102. Surrounded by Angels

102. Surrounded by Angels
When Pandora opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a circle of familiar faces hovering over her. For a second, the fairy’s heart exploded, I didn’t know if she was still stuck in some vision of Lady Mourn or in a strange dream. But upon noticing the worried smile of Amy, the intense look of Persephone, the firm posture of Morgana, the provocative expression of Raven and the nervousness barely disguised of Thiely, he realized that she was awake.

The room was lit by a soft light coming through the windows, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. Pandora blinked a few times before dropping a light giggle.

"Did I die?" she asked, with a playful gleam in her eyes. "Because if I died, I think I ended up in paradise... surrounded by angels."

The girls looked at each other and, for the first time in days, laughed together. Persephone shook his head and said, theatrical:

"It’s clearly fine. This little joke was proof enough."

Amy, unable to contain herself, leaned forward and placed a sweet kiss on the cheek of Pandora. Soon after, he gave him a small plush unicorn, white with the silver mane that shimmered under the light.

"He’ll keep you company," said Amy, her eyes swollen with emotion.

Pandora picked up the toy carefully and hugged it against her chest, enchanted.

"Thank you, Amy! I always wanted a unicorn. "

"When you want to see a real unicorn, just let me know. My dad has some on the farm." Persephone said, looking disdainfully at the unicorn that Amy presented to Pandora.

Amy puffed and narrowed her eyes and replied:

"My father breeds kelpies on the farm. And they are much more special than unicorns."

Pandora raised her eyebrows, funny.

"Both kelpies and unicorns are special. Each has its own magic."

Morgana crossed her arms, entering the game.

"You two don’t understand anything. Pandora needs to see the spirit of the Great Ancestral Wolf who protects my pack. That’s majestic."

The fairy began to laugh, feeling his heart warm before that funny dispute.

On the other side, Thiely scratched his neck, kind of awkward.

"I don’t have anything that grand to show. Just an old scooter to impress." She laughed at herself, but there was a slight blush on her cheeks.

Pandora stared at her, and laughter was inevitable. The mood was finally light after so much tension.

Raven, who until then only observed, leaned close to the fairy and let his velvety voice escape in a provocative tone:

"When you want to take a ride on my dragon, just ask."

All stopped for a second, absorbing the sentence, until Thiely pointed his finger at Raven with feigned indignation.

"Showy!" he said, pulling laughter from the others.

The collective laughter echoed in the room, as if it was a healing spell even more powerful than any magic. Pandora hugged the stuffed unicorn against her chest and looked at them all, one by one. He realized that no matter how complicated the situation, however much jealousy and tensions still existed, there was something greater uniting all: a deep and genuine love, each in its own way.

And for the first time since Lady Mourn’s vision, Pandora was able to breathe without the weight of fear suffocating her soul.

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The library of Arkanum, at night, had a completely different air. The tall shelves cast long and mysterious shadows, and the bluish light of the magic spheres suspended in the air made the environment seem like a portal to another world. There, between open books and notes scattered on the table, Thiely was absorbed in an old volume on comparative sorcery.

"You take this too seriously, don’t you?" Lysara’s soft voice broke the silence. The shape-shifter was lying on a chair next to her, playing with changing small parts of her face just to distract herself.

Thiely raised his eyes, half closed by fatigue, and sighed.

"It’s the only way not to be left behind."

Lysara smiled, holding her chin in her hand. Her violet eyes sparkled under the magical light.

"You know... I had never noticed how beautiful your eyes are. A blue so deep... seems to hide a million secrets."

Thiely roused, turning his eyes to the book.

"You talk too much."

"Maybe" answered Lysara, leaning a little more and playing with the necklace hanging from the ghoul’s neck. Your fingers lightly rubbed the chain. "But someone has to remind you that you are also charming, as well as... mortally sarcastic."

Thiely squeezed his lips, trying not to smile.

"You really aren’t afraid to play with fire, are you?"

Lysara laughed low, as if appreciating her own boldness, and returned to her reading, leaving Thiely too nervous to concentrate on the books.

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Meanwhile, in the dorm Dawn, Pandora, Persephone and Amy shared a box of pizza still steaming. The smell of melted cheese and herbs filled the room, bringing unexpected comfort after turbulent days.

Amy took the first bite and widened her eyes.

"Wow... I had never tasted a pizza made by the elves. It’s wonderful!"

Persephone raised her chin with pride, almost as if she had prepared it herself.

"I warned you. Elvish food is the best in the world."

Amy laughed, wiping her fingers with a napkin.

"You only say that because you’ve never tasted my father’s pie. I can guarantee you would change your mind instantly."

Pandora laughed at the competitive glow in both of their eyes.

"I think all kitchens have their magic. Both your father’s pie and the elven pizza."

"And the Brazilian brigadier," completed Amy, blinking at Pandora. "This one wins hearts."

Persephone arched her eyebrows, curious.

"Brigadier’s candy?"

"Yes, a chocolate candy. You need to try it sometime."

"If it’s as good as this Strawberry of Love, maybe I’ll even believe it." Persephone opened a small enchanted box, revealing strawberries covered by a magic syrup that shone in the light of the room.

"Strawberry of Love?" Pandora asked, leaning to look.

"It is a dessert that has become popular recently in the human world, especially in Brazil. They say it strengthens ties and awakens sincere feelings." Persephone offered to Amy, who bit a piece and closed her eyes in delight.

"Amazing!" said Amy, licking her lips. "The texture, the taste... I’ve never tasted anything like it."

Pandora also experienced and smiled with the sweet and slightly acidic blast.

"You were right, Persephone. It’s a delight."

The elf leaned in bed, satisfied, and commented:

"I love Brazilian sweets. Especially Coconut kiss. It’s simple, but irresistible."

The three laughed together, sharing the pizza and strawberries, and for a few minutes, the disputes and tensions dissolved like sugar melting in the mouth. It was just a moment of friendship, complicity and affection, in which the hearts beat in tune, even if the world around was on the verge of chaos.

Pandora, hugging a slice of pizza with one hand and the strawberry in the other, looked at her two friends and thought: Maybe this is what we are trying to protect. Those little moments when everything seems right.

And at that moment, there was nothing more precious.