The air shimmered faintly, like heat haze.
Eventually, it took on will.
'...Where...is this...?'
Those were the first words.
Though hesitant, the voice carried clear intelligence.
'Success.'
From nearby came another voice, tinged with relief.
'...Who...?'
'My name is Titania. I'm called the Fairy Queen. And I am also your parent.'
'...Parent...? Mine...?'
'I separated a portion of my power to give birth to you. Whether you would gain a will was a gamble… but I'm glad a proper will took root.'
As if responding to Titania's emotions, the air gently rippled.
'...Why...can I speak...? I shouldn't know anything... yet so many things... make sense...?'
'That's because I passed on a little knowledge along with my power. You know words, reason, and the nature of magic.'
'So that's how it is... Hey, Queen, do I... have a name...?'
At that question, Titania was momentarily at a loss for words.
'...I see, a name. I hadn't thought about that.'
'...I don't have one...? My name...'
The nameless fairy murmured sadly.
'I'll think of one now. Give me a little time.'
A quiet presence of thought permeated the air.
Before long, Titania spoke as if murmuring to herself.
'The names of us fairies are taken from beings that were spoken of as fictional in the old era.'
'...Old era...? Ah... it's in the knowledge. ...The civilization of the world before this one of principles existed...'
'That's right. I was born in that era. In the time when humans flew through the sky on iron birds and aimed for the ends of the heavens.'
'...It's hard to imagine now...'
'Yes. But it certainly existed. Almost no humans know about it anymore. Because it was swallowed by magic and even history was distorted.'
A faint trace of loneliness and nostalgia seeped into Titania's voice.
That small emotional ripple gently stirred the air.
'The name Titania was also taken from the "queen" spoken of in that era.'
'...I see...'
'That's why I want to give you a "fairy name" as well.'
The nameless fairy wavered slightly.
She seemed to quietly accept the meaning of being given a name.
'"Pixie." That will be your name.'
'...Pixie...'
She repeated the name softly, as if rolling it around in her mouth.
Gradually, it began to feel like it fit her shape.
'...That is...me...'
'Yes. From this very moment, you are Pixie.'
A tiny warmth seemed to light up inside Pixie.
Because gaining a name allowed her to understand that she truly existed here.
'...Thank you...for giving me a name, Queen...'
'You're welcome.'
Those words lingered in her heart more than expected.
At the same time, the words of an old friend flashed through her mind.
'Pixie. There is something I want to ask of you from now on.'
'...Ask...?'
'There is a human girl named Luna Flockhart. She is a child who will walk a difficult path ahead.'
Pixie quietly listened to Titania's words.
'I want you to stay by her side. Stay close and watch over her.'
'...Watch over...?'
'And when she is in trouble or about to be hurt, gently lend her a hand.'
'...Is that...all...?'
'That is enough. After that, you may act freely however you feel.'
Pixie wavered just a little.
But it was not hesitation—it was a movement close to resolve.
'...If that is...the meaning of my birth...'
As Pixie's words melted into the air, her presence softly rose.
Without sound, without form, yet undeniably present, it quietly drifted away.
Watching the fading presence, Titania let out a self-mocking voice.
'...Hah, what am I even doing?'
She had once decided to remain a mere observer.
She had defined herself as an existence that would simply watch over the fate of this world.
Giving birth to Pixie was nothing less than going against that decision from her past self.
Even so, the similar yet different being called Pixie interfering with the human named Luna was not her.
She repeated that painful excuse in her heart, telling herself she was still upholding her role as observer.
As if turning her eyes away from that self-contradiction, Titania recalled a casual phrase her old friend had once taught her.
'...A name is the first gift a parent gives to a child, huh. I never dreamed I would be the one giving a name, Stella.'
In that empty space, the wind blew through.
It was as if Stella's smile had gently returned from a distant memory.
Titania said nothing more and simply entrusted herself to that wind.