Chapter Text
News of joy was brought to a group of scientists. The "Kitsasutai" organization. An organization that searches for life on Earth. Their goal was to discover and learn every living thing on Earth.
Recently, they've been allowed to search in a new area. An area that has been locked out by the world, no one was ever allowed to enter. A mysterious place where no one has even managed to peak what's the inside of for ages. It was covered by mountains, you'd have to climb it first. And when you do, heavy weather will come. It was clear that the place had no interest in humans.
The area was dangerous, they didn't know how big was the area, and they didn't know what was even lurking there. Humans were never meant to find out. Yet as life goes on, nothing will matter if you have money. With money, everything was achievable, as long as you had enough, of course. The land was brought from one of the best candidates in the organization.
Michikatsu Tsugikuni. One of the superiors had alone bought it. He easily took it out of the government's hands with his lots of money. So much money, that they forgot the vow they made to keep the place hidden.
And the amount of money he spent didn't leave an impact on him. He was rich to the roots.
Michikatsu is young. His money mostly came from his inheritance. His family had owned many company, that was supposedly given to his elder brother. That is until he passed away. Michikatsu's brother died because of an illness, a disease passed down through the generations.
He had to watch them all die slowly and know that it was useless and that he would receive it too. The curse was a red fiery mark. It will first appear small on the body, but for years it will grow and consume the victims. They all died at twenty-five. And there is no fixing that.
But he will not just cave to his fate. No, he wanted to change it. For him, once the mark started showing, it was like a motivation. He wanted to live. And he cannot accept he is gonna die in five years. He didn't want to spend his life to the fullest for five years. He wanted more, he expected more.
This disease shall not chain him. Every time he coughed blood it only became proof, that he needed to try harder. He still had time. And that time will not be used to give up. After his brother's death, he was the last known Tsugikuni. He didn't want it all to end like this. They told him to quickly get married and have an heir, but he refused.
With all the money he had now, he turned to find a cure. He hoped to find a way to find the medicine for the disease. He hired a bunch of scientists and ended up becoming one himself. Besides, you need to do it yourself if you want to succeed.
They all appreciate his determination, and willingness to explore a dangerous place for a cure. They deemed him noble. But his brother was right. It's not that hard to turn a blind eye. The area was called the "Aelia." A place hidden and guarded by nature itself. It was difficult to enter, something kept forcing them out.
When they first looked at the entrance, the place, it doesn't look normal one bit. People have speculated what might be in there. Something dangerous, or something powerful. Something no human should ever witness.
Or maybe, Something valuable that people didn't wish to share, a new priceless ore maybe, a cave full of diamonds? It was said that there were lots of caves in there that might hold treasures. Priceless treasures waiting to be claimed. But it might not be true, it would've been taken by the government themselves if that was the case. Maybe a secret society?
There is something worth millions in there, but nothing worth a life. Well until they got bored of keeping it. Even after those several signs that the place did not want them, they kept pushing on. Led by curiosity and greed. What is it will they find in such a restricted area? And once they find it, they can claim it.
The reason why they were so interested in the place, was because there were stories about this place, not a story of fiction. An ancient story from centuries ago, when the place wasn't banned. There was something magical about this place, they did not believe in magic. The possibility that the thing they were searching for, the being was a.. fairy.
It's ironic how none of them thought of a God that could have lived here, but instead, they choose to believe in a children's fairytale and are in search of a fairy.
These "Fairies." Came from ancient times, it was written in books, and poetry, and drawn in many artworks. That is how they become a children's book in the first place. When they look into it, all of the different types of book mentions the same location where fairies can be found.
It could've just been the authors working together. These stories could be no different from their modern speculation. Except, now it was more realistic. But imagine if it is real? An actual being that could break the laws of nature. And bring absolute wonder to their world. If they knew magic was real, what else?
Sure it could mean science would be useless, but forget that. If fairies are real they might be able to learn them. Take their magic. And use it themselves!
Of course, everyone was excited. Excited enough to volunteer on the expedition, even after knowing it was dangerous. Everyone wanted to go. They wanted to see it themselves, and of course, their eyes were only laid for the money. They wanted to sell this forest for every single thing it had. But legally Michikatsu was the one who truly owned it, and he had different plans.
He aims for something higher, something that would be worth more than "more fame." Or "more money." He wanted medicine, but he also wanted something else. Something that will complete him. There was something powerful in there, he could feel it. It could be the fairies, and once he had his hands on it, nothing could ruin him. Not again, after all he had lost. He was sure nothing else could hurt him.
While other was scared and trembled upon entering. He didn't flinch. He had nothing to lose anyway. This was something he needed to do. This could be the end or start of his life. For years he felt empty. He wonders if will he finally feel some light again now. When he knows if he is going to survive. His life wouldn't be useless. He felt eager to enter and explore.
When they finally found a clearing, a place that wasn't blocked by the surrounding tall trees. It was intimidating to be there, especially at night. But it was a heavenly sight to see. One glance, and you can already fall in love with it.
They can already see all sorts of plants, different from what they were used to, a garden full of flowers that they never discovered before. It was truly beautiful. The animals looked bigger than normal, but they hide pretty well. They barely gave it a second glance, it won't matter. Not now. The amazing things told about these fairies are how they were described. In the book, the fairies have been a friend to the humans.
Guiding, helping them. They made wishes come true. That's how the humans even survive for this long, the fairies protected their kind long ago when there was another mythical creature called the demons. After a thousand years of battle, the human side won. But the fairies thought that they wouldn't need help anymore and left. Living in Aelia with no outside disturbance.
But in other stories, the humans became greedy and demanded more from the fairies. So much pressure that causes them to leave. It's usually to tell kids a lesson.
It's been centuries now, and they hoped they could make some sort of "peace". If they were real of course. They didn't know what they would look like, originally they were described as stars or just glowing light with no form.
They entered the Aelia when it was dark, they figured it be easy to find its small form, not that they knew what size it would be. Everybody wants one. A rich person has secretly hired them to catch one for a pet. But it wasn't achievable or even humane to do that.
The fairies... Michikatsu was the first one to find a fairy. As if it was fate. He looked into the mythical being in awe. It looked exactly description of the book. Glowing, shimmering lights, look so majestic and mysterious. Except, it did have a form.
A human form, and when discovered its only move was to look back into its founder's eye.
Mimicry. That was also discussed in the books, that they would turn themselves into something else, to blend in at that time. It looked like a human male, aside from his glowing body and floating hair.
Magnificent.
Michikatsu can only utter a "Woah" out of his mouth. It was real. His childhood stories were real. There is a fairy in front of him, and he has even witnessed its magic. Maybe it was worth it coming here, maybe this being can solve his problem.
And it stands there, completing its transformation and looking human. It might have done that to understand him. To show that he was the same. It didn't want destruction, only explanation.
He wanted to approach it, talk to it, touch it. He wanted it. His greedy side began to say, he didn't want to share. He wanted this fairy all to himself. He would've done it if it wasn't for the fact he was nervous. He didn't want to make an enemy out of it.
The fairy had maroon hair that floats around him. Glowing red eyes that probably looked through his soul. He was stunned to do anything, only observing the being.
'Approach.'
It suddenly came to his mind, his legs felt numb, but it moved anyway. The fairy didn't react it looked like it was expecting him to come. It waited patiently, as Michikatsu stumbled. He was sweaty. This creature looked down at him, it saw him as no threat, but it was surely careful. It can read minds. That was also in the book. The ability to see the human's thoughts. And it seems it can do more than that.
His several attempts to stop his legs have failed, and now he was sweating not because of nervousness, but fear. He desperately tried to stop himself, holding his leg, but it didn't stop. It was busy listening to the "fairy."
'Shit. Shit!'
He was just a couple of steps from being right in front of it, and he wondered if he should be afraid.
"Now!"
The fairy was caught off guard. A net was thrown right above him, and before he had a chance he was caught. Michikatsu received control of his body once more, and he ran back. His other partners have started circling the fallen fairy. They tied the net, as it screeched out for help. This should be good. They did it, a fairy. Its voice doesn't even sound human. It was truly a new being.
The fairy began to cry. It was agony to see it like that. At least to Michikatsu. It was the only one in pain, whilst others let out the sound of joy. everyone was celebrating and laughing. None of them cared for the screams it let out.
Some of them went to check his condition. They were sorry he had to become bait but at least they did it. This fairy will cost a lot of money. And it will all be worth it. Think of the money... The money?
"We should cut or pierce its legs. It's best to give it no chance of escaping. What do you say Mr. Tsugikuni?"
The fairy was helpless. It can only lie on the ground while the people above him discuss his fate. It needed help. It doesn't deserve this.
"No."
They all looked at their leader half shocked. But supposedly it'll be worth more as a whole right? But that was not what Michikatsu meant at all. He had no intention of selling it. Isn't this a sentient being? Didn't their kindness help them in the dark era of demons? How could they disrespect such a being? It was precious. And it was better to be protected.
"We are researchers. We will not sell it for profit. And I did not give any of you permission to catch it."
It was calling for him. It was begging for help. To him. Pity began filling him. This being can do so much more than being sold. Humans cannot be this selfish to take it out of its home.
Michikatsu was annoyed, it might have intentions to kill him before, but it didn't know any better. This could cause a misunderstanding. They had caught one of the fairies, but they're never supposed to.
Maybe this morality came because the form this fairy took was someone he knew. But it was clear that it had feelings. Selling it would have a chance to cause a war. The stories of the fairy were confirmed true now. These misunderstandings could cause the fairy to think of them as a threat. A new war between the humans and the fairies.
It was already too late, the fairy was injured. If they released it now, it was going to be trouble. Michikatsu had decided to bring it back to their base for the time being. Since they do want to learn it, they will fix it, try to communicate, and then let it go. Hopefully, it went smoothly. Even though he earns a lot of complaints from the other workers he doesn't care.
Somehow. He felt a connection. When it was screaming for help when it was calling him. He couldn't get himself to ignore it. Every being deserves a chance. Every being doesn't deserve to be treated like this.
But deep down. He felt like it wasn't morality. It was greed. Was he only doing this because he didn't want to share this beautiful creature? Is he that selfish?