The distant glow of the World Tree shimmered through the branches beyond the fairy village. Even from a mile away, the ancient trunk radiated power. It was easy to forget that inside that massive structure was a raid that could change the fate of every adventurer who entered it.
Jax rose from the moss-covered clearing where the group had been sitting.
He felt like he had a good understanding of what awaited them now.
The rules.
The structure.
The risks.
And most importantly—the reward.
The first group to finish the raid would gain the greatest prize.
That alone meant the competition would be fierce.
Jax extended his hand politely toward the fairy queen.
"Thank you, Your Grace," he said warmly. "Your knowledge on this subject is profound."
Pixelle still in her 5'0" form and reached out her hand to meet his.
When Jax gently took it, he lifted it slightly and placed a respectful kiss across the back of her hand.
Pixelle froze.
Then her entire face turned bright pink.
She began to giggle.
Soft.
Nervous.
A little too happy.
"Pixelle Starbloom," she said suddenly.
Jax blinked.
"Pardon?"
"That is my name," she clarified quickly, still smiling at him in a dreamy sort of way.
"You can call me Pixelle."
Jax nodded politely.
"It's a pleasure to meet you properly, Pixelle."
Only then did he realize something.
She still hadn't let go of his hand.
Behind him, Nyxian noticed immediately.
More importantly, Nyxian could hear the thoughts running through the fairy queen's mind.
And they were anything but royal.
Nyxian slowly folded her arms and smirked.
"I'm curious, Pixelle," she said casually.
"Can all fairies grow to human size like you?"
Pixelle blinked, still holding Jax's hand as if she had completely forgotten she was doing it.
"Oh—no, not at all," she said.
She snapped out of her daydream just enough to gesture toward the wand attached to her waist.
"This wand allows me to grow twenty times my size."
She lifted it slightly.
"It only works for fairies though."
Nyxian's smirk widened.
"Oh, interesting."
She leaned forward slightly.
"So those thoughts you just had about Jax could actually come to fruition for you."
Pixelle froze.
Completely.
Then realization hit her.
Her eyes widened.
Her face turned even redder.
She quickly let go of Jax's hand and straightened herself up.
Her shoulders pulled back.
Her chest pushed forward in an awkward attempt to recover her royal composure.
Her hands flew to her cheeks.
She looked at Nyxian.
Then it clicked.
Succubus.
They read thoughts.
"Oh no…" Pixelle whispered.
Nyxian chuckled softly.
"Oh sweetie," she said warmly.
"Don't worry."
She gestured toward the other girls.
"We all have those thoughts about Jax."
Now Jax was the one turning red.
"I… what?"
Bunny was giggling.
Llandra was trying very hard not to laugh.
Zee quietly looked away to hide her smile.
Jax cleared his throat loudly.
"Anyway!"
He turned back toward Pixelle quickly.
"Perhaps we should discuss trade."
Pixelle blinked, grateful for the change in subject.
"Oh! Yes!"
She floated a little higher in excitement.
"We actually have something I think you would enjoy."
"Oh?" Jax asked.
"Our village produces something similar to Pixie Mead."
Jax's eyebrows lifted.
"I do enjoy Pixie Mead."
Pixelle's wings fluttered rapidly.
"Oh good!"
She clapped her tiny hands.
"Our version is a little… different."
"How so?" Jax asked.
Pixelle smiled innocently.
"It's just....different."
This intrigued Jax. Jax liked Pixie Mead, and it created a sense of happiness in everyone that drank it. So the fact it was the same, but slightly different intrigued him.
Pixelle quickly added, "But only mildly!"
In her head, however, her thoughts were racing.
It actually was an aphrodisiac.
Oh I absolutely need to be near him when he drinks that.
She kept that part to herself.
Jax rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"That could actually be a very profitable trade item. Competing products that I can profit from both."
Pixelle nodded eagerly.
"We also produce rare herbs, enchanted pollen, and fairy nectar."
Jax began listing several things in return.
Specialized glass containers for transporting magical liquids.
Metal tools small enough for fairy use.
His own rare herbs and seasonings. Potions created from other partners around the United Kingdoms.
Trade access to Solmere's potion markets.
By the time they finished, both sides were clearly satisfied.
Pixelle hovered proudly.
Then she said something unexpected.
"I will guide you."
Jax blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
"Into the raid," she clarified confidently.
Jax shook his head immediately.
"No. You can guide us to the Raid, but not into."
Pixelle stared at him.
"No?"
"It's not just for your safety," Jax explained calmly.
"It's for ours too."
She crossed her arms.
"What does that mean?"
"You're an unknown," Jax said honestly.
"My team operates as a unit."
He gestured toward the Vixens.
"We train together."
"We trust each other completely."
He shook his head again.
"Unless you were willing to train with us for weeks, I can't bring someone new into something this dangerous."
Pixelle's wings drooped slightly.
Then they straightened again.
Her eyes narrowed.
"You refuse a fairy queen?"
Jax shrugged.
"Yes."
Pixelle floated closer.
"And if this fairy queen decided your trade agreements might become… complicated?"
Nyxian raised an eyebrow.
"Oh this should be good."
Pixelle puffed out her chest proudly.
"If you do not allow me to join the raid…"
"…then perhaps fairy trade with Solmere will become very difficult. Or perhaps one of the other teams of adventurers would like to trade with me instead."
Jax stared at her.
The Vixens stared at her.
Pixelle tried to look intimidating.
It was difficult when you were only 5'0 tall, standing up to a man over 6'3".
Jax sighed.
"You're really going to use royal authority to strong-arm your way into a raid?"
"Yes," Pixelle said immediately.
Jax rubbed his forehead.
Then he sighed again.
"Fine."
Pixelle perked up immediately.
"But," Jax added firmly, raising a finger.
"You follow my commands and the Vixens' commands inside the raid."
"Without argument."
"If we say retreat, you retreat."
"If we say stay back, you stay back."
"You are NOT a Queen in there. You are a Vixen. And you will obey every order we give you without question."
Pixelle waved a hand confidently.
"Yes, yes, of course."
She was already imagining the adventure.
Fighting monsters.
Flying around dramatically.
Saving Jax from danger.
It would be glorious.
Then she smiled mischievously.
"Of course," she added sweetly.
"You will owe me a special favor for providing such valuable assistance."
Jax frowned slightly.
"What kind of favor?"
Pixelle smiled mysteriously.
"You'll see."
Jax stared at her for a moment.
Then shrugged.
"Sure. Whatever."
Nyxian immediately began laughing again.
Llandra shook her head.
Zee sighed quietly.
Bunny grinned.
And Pixelle Starbloom…
Was already planning exactly what that favor would be.