Faye

Faye had always loved fairy tales. She always loved the picture books her father had managed to find and would give to her. They were better than any pretty dresses or jewelry he could offer her. They were her escape. Her fantasies. She grew up to use the children’s books as escapes from realities she preferred not to witness.

That night was the same as any other night. She had fled to her room when the conversation had taken an uncomfortable turn and opened up her books. She let out a wistful sigh. She wished she could be the heroin of a fairy tale. She wished she could fall in love with some handsome prince or wizard, and marry him. It was all wishful thinking; no princes lived nearby, and magic was not something that existed in the lands she lived in. At the very least, it would be nice to fall in love for love’s sake.
Faye rolled over onto her back after closing her book. She stared at her ceiling as she thought back on the events of the week. Her father had met a merchant from another village. He was a rich man, well known across the lands, and beloved by most. Not like some of the shady merchants she knew about. She didn’t mind this man. He seemed nice enough, but he had this strange infatuation with her. He wanted her hand in marriage, and even her father had said they would make a good pair. She closed her eyes. The marriage would be incredibly profitable to her and her father. She knew this would set them for life, but there was a part of her that just didn’t want to accept.
She told them she would think about it, and she had. She had thought long and hard. But no matter what logic she put into her thoughts, she always came to the same answer.
“I apologize if this seems disrespectful, but I just cannot see myself marrying him.”
And that was her final answer. Now the voices echoed through their little house. The voices of her father and the merchant shouting back and forth, back and forth. It seemed like the shouting went on for an eternity, until darkness closed in around her consciousness.

The girl was woken up by the feeling of suffocation and not the usual bright rays of sunlight that usually caused her to awake. Faye coughed to try and clear her throat as she pushed herself up and frantically looked around. Her room was full of smoke. The girl choked and covered her mouth in a vain attempt to filter the air. She slid off her bed and staggered to the door, pushing it open, only to yelp as a wave of hot smoke rushed into her room. She shielded her face from the flames that licked up the walls. “F-Father,” she called, her voice hoarse. She coughed violently. She couldn’t breath. She had to find her father and get out of the house. “F-father, can you he-hear me?” she called. She tried to make her way to her father’s room, but a part of the rough collapsed, cutting off her path. She staggered backwards and tripped over a partially burned chair.
The girl coughed violently again before looking around. It was so hot, and the smoke was so thick. She couldn’t see clearly anymore. She tried to call for her father again, but it was too difficult to speak. She crawled forward. She had to find a way to her father. She managed to move a few feet before everything went dark.


The next thing Faye felt was a fuzzy warmth radiating through herself. She felt strange, but at the same time, she felt comfortable. Safe. A drastic difference to before she had lost consciousness.
She opened her eyes to a vast, beautiful plain. The wind rustled the grass and flowers around her gently, and the shining sun above warmed her body. She let out a soft groan before she shifted to try and push herself to sit up. She quickly found that she was having troubles moving. She stretched her arms out in front of her to brace her hands against the ground, but the girl froze. What was outstretched in front of her were an animal's legs with fur that was hues of purple and blue. Sharp claws dug into the ground. Faye made a noise of distress as she turned her alarmingly long neck to examine herself. She didn't know what she was, but she was no longer human. She tried to get to her feet, but her body didn't work the way it used to. She had large growths on her back that felt heavy and awkward; upon further inspection, she found wings.
The newly reincarnated dragon panicked, bleating out noises of distress as she attempted to twist and turn to see if anyone was there to help her or explain what was going on. Little did she kow her bleating had attracted some attention.
Faye nearly let out a squeak of panic as a large, majestic dragon landed nearby her, their beating wings buffeting her with wind. As Faye stared up at the dragon, she could only think of how beautiful they were. Amethyst scales sparkled in the sunlight, and rose-colored wings that almost seemed translucent seemed to shine in the light. It almost seemed as if a fight light pink precious gemstone glittered from places in where her scales and wings seemed to give way. The dragon smiled mischievously down at her.

"You seem to be having some troubles." She had the nerve to giggle at Faye, despite how distressed she was.

Faye looked like an offended, indignant child. "And who asked you?!"

"Oh, well, if you don't need help, perhaps I'll be on my way to return home, then." She rose to her hind legs.

"W-wait!" Faye grumbled as she watched the Imperial settle back down. "I... I think I may be a little lost and confused," she admitted, her voice quiet and meek.

"You do look a little lost and confused." The dragon's voice was amused. "I am Nyx, and I would be more than happy to help you find your way, pretty little Skydancer."