Lyra's eyes shot open, her whole body jolting with a burning sensation. She frantically scanned the room, trying to figure out where the pain was coming from. It wasn't until she saw the scorch mark on the bedspread that she realized it was her own hand causing it. Panic rising within her, she held up her trembling hand and watched in horror as a burst of fire erupted from her fingertips, setting the canopy above her ablaze. Lyra let out a bloodcurdling scream as the flames engulfed the canopy. She bolted out of bed as Damian and the twin maids rushed in panicked.

“What’s wrong?!?!? Are you ok?!?!” Damian frantically asked before noticing the bonfire that used to be her bed.

Oddly upon noticing that he calmed down and chuckled.

The twins joined in before yelling to an unseen maid “We’ve got another one, call in Corbin and inform the Queen.”

Lyra's mind was in a state of disarray. The word "queen" echoed in her head, leaving her deeply perplexed. And then there was the mention of another one - what did it all mean? How could those around her remain so composed while her room burned to ashes before her very eyes? The maids asked her to leave the room. In her confused state she wasn’t paying attention and bumped into something or rather someone.

Before she could stumble to the ground, strong hands reached out and grasped her arm, pulling her back upright. She looked up to see a man who appeared to be about the same age as her father. His frame was lean and lanky, with tousled brown hair and sharp features hidden behind wire-rimmed glasses. He wore a crisp lab coat, giving off an air of professionalism and intellect.

“Oh dear,” he stated looking down on her with concern “I hope my carelessness didn’t get you hurt princess.”

“Oh no I’m fine” she assured him.

Feeling reassured, he released her arm and rushed into the room. Curious Lyra poked her head through the doorway just in time to witness the man summon a large sphere of water seemingly out of thin air and use it to put out the blazing fire. Lyra

mind was in chaos. She couldn't believe what she had just witnessed - the fire she had conjured up, the mysterious man who controlled water. Was her new-found power connected to their role as keepers? And the man's words echoed in her mind - calling her princess. Was there something more to her identity? So many questions swirled in Lyra's head, leaving her feeling conflicted and overwhelmed. As the Sarah and Samantha exited the room the man followed quickly behind and approached her.

“I’m sorry it seems in all that rush i forgot to introduce myself” he sheepishly chuckled, “my name is Corbin and I’m an undine as you can see.”

Lyra just stared back at him confused.

“Oh, I’m sorry I just got back from a mission and wasn’t informed about how much you know” he paused as if wondering how much information to give her.

Before he could say any more Sarah interrupted their conversation.

“It’s probably best that she hear it from the queen don’t you think Corbin?” she Stated glaring at him.

Corbin didn’t respond just gave her a bow and scurried off down the hall.

“Luckily the queen had some clothes delivered today for you so we haven’t suffered too much of a loss, and don’t worry your room will be good as new by the end of the day.” Sarah promised.

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The twins led her to a nearby guest room, where they helped her change into a simple but elegant blue dress. As they brushed out her tangled hair, Lyra asked the questions burning in her mind.

"Why did you call my grandmother 'the Queen'? And what exactly is an 'undine'?" she asked.

Samantha and Sarah exchanged a glance. "We really shouldn't say too much," Samantha replied gently. "The Queen will explain everything soon."

Before Lyra could press further, there was a knock at the door. Dorian entered and bowed slightly. "Her Majesty requests your presence in the throne room, Princess Lyra."

There it was again. That word. Princess. Lyra's head spun as she followed Dorian through the winding halls. The throne room was a cavernous expanse. The walls were covered in rich tapestries, their threads woven with scenes of mythical creatures and heroic deeds. Sunlight, filtered through stained glass windows that depicted the family crest, cast an ethereal glow on the polished marble floor.

At the far end of the room, a towering, ebony throne stood as a stark contrast to the opulent surroundings. Its backrest was carved with the image of a phoenix; its wings outstretched as if in eternal flight. The throne itself was draped in crimson velvet, and gold inlay traced intricate patterns along its arms and base. Sitting on the throne was her grandmother, who immediately rose and descended to wrap her in a hug.

"You must have been startled," she remarked, concern evident in her tone. "Even your father was when this happened to him."

"Wait this happened to my father as well?" Lyra exclaimed in surprise.

"It seems I've left out some Important points in our story," she said, silently chastising herself for forgetting the most important details.

She lead Lyra to one of the benches along the wall.

"Lyra, there's a world that exists side by side with your own. We elementals exist silently lurking just beyond the veil." She began.

"Wait, are you saying we aren't on Earth?" Lyra questioned.

"Not quite," she clarified, her gaze steady on Lyra's wide eyes. "The veil is a delicate barrier that separates your world from our magical realm. It serves not just to shield humans from the perils that lurk within, but also to conceal our very existence. Numerous entrances exist throughout the territory, but gaining access is not as simple as walking through. Each passage is guarded by the ruling authority, and permission must be granted for any crossing. Without that, the magic remains hidden, and we remain whispers in the wind, shadowed figures that silently weave through the fabric of your reality."

"Ruling authority?" Lyra murmured, "Does this have something to do with you being called Queen?"

Cordelia chuckled. "Yes, we are the ruling authority of this country, Luminara. There is also Nocturna, ruled by the Umbrae; Nereidia, ruled by the Undine; Verdantia, ruled by the Sylvari; Frostholm, ruled by the Glacians; Earthspire, ruled by the Basaltans; and Forsaken Glade, a place with no ruler or rules. You must never venture there its full of people who've been banished and hidden danger."

"Ok. What does this all have to do with what happened this morning?" Lyra questioned.

"Well all of the people who live in these areas have special powers unique to them. I'll be getting you a teacher to go into more detail on the other countries but Luminara's specialty is fire. The power to wield it and control it." Cordelia carefully watched that information sink in before continuing."Most of the citizens of Luminara posses some extent of this ability but the royals are the strongest."

"Then I wasn't crazy the fire did react to me." Lyra whispered amazed.

Suddenly a heavy weight fell on her chest. If only her powers had awakened sooner she could've saved her parents from their demise. The raw power within her felt like a cruel joke and the sorrow clung to her like a shroud a haunting reminder that the flame within her had lain dormant when she needed it the most. Seeing the sorrow in her eyes Cordelia pulled her into a hug.

"Child, even if the flame had manifested sooner there's no telling whether you could've controlled it." She comforted her.

Lyra pulled back and wiped the tears from her eyes silently vowing to harness the power within her so she would never have to stand powerless again.