Prologue
Stars winked through the shifting clouds as the night stretched across the sky like a dark velvet curtain. There was silence among the tall trees, their twisted roots winding under a mat of moss, deep in a forest that had not been touched by time. The cool air carried the aroma of damp earth and honeysuckle, a natural melody. A breeze rustled the leaves through the branches and up to a tall willow in the centre of the forest. The tree trembled as the wind touched its iridescent blossoms. One bloom escaped, descending in a slow, delicate spiral. Like a whispered secret, it sent ripples outward after landing on the surface of a calm lake. The flower was plucked from its delicate cradle when a pale hand reached for it from the shadows, fingers skimming the water. A voice, as soft as the wind, whispered, "Little one." "You're not lost. Tonight is the first day of your journey. With her silver eyes reflecting the moonlight, the figure raised the flower. Wet from the lake, long strands of icy-white hair fell over her shoulders. Her bare feet pressed into the bank of moss as she took a step forward. As she moved, the fabric of a plain white dress whispered against her skin. She brought the bloom to her lips, a silent wish forming in her mind before the wind caught the flower and carried it skyward. She lifted a hand and traced patterns in the air as the blossom drifted away, a tiny smile curling her lips. From the shadows outside, the trees came a voice. “Another one, Freida?” She turned and saw a woman with deep, earthy eyes and chestnut-brown hair. Watching the flower dance towards the sky, the newcomer stepped forward, her golden-brown skin glowing in the gentle moonlight. Freida brushed a flyaway hair behind her ear and remarked, "The wind picked this one." Hella raised her eyebrows. "That doesn't occur very often." "No, it doesn't." A pause. "It seems... significant." Hella folded her arms. "You constantly say that." Freida laughed. "And I'm always right." Hella let out a sigh and watched the bloom fade into the darkness. "Are you ever curious about their final destination?" "Somewhere they belong," Freida muttered. There was a brief pause in which only the sound of rustling leaves could be heard between them. Then Freida turned suddenly, looking up at the tree's canopy. "Now, let's delve into their other side." Hella offered a firm shake of her head. "You act as though you're weaving some grand fate." "Isn't it?" "You sound absurd." All Freida could do was smile and reach up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the flowers. Before her face brightened, her lips moved in silent reflection. "That one." Hella sighed and moved forward. "You owe me." “Always.” Hella knelt and interlaced her fingers, muttering a complaint. As she stood up, Freida steadied herself by placing her foot in her sister's hands. Careful not to disturb the others, she extended her fingers towards the tallest blooms. She picked a single flower from the willow's crown with a quiet hum of satisfaction. She stepped down, moving as smoothly as though the ground were guiding her. With a question in her eyes, she turned to Hella and held up the bloom. Hella let out a sharp breath, but a smile flickered across her lips. "All right." Freida's face brightened. Her sister kissed the petals of the Before taking Freida's hand, she pressed it to Hella's lips. They shared a moment without exchanging words. Before letting the flower fly into the air, Freida closed her eyes and muttered a silent wish. As she watched the breeze carry it away, she whispered, "Find your way." Hella gave her a nudge. "Do you think it will pay attention?" Freida grinned. "It always does." As the flower vanished into the horizon, its journey had just begun; the two stood side by side, their eyes fixed on the night sky.
