[CHAPTER 1]
Willowdale
"...It is not merely a world; it is a realm wherein dwell many wondrous folk and creatures. A people whose customs and ways of life are vast and varied, yet all are united beneath one sovereign in one land—Aethoria. One day, my dear Leilani, you, my dear shall behold it with your own eyes. You shall pass through many realms and uncover mysteries unknown to others. A bright future awaits you, Leila."
Sapphira paused, admiring the pearls she had just fastened into her daughter's beautifully adorned hair. Leilani's father, Thessan, was a chief of Willowdale, one of the most esteemed towns within the Realm of Men; thus their daughter was of noble birth, and Sapphira always took great care to ensure she appeared as such.
"Pray tell me, Mother, why did you leave Aquaria? You have spoken so often of Pearl Cove that I now behold it even in my dreams. If it be so marvellous, why did you depart from it?"
Sapphira's hands grew still. She gazed intently into her daughter's eyes before slowly turning her own away.
"...No, Father, I shall not return. You did kill him. I told you I loved him, yet you would not hear me. You never do. You love only Silverly and yourself, so remain without me. And seek me no more..."
"Sapphira, stop! Do not pass through the portal! Come back!"
"Sapphira, stop!"
"Some matters are best left shrouded in darkness, Leila. You are but eight years of age and ask far too many questions. Come now, else we shall be late for the Grains Harvest Celebration."
The Grains Harvest Celebration was among the most cherished occasions in Willowdale. Upon that day, rich and poor alike sat together as one, sharing a common table. It was a day no soul wished to miss.
The people of Willowdale were renowned for the export of their grain, whether finely milled or whole. Folk from Brindlemark, Ashwood, and Ravenshire journeyed there to purchase grain directly from the cultivators at fairer prices.
"One day I shall discover what it is you are hiding, Mother, I shall."Leilani called after her mother as her father lifted her into his arms and carried her away.
Fifteen Years Later
"Are you certain you wil be well?" asked Leilani's mother, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
She had watched her daughter grow into a woman of remarkable beauty.
Having inherited much of her mother's blood, Leilani had begun to develop iridescent black scales upon her legs. What first appeared as a mere irritation soon became something stranger. Whenever one patch faded or was treated, another layer would emerge in its place.
Leilani kept this secret from her mother, fearful of how she might react upon seeing them. She had discovered some of her mother's old possessions and intended to occupy herself with them whilst her parents were away in Ravenshire. She meant to uncover the truth of her mother's past—and perhaps learn what the scales signified.
"Mother, I shall be perfectly fine. I am three-and-twenty years of age, for goodness' sake; I am no longer a child. Besides, Uncle Theoran and Leslie shall be coming over, so you have nothing to fear."
"I know, but still... I would not have you harmed. You know you are the only one I—"
"Do you not trust me, Mother?"
"I do. It is merely that... I saw your scales."
Leilani's eyes widened.
"I knew you did not wish to tell me, but I do not wish for you to suffer because of m—"
"Mother, I shall be well. You will be gone but a fortnight. When you return, we shall discover the truth together. Agreed?"
With that, she embraced both her mother and father and bade them farewell.
Not long thereafter, Leilani's uncle, Theoran, arrived in Willowdale with his seven-year-old daughter, Leslie, and made his way to his brother's house.
Leilani was within the cellar beneath her mother's chamber, sorting through old boxes and deciding which she would examine first, when she heard a knock followed by the creak of the door opening.
"Uncle Theoran, is that you?" she called as she emerged from the cellar.
"Aye, it is I. Come and take you little sister. She has plagued me throughout the entire journey."
Theoran was a widower. His wife had perished shortly after bringing Leslie into the world, and he treasured dearly the child who remained as the last living piece of her.
"Aww, Leslie, did you miss me? I missed you as well. Come here. Let us get you cleaned up and ready for supper."
"By the way Uncle, what would you like to eat? There is—"
"No need. I shall help myself to whatever fare there is. It is my house as much as it is my brother's. Off with you now. You and Leslie have much catching up to do."
"Especially concerning Father," Leslie whispered into Leilani's ear. "He is seeing a lady."
She wore a most smug expression.
"Oh, is he indeed? Then I daresay we truly have much to discuss."
With a laugh, Leilani hoisted Leslie upon her back and carried her towards the bathing room.
Midnight, Willowdale
After feeding Leslie a hearty bowl of porridge, Leilani tucked her safely into bed.
Once she was certain the child had fallen asleep, she quietly slipped from the room and made her way towards the cellar.
As she passed her father's chamber, she glanced inside and saw her uncle fast asleep. It had always been difficult to distinguish between her father and uncle. Being identical twins, they shared nearly every feature.
Leilani had often wished for a brother or sister of her own, which was why she cherished Leslie so dearly.
She crept past the room and descended silently into the cellar.
Hanging her lantern upon a nearby stand, she drew forth the nearest box and settled herself upon an empty crate before opening it.
Inside she found old garments, shells, and various trinkets of little interest to her at present.
The following boxes proved much the same.
Before long, the room lay in disarray as she searched through its contents.
Then her eyes fell upon the smallest chest, concealed behind a collection of aged portraits.
Taking the little case in one hand, she knelt and used the other to remove the cloth covering one of the portraits.
It depicted her grandfather, King Aquarius, holding her mother as an infant.
The king gazed upon the child with such tenderness that Leilani found herself staring.
What could possibly have driven her mother to leave behind such a father and such a home?
Her gaze shifted to the small chest in her hand.
Taking it with her, she ascended from the cellar and reclaimed her lantern from its stand.
She then made her way quietly to the dining hall.
Dawn was drawing near, so she extinguished the lantern and set it gently upon the table.
Opening the chest, she discovered an old book resembling a diary.
Beside it rested a small trinket engraved with her mother's name.
She placed the trinket upon the table and opened the book.
Within its pages were countless writings she could not understand.
As she continued turning the pages, her eyes caught a heading:
Pōrtaíl Este Aquaaria.
She knew of the realms that led to Aethoria.
She knew portals could be summoned.
What she did not know was the manner in which one called them forth.
She turned back through several pages.
There it was.
Aquaria.
Snatching up the trinket, she hurried towards the door and rushed into the garden.
Uttering the first words she saw written upon the page, she watched in astonishment as the garden transformed.
The familiar grounds faded away, replaced by an ethereal landscape bathed in an otherworldly glow.
Entranced, she stepped slowly towards a clearing.
Stretching forth her hands, she saw it.
A portal.
A gateway to Aethoria.
Yet to reach Aquaria, she would need to summon its path through the portal itself.
"Hinga! Maélnaás dél Aquas dé Aquaria!"
The air before her began to swirl, and a faint radiance blossomed from within.
She reached out to touch it, but it felt as though an invisible door barred her way.
Taking this as a sign to continue, she lowered her gaze to the book once more.
"Hin ekst tiamierdta man ikanhsi porto laan mi a aq..."
Suddenly she heard it.
The heavy tread of enormous feet.
Then came a deafening roar.
"The Chimera," she gasped.
Her eyes flew forward to confirm her fears.
She had once read that every portal possessed a guardian.
Yet she had never imagined Aquaria's guardian would be a Chimera.
Fear gripped her heart, but she continued the incantation.
"Aqarian mai lanes esku lan eisteer I jambalan..."
The Chimera roared once more.
Louder.
Closer.
"Fallam han easi mansska lieb et vamp—ahhh!"
A torrent of flame burst from the beast's maw.
Leilani threw herself aside to avoid the inferno.
In her panic, the wrong words escaped her lips.
At once the portal surged with violent force.
Before she could react, it seized her and dragged her within.
She had no notion which portal she had entered.
A crushing pressure enveloped her body.
For a brief moment she saw only endless emptiness.
Then darkness claimed her, and she lost consciousness.
