Chapter 2:
The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the palace balcony where two women stood, locked in a discreet kiss. The queen, a regal woman with grey hair and piercing blue eyes, and Maxima, her trusted advisor and closest confidant, were lost in the moment, their bodies pressed close together like two puzzle pieces fitting perfectly together as they whispered sweet nothings to each other.
They were like a rose and a thorn, complementing each other's existence in a delicate balance of love and power. But just as things were about to get more heated, a knock interrupted their intimate moment.
The queen pulled away from Maxima, her eyes flicking towards the door with a hint of irritation.
"Who could that be?" She murmured, her hand still lingering on Maxima's cheek. Maxima shrugged, her own frustration matching the queen's.
"I'll go see," she said, planting a quick kiss on the queen's lips before turning towards the door.
As Maxima opened the door, a knight in full armor stood before her. He bowed deeply, his helmet tucked under his arm.
"My queen," he said, "I bring news of a great discovery. We've found a magic stone, unlike any we have ever seen before, has been found on the northern frontier. It is said to possess powers unlike any other, and it is of the utmost importance that it be brought to you immediately."
The queen's eyes lit up with interest, and she looked at Maxima with excitement.
"Ah, Excellent. I don't really think we will going to discovered new stone, I thought we discovered all the stone" she said, her hand once again finding Maxima's.
"Let us see this stone immediately," the queen said, her voice filled with excitement and anticipation. She couldn't wait to see the newly discovered magic stone that had been brought to her attention.
The knight, who had been the one to reveal the existence of the stone, bowed respectfully before presenting a box to the queen. He carefully lifted the lid of the gray box, revealing the stone nestled on a pillow within. The queen's eyes lit up with wonder as she took in the sight of the stone. It was like a dark mirror, reflecting the light and casting a mesmerizing glow that seemed to dance and change with every movement.
"Wow... This is beautiful!" the queen exclaimed, her gaze fixed on the stone. She reached out to touch it, her fingers running over the smooth surface. "What have you named this beautiful thing?" she asked, looking up at the knight.
"It is called the Mirror Stone, Your Majesty," the knight replied, still bowing in respect. "It was discovered on the northern frontier; we have not yet fully explored it, but a explorer... with a loose screw in his head discovered it, and we were amazed by its beauty and the strange power it seemed to hold."
Maxima stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the stone. "Can you guess how much magic stored in that stone?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
The queen gently pressed the stone out, carefully examining its smooth surface as she did so. She could feel the magic emanating from it, pulsing with a power that was both alluring and tempting.
"I have no clue; let's find out."
As the queen focus her mind to the stone, she felt a rush of energy coursing through her body. She felt like she was being pulled into the stone, as if it was a black hole that was sucking her in. She could see strange visions swirling in her mind - a distant land, a cityscapes, a library in a school. She felt like she was on the verge of discovering something important.
But just as she was about to unlock the stone's secrets, she was hit by a blinding flash of light. She felt her body go limp, her mind going black as she collapsed to the floor.
"Celesta!" Maxima immediately dashed to the queen to grab her unconscious body. She could feel her own heart pounding in her chest, the urgency of the situation making her hands shake as she checked for a pulse.
"Celesta hey... can you hear me?" Maxima's voice was filled with concern as she gently shook the queen's shoulders, trying to rouse her from unconsciousness. But there was no response, the queen's body remaining still and unresponsive.
As Maxima caressed the queen, she noticed the stone; it rolled over the room, emanating an eerie aura that seemed to fill the space with a sense of unease.
Suddenly, a young girl with black hair and striking charcoal-black eyes appeared in the stone, as if she were looking in a one-way mirror. She was reading a book and seemed completely unaware of the people looking at her in a different reality. Maxima's heart skipped a beat as she didn't recognize the girl in the stone.
It was Akiko Fujimoto.
***
"Your majesty," Emily, the queen's personal maid, said, relief evident in her voice. "You're awake!" She hugged the queen tightly, tears streaming down her face.
Akiko seemed still confused as she looked around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. She was in the body of a stranger to her, the Queen and she have no clue yet.
Emily, who was now currently hugging her, pushed her away, confusion on her face.
"I don't really know you, sorry," she asked, her voice trembling. "Who are you?"
Emily's smile faltered as she realized something was off. The queen's mannerisms and the way she spoke were all different.
"Umm.. My Queen, are you alrig-"
Emily doesn't finish her words when Maxima slams the door open, her eyes scanning the room until they land on Akiko. She rushed to her side, her face etched with concern.
"I'm so sorry," she said, her voice trembling. "I didn't know this would happen."
Akiko's mind was racing. Was she kidnapped? Was this all some twisted game? But as she looked around the room, she realized that these people truly believed her to be the queen.
Akiko, now in the body of the Queen, was desperate to find a way out of this situation. She knew that her father, a powerful businessman, would not tolerate this. He would spare no expense in finding her and bringing her back home.
With determination in her eyes, she turned to the people in the room and said:
"My father will not tolerate this. He will come for me, and he will not stop until I am back home." She could see the confusion and uncertainty on the faces of the people in the room. But instead of the urgency and concern she was expecting, they simply shrugged it off.
"I'm sorry, but The Great King is already dead; do you forget Your Majesty?" said one of them. Akiko felt her heart drop.
"What do you mean, The Great King?" Akiko asked, her voice trembling with emotion. The people in the room exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond.
"My Queen, are you okay?" "Did you truly forget about The King?" one of them said finally.
"The King passed away many years ago."
Akiko felt a wave of despair wash over her. She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she realized the gravity of her situation. She was trapped in this strange world with no way of getting back home.
With a feeling of overwhelming frustration, Akiko ran out of the room.
"Wait! Celesta! guard, block her way!" Maxima commanded the knight beyond the door, but they seem shocked to respond because they are stopping the queen.
Her bedroom dress fluttering behind her, she sprinted through the palace, dodging the people in her way. Despite her fatigue quickly setting in, she was determined to find a way out.
Akiko ran through the palace, her heart pounding in her chest as she searched for a way out. She had always been a runner, but her fatigue was quickly setting in as she pushed herself to the limit. She feels her body is different now. She didn't understand what was happening to her, but she knew she had to escape.
She sprinted through the halls, dodging servants and courtiers as she searched for a way out. Her eyes scanned the walls for any signs of an exit, but she was met with ornate architecture and blue orbs hanging in the ceiling illuminating her way.
As she turned a corner, she saw a door that seemed different from the others. It was made of plain wood and had a simple iron handle. Without hesitation, she grabbed the handle and pulled, but the door wouldn't budge.
Frantically, she searched for a key or a way to unlock it, but there was nothing. She slammed her shoulder against the door, but it wouldn't give.
"Open! Please!" She plead while she desperately forcefully nudging the handle.
Just as she was about to give up hope, she heard a faint sound coming from the other side. It was the sound of a lock turning. The door creaked open, and she saw a guard standing on the other side, his hand on the lock.
Without hesitation, Akiko pushed past him, her feet pounding on the stone floor as she ran down the narrow corridor. She could hear the guard shouting behind her, but she didn't look back. She focused on the path ahead, her eyes scanning for any signs of an exit.
As she turned another corner, she saw a glimmer of light in the distance. It was a window, and it was her only hope. She pushed herself harder, her legs burning as she sprinted towards the light.
As she reached the window, she saw that it was a small, round portal, high up on the wall. But it was her only chance. She reached up, her fingers gripping the edge as she pulled herself up.
With a final burst of her stamina, she jumped down into the window.
And then she found the palace gates—the massive metallic doors that separated her from the outside world. She could see the city beyond, the streets bustling with activity, and she knew that if she could just make it through those gates, she would be free. She pushed against the doors with all her might, her heart racing as she felt them begin to give way. She could see the sky beyond, a glimpse of freedom that was so close she could almost taste it. But just as she was about to break through, she heard a sound that made her heart stop.
As Akiko heard the sound of the gusty wind, she couldn't help but turn her head to see where it was coming from. To her surprise, she saw Maxima descending from the sky with a grace and power that was terrifying.
Maxima landed in front of the gates, her translucent wings folding behind her as she stood tall, blocking Akiko's escape. She looked at Akiko with a mix of curiosity and concern, her eyes scanning her face as if searching for something. "You're not the queen, are you?" she asked, her voice soft but firm.
Akiko's heart sank as she realized that her escape had been gone to dust. She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come, and she could only stare back at Maxima in silence. Maxima seemed to sense her confusion, and she softened her expression.
"Do not be afraid," she said. "I will not harm you, but you must understand that this is a dangerous place for someone like you."
Akiko shook her head, unable to form words as she tried to process the situation. Maxima's expression became serious once more as she took a step closer to Akiko.
"You must come with me."
And there's Akiko, confused, terrified, and not knowing what to do. She is just standing there like a deer caught in a headlamp while Maxima is slowly walking, unsure what she is going to do with Akiko.