The next day…
Alyssia woke to the sound of distant bells chiming in the early morning. The soft glow of dawn filtered through the curtains of her chamber, but the warmth of the sunrise did little to ease the tension tightening in her chest. The events of the previous night weighed heavily on her—revealing her secret to Kira, seeing the shock in her friend's eyes, and fearing that she had shattered the fragile trust they had built.
But Kira had accepted her. After the initial shock, her friend had stepped forward, embraced her, and whispered, "I believe you." Those three words had lifted some of the burden Alyssia had carried for so long, but not all of it. Kira's acceptance was one thing; Queen Nymeria and the rest of Valoria would be another challenge altogether.
Dressing quickly in the simple but elegant robes provided to her, Alyssia steeled herself for what lay ahead. Today, she would face Queen Nymeria again, and this time the queen would undoubtedly have more questions. Valoria's ruler was no fool, and Alyssia had noticed the queen's sharp gaze lingering on her more than once during their last meeting. Nymeria suspected something, and it was only a matter of time before she would demand answers.
As Alyssia left her chamber, she found Kira waiting for her in the hall, arms crossed and expression serious.
"Morning," Kira said, her voice steady, though Alyssia could hear the underlying tension.
"Morning," Alyssia replied softly, unsure how to navigate this new territory between them.
Kira studied her for a moment, then sighed. "Look, I get it. You didn't tell me everything because you were afraid. I understand that. But from now on, no more secrets, okay? We need to trust each other if we're going to get through this."
Alyssia nodded, relief flooding through her. "No more secrets," she agreed.
They walked together through the winding halls of Valoria's palace, the air heavy with the scent of earth and the faint hum of magic that seemed to pulse through the stone itself. As they approached the grand hall where Queen Nymeria held court, Alyssia's heart began to race. She could feel the weight of what was coming, the inevitable confrontation with Valoria's ruler.
When they entered the hall, it was filled with Valorian leaders, warriors, and advisors, their faces a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Queen Nymeria sat at the center of the room, her silver hair gleaming in the soft light that filtered through the ceiling of intertwined branches and stone. Her eyes were as sharp as ever, watching Alyssia's every move.
"Welcome, Alyssia," Nymeria said, her voice smooth but carrying a hint of something darker beneath the surface. "I trust you have rested well after your trials."
"I have, Your Majesty," Alyssia replied, bowing slightly. She forced herself to meet the queen's gaze, knowing that any sign of weakness or deceit would only feed Nymeria's suspicions.
Nymeria studied her for a long moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You are a skilled warrior, Alyssia, and you have proven yourself worthy in the Trials of Gaia. But skill alone does not earn trust in Valoria."
Alyssia's throat tightened. She had expected this, but the queen's directness still caught her off guard.
"You have been careful to reveal very little about yourself," Nymeria continued, her tone calm but probing. "I understand the need for caution, especially in these times. But there are some who believe you are hiding more than just your past. There are whispers—concerns that you may be an agent of the Empire, sent to deceive us."
A murmur spread through the room as some of the gathered leaders exchanged wary glances. Alyssia could feel the weight of their suspicion pressing down on her.
"I am not an agent of the Empire," Alyssia said, her voice firm. "I fight against them with everything I have."
Nymeria leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing further. "Then tell me, Alyssia, why do you fight? What drives you to stand against the Empire with such conviction? You speak as though you have seen their full power, as though you know more than any of us about the threat they pose."
Alyssia's heart raced. Nymeria was pushing, testing her, searching for cracks in her story. She had to be careful—one wrong word could expose her secret, and if the queen learned she was from the future, it could unravel everything.
"I have seen what the Empire is capable of," Alyssia said carefully. "I served them once, before I realized the truth. They seek to destroy the balance of the world, to corrupt the Guardians and bend them to their will. I fight because I know what will happen if we don't stop them."
Nymeria's gaze didn't waver. "And how is it that you came to this knowledge? What truth did you see that turned you against the Empire?"
Alyssia hesitated, searching for the right words. She couldn't reveal too much, but she couldn't lie, either—not to someone as perceptive as Nymeria. "I… I saw the destruction they would cause," she said slowly. "The devastation they would bring if they are allowed to continue unchecked. The Guardians… Gaia… everything will be lost if we do not stand against them."
Nymeria remained silent, her expression unreadable. Alyssia could feel the tension in the room growing, the eyes of the Valorian leaders and warriors fixed on her, waiting for the queen's response.
"You speak of the future as though it is already written," Nymeria said quietly. "As though you have seen it with your own eyes."
Alyssia's blood ran cold. The queen was getting too close, her suspicions growing sharper with every word.
Before Alyssia could respond, one of the Valorian leaders, a tall man with a scar running down the side of his face, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, with all due respect, we cannot ignore the possibility that this woman is a spy. She claims to have served the Empire, yet offers us nothing but vague warnings about their power. We should not trust her so easily."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd, and Alyssia's pulse quickened. She could see the doubt spreading, the suspicion taking root in the minds of Valoria's leaders.
Kira stepped forward, her voice firm. "Alyssia is not a spy. She has fought beside us, risked her life for the rebellion. She passed the Trials of Gaia. What more proof do you need?"
The scarred man scoffed. "The Trials test strength and skill, not loyalty. We need answers, not more silence."
Alyssia's mind raced, searching for a way to diffuse the situation. She couldn't reveal the truth—not yet. But if she didn't offer something, the queen's suspicion would only grow, and the Valorian leaders might turn against her completely.
"I understand your concerns," Alyssia said, addressing both Nymeria and the gathered leaders. "And I don't expect you to trust me without question. But I am here to fight for the same cause you are—to stop the Empire from destroying everything we hold dear. I may not be able to tell you everything about my past, but I swear on my life that I am not your enemy."
The room fell silent, the tension thick in the air. Nymeria's eyes remained locked on Alyssia, her expression inscrutable. Then, after what felt like an eternity, the queen leaned back in her throne.
"We shall see, Alyssia," Nymeria said slowly. "Trust is earned, not given freely. You have proven your skill, but now you must prove your loyalty. Until then, you will remain under close watch."
Alyssia nodded, relief mingling with the lingering tension. She had bought herself some time, but the queen's suspicion was far from alleviated. And as long as she kept her secret, there would always be those who doubted her.
As they left the hall, Kira walked beside her, her expression grim. "That was close," she muttered. "Too close."
Alyssia nodded, her heart still racing. "I know. But we can't afford to slip now. We have to stay ahead of them."
Kira glanced at her, a hint of worry in her eyes. "Do you think Queen Nymeria will ever truly trust you?"
Alyssia sighed, the weight of the question heavy on her mind. "I don't know. But we don't have a choice. We have to make sure Valoria stands with us—before it's too late."
As they walked through the palace halls, Alyssia couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out—not just for Valoria, but for her as well.