https://i.imgur.com/LuyfkkY.jpg [https://i.imgur.com/LuyfkkY.jpg]

The young princess stood before the mirror the same as she always did, judging her reflection. After so long, she had the amazing opportunity to spend a short time with her grandmother. They spoke of a lot of things. Things that she wasn't aware of. Things that were admittingly hard to believe. But Gran had come with both good and bad news.

She decided that the bad news should be first, since her life thus far had been pretty bad as it was. How could bad news be any worse than her current life? She was told that the very night that the curse had been administered, she had been in her room, looking into the mirror. The ceremony was starting and she wanted to look perfect for it. This is why she always awoke each day like this for the last five hundred years, which she already understood. But what she didn't know was that it was her mother who was responsible for it all. Gran had told her everything about the evil queen and her sinister plot to possess the throne.

She continued to gaze into the mirror, only this time, she didn't look upon herself in blameful pity, but in anxious curiosity. She knew that before long, she would meet a mysterious woman named Sonia, who had somehow awakened Gran from her curse, in part of course, but whether it be in part or all together, didn't matter. This was the good news. This woman had the potential ability to wake up everyone in the cathedral, even her father. And above all, she was no longer going to be alone. How exciting! But at the same time, she wasn't sure how she would feel about Sonia. Who was she, and why was she here? Actually, HOW was she here? There was powerful magic that prevented people from wondering onto the property, and it also prevented its occupants from leaving. So how did she manage to reach the cathedral in the first place?

She contemplated the possibility of Sonia being a spy for the evil queen. Is that something that her mother would do? She didn't think that there be a point to that? Why would she need a spy? There was nobody in the old cathedral that could possibly cause the evil queen any trouble. So the likelihood of Sonia being a spy was rather un-likely, but that didn't mean that she wasn't evil.

The poor girl has spent the past five hundred years thinking about the meaning of evil. what is evil? What does it mean to be evil? Surely it wasn't just about breaking sacred laws. Everyone knew that it was bad to kill or steal, but what about pretending to be good while harboring ill intentions; to be a wolf in sheep's clothing; to do good while plotting an evil outcome. Isn't that the worst kind of evil? It was to her. She was realizing this now.

She had loved her mother so much; did everything that she asked for and more. How was it possible for her to abandon her family and leave them cursed for an eternity? How could she do that?

She had to come to terms with the reality that her mother didn't love her. Even before she came into being as a princess to a god king, the evil woman had plotted to take the throne for herself. Even going as far as to marry and have a child with a man she didn't love.

"I know that I'm young and naïve. I don't understand the ill intentions of evil people. I can't even imagine inflicting harm on others, or doing them wrong. I can't imagine the thought of taking pleasure in the pain of others. I could never! But I do somewhat understand the reason someone would want to marry my father."

A marriage between gods was more than just a simple ceremony. When gods came together in marriage, the females inherited power from their husbands, but her father was no ordinary god. He was a king. The girl didn't understand it fully, but knew that marrying the king, meant inheriting his family crest, a mark of magic that granted an individual great power and authority over the people of the realm. To have possession of the crest meant having the power over the realm itself, which, she supposed is what her mother wanted all along. She has now been in possession of the crest for a considerable amount of time. Enough time to do whatever she pleased in her father's absence. What madness has her mother rought while possessing the family's name? What do the other families think of all that has been done? She shuddered at the thought. Her family's name, which once held the most powerful influence in all of Celestia, was now reduced to nothing; the name was nothing more then just a legend.

But, were things changing now? Who is Sonia, and if she is indeed the Silver Queen, then what does that mean for her mother? If Sonia was also in possession of the family crest, what did that make her? Was she also a queen? Was it possible for there to be two queens? She didn't understand any of it, and she wasn't sure if she believed any of it as well, but she would be as patient as she could and wait to see how things unfolded. Anxious curiosity, indeed.

Laughter rang from down the hall, snapping the young girl back to reality. She couldn't help but to smile and roll her eyes at the silly old woman that came for her. Her grandmother never took anything too seriously, which was a good thing in a reality filled with anguish. Her loving silliness was welcome.

A knock was heard at the door, and then it opened, revealing the two woman behind it. The princess could tell that the woman was anxious and scared. But why would she be scared? For a moment, their eyes held one another in an awkward gaze, until Gran cut in and broke the silence.

"What's with the blinkless stares? Are we still made of stone?" She scoffed, slapping Sonia on the back. It wasn't painful, but an unusual force sent her stumbling through the doorway.

"Gran, give the poor woman a break." The girl said, catching the stumbling woman from falling at her feet. "And you, how old are you? Don't you know how to walk?"

"Umm, yeah, usually. My name is Sonia, how are you?" Sonia said, fidgeting with her raggedly torn blouse. The blouse itself was still perfectly white, thanks to Grans mysterious bottled potion that was poured over her when she was unconscious. However, it was torn in a few places, and it was only thanks to her denim jacket that she was able to cover herself.

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"I know what your name is, you silly mortal. Gran already told me." She said, looking upon the woman in slight disgust at her appearance. "I think before we say anything more, though, you are going to need some better clothes, don't you think? I feel like I'm speaking to an degenerate. The girl said, leaving Sonia gawping with her mouth open.

The princess glided over to an old wardrobe and opened it. With a finger on her lips, she looked back at the ragged woman and then at the various clothes contained within.

"Hmmm, I think you would look quite lovely in blue." She said, producing a baby blue colored sun dress, she held it out in front of her, picturing it on the woman. Satisfied, she handed it to Sonia and waited for her to put it on.

"Well, what are you waiting for, put it on." The princess chided.

"You want me to put it on now, in front of you?"

"What's the problem, we're all woman. Or do you have some deformity you don't want us to see?"

"No, it's just awkward." Sonia said. Turning her back, she took off her clothes and quickly slipped into the pretty blue dress, smiling at the feeling of the fabric against her skin. It was super comfy.

"I love it! Thank you!"

"It's lovely on you, you're welcome." The princess replied. "So what's the plan for the day?" The girl asked. Gran peered out the nearest window.

"I think, we all could use some fresh air. Let's go for a walk. You can show us around." Gran said, beaming at her granddaughter.

"A walk? That sounds kind of boring." She said rudely.

"Is that really how you feel? I would think that after five hundred years of being alone, there wouldn't be anything I wouldn't do, or no place I wouldn't go if I was reunited with my family." Sonia said, looking at the princess with shocked disapproval.

The girl flinched at Sonia's words

"Shut up, mortal. I didn't ask for your stupid opinion." She said, turning her head away from the other two. Inwardly, she was ashamed by her words, but she couldn't admit to Sonia that she was right. Why was she speaking like this? Sonia didn't deserve it. For some reason, she couldn't help but to lash out against this new woman, but why? In any case, she was right. Even a walk would be a wonderful thing accompanied by others.

"F...Fine, let's go for a walk. It is rather nice outside, especially after that storm. And besides, I have a lovely flower garden that I would like to share. If...You want."

"I would love that! That sounds awesome!" Sonia said. The princess appreciated Sonia's excitement, and before long, the three woman made their way down the spiral staircase and out of the front doors of the cathedral.

Sonia's new dress flowed in the gentle breeze, and she couldn't help but to smile at the site and feel of it. She wasn't used to wearing dresses, but she couldn't deny how comfortable and free she felt in it. She didn't think that her old worn out sneakers went well with it, so she took them off and walked in the cool grass. After seeing her do this, the other two woman followed suit, and together, the three of them laughed as they walked barefoot through the lush green lawn.

"There is a nice trail that I made that winds its way through the woods and comes out near the river. I've walked it many times before, but it'll be the first time I've walked it with others." Said the princess. The tree woman walked arm in arm, with Gran in the middle. The old woman took a deep and long breath. What a wonderful day it was to spend it with such wonderful people. She couldn't help but to tear up with emotions. Actually, all three woman were filled with emotions, and were expressing it in different ways. Both Sonia and Gran knew that the princess's rude outbursts were just that. Emotions. The poor girl needed some love, and she would certainly receive it.

Sonia found out that the start of the trail was actually the area to which she entered the property. Now that it was daylight, she could see the trail clearly. Sonia loved the woods, and now that she was healthy and strong, she was able to enjoy the walk through the lush forest with pleasure.

Twigs snapped and leaves crunched under the feet of the trio as they made their way around the forest, the light of the sun peeked through here and there through the trees. Sonia could tell where the magic began and where it ended as the plant life changed from earth life to the vibrant vegetation of Celestia. There were plants that Sonia didn't recognize and she though it best not to touch them.

"So, Sonia, tell us about yourself. How have you come to stay here at the our cathedral?" Asked the princess. She was burning to learn more about this strange woman who broke a powerful curse.

"Oh, well...It's embarrassing." Sonia said, looking down at her bare feet.

"There's no need for that here, dear. You're among friends now." Gran chimed in, bumping her shoulder into hers with a smile. Go on, love. How have you come to grace us with your wonderful presence?"

It's true, what did she have to fear? Hopefully, her old life was far behind her. And hopefully, she would never have to see her ex ever again.

"I was running away from home. You see, my boyfriend and I got into a big fight and he hurt me pretty badly. I arrived with so many broken bones, that it's a miracle that I'm still alive." Sonia said softly.

The two goddess's remained silent, thinking. Gran remembered the condition that Sonia was in before she healed her. Did a man do that to her? Gran's heart sank at the thought.

"I'm sorry you went through that, my dear. But those times are behind you. You're with us now." She said

The young girl remained silent, not knowing what to say. For a man to inflict harm on a woman, how barbaric.

"If you ever see him again, we'll surly punish him, that arsehole." The girl said. The three woman stopped in their tracks, and stared at one another.

"What?" asked the girl. Gran and Sonia glanced at each other before bursting into laughter. The young princess soon joined them.

"Hey! I meant it, we'll surely punish that monster. I'll write up the wanted poster once we get back. We'll hang it up somewhere in the cathedral just as a reminder."

"Sounds good." Sonia said.

"You know," Sonia started. "I would like to know more about who you guys are, and about this Celestia I keep hearing about. Tell me about it. I would love to hear of it."

"That would be a long and arduous story, wouldn't it," the girl said.

"Indeed, it would." Gran confirmed. "But it is a story that needs to be told, if Sonia is going to help us."

Before long, the three woman made their way through the forest trails, coming out into the clearing toward the back of the cathedral, where there was a large, gentle flowing river. The young girl ran down to water's edge and sat down on a sunny patch of grass, dipping her feet into the water.

"This is my favorite spot on this whole lousy property. Right here." The girl said, kicking her feet in the water. The three girls sat there together , enjoying the sun and the breeze, kicking their feet in the river.

"Now, where do we begin?" Asked Gran.

"Tell me about Celestia, and the people that reside there." Sonia said.

"That, I'll do. Celestia, the beautiful land of gods."