Chapter 172 Jessica’s Awakening

Chapter 172 Jessica’s Awakening

The next few days after Avery's victorious battle saw a brief period of calmness return to the city. Both sides seemed to have withdrawn to regroup, and possibly plot fresh tactics to continue the war.
Marlboro and his men had gone back into the city to assist in supplying relief materials to displaced victims, and a mega shelter had been erected by Alex on a large piece of vacant land in the estate. The shelter housed those who had no space in safe houses and other shelters across the city, and it was open to humans and supernaturals alike.
On that particular afternoon, Avery was with Melora and Jessica at the shelter, where they had come to erect a magical protective barrier to keep the people safe in case of an unexpected attack. Jessica and Melora were handling the fixing of the barrier together, while Avery, who was still getting used to being called “The Luna of Tenebrous” was busy helping in the distribution of relief items that had been bought by Alex.
As Jessica and Melora worked however, they noticed that Jessica's powers had really grown significantly since she started using it. In the earlier stages of her becoming a part of the team, her powers were weak and rusty after having to be hidden for well over a decade.
But now, she was way more powerful than before, and she had full access to her powers. As they worked feverishly, chanting spell after spell, Jessica barely even took note of the fact that she was sweating profusely, and that she was straining herself to extreme levels.
“Is it supposed to sound like a grand orchestra is playing from inside the sky?” Melora whispered, amazed at the powerful protective barrier Jessica was summoning.
Rufus rubbed his neck dreamily. “I would sing too if such a beautiful fairy found me worthy of using her magic.”
Avery who had rejoined them after finishing up what she was doing was met with a surprising sight. Melora was not even doing anything anymore, and Jessica was single handedly conjuring up such a huge shield that it was both breathtaking and terrifying at the same time.
When Jessica finally opened her eyes and stopped mumbling her spells, she exhaled heavily, dropping her arms and stumbling forward.
Avery rushed to hold her. “Are you okay, Jessica?” She asked in an anxious voice.
Jessica nodded, panting. “I am fine. Just that it is like running a marathon while solving equations midair.”
“Marathons have never made the sky glow like auroras,” Rufus muttered, pulling off his jacket and placing it over her shoulders.
The shield shone brilliantly in the sky, covering the shelter completely, and making it safe, for now at least.
But across the veil, far beyond Earth’s plane in a distant fairy dimension–The Western Sky Court was stirring.
The Western Sky Court was one of the most powerful and influential kingdoms in the entire fairy realm, and it was ruled by a mighty and powerful fae king called Aerendyl. His influence was so great that every other fae king both in their realm and other fairy realms avoided conflict with him.
Like every fairy kingdom, the Western Sky Court had a unique artifact called the Orb of Sight, an ancient and powerful artifact that enabled them to see and find anything or anyone they wanted all across the known universe.
For over a decade however, king Aerendy's orb had stayed dormant, untouched since he was still waiting for the last search he made to yield a result. That single search years ago remained on the orb.
Now the orb was awake. Glowing brilliantly and filling the throne room where it rested with brilliant colors. There was a magic triggering its sudden awakening, and it was not just any magic. It was the unique royal bloodline fairy magic of the Western Sky Court, and it could only possibly mean one thing.
King Aerendyl came running into the throne room, anxiously followed by his inner court and warriors. His golden crown glowed faintly above silver hair that flowed like a waterfall of moonlight. His eyes narrowed at the image blooming inside the orb, and he could not believe what he was seeing.
His stubborn long lost daughter.
Princess Saraleia.
Alive.
Casting protective magic at a scale she should never have possessed—on Earth.
Several gasps echoed throughout the throne room, and whispers floated rapidly like birds trapped inside a storm.
“The Princess.”
“She is actually alive. Her magic has been awakened.”
“She broke the Law.”
“She is outside the Realm!”
“King Aerendyl,” his general said with a grave face. “You always believed she was still alive, and it seems you were right eventually. What are your orders, my lord, do we give the command?”
The king sat down on his throne to regain his composure. He had been waiting for over a decade for a whisper of her presence after she ran away during a transport spell, and now after all those years of hiding her presence, she had finally revealed it.
His voice was thunderous and cold when he finally spoke. “Summon my Celestial Guard immediately. We are going to Earth.”

At the estate, Alex and the entire team were having a quiet and relaxing time. Simon was reading their latest reports as they played cards and board games to while away time and keep boredom at bay. Reports of supernatural attacks and clashes had been quiet for a while, and it was also thanks to Jessica's protective shields in strategic parts of the city.
Simon glanced up smiling. “We have not had any major reports of casualties for a while now, it's really amazing actually, Jessica's protective shields have been a game changer.”
Jessica blushed as the others congratulated her, and Avery gave her a warm hug.
Only Alex maintained the calm look on his face. He was not overly excited like the others, and had noticed the faint hint of concern in Simon’s tone as he spoke.
“But?” Alex asked suspiciously.
Simon knew Alex had read him perfectly. “But I think she might need to slow down a little. She has been exerting so much pressure on herself lately, and we know how magic can corrupt the body and mind when overused.”
Everybody suddenly went quiet, looking at Simon as if he just said something forbidden. Rufus opened his mouth to speak, but was rudely interrupted by a sudden rumble in the sky.
Everyone rushed outside.
The sky was splitting open with glowing blasts of magical energy, and a massive portal was opening right in the middle of it. Through the portal came the Celestial Guard, deadly fairy warriors, and protectors of the royal bloodline.
In their midst, and descending in all his winged glory was none other than the king of the fairies of the western Sky Court.
Jessica took one look at the approaching figures in the sky and dropped the cards in her hands.
“Oh no, this cannot be happening.”
“What is the matter, Jessica?” Avery asked, taken aback by Jessica's sudden anxiety.
“It is my father.” She whispered softly.
“What?” Alex said, turning to her in surprise.
Jessica nodded miserably. “He looks furious, he is definitely going to deal with me.”

As they finally touched the ground, the Celestial Guards parted their disciplined formation, and the king marched forward aggressively.
“Saraleia of the Western Sky Court!”
His voice struck like lightning, and the glass on the nearby windows cracked instantly.
Jessica was already trembling as her father stood in front of her. “Father.”
Aerendyl’s face was contorted in anger. “You disappeared all these years, abandoned your duty, and fled the court I built for you like a traitor.”
“I only fled the marriage you arranged like I was a token at a treaty table,” Jessica snapped angrily with tears in her eyes. “I did not want to be married off in a political alliance. I wanted a life.”
Rufus came to stand beside her now, with a bold look of defiance in his expression. “And it seems she has found that life here, your highness.”
Aerendyl’s angry look hardened even more as he looked at Rufus with disdain. “And who exactly are you supposed to be?” he asked furiously. “How dare you speak while I am talking to my daughter.”
Rufus grinned with amusement. “I am a part of the life she has built in this world, a part of the family that has been with her all these while, and not the one who came here with a small army screaming the sky off.”
In the blink of an eye, Celestial Guards were in the air with their weapons drawn and glowing with combat magic. Alex and the others quickly gathered around Jessica and Rufus, prepared to fight should the guards make a move.
Aerendyl lifted a hand slowly, his eyes resting on Jessica the whole time. At his command, the Celestial Guards came down again and resumed their previous formation behind him.
“So you actually did find a different family after leaving us all these years,” he said gently, with his eyes beginning to soften. “Look how willing they are to die for you.”
At those words, Alex and the others relaxed their aggressive stance.
“You have grown,” he murmured to himself.
“What?” Jessica asked, not sure about what she had just heard.
“You have grown, daughter.” He said calmly. “I came here to find my runaway child but instead, I found a warrior that is willing to die for friends and they, for her.” He stepped closer, placing a hand on her cheek. “I did not come here to wage war on your choices, Saraleia. I came because I thought I had lost you. And now, I find you stronger than I ever imagined.”
Tears filled Jessica’s eyes.
“I am so sorry, Father.”
He shook his head. “No. Forgive me. I should have listened instead of commanded.”
Then he looked over at the others. “I do not know for what reason you fight this war of yours, but I know my daughter is surely on the side of the light. You shall have the support of my Celestial Guards at your disposal, consider them my daughter's bodyguards.”
“You are very generous, your highness,” Alex said, nodding respectfully.
Later that night in the estate, the dining hall was buzzing with new energy. Celestial Guards mingled with Alex's pack wolves, and Marlboro's men who had returned, a scene that would have been completely impossible months before.
Jessica sat curled on the couch with a steaming mug of coffee, with Avery and Melora beside her, all wrapped in oversized blankets.
Across the room, Aerendyl stood in quiet conversation with Alex, Simon, and Rufus, his tone serious but no longer hostile. He was telling them to reach out freely if they needed further support after hearing what the war was all about.
The war was not over.
But tonight, they had a new ally.