Champion of the Titan Games

Chapter One
Paradise

Twisting supports of gleaming adamant buttressed the crystal towers of the Fairy Queen’s palace. The fanciful structure seemed less like it had been built, more like it had grown and then been hollowed out by the elements. Rooms tapered and curved unpredictably, delicate bridges connected unexpected terraces, and rounded corridors wound like elaborate root systems.

Kendra walked along a pale hallway that might have been carved by wind or water. At her side, Bracken strolled with the relaxed ease of being at home. Less than a day ago, they had traveled through the fairy shrine at Crescent Lagoon and entered the protected realm of the Fairy Queen—­one of the five known monarchs of the magical world.

Kendra felt like a foreigner. The women here were tall, slender specimens of ethereal beauty, garbed in artful collages of fallen leaves or masterpieces woven by silkworms. Men were sparse, though she saw an occasional astrid, golden wings tucked behind polished armor.

Bracken had exuded an extra glow since they entered the Fairy Realm, as if his body could barely contain the brightness within. He was always dashing, but at the moment he appeared particularly breathtaking—­his fair skin and tousled white hair looked best suffused with light. If Kendra hadn’t already known him, she might have suspected he was an angel.

“It looks more complete than last time,” Kendra remarked as they passed a wide window, trying not to focus helplessly on Bracken’s irresistible appearance.

The fairies were rebuilding their realm within the space that had formerly served as the demon prison, after having lured the demons into their former homeland. When Kendra had last visited this domain, the trees and bushes had looked younger and had not yet spread to cover so much of the landscape. Kendra knew fairies could encourage vegetation to flourish, but the abundant fields of flowers and the mature forests still took her by surprise.

“We have more work to do,” Bracken said. “But the palace is done for now, and much of the filth left by the demons has been expunged. I expect Mother will provide a full update.”

Kendra held up the jeweled circlet in her hands. “She’ll be happy to see this.”

“I still can’t believe she loaned you her crown,” Bracken said.

“It was so I could rescue you,” Kendra said.

“She has left me to languish in prison before,” Bracken said. “The dangers of the dragon war to the Fairy Realm must be significant. Otherwise she would not have taken such a risk.”

Kendra noticed that the palace almost totally lacked doors. Rather, the windings of passageways or freestanding partitions helped differentiate rooms. At the end of one meandering hall, Kendra and Bracken walked around an intricately painted screen and into a tremendous open area. Translucent walls sloped away to outrageous heights and distances.

Though it was daytime outside, this room felt like twilight. Before Kendra was a still, reedy pond bordered by a grassy field and a wood where stately trees with silver trunks were clad in gilded leaves. She smelled blossoms, sap, and wet earth.

“Are we still inside the castle?” Kendra asked.

Bracken laughed gently. “This palace contains several rooms that are much larger than they should be.”

“Huge spaces inside small containers,” Kendra mused. “The Fairy Queen will meet us here?”

“Far from the throne room,” Bracken said. “Mother prefers to hold significant meetings away from formality.”

“I’m surprised she allowed me to come to the palace,” Kendra said.

“You have her crown,” Bracken said.

“Some of the fairies gave me looks,” Kendra said.

“They’re burning with envy,” Bracken said.

“Because I’m with you,” Kendra said.

“They can’t help feeling respect,” Bracken replied. “To be entrusted with the crown makes you utterly unique. Some might even wonder if they have a new queen.”

Kendra heard a rustle in the dimness at the edge of the wood, and an elegant unicorn emerged, glowing like moonlight as it paced toward the reedy pond. At the edge of the pond, the unicorn bent forward to drink, the tip of the horn sending concentric ripples across the previously glassy ­surface.

When the unicorn turned from the water, she was the Fairy Queen, an exquisite fairy more than a head taller than Kendra. Her silver and white wings spread behind her for a moment, like a peacock making a grand display, and then folded to vanish behind her graceful shoulders.

“You have wings?” Kendra asked.

“When I so choose,” the Fairy Queen said.

The aromas in the room intensified. Kendra became more acutely aware of the fresh water in the pond, the sap inside the trees, the minerals in the soil, and the perfume of the blossoms.

“My faith in you was justified,” the Fairy Queen said as she came around the pond toward Kendra, bare feet treading on rich mud without becoming dirty. Little green sprouts and shoots started worming up from the ground wherever her soles had touched.

“Hello, your majesty,” Kendra said, dropping to one knee.

“Rise, my child,” the Fairy Queen said. She held out her arms to Bracken, and he advanced into her embrace.

“Hello, Mother,” Bracken said.

“You must stop frightening us so,” the Fairy Queen said, releasing him and stepping back. “It caused enough grief to have your father imprisoned for so long.”

“There is a war,” Bracken said.

“Indeed,” the Fairy Queen said. Her eyes turned to Kendra, who felt deeply understood by that fathomless gaze. Kendra perceived sorrow for her hardships and losses, admiration for her courage, and gratitude for her heroics.

“Here is your crown,” Kendra said, holding it out.

The Fairy Queen knelt before Kendra, head tilted upward. For a moment, Kendra felt too astonished to react. Then, using both hands, Kendra placed the tiara on the queen’s brow.

The Fairy Queen rose. “Thank you.”

“Why did you risk the crown?” Bracken asked.

“The time had come for decisive action,” the Fairy Queen said. “Withholding it would have posed greater dangers. I needed you home. I fear Ronodin has not been idle.”

“I purified his third horn,” Bracken said, holding it out to her.

The Fairy Queen accepted the pearly white offering. “No small feat.” Cradling the glossy horn in both hands, she stared down at it mournfully. “How did one so dear turn so foul? Truly the most devastating blows come from those who have been our allies.”

“Whom can we trust if not family?” Bracken said. “My cousin should have remained one of our greatest protectors. Instead, Ronodin started down a ruinous path and appears determined to walk it to completion.”

“He fled after your confrontation?” the Fairy Queen asked.

“I know not where,” Bracken replied.

“Kendra,” the Fairy Queen said, straightening, “you have once again performed a vital service for my people. How can I begin to repay you?”

Kendra glanced at Bracken. “I’m trying to save my brother, Seth. He escaped the Underking but still doesn’t have his memories. Can you help us get to Titan Valley?”

The Fairy Queen gazed at Kendra sadly. “You hope to go there with my son.”

“Yes,” Bracken said. “Seth is traveling by leviathan.”

“I wish I could fully accommodate you, Kendra,” the Fairy Queen said. “Unfortunately, I need Bracken here for a time.”

“What?” Bracken asked.

“We have yet to purge a few demons the way we did Jubaya,” the Fairy Queen said. “They were here before we arrived and have a claim to the spaces they occupy. The Fairy Realm will not be secure until it is pure. With the dragon war expanding, we must fully engage our defenses.”

“If your best efforts have not ejected these demons, what do you imagine I can accomplish?” Bracken asked.

“Succeed where others have failed,” the Fairy Queen said.

“You have other weapons at your disposal,” Bracken said. “No unicorn can drive them out? No combination of astrids and fairies? Have you drawn on the Source?”

“What we can borrow from the Source remains limited,” the Fairy Queen said. “We have exhausted all options. It is part of why I had to risk my crown to get you back.”

“I should have known you had a need to rescue me,” Bracken said.

“We must all assume our responsibilities in the up­coming conflict,” the Fairy Queen said. “There is potential for an Age of Darkness that could consume leaf and stream.”

“Let me find Seth first,” Bracken said.

“My apologies, but no,” the Fairy Queen said. “Purge the demons and then you may go aid Kendra.”

“How long will it take?” Kendra asked.

“Given the failures so far?” Bracken asked. “Impossible to predict.”

“It sounds important,” Kendra said.

“It is,” Bracken replied, resting a hand against the side of her neck. “So are you.”

“Kendra, I grant you passage to Titan Valley through my realm,” the Fairy Queen said. “Along with any comrades from outside my realm you wish to have accompany you.”

“Other outsiders?” Bracken said.

“Our realm is not yet pure,” the Fairy Queen said. “There would be no desecration. It is the least I can do.”

“Thank you,” Kendra said. “If we find him, could you help me restore Seth’s memories?”

“The absence of his memories is connected to the Wizen­stone,” the Fairy Queen said. “That is a power I cannot overturn. But I will aid you as I am able, and after Bracken expels the demons from our realm, you will have his assistance as well.”