They hid the narrow stained glass windows portraying heavenly creatures behind drapes of the same onyx shade as the banners. The drapes had burnished corners and embellished edges, adding to the grandeur of the hall.
The magnificent chandelier casts a warm glow across the room, illuminating the intricacies of the throne’s wooden carvings. The teak wood is polished to a shine, making the emblems and symbols etched into it stand out even more. Four unremarkable chairs are placed beside the throne for the use of the royal family.
Each armrest of the throne has a lantern made of jewels and gems embedded into it, casting a soft light on the cushioned pillows that are covered in dark onyx fabric with golden lace trim. Stained glass windows depicting divine beings, tinted in the same dark shade as the banners and curtains, line the walls and are concealed by elaborately decorated drapes.
As she gazed upon the grand hall, she couldn’t help but imagine what it must have looked like in its prime when royalty resided there. The countless gilded oak benches, arranged in a V-shape facing the throne, must have been filled with eager spectators waiting to catch a glimpse of their royal highness. And those of higher standing would have occupied the gilded mezzanines, facing the throne from above.
But now, the hall lay abandoned, succumbing to the elements and gradually returning to nature. It was a bittersweet sight, for while she mourned the loss of its former glory, she also found beauty in its quiet decay.
She approached the Portal, her heart racing with anticipation. She knew that once she stepped through, there would be no turning back. But she was determined to do whatever it takes to save the village and make amends for her past mistakes. With a deep breath, she stepped through the shimmering gateway and into the unknown realm beyond.
She stepped forward into the alluring portal hidden behind an altar and emerged on the other side, behind a cascading waterfall. Instantly, she was met with the beauty of a new world. A gentle breeze brushed against her skin, and the rain falling from the sky washed away her worries, immediately relaxing her. This world seemed to emanate a calming energy that soothed her soul.
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She couldn’t shake off the feeling that danger was lurking around every corner, despite the peaceful environment. She knew better than to trust everything at face value in this world, as it was where she came from.
As she scanned her surroundings, she noticed the presence of familiar-looking creatures in the distance, but there was something off about them. They were observing her intently, almost like predators stalking their prey. She knew better than to let her guard down in this world, despite its peaceful appearance.
In addition to the familiar creatures, she also spotted thin and agile creatures, flying creatures soaring above, and scaly creatures lurking around. All of these were enough to make her tread carefully and choose her path with caution.
Despite the strangeness of the world, she felt confident in her ability to gather the necessary supplies that would last her in this new realm. She knew that with her self-defense skills, creativity, and resourcefulness, she would be able to explore and discover everything this world had to offer.
She started to search for a place to rest and gather her thoughts. As she walked, she saw a small village in the distance. She decided to make her way there to see if she could find any information about this new world.
As she approached the village, she noticed the houses were made of a material she had never seen before. They were tall and narrow, with slanted roofs that seemed to almost touch the ground. The villagers themselves were peculiar, with large pointed ears and eyes that seemed to glow in the dark.
She cautiously approached one of the villagers and asked if they knew anything about the realm she was in. The villager simply smiled and said, “Welcome to the land of the fae, where magic reigns and anything is possible.”
The villager went on to explain that in this realm, magic was a part of everyday life and that the fae were the guardians of this world. They lived in harmony with nature and all the creatures that inhabited it.
Feeling overwhelmed and slightly scared, she asked the villager how she could return to her realm. The villager simply replied, “Only those who possess magic can open the portals between worlds. Perhaps the fae queen can assist you in your quest.”
With a newfound determination, she thanked the villager and made her way toward the fae queen’s palace, hoping that she could assist her in finding a way back to her world.
The tune was getting louder and clearer as she walked in the direction of the sound. It was a familiar melody, one that she had heard countless times before. She quickened her pace and followed the tune until she found herself at the entrance of a cave.