Startled, Valentina spun around. A woman with jet-black skin – identical to the pyramid’s dark hue – stood before her, a gentle smile upon her lips. She had large, elongated ears, a straight nose, and a set of dazzling white teeth. Her large, round eyes gleamed with a familiar blue-violet shade, identical to Valentina’s own.
“You see,” the woman spoke, “this city has existed for over three thousand years. I have ruled this land since the days when life itself had yet to take root. Back then, everything around me was nothing but trees and stones. And now – look at it. Through the growing power of alchemy and magic, this planet’s civilization has evolved beyond imagination. The people live in greater prosperity, and society has grown peaceful as a result.”
Valentina glanced down at the city below, startled. Indeed, the people were using magic in every aspect of their daily lives – from simple tasks like washing clothes and cooking, to more complex acts such as healing and flight. Everything was accomplished effortlessly through sorcery. Some wielded staffs, others carried wands at their sides… the diversity formed a world of countless colors, pushing Valentina’s emotions to the brink of overflow. Seeing the excitement shining in her eyes brought a quiet joy to the mysterious woman as well.
After taking in the cityscape for a long while, Valentina turned her attention back to the dark-skinned woman beside her. She possessed sharp beauty and an alluring presence that captivated the heart. Aside from her long ears and large, doe-like eyes, she looked almost identical to a human from Earth. A golden ornament rested upon her head; a gem-laden usekh collar draped over her shoulders, layered rings covering her neck. Emerald pyramid-shaped earrings hung from her ears, and her regal attire radiated the bearing of a powerful queen.
“It seems we both share a deep love for magic,” the woman said, stepping closer. She pressed a small flame from her palm into Valentina’s chest. “Hold on to this flame of passion. Nurture it, and never let it die out. The world beyond is vast, filled with countless things for you to discover. Spread your wings and fly without fear. Do not look back. You will find that this world is far more beautiful than you ever imagined.”
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
In the blink of an eye, the scenery around Valentina shifted violently once more. A thunderous explosion erupted nearby, instantly reducing the flourishing city to a deadly wasteland. The waterfalls flowing from the pyramid suddenly ran completely dry. Survivors struggled and fought over scraps of food and clothing. Magic gradually became a tool for killing. Wails of grief mingled with the stench of smoke and fire, forming a hellish landscape where children bore the heaviest burdens as innocent victims.
Thunder roared across the sky. Dark clouds split apart, revealing a colossal eye gazing down upon the tragic scene below. At that moment, the dark-skinned woman placed her hand on Valentina’s shoulder and turned her to face her. A tender, indescribable gaze flickered in her eyes before her finger gently touched Valentina’s forehead.
“It is time for you to return, my bloodline.”
She pressed her finger firmly, hurling Valentina’s consciousness into a bottomless abyss. The sensation of free-falling into darkness jolted her awake in terror. Her heart pounded wildly from everything she had just experienced.
“Was it… just a dream?” She truly could not make sense of it.
“What time is it?” Valentina squinted at the clock mounted by the doorway and realized it was six in the morning. Time aboard the spacecraft was measured by the NIST-F4 cesium atomic clock, with an error margin of only one second over thousands of years. By now, everyone was probably waiting for her in the dining hall.
Valentina sat up, stepped down from the bed, and walked toward the vanity. She studied her reflection in the mirror, recalling everything that had happened in her dream. The image of that woman appeared vividly in her mind. Valentina did not understand why she had dreamed such a strange dream, but perhaps the words about the vast world beyond – filled with countless fascinating things – were true. The past had already passed. The present was still unfolding. Everyone aboard the spacecraft had begun to adjust to their new rhythm of life. She could not keep sulking in her room and fearing the outside world forever. Arnaldo had shown her sincerity from the depths of his heart, and Tuan would surely be worried if she kept burying herself in the past, unable to break free on her own.
