her and the towering wall. Undeterred, Hilda scooped up Twig in her arms and, with a determined look on her face, she leaped off the edge. For a heart-stopping moment, they seemed to hang in mid-air before they started to fly. ‘Just like earlier,’ Hilda thought as they flew towards the wall.
Hilda soared through the air with exhilarating speed, the wind rushing past her ears as she approached the towering stone wall. Her heart pounded with a mix of excitement and trepidation as she aimed for the narrow ledge that ran along its formidable surface.
As Hilda neared the wall, gravity worked against her and its pull began her decline. Panic surged through her as she felt herself tilting forward, hurtling towards the unyielding stone. "Ah! No, no, no, no!" she cried out, her voice lost in the rush of air.
In a desperate bid to save herself, Hilda extended her arm, fingers straining as she reached for the ledge. Miraculously, her hand found purchase, and she clung to the rough stone with all her might, her heart pounding in her chest.
But Hilda's thoughts were not solely for her own safety. Twig was clutched tightly in her arms. Hilda managed to hoist him up onto the ledge, ensuring his safety before turning her attention back to her own precarious situation.
Gritting her teeth, Hilda summoned all her strength and agility as she used both of her free hands to secure a better grip on the wall, then with a swift, powerful motion, she swung herself up onto the narrow walkway.
As her feet found solid ground once more, Hilda let out a relieved breath, her pulse gradually returning to normal. "That was a close one," she said, scooping Twig up in her arms. The deer-fox then jumped onto her head. “Good idea. I'll climb down.” Hilda said, as she started to descend, "One flight for the night is more than enough for me!”
Her feet landed on the soft grass and Twig jumped out of her hands. “Let's go see what these people are so scared of!” Hilda said, running towards the wilderness. She turned around when she noticed Twig wasn't following her, “Twig, come on.” She said, gesturing towards the open field with a gentle smile. Twig relented and started going after her as she kept walking.
***
After what seemed to be hours of searching, Hilda groaned. “Why is there even a wall?” She complained, “There's nothing out here!” She said, looking up at the sky. It's dark. Hilda took a moment to appreciate the moon finally reaching its peak as the stars shimmered in the sky.
“Well, I guess we should head back–”
“ROOOAAARRR”
Hilda turned Twig with wide, curious eyes. "Twig, we need to check that out!" Hilda said, her voice filled with determination as she motioned for him to follow. Twig bounded alongside her as they made their way toward the source of the commotion.
As they approached, Hilda's steps grew cautious, and she gestured for Twig to stay behind as she crept closer, using the cover of the trees to conceal her movements. Peering out from behind a large oak, Hilda's eyes widened as she caught sight of a huge stone creature, its massive form towering over the underbrush, attempting to reach a small object hanging it's nose. “It's hurting him…” Hilda muttered.
Frowning at the sight, she stepped out from behind the tree and headed straight for it, despite Twig's attempts to hold her back. "I can help," Hilda said as she approached the distressed creature. The stone monster turned to face her, only for the thing on it's nose to start ringing, forcing him to grab his head and drop to the ground, groaning and growling in pain.
“Don't move,” Hilda insisted, “I'll help you get this thing off!” Reaching for the trinket, Hilda silenced the chime before carefully unhooking it from the creature's nose. Holding the small, gleaming object in her hand, she marveled at its intricate design before tucking it safely away.
"Huh, that was easier than I thought it would be," Hilda muttered to herself, her eyes glinting with a sense of satisfaction as she glanced back at the subdued troll. That satisfaction slowly faded when the creature rose with a growl. “Nice Mr. Stone man…” Hilda whispered as she backed away. The stone creature turned around, picked something up, and turned back around with a flower in its hand before offering it to Hilda.
“Oh!” Hilda whispered, slightly taken aback, “Thank you…” She smiled. The stone figure bowed its head before turning and walking away. After the creature disappeared, Hilda turned back towards Twig and smiled, “Now we should go.”
As they walked, Hilda held the small item she had retrieved from the creature. As she strolled along the winding path, her mind buzzed with curiosity and wonder. "You're a funny looking thing, aren't you?" she mused, examining the intricate patterns. "I wonder, just how many are there?"
Lost in thought, she absentmindedly twisted the bell between her fingers, refraining from ringing it, mindful of the possibility that the sound might alert more of those stone guys. Twig trotted alongside her, his keen eyes scanning the surrounding woods, ever watchful for signs of danger.
Suddenly, a hand landed lightly on Hilda's shoulder, causing her to startle and spin around. Before her stood Auntie Astrid, her eyes gazing down at Hilda.
"Hilda," Astrid said, her voice gentle but firm.
"A-Auntie Astrid! I can explain, I swear," Hilda stammered, her hands instinctively rising in a defensive gesture.
Astrid regarded her niece for a moment. "I'm sure you can, dear. But perhaps it's best we save the explanations for when we're back home.” Astrid tilted her head to the side, “Honestly, what were you thinking? Why would you come out here? By yourself no less. Your mother was worried sick.”
“Mum said that there was something dangerous out here which is why they built the wall.” Hilda explained, “I just wanted to know what it was, but those stone guys aren't even that bad!”
“The trolls?” Astrid questioned.
“Is that what they're called? Trolls?” Hilda asked, Astrid hesitantly nodded, “Well, the trolls don't seem that bad. I helped one actually, and they gave me a flower.” Hilda looked at the golden item in her hand before showing it to Astrid, “Do you know what this is? It was on his nose. He was in pain because of it and I took it off.”
“These are called bells, Hilda.” Astrid answered, “The Safety Patrol put them on the trolls during the day as they're solid, immobile troll rocks because they see them as a threat to Trolberg. The ringing sound—it's their weakness.”
“Oh,” Hilda muttered, “I don't think I like bells.” She frowned. Astrid sighed, quickening her pace, “Come along then, you best get ready for a stern talking to from your mum.” Hilda, too, walked at a quickened pace, “Okay.”