WELCOME TO ELDORIA
1047 Words
The first rays of sunlight stretched across Raven Hollow, painting the sleepy village in shades of gold and amber. Usually, the streets remained quiet at this hour, but today was different.
Today, the entire village had gathered.
Neighbours stood outside their cottages, waving with warm smiles. Children ran between the adults, carrying little bouquets of wildflowers they had picked at dawn. Even old Mr. Theodore, who rarely left his front porch, had come to bid the girls farewell.
A large horse-drawn carriage waited in the village square.
Octavia tightened her grip around her travel bag.
She had imagined this day countless times.
Now that it had finally arrived, she wasn't sure if she was excited... or afraid.
Her mother stepped forward and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"You've always dreamed of studying in Eldoria Royal University," she said with a smile that couldn't quite hide the tears in her eyes. "Now your dream has come true."
Octavia nodded.
"I'll make you proud."
"You already have."
Her father embraced her tightly.
"No matter how wonderful Eldoria is, never forget where your journey began."
"I won't."
Nearby, Aurora's family was just as emotional.
Her younger brothers clung to her arms, refusing to let go.
"You have to come home every school break!" one of them cried.
Aurora laughed through her tears.
"I promise! And I'll bring you gifts from Eldoria."
The villagers applauded as both girls climbed into the carriage.
"Study hard!"
"Take care of each other!"
"Come home safely!"
The carriage rolled forward.
Octavia leaned out of the window, waving until Raven Hollow slowly disappeared behind the hills.
A new chapter of her life had begun.
---
The journey lasted several days.
They crossed rolling green hills, winding rivers, peaceful villages, and endless forests where ancient trees stretched high into the sky like silent guardians.
Aurora never seemed to run out of excitement.
"Look!" she gasped for what felt like the hundredth time. "Did you see those waterfalls?"
Before Octavia could answer, Aurora pointed somewhere else.
"And those mountains! They're beautiful!"
Octavia laughed.
"I don't know how you still have so much energy."
"I've been waiting for this my entire life."
The carriage continued along a magnificent highway lined with towering trees whose branches met overhead, creating a natural tunnel of emerald leaves.
Crystal-clear rivers sparkled beside the road, flowing toward distant kingdoms.
Wildflowers danced in the gentle breeze.
Birds filled the sky with cheerful songs.
The world seemed larger than Octavia had ever imagined.
Yet...
Every now and then...
She found herself remembering the dream.
The stranger's voice.
The freezing air.
The scent of rain and pine.
She quietly shook the thoughts away.
It was only a dream.
Wasn't it?
---
By the afternoon of the sixth day, the carriage reached the top of a high hill.
The driver smiled.
"Eldoria."
Everyone leaned toward the windows.
A collective gasp filled the carriage.
Below them stood the most beautiful city Octavia had ever seen.
Towering white stone walls surrounded the magnificent medieval city.
Elegant gates welcomed visitors from every kingdom.
A sparkling river flowed through the heart of Eldoria before disappearing into the horizon.
Several waterfalls cascaded down the surrounding cliffs, their waters feeding crystal-blue lakes that shimmered beneath the afternoon sun.
Beautiful beaches stretched along the southern shoreline where children played while families relaxed beneath colourful canopies.
In the distance, merchant ships sailed across the sea.
Wide roads lined with ancient trees connected different parts of the city.
Flower gardens bloomed everywhere.
Markets overflowed with life.
Towering churches stood proudly among elegant stone houses covered in climbing roses.
Far above the city stood the breathtaking royal palace.
Its white towers gleamed beneath the sunlight like something from a fairy tale.
Aurora pressed both hands against the carriage window.
"It's even more beautiful than I imagined."
Octavia could only nod.
For a moment...
She forgot how to breathe.
---
The city was alive.
Students from different kingdoms walked beside merchants, nobles, travellers and musicians.
Some wore richly embroidered robes.
Others wore simple travelling clothes.
Different languages floated through the busy streets.
The smell of freshly baked bread mixed with roasted meat, sweet pastries, spices and colourful fruits from distant lands.
Street performers entertained laughing crowds.
Florists arranged baskets overflowing with roses, lilies, lavender and sunflowers.
No one looked like a stranger.
Everyone seemed welcome.
Aurora smiled brightly.
"I think I'm going to love it here."
"So do I," Octavia admitted.
The carriage eventually stopped before magnificent iron gates.
Above them, beautifully carved into white stone, were the words:
ELDORIA ROYAL UNIVERSITY
Students poured through the entrance carrying books, luggage and dreams of their own.
Octavia climbed down from the carriage, balancing her suitcase while trying to hold several books and important documents.
Unfortunately...
Someone accidentally bumped into her shoulder.
"Oh!"
Her books slipped from her hands.
Sheets of paper scattered across the stone pathway.
A sudden breeze carried one of her admission letters away.
"Oh no!"
Aurora hurried to help.
"I'll get it!"
Before either of them could reach it...
A graceful hand caught the paper just before it landed in a nearby fountain.
The young woman bent to gather the rest of the books with effortless elegance.
She smiled warmly as she handed everything back to Octavia.
"I believe these belong to you."
Octavia accepted them with a grateful smile.
"Thank you so much."
"It's nothing."
The young woman looked between the two friends.
"First day?"
Aurora sighed dramatically.
"Is it really that obvious?"
The girl laughed softly.
"I remember feeling exactly the same."
Octavia noticed how kind her smile was.
There was something comforting about her.
"I'm Octavia."
"Aurora."
The young woman extended her hand.
"I'm Arina."
The three girls smiled at one another.
None of them knew...
That this simple meeting would become the beginning of a friendship that would change all three of their lives forever.
As they walked through the university gates together...
A cool breeze brushed against Octavia's face.
She stopped walking.
For the briefest moment...
She caught the familiar scent of rain and pine.
Her heart skipped.
She slowly turned toward the distant forest beyond the city walls.
Nothing was there.
Yet somehow...
She couldn't shake the feeling that someone, somewhere, already knew she had arrived.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD