The grand hall of the celestial palace echoed with the soft rustle of fabric and the quiet footsteps of servants preparing for an event that had only heard about in ancient prophecies. Queen Lira was leaving Atheris, an occurrence so rare it had quickly spread across the realm like a wildfire. Her subjects had gathered outside the palace waiting for the glimpse of their queen, both fearful and exited.
Inside, Lira paced her chamber with a calm that bellied the brewing anticipation beneath her serene exterior. Her thoughts drifted to the prophecy, the strange destiny that awaited her in the human world, and the mysterious mortal she was fated to find.
This was no ordinary mission, and though she would never admit it, a faint flicker of curiosity burned within her. But she would not venture alone.
"Your Majesty." A firm yet feminine voice broke the silence, and Lira turned to see her most trusted warrior and confidante, Lysandra, entering the room. Talk and statuesque, with sharp green eyes and bronze skin, Lysandra was the only person in the kingdom Lira would consider an equal. Though her beauty was mortal, her presence always commanded attention.
"Are you prepared, Lysandra?" Lira's voice was soft but carried an undeniable authority.
Lysandra bowed her head but there was a flicker of excitement in her gaze."Always, my Queen."
The queen smiled, a rare expression that softened her otherwise impassive face.
" Good. I expect nothing less from my most trusted warrior."
" May I ask, Your Majesty, what it is about this mortal realm that could possibly hold your interest?" Lysandra ventured, an amused glint in her eyes. "You have resisted the call of the prophecy for centuries, and now..."
"Now, they believe that I need a man," Lira said, her tone dripping with mockery. " A human. It's absurd. But if finding him is what will silence my court, then I shall go. Perhaps this mortal will amuse me."
Lysandra chuckled. "I cannot imagine a human who could be worthy of our queen."
Lira allowed herself a small smirk. "Not can I, but I am curious. They claim he has some power, a presence beyond any have seen among the mortal s and immortals. If such a creature exists, perhaps he deserves to see me in my full glory."
Lira gestured and her maids hurried forward, adorning her in a robe of deep amethyst and silver thread that shimmered like stars in the night sky. Her hair, bound in intricate braids, was woven with pieces of midnight crystal, each one catching the light with a silvery gleam. She moved with a grace that seemed to defy gravity, every inch screaming the ethereal queen of Atheris.
"Tell my subjects and advisors to tell the people I will soon take my leave to the human realm." She said solemnly to one of the maids.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The maid hurriedly left the queen's chamber to deliver the news
Lysandra already dressed in her own drak armor, adjusted the sheath of her sword, one hand resting on the hilt with the comfort of a practiced and experienced warrior. "Shall I prepare the transport, my Queen?"
"No". Lira's voice was commanding. "This is no mere journey. I shall make my entrance befitting the queen of Atheris."
Lysandra inclined her head, understanding immediately. " A portal, then?"
Lira nodded, extending her hands as shimmering magic crackled at her fingertips. "Yes. And we will arrive with the subtle of a storm."
As she concentrated, a swirling vortex began to form, shimmering with the hues of dusk and dawn combined, casting flickering lights across the room. The maids stepped back, awe and terror on their faces as the portal expanded. It was a sight none in the kingdom would ever forget: their queen, adorned like a goddess of the night, preparing to step into another world.
Before stepping through, Lira turned to the maids, her expression unreadable. "If I do not return swiftly, know that my destiny is more intricate than we anticipated. Tell my subjects to keep watch over Atheris."
Lysandra bowed deeply. "It shall be done, my Queen."
A faint, almost playful smile touched Lira's lips. "And Lysandra…if this mortal proves unworthy, it will not be long before we return."
Together, they stepped into the vortex, vanishing from Atheris with a flash of light.
In the Realm of Humans
The portal closed behind them, leaving Queen Lira and her warrior Lysandra standing in the middle of a bustling human street. Dusk had fallen, and the city lights flickered to life, illuminating their surroundings in a dizzying kaleidoscope of neon colors. Lira's violet eyes widened as she took in the bizarre sight, humans rushing around with strange devices pressed to their ears, glaring lights above, and vehicles speeding past with a deafening roar.
Lira was visibly stunned. "What…what kind of world is this?" she whispered, scanning the towering buildings that seemed to stretch toward the sky like the claws of some monstrous beast. She had expected quaint villages or perhaps royal courts but found herself amidst chaotic, blaring machinery and crowds that moved with a strange purpose.
Lysandra, usually as cool as stone, looked equally disoriented. She clutched the hilt of her sword, her warrior instincts on high alert. "Your Majesty, are we certain this is the right realm? These…humans behave like they're under a spell."
Before Lira could answer, a vehicle sped toward them, its blinding headlights bathing them in white light. The strange metal beast emitted a sharp screech as it came to a sudden halt, stopping just inches from them. Lira and Lysandra both took a defensive stance, their eyes narrowing as if preparing to face a monster.
"What sort of creature is this?" Lira hissed, feeling an instinctive urge to call on her magic to destroy it.
The driver leaned out of his window, looking flustered and irritated. "Are you crazy, lady? You can't just walk in the middle of the street!" he shouted, waving his hands.
Lira glared at him, her fingers sparking faintly with magic as she struggled to control her rising anger. "You dare address me in such a manner?" Her voice, usually a smooth command, crackled with restrained power. "I am Queen Lira of Atheris. I will not be spoken to by…by…"
"An insolent commoner," Lysandra finished, casting a dark look at the bewildered driver.
The man raised his eyebrows, looking between the two women dressed in extravagant, ethereal garments as if they had stepped out of a fantasy novel. He muttered something under his breath, rolled up his window, and drove away, shaking his head.
Lira glanced at Lysandra, who still had her hand on her sword. "These mortals are fearless," she muttered. "Or perhaps foolish."
"Perhaps both, Your Majesty," Lysandra replied, looking around at the other humans who were now staring at them with curious and amused expressions.
Another woman nearby held up a glowing device and took a picture, her face alight with excitement. "Look at their costumes! Are you guys filming a movie or something?"
Lira and Lysandra exchanged a bewildered glance. "Costumes?" Lira repeated, her tone laced with irritation.
"Maybe they're cosplayers," the woman's friend suggested with a shrug. "Or influencers?"
"Influencers?" Lira muttered to herself, completely baffled. She raised her voice. "Foolish humans! You gaze upon the Queen of Atheris, not some…'influencer'!"
Lira's eyes flashed, and the lights around them dimmed briefly as her magic flared. The crowd gasped, looking around in awe and confusion, but before anyone could react further, Lysandra quickly pulled Lira to the side.
"Your Majesty, we mustn't draw unnecessary attention. We have yet to find your soulmate," she whispered urgently.
Lira took a deep breath, her fingers sparking faintly as she calmed her magic. "You're right, Lysandra. But this place is…absurd. Their technology, their clothing, it's all…so garish."