The turquoise glow of the Fairy Forest dimmed, smothered by the monstrous screech that split the air. Karangul lunged forward, its spider-like legs crushing trees as if they were twigs, its bat-like wings stretching wide, shaking the branches above.
Mamir's grip tightened around Kabur's reins.
— "Steady, boy," he whispered.
Then the beast struck. One of its bladed legs shot forward like a spear. Mamir yanked the reins, steering Kabur sharply to the right. The monster's strike ripped into the earth where they had been only a heartbeat before.
Karangul roared and gave chase. Its massive body thundered through the forest as it launched a stream of thick, glistening web. Mamir's eyes widened. In an instant, he hurled himself off Kabur's back, rolling hard across the ground to the left. The web shot past, narrowly missing him. Kabur, agile and loyal, leapt away to safety, hooves pounding against the mossy ground.
Mamir sprang to his feet, raising the glowing sword he had taken from the White Cloaks. With a fierce cry, he slashed at Karangul's leg. The blade bit, but only sparks flew—the monster's dark hide shrugged off the strike.
The beast answered with fury. Its scorpion-like tail lashed down with deadly force. Mamir barely twisted in time, bringing his sword up. Steel met stinger with a clash that rattled his bones, the sheer impact nearly throwing him to the ground.
And then came the bite. Karangul's grotesque, bat-shaped head darted forward, its fangs sinking deep into Mamir's shoulder. Pain exploded as the creature began to drink his blood, draining his strength. Mamir staggered, vision blurring.
But his hand still held the weapon the Fairy Queen had entrusted to him—the dagger of light. Summoning every ounce of will, Mamir thrust it upward, driving the glowing blade into the monster's skull.
A shriek like shattering glass tore through the forest. The beast convulsed, its legs thrashing, its wings tearing the air. Then, with one final shudder, Karangul collapsed.
Its swollen belly split open. From within spilled streams of light—fairies, freed at last, their wings trembling but alive. Among them emerged a figure unlike the rest.
She was radiant. Hair like spun gold, skin pale as moonlight, eyes shimmering like the sea at dawn. A beauty beyond any mortal woman's grace. The Fairy Princess.
She rushed to Mamir, who was clutching his wound, blood soaking his torn tunic. Tears welled in her eyes as she pressed her hands over the bite. Ancient magic poured forth, a soft glow knitting his flesh, sealing the wound until only a faint scar remained.
When his strength returned, Mamir found her gaze fixed on him—not only with gratitude, but with something deeper.
Her lips trembled as she whispered:
— "You risked your life… for me."
Mamir, still breathing heavily, looked at her in silence. The dagger of light, now dim, slipped from his hand. For the first time, he truly saw her—not as a princess, not as a fairy, but as a soul bound to his own in that moment.
The Fairy Queen approached, voice solemn yet proud.
— "Karangul is no more. You have freed my people, son of Harland. Our debt to you cannot be repaid."
But the princess did not let go of his hand. Her heart, already, had chosen.
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✨ End Note
Mamir's victory has shaken the darkness—and lit a spark of love in the heart of the Fairy Princess. 🌌💎
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