Aelion woke to the soft melody of a bubble-like alarm floating beside her bed. As she stretched and touched the bubble, it burst, silencing the music. She climbed out of the warm cocoon of her bed and made her way to the window, taking in the captivating underwater world of Aquara, the third country of Lumia. Seaweed swayed gently in the current, and small fish darted between the fronds, their silver scales glinting in the light filtering through the water.
Today was the day she had been eagerly anticipating—her exploration of Aquara, the underwater nation of Lumia. It had been a few weeks since she collected and studied samples from Elysia, and now she was ready to immerse herself in the underwater realm. As a botanist, Aelion was fascinated by the unique flora and fauna that thrived in this aquatic environment.
She stepped into her kitchen and sat down at the small table, a simple breakfast of bread, cheese, and fruit laid out before her. As she ate, her eyes scanned the files on her tablet, focusing on the Coralberry, Pearlfruit, and Dreamweed—the plants she intended to study during her time in Aquara. Aelion took a bite of her bread and opened the notes on the elusive Pearlfruit, said to boost magical ability and intuition.
According to her research, the Pearlfruit could be found outside the Coral Palace, an ancient landmark where the royalty of Aquara once reigned. Aelion's eyes sparkled with determination as she imagined discovering this rare fruit. She finished her breakfast and gathered her pack and notebook, her excitement building.
Before leaving, she checked her hair, ensuring that her braids were still neat and tight. She slipped on her boots and headed out, her mind already drifting to the wonders that awaited her beneath the waves. Aelion followed the directions that led her outside the town, to a small shop nestled among the coral reefs.
As she entered, a bell chimed, announcing her arrival. Behind the counter stood an Aquaran with blue skin and bright green eyes. Their long black hair was braided and wrapped in a bun, and they wore a pair of glasses that magnified their eyes. "Can I help you?" they asked, their voice carrying a hint of curiosity.
"Yes," Aelion replied, her voice eager. "I have a special request and a special permit. My name is Aelion." The shopkeeper nodded and opened a drawer, retrieving the permit and the items she required. "Aelion, the botanist from Lumia. I was expecting you. Here is the permit, and these are the potions you'll need." They handed her a vial and a small pouch. "These will allow you to breathe underwater and see clearly. Remember, they won't last more than an hour, so if you plan to stay longer, you'll need to purchase another set."
Aelion listened intently, her eyes widening at the prospect of exploring the underwater realm. She drank the potion and opened the pouch, inhaling the dust as instructed. Soon, she felt as if she were floating, her body light and buoyant. She thanked the shop owner and swam out, her movements graceful as she navigated the underwater city.
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The nation of Aquara was surrounded by a magical orb that allowed land-dwellers like herself to breathe, a fascinating display of magic and science working in harmony. She swam around the dome, taking in the sights—coral bulbs, caverns, and sea turtles swimming in the distance.
Finally, she reached the Coral Palace, its size and grandeur taking her breath away. She swam towards a large opening, her eyes widening at the interior decorated with shells and stones. Sunlight filtered through the water, illuminating the dust that danced in the rays. Aelion ran her fingers over the stone furniture, imagining the lives of the underwater royalty who had once resided here.
She made a mental note to respect the Coral Palace as a protected area, her botanist's instincts kicking in. Swimming down a hallway, she entered what appeared to be a throne room, her eyes immediately drawn to the various plants growing along the walls. Among them, she spotted a branch similar to the image of the Coral Pearlfruit in her notes.
Aelion swam closer, her heart racing as she noticed the pods with small bead-like fruit. She focused her magic into her hand, casting a bright light on the fruit. The pods opened, revealing pearls nestled within. "Oh my!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with delight. Carefully, she plucked the fruit and placed them in a pouch, tying it tightly. "That was lucky," she thought, eager to study and learn more about this rare find.
Checking the time, she realized her potion would soon wear off, so she began the journey back to the city. Her mind raced with excitement as she swam, thoughts of her findings and the prospect of sharing them with her superiors filling her with anticipation.
The trip back was effortless, and as she entered the magical barrier that allowed her to breathe, she took a deep breath, savoring the feeling of being back on land. She wandered back to her room and sat down, her mind buzzing with excitement as she began her notes and sketches of the Pearlfruit.
"Small and glossy, similar to true pearls," she wrote, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "A single fruit produces two pearls in each pod. When eaten, the pearl dissolves within seconds, boosting magic and intuition. Further studies needed." Satisfied with her notes, she sent them off, along with a vial of the dust that had granted her the ability to breathe and see underwater. Aelion made her way to the bathroom, her mind still buzzing with the day's discoveries. As she undressed, she noticed a soft glow emanating from her body, a subtle radiance that seemed to extend from her very being.
Her eyes narrowed, and she lifted her arms, examining her pale skin. 'What is this?' she thought, a mix of curiosity and intrigue washing over her. 'An after-effect of the potion, perhaps?' With a shrug, she stepped under the hot water, the glow remaining as she washed away the day's adventures.
Over the next few days, Aelion continued her research, discovering a small flower that grew outside the dome. She studied and sampled the plant, intrigued by its ability to thrive above water. Her findings were extensive, and she knew her return to Mystara would be fruitful. As she sat at her desk, writing out her notes, she reflected on the discovery of her body's subtle glow. It had persisted, and though she felt no different physically, she couldn't deny the ethereal light that now seemed to surround her. Yawning, she packed away her notes, her mind already drifting to the journey home. She would be taking an Aether Ship back to Mystara in the morning, and her thoughts were filled with anticipation.