Kayanne Marti

This was a continuation of my web series novel but placed in the far future.

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Humans were foolish creatures. Even centuries in the future, they developed so much. The meager species that only lived a peanut’s time in comparison to other entities, bled by cuts, and were susceptible to the weakest sickness. 

It was a fatal flaw from them if you considered how carelessly they lived while knowing this. After all, they developed clinics, witches, doctors, and herbalists to try to live longer. 

Kingdoms would fall, empires rose, buildings changed, and slowly the existence of magical creatures was forgotten. That was how it should be and it was the cause that we fought so hard for. This was Edwin’s wish, Serlon’s fight, and my promise in fruition. 

Though, demons still existed- it wasn’t in the amounts as before. They adapted, hid, and lived long lives within human society. Humans and demons couldn’t exist in peace.

I couldn’t exist in either world. I wasn’t allowed to.

A choice was made in the past. I picked the side that was deemed to be better. It was what my father had taught me to do. It was selfish towards my kind and only looked after things that I considered important. Demons should not be the dominant species. Regardless, I still have not grown to regret my choice. 

Humans were fine, as they were now. I wanted it to stay this way. 

“Mommy! Look the flowers are blooming!” A little kid in a blue shirt smiled and pointed to a bush of roses.

A woman in an apron peered out the farmhouse window and laughed, “Careful of the thorns!”

The young boy nodded, eagerly. Instead, he chose to crouch by the bush, while his mother continued to prepare dinner. He looked up at the treeline, his eyes danced over to my direction.

He smiled and brought a finger to his mouth, “I can’t speak too loud right now. Would you like a rose, tree fairy?” 

I huffed, hopping down from the tree branch. I walked over from the treeline and hid in the vegetation closer to the property. 

“Sure, why not?” I laughed, “Hurry before your mom comes back. Remember magical creatures need to live in secret.” 

The golden-haired boy chuckled and cupped his mouth like he was playfully engaging in mischief, “Yup! I’ll be quick!”

“Careful of the thorns.” I couched down between the fence gaps to remind him. 

“Will do!” He saluted and flashed a buck-toothed smile, “Say… Mr. Tree Fairy…” He stammered.

“Split it out, kid.” I rolled my eyes, “Dinner should be ready soon, so you’ll need to head in to wash up.” 

“…Oh” He paused and used his shirt to pick up a rose, “Mommy said I shouldn’t talk to strangers.” 

“She’s right. You shouldn’t. Strangers can be dangerous.” I nodded.

“Aren’t you a stranger?” He asked.

“I’m not human. I’m your local tree fairy. Don’t talk to anyone else that comes up to you like this. If you see someone this close to your house,  get your parents and stay inside” I sighed. 

“Oh okay,” The rose bush rustled, “So since you’re a stranger, can I visit your home too?” He asked, his golden hair peeking above the bush. 

“Nope. Stay out of the forest.” I said.

“Why? Are there scary monsters in there?” He peeked his head around the bushes. 

“Lots. There’s even a scary old dragon.” I smiled, “I’ll only chat to you like this. You stay behind the fence and I’ll stay in the forest.” 

“A dragon!?” He gasped in excitement, a little yelp came from behind the rose bush.

I sighed, “Did you cut yourself? Come here.” 

The boy popped out from the bush, now carrying a rose in his one hand, and sucking a finger. Little tears started to form in his eyes. 

“Give me your hand.” I reached between the fence gaps and looked at the small droplet of blood, “I told you to be careful of the thorns.

The young boy sniffled, “I was!” 

I sighed and ran my finger over the cut. The skin closed and the blood disappeared. The boy smiled and looked in wonder at his healed finger. 

“Wow! You’re a magician.” He exclaimed, quickly covering his mouth, “I shouldn’t be too loud. Mommy may hear.”

He placed the rose in my hand, “Here you go, Mr. Tree Fairy.” 

I brought my hand back through the fence and looked down at the flower in my hand. It would die the second that I allowed my mana to run through my body again, but it would live for a few more minutes. 

“Thank you.” I flashed a smile, “Okay, you should go back inside. I think your dinner is almost done.” 

“Okay, Mr. Tree Fairy! I’ll see you later.” He giggled and hopped to his feet. The young boy ran towards the house and waved his hand at his side. His golden hair bounced at his mad dash. 

I sighed and got up to my feet. With a jump, I stood on the tree branch that oversaw the small farmhouse. It was out of sight from the ground, but that kid had a good sight. 

I guess some things never changed. 

The day passed and soon the moon eloped the farm. Howls of wolves rang in the distance, as the stars peeked from the night sky. The warm lights in the house turned off for the night. 

It was like always. The same routine occurred for the past five years. It was uninformed but I’d expect nothing less from him.

The similarities were slim, but he was still alive in a sense. Even if this version of him didn’t hold the memories, the adventures, or the class from the past; glimpses of my human friend were alive.

Like his promise to protect my body, I would seek to protect the future when I woke up. Even now, centuries in the future I was honoring it. 

I sat down, my legs swung from the tree branch, as I leaned back, “You’ve reincarnated… Edwin.” 

He deserves to live a peaceful life. 

A growl in the distance.

I’ll keep my promise.