"Hurry, find her…" A voice rang through the dense forest, making every creature shudder at the range and authority in it.
"General, we searched all around, but she is not here," one of the men walked toward the leader of the troupe with a disappointed face.
"We need to find Princess Nomi; otherwise, be prepared to be beheaded!" he shouted, making all the warriors shudder in fear. All the men started searching around, making the bustling die down.
Suddenly, the leaves of a big tree rustled, and a beautiful lady emerged from the dense part of the tree. The giggle of a small baby rang through the silent forest, making her look down at her hand. The woman's eyes were hard as she hid the baby in her robe.
Using her exceptional martial arts skills, she jumped through the trees like the shadow of a ghost—one moment there, the next moment gone. Reaching an abandoned fort-like structure, she walked deep inside the building, looking around as if confirming no one was near. She placed her hand on what looked like an ancient carving on stone and closed her eyes.
As she opened her eyes, a strange violet light appeared in front of her, slowly shaping into what looked like a portal to another world.
"You can do this, Amaya," she muttered, taking a deep breath. Steeling herself, she stepped inside, leaving behind little fragments of violet light.
*
A small village nestled deep in the mountains, a beautiful sight to behold, was known for its martial arts legends and mysterious medicinal practices. The woman looked around with her sharp eyes and walked toward a house at the foot of the mountain. Knocking on the door, she was greeted by a woman in her fifties.
"Amaya, you came," the older woman said, opening the door.
"Come inside," she hurriedly urged, letting Amaya in before quickly closing the door.
"What—what is this?" The old lady's voice was filled with shock as Amaya took a small baby out from her robe. The little fairy-like child was sleeping peacefully as Amaya gently placed her on a small bed in the room.
"You don't need to know what—or who—she is," Amaya said, her cold yet elegant voice ringing through the small room.
Walking toward the old lady, she retrieved a pouch from her robe. "Lunaria Veil and 50 gold coins," Amaya stated as she handed the pouch over.
"Why this?" the old lady asked in confusion. The amount was significant, but Lunaria Veil, such a rare species of herb—what could it be for?
"Seal her wings and…" Amaya looked at the little fairy with deep eyes. "Hide her birthmark."
"Amaya!" the old lady called out in shock.
"I gave you the price for the work. Accept it, or I'll find someone else who can do this," Amaya said coldly. Her cruel words left the old lady stunned. How much did Amaya hate this child to do such a thing to her?
The old lady walked toward the small bundle placed on her bed. She moved the cloth from the baby's face and gasped at the sight of such an ethereal being before her. Her eyes fell on the baby's wings, and her hands trembled. Golden wings. Among the countless shades of wings in the three realms, only royals from one particular realm had golden wings.
"Amaya, she is…"
"Royal," Amaya completed her words, turning toward her. "Do what you are told. Don't test my patience."
Hesitating for a moment, the old lady took a deep breath. Taking the child into her arms, she whispered softly, as if speaking to herself, "Please forgive me, if possible."
She began chanting a spell, and suddenly, the little girl's wings started to disappear, leaving golden fragments behind. Once the sealing was complete, the wings transformed into the shape of a small butterfly on the girl's back, like a unique tattoo in golden ink.
The birthmark on her left arm also vanished, as if it had never been there. The entire process took an hour, and the old lady started feeling dizzy, having cast a spell on someone far above her own power.
Amaya took the little fairy and wrapped her securely in the blanket again.
"Amaya… remember, this seal will remain for only eighteen years. Once she turns eighteen, her birthmark will reappear," the old lady said with great difficulty, collapsing onto her small bed due to weakness.
Amaya paused for a moment at her words before walking out of the small house without saying anything.
A cool wind brushed past her, and as she looked down, a single tear escaped her eye, carrying with it a storm of emotions trying to break through her strong barrier.
Closing her eyes briefly to calm herself, she opened them again, now devoid of any emotion. Her wings emerged from her back—crimson wings with flecks of silver on their tips. A sight of unparalleled beauty, yet surrounded by a mysterious hue.
With the princess of one of the most powerful realms in her arms, Amaya left the place.