We continue to weave our way through the damp, earth-bound corridors. The rich smells of earth grow ever stronger as we move further from the door. The space around us remains silent apart from the occasional whisper of the wind or murmur of the tree's roots. We continue in what appears to be an eternal silence. Looking back, that is how I would have preferred for it to stay. Verum's gruff voice breaks this silence. "Within these halls lies a great power, one that has existed since the founding of Faerie. A part of that power was once an oracle, she had existed here, below the earth until this day. This oracle had the ability to see the past, the present and the future. Anything that had happened or was happening was recorded and stored in a hall of scrolls. Unfortunately, her fate was tied to the life of the tree and now, the tree requires all its energy to stay alive. And so, the oracle is gone. However, she left us one final message, before the Oak began to crumble. A message that included you my dear." Verum glances back at me, our pace hadn't slowed and still we wove deeper and deeper beneath the Dancing Oak. I choose to remain silent, not entirely sure of how to receive this information. I had always been different. Pearl white wings such as mine were a rare phenomenon, my silver eyes and dark brown hair was simply impossible. The majority of faeries, with the exception of a few powerful elders, had similar coloured wings, hair and eyes, based on their abilities, the season they bloomed and the traits of their parents. I was nothing like my parents were. And until today I had been able stay out of the spot light. However as I would soon discover, fate had other plans for me.

Verum takes my silence as his queue to continue. Carefully he unrolled a piece of parchment, before talking again."The oracle told all those fey, gathered around the Oak, what may have been her last prophecy;

From the time of conflict, of war, an ancient evil has slumbered.

In the cold darkness of the forest it has waited, spreading poison with its every move.

Until both faery and the human world were weak.

Now it wakes returning stronger with power to raze and to plunder.

Only one can be our salvation.

Moon faery wings of white, she bloomed in darkness in full moonlight.

Possessing powers and a past unknown, has caused her pain and to be on her own.

As evil threatens two will join her; a piece of her past back, back to haunt her

And an unlikely ally, an old enemy. Only they can save Faery."

Verum paused, his voice trailing off as we finally reached an old oak door. But it didn't matter. I wasn't paying attention. Verum's words had settled on my skin like brilliant white snow, sending cold fire through my veins. I am the faery; born of moonlight, that the prophecy spoke about. I was to be my realm's saviour. I feel a light hand fall on my arm; Freya. I look around to see sympathy painted on her face. I give her a weak smile and step into the room Verum has opened before us.

The room is like the endless tunnels we have come through; deep brown walls formed from the earth with a rich scent that fills the air. The room is bare, the only light coming through the open door from the tunnel. A dark shadow is cast across the far half of the room. 'What are we doing here?' irritation lacing my voice. Verum merely casts me a sour glance before nodding to Freya. The faery woman closed her eyes, drawing magic to her she forms a pulsing orb of green magic in the air between her palms. With a single fluid movement she pushes it away from her into the darkness, where the orb shatters sending magic towards the lanterns that scatter the room, where they are ignited, casting a warm glow on the room. It truly was beautiful. Magic is a regular occurrence for all fae, even if some don't possess magic, it is what keeps the land alive. Gazing around the room, I am still unsure of why we are here until my eyes fall on a shape on the far wall. I slowly step towards it, curiosity getting the better of me. Dull eyes rise to meet mine and a gasp escapes my lips. There, chained to the walls of the underground room was a man. Dark shaggy hair frames sullen eyes and cheekbones that are simply too prominent. Dirt stains his face and bare chest, where sharp ribs jut out of his sides. That face, it feels so familiar.

Verum coughs from behind me and I spin on him. "What the hell is this?!" I half scream at him "who is he?" Freya takes a step towards me, "he is one of the two members of your party." "I don't understand I don't even know him" I trail off, retuning my gaze to the once again sagged form. "He is the Halfling responsible for you parent's accident, the only person you have ever hated" Verum's gruff voice cuts through me for the second time today as the memories come stabbing back.

My mother, father and I were in a clearing next to the gate that leads Outside, on a picnic to celebrate me growing my wings. Next thing we knew a Halfling child had stumbledthrough the golden arch, only a year or so older than me. He was scared and had no control of the power surging within him. My parents had tried to help him but fear was his enemy and I can still remember how it had leaked from his pores and stained the air. In his panic he struck them and they vanished forever. I still remember the fear in his dark hazel eyes as they fell on me; understanding what he had just done. Next thing I knew, I was a twelve-year-old wingling, all alone and my life had fallen to pieces. It was impossible for a fae to possess the powers he did, let alone a Halfling... Verum was right. He is the only person I had ever hated. Now standing in front of him, all I feel is pity.

I walk over to him, crouching down to look into dead eyes that held the same fear I had seen so many years ago. I send a shard of magic towards each of his shackles and he falls to the ground at my feet, exposing a raw and whiplashed back. I don't want to touch him but I can't leave him here. I drape one of his arms across his shoulders and help him to his feet. I address Verum "can you help me get him out of here? We can take him back to my cottage and begin healing him". The tall faery gives me a surprised look, his eyebrows rising towards his hairline, a small smile forming on his stern face before he steps over to help me. We follow Freya through the tunnels to a back entrance that leads out into the forest on the other side of Kai. The sun was beginning to fall beneath the horizon and night was taking its toll. Not once did the slump figure in our arms make a sound. I will be very surprised if he survives the night, but he is a fighter to have survived this long and honestly, I hope he makes it. Verum and I continue to carry the fae through the woods until we reach a small stone cottage in a secluded meadow. My home, after my parents disappeared. I was always different and the faeries offered their services so they didn't have to be around me. I didn't stand out but everyone knew me, yet it seems that as time went on I slowly faded into the background. That is until today.

The cottage is quaint and no different to how it normally is; a fire glows from the fire place spreading warmth across the enchanted stone. It is a small place, enough for me with a central room, a small kitchen on the side and a hallway that leads to my room. This is where we are going. Verum helps me lay the fae down on the simple white sheets of my queen size bed. A sigh escapes him as he falls into a comfort he hasn't felt for seven years. "Thank you" I breathe to Verum. He gives me a nod and turns to leave, "make sure you come see us as soon as you can" he whispers. He joins Freya by the door, they both cast a final glance at the prone figure engulfed by the white sheets, Freya gives me a reassuring smile before she whispers "may the fates be with you child". Then they are both gone. I wait until hear the large wooden door click shut from my place in the bed room before releasing a sigh of mixed emotions, mostly relief with a hint of anger, although what or who I'm angry at I'm not sure.

I decide to pull one of the chairs into my room from out in the main room, it's going be a long night. Placing it next to the bed, I take a seat, making a conscious effort not to sit to close to the fae I have hated all those years. Nevertheless, looking at him now I don't have room for hatred.

The moon is bright, shining in through the open window and illuminating the bed. 'Heal him child'. Wait, what? Who was that? I glance around the room searching for the source of the musical voice. My eyes dart to the moon. Could it be? 'Hurry Elaina, or we will lose him'. Yes, I am sure of it now, Epona; the goddess of the moon and magic is the source of the beautiful voice. The realization of her words sinks in and I spring into action, pushing the voice to the back of my mind. I stand by the side of the bed, the high frame allowing the fae to lay at about waist height, just beneath my hands. I have only ever done this once before; healed someone and that was an accident. None the less, I remember the feeling, the flow of pulsing magic through my veins and I allow this feeling to return, the magic falling from my hands as the incantation falls from my lips "Sana quod estsaucium, fatismutareconsilium. Nisi quod perierat, reportat quod fuit. Mihi, quae quondam fuerat."

It is actually a song my mother used to sing to me, to make me feel better; I have come to understand how, and to understand the magic she put behind it, even if her version was in English. However, the Latin version is far more powerful and right now, he needs that.

Once I have repeated the spell a couple of times a silver glow is all that illuminates the room. I look down on the stranger, and watch as the silver magic flows down my arms; forming intricate markings and designs then as it rolls from my fingertips like water. I watch as it is absorbed into his body and runs through his veins. The magic knits torn skin, fixes bones and it returns muscle and colour to his previously broken body. I watch as his body transforms into a thing of beauty, a thing of faery. My gaze drifts to his face where his cheek bones are no longer sharp and eyes no longer sullen. Suddenly hazel eyes fly open and stare back at me, moments before my magic fades away and all I see is darkness.