Reincarnated as a Fairy: My Magic Wings Will Soar Above This Fantasy World!

The days rolled by quietly as Lyra, Ella, and Yuki continued their escort mission to the capital. The rough roads and dense forest that had initially stirred a sense of caution in Lyra seemed less ominous with each passing day. The merchants’ caravan, led by Darian, traveled steadily, and though the scenery remained vast and wild, the threat of danger seemed far off. The peaceful atmosphere allowed Lyra to relax somewhat, though her sharp instincts remained vigilant. After all, there was no such thing as a completely safe journey through the wilderness.

It had been two nights since they left the Merchant's Guild, and the road had been uneventful. The first night, they had camped in a small clearing by a stream, with a fire crackling merrily as they ate their meals. Darian had been as friendly as always, and though he kept to himself a bit more than usual, the adventurers couldn’t help but appreciate the calm. Ella and Yuki took turns standing watch while Lyra worked on refining her magic, focusing on honing her abilities as a fairy.

The second night had been similar. The merchant had set up camp as usual, and there was nothing out of the ordinary. The group had shared stories around the campfire—tales of distant lands, adventuring feats, and ancient lore. Yuki had told them stories of her clan, a tribe of dark elves skilled in twin blade combat, while Lyra had shared the secrets of her heritage, explaining her lineage as a descendant of the ancient fairies. The exchange had been lighthearted, and for the first time in a long while, Lyra had felt a sense of belonging among her new companions.

The only hint of a disturbance came when Yuki’s sharp senses picked up something rustling in the bushes just beyond the campfire’s light. But when they investigated, it turned out to be nothing more than a small, harmless animal—a rabbit or some kind of forest rodent. Even so, Lyra didn’t let her guard down entirely. The wilderness was known to be unpredictable, and though their nights had been peaceful, she knew it wouldn’t last forever.

Now, as the third day of their journey began, the sun rose higher into the sky, casting golden rays over the landscape. The wind had a gentle chill to it, and the air smelled fresh with the scent of pine and damp earth. Lyra felt the familiar weight of her wings, which she kept hidden most of the time, but today, she let them unfurl slightly as the wind played through the feathers. She had been on edge for the past few days, but today, the quiet seemed to settle her nerves.

Darian had made an announcement earlier that morning. “We should reach the border of the capital's territory by the end of today. From there, it will be a short ride into the city itself. But we must stay alert—bandits are often active in these areas, and we could run into trouble.”

The three adventurers exchanged glances. They had been expecting this. The smooth ride up to this point had been almost too quiet, and they had known that danger would eventually find them.

“We’re ready,” Lyra said, her voice calm yet filled with a quiet determination. “We’ll protect you, Darian.”

He smiled gratefully at her words. “Thank you. I trust you all.”

The merchant’s men continued loading crates into the cart, and with a final check, Darian nodded for them to get underway. The caravan continued down the winding path, the sound of the wheels rolling over the dirt and rocks marking their passage. Lyra’s sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, and she could feel the subtle tension rising in the air. Something was coming, she could sense it.

By midday, they reached a narrow pass through the hills, flanked by thick trees on either side. The road was tight, and the caravan had to slow down to navigate it carefully. Lyra felt her senses heighten as they moved deeper into the forested area. The dense trees cut off much of the light, leaving long shadows across the path. Ella, walking beside her, kept her usual alertness.

“I don’t like this,” Yuki murmured, her voice low. “It’s too quiet.”

“I agree,” Lyra said softly. “But we have to keep going. Stay on guard.”

Darian seemed to sense the change in the air as well, though he didn’t show it outwardly. His hands gripped the reins of his carriage tightly, his eyes darting from side to side, scanning the shadows for any movement. Lyra could see the subtle strain in his posture.

As they reached a slight incline in the road, the sound of distant hooves echoed through the trees. Lyra’s heart rate quickened. She didn’t need to look at her companions to know they all felt the same—this was the danger they had been waiting for. Bandits, perhaps, or worse.

The hooves grew louder, and Lyra’s instincts flared. She turned to Darian. “Hold tight. We might have company soon.”

The merchant nodded quickly, his face tense. “I thought something was off. Keep us safe.”

Lyra’s wings fluttered in preparation, her magical senses sharpening. She could feel the energy around them, the faint stirrings of life in the trees, and the unsettling feeling that they were being watched.

“Get ready,” she whispered to Ella and Yuki. The dark elf’s twin blades gleamed in the fading light, and Ella’s fingers twitched near the hilt of her sword, a silent promise of readiness.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in the distance, riding on horseback. The rider was clad in dark, weathered armor, a cloak billowing behind them as they rode swiftly toward the caravan. Lyra’s heart skipped a beat. Bandits.

The rider raised a hand, signaling for the others to follow. Moments later, more riders appeared from the shadows, surrounding the caravan in a wide arc. Their horses’ hooves thudded against the earth, creating a terrifying rhythm.

The bandits were upon them.The first bandit to approach was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a cruel grin plastered on his face. He wore a ragged cloak and wielded a jagged sword, the metal glinting in the faint sunlight that filtered through the trees. Behind him, a group of five more bandits followed, each mounted on horseback, their eyes gleaming with malice.

“Well, well,” the leader said, his voice mocking. “What do we have here? A little merchant caravan with a handful of adventurers? This is our lucky day.”

Lyra narrowed her eyes, standing tall and confident. “Leave now, and we won’t have a problem.”

The bandit leader laughed, his voice booming through the quiet of the woods. “Oh, you think you can stop us? We’ve taken down better than you.”

Darian’s voice was shaky, but he managed to speak up. “I—I have money! Gold, valuables! Take it! Just let us go!”

The bandit leader’s grin widened. “That’s not how it works, merchant. We want everything. Your goods, your coins, and your lives.”

Ella stepped forward, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. “You’ll get none of it.”

“Get ready, Yuki,” Lyra whispered. Her wings unfurled slightly, their edges shimmering with the soft glow of her fairy magic. She could feel the pressure building in the air as the bandits closed in.

Yuki raised an eyebrow, her twin blades gleaming. “I was hoping for a fight.”

“Then you’ll get one,” Lyra said, her tone steady as she focused on the bandit leader.

Before the bandits could make their move, Lyra snapped her wings open fully, sending a burst of wind toward the bandit leader. He was knocked back off his horse, crashing to the ground with a roar of surprise and anger.

The other bandits hesitated, momentarily stunned by the sudden attack. But that hesitation didn’t last long.

Ella was the first to act. In a flash, she drew her sword and charged, her movements swift and precise as she engaged one of the bandits on horseback. The clash of steel rang out as she parried the bandit’s wild swing, her blade cutting through the air in a dazzling arc.

Yuki was close behind, her twin blades flashing as she leapt into the fray, targeting another bandit with lethal precision. Her agility was unmatched, and with each swing, she drew blood.

Lyra’s wings flared, the wind around her intensifying as she summoned a gust of air to knock another bandit off his horse. Her eyes glowed as she unleashed a barrage of wind magic, sending sharp gusts toward the remaining attackers.

The fight was on.