In a realm where ordinary humans were but a distant memory, two kingdoms stood locked in a fragile dance of hatred, fury, and uneasy magic. The Magic Kingdom, ruled by an ancient and formidable warlock king, thrived on spells and secrets. Opposing it was the Elven Kingdom, governed by the most powerful and malevolent elf in history.
Once allies, the kingdoms were torn apart by a prophecy that foretold their fates, a cryptic warning that sowed division and distrust. The final blow came when the mystical Flower of Pan, a treasure born from the heart of the magical mountains, was stolen. The theft shattered their treaty, sparking enmity that simmered just beneath the surface.
Though the people of both kingdoms longed for peace, their pride and thirst for dominance edged them closer to war. Each side sought to prove its superiority, even as shadows of the prophecy loomed over them.
Unbeknownst to most, the prophecy carried the seeds of darkness, guiding events toward an ominous end. Both kingdoms sought to suppress the prophecy's fulfillment, yet their greed for its boundless magic tempted them to harness its power for themselves.
In their desperate struggle, the line between saviors and destroyers blurred, as the fate of their world hung precariously in the balance.
Three daughters of ancient magic awaken, their powers eager and untamed. Bound by fate yet divided by choice, they hold the key to their realm's salvation—or its ultimate ruin. As their magic stirs, the fabric of the world trembles, leaving a question unanswered: will they unite to heal the fractures, or let their divided paths ignite a devastation beyond imagining?
*****
Old Jasmine Village
The forest shimmered with a soft golden light, beams of sun filtering through the ancient trees. Jea Augustus, a fifteen-year-old girl, blinked, her mind racing. One moment, she was reading an old book at a dusty library desk; the next, she was standing on mossy ground, surrounded by strange yet familiar plants. Some flowers glowed softly, while others sparkled as if dusted with starlight, their sweet fragrance filling the air.
The air felt fresh, a sharp contrast to the city's pollution. Her heart raced as she looked around, trying to make sense of what was happening. The last thing she remembered was reading an inscription on a page that seemed to pull her in, before everything went black.
"Where am I?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The forest was silent yet full of energy, the towering trees' twisted branches forming intricate shapes against the sky. Their silver and gold leaves shimmered. A path appeared before her, almost as if it wanted her to follow. She walked along it, heading east.
After what felt like hours, Jea emerged from the woods and gasped. Before her was a vast valley. On the left, hills rolled endlessly, and a river glittered under the sun. At the center was a village-small huts with thatched roofs, smoke rising from chimneys, and faint sounds of laughter and chatter in the air. But it wasn't an ordinary village. It looked old-fashioned, with no concrete buildings, no cars, only people wearing clothes made from animal hides and woven fibers.
Jea hesitated as she walked down the hill. Some villagers stopped and stared at her, their faces uncertain. A child hid behind his mother. One older man, tall and weathered, approached her.
"Hi," Jea said, forcing a smile. "I'm lost. Can you tell me where I am?"
The man studied her for a moment, then motioned to two younger men, who quickly but gently grabbed her arms.
"What's going on? I mean no harm!" Jea protested, but they ignored her.
They led her to the largest hut in the center of the village, decorated with strange carvings of animals and symbols. Inside, the air smelled of herbs, warm and earthy. The village leader, an elderly woman with silver hair and beads in her braids, sat cross-legged on a mat. Her sharp eyes seemed to see everything.
The man who had met Jea spoke quickly in a language she didn't understand. The village leader listened, then turned to Jea.
"You are not from this place," she said, her voice commanding. "You wear strange clothes, and your energy is unfamiliar. Tell me, how did you come here?"
Jea explained the library, the strange manuscript, and the moment she'd been pulled into this world.
The village leader exchanged a glance with the man, and after a long silence, she spoke again. "You have crossed the veil. This is Elyndor, a realm hidden from your world. If what you say is true, the artifact you read from may hold great power. Few are brought here without reason."
"Reason?" Jea repeated. "I don't even know where 'here' is!"
The leader leaned forward. "This is Old Jasmine Village. If you wish to return, you must discover why you came. Until then, you must earn our trust."
Jea's heart sank. She had no answers, only questions. But looking around at the serious faces of the villagers, she knew there was no turning back.
"Tell me what to do," she said, standing a little straighter.
---
Later, Jea left the village leader's hut, her mind weighed down with the elder's cryptic words. Another woman who looked like her? Why had she stolen the magical flower? The villagers now avoided Jea, whispering as she passed.
Frustrated and feeling alone, she left the village and walked toward the valley. The soft grass swayed in the breeze, the river sparkling in the sunlight, but her thoughts were tangled in confusion.
Then, she heard it-a faint, desperate bray. She followed the sound and was shocked to find a small donkey dangling from a rope tied to a tree. Its legs flailed as it cried for help. Nearby, a boy lay unconscious on the ground, his forehead bruised.
"Oh no!" Jea cried, rushing to the boy. He was breathing, but pale. His clothes were torn, like he'd fallen. She gently shook him. "Wake up! Can you hear me?"
The boy didn't move. Jea turned to the donkey, climbed the hill, and struggled with the knot. Finally, it loosened, and the donkey collapsed to the grass, trembling but unharmed.
"Easy now," she whispered, patting it gently. She returned to the boy and checked him again. To her relief, he groaned and opened his eyes.
"Where am I?" he asked, confused.
"Don't move too quickly," Jea said, helping him sit up. "You hit your head. What happened?"
The boy blinked at her, his confusion turning to wariness. "Who are you? You're not from the village."
Jea hesitated. "I'm Jea. I'm new here. But are you okay? What's your name?"
The boy looked at her for a long moment before answering, "Juan."
Jea smiled. "Nice to meet you, Juan. Now, tell me what happened."