Chapter 1: The Rapture

While in Hayehifralií the fairies live in fear of the new ruler and in mourning for the old sovereigns, the same cannot be said for the fairies of the municipality. Here, the fairies and ants of the civil anthills begin to wear woolen clothing and synthetic fur shoes received from humans to face the winter period, discovering that they are also precious tools for dealing with the inclemency of the snow. Dejanira and the other fairies look on in surprise at this rare event that is occurring in the entire municipality.

One morning, some fairies, including Dejanira, decide to take a walk to play in the snow, taking advantage of the lower presence of insects due to the cold. During the walk, the fairies have fun creating snowmen and approach the borders between the wild part of the municipality and the municipality, where they see many other fairies playing together. They then decide to join them. Acilia is happy; knowing of her sister's adventure outside society, she considers her a courageous person, capable like her of killing without mercy when necessary. She sees Dejanira's proximity to her kingdom as an opportunity to kidnap her and involve her in her wish list that she has been preparing for her since she was a child, with the intent of fulfilling it with her birth sister once they are reunited.

Acilia orders her loyal personal guard, Enríc Kaya, a male fairy with neck-length black hair and a medium-length beard, to obtain some ropes, while she calls Kiofort to organize a group of men for a mission. Enríc carries the ropes, while Kiofort gathers ten men. Acilia explains to them that they must kill every fairy present in the place where Dejanira is and capture the latter. The attack must involve four people, allowing Enríc to tie her up and blindfold her with a specific leaf that must be fixed firmly above and below her eyes, so that she remains in position without risk of falling. She also specifies that the attack on Dejanira must be quick and indicates the five fairies who will support Enríc. Enríc, worried about the consequences of the attack, asks Acilia what they will do if the company discovers their action and attacks them or forces her to be dismissed. Acilia tells Enríc that they will not be discovered, since once everyone is eliminated, she, he and Kiofort will return to the castle while the others will have to deal with the bodies, throwing them into the wild part of the municipality where they will probably be devoured by insects. Then, addressing the knights, she orders them to wait and retreats to her room to change her blue silk clothes for woolen ones of the same color and put on her armour. Once ready, she returns to the knights and, together with them, leaves the castle to take flight towards the border between the wild part of the municipality and the municipality.

Once they reach their destination, the horror begins: the kids who were happily playing in the snow are hit by the needle-arrows of Hayehifralií's army. Dejanira, hearing her screams, looks around her and notices the fairies being killed, before being taken by surprise by the four in charge and tied up by Enríc, while one of the four of her holds her back. Shivered by what is happening around her, Dejanira asks the fairies the reason for such cruelty. Enríc ties leaves over her eyes and, once all the fairies around her have died of her, threatens her with his sword to force her to fly following her guidance. So Enríc directs Dejanira towards the castle following Kiofort and Acilia, while the others dispose of the corpses as established in the plan.

Having reached Hayehifralií above her, the queen orders Dejanira to remove the leaves that covered her eyes, finally allowing her to see. With a gesture, the leaves are loosened from the young woman's head, and she can admire her splendid kingdom from above. A crystalline platform dominated the horizon, above which majestic crystal buildings rose, capturing the sun's reflections and transforming them into luminous sparks. In the center of this enchanting panorama, stood the enormous castle, imposing and majestic, symbol of the power and grandeur of the kingdom. It was as if every stone, every crystal told the thousand-year history of this place, permeated with magic and mystery. Dejanira was enchanted by such beauty, as the wind caressed her face and her heart beat in unison with the heartbeat of the ancient earth beneath her.

Once they land in the kingdom Dejanira hears the army's propaganda implemented daily by the queen's will in which it is exposed that those who are overwhelmed are special because they are similar to the queen and that they will live forever as well as highlighting the queen's goodness and her courage who protect the people from all harm. Before entering the castle Kiofort greets the queen as he has to go with the army to look for wild insects and take fruit for her. The queen thanks Kiofort for being devoted to his commitments and follows Enríc and Dejanira into the castle. Acilia, having entered, locks the door and orders Enríc to take Dejanira to the room that he prepared for her a year earlier and to wait for her there while she goes to change.

Once they land in the kingdom, Dejanira hears the army's propaganda, orchestrated daily at the queen's behest, glorifying those who survived, calling them special because they are similar to the queen herself. The propaganda promises them a long life until a natural death, while underlining the goodness and courage of the queen, which guarantees protection for the people from all evil. Before Acilia enters the castle, Kiofort approaches her to greet her, explaining that he must go with the army to search for wild insects and collect fruits for her. The queen thanks Kiofort for his dedication to his duties and dismisses him. She then follows Enríc and Dejanira inside the castle. Once inside, Acilia locks the door while Dejanira finds herself admiring the splendor of the crystal hall, with a staircase on the left leading to another floor. Acilia orders Enríc to lead Dejanira to her room prepared a year before, asking him to wait there while she goes to change. Then the queen begins to gracefully climb the ladder while Enríc leads Dejanira along the same direction. Dejanira, while being led up the staircase by Enríc, admires the light that is reflected in it. Once they reach the next floor, they find themselves faced with a series of doors that line an entire circular corridor. Acilia heads to the left, while Enríc takes Dejanira to a room on the right.

Dejanira, having arrived in the room, is accompanied by Enríc who makes her sit on the bed, while he takes a seat in a nearby armchair. The room, like a perfect extension of the kingdom, is a work of crystal, transparent and luminous. Every wall, every corner shone with the purity of this precious material, reflecting the light in a thousand shades of iridescence. The bed, an imposing structure of chiseled crystal, was a true wonder to behold, with its elegant lines and ethereal transparency. The blue silk covers that adorned the bed seem like a perfect contrast, giving a touch of softness and warmth to that otherwise cold and bright room like a jewel set in the heart of the kingdom.

With a serious expression, Dejanira questions Enríc about why those people were killed. Enríc replies that it was the queen's order and he and the other knights were only carrying out their duty. Dejanira wants to know the reason for such a reprehensible gesture on the queen's part, and Enríc replies that it was done to invite her to the castle. Dejanira wonders why they didn't just invite her with her words instead of killing people and kidnapping her. Enríc replies that he does not know the queen's motives. Dejanira asks why they wanted to invite her to the castle, and Enríc explains that Acilia is her sister. Dejanira categorically denies being related to Acilia, specifying that she is her only child. Enríc then tells her that her parents lost Acilia as soon as she was born and that she was found by a doctor and taken to Hayehifralií, where the rulers adopted her. Dejanira counters that if she had a lost sister, her parents would have told her. Enríc reveals to Dejanira that not even her parents knew about it since they fainted during her birth. Dejanira rejects the idea that she could have a murderer with no valid motives like her sister. Enríc responds by confirming the family relationship, citing the name of both their mothers as proof. While she begins to accept Enríc's words, Dejanira states that she will never be able to forgive her sister's actions. Then, she asks Enríc if her kingdom is also included in society. Enríc argues that the entire planet is interconnected in society, and that anything that does not conform or tries to separate is eliminated. Dejanira declares that once the State discovers the actions of Enríc, the queen and the other knights towards the fairies who played with the snow, they will all end up in prison. Enríc replies that the bodies were abandoned in a wild area of the municipality, where they are exposed to insects and snow. Despite this, Dejanira insists that the lack of dead fairies will not go unnoticed. Enríc fearlessly states that, even if their disappearance is noticed, they could make people believe that they simply disappeared with the snow, pouring water from a wooden bottle into a wooden glass. Dejanira, asks if she can have some water too. Enríc brings the glass to Dejanira's lips, but the latter expresses her discomfort at drinking that way. Enríc replies that she cannot untie her, but Dejanira suggests temporarily untying her hands just to allow her to take the glass and then tie them again. Enríc agrees, but once Dejanira is free and holding the glass, she throws water in his eyes and tries to escape towards the door. Enríc follows her closely, forcing her to flee without being able to open the door. In front of the closed door, Enríc grabs the sword and declares very firmly that he will not allow Dejanira to escape.

With a swift, decisive motion, Dejanira draws her sword, glittering in the light reflected from the room's crystal walls. Thus begins a tense duel, where each blow is aimed at making the opponent give up the weapon. After a short but intense struggle, Dejanira, although unable to defeat Enríc in her grasp, finds an opening and inflicts a wound on his hand. With a precise strike, Enríc's sword falls to the ground. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Dejanira kicks him in the chest, pushing him against the cold glass wall. Without hesitation, she opens the door and slips out of the room, closing it behind her with one fluid gesture. Finally, she hides under the stairs downstairs, her heart still racing from the tension of the fight that has just ended.

Hidden under the stairs, Dejanira observes Enríc passing by in search of her, various knights and the cadets who obey the queen. After an interminable wait, a moment of quiet finally comes to her, an opportunity that she cannot miss. With a stealthy step and a beating heart, she rushes towards the great door of the castle. A majestic door with a vivid blue color, a stark contrast with the sparkling transparency of the surrounding crystals. With determination, she tries to open it, but his efforts are in vain, the door remains undaunted, sealed against his desire to escape.

Acilia, behind the grate on the upper floor, tells Dejanira that she holds the key. Dejanira heads to the center of the hall, holding the bow, and points a needle-arrow at her sister, asking her to give her the key. In a calm voice, Acilia informs Dejanira that if she wants the key, she will have to kill her. Dejanira, having no intention of committing murder, remains motionless, while her sister, bored by waiting for her, urges her to carry out the action so she can be like her. Dejanira continues to remain still, while Acilia comes down the stairs and suggests that she act now that she is closer than her to hit her with more precision. Dejanira, still immobile, begins to feel anxious about the situation. Acilia approaches and, after taking the needle-arrow from Dejanira's hands, she expresses disappointment in her. She then she, walking away with her needle, adds that she had heard that the previous year Dejanira had been in the wild part of the municipality and she believed that she, having survived, had had the courage to kill to realize her her goals. She then begins to walk around the room and, turning to Dejanira, states that she had believed him to be brave like her, but now he considers her a coward.

As she moves around Dejanira, Acilia states that those who commit domestic physical violence are also cowards. She underlines that the courage shown in confronting the object of her fear could have also been used to leave the house, accepting the risks of the gesture. She concludes by stating that physical violence is illegal for this reason. Dejanira, feeling attacked, declares that she is not violent, but Acilia replies that she knows, adding that her violent people are slightly braver than her because they face lesser fear rather than her greater one. Then, Acilia reveals that she has always obeyed her masters because she knew that one day she would be the one to dictate her rules.

Acilia, turning to Dejanira, states that cowards do not survive in this world, and with extraordinary precision, she fires the needle-arrow without even holding a bow, wounding Dejanira's right knee. The latter falls to the ground due to the pain of her wound, almost ending up straddling the needle-arrow stuck in the ground near her wounded knee.

Acilia starts moving in the hall again, with slow and thoughtful steps, confiding in Dejanira a secret that she has kept since childhood: her deep desire to meet her, aware of being linked to her by the same blood. She observes the differences between them in amazement, wondering how they can be so different while sharing the same lineage. Then, while she reflects, she Acilia reveals to her Dejanira that she had heard of an incident in which she allegedly took the life of a creature. Through tears, Dejanira confesses her action, but she firmly explains that she did not want to commit that act. With apparent calm but palpable contempt, Acilia repeats her sister's words "I didn't want to, I didn't want to," expressing her judgment on cowards who, in her opinion, are incapable of acting when necessary. Dejanira, in her pain, explains that it is not cowardice to refuse to cause harm to others. Acilia argues that Dejanira's lack of action is due to her fear of her. Dejanira replies that her choice not to act is dictated by the awareness of the intrinsic evil in the action itself. Acilia warns Dejanira about the negative consequences of denying one's cowardice, suggesting that not acknowledging it can lead to worse consequences. She then, taking Dejanira's needle-arrow in her hand again, claims that if Dejanira had actually killed her, she would not have been injured as she is now, and adds that she would have carried out the act in her place. without hesitation. Watching Dejanira cry, she calls her pathetic, stating that cowards allow the enemy to disarm them. She then, turning towards her Dejanira, warns that this conduct can lead to death at the hands of the enemy, before wounding her again with a needle-arrow to the knee.

Acilia scolds Dejanira, telling her that if she had been in her place she would have known how to avoid the blow. Then, she expresses her displeasure at seeing her famous for having survived in nature without ever killing her, asking her how she managed to survive in such difficult conditions. She dejanira replies that she was able to defend herself without causing serious damage. Acilia asks her if she defended herself the same way she is defending herself, suggesting that she needs to become courageous and offering to help her. Dejanira firmly declares her refusal to embrace cruelty, while Acilia, equally confident, rejects the idea of being called cruel, stating that labels can be tools of marginalization, often far from the truth. Continues stating that she respects Dejanira's decision not to want to follow the same path as him and, with a decisive gesture, throws the key, previously kept in the pocket of his dress, behind him.

Dejanira flies Acilia above her, heading towards her key, while she pounces on Dejanira's arrow-needle on the ground and throws it towards her, grazing her back and making her fall due to her pain. Acilia hurries to the key and, once she retrieves it, lifts her sister into her arms. With determination, he issues a warning to Dejanira, advising her never to turn her back when there is a weapon that could be exploited by the enemy while she cannot see, and quickly flies away to the right of the staircase, promising to support her in the meantime on a journey towards courage.

Dejanira is about to fly up, trying to get out of her sister's arms, but she is abruptly thrown to the ground, landing with a blow on her butt. Acilia immobilizes her, tying her chest to hold her like an animal on a leash. Then she, without hesitation, proceeds to tie her hands and feet as well, ensuring that she cannot escape or use his hands to get rid of her, thus ensuring her total control over the situation.

At that precise moment, the doors swing open under the watch of the castle guard, and Kiofort enters, accompanied by his battalion, along with one of the castle cadets, charged with replenishing the queen's wooden bottles with water.

Kiofort asks Acilia his question, curious if she liked the insects and fruits she collected, and she replies that they were delicious. Proudly, Kiofort informs them that they have collected so many insects that they almost fill the storage room with salt, earning Acilia's compliments for her constant commitment and precision in her work. Then, in a more serious tone, Kiofort explains the economic problems that afflict him and her battalion, asking to be able to plunder the citizens of the north-eastern part of the kingdom, underlining that he has heard various voices against her in those places. The queen, highlighting her good heart, grants permission for the looting, but she demands 70% of the proceeds. Thanking the queen for her help, Kiofort praises her generous heart, while Dejanira intervenes, pointing out that allowing abuses on the population is not an act of kindness. Acilia argues that her noble heart is unquestionable, that according to what Kiofort reported the people of those places seem to despise the law and that her gesture benefits them too, since it would be torment to live in a kingdom where the rest of the population is respectful of laws. The young cadet with the water bottles stammeringly agrees with Dejanira, calling her "the red-haired girl", arguing that there is no excuse for such an act.

Acilia, with a kind smile, approaches the cadet expressing appreciation for his opinion and, with a hug, soothes his anxiety of being condemned. However, in the moment of the embrace, with a discreet movement, he grabs the sword. Dejanira, gripped by terror for the cadet's life, shouts at Acilia not to carry out that gesture while the queen, leaving the young cadet, moves around him, moving away slightly, and then grabs the sword with both hands and pierces him right in the moment when he turns towards her.

After the action, Acilia, maintaining her composure, defends herself by explaining that the cadet had irritated her, while Kiofort agrees that it was right to act like this, underlining the importance of not provoking negative feelings in the queen. Acilia, grateful for Kiofort's words, expresses her gratitude for having him as head of the army. Afterwards, Kiofort bids farewell to the queen and exits the castle with his battalion. Meanwhile, Acilia accompanies Dejanira to the midday dining room, where she usually joins Enríc, Kiofort and her battalion for breakfast. Acilia ties Dejanira's remaining chest rope to a piece of crystal protruding from the wall, ensuring she cannot escape, and then bids her farewell, encouraging her to prepare for the days ahead and promising to help her find the courage needed to make her as brave as she is. she.

Late in the evening, as Dejanira writhes in agitation over the need to go to the bathroom, Enríc approaches with a wooden plate containing pieces of peach. Dejanira asks if she can be freed to go to the bathroom, but Enríc replies that this time he will not be deceived. Dejanira firmly states that she is not looking for deception, but Enríc, still doubtful, suggests that Dejanira ask the queen if she can eliminate one of the ants with rabbit fur and ears, so as to satisfy the queen and obtain permission to go to bath. Dejanira flatly refuses, preferring to face the inconvenience of getting wet rather than harm an innocent creature. Enríc explains to Dejanira that it is not necessary to kill the ant, it is enough for her to give it a few scratches to make the queen believe she is making progress in her goal. Dejanira remains steadfast in her moral beliefs, but Enríc explains that one of the queen's rabbit ants, tormented by wounds inflicted daily, feels intense pain and has attempted suicide several times by biting her chest forcefully through its mandibles, without success. She suggests that eliminating the ant might be an act of compassion. Dejanira expresses doubts about Enríc's statement, while he suggests that she see with her own eyes tomorrow morning, when the queen will feed her ants her rabbit. Then, after a moment of reflection, he adds that in the past she has killed to save a friend, explaining that in some cases the act of killing is necessary. He suggests that she help the ant free himself from suffering. However, Dejanira reiterates her refusal to kill. Enríc understands and offers her to go to the bathroom, with the condition that she does not run away from her, explaining that the door is not locked and that if she ran away, he would suffer consequences. Dejanira asks Enríc why he can't escape with her, and Enríc replies that he is tied to her kingdom and has a family who would be killed if he ran away. Dejanira promises not to endanger him, and after being freed, Enríc shows her the bathroom where she goes, and then returns to him so he can be bound. Enríc ties her up again, but before immobilizing her hands, he offers her some peach pieces, noting that she hasn't eaten all day and might be hungry. Dejanira accepts her food and thanks the knight, who, after binding her, wishes her goodnight and leaves her.

The following morning, Acilia goes to Dejanira bringing her food and water, expressing her wish that she not starve. Dejanira, struck by her gesture, states that Acilia, in the depths of her being, also has a heart. Acilia proudly replies that it is obvious that she has a heart because she is a good person. Then, she unties the extension of the rope tied to the crystal and takes Dejanira's bow, arrows and sword, giving them to Enríc with the instruction to hide them in her trunk. Finally, she frees Dejanira's hands to allow her to eat and drink, but she holds the extension of the rope tight.

As soon as Dejanira finishes breakfast, Acelia pushes her through the rope extension, causing her to fly towards the second floor and enter the central door, where stairs lead them to the third floor. Here, Acilia tells Dejanira that today she intended to torment the rabbit ants with her. Dejanira retorts that she won't hurt any rabbit ant. Acilia replies that if she brought her food she was in the hope that she would participate in the torment of the rabbit ants. Dejanira replies that if she had known in advance, she would not have eaten or drunk. Acilia agrees and, after binding Dejanira's hands again, she takes a sword and begins to wound the rabbit ant more battered than her. Dejanira closes her eyes so as not to witness the scene, but Acilia orders her to keep them open and watch, warning her that otherwise she will harm the smaller rabbit ants. Dejanira, her eyes full of pity and tears, watches her sister inflict cruelty on the poor ant and others of hers, even though none of them deserved such treatment. When Acilia is finished, she leaves leaving Dejanira alone. Once the cruelties are over, Acilia leaves leaving Dejanira alone. Observing the battered ant, Dejanira notices signs of distress and, after silent displays of pain, the ant begins aggressively biting its chest. Dejanira understands that Enríc's words were true, but she knows she can do nothing to help her, fearing that further murders might make her return to killing barbaric insects, losing her morals once again.