#april; || verse four; || mushrooms everywhere I'm turning;

[archive-double-knots]

Strange Magic Verse: April

Beyond the fairy meadow, beyond the dark forest, lies a barren land where seemingly nothing can survive. In the thick fog and toxic mist the only things that manage to grow are just as poisonous and threatening. And in the tallest cavern on top the highest point of the rocky land is a being named Panthea who has no interest in the politics and games of the creatures down below. Her only interest lies in the mirror. But, age catches up with everyone eventually, and beauty is only skin deep. So, the great Panthea has devised a strategy to regain what she has lost: Magic. Something that the barren lands lack; but the meadow and forest have tenfold.

And so, she sent her greatest advisor, her general Gargona to go scope out the lands. What Panthea didn't expect was for Gargona to bring back one of those disgusting creatures; wings like a butterfly, and skin far too…pale. Hideous. Panthea spent no time in removing the creature; wings crushed into a fine powder that she inhaled. Turns out, those things--(fairies they call themselves, how pitiful. They cannot match the beauty of a true fairy)--are full of magic. This magic managed to return her youthful beauty.

It seems, however, Gargona was susceptible to the magical charms of the hideous creature; and soon gave birth to something that was…not quite one or the other.

It's been quite some time since then; and many other creatures from both the meadow and forest have gone missing over the years; caught and crushed for the great Panthea's selfish desires. Her army is being ravaged by starvation, and the barren lands are becoming more harsh every day.

However, amongst the suffering, and the toxicity; one can find the General's daughter often sneaking off. It seems she's befriending the creatures of the other lands. Ladybugs, spiders, beetles, mushrooms, mice, and a few goblins have crossed her path. Each one leaving her company with a few more goodies, and feeling a little better than before. Because even for a dark fae, it seems like Lieutenant Apragona doesn't have the heart of one.

Then came Panthea's newest order: "bring me the wings of the Fairy Princesses". And then after a moment of laughter, the masked figure leaned into Apragona, and the bloodlust turned into something darker; "And since you like visiting the forest so much…Bring me the wings of the Bog King. Certainly, this isn't too difficult for my Lieutenant; is it?"

"No, my queen." Yet, even after all this time; Apragona has yet to return with the wings.

In fact, the mushrooms seem to be far more alert than usual, whispering about the wingless fairy that has been telling them of intruders, and planting traps around the perimeter of the forest.