My hands shook as I read the words on the leaf.

I read the sentence over and over again, rubbing my eyes in hopes that it will change. Naturally it didn't, and I was stuck with this horrid mission instead.

Was this really worth for a simple pair of wings?

Of course it was.

To become a winged fairy, it has been my dream ever since I was a little faeling. It is every faeling's dream to be blessed with beautiful wings once we become fully fledged fairies. We even have classes and lessons that prepare us for every mission.

Or so I thought, considering how unprepared I was for my own mission.

I watched as classmates of mine paired up with one another to complete their missions. Some of them even went over to the winged fairies hoping for a bit help, or even a hint.

I watched them blankly, as the winged fairies, the kinder ones gave them a word of advice.

"Is your mission a difficult one?" A voice as soft as the gentle wind snapped me out of my daze. I looked over to Athera, a winged fairy smiling at me. Her beauty was popular amongst all fairies, and her kindness even more.

I smiled back at her, not expecting anyone to approach me. Even back in classes, I was the bottom rung of the lot. And now with his mission of mine...

"It sure is...I...it says to collect a hundred berry leaves.:

Athera gasped at the sound of my mission, even a few fairies passing by gave me sympathetic glances. I hung my head down low, portraying my hopelessness.

"Don't put your head down like that," she took my hand in hers. I looked up to see a determined expression on her face, as though this was her mission. A warmth spread across me, almost as warm as her hand was. "I will help you with this mission. Let us go, I know a nearby place that has berries."

Saying so, she flew off, leaving me to follow.

As I walked behind her I could not stop the smile that spread on my face. The leaf in my hand was now completely crumbled and I put it into my pocket ensuring no one will see it.

No one needed to know my real mission anyway, it won't be important once I become a winged fairy. Just like Athera.

"To gain your wings, you must steal them."