FLAAASH!
As Florie cried due to being so hopeless and powerless, a light emerged from her chest.
And from within such a light, something emerged atop her skin.
"Ehh? Uwaah!"
She panicked, without knowing what it truly was. Her tears and her beautiful and innocent feelings and emotions… they triggered the awakening of the power the Fairy Queen found "special" within her.
"This is… a mark?!"
A mark, it resembled a beautiful pink butterfly.
Marks in this world were special, mystical magic circles composed of countless runes. They only formed within special beings that carried within them special abilities or "roles" in the world.
The Snake Queen held the mark of a guardian, which corrupted and ultimately transformed her into a monster. Meanwhile, the Fairy Queen Titania held the mark of the Queen of Fairies, which granted her power over the fairies, to help them and bless them and nature.
And from within Florie's chest, a mark similar to that one emerged… It was a similar mark, yet not completely similar. It felt as if some divine power intervened, giving her such a gift despite her thinking she didn't deserve it at all after what she had done in the past.
"This mark… Why? I… I don't deserve this…" Florie continued to cry.
"Florie…" Suddenly, the voice of Titania whispered to her.
"Q-Queen Titania?!" She cried.
"You've finally awakened it. In the past, I was told by the Tree of Beginnings that someone with a special mark would one day be born. A pure girl with an innocent heart, that only wanted to protect everyone." Titania said.
"But I am not… I am not that…" Cried Florie.
"This Mark was that of the [Princess of Fairies], it was a special child, that got lost. I remember you, Florie, when you were but a tiny flower. However, the Demon King must have know you were special, and used the revived Corrupted Guardians to take you away and brainwash you, letting you wake up years later, forcing you to infiltrate the city…" Sighed Titania.
"That's…" Florie was moved by such words, she didn't knew such past.
"You were always meant to be special, dear. Your wings, your charm, your innocence. You were played by evil forces, but you've always held a pure heart, it is the purest of hearts that can truly manipulate the Spirit Roots of this world, which have long ago dried out…" Sighed Titania.
"Spirit… Roots?" Florie wondered.
"We have not enough time to explain what they are, but they're very special to this world, such roots belonged to the Tree of Beginnings, they remain even after his death, but without a proper vessel, they'll eventually die… Planta needs you so she can reach them." Titania said. "I know… it's hard, I feel bad for trying to ask you for such a feat, but Florie, I-"
"No, it's fine…" Florie answered, surprising Titania with a voice filled with conviction.
"I get it now… I… finally understand, so that's my purpose…" Florie sighed. "Don't worry Queen Titania, I won't disappoint you! If I truly… if I truly have this strength, then I will give up my life if necessary so we can win this battle!"
"Florie…" Titania's voice sounded shocked. "Very well then, I shall awaken your Spiritual Runes within your body and soul, it will be painful, but with the help of the Elder Ent down there, it should be possible! Now go!"
"I shall!" Florie said, suddenly opening her eyes again, as if that conversation happened when time was going very slowly.
"Florie! What was that light?" Nieve wondered.
"That was very bright…" Acorn sighed. "Ugh, my eyes…"
"That's… since when did you got yourself that tattoo?" Achlys asked, pointing at Florie's chest, right below her neck, there was a beautiful, pink-colored butterfly tattoo.
"This is the Mark of the [Fairy Princess]…" Florie said, her eyes glowing brightly with pink light. "Lady Titania said it could help others… I must go see the Ents! Huginn, can you carry us down?"
"CRAAAH!"
Huginn quickly carried Florie and everyone else down from the skies. Fairies were unable to soar the skies as freely due to their small wings that couldn't go too much against gravity, they could at most fly up to ten meters from the ground, but above that would exhaust them.
FLAAASH!
Florie reached the ground, landing in front of the Elder Ent, whose eyes opened as he looked down at her. Although he seemed intimidating, he was filled with gentleness and humility, and his very presence seemed to embrace everyone in a warm light that restored their HP, MP, and even Satiation in a flash! And it even came with stat buffs!
"Hmmm… I've been waiting for you, [Fairy Princess]. You've received the blessing of the gods through the Title that makes you a half-player, you've become an independent spirit that doesn't need the force of the Tree of Beginnings to exert their power. Young girl, are you ready for this? It will be painful." Said the Elder Ent.
"I-I am honored to meet you, Elder Ent! B-But what are you going to do to Florie?!" Asked Nieve in desperation.
"I shall awaken her Spirit Runes, the source of us Spirits power. They flow all across our bodies and souls, as you grow stronger and Level Up, they develop. However, the Princess's runes are special, they need to be awakened by a powerful Spirit, such as me." The Elder Ent said. "This is… her decision, you must respect her decision, even more as you're her big sister."
"Ah… Florie… Do you truly intend to do this?" Nieve wondered.
"I am okay with it, don't worry big sis!" Florie smiled sweetly back at her. "I want… I want to help too."
"Florie…" Nieve sighed. "Alright, I'll be there with you."
"That's more than enough~!" Florie answered happily.
"Then let us begin."
The Elder Ent's roots reached Florie, wrapping themselves around her and imbuing their power directly into her slumbering Spiritual Runes.
FLAAAASH!
