Chapter Nine: Fight or Flight

"You know, it's not half bad when you know when and when not to talk" *Is that a fancy way of saying you like it when I am quiet?*

"Maybe." *Well, I suppose it can be unsettling to have a voice that's not your own in your mind.*

"Yeah, yeah. But we're not here to discuss your intrusion." I sat on a rock and chugged some of my water.

"Okay, I think we're in the clear." *So, armor, would you like to continue?*

"Yes." *Start with a meditation. But instead of calming yourself, you're going to focus on people and things you want to protect.*

I closed my eyes and thought of my mom first. The trials we've gone through together and how I would feel if she were taken away. As time went on I thought of Lily, my new friendship with Leo, Lily's mom, myself, all of our homes… I began to feel heavy and light at the same time. As if I were floating but someone was filling me with stones. A tingle began in my chest and the man in the black robe came to my mind. His sad face, why was he so distraught? I felt a tear fall down my cheek and opened my eyes our of surprise. I tried to steady my breathing, afraid I'd fall if I moved too much.

"I don't believe flying was in your magic information." *Ah, that is not magic. That is part of you. Both as a Fae and Ufaeri, you are born with wings but they do not appear until you are ready. Judging by their size, they have been waiting quite a while.*

I slowly turned my head to see giant white feathers and my arms filled with goosebumps. These were mine? I lowered back to the ground and tried to reach and feel the wing but it was a bit too far of a stretch. *It's all about the shoulder blades, you'll have to learn how to use the new muscles you've awakened.* I tried tensing and contracting my shoulder blades and different muscles until my wings began to move. I smiled in relief. I worked to fold them forward and petted my right wing. It was softer than Leo's hair. I ran my hand up and down, taking in the size.

"Can I fly again?" *Move how you just were, but with a bit more speed and strength.* I began to move my wings as instructed, slowly rising off the ground. *You could try jumping off a cliff.*

"Excuse me?" *Like a bird leaving the nest, you'll know what to do. And it's much easier to fly that way than slowly gaining altitude.*

"Won't I die if I fall?" *That's why you have armor.* I was so preoccupied with wings that I had ignored the change in my clothes. I was standing barefoot in a flowing blue knee length dress.

"This will help me how?" *You can work to change the look, but remember this is magic. Looks can be deceiving. This dress will act the same as metal armor. You can equip to armor that looks like a knights and is stronger once you are stronger.* Silver armbands swirled around my biceps. *Those will allow a small amount of arm protection and help you focus your strength.*

"Why no shoes?" *You don't need them. You're a Fae, you work with the Earth. Wearing shoes would just block off more of the connection you'd have to the magic the Earth has.*

"Is that why the sword talked about trees?" *So, you remembered? That's kotahitanga, a sword meant for a Fae. Fae connect to the Earth's magic, so yes.*

"How could I read, whatever was on it?" *Maori. The language of the Fae.*

"Fae are Polynesian?" *Most. Enough time has passed that it is not always the case, but their ancestors are. They are still know for their myths and legends.*

"I've never heard of Fae in New Zealand though." *Of course. Magical beings to not reside on Earth. They have cultural connections to the people you are thinking of, but are not the same. Most do sport the beautiful tanned skin and tattoos, but they also have wings and wield immense Earth magic.*

"There is so much I don't know about all of this." *I cannot comfort you; this is true. And dangerous. As the first Ufaeri, you should know all I have told you so far along with much more. And you should have already made personal connections with each group in Ufaerius.*

"How many are there?" *Five, and you mark the sixth. Do not try to rush your knowledge, or else you will not remember anything. It is best to think over what I have already told you today. Plus, you need to also work on your strength and connection with magic. You will not be able to rest easy for a while.*

"Why? There isn't a time limit." *Not necessarily. You did leave Ufaerius in the middle of a war.*

"Oh." *Now, you ready to jump off a cliff?* I laughed and headed to the nearest edge.

"That's one heck of a question there. And we're sure I won't die or break a wing?" *Remember the talk about trust yesterday? This isn't going to work unless you believe it is.*

"Here goes everything." I backed up and then dove off the edge, making sure to be ready to used what I practiced on the mountain. My wings fluttered before I found balance and glided over the tree tops. My heart raced and I found myself laughing. I wasn't sure if it was because I felt a bit hysterical or because it felt amazing.

Wind whipped through my hair and I took a deep breath. The trees and rocks looked smaller as I went a bit higher. *Try to fly standing up. Like treading water, but with air.* Feeling on top of the world, I tried without arguing this time. The sky was full of beautiful colors, the mix of orange and purple behind clouds making me feel like I was in a painting.

"I could get used to this." *That's good, cause you're going to need to. Why don't you practice descending and re-ascending?* I dove down over rocks, popping back up over trees and then back down again. I went in a circle, until I was back to the cliff I jumped off of. I rose the edge and settled to the ground, walking away from the edge and to a rock for a break.

The adrenalin I was feeling seemed to plummet as a crunch brought my attention to a shadow on my right. *Seems we have company.*

"They can't see me, right? I mean, my wings and all?" I whispered. *Either way, they saw you levitate to a mountain ledge and calmly walk like it was normal.*

"Um, is somebody there?" I walked closer and a boy around my age stepped out.

"Sorry, I thought this place was empty." He was a bit taller than me, with black hair covering his eyes. He ran his tan fingers through is hair and for a moment I thought I saw silver eyes. I blinked and they were a grey blue, was my mind playing tricks on me?

"I, uh, came up here to clear my head." I bit my lip, afraid I was acting suspicious.

"Me too, actually." He offered his right hand. "Name's Quin."

"I should go."

"Right. Stranger danger."

"No, I just. . . I. . . when exactly did you get here?" He put his hands in his pocket and looked down.

"Only a short while ago."

"Did you see me doing anything weird?"

"Were you doing something I should've considered weird?" His eyes met mine and he raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe."

"I didn't see anything out of the ordinary." I couldn't tell if he was lying but I felt relieved either way.

"I'm Harmony." Relax, your armor is gone and wings hidden. Trust your magic, remember?

"So, what's on your mind, Harmony?" I ignored the hairs standing up on the back of my neck and paid more attention to the low tones of his voice.

"A lot." We both chuckled, "I've been finding out more and more about a past I didn't even know I was a part of."

"Sounds like you've got quite the weight on you shoulders."

"What about you, Quin?"

"My dad and I have different ideas for my future. His included I moved here."

"Oh, so you're new? I've actually only been here about two and a half weeks."

"What made you move to Oregon?"

"Something happened before we moved that threatened my safety. I don't really remember it, so." I shrugged.

"Looks like you're okay now."

"Physically maybe." He nodded like he understood and I realized how dark the sky was behind him.

"Ready to leave? I think I'm going to head back."

"Yeah, I'll come with." I put on my jacket and my sports bag.