I tried to open my eyes, but the light stabbed like a thousand knives. My head throbbed , a relentless drumbeat. Where ...? How ...? The memories swirled,fragmented and elusive. Atlas ... Niko ... Charlie .... The explosion. It all came crashing back, but the pieces refused to fit together.

I forced myself awake and found myself surrounded by walls and ceiling of mirrors. My reflection stare back of me from all directions each image distancelike a funhouse maze.But something was off. Each reflection showed a different version of myself. Some were scarred others bruised, and a few ... altered.

"Rivera" one reflection whispered.

"Am i dead, "I stammered, confusion and fear creeping in.-

The reflections began to speak, each one representing a distinct persona.

"I'm the soldier, one said, with a cold hardened gaze.

"I'm the survivor,"another whispered, eyes haunted.

"I'm the experiment,"a third hissed, skin marred by strange markings.

More reflections emerged , each with it's own story

"I'm the protector."

"I'm the destroyer."

"I'm the unknown."

Overwhelmed by the kaleidoscope of reflections,mirrors swirled around me, a dizzying vortex.

Everything went dark.

....

(Origin of the soldier) Alethea, the unlikely warrior:

In ancient Arkon,circa 800 BCE, Alethea was born to humble parents, her father Kael,was a skilled blacksmith and Elana,her mother a weaver. As the sun set over the city, Alethea's first cry echoed through the narrow street:

"It was like a war cry, the midwife exclamed,"

"a battle call to the gods."

Kael and Elara exchanged worried glances;

"May the gods protect our child,"Elana whispered cradling a sleeping baby Alethea

Kael's brow furrowed, his eyes fixed on Alethea:

"A war cry, you say! What does it portend?"

The midwife's expression turned solemn:Only the gods know, Kael. But mark my this child will be forged in fire and steel.

Elara's gentle voice soothed kael's worries

"Our child will find her path, love." We'll guide her

teach her compassion and wisdom."

As Alethea slept Elara's thoughts turned to the mysterious omens:

Thunderstorms subsiding, eagles soaring, stars align

What do they signify?

Alethea's First Night :-

The family's small homme grew quiet the fire

crackling softly. Kael and Elara sat vigil, watching their daughter sleep.

Suddenly, a faint hum filled the air - the sound of armor

clanking, swords clashing.

Kael's eyes met Elara's, do you hear that ?.

Elara nodded , her voice barely above a whisper.

"The gods' whispers, perhaps?"

"The hum faded, leaving an unsettling silence.

As Alethea grew up, the mysterious omens surrounding her birth influenced her upbringing.

Kael trained her in combat,honing her natural strength agility while Elara taught her diplomacy, emphasizing compassion and empathy.

She came to be known as, "Kael's daughter, the little warrior;

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Eight-year-old Alethea,her dark hair tied in a messy braid, grinned mischievously at Krys.

Today,"I'll show you my warrior skills!"

Alethea exclaimed.

Krys,his freckled face alight with excitement, brandished a sturdy stick, "You'll never defeat me, Alethea!"

The two friends clashed, their pretend battle

raging through the woods. Alethea lept over a fallen log, dodging Krys' swipe.

"You are getting slower Krys!"Alethea teased.

Krys charged, but Alethea sidestepped, using her

agility to evade. With a swift motion,she swept

Krys' stick aside and delivered a playful tap to his shoulder. Victory! Alethea exclaimed laughing.

Krys grinned,rubbing his shoulder. "You win again, Alethea!

"Unbeknownst to them, a stranger watched

from the trees.

Lyra, a seasoned warrior-priestess had been travelling through the woods, she stumbled upon

the mock battle, intrigued by Alethea's skills.

Lyra observed, her eyes narrowing as she assessed Alethea's techniques. "A natural" Lyra though.

Untrained, but possessing potential.

As Alethea and Krys parted ways,Lyra remained

hidden .

As Krys walked away, Alethea sensed a presence.

She turned, scanning the words. A figure emerged from the trees.

Lyra with an air of quiet confidence, approached Alethea, 'Greetings, young warrior." Lyra said, her voice calm and authoritative.

Alethea's Instincts kicked in.

Who are you? Alethea asked wary.

Lyra smiled warmly.

I am Lyra, a traveler and warrior-priestess, Lyra replied. " "I mean no harm."

Alethea's eyes narrowed.

A warrior?,like the ones she heard about growing up. She was intrigued and excited by the thought of a warrior-priestess but what would Lyra be doing in a village like this?.

Alethea's curiosity got the better of her.

" What brings you to our village?" Alethea asked her eyes still narrowed slightly.

Lyra's smile faltered for a moment, and Alethea caught a glimpse of something deeper in her eyes.

"I'm searching for something," Lyra said,her voice low and measured. "A place to rest, to recharge.Your village seems .... peaceful?"

Alethea's intrigue grew.

"But what would a warrior-priestess need to rest

from? Alethea asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Lyra's gaze drifted away, her eyes scanning the horizon.

"Battles are not always fought with swords, child,"Lyra

said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness

Alethea's mind raced with questions.

What kind of battles?

What had Lyra seen?

But before She could ask, Lyra's focus snapped

back to her.

"Tell me, young warrior ,what's your name? Lyra asked her smile returning .

"Alethea,"she replied, her voice clear and steady.

Warrior- Priestess Lyra's smile broadened.

"Ah,Alethea. A name fitting for a brave warrior.Your

skills in combat and strategy are impressive, especially

for one so young."

Lyra's piercing gaze held Alethea's "Tell me, Alethea, what drives you? What fuels your passion for battle?" Alethea shrugged, her eyes locked on Lyra's."I don't know.

I just have the urge for combat.

Lyra's gaze narrowed, her eyes studying Alethea's every

expression. "An urge for combat, you say?"she repeated, her voice measured.

Just as Lyra was about to respond, Krys burst through

the underbush , slightly out of breath.

"Alethea! Your mom's looking for you!" Krys called

out, glancing curiously at Lyra.

Alethea's shoulders sagged, reluctantly breaking

away from Lyra's intense gaze.

Lyra's expression turned serious.

"Remember, Alethea ... "She paused, her voice taking on a gentle, ethereal quality. "May the fire that drives

you also guide you home.

Alethea's eyes locked onto Lyra's, the words searing

themselves into her mind.

"Go,"Lyra said with a gentle smile.

"Tend to your family. We'll continue this conversation

soon."

As Alethea turned to leave, Lyra's words echoed in her

thoughts:

"May the fire that drives you also guide you home."

With a nod, Alethea followed Krys through the woods, leaving Lyra standing alone admist the trees.

.....

"Alethea, where have you been?" her mother asked, concern etched on her face.

"You've been gone all day. I was worried sick.

Alethea hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just ... exploring, mother."

Her mother's eyes narrowed. "Exploring?" Home?"

Alethea Shook her head. No, Mother. Krys was with me Her mother's expression softened slightly. "Oh, okay. But not time, tell me where you're going, okay? I was worried something happened to you.

Alethea's face broke into a mischievous grin. "What could possibly happen to someone as strong as me,

mother? "She teased, flexing her arm.

Her mother's worry dissipated ,replaced by a warm smile.

"You think you're invincible, don't you?"

Alethea chuckled. "Well aren't I?"

The tension melted away, replaced by the familiar comfort of their banter.

Her mother shook her head, laughing. "You're going to give me gray hairs, child."

Alethea giggled, relieved the conversation had taken

a lighter turn.

...

Alethea returned to the woods, again and again

hoping to cater a glimpse of Lyra,

Weeks turned into months, months into years.

The Kingdom of Everia, Alethea's home had

been at war with the rival kingdom of Tharros for

years.

Tharros' aggressive expansion, fueled by its power-hungry ruler, King Ryker, threatened Everia's borders.

The war effort had been contained,thanks to Everia's strong military and strategic alliances.

But containment wasn't victory

Tharros' relentless push eventually broke through Everia's defenses.

Four years of relative calm ended in devastating chaos.

Lyra,deployed to the front lines, fought valiantly

against Tharros' forces.

Meanwhile, Alethea's visits to the woods continued, driven by a mix of nostalgia and longing.

One fateful day, Alethea ventured into the woods,

unaware of the catastrophe unfolding behind her.

Tharros' forces had breached Everia's inner lands, razing villages and cities.

The village, once a sanctuary was now a battleground.

As she walked, the familiar trees seemed to loom,

casting long shadows.

Suddenly,a faint smell of smoke wafted through the air.

Alethea's instincts stirred.

She quickened her pace, anxiety creeping in.

Emerging from the woods,her village came into view.

Or what was left of it.

Homes lay in ruins , smoke billowing from charred remains . Bodies scattered the ground, motionless. Alethea's world crumbled.

She stumbled forward, her mind reeling.

The village, her family, her friends....gone.

Trauma gripped her. Fear, panic, and grief swirled. Alethea's vision blurred, tears streamed down.

She called out, desperation echoing.

" Mother!"

Silence replied

The destruction seemed endless, Alethea's heart shattered. Her soul scarred.