16 years ago..

The wind of the night violently blasted the castle's frame, although its magnificent pearlescent walls failed to acknowledge the presence. The castle was large enough to house the most important figures and its peak reached the height of a small mountain. The building was truly an architectural masterpiece, with defense towers and stationed guards littering the perimeter it seemed almost impregnable. The harsh beating of the wind was in direct contrast to the rhythmic stepping of feet that echoed throughout the silent halls. A white and gold robe dragged on the floor behind them following the figure towards the two wooden doors at the end of the hall. Her hair was long. Long enough it almost touched the floor, seeming to imitate the robe. It was of golden stature and had a hue that lit the halls more so than the candles. Her face was stern but flawless, perhaps this was an illusion covered by her reluctance to make an expression. Her strides were filled with angst which only seemed to enlarge the deeper into the hallway she got. Eventually her unwavering gaze was met with the old and rustic doors at the end of the tunnel.

They creaked loudly as the woman flung them open. A dark and tiny room was revealed, it was so littered with books and paper that neither the floor nor walls were visible. The woman dropped her robe to the ground revealing a large hump on her stomach, she was in the late stages of pregnancy.

“O great Matron I have come seeketh thy wisdom. Bestow upon me the fruits of your trial.” The woman anxiously remarked as she dropped down to her knees.

“Very well.” many voices hissed as if there were multiple speakers in the room. The dimly lit candles began to roar with light and heat brightening the room to a frightening level.

“Thy child is not but a child, surely its essence will have an impact on many.” The soon to be mother seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

“However.” The books and paper began to viciously swirl in the air.

“We sense great peril ahead. Peril so great the child can not survive. Beware of a boy plagued by the mark.” The voices warned as they faded back into silence along with the flames and energy enveloped in the air.

“What do you mean?! Is my child going to be safe? Help me please!!” The now crying woman anxiously blurted. After taking a long moment to collect herself and calm down the same stern look was implanted onto her face as she straightened up and began to make the walk back to the main area of the castle.

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Present day…

“Look daddy! It’s a shooting star, make a wish!” A little girl gleefully cheered as a shining streak of light shone across the night sky leaving a golden trail in its wake. However the streak began to deviate from its path and dance through the air like an untied balloon, it soared high enough to be a star then dove to the ground like a hungry eagle.

“WOOHOO!! Ahaha! I never thought the night sky would be so beautiful in person!” The streak of light gleefully chuckles to itself as its true form begins to take shape. The culprit was a radiant princess, her golden locks swayed through the night as she soared through the heavens, her ethereal glow casting a luminous tapestry of light across the star-studded sky, weaving magic into the very fabric of the realm. Resting gracefully upon her golden tresses, the tiara gleamed like a miniature constellation, its delicate filigree adorned with precious gemstones that mirrored the brilliance of the stars, adding a celestial touch to her regal countenance.

“The wind! The trees! Everything feels so real!” The princess was encountering a world she could only glimpse in dreams. Towering trees swayed gracefully, their leaves whispering secrets carried by the wind. As the cool breeze kissed her face, it was a symphony of newfound sensations.

“It sure beats all of the pictures I’ve seen in books! I should be careful though. Mother is probably searching for me already.” Her smile began to fade upon this revelation and the golden glow she emitted flickered with it. The princess fell into a trance and time seemed to freeze as she was flung into a chamber of the past. Her legs began to shake and lips quivered upon finding herself back in her body from years past.

Within the castle's courtyard, the air echoed with the joyous laughter of children. Their playful spirits intertwined with the sunlight that streamed down, creating an untouchable veil of innocence and happiness the princess couldn’t reach.

“Sera! What do you think you are doing! Get away from the window!” An angry voice snapped from behind. Sera, now panicking, darted back behind the cover of the wall.

“I’m sorry mother.. I just want to play with the other kids.” The young girl faintly sighed with her head pointed low.

“You know it is too dangerous for you to be outside. You must always stay with me, being the miracle child people will want you for themselves. As your mother I am only trying to protect you. Come now, they are waiting for us. The mother peacefully remarked before dragging Sera off into the darkness.

A thunderous roar echoed through the stillness, jolting the princess out of her trance. The reverberating cry of a mighty creature shattered the silence, forcing her startled gaze to the source as the raw power of the sound worked as a potent antidote, breaking the chains of her distress. Princess sera instinctively began to fly off once again towards the source, a massive Teldrawood tree. A common feeding ground for the Emberflare eagle.