Mathea hesitated in the doorway, unsure if she should step inside.
"Come closer, Mathea," one of the elders said, their voice deep and resonant, carrying the authority of the earth itself.
She swallowed hard, her unease clear, but she stepped forward. "Okay, so... you know my name. That's not creepy at all. Care to tell me why I'm here and why you're staring at me like I'm some kind of puzzle piece?"
The elder with silver hair spoke, their tone calm and measured. "You are in the sanctuary of the Earthkin. We are the guardians of balance, keepers of the elements, and protectors of the realms. You were brought here after your fall, carried by the magic of the earth itself."
Mathea raised an eyebrow. "Carried by the earth? That sounds a bit dramatic, don't you think?"
"You underestimate the power you hold," another elder said, their voice softer but no less commanding. "Your magic resonates with the elements in ways few have ever achieved. It called to us, seeking refuge."
"I didn't call anyone," Mathea retorted. "I was running for my life and fell off a cliff. That's all."
The elders exchanged knowing glances. "You may not have intended to call us, but your magic acts of its own accord. It sought to preserve you, to guide you here."
"Right, sure," Mathea said, crossing her arms. "So, now that I'm here, what do you want from me?"
"To rest, for now," the elder with silver hair said. "Your journey is far from over, and the path ahead will test your resolve. Take what time you need to recover. When you are ready, we will speak again."
Mathea sighed, her frustration evident. "Fine. But if this turns into some kind of mystical lecture about destiny, I'm out."
The elders smiled faintly, their expressions unreadable. As Mathea turned to leave, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being pulled into something far bigger than herself.
At lunch, Mathea found herself on the outskirts of the cavern, a place so breathtaking it seemed otherworldly. A magnificent waterfall tumbled from a jagged cliff, its waters catching the light and scattering a rainbow of colors across the area. Gems, shimmering like stars, were scattered in all four directions, their brilliance reflected in the crystal-clear pools below.
The tiny creatures flitted around her, their glittering wings humming softly as they guided her forward. Their movements were so coordinated it seemed like a well-practiced dance. They chirped and buzzed in an unfamiliar language, but their gentle nudges and gestures were unmistakable: This way.
Mathea followed them, her gaze drawn to the waterfall's base. There, a glimmer of movement caught her eye-a large, golden koi fish, its scales gleaming as though dusted with sunlight, swam gracefully against the current. In its mouth, it held a scroll bound with a silken ribbon that sparkled like starlight.
The elder stepped forward, their robes flowing with an air of authority. With deliberate care, they reached into the rushing water and accepted the scroll from the koi, bowing slightly in respect. The fish lingered for a moment, as if to ensure its delivery was complete, then disappeared back into the shimmering depths.
The elder turned to Mathea, their expression solemn as they carefully unrolled the scroll. Its edges seemed to glow faintly, as though the parchment itself held a charge of magic. As the scroll unfurled, symbols and text written in a flowing, ancient script appeared, glowing briefly before settling into words Mathea could understand.
The elder's voice resonated with gravity as they read aloud:
"Under the blood moon's glow, three shall rise: blade, crown, and cure. One shall fall, one shall give, and one shall become. Their one wish, forge one destiny."
The words sent a shiver down Mathea's spine, though she couldn't entirely explain why. Her frown deepened as the elder finished, the scroll still glowing faintly in their hands.
The elders gathered around Mathea, their faces a mix of wisdom and urgency. One stepped forward, a woman draped in emerald robes, holding a delicate necklace. Its chain shimmered with a silver hue, and at its center hung a gem that glowed with an ever-shifting rainbow light.
"This," she said, fastening the necklace gently around Mathea's neck, "is the Prism of Magic. It will guide you when the path is unclear, lighting the way through shadows."
Mathea felt the weight of their gifts, not just in her hands but in her heart. She bowed her head in gratitude, the glow of the necklace casting faint colors on the parchment.
"What lies ahead is perilous," the woman said softly. "These will not make the journey easy, but they may just make it possible."
The elder handed her the scroll, their fingers lingering for a moment as though passing on an unspoken responsibility. "It is a prophecy, Mathea, one that has been carried through the ages. It speaks of you and others like you-those destined to wield elemental magic and guide the realms in their darkest hour."
Mathea blinked, her disbelief evident. "Me? But I don't-I'm not even that powerful. There must be some mistake."
The elders shook their heads. "There is no mistake. You are one of the three. The phoenix princess of old foretold this, long before our time."
Another elder stepped forward, their voice softer but no less compelling. "The story speaks of the phoenix princess, a being of immense power. She laid three magical eggs atop the Mountain of Magic, each imbued with a piece of her essence. When the eggs were stolen, she cursed their thief, and her magic was hidden, waiting for those destined to claim it. The prophecy reveals that only three, tied by fate, can recover the magic and unite it once more."
Mathea felt her knees weaken as the weight of their words settled upon her. "But... who are the others? How will I find them?"
The elder nodded toward the necklace gem Mathea had been given earlier. It pulsed faintly in her neck, its warmth steady and reassuring. "That will guide you. It will glow brighter as you draw near to your sisters. One is a healer, a soul from another realm who can see the threads of magic no one else can. Another is a warrior, the heir to a kingdom of magic believers. Together, your fates are entwined."
"And me?" Mathea's voice cracked. "What am I supposed to be?"
The elder smiled gently. "You are the crown, Mathea. You are their leader. The lost princess of the witch kingdom. You are more powerful than you realize, though you have yet to unlock your full potential. That is why the mountain calls to you. There, you will train and awaken the magic within your soul."
"But what if I fail?" Mathea asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
"You cannot fail," the elder said firmly. "Not if you trust yourself and the bond you will share with your sisters. The blood moon will rise soon. You must train and prepare, for only the three of you can stop the war that looms on the horizon."
Mathea clutched the scroll tightly, her mind spinning. The prophecy, the story of the phoenix princess, the looming war-it was too much to take in all at once. But deep down, something stirred within her. A spark of determination.
"I can barely control my magic! I've seen witches with more power in their pinky finger. You say I'm the missing princess, but I don't feel like one. And now, I'm supposed to stop a war?"
The elder chuckled softly, the sound like a gentle breeze rustling leaves. "You are not meant to be ready yet, Mathea. That is why the mountain calls to you. It will prepare you, shape you into who you are destined to become. Every great journey begins with uncertainty."
Mathea let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her fingers tracing the edges of the scroll. "What if I fail them?"
"Failure is only certain if you do not try," the elder replied. They gestured toward the gem Mathea had been given earlier.
Mathea frowned, the gem's light reflecting in her uncertain eyes. "And the story you mentioned? The phoenix princess and the eggs... what does that have to do with us?"
"Those three, destined to inherit her magic, could restore balance to the kingdoms. You, Mathea, are one of those souls."
"I'll go," she said finally, her voice steadier than she felt. "I'll go to the mountain and train. I'll find my sisters. But I don't know if I'm ready to lead anyone."
The elder smiled, their expression a mix of pride and reassurance. "You will be ready when the time comes. Trust in the journey, Mathea. The mountain holds the answers you seek."
As the tiny creatures began to guide her toward the cavern's exit, Mathea glanced back one last time. The waterfall shimmered in the light, the elders watching her with quiet confidence. She turned and stepped into the sunlit world beyond, the scroll in her hand and the weight of destiny pressing firmly on her shoulders.