https://i.imgur.com/ex8qyAZ.jpg [https://i.imgur.com/ex8qyAZ.jpg]

How should I explain our world? You could think of it as a great and vast tree, where each branch is a separate realm ruled by it's own king. This is Celestia, and the roots of the great tree is the mortal realm. Each branch is connected to its own root. So, each divine realm has its own mortal world. Does this make sense?" Asked Gran. Sonia's eyes were glued on Gran as she began to explain the world of gods. Not to mention, she was still very much entranced by the striking blue glow of her divine eyes, which she found hard not to stare into.

"Yes, that makes sense. There is both mortal and immortal worlds that are connected to one another. But is there a way to travel between each of the realms?"

"Of course there is, you dolt. Otherwise, how would we know about them?" The young girl answered.

"Fair point." Sonia said. Gran continued.

"I've been to several realms in my lifetime. Why, when I was young and stupid, I was saved from a terrifying death by a beautiful spider goddess, while I was traveling between realms. Her name was Arecha. She taught me how to spin divine thread and how to manipulate dreams and memories. That is how I became the goddess I am today. A very fond memory. But to answer your question with respect," Gran said, eyeballing the rude girl. "There are specific divine gates that we use to travel between worlds. There are other ways, of course, but they go against the divine law."

"I see, so it's like entering into a country illegally. That makes sense. Please continue." Sonia said.

Are you sure I'm not boring you, my dear? We can stop any time you like."

No, of course not, are you kidding me? I find all of this very interesting. I'm enjoying it very much. I admit, I thought I would be much more confused than I am, but so far, everything you said makes a lot of sense. The only reason any of it would be hard to believe is because I've never seen it, but you two are obviously not from this world, and I see you as plain as day, so I've no reason to doubt you.

Gran smiled and nodded in appreciation.

"The only thing truly complicated about our world are the various politics within the realms. I'm so glad I'm not among the counsel. What a headache that would be." Gran chuckled, pulling her legs out of the water and watching as it ran down her shins and onto the grassy earth. The sun was warm and bright, and the time they spent near the river's edge was quite lovely. Gran observed the young woman next to her. Sonia was her name, and she had broken a powerful curse freeing her from a five hundred year sleep, but that wasn't the miracle. The delightful young woman, who was happy, bright and far loving than most mortals, had endured so much sorrow throughout her life, but it never broke her spirit. She was the miracle. Gran couldn't help but to love her, and it shown on her smile.

"What about animals. Are they similar to this world, or are they different?" Sonia asked, excited curiosity shown all over her face, which made Gran laugh as she splashed her playfully. All three girls splashed one another, the sound of laughter rang about the large property, where the old cathedral stood, tall and silent.

"I imagine the animal life is much similar to what you're used to." Gran answered.

"Except the occasional dragon. I have yet to see one of those here." Said the young princess.

"You have dragons!" Sonia shouted. "that's awesome! I'd love to see one!"

"They're not friendly, stupid." The princess said, splashing her teasingly. "You'd get eaten before you've even seen the royal palace. You're starting to sound like someone we'd have to escort everywhere, just to keep you out of trouble."

"Yeah, probably. That sounds about right." Sonia admitted. The girls continued their laughter and playful antics, until the sun shown low in the sky. The time to say goodbye for the day was approaching. Soon, the two goddess's would be turned back into stone, leaving Sonia alone until the next morning when they would come back to life.

"Hey, didn't you say that you had a flower garden that you wanted to show us? Where is it?" Sonia asked.

"Oh, that's right! I forgot about that. Yes, let's go see it. We have plenty of time before the sun goes down. Let's go!" The princess said excitedly.

They made their way up the hill toward the back of the cathedral. As soon as they reached the top, the garden came into full view. Sonia gasped childly at the site of it. There were so many of varying shapes and colors. Most of them she had never seen before. She assumed they were not of this world. The garden was large and gorgeous, vibrant with whites, pinks, and reds, with a path leading to a circle cut out in the center.

"Wow, I love this one, what's it called?" The girl looked at Sonia incredulously with judging eyes.

"That's a common lily , you dunce. You don't know what a lily is?"

"Oh. I guess I didn't." Sonia said. Feeling stupid, she refrained from asking further questions. The girl sighed.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"I'm sorry, Sonia. Look here." She presented her favorite spot in the garden with a sweep of her hand. "This is where I sit and think, sometimes. Well, I used to, that is. Those were the days when I felt the most lonely." The young girl hung her head in slight embarrassment. When she looked back up, her teary eyes caught Sonia's gaze. Seeing the look in the young girl's blue eyes, Sonia put a hand over her mouth to keep herself from crying.

"I know I'm just a stupid mortal, but as long as I'm here, you will never be lonely again. I promise you."

The young princess half smiled, ushering Sonia into the circle with her.

"Come, sit with me, and I'll tell you a secret."

Sonia joined her in the middle of the garden and sat facing her. The girl grabbed Sonia's hands and held them tightly, her wet blue eyes dripping with tears.

"My family's curse is my fault." She said plainly.

"No, you silly child." Gran said, jumping into the circle and embracing the vulnerable girl. "This is not your fault. How can you say that? It has always been my fault." The old woman said. "I wasn't a good enough mother." The two goddess's cried for each other. It was hard for Sonia to watch, so she cried too.

"But Mother and Father were happier without me. I ruined everything." The girl cried. Her tears came relentlessly.

"Who told you such a stupid thing? Huh? Who said it? Gran shouted. The girl was silent for a moment, afraid to say it, in fear that it was true.

"Mother told me, the night of the ceremony. She said that my father was not the same king that he was before I was born. She said that he changed because of me. It's my fault. And that is the true reason why I never came down from my room to join you that day. I was ashamed."

"What could I possibly do or say to these two that would comfort them? What could a stupid mortal do?"

Sonia felt helpless, not knowing what to say. What else could she do but remained silent and listen?

"It's true, you know. You changed him. If only you knew how wonderful that is, though." Gran said, stroking her granddaughter's hair.

"How is it wonderful? Was he not happier without me?"

"He was certainly not. In fact, you gave him more happiness and purpose then he ever felt possible. His true purpose began when you were born. For he was not always a good king."

"What does that mean?" The girl asked. Gran giggled through her tears.

"Hmmm, let me tell you a story, my dear. Long ago, there was a great and powerful demon lord, greatly feared by all. This demon conquered much of Celestia, carving a path of destruction in his wake. A great battle took place between the Demon king and the mighty Silver Queen that shook all the realms. The battle raged on for many days, until a child was born. The raging battle halted for a time, but because of the child, it never continued. There was something about the child that melted the evil king's heart. The once evil king became good and respected god. So, you could say that it wasn't the strength of the Silver Queen that defeated him, but the love of his beautiful daughter. This is your father's history. "

The girl was silent for a long while, contemplating the words that were spoken. Was this true? Was her father a demon? And if it was also true that her existence had a positive influence, then maybe, just maybe, she could live with that.

"I miss my father." She said.

"I miss him too, Love. Some day, we will see him again in the real world. But until then, we will have to meet him in our dreams, which reminds me, it is almost time. Let us be on our way." Gran said, helping the child to her feet.

"It doesn't matter, really. The stupid curse forces us back into the building whether we want to or not."

Gran smiled. "Even so, we had a wonderful day, didn't we? let us have another tomorrow. I can't wait."

"You're right, we have every day from now on. I'm so thankful." The girl said, grabbing Sonia's hand. "Let us be on our way, and say a proper goodnight.

They walked back into the cathedral and down the great hall. The candles and torches, filled with magic, began to light one after another, filling the hall with a golden glow. They stopped before the great king and admired him. The two goddess's missed him greatly.

"To think that he was a demon, how crazy." Sonia thought. "But if he's anything like these two, he can't be that bad, right?

Upon seeing the plaque at the king's feet, she was reminded that he was without a name. As the plaque stated, he was a nameless king. And she remembered Gran once saying that the kingdom itself was stripped of its identity. What did that mean?

"Gran, can I asked you a question?"

"Other than the one you just asked, certainly." Gran replied.

You once said that the kingdom had been stripped of its identity. What does that mean, exactly? Did the curse make your people forget their names?"

"Ah, dear, our names have been erased from existence, never to be remembered again. Everyone I know and knew, no longer remembers the name I once carried. Even to Arecha, who taught me the magic specialty that I love and cherish, I am nothing but a nameless memory. We, at a literal sense, are nobodies. We have come to terms with it, so it is nothing that you need to concern yourself with."

Sonia was quiet for a moment as she looked upon the empty throne. She thought to herself, that if she was queen, she would grant them a new identity. Would that be possible? Her heart ached for the two goddess's and their pain.

Due to Sonia's sudden silence, the two goddess's became worried for her.

"Hey, don't worry. All will be well now that you and Gran are here. We have each other." Said the princess. "Sonia?"

"Sonia?" Said Gran. She reached out for Sonia's shoulder, who turned around to face them. They gasped at the sight of her. Her eyes were radiating divine light.

"I have a desire for something, and I have decided that it will be so." Sonia said. Not looking back, she jumped high in the air, and seated herself into the empty throne. Immediately, the flames of the candles and torches blazed brighter. With a sweeping motion of her hand, she made a powerful declaration to all in the hall. The family crest shone brightly on her forehead, a shimmering green and blue light. When she spoke, her voice thundered throughout the hall. The two goddess's fell to their knees in her presence.

"What's happening?" the young girl exclaimed. Gran's smile was wide on her face.

"The Queen is speaking."

"Gran, wise and nurturing. You love and are loved by all. Today I bestow onto you a new identity. Your name is Susan.

"what? My name?"

Princess, cunning and bright, I feel it in my soul that your innermost desire is the help others. Your love is like the flowers in your garden, beautiful and radiant. All of Celestia deserves to know you and be loved by you, and so I bestow onto you, a new identity. Your name is Sara. Your names are thus and thus it shall be. I have spoken."

The light in Sonia's eyes went out, and the sigil on her forehead disappeared, along with the light of the candles and torches. Like a balloon being deflated, Sonia's eyes closed and her body collapsed in her throne as she fell fast asleep, exhausted.

The hour struck as the end of the day arrived, and as the two goddess's looked at one another, the girl shouted as the magic began to pull her away, disappearing into dust.

"What in the bloody hell was that!"