Eric awoke on the crisp morning of his first birthday to bright golden sunlight streaming through the nursery window. As he rubbed the remnants of sleep from his eyes, he noticed the room was oddly empty and quiet. Usually Mama Ellara or his nursemaid would be here to change and dress him for the day. Where had everyone disappeared to?
His curiosity quickly propelled Eric out of his cozy crib, his little feet hitting the plush ornate carpet with a soft thud. Gripping the carved rails, he tentatively lowered himself down. Once stable, Eric toddled unsteadily on wobbly legs toward the arched doorway across the room, which had been left temptingly ajar.
Gripping the cold brass handle, he pulled just hard enough for the heavy door to swing open wide enough to squeeze through. The mansion's vaulted hallways were completely deserted and strangely hushed. Eric shuffled along, keeping one small hand trailing along the polished wood paneled walls for support.
He followed the incredible smell of roast duck and sweet cakes wafting tantalizingly from the east wing banquet hall. As he turned a corner, Eric suddenly found himself frozen in the towering entrance archway, eyes wide with shock. The usually cavernous and echoing space was now festively decorated with garlands of fresh spring flowers and elaborate ice sculptures of mythical creatures. Long tables draped in fine white linens and laden with platters of food lined the hall's edges.
At the room's center, framed by opulent marble columns, stood his beaming parents alongside an elderly couple that must be Ellara's mother and father. "There's the birthday boy!" his father Alaric announced joyfully upon seeing Eric's tiny figure in the doorway. The adults immediately rushed over to shower him with warm hugs, kisses, and cheerful birthday tidings.
"Happy first birthday, my little prince!" Mama Ellara declared as she tenderly scooped up Eric into her arms. "We wanted to surprise you this morning with a special party celebrating your big day!"
Eric grinned from ear to ear, positively thrilled at the secrecy and lavish preparations made just for him. As more ornately dressed guests continued to arrive bearing splendid wrapped gifts, he felt almost dizzy and overwhelmed by all of the doting attention and well wishes bestowed upon him. But nothing could dampen his spirits on this momentous occasion marking the completion of his first full cycle living and learning in this dazzling new world.
Late that night, after the final guest had departed and the mansion was still once again, Eric lay snugly swaddled in the comfort of his crib processing the memories of the day's delights. As he finally drifted off into a contented sleep, a soothing and familiar feminine voice suddenly cut through the still darkness.
"My child, congratulations on achieving your very first birthday in this realm," the goddess spoke, her loving tone washing over Eric like a warm blanket. His eyes fluttered open to see her divine form bathed in radiant silver moonlight at the room's center. Her gentle ethereal smile instantly evoked a thousand emotions within Eric's heart.
"You have adjusted remarkably well to this world thus far. But your true journey and purpose have only just begun." She raised her slender arms and gestured gracefully as an ornate amulet materialized, the metal gleaming and etched with a strangely glowing rune. "Accept this gift and the power it unlocks within you. And use it wisely."
Eric eagerly reached out and accepted the amulet, gasping slightly as he felt its energy flow into his being like a conduit. But when he glanced back up from the mystical item, the goddess had vanished as mysteriously as she had appeared. However, her cryptic parting words echoed in his mind: "You have been gifted with a rich and imaginative spirit, my child - and now, if you wish it, you can shape the fabric of reality itself. We will meet again..."