Far, far away, in the land of the fair folk, Thancred lounged with Urianger. In the morn, Urianger had said, they would arrive in Corneria. They would return Mishiva to her father, and she would be safe. For now, though, they watched their princess sleep - cuddled up to her knight, Raiden.

Lazily, Thancred stroked though Uriangers’ fur. In this realm, he had the body of a sphinx. Though he had a few quiet thoughts, he’d kept them to himself. These lazy days - nights - were comfortable. They had set up a heavy tent, of course, to block out the brightness.

“Have you ever tried to study it?” Thancred lazily asked, eyes half shut. This land of the fair folk was so different to his own, and yet, Urianger was adapt in it.

Urianger sighed. “Aye, I have. The soils seem to be astrally aligned - to a dangerous degree.” As if to demonstrate, Urianger picked up a bit of it outside their tent, letting Thancred thumb though it.

Instead, Thancred furrowed his brow, his hands remaining in Uriangers’ fur. “Wasn’t Al– ah, the female twin the same?” Even now, he dare not use true names. It was so hard to get used to, when speaking about one of theirs.

There was a long pause. Realisation dawned on Uriangers’ face, his cat-like eyes widening far too much. “…She did. She is seelie, then?”

“Maybe not,” Thancred pondered. “She hasn’t spoken of the Courts, has she?”

No. She hadn’t. And yet– Urianger stood, beginning to pace. Trying not to disturb the sleeping ladies, of course. He walked outside, and Thancred followed. “They both have similar afflictions. But his dear grandchild doth not think of slaying those like us.”

Thancred then crossed his arms. “…I think we need to learn more of this realm.” He wished to wake up, of course. He knew he couldn’t linger. But he needed to be there. If not for himself, then for…

Quietly, he looked back to the tent. Shaking off his thoughts. Until Urianger suddenly froze. “…I must needs return to our home. I sense disturbance.”

Before Thancred could say goodbye, Urianger was gone. Thancred did not know that Urianger would not return when the two lovers woke, for he did not know that Urianger was wrapped up in the attack on the Waking Sands. The one his body had made possible. And yet, he still had more questions now.

Even if he had never met the king, he would make the best first impression he could. So that he could hopefully learn more about the fair folk without losing more of himself.

As the two women woke up, Thancred found himself being woken by them. Mishiva sat by him, as Raiden had already begun to pack away any supplies she could into the hovercar. Mishiva, however, kept his eyes on her male knight, not wanting to show her own fear. Thancred sighed, before calling out to both of them.

“Nabel has needed to move ‘tween realms again,” Thancred said softly. Both of them knew that he did so as well usually. “When he returns, we’ll know.”

“We’re an hour out from Cornelia, so he won’t be in too much trouble,” Raiden replied, as she continued to shove the tent away. “Still. He’s rude.”

Thancred softly smiled at the woman, before sighing to himself. Mishiva was still quiet, clinging slightly. “…I’m scared of my father,” Mishiva then admitted. “I’m scared he’ll be disappointed.”

Pausing, and giving her a pat on the head, Thancred nodded to himself. “You know, I don’t know much about your father. By the time I joined you, you were already living on your own.

Could you tell me about him?” he asked, hopefully. A distraction.

A distraction that worked, as Mishivas’ eyes lit up. “My father— he’s called Shivan, but everybody calls him King Fatebreaker after he helped us.” Bounching a little, Mishiva was now smiling. “He— he adopted me when I was a little icicle, and raised me up. And he also was the one who saw our home falling.”

Right. This wasn’t their original reality. “Papa Fatebreaker and me worked together. And we came here - and then he was called King, because he saved us. But that was a long time ago.”

“It might not have been,” Raiden replied, as they finally got into the hovercar. “Time doesn’t flow here.”

“Then how can you say we’re an hour from home?” Mishiva replied.

“We can still count time. It just doesn’t flow. Nothing ages.” Raiden said, trying not to roll her eyes. “We’re stuck the way we were when we came here.”

They were truly ageless, it seemed. Thancred had noticed his dream body hadn’t changed. But then— “What about children? Or younger?”

Mishiva tilted her head. “Oh, they don’t age either. It’s a little sad. And people carrying babies are carrying them forever,” she added, with a little giggle. Right, right, faerie. Thancred bit his lip a little, as he settled into driving.

Just what was wrong with this place? Mishiva nuzzled into Raiden, the two of them in the back seats. It was so cute - how close were they? They clearly owned each others’ hearts, at the very least.

It was not long until the large walls surrounding the kingdom were visible - topped with ice, a shimmering veil reaching up to the sky. Far stronger then what Mishiva could do… was this the power of her father? The hovercar stopped just outside, and Thancred stood first. He offered his hand, and Mishiva took it - standing daintily. Raiden stood second, standing right behind Mishiva.

“Welcome to Cornelia, Selale,” Mishiva said gently. As they entered, Thancred noticed something… odd. A dust on the walls. Mishiva noticed him looking. “Oh, that’s from when we got here.”

Now, Thancred knew the scent of the dust. It was still strong, likely because time had stopped. It was the scent of long-burned away ceruleum - mixed with the scent of dead bodies. And an oddly floral scent as well…? He shook his head, as Raiden took the lead.

“We’re going straight to the palace.”

There was no time for Thancred to look around. But even as they rushed, he could see houses that looked right out of stories he’d read to… somebody important to him… when she was younger. His head ached when he tried to think of that. The scent from outside had faded, and quite a few strange creatures roamed. He expected the unseelie to look like Hyur, like Mishiva and Raiden - but, no. There were Mandragora speaking with yellow imps, firey pigs curled up near small cactaur - just what was this?

He wished Urianger had taught him more, in this moment.

They walked though the town, and arrived at the palace. Without words, the gates were opened, and Mishiva gave a playful bow to the guards. 

They were nearly there. To the man who Thancred felt oddly terrified of. The floors were still, like before. Tiles made of steel, frozen and turned into rubble. Pillars with the bones of people - and other things - that had once been alive. For a moment, Thancred nearly wanted to touch one - but he had to put up a facade of this not feeling so very strange.

They climbed the stairs upwards. Raiden stiffened as they approached the door. Guards stood in front of it - until they saw the princess.

“—Raiden. Mishiva.”

The guard was another non-Hyur looking being. In fact, they looked like a tiny bunny rabbit, with a big floofy tail. It bowed. “I did not know you were on your way. I shall inform King Fatebreaker.”

With that, the rabbit entered though the massive icy doors. As they waited, Mishiva looked at Thancred - and gave a nervous chuckle. “I should have told you more about home before we got here. I’m sorry.”

Gently, Thancred patted her on her head, looking at Mishivas’ smile return. “It’s okay. But… are there more like that?”

Raiden rolled her eyes. “Obviously. We’re not like you mortals.” She was leaning against one of the pillars, with the bones within visible. She glanced at one of them, tapping a protruding rib bone. “We don’t have these.”

“You don’t have bones?”

Raiden sighed, gaze focusing right though Thancred. “Unseelie are made of pure magic. I’m surprised you didn’t know this, Selale.” How could he not know? How long had he been serving Mishiva again…?

Well, actually, it wasn’t too long. Not for those who had time stilled like the unseelie. “These… bones… are valuable. Not just for material. But they hold magic we can’t make ourselves.”

…Is that why Mishiva made a deal with him? Thancred bit his lip, looking away - before the door slid open again. The rabbit looked up at them.

“The king is ready to see you three.”

The throne room was almost… too large. The ground was polished rock, with a long carpet which almost felt weaved of hair. Coloured like ice, of course. Banners hung from the walls - too ripped to tell what they used to be.

And on the throne, a strange man sat. He was large, so large. His gaze was strong, even if his eyes were closer to those of monsters. His head was framed with messy off-white hair - his mouth covered by what seemed to be a twitching dragon tail.

But Thancred couldn’t help but be un-nerved, as he stared at him. They had nearly the same face. This king - this Fatebreaker - looked older, sure. But they had the same facial structure. Thancred bit his lip again, held his breath slightly.

There was no time for him to ask about it, to say anything that may offend the other. The king sat on his throne, unmoving - until Mishiva rushed past the group in a flurry of ice, jumping onto his lap and gripping to him. Her fears melting away, Mishiva gripped to the King, giving a little squeak, body vibrating softly.

The king did not speak. Instead, he put an armoured arm around her - his hands visible, golden rings painted onto his skin. Mishiva sniffled, tucking her head into his chest. His other arm wrapping around her, he gave Mishiva a soft look.

“Papa… I’m glad I’m home, Papa— my home fell. Earthgift has fallen. And I didn’t want it to, but—”

The King gently kissed her forehead. He began to speak, quietly - and his voice, though a little more gravely, was just like Thancred. “…you are unhurt?”

Mishiva nodded, still sniffling, and the King gently held her closer. Wiping her diamond-esque tears. She continued to babble, and he continued to care for her. Thancred looked to Raiden - and she could see that expression in his eyes. That confusion. She shrugged, before they heard the king speak again, still to Mishiva.

“As long as you are safe, it is fine,” he whispered, voice a little harsh. “The Seelie are not your fault. Your knights protected you, then…?”

Mishiva gave a little smile. “They did. I made a new one, Papa. We call him Selale.” They call him Selale, but it is not his name. Fatebreaker listened, looking up - and as he stared at Thancred, they had the same expression. That confusion and slight horror. Mishiva continued blissfully unaware. “Oh, um, Nabel is off in the realm of the mortals right now. But they’re still alive as well!”

Fatebreaker gave a little squeeze, before he gestured - and Raiden stood ready. She stiffened, and bowed. “King Fatebreaker,” she began, voice a lot firmer and confident. “It is as Princess Mishiva says. She has told you the important details. However—”

“—However?”

Raiden stepped forward. “She has not told you that her new knight has issues.” A pause, and she looked from Thancred to Fatebreaker. “He is unable to pass between the mortal realm and our realm. Something has interfered.”

Mishiva nodded, softly - and then let out a louder squeak as she was held, as Fatebreaker stood. The tail around his neck uncurled, dropping to the ground. As he stood, for a moment, Thancred thought of an Au Ra. An Au Ra with his face and golden patterns under silvered armour.

So not much of an Au Ra. His footsteps were deliberate, his movements were slow so that Mishiva did not get shaken around too much. She was still calming, after all, as she gently rested on his shoulder. Avoiding the spikes coming out of said shoulder - were they part of the armour? Or were they built for part of his body? Thancred didn’t dare speak, as Fatebreaker loomed over him. Examined him.

Mishiva held onto her papa tighter, as he then spoke right at Thancred. “You belong to Mishiva.” Every word seemed to cut though his very soul, and yet Thancred could hear himself saying them as well. “But you are unable to leave here?

…That will not do.”

Thancred was almost calming as he felt the others’ aura. It was cold, of course, but comforting. “She needs you at your best.” Fatebreaker was thinking, before: “I will find what is blocking your travel.

And I shall kill it.”

“Papa, no,” Mishiva said, and Fatebreaker looked to her with a questioning glance. “We must needs wait for Nabel to return. He knows more, since he can go though the realms.” She paused, before frowning. “His body might be hurt, and then you might burn it, and then he’d be stuck here.”

After a few moments of deathening silence, Fatebreaker nodded. “Are you feeling better?” Mishiva nodded, and Fatebreaker gently set her to the ground. “Then show Selale to his quarters. We shall wait for Ser Nabel to return.”

Excited, Mishiva took Thancreds’ hand. Thancred shakily followed her…

…and Fatebreaker put a hand to Raiden. She stayed, as the two left. As soon as they were out of earshot, Fatebreaker frowned. “You see it too.”

“I do,” Raiden said, expression growing harsh. “You’re not considering it, are you?”

Fatebreaker nodded. “I am. Apart, we are weaker. To protect Mishiva, I must be the strongest I can be. If that involves him, then we cannot help it.”

Raiden turned to him, and snarled. “My liege— he spends time in the realm of mortals! He wouldn’t be there for Mishiva!”

“As I was not as she left. I am still making my choice, Raiden. Do not tell Mishiva.”

With that, Raiden was dismissed - a little tremble in her eyes. Her, being upset? Nonsense. Not like her King was talking about his own death or anything.

Nah. Things were fine.