Chapter Two

Kamau found herself surrounded by trees that stood tall and proud and threatened to cave in on her. The place would have been completely silent if it were not for the rushing water that could be heard from nearby. Her only source of light was from Orne - The said abode of the gods who watched over the universe- but even it's radiant light couldn't help her through the thick fog that hung over the forest.

"Theia, Goddess of light grant me your power, bless my sight and light my path."

Millions of sparkling lights suddenly appeared around her hands and she used it to guide herself in the abyss.

"Where am I? " Kamau mumbled to herself.

As Kamau walked further, the place seemed more recognizable. Kamau froze when she realized where she was. She was in the fairy kingdom, in the forest

that led to the cave. The cave was where her and Ashlikka hid and often had a party with a few other fairies, when they had the chance.

As she drew closer, she could hear the giggles of a few fairies and the melodious tunes from a harp. A fairy who was accompanied by a... nymph? was running towards the lake that she and Ashlikka had created treasurable memories at, which were locked deep within her heart. Kamau was bursting with curiosity and decided to follow them.

"That's impossible you are not even of age yet. Who is it?" asked Ashlikka.

Kamau was shook to the core. How could Ashlikka be alive? Or- No, that was out of the question- she could easily recognize that voice in her sleep. Kamau run up to them, she needed to see her with her own eyes. Kamau tried to grasp Ashlikka's hand but her hand fazed through Ashlikka's. Ashlikka could not see her when she was standing right before her.

"She wants me to marry Elzak, the elven prince."

Kamau spun around only to look at herself. Someone was impersonating her. Kamau grew furious and swung her arm at the alleged shapeshifter but her hand fazed through her. Kamau had been too distracted to realize that she could see through her hands. What was happening? thought Kamau. It seems she was experiencing a flashback- a memory.

They started to head back to the cave when Kamau heard a shrilling scream. Kamau ran in the direction they headed. That scream, it was that scream that had hunted her in her dreams for almost a month. Kamau couldn't bear to see her friend die again without doing anything to help. She called upon her midnight dagger and stabbed the creature who had ruined her happiness in the back. It didn't move. The dagger passed through it but there was no blood, nothing. It had just fazed through it. It dropped Ashlikka on the ground and spun around to face Kamau.

Kamau moved backwards. Without a doubt the human-like creature could see her but Ashlikka and the false Kamau couldn't. The creature moved closer and grasped her by the throat. Kamau was powerless.

"I will find you Kamau and when I do, I will destroy everything you love and will make you my slave for eternity."

Kamau choked and her eyes flew open. It was all just a dream but when she looked into the lake there was something different about her, her neck was red...

The maids of the place soon came to call Kamau. Her mother was eagerly awaiting for her in the throne room. It must have been very important, if she wanted to talk to her in the throne room. Kamau bathe, put on her garments and headed towards the throne room.

"Kamau," said the Queen of Nymphs to her eldest daughter.

"Maemana." Kamau responded.

"I want you to pull yourself together, sort yourself out before the elven prince arrives. I do not want you looking like the ragged mess you are now when he arrives. Is that clear?"

"Yes maemana. Is that all?" Kamau asked.

"Yes, and when you get time heal whatever it is on your neck. The sight of it disgusts me."

"I will mother."

"You may leave."

Kamau got up from her knees and left the throne room. Her mother was a powerful woman who had ruled over the Kaufman planes with a strict hand for years.

Kamau's mind was a mess as she began to get ready for the arrival of the elven prince. After a long calming soak in the healing pond Kamau's bronze colored skin had gained its moisture and now glowed in the afternoon sun as it had weeks before. Kamau stepped into her chamber and was attacked by the servants who were tasked with preparing her for the night. Maemana had asked Kamau to dance at the feast-to seduce the elven prince -and as much as it hurt her flesh to even think of dancing for the prince, she couldn't refuse because it wasn't a question, it was on order.

Kamau was awe struck by her beauty after she was done preparing for the ball. She had never put so much effort into how she dressed, styled her hair or even how she presented her face. The woman who stared back at her when she looked at her reflection was beyond a doubt, not her. This woman looked confident, strong, and powerful. This reflection had beauty that dared to defy the goddess of beauty herself.

Kamau put on her garments, admiring herself in her looking glass. The artisans of Kaufman planes were very skilled at what they did. The silk was soft, and it shined like the starry night sky itself.

Kamau entered the ballroom leaving a trail of light blue silk. She was the star of the feast and everyone around her could sense it.