1 â The Sky Beyond
âAmor, can you imagine the endless sky, extending far beyond the horizon?â Libertad asks, drawing a line with her arms, and pointing towards a scenery only she would be able to imagine in her wildest dreams.
Amor on the other hand couldnât imagine anything beyond the dark skies that covered their lone island. And neither did he want to. He felt contempt with their situation.
Dreaming beyond what they had could only lead to peril. Why would anyone choose to face the Leviathan? There was far more to be lost than these empty prospects of an uncertain future.
And yet⦠Amor could not get himself to express as much.
âTell me, Libertad, what is the sky you seek?â
Libertadâs eyes shine brightly, as they always do as she imagines all of the possibilities of what might wait beyond. Her mouth curves upward, from remembering all of the old records she has read, every song, every folk tale she has heard.
Excitement takes over her. She spreads her wings and flies happily. Her laughter resonates through the hearts of all living in the island.
Wings of freedom!
For the fairies trapped in an island, and cowering under the Leviathanâs absolute control, her wings are a majestic blessing. Libertadâs existence is seen as nothing short of a miracle for the others. And of course she has always been spoiled as such.
Her voice resounds clearly for all of the sky to hear.
âIt is endless! Beyond the storm clouds, even past the setting sun! Innumerable islands, new fairies! Different cultures, animals, food, music, dancing!â She flies off the island.
Her wings spread, and everyone in the island stops to watch. Entranced by a dream most had forgotten. By the conviction she flies with, one would not find it strange even if she were to cross the borders into the Leviathans territory. And even maybe fly past it, to the promised open skies.
âSomewhere out there are Griffins! With head and wings as powerful as an eagle, and lower bodies akin to prideful lions! They build their nests out of pure gold! And fly farther and faster than any fairy! Can you imagine, at the time of the gods only the most prominent were allowed to ride on their backs! To feel their reliable feathers carrying you through the sky, the pleasant wind caressing your face at a speed no one has felt in eons!â
She closes in on the border, and Amor turns apprehensive.
However, to Amorâs relief, she stops right before reaching it and makes her way back.
âOr to visit Titaniaâs great palace! Filled with ancient magic and novel architecture! Ah! An audience with the Queen! Wise, brave and beautiful Queen Titania! To learn of the secrets of the sky and learn all of its history! What an honor would it be to be named as a Knight Le Fay! To fight in name of the Queen and protect all of the bright blue-sky!â
She dances, while brandishing her star-forged rapier, given to her be the village chief. There is as much beauty as there is lethality in her movements. Clear proof that her will to face the Leviathan was not a random whim, but a strong will forged in training and hardship.
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She sheaths her sword, and allows herself fall under the island.
âHave you ever heard of mermaids? They live where the rain clouds meet! An island made entirely of water! A huge waterfall plummeting perennially to the bottom of the skies! I can barely imagine it! I have to see it with my own eyes! Feel the cold water rushing through my skin! And the mermaids! Effortlessly dancing in vibrant colors!â She continues to fly through the island, exploring every inch of it. Very much like a bird, looking for a way out of their cage.
âAnd theyâre only one small part of the sky! Much like us! And certainly much likeâ¦â She finally comes back to Amorâs side, at the edge of the island, and looks into the storm clouds, her thrilled expression finally sobering up. âLike themâ¦â
The Leviathan. Once a powerful fairy, they claimed control of a portion of the sky as far as the eye can see as their own. Now theyâre simply a monster, eating any fairy who dares to fly through their territory.
And Amor and Libertadâs island is located right in the center of the storm the Leviathan has claimed.
âSomeday I will defeat them, Amor. I wonât give up like the grown-ups whoâve settled here. I will liberate the skies and travel wherever my heart desires.â Libertad says with a determined look.
Theyâve had this talk many times before.
Amor knew Libertad better than anyone. And he knew she was right.
Her wings are the wings of freedom. How could she grow up while being shackled by the Leviathanâs control?
She had already explored every last part of the island, spoken to everyone, read every book, heard every legend, song⦠If she continued to grow up in this environment, it would go against her wingâs purpose. And that would lead to her getting sick, and it wouldnât take long for the worst to passâ¦
It is with a heavy heart, but Amor understands that she has to leave and explore to her heartâs content.
âImagine, Amor. Someday, we might even find a way for your wings to blossomâ¦â She compliments in a hopeful voice.
The blossoming of wings. It happens in the early childhood of every fairy. Itâs when they learn the shape of their wings, their lifelong goal, dream and aspiration. Just like Libertadâs wings of freedom and the Leviathanâs wings of control, every fairy has their own wings. It represents who they are and want to be, it is their essence itself.
However, Amor is already close to reaching adolescence and his wings have yet to blossom. If Libertad is the blessing adored by all, then Amor feels like he is the stain that all of the islanders would rather hide. Hence the reason why he was isolated to the edge of the island.
Libertad is the only one who visits him. On good days, Amor would think it was because of their years of friendship. On normal days, he would figure she was looking for new things to do in her limited environment. But on bad days, he wondered if she only came as a last resort whenever she was feeling bored.
âIf you ever found a way, would you return here to show it to me?â
Her eyes remain turned to the horizon only she can see.
âThe sky is unlimited, Amor. But my time isnât⦠You know I canât lose precious time to come back, I could turn into a granny before even flying as far as I can reach! Thatâs the reason why you should come with me! See the skies for yourself! Maybe your wings could even blossom on their own!â
At times like this, he wondered if he could leave everything behind and go with her. Probably none of the other islanders would miss him.
Yet he would need to leave behind his house. And while it might be a lonely place at the edge of the island, it was the only place heâd ever known. The only place heâd ever belonged to.
Hesitation crosses his mind. Only Libertad with her wings of freedom could possibly leave everything else behind without a single thought.
And yet⦠He could never get himself to refuse such a proposition.
âYes⦠That could be niceâ¦â
âHehe!â
She holds his hands and brings him into the sky.
For a fairy without wings, there is much fear of being dropped against the island, or even worse falling endlessly to the bottom of the sky.
And yet, from above the sky spreads in a different view than that seen from the island. Going up and up until even their huge island is nothing more than a small dot at the distance. When seen like this, it truly feels like the sky might be endless. Only he and his friend remain, bathed by the sunlight and surrounded by the familiar voice of the wind.
But there is a clear frontier they should never go across. The storm clouds surround them, and the endless view of the sky is replaced by the bottomless darkness. Every roaring thunder reminds of the being that lurks behind them.
Whom could possibly hope to end the Leviathanâs tyranny?