Rotao walked alongside her three year old daughter, as they strolled down a path leading into the woods. Ceranda pranced along, bat-like wings flapping ocasionally. Rotao smiled as she watched her, humming a soft tune.

Ceranda was the first to notice something amiss, as she stopped, ears twitching forward, trying to identify her feeling of alarm. Rotao was at her side at once, looking into the underbrush around them, also hearing the sound of rustling leaves.

From the surrounding trees and bushes, sprang a large group of assorted neopets lead by an imposing looking white and gold xweetok, who held a long spear pointed at Rotao, who held on to Ceranda fearfully.

You have endangered our Realm by birthing this monster and now you teach her the darker path. For that you shall both be scentenced to death." The lead male said, as they approached Rotao and her kit.

No..." Rotao whispered. Looking down at Ceranda she whispered down to her, then stood between her daughter and the advancing group. "She is innocent! You cannot harm her!" She pleaded.

The male scoffed, "Rotao you know the abomination she is, and the problems she may cause to both realms if she learns of her heritage."

She does not!" Rotao assured him, as Ceranda hid behind her mother, forming a circle on the ground and chanting in an unknown tounge.

Noticing the magic in the air, he growled lowly, as an arrow sped from the bow of a deep red and yellow xweetok, aimed at Ceranda, hoping to stop the kit before she finished the portal.

Rotao yelled out, quickly putting herself between her small daughter and the arrow, which embedded itself in her shoulder with a cry of pain.

Ceranda looked up as the portal opened, staring wide eyed at her mother, fearful and not understanding why they were being atacked. She looked at the white and gold xweetok, then at the portal. "Mother?"

Rotao shook her head, "You must go, Ceranda, I'll try and follow by my own means, but do NOT look back.. run, hide and be safe." She smiled warmly at Ceranda, and turned to look at the white xweetok.

Ceranda hesitated a moment, but nodded, and moved to jump through the portal. Two others from the sides leaped at her and her mother as she entered it, watching in horror as they pinned her mother to the ground, the white and gold male advancing with a forked spear towards her. Then there was darkness, and she was gone. The portal lingered for a few seconds before disappearing from behind Rotao, but no one noticed.

Ceranda appeared out of thin air some distance away, and she looked around, disoriented from the teleportation. Then to her right she saw a blinging flash of white light, and a scream. Her mother's...

Then it faded. Ceranda felt tears burn her cheeks as she fought the urge to run back and see what had happened. But she turned around and fled into the forest.

Rotao saw the two jumping towards her, as she stood her ground, waiting for Ceranda to disappear. She felt the zafara and the kyrii pin her down, as she fell to the ground, just as her daughter finally left for good.

As she did, from Rotao's back sprouted two translucent glass-formed wings, that immediately shone brightly, capturing the last rays of the dying sun, multiplying it untill it was unbearably bright, as her captors fell back.

She smirked slightly, backing up, ready to try a desperate dash for freedom while the Flight was blinded.

Then a second arrow sped towards her, and caught her wing-tip, shattering three long blades, and the light died down as Rotao cried out in pain.

As the light died, Sorath, the white and gold xweetok, surged forward, clamping a collar around Rotao's neck, as a silver chain was thrown over her, the kyrii and zafara expertly wound it arounf her wings, tightening the chain, untill she cried out at the feeling of steel against glass.

Stop fighting, Rotao." Sorath said, as he stood above where she crouched. "It will only do you worse come your trial."

Rotao looked up at him, smiling slightly, "You know I had to try... for Ceranda."

Sorath nodded. He knew... but didn't want to see her get hurt.

And I cannot give up!" She cried, her wings flexing as they lit up again for a few seconds. They were ready now, though, and the chains grew taunt as they strained against her wings.

Then there was a loud cry of anguish and broken glass as Rotao fainted to the ground, shards of her wings littering the floor.

Sorath cursed under his breath, "She did that on purpose!" He glared at Rotao's unconscious form, then turned, forming a portal with a wave of his hand.

Ingar, track the kit down, but don't let her see you... just follow her for now." He instructed the Kyrii. nodding, Ingar ran off. The zafara picked up Rotao and entered the portal. The rest followed, as silence returned to the road.

The only thing left behind were the shards of Rotao's broken wings.

Why?" He asked, as he stood outside Rotao's cell. She lay on the bed, eyes staring at the opposite wall. The collar he had placed on her was still there but she was not chained. There was no need, now that her wings were shattered.

Because I fell in love." She replied softly.

Sorath scoffed, glaring at her, "In love? WIth a demon, of all things?"

Rotao stayed silent.

And you couldn't choose just any demon, could you?" He said angrily, "The Prince of Niflehiem, and just before his coronation as king."

Rotao's yes flickered to the white xweetok, then back at the wall. "You do not choose who you fall in love with, Sorath."

Sorath grunted, looking at the broken remains of her wings, and wincing. "And you think he loved you in return? Demons cannot love, Rotao."

She narrowed her eyes, "You're wrong." She propped herself up on her elbows, turning to look at Sorath, "He did love me... and Ceranda."

Is that why he left you and your child behind?"

Yes!" Rotao was vehement, "He knew I couldn't go with him, and that Ceranda would be in danger as well."

Sorath returned the glare for a few seconds before smoothing his expression, sighing. "They want to kill her. I've pleaded for your life Rotao. You are right in one ting, love is not a sin. But your child is an aberration and a danger to relations between Valhalla and Nifleheim."

Rotao shook her head, "No... that's not true!" She looked pained. "She doesn't have to ever find out her true heritage. She can live her life as a mortal with demon blood and it won't affect anyone!"

Sorath shrugged, "Good luck convincing the Lords of that..." He looked into Rotao's eyes, a stiffled longing and love shone in them, as he turned around, walking away from her cell.

She sighed, laying down again. "I'm sorry, Sorath... but I can't return your feelings." She whispered to herself, closing her eyes.