I woke up lying on a cold floor. It was dark and my whole body was in pain. The last thing I could remember was falling into the portal and then darkness followed. I didn’t know how long I had been in here, nor the time and date. I weakly pulled myself to my feet and felt around the stone walls for a door. Suddenly candles along every wall lit. I looked around widely and saw a dark figure standing near a throne of some sort.

“Come” the figure motioned.

The voice was delicate and that of a female. As I approached the figure, she sat on the throne. I could see her clearly now. She had strawberry hair and matching eyes, elf ears, and wore a long, blue and royal looking gown. I then realised who she was. I kneeled before her.

“Greetings Mistress Josephine.”

She nodded her head in acknowledgement. Josephine is one of the seven council members of Alesteria. She is a very high ranking elf who controls everything that goes on here and knows all. I was trained to be a Faery when I first came here by her and have a very high respect for her.

“I am confused Mistress, why am I still living and breathing?”

She looked down at me, a blank expression on her face.

“I’ve have been discussing with the other council members about what to do with you. Never before has a human, once Faery, came back to Alesteria.” 

Still I remained kneeling. “And your decision?”

“You have some unfinished business to complete and there is work for you to do. That or you join the human’s fate. To be lost forever, to die.”

I didn’t have to think twice about my decision.

“I follow your command Mistress”

“And a wise choice that is. Arise now Matthew Kyles.” I stood slowly and didn’t make eye contact with her out of respect. She rose from her throne and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“There is now much to do.”