"All I did was go out to play. What did I ever do wrong? Why, why, why me? It's not fair…. Mum, Dad, please wake up! You can't leave me alone!"
With tears streaming down my face, I collapsed to my knees and clutched my chest. My heart ached with a profound pain, as I gazed upon my beloved parents, lifeless and bathed in their own crimson blood with a crazed smile. What did I do to deserve this cruel fate? The questions echoed in my mind, shattering my sense of security and peace.
The day had been lovely, just like any normal day for me, but who would have known that it was the continuation of my suffering.
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Asteria, the floating kingdom in the sky, was a dazzling sight to behold. The tall skyscrapers that adorned its skyline were illuminated by an array of colors, casting a beautiful glow that danced across the clouds. Hovering cars zipped through the air, their sleek designs leaving trails of light in their wake.
Everywhere one looked, there were robots, their metallic bodies gleaming as they assisted their human masters in their daily routines. But perhaps the most remarkable creatures to call Asteria home were the white-and-purple draconic beasts that soared through the skies, their wingspan casting shadows on the bustling streets below.
At the heart of the kingdom lay a colossal castle, constructed from shimmering metals and glistening crystals. Its size was so big that traveling from one end to the other was a journey in itself, often requiring the use of vehicles to navigate through its labyrinthine halls. And yet, despite its grand appearance, there was an air of unease that lingered in its walls.
Black space crafts loomed ominously around the castle. It was as though they were standing guard, watching over the kingdom.
The castle had been transformed overnight into a spectacle of dazzling lights, an opulent display of floating flowers and shimmering balloons that adorned every corner. It was a breathtaking sight, one that drew gasps of wonder from all who beheld it.
Within the castle walls, a young brown-skinned girl of thirteen dashed through the marble halls, her luminous clothes aglow with an inner radiance that seemed to light up the entire space. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and the guards stationed nearby couldn't help but put up a fake smile at the sight of her.
She raced through the winding corridors, her heart pounding with anticipation, until she arrived at a massive gray door that towered above her. With a spring in her step, she leaped towards it, her face alight with the joy of the moment. And as the knights in silver armor opened the door for her, she felt a rush of excitement wash over her.
Iris entered into the room, her heart racing with anticipation. She could barely contain her excitement as she approached her mother's side, perched upon a king-sized bed that seemed to swallow her small frame.
"Mother, have they arrived?!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with eagerness.
Her mother chuckled softly hiding her nervousness, a glint of fear dancing in her eyes. "Patience, my dear," she replied, a fake warm smile playing on her lips. "But yes, your twin sisters have been born."
Iris let out a gasp of amazement. "Twins? Wow, this is so cool!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy. "I wanna see them!"
Without hesitation, she tugged insistently on her mother's sleeve, her cold dark heterochromatic eyes, one purple and one black, fixed intently upon her.
The dozen maids in the room shifted nervously, casting uneasy glances towards the girl who stood before them. One of them spoke up, her voice trembling with nervousness. "Iris, your mother needs her rest," she said, her words carrying a hint of desperation.
But Queen Avery merely waved her hand dismissively, a faint smile playing upon her lips. "Do not trouble yourselves, my dear maids," she said sweetly. "You may leave us."
The maids hesitated for a moment, their eyes flickering back and forth uncertainly, "Then please take care, Queen Avery," before finally bowing and exiting the room, their footsteps echoing hollowly in the silence.
As soon as they were gone, Queen Avery rose from her bed, her movements graceful and fluid. She walked towards a nearby crib, and Iris trailed obediently behind her, a smile of pure delight on her lips as she caught a glimpse of the two tiny, wriggling babies nestled within.
Avery sat gracefully on a luxurious couch, her eyes fixed on the tiny forms of her newborn daughters. Her expression was one of pure disgust, but she played a soft smile on her lips.
But Iris, standing beside her mother, felt a thrill of excitement shoot through her. "They're adorable girls!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder and delight. "What are their names, mother?"
"The blue-haired one is Aurianna," she said, her voice tinged with nonchalance. "And the one with the fiery red hair is Leila."
Iris leaned in closer, studying the two babies with intense interest. Aurianna's hair was like a shimmering messy waterfall of blue, and her skin was as pale as freshly fallen snow. Her eyes were the same bright shade of blue as her hair, and they sparkled like crystals.
Leila, on the other hand, looked the same as Aurianna but also an opposite of her. Her hair was a blazing red, like the flames of a wildfire, and her eyes were a piercing blue that seemed to glow in the dim light of the room. Her skin was a rich, warm brown, like the color of freshly turned earth.
As Iris gazed upon her sisters, and they looked so small and fragile. As Iris was watching them sleep, she couldn't help but notice that there was a piece of white glass stuck to both of their chests. They were two precious Gemaris' embedded in their skin, radiating a pale white light that pulsed like a heartbeat.
"Mum, what is that on their chest?" Iris questioned.
"That, my dear Iris, is a Gemaris. It is proof that you girls are to be the next generation of goddesses," Queen Avery explained.
"Umm, mum, what does that mean?" Iris stared blankly, a bit confused by her mother's words.
Iris couldn't help but admire her mother's otherworldly beauty, as if she had been crafted by the gods themselves. Her black hair flowed like a river of midnight, her skin shimmered like flawless brown crystal, and her crystal like black eyes gleamed with an otherworldly radiance. Iris found herself yearning to be as breathtakingly beautiful as her mother.
"You also have one, or let's say two," she pointed at her chest.
Iris looked down at her chest, seeing a faint glow underneath her shirt, "Oh!! That's right! These two gems that have been stuck to my chest for as long as I could remember," she paused for a moment. "So, what are these things? It's about time you told me."
"It's the Black Gemaris and the Purple Gemaris."
"How come mine are black and purple though? Aurianna and Leila only have one color."
Sighing, she said, "This conversation will get nowhere if you keep asking me so many questions, dear." She laughed before continuing, "Well, if you really wish to know, then let me tell you about a lovely story that I remember... I mean, I remember hearing it when I was young. You said you were tired of just hearing fairy tales, well, maybe you'll like this. It's about beings called Gemaris."