Girl Meets Boy

[And no, Meat Boy... Ok, I'll stop.]

Back to square one, his body even more mutilated than when he first arrived. He could still hear the sizzling of his flesh echoing in his ears. Unable to move on his own due to the severity of his injuries, his regeneration would take far longer than if he manually activated it...

His cellmates had fled to other dungeons far from him, still traumatized by the events at Oranas and what they had witnessed during their "stay" in this Fae realm. His feats were remarkable—few normal or modified humans (if any even remained) could boast such accomplishments.

He tried to sit up, but the pain from his wounds was so intense that he preferred staying in his uncomfortable position rather than risking further injury. The air entering his lungs burned his alveoli; he attempted to hold his breath to soothe the agony before resigning himself, fearing he might slip into a deep coma. At the mercy of all... Thankfully, he had decimated the Mexicula spiders, or he would have been prime prey for those vile bloodsucking beasts.

His only option was to wait for his body to heal naturally, hoping no one would interfere with his heroic powers. Sleep would accelerate his regeneration, so within twelve hours, he'd likely be back on his feet and could plan an escape from his cell.

Unfortunately, barely two hours had passed before he was awakened by the shouts of other prisoners. With half-closed eyelids, he observed the commotion, relying more on his hearing to discern what was happening. The criminals were panicking over a feminine presence, excited at the prospect of a woman among them. The Hero eventually heard her voice—an anomaly in this testosterone-filled, high-crime environment (assuming the crimes of those present were indeed proven).

Amid the chaos created by the inmates surrounding the Hero, through their perverse advances and crude remarks, he distinguished her stammered question: "Where is the human?" Her voice wasn't mature but rather frail, though somewhat deep.

He finally caught sight of the person seeking him—the girl he'd saved during the parade on his chariot when confronting the lizard-man Jordan. She wore a different dress than the one from that day but looked just as beautiful (though given the chaos, he hadn't properly seen her before, and considering his fashion tastes, his opinion hardly mattered).

She studied him from afar, too afraid to utter a sound, observing him like a caged animal. She'd encountered humans before, but nothing confirmed he was human except his lack of connection to nature, his humanoid limbs, and the intelligence he'd shown while defending her from that assassin (testimonies from Diasirée and Al-Ryanis supported this). But the rest... No human, no matter how malicious, could be so threatening—scarlet eyes brimming with hatred, a body whose contours no light could reveal, an aura of phenomenal aggression, and chains binding and paralyzing him.

He resembled a demon more than any other race inhabiting Fayiera Tierra.

When he fully opened his eyes and fixed them on this intruder in a place she didn't belong, she stepped back, trembling head to toe, but steadied herself. She hadn't come to flee.

Clutching a plate of food, she realized the boy was too far and too restrained to reach her. She cast a spell, waving her finger at the lock:

"Master of Keys, creator of all passages and openings, grant me the power to unlock this door: Master Key."

At her words, the door to the human prisoner's cell opened, allowing her inside the cage of this beast reviled by all. When she opened her savior's cell, prisoners roared for her to free them too (and "join" them), but as she stepped inside, silence fell. Some prayed to their gods to protect this lovely girl from the Hero's danger; others cursed her recklessness. None could act, gripped by collective stupor.

She crept toward the red-eyed boy, who scrutinized her motives. Reaching him, she set the plate down and instinctively backed away, fearing he might attack.

The Hero didn't move, only stared at the plate... hungrily. Unfortunately, the chains splaying his arms immobilized him. The wingless fairy noticed and approached the shackles, attempting to loosen them with magic. When that failed, she manually released them, causing the Hero to collapse.

After a pained groan, she moved to help, but he snarled, warning her off. Now facing the meal she'd brought, his paranoia resurfaced—why would a princess (if she even was one) bother feeding him, even if he'd saved her?

He struggled to sit up, sniffed the food, and deemed it better than the Mexicula spiders (which guards had removed due to their corpse stench, lest the queen kill them for keeping the beasts in the Depths).

Seeing no reason she'd poison him (unless she was a sadist needing test subjects), he gave her the benefit of the doubt and wolfed down the meal. It lacked meat but surpassed anything he'd eaten lately.

The fairy crouched and asked if it was good. He nodded, licking the plate.

"I know they don't feed you properly here. I'll try to bring food whenever I can."

The Hero said nothing, handing back the plate with a belch. In that brief moment, she glimpsed his fangs shifting to normal teeth—a transformation hinting he might be a werewolf from the Protectorate.

She took the plate, exited, and locked the cell under the prisoners' curious stares.

What a strange person, they all thought.

The fairy's visits continued for weeks. The Hero accepted her meals—far preferable to the guards' "food" that twisted his stomach. But abruptly, she stopped coming, leaving him alone. Her company had been a relief, though they exchanged only farewells.

Boredom, remorse, and despair reclaimed him.

A month passed since the parade and his clash with the lizard-man.

The kingdom buzzed with turmoil: a daylight assassination attempt on a princess, a human escaping custody, and a guard wetting himself in fear of a "mere" human, becoming the realm's laughingstock. This undermined the guards' legitimacy—if they feared humans, how could they protect anyone? The disgraced guard was given early retirement and a safehouse to avoid harassment (or suicide from shame).

The queen herself authorized this, intuiting what he'd faced, even if others refused to understand. That guard had shown courage against an unimaginable foe.

The seer's prophecy was undeniably unfolding—she hadn't expected it so soon. If this was the world's awaited savior, she'd assumed he'd have more... class than rotting in their dungeons.

The queen, buried in research with ministers, mages, and historians, didn't notice someone storm into the meeting hall until hearing her title. It was the fairy, seething with rage.

Oh shit, the queen thought, scratching her head. Terrible timing.

"Using a seventh-level incantation on a human is madness!"

"First, 'hello,' no?" the queen interjected. "Let's take this outside..."

Audisélia shoved the fairy out under the furious glares of ministers and scholars.

Why does she act like this, dammit? the queen cursed.

"Curtsy first!" Audisélia ordered. "Pay respects before ranting."

The fairy obeyed, then resumed her tirade.

"Your Majesty, how could you use such powerful magic on the human who saved me? Is this your gratitude?"

The queen rubbed her eyes, stunned by the wingless princess's audacity.

She waited a month for the emergency to subside before confronting me? She's been stewing all this time...

Advancing on her, the queen retorted:

"Excuse me? I think I misheard. Are you claiming I was saved by this man while I hid as he burned for my sake? If so, I'd obviously thank him and reward him properly. But we both know that's not the case. Yes, he'll be honored for saving my subject at great personal cost. However, that doesn't mean I'd let a human attack my citizens—soldier or not—go unpunished."

The fairy bowed her head, ashamed of her outburst.

"Don't worry," the queen softened. "I understand your concern. But if he's what I think he is, he won't die so easily..."

"'Easily'?!" The fairy gaped at the queen downplaying her spell's potency.

The queen laughed at her wide-eyed shock.

"If you're so worried, go see him. Thank him yourself. But don't enter the Depths alone—I'll order guards..."

"No need, Your Majesty," the fairy chirped. "Yeneltig will suffice. It's not my first time there."

"What?!" the queen exclaimed.

The princess hurried off to find her protector, thrilled to visit the Depths. Yeneltig, however, loathed the idea of descending into the prison's "subterranean cesspool."

"If trouble brews down there, she'll end up protecting him*,"* mocked a royal guard exiting the hall.

"Normally I'd punish that remark, but..."

"You're truly letting her approach that human?" another guard, Sawyer, asked. "Maniq said he's too dangerous!"

"I'm aware," the queen conceded. "But having saved her, I doubt he'll harm her now."

Stretching wearily, Audisélia decided to visit the tetraplegic lizard-man assassin in the Depths' 16th level.

"I want to see that paralyzed reptile."

"That's the military police's duty," Sawyer argued. "You shouldn't risk—"

The queen ruffled his hair. "Oh, Sawyer—your concern is sweet, but those lowlifes stand no chance against me. Stop me if you dare."

Grumbling, Sawyer relented. "Your power doesn't make you invincible."

"Thank you for always watching over me," she said, kissing his cheek—to his colleague's shock.

The trio headed to the throne room, a floral-adorned hall dominated by a millennia-old polyfloral tree. Stained glass windows depicted the kingdom's history—though none showed the infamous Traitoress (at least not on this side). The ceiling displayed a unique pane: the legendary Hero battling Nemesis, the Avatar of Darkness, alongside an indistinct figure central to the queen's research.

The queen cast a spell, splitting her throne to reveal a vegetal elevator.

"Come, children—we're off to Father Wara-gra'teni's domain!"

On the Depths' third level, the fairy and Yeneltig navigated labyrinthine corridors, enduring prisoners' catcalls and howls. One inmate groped the princess, but her "champion" cowered behind her, useless.

They reached a massive cell littered with dismembered Mexicula spider corpses. At its center, the Hero hung in chains piercing his arms and heart, yet still mobile.

The fairy knelt at his cell bars.

"Mister Human... are you alive?"

No response. She threw a pebble at his foot. Nothing.

Yeneltig banged the bars. "Wake up, human! Answer your future queen!" He hurled a stone at the Hero's face—

The boy's head snapped back, then slowly rose. Twin red lights ignited in his eyes as he stood, chains straining. With a single motion, he shattered the Ardésium shackles, stunning all witnesses.

Here is the translated and corrected text in English, maintaining all original content while fixing syntax, grammar, and spelling:

The fairy didn't see what was so impressive about this so-called "feat"—he wasn't the first to break chains. Unfortunately, her knowledge of geology was lacking; no one could excel at everything.

Midway down the corridor, he stopped and turned toward the cells of his fellow prisoners. He approached one and caught the attention of an inmate—a man chosen by the Hero.

What a mistake.

The Hero grabbed the prisoner by the collar and smashed his head against the bars until his face was reduced to pulp.

"What the hell is he doing?!" Yeneltig protested. "First, he ignores you despite having no excuse but death itself. Now he makes us wait? This is inexcusable, my lady. We should leave," he urged, tugging at the princess's sleeve.

The princess shook off her champion's grip and stepped closer to the bars. She knew exactly why the Hero had done this—she recognized the man who had groped her.

Why is he defending me so fiercely? Why protect me at all?

After disfiguring the harasser, the Hero approached his unexpected visitors. Yeneltig warned him off, shielding the fairy.

"Back off, brute!" the lanky boy shouted. "How dare you—"

The fairy gently pushed her protector aside and took his arm, forcing both to face their savior.

The Hero glared contemptuously at the brown-haired girl's timid lover. Who did this coward think he was, threatening him after fleeing when she was in danger?

He reached for the spineless fool, intent on making him pay.

Seeing disaster looming, the fairy seized the Hero's hand and bowed her head.

"I never properly thanked you during my earlier visits," she said urgently, "but I owe you my life for saving me a month ago!"

Why is she bowing? the Hero wondered.

"I swear I'll get you out of here by any means so you can return home..."

The Hero released her hand, showed her his shackles, and shattered the chain binding them under the stunned gazes of the princess and her champion. He coiled the remaining restraint around his arm, snapped it, then bent the cell bars apart, proving he didn't need their help to escape his cage—though leaving the prison itself was another matter.

He's incredibly strong! the fairy marveled.

He locked eyes with her before turning to Yeneltig, shoved him aside, and motioned for them to follow, a fragment of chain still piercing his heart.

"I don't think following him is wise, my lady," Yeneltig warned. "He's a human. He must have sinister intentions to trap us."

"Is it because his face is dirty that you assume his thoughts are 'dark,' dear Yeneltig?"

The fairy ignored him and hurried after her silent savior.

Grabbing a torch, the Hero led the two fairies through the shadowy labyrinth of the kingdom's dungeons. He hadn't attempted escape earlier because he knew fairy prisons were enchanted to prevent breakouts. But with these two in tow—especially the princess, who had visited him repeatedly—there might be a chance.

To break the awkward silence, the fairy struck up conversation.

"So... you're... human?" she asked nervously. "A male human, I assume?"

The Hero nodded curtly.

Her face lit up. She was thrilled to meet a human in the flesh for the first time—even if he was the strangest, worst representative of his species—who wasn't a ruthless killer, rapist, slaver, or pervert. Just an ordinary guy who happened to be... filthy (though who could blame him? The queen didn't provide showers or clean cells).

Her excitement annoyed him. She seemed foolish, her voice grating—whether from her tone or her apparent stupidity, he couldn't decide. But something was dumber still...

Fifteen minutes of circling later, the Hero remained lost. The fairy watched him with a mischievous grin. For all his power, he had no sense of direction in this magical maze.

Maybe he has no magic at all? she mused mockingly. Are humans really this inept?

She tapped his shoulder and offered help. The Hero didn't know if she meant it or was taunting him. Either way, he refused to rely on her. He could escape alone!

Twelve minutes later, the fairy took charge. The boys followed closely—she alone could navigate these endless stone corridors filled with lecherous, uncouth prisoners.

The Hero studied her. She clearly feared him yet pretended otherwise with smiles and cheerful skips.

Why act this way? She's truly idiotic...

Her behavior irked him, stirring discomfort. Normally, he'd vanish after a heroic act without thanks. Now, trapped and awaiting rescue by someone he'd saved, he felt trapped by debt—a concept he despised. Avoiding dialogue with those he'd rescued left him uneasy when faced with gratitude.

The most uncomfortable of the trio, however, was Yeneltig, terrified of the overpowering "human." He sensed only death in the Hero. Nothing good came from humans—what could this one offer? Better he disappear before he endangered them all. If the queen—or worse, the Judge—discovered their role in his escape, execution awaited.

Two motives, one goal.

The prisoners' relentless noise finally pushed the Hero to shatter the floor with a stomp, silencing the howling baboons.

"That wasn't necessary," the fairy chided.

The Hero gave her a withering look, shrugged, and marched on—only to get lost again. Reluctantly, he gestured for her to lead.

In strained silence, they reached the Abyss's exit. All that remained were stairs to freedom. Taking the elevator risked guards, but distractions might buy time.

Then the unexpected: Queen Audisélia appeared with two elite guards—Sawyer and Globox.

"Thanking him didn't mean freeing him, miss," the queen sighed.

Cornered, the Hero lunged for Yeneltig's sword—gone, melted in the queen's earlier attack. Desperate, he yanked the chain from his heart and held it to the princess's throat.

Yeneltig froze. The guards drew weapons, but the queen halted them with a raised hand.

"Ten seconds to surrender."

The Hero wasn't fooled. She'd struck him with lightning before—a fifteen-year-old! Harming the girl might free him...

No.

Harming innocents without cause would make him like that vile knight. He'd never allow it.

The chain barely grazed the fairy's neck, a trickle of blood her only injury. The Hero prayed the all-powerful queen recognized his resolve.

She did. His determination was real—he'd escape even as pulp, relying on his immortality to regenerate. He just needed minutes for her to yield.

But the queen struck first, blasting him with lightning. He collapsed, chain snapping as Sawyer severed it mid-fall, saving the princess.

The fairy and Yeneltig gaped at the guard's speed—had he even moved?

Before she could ask, the queen answered: "He's fine. Just asleep."

The fairy bit back her real question—How did you summon lightning without magic?—knowing it would earn only reprimands.

"These brats deserve punishment, Your Majesty," Globox grumbled.

"Do you truly believe they broke Ardésium chains?" the queen scoffed. "No one here—with or without magic—could replicate that 'miracle.'"

Kneeling by the Hero, she studied him. His body regenerated, yet he lacked the aura she'd expected. Unless he was the other one...

"Will you carry out Judge Triface's sentence?" Sawyer asked.

"I've no choice. No human gets leniency in his 'judgments,' no matter their deeds."

"You can't execute him!" the fairy cried.

"Rules exist to be followed."

"You've bent them before!"

"Had I not, we wouldn't be having this conversation," the queen retorted. "Testimony brands him the assassin's accomplice. It seals his fate."

"Impossible..."

"He's just a human," Globox shrugged.

"...who saved me," the fairy whispered.

"...and you tried to help flee," finished the queen.

Defeated, the fairy fell silent.

"Take the body to the pre-tournament games," the queen ordered.

As the guards carried him away, she turned to the youths: "You two—go home. Yeneltig, stop cowering. Be your princess's pride. There've been too many rescues already."

They entered the elevator, ascending as the queen pondered the lies spun by that vile serpent in Tartarus.