RAIN

CHAPTER THREE:🌓

My grandfather had given me everything I'd ever desired, except for one thing: the freedom to explore the city and connect with its people. I'd always wondered why he was so adamant about keeping me confined to the palace. Now, at seventeen, I decided to confront him about it.

'Why won't you let me visit the city, Grandfather?' I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

He looked at me with a serious expression. 'The world out there is treacherous, child. I have many enemies who know you're my only weakness. If you venture into the city, you'll put both yourself and me in danger.'

His words lingered in my mind, but a part of me didn't quite believe him. I knew I could defend myself, and with my grandfather's formidable power, I felt invincible. Yet, a nagging feeling persisted – why was I his weakness? Was it because he loved me the most, or was there something more he wasn't telling me?

As I pondered these questions, I felt an overwhelming urge to escape the palace. But where could I go? I was lost in thought as I walked back to my chambers.

Suddenly, an unseen force weighed me down, rendering me immobile. I struggled to turn my head, searching for someone to aid me, but I was alone. I tried to scream for help, but my voice was silenced. A sense of powerlessness washed over me, unlike anything I'd ever experienced.

Just as I felt consumed by fear, a brilliant light enveloped me. The intensity was blinding, forcing me to close my eyes. When I opened them again, I found myself in a realm unlike anything I'd ever seen. The landscape was dotted with crystals, gems, and diamonds, illuminated by a majestic rainbow that seemed to pulse with life.

As I gazed in wonder, a group of beings emerged from the surrounding landscape. They formed a circle around me, their eyes shining with an otherworldly intensity. Fear crept in, but they spoke in unison, their voices echoing in my mind.

'Do not fear, for we are the Thirty-Three gods of XOOL. We have chosen you, a descendant of the one who wrongly seized the power of Milvir. You shall wield the power of good, ending his reign of terror. You shall bring balance to the forces of good and evil, restoring the moon to its rightful place in the sky. You shall usher in an era of peace, and the people shall rejoice as crystals rain down from the heavens, banishing sorrow forever.'

As they spoke, the thirty-three gods stretched out

their hands and imbue me with the power of GOOD, I experienced an explosive surge of energy coursing through every fiber of my being. It was as if a thousand suns had erupted within me, filling me with an uncontainable radiance.

My heart swelled with an overwhelming sense of purpose, as if the very fabric of destiny was being rewoven to align with my newfound power. The weight of responsibility settled upon me, but it was tempered by an unshakeable conviction that I was the chosen one, destined to wield this sacred energy.

The power of GOOD ignited a fire within my soul, illuminating the darkest recesses of my being and casting out the shadows. I felt invigorated, revitalized, and reborn, as if my very essence had been transformed by the divine energy.

Every cell in my body vibrated with an intense, pulsating light, as if the power of GOOD was awakening dormant potential within me. My senses expanded, allowing me to perceive the world in a new, heightened way. I felt the pulse of the universe, the rhythm of creation itself, and I knew that I was now an integral part of that grand symphony.

With this blessing, I felt reborn, and renewed. I was no longer just a mortal; I was a vessel for the divine, a champion of the light, and a force to be reckoned with.

As they lowered their hands, the first god stepped forward, his eyes burning with an ancient wisdom.

'Escape the palace, child,' he commanded, his voice like thunder in my mind. 'Do not let your grandfather, parents, or cousin find you. Make your way into the city, where you will find the last Milar witch.'

I felt a shiver run down my spine as the god's words painted a vivid picture in my mind.

'The Milar witch will take you under his wing,' the god continued. 'He will teach you how to harness the power of GOOD, to wield it against the forces of darkness that seek to destroy all that is sacred.'

With those final words, the gods vanished.

I snapped back to reality, gasping as if I'd been underwater for too long. The world around me sprang back to life, but I knew that time had stood still during my encounter with the gods. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized the magnitude of what had just occurred.

I rushed back to my chambers, my mind racing with questions and doubts. I couldn't shake the feeling that my whole life had been a lie. Had my grandfather's love and protection been genuine, or was it all just a ruse to keep me safe until I was ready to wield the power of GOOD?

I paced back and forth in my room, my thoughts swirling with uncertainty. I needed answers, and I knew that I wouldn't find them within the palace walls. I had to escape, to uncover the truth about my family, my destiny, and the power that coursed through my veins.

With newfound determination, I began to formulate a plan. I would escape the palace, find the Milar witch, and learn the secrets of the power of GOOD. I was ready to take control of my own destiny, no matter the cost.

I knew that escaping the palace wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to make it happen. I waited until nightfall, when the guards were least expecting it, and made my move.

I snuck out of my chambers, my sword at my side and a small pouch of gold coins hidden in my belt. I made my way through the dark corridors, avoiding the torches that lit the way. I had to be careful; one misstep could mean capture, or worse.

I reached the palace walls and found a small gate that I knew was rarely used. I picked the lock, my heart racing with excitement and fear. As I slipped out into the night, I felt a rush of freedom that I had never known before.

But freedom came with its own set of challenges. I found myself in the midst of a bustling city, with no place to call my own. I wandered the streets for hours, searching for a place to rest. But every inn and tavern I came across seemed to be full, or unwilling to take in a young woman traveling alone.

Just when I thought I couldn't go any further, I saw a sign in the distance: 'The Red Griffin Inn'. I stumbled towards it, my legs aching and my stomach growling. As I pushed open the door, I was greeted by the warm glow of a fire and the smell of roasting meat.

I took a seat at the bar, ordering a hot meal and a room for the night. As I ate, I couldn't help but overhear the conversations around me. And what I heard made my blood run cold.

A group of men in the corner were talking about the king, about his evil ways and his cult of followers. And then, one of them mentioned me - the king's evil granddaughter, who was rumored to be just as ruthless and power-hungry as her grandfather.

I felt a surge of anger and denial. How could they say such things about me? I was nothing like my grandfather, and I would prove it to them. But for now, I just smiled to myself, knowing that I had a long and difficult journey ahead of me."

As I finished my meal, the memories of my past deeds came flooding back. I had done terrible things with my grandfather, things that I couldn't erase from my mind. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks: I was as evil as they said.

My quest for redemption seemed even more daunting now. I felt a wave of determination wash over me. I would do whatever it took to make things right.

I paid for my meal with a gold coin, and the innkeeper's eyes widened in surprise. He stared at me, his gaze lingering on the sword at my side.

'Where's my room?' I asked, trying to sound confident.

'Follow me,' he grunted, leading me up a creaky staircase to a small, simple room.

I was taken aback by the austerity of the room. The bed was plain, the furniture worn. I had never slept in a bed that wasn't made of gold, or eaten food that wasn't served on fine china.

'Isn't there a better room available?'

The innkeeper laughed, a rough, mocking sound. 'You think you're the princess or something?' he sneered. 'Look, kid, I only let you in because you're young and pretty. Don't think that just because you've got a sword and some gold, you can talk down to me.'

I stormed into the room, my anger simmering just below the surface. The innkeeper's condescending tone still echoed in my mind, his words dripping with disdain. 'You think you're in a palace, little child?' he'd sneered, his eyes glinting with amusement.

As I gazed around the room, my dismay deepened. The space was a mess, with leftover food littering the floor and dirty clothes scattered haphazardly across the bed. The air was thick with the stench of stale beer and sweat. 'Is this what the world outside the palace is like?' I wondered, feeling a pang of disappointment.

I dropped my sword and coins onto the bed, the metallic clang echoing through the room. Then, I headed to the bathroom, hoping to wash away the grime of the day. But the faucet leaked, and empty beer bottles lined the counter, a grimy reminder of the room's previous occupants. Disgusted, I abandoned my plans for a bath, not wanting to touch the filthy sink or toilet.

Returning to the bed, I lay down, feeling increasingly irritated. The mattress creaked beneath me, and the pillows were flat and lumpy. But as I settled in, a sense of peace slowly washed over me, calming my frazzled nerves.

My mind began to wander, thoughts drifting to the witch I sought. Where could I find him? Should I ask around, risking exposure as the princess? Or should I search for her in secret, hoping to remain hidden?

I reassured myself that the outside world wasn't so bad. At least I had found a place to stay without being discovered. Yet, I knew I had to be cautious - my grandfather would stop at nothing to find me, and I couldn't risk being caught. His wrath would be merciless, and I would be forced to face the consequences of my defiance.