Rebirth of a Fey Lord

Aine skipped over the hill with childlike abandon, the hem of her frilly blue dress swishing and bouncing with each jubilant step. Her laughter echoed in the cool spring air, and her face lit up with the awe that only a child could experience. "Brother! You could fit ten of our homes in this field!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with joy as she took in the expanse of vibrant wildflowers stretching before them. She spun around, her arms wide. "It's beautiful! I want to pick five of each flower to bring home to Mother!"

Eogan grinned, watching her with fondness as she dashed into the field, her petite figure disappearing into the riot of color. "Alright, you can do that. Just ensure you stay within yelling distance of me so I can hear you if you need help."

Aine, unbothered by the limits, nodded enthusiastically. "Okay!" Her voice trailed off as she vanished into a cluster of tall flowers, her laughter drifting back to him like a melody.

Eogan stood at the edge of the field for a moment longer, contented in the peace that surrounded him. He turned toward the center of the field, recalling something from the dream haunting him: sprites often gathered there.

A warm breeze swirled past him as he walked, brushing the right side of his face. Eogan froze. His heart skipped a beat, and instinctively, he whipped around. But there was nothing but the soft whisper of wind through the flowers. His brow furrowed in confusion, and he shook off the eerie feeling, continuing his path.

A few moments later, he felt a sharp, sudden prick on his knee. Looking down, he was startled to find a small cut on his skin, the tear in his pants barely noticeable. His breath caught in his throat as the pieces fell together. The wind, the unexpected sensation—he hadn't tripped. The sprite. It's here.

His hand reached into his pocket, fingers brushing the small pouch he always kept with him. He knew it was the only way to make contact—if it was a sprite. Carefully, he sifted through the contents, his fingers finding the cool, smooth stone nestled within.

He held it out. "Miss Sprite," he called softly, "If you will show yourself to me, you can have this as a gift."

There was a long silence, and Eogan almost began to doubt. But then, a voice—high-pitched and curious—came from the wind itself. "Why does a human boy as young as you have a magic crystal?"

Startled, Eogan took a slow breath. He hadn't expected the sprite to babble. "This chipped off a larger one that my father owns. He didn't notice, so I picked it up."

There was another long pause, and the field felt unnatural still for a moment. Then the voice came again, this time softer and more thoughtful. "I see. It's of pretty high quality." A faint draft swept past his hand, and the air seemed to hum with quiet anticipation. "Why do you want to give it to me?"

Eogan hesitated, but his voice was steady. "I want to form a contract with you."

The sprite laughed, the sound of a tinkling chime that seemed to come from around him. "You want to form a contract with me? I had a master long ago, but monster taming hasn't been allowed since his death. You know that, right?"

The words hit Eogan harder than he expected. He swallowed, his throat tight. "Yes, I know. But I need answers to my questions. The only way I can get them is through raising monsters."

There was a brief, thoughtful silence. Then, a soft flutter of wings and a small figure appeared. A tiny creature, no bigger than his palm, hovered in the air. Her form shimmered, composed of pale green wisps of light, twisting together like a living constellation. A pair of delicate lace wings fluttered softly behind her. She landed lightly on his wrist, her feet barely grazing his skin.

She regarded him with what seemed like a mix of curiosity and caution. "I see. But why seek out a sprite?"

Eogan's voice was quieter now, the weight of his conviction making him feel older than his years. "Because I don't know how to find any other monster right now." He took a breath, swallowing his fear. "Will you form a contract with me? I promise I'll take good care of you."