I woke up in the middle of the holy forest without knowing exactly how much time had passed since the last time I closed my eyes.
The air was fresh and pure, as it had always been in that place, but that morning there was something different, something I couldn't quite explain clearly.
The sunlight filtered through the tall leaves of the trees, drawing small golden fragments on the grass-covered ground.
Normally the forest was full of soft sounds, like the singing of birds or the gentle whisper of the wind moving the branches, but at that moment everything was too silent.
It was a strange silence, heavy, almost uncomfortable.
I stood up slowly, feeling my body somewhat numb, as if I had slept for too long.
I looked around trying to orient myself, trying to remember what had happened before waking up there, but my thoughts seemed scattered.
Something important had occurred, I knew it, but I couldn't organize the memories in my mind.
Without thinking too much, I began to walk toward where I normally lit the bonfire.
It was the place where we all used to gather after each mission or each battle, a small clearing in the middle of the forest where the fairies usually fluttered and where there were always laughter and conversations.
However, as I advanced among the trees, the feeling of silence did not disappear.
In fact, it seemed to grow deeper with every step I took.
The branches creaked under my feet and that small sound seemed too loud compared to the stillness that dominated the entire place. I looked to the sides several times, hoping to see some of the little fairies that used to accompany us, but there were none.
For a moment I thought that perhaps everyone had gone somewhere or that they were simply still resting.
But then, as I turned a small curve in the forest, something caught my attention.
In the distance, in the middle of another clearing surrounded by tall trees, I could see an enormous wooden table.
It was a long and solid table, much larger than normal, and around it there were ten chairs perfectly placed. From the distance I could already distinguish several figures seated there, conversing calmly.
I stopped for an instant, observing the scene.
Leaf, Victoria, Dorothy, Elisabeth, Elma, Miranda, Jeanne, Catherine and Goose were seated around the table. Some were talking among themselves, others were laughing, and some were simply enjoying the food on the table.
The place was full of small plates, fruits, bread and drinks that reflected the sunlight. There were also many fairies fluttering through the air, playing among themselves and moving from one side to the other as if they were celebrating something important.
It looked like a small party.
A quiet celebration.
A happy celebration.
For a moment I stood looking at the scene without moving. It was a warm image, almost comforting. After so many battles, seeing them all relaxed and smiling was something that didn't happen often.
However, something inside me told me that there was something strange.
I couldn't identify exactly what it was.
Perhaps it was the silence of the forest before arriving there.
Or perhaps it was the strange feeling that still lingered in my chest.
While I tried to understand it, someone approached me from behind.
I felt hands gently pushing me on the back.
—Come on, come on —said a cheerful voice—. Why are you standing there?
I turned my head a little and saw Dorothy behind me. She had the same bright smile as always and her characteristic hat was slightly tilted on her head.
Her eyes shone with the same energy as always.
—We have to celebrate —she continued saying while pushing me tenderly—. After all, we finally won the hard battle against Cinderella. So stop standing there and enjoy the party.
I didn't respond immediately.
I let her push me slowly toward the table while my steps advanced almost by inertia.
As we approached, the voices of the others became clearer and clearer. Laughter mixed with lively conversations, with the soft clinking of glasses and with the fluttering of the little fairies flying around.
It was a warm atmosphere.
A calm atmosphere.
And, somehow, contagious.
When I finally reached the table, everyone began to greet me.
Some congratulated me.
Others raised their glasses in celebration.
Even Goose raised her hand from the other side of the table with a calm smile.
I sat in one of the empty chairs in the middle of the table while everyone continued talking and laughing.
Some came closer to congratulate me on the battle.
Others simply looked at me from their places with expressions of satisfaction.
However, there was something strange.
Everyone was talking about a battle that I couldn't remember clearly.
I knew it had happened.
I knew we had fought against Cinderella.
But the details were confusing in my mind, as if someone had erased part of my memories.
Even so, for some reason, I didn't feel uneasy.
In fact, I felt strangely calm.
Perhaps it was seeing them all together.
Perhaps it was the way they laughed.
Or perhaps it was simply the feeling that, for once, everything was at peace.
The conversations continued as time passed slowly.
The fairies kept playing among the nearby branches and some even landed on the table, stealing small pieces of food before flying away again.
The voices blended together forming a constant murmur.
It was a pleasant noise.
A warm noise.
A noise that little by little began to envelop me.
Without realizing it, that mixture of laughter and conversations began to feel like a kind of lullaby.
Like a soft song that slowly pushed me toward rest.
My eyes began to feel heavy.
The voices continued resonating around me, but little by little they seemed to come too close.
It was as if they were all speaking right next to my ears.
Louder and louder.
Closer and closer.
Until among all those voices, one began to stand out above the others.
It was a different voice.
A voice that seemed to resonate throughout the place.
—This is the ending you have longed for so much.
The phrase repeated once more.
—This is the ending you have longed for so much.
I blinked slowly.
Once.
Just once.
And in that instant, everything changed.
The noise disappeared.
The laughter faded.
The murmur that filled the air ceased to exist.
I opened my eyes.
The table was still in front of me.
But something was wrong.
The chairs were empty.
All of them.
Leaf was not there.
Victoria was not there.
Elisabeth, Elma, Miranda, Jeanne, Catherine and Goose had also disappeared.
Not even the fairies were there.
The place that moments ago had been full of life was now completely empty.
Silence returned.
A much deeper silence than before.
I looked around confused.
—Dorothy…? —I murmured.
But there was no answer.
And then, without warning, everything changed again.
The forest disappeared.
The trees were no longer there.
The table neither.
Suddenly I found myself in a completely different place.
It was a small room.
The walls were gray stone and the space seemed completely closed. There were no windows and, no matter how much I looked around, I couldn't see any door either.
It was as if that room had been created only to enclose whatever was inside it.
In the center of the place there was a simple bed.
Nothing else.
No tables.
No chairs.
No objects.
Just that bed.
But then I felt something on my right arm.
Something wet.
Something hot.
I slowly lowered my gaze.
In my right hand I was holding my sword tightly.
The blade was covered in dark red liquid that dripped slowly to the floor.
Blood ran along the edge and also covered part of my hands.
I felt a chill run down my back.
With my heart beating faster and faster, I raised my gaze forward.
On the wall there was an enormous red stain.
An irregular stain that seemed to have spread violently against the stone.
My breathing became heavier.
Very slowly I began to lower my gaze to the floor.
And then I saw it.
My body froze completely.
In front of me, on the floor, was Dorothy's lifeless body.
Her hat was thrown to one side, stained with blood.
Her neck had been cut with a single clean stroke.
Her eyes were open, but they no longer had the shine that always made her stand out. That joyful light that used to fill her gaze had disappeared completely.
The only thing left in them was a mixture of sadness and fear.
For several seconds I couldn't move.
I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't think.
The sword fell from my hand with a metallic sound that echoed throughout the room.
My hands began to tremble uncontrollably.
They were covered in her blood.
I didn't understand what had happened.
I didn't know how it had occurred.
But a horrible truth began to force its way into my mind.
Tears began to fall slowly from beneath my helmet.
I felt the weight of my armor become unbearable.
It was as if every piece was loaded with tons of guilt.
My knees finally gave way and I fell to the floor in front of her.
I slowly approached Dorothy's body.
I knew there was nothing I could do.
I knew it was already too late.
But even so I extended my trembling hands and hugged her.
Her body was cold.
Completely still.
The pain that accumulated in my chest became unbearable.
A scream of desperation escaped my throat as I held her in my arms, clinging to her as if refusing to let go could change reality.
But nothing changed.
The room remained silent.
And Dorothy never opened her eyes again.