Page 13 of Dark Fate

Small, fae children with pointed ears dart about in gleeful chaos only the fearlessly eternal can afford, while adults navigate their daily grind, which probably includes 'hunting for the most ethereal meat substitute' on their to-do lists.

Sure, everything's wrapped in fantasy, but the vibe is as normal and chaotic as anywhere back home.

"Dani," Faderyn begins, his voice filled with pride as he gestures to the expanse. "Welcome to Whispervale."

The sights, like whispers turned visual, draw me in. "It's a slice of hidden heaven," I remark, awe fresh on my tongue.

He guides me through this village of secrets, his pride unwavering. "Whispervale is a testament to tranquility and autonomy. No throne's shadow falls here. Freedom, peace, and personal truth—those are the powers we revere."

I follow his gaze over the happy disarray, a silent testament to his words.

"It seems so—connected. Grounded, yet free-spirited."

"WithAxilyaat the helm, we've managed to maintain a haven of solitude among the gales of change. Here, you'll find artists, healers, rebels, and refugees—each contributing to the pulse of this community—each free to live as they choose without the weight of courtly expectations."

A group of fae passes by, nodding to Faderyn with respect before offering me curious, welcoming smiles. I'm struck by how ordinary yet extraordinary this all feels.

"Looks like you've created something special," I say, a new appreciation warming my tone. "I can't wait to see more."

He smiles, inviting me to explore further. "Let's walk. There's much to see, and the heart of Whispervale is as enchanting as its borders."

Up close, details leap out—the exotic garb of leather, fur, and iridescent silk, the hypnotic glow of the Fae's jewel-bright eyes. Intoxicating scents hang thickly—earthy cooked meats, fragrant oils, crushed herbs, wet stone.

Weaving through the crowds, I marvel at the diversity—some Fadeyrn's height with magnificent antlers, others waist-high with delicate pointed ears. Their skin spans every hue, from pallid white to Fadeyrn's warm umber, even vibrant azure or rich emerald.

My attention snags on an area housing beasts I've never seen—powerful felines with dark fur flowing like liquid shadow.

Noticing my stare, Fadeyrn supplies, "Night Sabers. They are exclusive to our lands."

As Fadeyrn leads me through the bustling encampment, seeing those Night Sabers, a question nags at me.."The Court of Mystical Beasts… What became of those creatures and fae folk?" My curiosity piques, imagining a lineup of creatures that Disney would kill for.

Fadeyrn gives a nod heavy with meaning. "Much has faded, but remnants linger if one knows where to seek them."

His tone has the gravity of a eulogy, a bit of a buzzkill.

When he drops the 'U' bomb, I nearly trip. "Unicorns? So they're real?!" The words burst out, disbelief and 'I knew it!' peppered in.

"Indeed," he confirms with a half-smile. "Though few have glimpsed them, they trust no outsiders and interact with none."

Talk about an exclusive club.

A fae kid sideswipes Fadeyrn, jolting me back to the present and sparking a flicker of recollection. "Is it trueunicornswill bond with certain individuals they deem worthy?" I ask, half-expecting him to unfurl a 'So You Want to Be a Unicorn's Bestie?' pamphlet.

"It was so long ago," Fadeyrn confirms. "But they severed ties even with the Fae. No mortal or immortal has earned their trust in centuries."

The info dump hits me like a tidal wave. Adrian's tomes sang of unicorns vibing with the virtuous, but the reality? It's like finding out Santa traded his nice list for a do-not-call registry.

Fadeyrn elaborates, "Transformative magic once flowed between unicorns and their riders. But as realms fractured, suspicion poisoned all bonds. Now they keep to their own, heeding no call."

He's full-on lamenting the good old days—real Renaissance Faire stuff.

His somber tone drapes me in wistfulness. Yet, the scientist in me perks up—if these creatures are hanging on, maybe the spark of trust isn't extinct. Maybe it's just playing hard to get.

And they say I'm the stubborn one.

As we walk by a Fae woman selling cooked meats. The smell hits my senses, causing my stomach to rumble.Faderyn continues, "Their lore is as old as the stars. There are different colors, each signifying a different power."

Excitement bubbles within me, my mind racing. "Tell me more. How can we find them?"

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