The Emerald Refuge
1256 Words
The wind howled softly as Pyrester cut through the sky.
Moments later—
She descended.
Slowly.
Gracefully.
And landed in a place far from civilization.
The ground was dry and cracked.
Old, abandoned structures stood like ghosts of the past—half broken walls, collapsed roofs, rusted metal frames.
No voices.
No movement.
No life.
Just silence.
Pyrester folded her wings.
Pyra, Lena, and Aria climbed down.
Pyra looked around, her eyes scanning the emptiness.
“…This is a long way from home.”
Lena knelt beside Pyrester, gently stroking her neck.
Pyrester let out a soft, playful sound—almost like a giggle.
Aria crossed her arms.
“Perfect hiding spot though.”
Lena looked up.
“Pyra…”
“Why were the military after you?”
Pyra frowned.
“I don’t know.”
She paused.
“Maybe… they weren’t after me.”
She looked at Pyrester.
“…Maybe they were after her.”
Aria nodded immediately.
“That actually makes sense.”
Lena stood up slowly.
“But that doesn’t make it better.”
Pyra suddenly turned serious.
“I need to go home.”
Both Lena and Aria froze.
Pyra continued,
“Louise and Ken might be in danger.”
Aria stepped forward quickly.
“Pyra… are you out of your mind?”
She pointed upward.
“The military, CIA, FBI—everyone is looking for you!”
“And don’t forget the dragon riders who literally want your head!”
“You can’t go back!”
Pyra’s eyes softened.
“But I have to.”
She placed her hand on her chest.
“I can feel it…”
“Something is wrong.”
Lena sighed deeply.
“Okay…”
“Then we prepare first.”
Pyra looked at her.
“Prepare how?”
Lena crossed her arms.
“You need control.”
“Real control.”
“Of your powers.”
Pyra frowned.
“And who is going to teach me that?”
Aria smiled slowly.
“I think I know someone.”
Lena raised an eyebrow.
“Who?”
Aria turned dramatically toward Pyrester.
“Let’s just say…”
“You’re about to meet royalty.”
Pyra narrowed her eyes.
“I hope I won’t regret this.”
Aria laughed.
“You will—”
Then whispered under her breath—
“…not.”
Pyra smirked.
“I heard that.”
The three girls burst into laughter.
“Come on,” Aria said.
They climbed back onto Pyrester.
“Take us there.”
Pyrester roared softly.
And launched into the sky.
---
In the Sky
Clouds parted as they flew higher.
Then—
A massive structure appeared in the distance.
A kingdom.
Glowing.
Green.
Shimmering under sunlight.
Pyra’s eyes widened.
“…Is that a castle?”
Aria smirked.
“What does it look like?”
Lena chuckled.
“Pardon her.”
“She’s a princess who never lived in a castle.”
Aria gasped playfully.
“Oooh…”
“That’s deep.”
They descended toward the gates.
---
Emerald Kingdom
The kingdom was breathtaking.
Walls embedded with glowing emerald stones.
Towers sparkled like crystals.
Even the streets reflected green light.
Guards stood at the gate, checking everyone entering.
Pyra whispered nervously,
“How are we getting in?”
“What do we say?”
Aria smiled confidently.
“Leave that to me.”
They approached.
A guard stepped forward.
“Name.”
“Origin.”
Pyra froze.
Lena stayed quiet.
Aria stepped forward boldly.
“I am Princess Ariana Lidia of the Emerald Kingdom.”
“I have returned to see my parents.”
Silence.
Shock hit Pyra and Lena instantly.
Princess?
The guards straightened immediately.
“The princess has returned!”
One of them signaled.
“Escort her to the castle!”
Aria coughed lightly.
“…You mean us.”
She pointed at Pyra and Lena.
“They’re with me.”
The guard nodded respectfully.
“Of course, Your Highness.”
A luxurious limousine pulled up.
The guards bowed.
The girls entered.
As the car drove into the castle—
Hidden in the crowd…
A man whispered into a small device.
“She’s here.”
---
Inside the Castle
The grand hall doors opened.
They were led into the royal court.
Guards lined both sides.
At the far end—
The King and Queen sat on their thrones.
The moment the Queen saw Aria—
She stood up.
“My daughter!”
Aria ran forward.
“Mother!”
They embraced tightly.
The King stood too.
“Aria…”
He smiled warmly and joined the embrace.
“I’ve missed you.”
Pyra and Lena watched in awe.
After a moment, the Queen pulled back and looked at them.
“And who are these… guests?”
Aria hesitated.
“Not exactly guests…”
“We were hoping they could stay for a while.”
The King nodded immediately.
“If my daughter wishes it, then it is done.”
He looked at them.
“Your names?”
Lena stepped forward.
“Your Majesty… I am Lena of Firestone.”
Pyra followed.
“I am Pyra… of Firestone.”
Silence.
The King and Queen froze.
Aria frowned.
“Mother?”
“What’s wrong?”
The Queen whispered slowly…
“…Pyra?”
“Princess Pyra Firestone?”
Pyra nodded.
“Yes…”
“I am.”
The King stepped forward.
“I am deeply sorry… for what was done to your kingdom.”
Pyra bowed her head slightly.
“Thank you.”
Aria quickly explained.
“She never lived there.”
“She was taken away before Lord Fedrah could kill her.”
The Queen’s eyes softened.
The King sighed.
“Your mother…”
“She is a dear friend of ours.”
“When we heard she was captured, we sent forces to help.”
His voice grew heavy.
“But we did not know…”
“…there were dragons.”
“All our men were slaughtered.”
Silence filled the hall.
Aria stepped forward urgently.
“Mother…”
“They are coming for her.”
Pyra looked at her.
“They want to capture her.”
“She needs training.”
“She has powers.”
The Queen studied Pyra carefully.
Then she said calmly—
“Yes.”
“Fire…”
“Telekinesis…”
“Telepathy…”
Pyra whispered under her breath,
“People know more about me than I do…”
The Queen smiled gently.
“We will help you.”
“Our best magician will train you.”
The King nodded.
“You will learn control.”
The Queen gestured softly.
“But for now…”
“Rest.”
“Eat.”
“You are safe here.”
Pyra and Lena bowed.
“Thank you, Your Majesties.”
They turned to leave.
“Aria,” the Queen called.
“Stay.”
Aria looked at Pyra.
“I’ll catch up.”
Pyra nodded.
Guards escorted Pyra and Lena out.
---
In the Court
Aria turned back to her parents.
“Mother…”
The Queen stepped closer and held her face gently.
“Thank you.”
“For bringing her here.”
“It is what her mother would have wanted.”
Aria smiled softly.
The King placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I am proud of you.”
“My daughter.”
Aria’s eyes lit up.
And for the first time in a long while—
She felt like she was truly home.
---
Meanwhile…
Far away…
Forces were gathering.
And the war for Pyra—
Had already begun.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD