ARCEUS PENDRAGON

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when I felt a whirlwind burst into my room. I opened my eyes lazily, still wrapped in the mists of sleep, to find a familiar face smiling at me shamelessly.

Anastasia had jumped onto my bed with the grace of a cat and the strength of a bull. Her long silver hair waved behind her like a brilliant trail, and her red eyes shone bright and gleaming.

—Wake up, sleepyhead! Today is the big day! H-hey! Don't go back to sleep! —she exclaimed, beginning to bounce while still straddling me.

Oh, little Ana, if you only knew how indecent this could look... But of course, the innocence of youth is a blessing, isn't it?

—I get it! I'm awake, Ana! Please, get off my stomach so I can get up —I groaned, still half asleep. My voice sounded hoarse and thick, as if I had swallowed sand during the night.

For a moment, my sleepy mind struggled to remember what day it was today. Then, like lightning, realization struck me. A few days ago, our mother had given us special news, a trip to the realm of the elves.

The Kingdom of Alfheim, home of the elves and my mother's birthplace, awaited us. The idea of exploring a new place filled me with excitement, but also with sadness at the thought of leaving my home behind.

A smile drew on my face as I sat up, rubbing my eyes to chase away the last vestiges of sleep.

—Ana, is it time already? —I asked, yawning while stretching my arms.

—Of course it is! Come on, come on! Mom and Dad must be waiting for us already!

I got up, I couldn't deny that the prospect of this trip filled me with anticipation. While I got dressed, Anastasia fluttered around the room.

—Can you imagine what it'll be like, Ars? —she chattered non-stop—. They say the trees there are so tall they touch the clouds! And there are magical creatures we've never seen before. Oh, and the libraries! So many new books to read!

Where does this child get so much energy? It was as if she fed on pure sugar and caffeine. And here I was, feeling like a troll had used me as a pillow all night.

—Sounds amazing, Ana —I said, adjusting my robe—. But remember, mom said we also have to be careful. It's not just a pleasure trip.

Anastasia made a pout that arched her eyebrows, she looked adorable. —I know, I know. But that doesn't mean we can't have fun, right?

I nodded, feeling a mischievous smile form on my face. —Of course not. Race you to the dining room?

Without waiting for an answer, I ran out of the room, hearing Anastasia's hurried footsteps behind me and her shouts of "That's cheating!"

As we ran through the mansion's hallways, the servants who were already awake smiled at us as we passed by, probably used to our morning mischief.

When we arrived at the dining room, breathless and laughing, we found our parents already seated at the table. My mother, her silver hair gathered in an elaborate braid, raised an eyebrow as she saw us enter so boisterously. —Good morning, my little devils —she said with a loving smile—. I see you're full of energy this morning.

My father smiled softly as he looked at us. —Let them be, dear. It's a big day for all of us.

Anastasia and I took our places at the table, where a breakfast feast awaited us. There were fruit pastries, scrambled eggs with aromatic herbs, freshly baked bread, and a variety of fresh juices.

—Remember —said my mother at one point, her tone becoming more serious—, this trip isn't just for pleasure. We have important responsibilities in the realm of the elves.

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—We know, mom —replied Anastasia, with puppy eyes, looking a bit sad.

My father cleared his throat, —But that doesn't mean you can't have fun too. After all, it's an adventure!

Anastasia and I cheered at this, and high-fived. The people had won.

After finishing eating, we prepared to depart. The mansion's hallways were full of activity, with servants running back and forth, making sure everything was ready for the trip. Anastasia and I said goodbye to our favorite toys.

As I walked through my room one last time, my gaze stopped on a small stuffed animal resting on my pillow. It was a gift from my mother, something she had given me shortly after I was born into this world. I took it in my hands, feeling its familiar softness.

With a sigh, I carefully packed it in my travel bag. Maybe it was childish to bring a stuffed animal on such an important trip, but I didn't care. It was a reminder of who I was now, of the family that loved me.

I had assumed we would be going to a nearby town or city, a day's journey at most, because in this world there were teleportation gates, I was wrong.

We were preparing for a four-week journey. A carriage ride pulled by magical beasts through the Forest of Dreams, to something called the Starlight Sanctuary where there was a portal that would take us to a city called Danafor, Royal Capital of Alfheim, Kingdom of the elves.

This journey was going to be long. In moments like these, I wished modern transportation existed. To reach the city, we would have to enter through one of the designated teleportation gates in the Sanctuary; otherwise, it would easily take months to cross the forest to reach the gate that was beneath the royal city, which floated in the center of elven territory.

Finally, our family gathered in the mansion's main courtyard. A magnificent carriage awaited us, a work of art in itself, with intricate designs carved into the wood and magical runes that glowed faintly. Promise of a safe and comfortable journey.

The carriage was pulled by two giant lizards with spikes on their backs and powerful claws, they were C-rank monsters that were much more efficient to use, although more expensive, than horses when traveling through mountainous terrain.

The servants lined up to bid us farewell, I saw my mother approach Margot, the housekeeper, an older woman who had been with us since before Anastasia's birth. —Take good care of the mansion in our absence, Margot —said my mother, clasping the woman's hands affectionately.

—Of course, my lady —replied Margot, with teary eyes—. May the gods protect you on your journey.

Finally, it was time to depart. We climbed into the carriage, and as we moved away from the mansion, Anastasia and I frantically waved goodbye. I watched as our home, the place I had come to love so much in this new life, grew smaller and smaller in the distance.

The journey was peaceful, with the gentle rattling of the carriage lulling us. I found myself looking out the window, watching as the familiar landscape gave way to unknown lands. Anastasia, seated beside me, kept pointing out every new thing she saw, with bright and shining eyes.

Soon, we crossed vast fields of flowers that changed color with the sunlight, their petals dancing in the breeze as if they were alive.

Suddenly, something caught my attention. It was big, colorful, and definitely not something I expected to see. —Look, Ana! —I shouted, pointing out the window with raised eyebrows—. Is that a giant butterfly?

Anastasia hurried to look, her eyes blinking rapidly. —It's a Papilio Maximus! I've read about them, but I never thought I'd see one!

Our mother smiled with her eyes. —Those butterflies are very rare. They say they bring good luck to those who see them.

—Does that mean our journey will be fortunate? —I asked, pursing my lips.

—With you two aboard, how could it not be? —She winked her left eye at me with a cheeky smile.

The journey continued, and with each kilometer traveled, the landscape became more and more fascinating. We crossed a forest where the trees had bright-colored bark: blue, purple, and even some that seemed to change color as we passed.

—Those are chameleon trees —mother explained when Anastasia asked about them—. They change color to adapt to their surroundings and confuse predators.

—Amazing! —exclaimed Anastasia moving her arms to her chest and putting on sad puppy eyes—. Do you think we could take one home?

Damn, that was a critical hit! I felt my heart race for an instant.

Adelaide chuckled, the sound musical and comforting. —I'm afraid not, darling. These trees need very specific conditions to grow. But maybe we can take some seeds to study.

While my sister and mother discussed the trees, my attention was caught by something else. Among the trees, I could see small blinking lights, like tiny stars dancing among the leaves.

—Mom —I called, without taking my eyes off the lights—, what are those lights between the trees?

Adelaide narrowed her eyes to see better, and a light of recognition appeared on her face. —Ah, those are firefly fairies. They're magical creatures that illuminate the forest at night. They say that if you manage to catch one, it will grant you a wish.

I felt my eyes open wide at this information. The idea of a granted wish... well, it was tempting, to say the least.

—Can we try to catch one? —I asked. For a moment, I forgot about being the mature and thoughtful child I often tried to be.

—Maybe on the return journey —my mother promised—. Now we must continue forward if we want to reach the campsite before nightfall.