MAGICAL TREE

"This is worse than last time," the Fae Queen said, her long fingers curled delicately around a wine glass as she nursed its contents. "Last time, she only experienced a flicker of déjà vu during your wedding. But this time?" She paused, eyes narrowing. "She fainted, Hael. Overwhelmed by the flood of memories. This is bad." she shook her head, gaze sharpened. "The curse is growing stronger with every missed chance. It's slipping out of our control."

Hael's heart sat heavy in his chest, his mind running wild. All those horrible scenarios of the past were haunting his every breath, making his life pure misery. This was too much, the curse had already ruined a big part of their life. The endless loop of this curse was more of an agony than anything. 

"We need to do something," Hael said, his sharp silver orbs clashing with the queen's dark ones. "I think it's time to wake Slythariel."

The queen's breath hitched. Her face crumbled with distaste. "We are over this conversation." She said, her tone sharpened like a double-edged sword. "Whatever happens, we are not waking up that spirit." 

"The only mistake we made was sealing her, she was our guide, our power. Now this situation is starting to make me think this curse was a product of her fury." His words aggravate the queen so much, he can read it from her face. But he couldn't care less about her feelings at this moment. He needed a cure. He cannot let the one he loves die. Not again. 

He walked out of her chamber without a further word. The only thing that was in his mind was to find a cure to this curse. If he did not step into this game of fate now, he would fail this life and his love. He could not just sit there and watch it all unfold. 

He aimed straight to the house of green which was the place where all the green spirits and lives thrived. His mind was plagued with the images of Zera as he entered the place, so he almost missed the hooded person standing beside the towering, silver-barked tree with leaves that shimmer in the moonlight. Its roots pulsing with ancient magic. It could speak in riddles, whisper to those who sleep beneath it. 

And that's Slythariel. 

Centuries ago, the queen decided to seal its power due to the massive magic waves it induced. It undid a few spells that were cast upon Fae lands which opened up different unknown powers and realms. The power it held was beyond their level. They needed to tame it for their own good. 

But now Hael was rethinking everything. 

"She is here." The hooded figure stepped in front of Hael, her golden orbs finding Hael's silver ones. "And it was a bad start."

A sigh left Hael's lips, "Yes, it was indeed bad." he said. "Why is she starting to get those memories already? Is this not too soon?"

The woman's golden eyes glinted. "Each time she dies, the thread frays. Her soul can no longer forget what it endured. The next time is going to be horrendous, boy. There is a possibility she remembered everything early. Before we could even try. She may remember everything. Every heartbreak. Every death. Every betrayal. All at once."

Hael's chest tightened. Her words frightened him to the bones. "I would not let that happen." He said it even though his words lacked faith. "There won't be a next time."

"There better not, boy."

A cold breeze passed over them like the whisper of a spirit, and it lifted the hood covering the woman's head, her blood-red hair flowed down her shoulder, bright strands dancing in the air. 

"You're one of Slythariel's guardians," Hael said, his voice quiet. "Aren't you, Leira?"

Her golden eyes flickered, "I was until your queen decided to seal Slythariel's power and cast us out. I still hover here because I would rather die than not serve Slytheriel. Even though the queen sealed her power, she is still alive. She still feels and knows everything happening in this Silver Flame Palace. And her power is as strong as ever." 

Hope flickered in Hael's chest like a candle in the dark. Warm and bright. 

"Could she help me break the curse?" 

Leira's eyes widened, she was silent for a few beats before she decided to speak, "There is nothing she could not do." 

Hael's hope flared. For a moment he truly believed he found the cure that could break this time loop. But then Leira spoke up again.

"But…"

Hael watched her with calculated eyes, "But?" 

"Only the Queen knows how to break the seal." 

A chuckle slipped through Hael's lips, "That's it? No big deal. I could talk her into agreeing to it. This is about the future of our realm. She would agree. She had to agree." 

Keira scoffed, a sad glint in her golden orbs as she said, "She would never agree."