Aniba spun in circles, her laughter bubbling up like the sparkling stream nearby. The golden sun cast a warm glow over the field, where vibrant flowers danced in harmony with the gentle breeze. Today was the Day of the Spring, a grand celebration of nature's cycles in the domain of the godess of Earth and Fertility, and the entire village had come together to honor it.
"Look, Aniba! The flowers are as bright as your eyes!" Riho exclaimed, his mischievous grin making her heart flutter. He held out a handful of petals, and she grinned back, tucking them behind her ear.
"All that's missing is a crown!" she giggled, twirling around to show off, her braided blond hair flickering like sunlight. Villagers sang and danced, their joy filling the air with a sense of magic and joy. The children played near the bonfire, and the elders shared stories of the earth goddess, each tale more enchanting than the last.
Everything felt perfect. The world was alive with color and laughter, a beautiful reminder of life's blessings. Aniba felt a sense of belonging, surrounded by family and friends, as the warmth of the day seeped into her bones.
But as the sun began to set, a shadow loomed over the celebration. Aniba's laughter faded as she looked up. Dark figures approached from the edge of the field—figures adorned in fearsome raiment, with bright red phoenix painted on their capes, their presence heavy and foreboding.
"Riho, what's happening?" she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I don't know," he replied, his smile faltering. The cheerful chatter of the villagers fell silent, replaced by a collective gasp as they recognised the holy family of the God of Destruction.
Before anyone could react, they raised their hands, and flames erupted like vipers from the very ground beneath them. The fire crackled and roared, swallowing the vibrant celebration whole.
Aniba screamed as the heat enveloped her, panic surging through her veins. Chaos erupted; people ran in every direction, desperate to escape the fiery wrath. She grabbed Riho's hand, but the world spun wildly, engulfing them in light and pain.
Pain shot through her, fierce and unrelenting. In that terrible moment, time seemed to freeze, and all she could feel was the heat, the agony, and the fear for the lives being extinguished.
And then, everything faded to black.
---
Aniba's eyes fluttered open, a new world coming into focus around her. Everything felt strange and fuzzy, the colors muted and blurry. She let out a cry, confusion filling her as fear gripped her small heart.
"Where am I?" she tried to shout, the sound of her own voice unfamiliar. A soft whimper escaped her lips, and she stared up at the ceiling above, which seemed impossibly large and far away. A bright red phoenix was painted on the ceiling, making her cry in fear.
She sensed warmth nearby, and a voice floated down to her. "Ariadna…"
Ariadna? It was a name she didn't understand, yet it resonated deep within her.
Aniba's tiny fists clenched, and she let out another cry, her body thrumming with the energy of fear and confusion. She could still feel the echoes of pain from the celebration, the fires, and the screams of her people.
She cried again - she wanted her family—their faces, the warmth of their arms around her, the laughter and joy of the celebration that had turned into a nightmare.
But there was only the faint light of a red phoenix and the name that now connected her to something else: Ariadna.