Examine the fairy.

I cautiously hold out my hand, hoping the fairy would land on it so I could examine it. As if reading my thoughts, the creature settled on my outstretched hand, and I bring it closer to my face to look at it.

It was incredibly light, even though that was expected, it should have at least some weight, but it didn't. Its body was quite androgynous, making it impossible to determine if it was a he or a she. A full mane of hair contrasted with the unusual colour of its skin. And the delicate looking wings where folded behind its body, shimmering in multitudes of colours as they idly fluttered.

"Well, hello there little one. What's your name?"

The fairy shook its head, and a small wave of regret entered my mind.

"No name? Or you can't tell me?"

Again, a wave of regret filled my mind, stronger this time. Deciding that that was a no to both questions, I tried to come up with a name for it myself. Immediately a small text box with a keyboard appeared in front of me. When I moved my hands towards the console, the fairy flew up and landed on my shoulder, staring intently at the window. A strong feeling of anticipation flowed into me.

"Okay then. Let's give you a name."

For several minutes, I went through a series of names I thought fit for such a creature. But the burst of negative or indifferent emotions each name created, made it clear how the little fairy thought about them. Eventually, I found one that had its approval, made evident by the warm feelings of joy.

Adea

After I pressed the confirm button, the window disappeared, and two new ones appeared. One the typical colour of achievements, the other a green bordered one for an item.

Can you play with madness?

(Insert appropriate musical song here)

You have found, and accepted, the contract of a minor fairy following a trickster god. Good luck keeping it in check. These fairies are notorious for pulling pranks and causing mayhem and mischief on their surroundings. This one will follow you so long as you provide a good source of entertainment. Either as the target or by providing suitable targets.

"Well, that sounds promising."

Hairpin of the trickster

This magical hairpin functions as an anchor for a trickster fairy; it uses it to travel back and forth between this world and its own. Channel some energy into the item to summon or dismiss it. IMPORTANT: It can, and often will, come and go of its own accord.

Their level is the same as yours. They can use some magical spells you know (level -1, minimum of 1). At the beginning of each day, and when you decide to take a rest, you can choose which spells to use. Alternatively, they can touch you to pick a spell of their own choice.

Adea

Race: Fairy

Class: Prankster

Hp 10

Mp 100%

STR 6

END 6

AGI 13

CHA 11

INT 12

WIS 12

Currently known spell(s): None

"That's useful to know, and I can use you as a support caster. Or to create distractions."

The first suggestion gave me an air of indifference, but when I mentioned distractions, it overwhelmed me with excitement.

"Okay, more a distracting kind then a combat one huh? Good to know."

I took in my surroundings, but now that the challenge was completed, it was eerily silent. The butterflies had disappeared, and not a single sound could be heard, apart from the occasional wind rustling the leaves. I turned my head to look at my new companion sitting on my shoulder.

"Ready to move on?"

A nod of its head and a small feeling of determination gave me all the confirmation that I needed. Just as I was about to look for the exit, a new window popped up in front of me.

For clearing nine floors, you have earned a bonus floor. An item has been placed in your inventory, use it to go to the bonus floor. Alternatively, you can wait before you are teleported to level ten.

Sure enough, in my inventory, I found an item that wasn't there before. Taking it out, it appeared to be a glass orb, but looking closer I could see that a small but detailed diorama was inside of it.

I saw a decent sized, two-story house. It was made from grey bricks, with a straw roof. On one side was a waterwheel almost as large as the house itself, and it turned slowly, powered by the gentle flow of the stream it was built next to. Trees surrounded it, and a cobblestone path leads away from it. It was incredibly well made, and the detail was like nothing I had ever seen before.

Bonus orb.

Use this item to transport yourself and your companions to the location shown within. Here you will find a floor specially tailored to you or your parties skills. You will automatically leave when you meet the failing criteria, or when you concentrate on ending the level.

Conditions for winning or losing the floor will be revealed upon entering.

Use? YES/NO.

"A bonus level?" I thought. "That's always fun to do."

Feeling no clear emotion about the item from Adea, I thought about what to do with it. After thinking it over for a bit, I made up my mind and reached for the button.