Chapter 2: Abyss
I felt myself pushed from the cliff, plummeting into the abyss. I braced for impact, but instead of doom, the gem my father had given me on my tenth birthday began to glow. Confusion coursed through me as the light enveloped me, and suddenly, I was not falling. The gem transformed into a ring, warm against my skin.
"Kiara, my love," my father's voice echoed, filled with a strange urgency. "I'm sorry for framing you…"
Framing? The realization sent a jolt of anger and betrayal through me.
"I know you must be angry with me, but I did it for your own good. I am not from the heavenly realm; I'm from a place called Earth. I was sucked into a wormhole, and your mother saved me. I still love her, Kiara."
My heart raced as I processed his words. "You sent us to the abyss to protect us?"
"Yes. The wormhole is the only way to safety. My enemies are coming, and when I die, the empire will fall. I sent you away to give you a chance. Use the ring; it holds my knowledge and power."
Tears streamed down my face. In that moment, I vowed to reclaim my life, to rise above the shadows of betrayal. I picked up the ring, and just as I did, a powerful force pulled me in.
I was overwhelmed by a swirl of emotions—wonder mixed with fear, excitement mixed with uncertainty. Inside the ring was a world of endless possibilities—a house, a garden filled with spiritual flowers, and vibrant colors that felt like home. I found a black card with a note from my father, promising unlimited resources on Earth.
As I explored this strange new realm, the air shimmered with magic, but it was also tinged with an unsettling loneliness. I realized I was on the brink of a journey that would change everything. I was terrified, unsure of what lay ahead. But one thing was clear: I had to uncover the truth about my father, my mother, and the legacy I was meant to fulfill.
Just as I stepped into a lush garden filled with vibrant flowers, a pulse of energy rippled through the air. I could feel the wormhole's power surrounding me, and a flicker of light caught my attention. It was beckoning me deeper.
"Follow the light," my father's voice echoed in my mind, urging me forward.
With a deep breath, I focused on the glow, feeling both fear and curiosity pulling me in. I took a tentative step, ready to embrace whatever awaited me on the other side, even as my heart raced at the uncertainty of what Earth would hold.