Leyland Adventures Chapter Seven: Part One

"Aradressa!" Marissa shouted at full volume. Her voice was powerful enough to knock the young princess out of her dreams, nearly causing her to fall out of bed.

"Coming, mother! Tysashi, mother requires our pres-" Tysashi was absent from her bedroom. There was no word to describe her disappointment. He didn't even leave a note behind and it seemed he took the chest with him. Drowning in sadness, Aradressa met her mother in the castle lobby.

"Yes, mother?"

"Come with me to the backyard garden. Something disturbing has happened."

"Yes, mother."

The two flew to the vast backyard area. Their backyard was a sea of land in which only the greenhouse that sat in the center took any large amounts of space. The smaller spaces were occupied by fountains, a large circular pool, and the vines that would grow over the gates surrounding the area.

They entered the greenhouse and saw that the multiple varieties of plants and fruits were decayed. The withered leaves left a dark image while the smell of rotten fruit was similar to a rotting corpse. Death filled the house of life. Aradressa was absolutely petrified, not just because of the dead plants, but because someone was able to enter the backyard.

"W- who would do this?"

"Corcyra," Marissa answered. Her response was calm and straightforward, there was no anger found within her voice.

"The Earth-type fairy?"

"Yes, but she didn't do it. She has men to do her dirty work." Marissa removed the cause of the death, The Black Death Flower. A darkened flower that emits a poisonous scent that is harmful to most plants.

"This flower is like the Rubicon Jewel, Aradressa. It has a limited supply of poisonous gas within it but when placed in sunlight, it will regain its gases."

"Are we going to get vengeance?"

"Absolutely. But first we need to restore our plants with the Green Life Flower, it too has a limited supply of energy to which we can use to battle the effects of the Black Death Flower."

"Ok, mother. Before we go, do you know where Tysashi went?"

"Him? He told me he was going to explore by himself, but mainly he was going back to Calleri Desert to see what was being built."

"I see."

"He'll return to you safely. Now then, we must be off to the outlet. There is an old friend in the outlet that is a professional in plants, he should have what we require."

"Ok, mother."

Before she left, Aradressa looked back at the life she and her mother tried so hard to protect. The environment that was within the greenhouse was magical, but now a great curse has been set upon it. A look of anger appeared on her face, this crime would not be left alone.

"Mother, exactly how will we exact revenge on Corcyra?"

"Hmm...I haven't thought of that part yet. Now that I think about it, she would've attacked Tysashi for revenge but she went for one of my possessions because of our questionable history. She'll most likely try again, not tomorrow though, Corcyra is smarter than that."

"Whatever she plans on doing, I'll be to protect Tysashi!"

"No. Let the boy fight his battle. She isn't coming for you."

"But what if she penetrates him with a vine again?"

"Then he'll just have to try to survive. He surpassed her once so he can surely do it again."

Feeling lighter with her emotions, a gardening and plant store shaped like a greenhouse came into view. The bright lights, humid air, and various shelves of plants filled the entrance. It was truly its own environment. The aroma was pleasant and inviting, never ruined by others. Today was a slow day however, business wasn't booming as usual. The employees and even the manager were choking on gloom until a familiar voice cleared the boredom.

"Hello, Markieff, its been some time since I've seen you."

Her voice immediately made him stiff before a smile grew on his face, that voice was nostalgic to him. "Soria, its been too long!"

Markieff wore an all black outfit over a pine-green gardener's apron. His healthy pecan skin certainly made him attractive, so did his emerald eyes. Combine that with his lengthy black hair underneath his matching hat and you have a fairy who cannot be resisted.

"How have you been, Soria?"

"I've been fine. How are you?"

"I've been alright until Corcyra decided to invade my garden and placed the Black Death Flower in my greenhouse, killing my plants and fruits while leaving the smell of the dead."

"Ugh, Corcyra. Excuse my language in front of your daughter but she is the definition of a bitch. She fights and acts like one."

"Indeed. But I didn't come for a reunion, do you have the Green Life Flower?"

"I actually do, just give me a moment to retrieve it." Markieff left them to be.

"Mother, why did he refer to you as Soria?"

"It's a nickname he made up when we were younger. It was so ridiculous that I never forgot it." Concealed giggles broke her voice.

"Soria...what was the inspiration behind that name?"

"Children come up with the most unimaginable and unique things."

"I see."

Markieff shortly returned with the flower in a container. It was an exact opposite of its counterpart, its leaves shined with life and its vivid colors made it stand out from the darkness. Marissa purchased the flower and made her way out the store, waving at Markieff, exchanging a grin with him.

"Well, that sums up our objective for today. Back to the castle."

Just as she said that, Marissa noticed the eyes of her daughter trembling. She missed Tysashi and waking up without him made her heart shut down. Aradressa was unable to express any other emotion, though she didn't say anything because it would make her look spoiled, or at least she thought so.

Marissa sighed. "Aradressa, do you want to search around the outlet for some items for Tysashi?"

Life returned to her soulless body.

"R- really, mother?"

"Why not? We don't have to be slaves to time."

"Thank you, mother."

"You're welcome. Now hurry up before I change my mind."

Aradressa traveled deeper into the outlet attempting to find another powerful necklace for Tysashi. She stumbled upon a casual jewelry store, upon entering the walls were covered in pink as the floor was extremely decorated and detailed, a piece of art.

The jewelry was kept in glass for customers to gaze upon. Descriptions of their abilities were kept shown on a readable slip of paper underneath the item.

"Remember, Aradressa, gift him an item that will prove useful and be mindful of the return of the enemy."

"I will, mother. Tysashi, besides my friend, you, and the guards is my top priority."

Aradressa continued to browse. The various necklaces never failed to amaze her with the abilities they possessed. However, through the search, one caught her attention. This necklace had silver chains that held the symbol of an eye made from emeralds. Aradressa read the description to herself.

"This wonderful necklace causes the wearer's eyesight to increase dramatically while also being able predict incoming attacks or events. Reactionary speeds will also be increased. The only downside is that the predict ability comes randomly whether needed or not. However, the chances of predictions can be slightly controlled when the user wears the item for a prolonged period of time."

Aradressa requested her mother's opinion. "Hmm...it currently is a fairly powerful necklace, it could certainly prove useful though. I like it, it will boost the boy's abilities in case if trouble brews."

Aradressa nodded, therefore purchasing the necklace which was encased in a red ruby box.

"Aren't you getting anything, mother?"

"This particular store only sells common and rare necklaces, for the return of the enemy, you require an item of higher ranking."

"Shall we go search for that necklace?"

"No no, the location is much too far from here. And besides that'd be a whole adventure. We only came out for a flower and some extra items for the boy."

"Ok, mother."

The two walked out the store and as they traveled further into the outlet, Aradressa caught a light-skinned male with handsome green eyes and combed black hair wearing a professional blue suit offering a free coupon for Palm Tree Beach Couple's Activities for whoever can guess the correct number out of one hundred to one thousand. Aradressa asked if she could participate, though her mother usually found these things to be scams, she allowed it.

Aradressa walked up to him, preparing to guess. "Three hundred and eighty nine."

Despite having a better chance of being struck by lightning, Aradressa's choice was correct. As she received her coupon, her face remained calm and sophisticated but on the inside, she was as excited as an child receiving everything they've ever wanted for Christmas. Of course only one person came to mind.

"Mother, I won!"

"I see that. Let's go search for a new bathing suit for you, your earlier ones are less adapted to your growing body."

"Ok, mother. The beach is always available, yes?"

"Whenever it isn't raining, correct."

"Ok. Let us search for a more adapted bathing suit."

Marissa nodded, following behind the future queen. "Such an ecstatic soul."