The snow was falling peacefully outside the Sevian palace, the city quiet during these hours as the shops and businesses closed for the night. Inside the palace, the only sound that could be heard during this quiet hour was tiny footsteps running down the halls. Nerezza, the youngest princess of Emperor Edwyn and Empress Availyn, excitedly ran towards her older sisters room. Delighted by the sight of snow falling from the sky. Normally, it came from her sister's hands. She bolted through the giant doors to her sister's room and jumped on her. Celestia grunted and opened her eyes, sitting up.
"Nerezza.. I'm trying to sleep." Celestia groaned rubbing her eyes.
"Celwestia! Celwestia! It's snowing!" Nerezza giggled jumping up and down on her bed pointing out the window. This made Celestia get out of bed and stand by the window with her little sister. She giggled a little remembering just how adorable she was when she spoke even with her mispronunciations. Nerezza stuck her beak right against the glass of the window so delighted by the falling snow.
"Did you do this!?" She asked clapping her hands. Celestia laughed.
"Actually no, not this time" She smiled. "See every year around this time, Seva experiences a different season..and so it gets colder and the snow will fall from the sky." She explained to the best of her abilities to the mind of a toddler. Nerezza tilted her head trying to absorb as much information as possible from her big sister. But, it was short lived and she hugged Celestia.
"Can we go outside!?" She asked with a big smile and big bright eyes. Celestia hesitated but laughed at her little sister's innocence,
"Tomorrow we can, but right now we have to go to bed. We will get in trouble if we don't go to sleep." Nerezza frowned and slowly walked towards the door dragging her feet.
"Oh...okay." She said glumly slowly dragging herself towards the door. Celestia shook her head and couldn't help but laugh at her younger sister. Her hands grew cold, and her eyes turned white for a split second. She made snow form in her hands and she shaped it into a ball. Just before Nerezza made it out of her door she threw it at her sister. It fell softly as it hit squarely on her back. The young avian stood shocked and turned around facing her sister, a giant grin spread across her beak.
"Hey! Not fair!" Nerezza jumped turning around to face her sister again, and in the process making a funny face. Celestia covered her beak from laughing too loud.
"Do you want to sleep in here tonight?" Nerezza nodded her head and darted out of the room, down the hall to grab her blanket and stuffed toy before running back into Celestia's room.
"Ready!" She said happily, bouncing up and down on the bed. The turquoise avian pondered her thoughts for a moment. She had something she wanted to share with someone...but only trusted her sister with most things.
"Good! Hey want me to read you a story? But you have to promise not to tell mom or dad.."
"I pinkwie promise." Nerezza nodded, rocking back and forth. Celestia hopped down from the bed and pushed her carpet aside. She carefully removed one of the glass tiles and picked up a book covered in gold and jewels. Once she put everything back into place she sat up on the bed with her sister. Both in awe by how beautifully it was decorated.
"Now before I read this...do you think you're old enough?" Celestia asked raising her brow, mainly testing to see what her sister would say. Nerezza nodded, not really sure why that was a necessary requirement.
"I'm four! I am old enough for anything!" She exclaimed, Celestia laughed. Apparently four was old in her sister's eyes.
"Well I am only 14 years old and I don't even think I'm old enough..." She admitted grinning at Nerezza.
"Where did you find it?"
"Well...I found it under my pillow with this note.." Celestia pulled out a note written on what looked like silver parchment. Nerezza studied it and attempted to read it but shook her head.
"That's not Sevian.." Nerezza finally said handing the note back.
"I know it's not...but for some reason I can read it.."
"What does it say?"
"Read from prying eyes..."
Nerezza shrugged and snuggled up against her sister. "Do you know what it's about?"
Celestia shrugged as well, running her fingers along the spine of the book and then the cover. Then she opened it. Light danced and glimmered across the room. Wisps of stardust bounced around the book before it all disappeared in a second.
Celestia had closed it. It was all very overwhelming, especially for two very young girls. They looked at each other... Not too sure if they should reopen it. The silence consumed the room. A part of Celestia was scared... Why was this book given to her? And more importantly... Why was it to be kept secret? Her thoughts became dark and uncontrollable. Was someone watching her? Did they come after her for her powers? Her eyes crept to the side and she gasped when frost started to grow out from her and around the bed. Nerezza hugged her sister and slowly the ice started to recede. Seconds later the frost disappeared and Celestia became calm.
"I wove you big sis, don't be afraid." Those words soothed Celestia when she was losing control.. Her sister, so young and innocent, helped her in ways that she would likely never understand.
"You two girls should be sleeping." A soft female voice said, hinted with joy. Availyn had heard the two and was smiling at the end of the bed.
Celestia panicked and tried to hide the book, Nerezza trying to help by sitting on it. A chuckle left Availyns beak. "It's alright girls, I know about the book. Do you want me to read it to you? It's a wonderful book." Both girls nodded and Availyn scooched right in between them holding them close to her. She opened the book and the room lit up again with enchanting images, mysterious places and mythical beasts. Soft music was played while Availyn grinned at her two daughters who were in awe with what they saw. She started to read.
"Long long ago, before the dawn of our time, lived a woman so special that not even she knew her own significance to the universe. This woman lived in a time where light and dark were not in the same realm...but where dark ruled the world we know. Dasereth was born into a special family, but never really knew her father. He was a dark, mysterious man and rarely ever spent time with his family. Eventually, over time, Dasereth started to realize how cruel this world was...and so she ran away." Celestia was intrigued by this character already.
"Dasereth triumphed over many trails, avoiding the darkness that followed her. One day, She came face to face with a Cosmic phoenix, the only barriers of light in this realm. The phoenix, after seeing the wisdom and courage Dasereth possessed, blessed her with the power of fire." Nerezza smiled and clapped her hands, watching the book spew flames from its very pages.
"The phoenix encouraged her to find the other cosmic phoenix's and gain their blessings as well. So Dasereth did. Years and years of searching Dasereth found the water, the energy, the lightning, pressure and crystalline phoenixes. After possessing so much raw power, Dasereth began to feel as if she was being ripped away from reality. Her very soul was being split in several fractions. No mortal had ever wielded this much power without consequence, despite how good their intentions may have been. So her father came to her rescue, and tore away any connection she had to the mortal ways of life, stripping her away from any darkness that was holding her down, purifying her spirit. Light blinded the universe in waves as Dasereth became the first embodiment of light. A goddess in her own right. Strong and fearless, Dasereth continued searching this new universe, creating stars, nebulae and galaxies...a power that she and she alone possessed. Guiding light and shaping it to her own desires. Soon worlds flourished, and creatures thrived. Not long after, Dasereth found others like her, phoenix's who wielded the powers she could. They were not as powerful, but looked upon her with admiration and respect. They treated her like a Queen, a goddess...and followed her loyally. Soon they would all find themselves protecting the life she had brought to the universe, calling themselves the guardians." Availyn stopped to see her two girls very much interested with the story and then turned the page.
"Billions of years have passed since Dasereth's time. But she is not gone. Her spirit, her light still lives on in the form of the Diayzia. The Queen of the realm, the manifestation of light itself. She is the protector of everything we see, the people we love and worlds we live on. The guardians worship her and work very hard to protect all that they have built. Many are not so lucky to see a guardian in their lifetime, as they tend to work in secret, but those that do are considered very lucky..."
"Bah!" Availyn and the girls both looked up to see their father standing in the doorway, his arms crossed. "The guardians are a thorn in the side of the entire realm, they cause nothing but trouble. Look what they did to Seva!" Edwyn growled. Celestia raised her brow, skeptical already of her father's words.
"But this book says that they fight to protect us.."
Edwyn snorted and walked up to the bed, Availyn holding Celestia firmly against her. "That book was written by a guardian, it is as biased as they come!" Despite how enraged her father was, Nerezza was quite happy that they even existed at all.
"But Daddy! They're so cool, they can play with fire and water! Just like big sis can play with ice and snow!" She said jumping up and down, not really understanding the circumstances or the atmosphere that now plagued the room.
"Your sister is not a guardian, nor a phoenix. She is an abomination that came into this world, that I can control at my own will. Guardians cannot be trusted or controlled... that's the difference." Celestia nuzzled her face into Availyn. She could already feel a tear falling down her cheek. Availyn rubbed her head and then glared at Edwyn.
"How dare you say that... She's a blessing, a beautiful, smart girl who came into this world because of you!" Availyn snapped, feeling Celestia become colder with each second. Nerezza stopped jumping and hid under the blankets. Availyn got up and covered Celestia, and then pushed Edwyn who looked as if he was going to kill her for the very motion.
"You forget that you wanted this, and that you gave all our money way just so she could happen! Just because she didn't turn out the way you wanted, doesn't mean you can abuse her!"
He grunted, clenching his fists. She was right...but he wouldn't admit that. Nerezza peaked out from under the blankets, quivering ever so slightly.
"What did the guardians do to Seva Daddy?"
Edwyn and Availyn stopped arguing and looked over at their youngest daughter. "The Queen and her people came to Seva hundreds of years ago, and destroyed our very way of life." he explained in a stern voice.
Availyn rolled her eyes. "No, we destroyed ourselves, we didn't need their help." she looked at him shaking her head. There was no love between them anymore, he had grown pessimistic and dull. He no longer searched for adventure, was no longer inspired by new things. "What has happened to you...the man I married..."
"He's gone. " He said with anger in voice, he then grabbed the book and stormed out the room.
Availyn sighed, and lifted the sheets to see Celestia curled in a ball, her eyes filled with tears. It broke her heart to see her daughter be treated like that. She never asked for this life, it was unfair.
Nerezza sat beside her. "Don't listen to your father sweetie, you are unique and special, don't let his jealousy and anger upset you. Someday, you will be Queen and none of this will matter." But her words didn't seem to console her daughter and she frowned.
"We love you Celestia...have courage and always as be kind as you are now." she said kissing her on the forehead before taking Nerezza out of the room with her. Availyn frowned closing the door, she knew sometimes it was best to leave Celestia to her thoughts.
Celestia sobbed under the sheets. Her thoughts swirling around her mind like snow in a blizzard. She hated her father, what did he know? Why was he so cruel to her, and only her? He was kind to Nerezza, was it because she was normal? The guardians. He really appeared to despise them. But why? It was true that Seva was pushed into a war after the Guardians came...but were they really to blame? Celestia thought about the story of Dasereth and the guardians. She wished more than anything that the guardians would come now and take her away. Then she got an idea.
Dasereth ran away from her father, why couldn't she? But..her mother..her sister. They'd miss her. She sat on the edge of the bed, watching the snow swirl past her window. Contemplating her options, she jumped up and found a bag and started throwing things in it. Maybe...just maybe... if she ran away they would come..leaving her father behind.
She started throwing various things she thought she needed in the bag. she popped open the smallest window pane in her window and started to climb out. Then a rumble was heard in the distance...Celestia froze halfway out the window. Another rumble, this time it was closer. She swallowed hard...remembering that she needed to have courage. She jumped out and landed on the snow outside her window, her bag had fallen and scattered everything out in the snow. She started to pick it up when a loud roar of thunder boomed overhead and streaks of lightning ripped the sky open. Her feathers fluffed up, panicking she picked up everything and before she could dart for it, but then she heard the sound of something soft falling in the snow behind her. Celestia saw the make of violet, teal and silver feathers in the snow.
"Nerezza?!" She said with surprise running over to help her up.
"Where are you going?" Nerezza asked with her large round eyes. Celestia took a moment to choose her words wisely.
"I'm running away." At Nerezza's age she didn't really understand or appreciate just how dangerous this was. She just wanted to be with her sister.
"Then I am coming too!" She said, she dug out a small bag she had also made up. Celestia was weary of saying yes, it was growing colder by the second she would have to keep a close eye on her. But she didn't want to leave her sister behind, so she nodded and smiled lightly, appreciating her sisters loyalty.
"Fine. But we have to hurry!" The little avian nodded and took her big sister's hands and they made their way into the storm.
Edwyn looked over the note left on the book. He snarled. He should have known. He wasn't paying him to provide nonsense books to his daughter. He was going to hear it this time. Edwyn opened the large doors to his study and noticed a large familiar figure sitting his chair. His face cloaked in shadows. His golden eyes leering into him, like he was some sort of apex predator hunting its prey..
"Do you treat everyone like your doormat or is it just your family that takes the brunt of your bitterness? " The figure grinned, his voice quickly reminding Edwyn of his place in the grand scheme of things. Edwyn scowled.
"What business do you have providing my daughters with nonsense rubbish about the guardians?" The figure continued to grin and it sat forward out of the shadows, revealing his dangerous golden eyes. He shrugged his large shoulders and put his feet up on Edwyns desk, finally resting his muscular arms behind his feathery head.
"I just thought it would be a good bedtime story. You know, with all the moving pictures and the happy endings." He conceded, with a hint of hubris. Happy endings? Edwyn didn't feel like getting into an argument over this one.
"Are you here for payment?" Edwyn finally asked. He nodded.
"I also thought you should know that your daughters have...vacated the palace."
"What?" Edwyn grumbled, clenching his fists. "And you didn't stop them?"
"Why would I? I say adventure is good for their development." The figure grinned seeing that Edwyn was about to lose it. He was a control freak...and this would set him over the edge. His daughters out in the world of Seva, they had never ventured out of the palace. Perhaps he was worried that they wouldn't survive...but really did he care for their sake or his? Nonetheless, he didn't care, this was another way he could squeeze money out of the corrupted leader.
"I watched her climb out her window..and soon after the youngest one followed. They're not too far...I could track them and bring them back... but of course...it will cost you. " By now the figure was standing over Edwyn, his eyes glowing yellow from his power growing inside of him. Sparks jumping off his hands. Even Edwyn shuttered at his response.
"I'll send my own men, I don't need you galavanting around Seva. If news spread that there was a guardian around...the people would riot against me." He explained annoyed.
Pyren watched as Edwyn's paranoia got the best of him. He was truly a little to Pyren who would never give up his desire for total control. He knew he could end him right then and there. However, he found the current events rather interesting and so much so that he suppressed his innate desire to show him just where he was in the pecking order.
He let a small grin crack his beak at his own thoughts.
"How much are you willing to pay me to go get them? I will remind you that you still owe me for the last job.."
"Million Sevian currency.."
"How about about 10, make it worth my while to go out in that blizzard." He requested sternly. His bright eyes leering into Edwyn.
"Fine 10.." Edwyn needed Celestia back...as much as he wanted to get rid of her. He still had plans for her..there was still a way he could make her do what he wanted.
The figure grinned and started to make his way to his own hidden entrance. Edwyn got up and glared at him.
"And thief...Go unnoticed, or you won't get paid."
Pyren rolled his eyes and cocked his head back, "Fail to pay me and your package won't arrive alive."