As they walked deeper into the forest, the sky gradually opened above them. Bright strands of gold and violet light filtered through the leaves, guiding Shadow and Elryia step by step toward the fairy village under the wise fairy elder's lead.
Elryia was exhausted, and Shadow still carried that unstable pulse of power within him—but the moment the soft glow of the village appeared ahead, a quiet sense of peace washed over them.
The instant they stepped into the village…
the air blossomed with the scent of flowers.
The fairy village… looked like something pulled straight from a dream.
Crystal homes hung high in the treetops, luminous orbs dangled from branches, and tiny waterfalls flowed from hollowed tree trunks. Little winged fairies fluttered across the paths, leaving trails of laughter and streaks of magic behind them.
Shadow stared in awe. "Even at night… it feels like daylight."
Elryia smiled softly. "The fairies draw strength from moonlight. Night is when they shine the brightest."
Fairy children swarmed around them with sparkling curiosity:
"Are you humans!?" "Did humans finally return?!" "Who's that tall boy?" "His eyes are purple—is that normal?!"
One tiny fairy girl tugged gently on Shadow's ear before giggling and darting away.
Elryia laughed under her breath. "Fairy kids… are a little too curious."
At the village's center, a small marketplace bustled with colors—crystal fruits, glowing syrups, oils for shimmering wings… Everything pulsed with life and magic.
Shadow and Elryia wandered between the stalls, exchanged words with the villagers, heard songs in languages they didn't recognize, and even got flustered when a fairy couple claimed that holding hands brought "fertility and luck."
Before long, the villagers prepared a quaint wooden home for them.
They would spend the night here.
When the moon reached its highest point, the wise elder approached them, leaning on a thin crystal staff. His moss-like beard and sky-blue eyes radiated ageless calm.
"I sense a powerful vibration within you, child…" he said to Shadow. "Such overwhelming, uncontrolled power will either consume you… or thrust you into a divine fate."
Shadow lowered his head. "Can you help me?"
The elder breathed deeply. "In all my years, I've studied countless forms of magic… but you carry something different. Something ancient. I must search the old texts."
He led them into the massive crystal-heart tree at the center of the village. Inside, the trunk opened into a towering library, its shelves stretching so high they disappeared into darkness.
Dusty tomes floated down as the elder examined them, muttering to himself as he flipped through ancient pages:
"The texture of shadow… The resonance of stars… An unknown divine link… Ah… ah, this power is far from ordinary."
Elryia's worry grew. "Is something wrong?"
The elder stopped, his fingers trembling over a yellowed page.
"This symbol…" he whispered.
Shadow stepped closer.
A violet eye was drawn on the page, surrounded by spiraling star lines.
"This mark appears only in… the Temple of Asterielle."
Shadow's heart skipped.
Elryia's eyes widened. "The Asterielle Temple…?"
The elder nodded gravely. "It lies deep within the forest, from an age long forgotten. Few know its location—and fewer dare to enter. If you wish to understand your power's origin, we must go there."
Shadow nodded firmly. "Elryia comes with me. She wants to grow stronger too."
Elryia's eyes reflected the same resolve. "Where Shadow goes, I go."
The elder straightened with his staff. "Very well. At dawn… we depart."
Dawn arrived with the forest drowning in mist. As they walked toward the temple, the elder spoke about every creature they passed.
"Look," he said, brushing a hand against a glowing bloom. "This is the moonblossom. It glows at night and sleeps by morning—much like memories. Some shine… others fade."
He touched the bark of a dark, massive tree. "This is a shadow tree. Whisper a secret to it… and it will never tell another soul."
Elryia listened, entranced.
Shadow felt something else—a distant pull. As if the temple were calling to him.
"Asterielle's traces," the elder continued, "are older even than life in these woods. Her power bends fate itself."
Shadow's voice grew low. "Does that mean… she can shape mine too?"
"Perhaps," the elder replied. "But what you do with destiny… is up to you."
The forest thinned at last.
Before them rose a gigantic temple carved from black stone, streaked with glowing violet lines. Its roof reached so high it nearly touched the sky.
A statue guarded the entrance—
Asterielle herself in stone.
Long flowing hair, bare feet, a teasing smile… As if the statue might step down at any moment and speak.
Shadow's breath caught. "That's… her."
Elryia shivered. "Shadow… is that the same goddess who appeared to you when you nearly died?"
Shadow nodded.
The elder stopped at the entrance. "I can go no further. From here, it is your path alone."
He added softly: "Speak her name. She guides those she favors… or tests them."
Shadow and Elryia exchanged one last look.
Then stepped inside.
Darkness swallowed them whole—except for drifting specks of violet stardust.
Shadow called out:
"Goddess of shadow and star… Asterielle. Show us the way."
Elryia clasped her hands. "Ancient goddess Asterielle… help us balance our fear and our strength."
Suddenly—
The temple trembled.
The stardust whirled violently.
Light erupted around them.
And then, with the soft sound of bare feet touching stone…
Asterielle appeared.
Her star-like hair shimmered, her violet gown rippling like midnight.
"SHAAADOOOOW!" she cried, running straight toward him.
Shadow stumbled back. "A–Asterielle?! Wait—"
She threw her arms around him and squeezed tight. "I MISSED YOU! Who disappears after rejecting a goddess!?"
Elryia covered her mouth, stunned beyond words.
Asterielle pulled back, eyeing her up and down.
"Ooohh, so this must be my future daughter-in-law."
Elryia turned scarlet. "Wh–what!?"
Shadow cleared his throat sharply. "We came… for help controlling our powers."
Asterielle narrowed her eyes and smiled mischievously. "So… you want to become stronger together?"
They both nodded.
Asterielle clapped once. "Perfect! Goddess Asterielle is on duty! Time for the first trial!"
Shadow and Elryia focused.
Asterielle struck a dramatic pose.
"Kiss each other."
Both froze.
Shadow: "…what?"
Elryia: "K-kiss?"
Asterielle: "Yes! It's the best method for magical harmony! Not scientifically—but it's VERY fun to watch!"
They stared at each other. Faces burning. Hearts racing.
They leaned in… closer… closer…
Their lips were a breath apart when—
Asterielle burst out laughing. The entire temple shook from her hysterics. She fell to the ground, clutching her stomach, wheezing with laughter.
"AHAHAHAHAH! YOU SHOULD'VE SEEN YOUR FACES!"
Shadow snapped around. "You… you weren't serious!?"
Elryia hid her face behind her hands, her ears glowing red.
Asterielle finally stood, wiping tears.
"Alright, alright… That was just a goddess-level prank. Now for the REAL gift."
She opened her palms.
Two rings of soft, glowing starlight formed—violet, warm, pulsing with power.
"These are… Asterielle's Balance Rings."
Shadow and Elryia leaned closer.
"These rings stabilize your magical flow," she explained. "They keep your power steady. And they let you communicate with me… whenever you wish."
Shadow lifted one ring.
Elryia took the other.
Asterielle winked playfully.
"You're now my chosen pair. Let your path to strength begin."
They slipped the rings onto their fingers.
Light burst around them...
Chapter 15 – THE END