The Return of Destiny

     What Merlin and Sheyn saw as they turned around was a Hissi. A Halloween Hissi, dressed in a very long cape with the colour of the forest. On its wings of soft black plumage, multiple rows of bronze ornaments were visible. In his face, half-hidden by the enormity of the cape, the outstanding bones typical of the species and the colour of which it was painted could be appreciated; in addition to two enormous green eyes, which with their brilliance, shone from the shadows.

     – My name is Sagittis Heart of Bronze, and I am the Guardian of the Enchanted Forest; the charms, the curses and the dreams. Besides me, there are two other Guardian Hissis. One, in the Lost Desert, which is called Eskein Heart of Gold, Guardian of treasures, mysteries and relics. And the other, Brunzelo Silverheart, is the white Hissi who resides in Altador, Guardian of souls, wisdom and learning.

     "Together, we protect accordingly the elements on which the hidden world of Neopia is based. Our duty is to watch over those objects entrusted to us by the wisest Neopians.

     How can I help you?"

     After that long introduction, Merlin and Sheyn weren't quite sure what to say without looking foolish.

     "Ehmmm..." Sheyn began doubtfully. "By any chance, the Guardian of the Desert... Is it possible that he is guarding a gold necklace with a green stone... very large?"

     – None of the objects that we guard reach our hands by chance – Sagittis answered sharply – And as for your question, I am afraid that I am not the Guardian of the Desert, but of the Forest. Hope you weren't confused, because if so, you're pretty slow, buddy.

     – No, of course not! – added Merlin– It was just a question... out of curiosity. Actually, we do want something from you.

     – Tell me.

     "Well..." Merlin continued, thinking carefully about his words. "Maybe this will help you understand."

     And without saying more, he took from the bag he carried on his back the vial of black sap that they had collected earlier.

     Sagittis grinned wickedly, displaying pointed white teeth.

     – So, you plan to drain energy? Aren't they too young for that? In my day, Neopets this age didn't need to get as strong.

     – The energy is not for us, but for someone else. We require that you provide us with the necessary artefact to carry out our mission. Please. Merlin said, reciting the words Kadriya had made him memorize without telling him why.

     Sagittis made a hissing sound with his long, thin reptilian tongue.

     – I guess I can't refuse. The offering, the exchange... is correct. But tell me one more thing, little Wocky, do you know what I do with that sap?

     – Mmm... no. Merlin responded fearfully.

     "This sap..." replied the Hissi, delicately taking the vial from Wocky's hands. "... is what I need to make nightmares." I am the Guardian of Dreams, I am dedicated to wandering Neopia, enchanting the dreams of Neopians and transforming them into black and pestilential figures. And that, only with the help of this substance. You must know, Wocky, that this vial equates to fifty years of nightmares about neoplanes. Are you sure you want to give it to me?

     Sheyn was going to tell Merlin that it was best to think about it some more, but his friend had no doubts about what he should do.

     – Yes

     .

     "Exchange effected, then." Sagittis smiled.

     The Hissi then hid the vial inside his cloak, and in return, he performed a series of movements with his black arms. They were mesmerizing, slow but agile, the neopet's arms swinging like uncontrolled pendulums. Suddenly, Sagittis clasped both hands. And when he pulled them apart, he revealed a crimson pebble between his slender fingers that wasn't there before.

     – This stone is the ingredient you need, my friends. It is a drop of crystallized forest rose nectar. It is one of the few items that I give up without offering a bloody battle in return. However, you must be careful, because if you waste it, the next stone will not be free. A vial of sap will no longer be enough, if you wanted another stone, I would have to fight with you.

     – It is understood. That will not happen. Sheyn said in a low voice, taking the stone that the Hissi offered him.

     – The spell you must cast is quite simple, actually. –whispered the Hissi– But it only works when the one who absorbs the energy has a heart as black as ink and as evil and destructive as fire, something that does not occur very often. It is a charm to strengthen extremely dirty souls. Know it. It is not going to be that their still innocent souls end up as dirty as the soul of the one they propose to help.

     After saying those gloomy words, the Hissi stepped back to stand behind the open door. And with one last blink of his flashlight–luminous eyes, the door closed, hiding the body of the Neopet in who knows what hidden place in Neopia.

     There was silence between Merlin and Sheyn. Sheyn held the stone tightly between his fingers. The touch was cold and curiously unsettling.

     – Magician... I don't like this at all. We shouldn't do this. Because...

     In fury, Merlin snatched the stone from Sheyn and ran.

     – Hey! Where are you going? You don't have the lantern; you're going to get lost!

     – I'd rather lose myself in the dark than bear your doubts!

     And so it was that Sheyn ended up alone and rueful in the middle of the Forest, having no choice but to slowly follow the trail of his, perhaps, former friend.

     ***

     Kadriya, meanwhile, amused herself by reading the Neopedia. Well, she wasn't actually reading it, but her eyes had gone still, where the index finger marked the letter "K".

     – I'm not here– she whispered– Why...?

     "Kadriya, I'm back!" Merlin exclaimed, bursting into the room, covered in leaves and with the bright and icy stone in his right hand.

     "And your partner?" The faerie asked without even giving the exhausted Wocky a smile.

     – He and I... we parted ways in the Forest. But it doesn't matter, because he doesn't appreciate you as much as I do, Kadriya. We can do it without him.

     "Fool!" Exclaimed the faerie, standing up threateningly. "I need you both." I want everything to be better than the last time I resurfaced and failed. I don't want to lose this time. So, I don't need just a spell, but the necklace and the spell. And not one servant, but two. So, find your friend and find him, or...

     – Here I am.

     Sheyn's voice had been faintly heard from across the room. The Gelert approached slowly, its lantern torn and its clothes in tatters. Merlin was amazed at how bad his friend looked, and he couldn't help but feel tremendously guilty. How had he allowed that dark faerie to ruin his only friendship like that? The Wocky never knew.

     – I fell when I was chasing Merlin, I'm sorry for being late.

     – Friend, no, forgive me...

     – Enough. – Kadriya's icy voice interrupted Merlin's failed apologies– No time for sentimentality. It amazes me how little you realize how much I need them both to be okay again. Now give me the stone and I will tell you what to do next.

     Merlin had no choice but to obey, doubting for the first time whether he was doing the right thing.

     ***

     While Merlin and Sheyn were in the Forest, obeying the orders of the dark faerie; Osorium and Fawse were sitting on the deck of the ship, watching the black clouds of the Neopia night being blown away by the ocean wind and illuminated by the full moon.

     "The Pisces Gladius never saw a night as bright as this one," he commented, alluding to his ship. "It's a shame he's in danger."

     "What?" Asked Fawse, who was busy trying to tame his long fiery hair.

     – The night, the stars, the moon. If that faerie destroyed all of that, I...

     – That will not happen, because we will not allow it.

     – But how can you be so calm? Not even I am, we don't even know where that faerie is.

     – I already told you that when I should know, I will, and we can do something to stop her. Until then, there is no point in worrying. In fact, there is a saying that says "If a problem has a solution, then don't worry. And if a problem has NO solution, then don't worry either!"

     – Bleh, I've never heard it. In addition, with that criterion, we would live like n00bs, without knowing anything or worrying about what happens around us. We would be like corn.

     Fawse couldn't suppress a smile. Really, and despite the fact that he hardly ever shows it, he appreciated his brother very much.

     ***

     – Sheyn.

     – What?

     – Excuse me.

     – I forgave you twenty–five "Forgive me" ago, so that's enough.

     – I can't help it.

     The two Neopets were lying on the floor of the Wocky's room. The first light of dawn was already peering into the sky, but neither Merlin nor Sheyn were aware of how tired they felt. Both were very busy, filling the floor with inscriptions and drawings, indicated by Kadriya to cast the spell.

     The red stone stood in the centre of the room, glowing with a malevolent light of its own.

     – It's okay. Of course, on the other hand, I could have fallen into an abyss or something like that...

     – Enough, you make me feel guilty.

     –... Or, I could have been kidnapped by the Meepits and get asked for a ransom of one hundred billion Neopoints! Then you would have had to rob a bank and right now you would be fleeing from justice.

     – That's too stupid. Merlin smiled.

     At that point, Kadriya conveniently entered the room, holding a small NP bag in her left hand.

     "Hey, where did you get that from?" Merlin asked him.

     "I found it," replied the faerie, who had been rummaging through Wocky's things. "I need you to buy me more things."

     "Toothpaste and a nice sweater..." Sheyn muttered through clenched teeth.

     Amused by the familiarity of the joke, Merlin couldn't help but give a frankly charming laugh.

     But Kadriya did not find it charming at all. She raised a deathly pale arm and gave the Wocky a spectacular slap, which echoed painfully throughout the room.

     – Don't ever laugh in my presence. Now you, "she said, pointing to Sheyn, who was stunned," Go and buy me this.

     The dark faerie spread out a sheet of paper and handed it to the Gelert along with the NP bag.

     "Don't delay." Kadriya concluded before leaving the room with a whisper of her black dress.

     Once alone, both Neopets approached as looking for some support in the midst of that madness.

     – Hey, Wizard, I'm sorry. This woman is stricter than I thought.

     "I'm fine..." Merlin said, sitting up, with Kadriya's fingers still marked on his cheek. "Go buy her things before she gets angry."

     Sheyn read the list, made up of the faerie's long, thin handwriting:

     – A light travel dress. A pair of comfortable shoes. A layer of the forest. A black ribbon. A light dagger. A... Worthy mount?

     – He must want you to get him a Uni.

     – Oh good. Well, I better go. The only thing I hope is not to meet any classmates from the building, the only thing left is for them to drag me back to school.

     – Wear a cape to protect yourself. And, jump out of the window so as not to cross the hallways.

     – I feel like a criminal...

     Nevertheless, Sheyn dutifully complied with everything, spending a couple of hours on it. When he returned home, he handed the faerie the clothes and told her that he had booked a Uni Halloween, which was at her disposal.

     – He is a Uni with a bit of a bad temper, in my opinion, but in exchange for a few NPs, he is willing to take you wherever you want.

     – Well. –said the faerie absently– Now, go and help Merlin to finish the spell.

     –...Finish?

     – Yes. Only you are missing, so go.

     Unable to believe what he was hearing, Sheyn entered Merlin's room and found that the floor was completely covered with symbols and pictures. The Wocky was sitting in the corner, looking exhausted.

     – Come on, sit next to him and watch. Kadriya said from behind Sheyn.

     The Gelert, without any other remedy, was located in the same corner as his friend, ready to observe what would happen next.

     What happened was that the faerie stood next to the red stone, and once there, she exclaimed in a powerful voice that Merlin and Sheyn couldn’t recognize her.

     – Sensorium!

     Suddenly, all the drawn lines began to glow, acquiring a reddish and threatening colour. The room turned cold and a light wind began to blow around the faerie of Mist.

     That same wind passed through the walls of the room and spread in frosty spirals through all of Neopia. The Neopets caught by the wind soon felt tired and heavy, and that energy travelled through the air until it met Kadriya's body, which received it undaunted.

     The faerie's two–colour eyes were brighter than ever, as a slow, evil smile spread across her handsome features.

     "I feel good," she whispered in a honeyed voice.

     ***

     But in the Pisces Gladius, Fawse didn't feel good at all, just terribly dizzy. He was lying on the deck of the ship, with several pirates (Os among them), looking at him with concern.

     What the Xweetok saw were multiple images passing through its eyes. Fog, wind, energy, wings, two Neopets, lines, a stone, red, red, a lot of that colour. Also pyramids, jewels, enigmas... And the figure of a Halloween Hissi holding a heavy hourglass.

     "It's time... it's time," the Hissi whispered.

     To be continued...