Finally they had arrived at the isles of Caelum, the country of Fairies. Ryuko's goal was clear: She had to gain the Faeries their aid in tracking down the hideout of the cult she and Nozrum were chasing. Overall she was fairly confident in the fact the Fae would let her pass without any complications once they knew who she was. After all, it would be foolish to anger the legacy of the mighty Shinryu. The ship had sailed into the port, allowing Ryuko to disembark from the vessel alongside the elderly sage Nozrum. And it was there that their adventure into the land of the Fae began. As expected the townsfolk were giving her cursory gazes, some curiosity stirred from her dragon-like wings and tail. She really needed to figure out a way to conceal these properly if she wanted to mingle with mortals. Yet at the same time Ryuko was too proud of her lineage to allow such a thing to happen. To hide away the legacy of Shinryu would be dishonoring the memory of him. Such thoughts made her remember of what the sage told her before setting off to Caelum, that Shinryu was a magnificent father. He seemed to not know much about him but it didn't matter either way. If her father was noble and honorable she wanted to be worthy of carrying on that legacy. But for now Ryuko had other things to focus on.

She strode towards the path at the edge of the port which led up a small hill and then on to the town proper. They would've been unable to anchor at the isles proper because of dangerous reefs around the coast, thus having to disembark through one of the ports the townspeople had built. Ryuko was pleased by their skill in manipulating the land in such a way for the sake of convenience, she respected those who were aware of their weaknesses and took steps to counter them. The scale-armored girl scanned her surroundings, her heightened senses making her aware of how the atmosphere was almost completely the same as it was on the continent, except the air was more... fresh, magical. What her father told her made sense after all, the land of Caelum had been the first to flourish with the magic of nature and the Fae before spreading it across the globe, in nowadays the only place one could still encounter Fairies unless by rare exceptions. It was an important place in the history of all life and for some reason Ryuko felt a deep yearning within her heart to be welcomed on these lands. She did not waste her time any longer and walked upwards to the path and into the main street,Yet once there Ryuko noticed something very peculiar. Nature's abundance had disappeared, the lush green scenery giving way for metal as if she had stepped into a kingdom that embraced technology rather than the ancient teachings of nature and the spirits.

WC: 505
Total WC: 505/1800

"Is this truly Caelum?" Ryuko asked the elderly sage who nodded his head firmly. "It is, this is the capital city Avalon, or at least the human version of it within the kingdom of Albion." As Nozrum guided her along the streets he explained further.

"The civilization here is quite divided, there are these who still hold to the ancient teachings, living in coexistence with nature and the spirits yet many have started to embrace the evolution of technology and the luxuries it brings." Ryuko wasn't sure what to make of that. In all honesty she wasn't comfortable seeing how nature was shoved aside to make place for all this machinery.

"Your displeasure is quite alike to that of the Fae." Nozrum remarked in amusement as the duo reached the outskirts of the capital city. "We'll be making our way to the wilds of Albion by carriage, or at least the outskirts. Afterwards we'll travel deeper into the forest in search of the Fae-folk." Ryuko sighed at hearing his words. She really wanted to explore the city some more, yet at the same time wished to leave that metallic prison and immerse herself in nature's wonders again. Soon enough, the two got aboard the carriage bound for the outer part of the city before turning towards the forest in the distance. Throughout the trip Ryuko kept silent as she kept waiting for nature to greet her once again, but it was futile. The machines just kept on grinding, grinding to their targets. Her mood had finally shifted from curiosity to annoyance when the journey had come to an end and the two set foot inside the woods. Without anything to interrupt the long, lonesome treks, Ryuko couldn't help but prod the elder sage. "Why can't we find the Fae that quick? Wouldn't they be alarmed at the presence of a dragon in their forest?" She had initially expected for a fast search and quicker exit but now nothing had happened yet. The trees seemed to mock her, enjoying the fact that they robbed her of her expectations. She could not get out of here fast enough. "Ryuko, the Fae can't be found by so easily, you have to let nature guide your way. They won't try to harm the spirits and will show respect to their forests so they cannot be seen, only felt." Hearing him go into one of his long rambles again, the dragoness closed her eyes and tried to meditate her own way of finding the Fae instead. Within her mind the green and nature flourished, and a blue glow began to arise into the skies before coalescing into a portal. There she saw some of the most beautiful and powerful flowers in nature, the Faefolk with their majestic and powerful wings.

WC: 476
Total WC: 981/1800

Ryuko opened her eyes and dashed forward as quickly as she could, a wide smile on her face. She recognized where the mystical beings were with her feelings and so she sped up. A chase then began. Ryuko sped past the wilderness, which started closing in the outsider, snagging her dark tunic and ripping away her wing wraps to reveal her dark colored wings.

Frantically, she evaded a series of vines and leapt to narrowly avoid an incoming spear with a crystal blade made by the leaves. "The Fae who lives here... they do not like people wanting their magic..." Shaking it off, the girl decided to land defiantly in front of the path and exclaimed. "I do not wish to use the Fae's powers for evil! I merely seek their guidance to track down a group preparing to commit a vile ritual that could endanger the entirety of Earthland!". Ryuko did not expect a spoken reply, considering none had arrived as of then. Yet after a moment of silence a soft voice was carried through the air.

"We Fae don't mingle with the affairs of the mortal races. But if this ritual is as vile as you say, then tell me more."

Huffing behind her Nozrum had finally caught up and started to explain, telling the same story he had told Ryuko before: of how a cult was attempting to commit a vile ritual that would surely see the destruction of nature within Caelum. Neither spirit or mankind would be safe from the taint left from such a event. The Fae listened quietly and took their words into consideration. "Leave it to us... We will consult with Queen Titania and have a decision in the following days. Until then, you may freely roam the outskirts of this forest.". After the conversation ended, the two were allowed their leave. Despite the cold reception, Ryuko did not feel discouraged. One would hardly gain trust from talking, it was something that had to be fought for.

However, it was at the same point they reached the outskirts of the forest and made camp that Ryuko noticed that Nozrum was gazing at the stars, night had fallen and for a moment she couldn't help but follow his gaze. "Is there anything of interest there?" To which Nozrum chuckled. "There is an old story... Supposedly when a dragon dies their soul travels toward the other side, leaving behind a star in their trail."

Ryuko tilted her head to the side in bewilderment. "So you're saying they become a star?" to which Nozrum laughed softly. "Something like that."

WC: 436
Total WC: 1417/1800

The next morning Ryuko found herself stirred from her slumber to found a small fairy fluttering in front of her. "Finally awake~ Compared to the old man you were in quite the deep sleep. Must had been some nice dreams judging from the goofy grin on your face." Ryuko's cheeks flushed up lightly, averting her gaze as she mumbled softly. "O shut it." No way she was going to admit she had been dreaming about a certain cute half-elf. However her embarrassment did not last for too long. Because right there and then her curiosity flared up again at what brought the Fae to visit her in the first place.

"Oh... Right. Well Queen Titania and the others have heard of your troubles and would like to investigate further. While it is true that your request for assistance is strange for outsiders, your lineage has worked as an insurance of sorts for your identity. Even more so with the current situation in the world at large."

Ryuko arched a brow. "What do you mean?"

The fairy responded. "Queen Titania has given instructions to her followers to search the land for any sign of the malicious cult you mentioned. Took us a lot of work! But in the end we found a trail leading to their den. It's a huge underground settlement that was once used by humans but then abandoned for some reason. No idea why the cult would go there, but since the Queen told us to guide you to there, it's my job to take you there. So pack your bags and get ready for the trip~"

Ryuko suddenly perked up, wondering why the Fairy seemed a bit too optimistic of their chances. "Wouldn't the cult not be expecting intruders there?".

The fairy quickly struck down her concerns. "With our magic, they won't even know we're around until we get right behind their eyes and take them out~" Ryuko rose from her sleeping spot. She wasn't sure what to make of something going so smoothly. At least now she had an advantage of a surprise attack. Finally she followed after the fairy, finding Nozrum had just finished his meditation and rose onto his feet, ready to accompany her.

"Guess it's time to bust a cult~" Ryuko exclaimed with a grin.

WC: 391
Total WC: 1808/1800