The Prologue

“ex•o•dus /ˈeksədəs/ noun: a mass departure of people.”

If only I could turn back time; I would change everything.

All I ever wanted was to be like them. To be able to change the world with one finger, to defy air, gravity and the elements. If only... I was magical.

But I never knew or even dared to dream that my wildest fantasies would come true. You really should be careful of what you wish for... because you just might get it.
 

My name is Jin Seyeon. I'm twenty this year, and I've always been able to see things I shouldn't have.

Ever since from far back as I could remember, I could see magical creatures. Fairies, trolls, nymphs, brownies and the sort--- they were everywhere, alive, and interacting with our world. But everyone else couldn't.

So as I was growing up, I became that one kid. The one kid who could never let go of fairytales. That one kid who had a bit "too creative".

No one ever understood me or gave me a chance. I can still remember all the stares, the whsipering and the gazes. The world was so cruel. I think at one point, I gave up trying to assimilate. It was crystal clear even to me, that I was "too different." 

The first fairy friend I had, her name was Sylvione. She had short blue hair, silver eyes and turquoise wings and she wasn't much taller than the length of my hand.

I quickly realized that most fairies didn't want to befriend humans. They were vain, snobby and obssessed with their appearances. However, Sylvione, was different. She found me to be interesting.

"How could a little human girl like you see past the veil?" She wondered aloud.

I looked at her quizically.

"A veil is a strong magical enchantment that seals our presence. To most human beings, I look like a butterfly of some sort. Although we can tear down our individual veils to expose ourselves and interact with humans if we wished to, most of us don't anymore. I've heard of humans with the rare ability to see through the veil without the help of florenium, but this is my first time seeing one."

"Florenium? What's that?" I asked.

"I was getting there-- In order for humans to see past the veil, they have to mix florenium with water and drink it. Florenium is a blue flower that grows on the highest of mountaintops." Sylvione finished as she conjured a magical illustration of it for me.

My eyes flashed with excitement at the idea. There was something out there that could convince my parents that I wasn't crazy. There was something out there that would open this world to mine, something that could connect two worlds.

"In fact, there's some growing near the mountain near your house. But only those who can see past the veil can see it. In other words, humans cannot see it, and you my dear girl, are only five years old and physically unfit to go and get it." Sylvione finished.

As soon as she finished her sentence, I was sold. I didn't care that I was five and didn't know anything about the world. All I knew was that I had to take this chance.

I would show them the world they had been missing out on.

So one day with snacks, sneakers and a backpack, I set off into the mountain, in search for the magical panacea named florenium.

Looking back on it, it was a really stupid decision. I don't know what the five year old me was thinking, but then again, five year olds aren't supposed to make much sense anyway, I guess.

I kept climbing and climbing the trail. Higher and higher I went, until it started raining. Hard. I took shelter under a tree when two fairies came up to me and started giggling.

"What a stupid human child."

"What kind of human comes up here by herself willingly when she's that young? So reckless." They scorned.

Through my drenched hair, I looked up and glared at them.

"I can see you and hear you just fine, you know." I hissed.

The fairies turned around as they looked shocked and petrified.

"What the..."

"Do you think she somehow consumed the florenium nearby?"

"She shouldn't even have been able to see the florenium in the first place! Plus that doesn't explain how she can understand us right now!"

Florenium? It was nearby. "Please tell me, where is it? Where is the florenium?" I asked desperately.

"W-wait a minute, this means this child has been gazing at our beautiful true forms this whole time!"

"She has done nothing to deserve such valor and something so rewarding! Let us leave!"

And before I could even say wait, the two fairies left. It was getting cold, and the sun was beginning to set. I huddled under the tree to the best of my ability.

After a while, I saw someone in the trees. It looked like they didn't notice I was there, but they were heading towards my direction. It was a beautiful woman, but I immediately sensed something was off about her. The way her eyes were so s