SPELLBOUND

Evie blinked at him when she heard that statement. But somehow, she found that she was not that surprised at what Gavriel just disclosed. Superior creatures like vampires and even dragons exists so it should not actually be that strange anymore if there were still other non-humans that existed somewhere that was relatively unknown to the majority of the public. 

"So, the fairies really do exist?" she asked, all perked up. Her eyes now filled with curiosity.

Gavriel shifted his gaze and stared silently for some time into the darkness. A short while after collecting his thoughts, he answered Evie. "It was said that long ago, the forbidden land was once the fifth empire of Lirea." He said and Evie's eyes widened. She had always wondered about the forbidden land every single time she looked at the map of the continent of Lirea. This large land with a shape of a crescent had intrigue her ever since she was young. So now that she is hearing such a shocking story, her curiosity was now increased double fold and wondered what intrigue and mystery that were hidden behind the stories of the fairies.

 "And this empire is the empire of the fairies?" Evie's voice was filled with interest as she looked at Gavriel, hungry and eager for more information about this fifth Empire.

"Yes. It was said that the Middle Empire was once the empire of the Fairies. But they were annihilated countless of years ago. It might even be a few millennia. According to the tales, they were more superior than the vampires and they were considered as the most powerful race in Lirea."

"If they really were the strongest, how did they end up getting totally annihilated? We're talking about a whole race. Not just a small group or city."

"For some strange reason, no one knew what had happened to their empire. Perhaps because it's been so long since it had happened. Also, chances are that if there were any records about the empire that were documented, they were most probably destroyed. So right now, there is absolutely no written records at all to even prove that they indeed once existed." Gavriel candidly answered all of Evie's questions.

Evie swallowed. Suddenly, she could not explain what she was feeling at that moment. Does this strange feeling she is experiencing had something to do with the fairies and Middle Empire?

"If I hadn't been to the forbidden lands, I might have doubted the legitimacy of this matter and would have thought of it as an old wives' tale like everyone else does. But I have seen too many evidence in the forbidden lands that they did once existed, and the tale was actually true and not just some cooked up tale used to tell little children to help them to bed. Not to mention that the dragons are there as well. And now…" Gavriel paused as he seemed to struggle for a moment not to harden his tone, "this strange invisible creature…"

"Did the emperor confirmed that it really is a fairy?" Evie was getting more excited as she continued asking. She did not notice that Gavriel had somehow slowed down in his explanations at the end.

"Yes. But apparently, that creature is not a fairy but a dark fae." Gavriel's tone darkened when he mentioned the words 'dark fae'. Evie finally noticed and saw his eyes flashed with something that she could not identify.

"D-dark faery? The evil faeries?" Evie too was shocked at the revelation. She knew from the tales she heard that fairies are usually referred to the good fairies or the fairies of light. However, when mentioning the dark fae, they are the ones who tend to be associated with darkness, bad magic, and the sorts.

"Yes. Those faeries apparently actually exist too. My theory is the dark faeries might have something to do with the annihilation of their empire." Gavriel shared his speculation on the matter of the extinction of the fairies with Evie.

Evie was silenced for a moment, and she remembered the necklace that Gavriel had bought and gifted to her, which its' jewel was originated from the forbidden lands. She also remembered the magical lake as well. Just seeing those two things alone was enough for Evie to believe that those creatures were true and make her a believer that they might not be as extinct as everyone have thought them to be.

"But it seems as if, from what I have been telling you, they are not completely wiped out. And it's very suspicious how they are suddenly reappearing now after being missing for so many years. The vampires don't even believe nor acknowledge that these magical beings once existed. Not until recently, when the vampires began to survey the forbidden land to find the dragons nest. We concluded that there was a race that once lived there. Remember when I told you we reached the heart of the land?" he asked and Evie nodded, "Aside from the unusual things that you do not usually find outside of the forbidden land like the glowing flowers and magical lakes, we have also stumbled upon some ancient ruins which I believe were once castles. I honestly believe that there are more things hidden inside that large spot the dragons are currently occupying and seem to be protecting."

"Could it be that some faeries who might have survived ended up staying in there for so many years?" Evie questioned, "And could it be too, that that's the reason why they are only appearing now and revealing their presence to us?" she pursed her lips in thought and was also guessing along in why the fairies had remained hidden for so long but only now are showing themselves to the world again.

"That might be a possible case," Gavriel agreed but Evie seemed to find a loophole in what she just said.

"But… why did they wait for so many years to reveal themselves?" she asked again, her gaze serious as she searched Gavrie's eyes. "Did the emperor reveal any more pertinent information about that faery?"