In a place between dimensions, high among the stars, there was once a brilliant castle. Deep within that castle was a star-shaped courtroom, and at the center of that room stood Titania, Queen of Fairies. Her silver crown shone as bright as a star, her skin was pure and white as the moon, and her ever-changing irises held all the shades of the sky.
She drew in a long breath, lifting her clasped hands before her, and channeled her magic into the wounded fairy held within. Light shone from between her fingers, and a harmonic melody, born of magic, echoed through the halls. Once the melody finished, the queen opened her hands.
Vira yawned and stretched, floating midair, glowing with red light. She flapped her wings out of instinct, then blinked in surprise and flew around herself, a giddy smile across her face. "My wings! They are healed!" She stopped her spinning and bowed before the queen. "Thank you—oh, thank you, Your Majesty."
Titania smiled, her irises bright as the clear blue skies. "You have done well, Sister Vira, and have earned your place among us once again. I hereby absolve you of your sins and pardon you for all your crimes."
The fairy godmother nodded solemnly. This wasn't what she wanted—for a part of her still wished to be with the man she loved—but this was the best she could have hoped for. She had been spared Oblivion.
"Wait," her brows shot up in alarm. "What about Kai?"
"See for yourself," the queen spread her right arm, and a section of the floor beamed with magic, then dimmed to reflect the young man's apartment. His room was emptied clean, all of his belongings packed within five carton boxes out in the hall, ready to move. He stood there for a moment, as if saying goodbye, then grabbed Vermallelia's cage in one hand, Bella's leash in the other, and left, closing the door behind him.
"He has found a new place to live and a new job. He is working hard to maintain his fitness, and most importantly—he is kinder and happier than he has ever been… He has become someone worthy of true love."
"But… he hasn't found it yet, has he?"
"No… not yet."
"Then, you must send me back to him!" She spread her wings wide.
"If that is wish, I will… however, there is another path open before you."
"There… there is?"
"You may retire," the queen spread her left arm, and another section of the floor beamed with magic, then dimmed. "Become mortal, leave your wings and your magic behind, and go to him." A middle-aged man reflected in the mirror, strands of long brown hair falling on his forehead, and a green cloak hanging from his shoulders. He sat on a rock, his dark eyes staring longingly into the creek splashing below him.
"Arion!" Vira flew and landed on the image, her eyes tearing with joy. The ranger had helped her previous godchild navigate through the wilderness, find a lost artifact, and use it to save the kingdom. It was over the course of that long, arduous journey that she and the ranger fell in love… she thought she would never see him again.
"He has been waiting for you, hoping for your return all this time," the queen said, her eyes turning misty with rain clouds.
"And I could—" Vira rose, tears trailing down her cheeks. "I could really be with him? You'll let me go?"
"If you are certain that is what you want… But know that you'll be giving up your immortality, your wings, your magic—you will be no different from any other human mortal."
"Yes," she smiled and turned, ready to accept the deal, but paused as her gaze fell on Kai's reflection. His boxes were packed in the back of a rental car, and he was driving, Bella sitting beside him. "What of him?"
"He is worthy of true love… Given enough time, he will find it on his own."
"You won't assign him another godmother?"
"I'm afraid not… There are those in more dire need of guidance, even on Earth, even within that city."
Vira looked from one to the other and back again, torn between the two. She shut her eyes and wiped away her tears. I'm sorry, Arion. She thought. Please wait for me just a little longer. She turned to face the queen. "Before I retire, Your Majesty," she said, "please allow me to finish what I've started," she smiled. "I'll help Kai find true love, and then…" her smile grew wider. "I'll go find mine."