As I awaken on the modest mattress resting on the floor of my room, I am greeted by the familiar sight of the thin blanket that has provided me comfort for as long as I can recall. Today is my birthday, and although I wish myself a heartfelt Happy Birthday, I am aware that no one else will extend their well-wishes, for it appears that nobody truly cares. Determined to start the day on a positive note, I swiftly rise from the mattress and make my way to the compact bathroom that has been allocated to me.
With a sense of urgency, I take a quick shower, ensuring that I am refreshed before stepping out and promptly drying myself off. Once dressed, I head to the kitchen, where I prepare breakfast for my mother and Nichole, hoping that by doing so, I can avoid any potential confrontation or physical harm this morning.
As I enter the kitchen, the familiar scent of stale coffee and unwashed dishes fills the air. The worn-out linoleum floor creaks beneath my feet as I navigate through the cluttered countertops, searching for ingredients to whip up a simple breakfast. The sound of my mother's raspy cough echoes from the adjacent room, a constant reminder of her deteriorating health.
I carefully select a few eggs from the refrigerator, their shells cracked and fragile, mirroring the fragility of our lives. With a heavy heart, I crack them into a chipped bowl, whisking them vigorously, hoping to infuse some semblance of happiness into this mundane morning routine. As I reach for the milk, I notice the empty carton, a stark reminder of our meager existence.
Undeterred, I rummage through the pantry, searching for any remnants of sustenance. A half-empty box of cereal and a few slices of stale bread catch my eye. With a sigh, I decide to make do with what little we have. I toast the bread, watching as it turns a golden brown, a small victory amidst the chaos that engulfs our lives.
When the smell of breakfast fills the room, I am immediately alerted by the sound of footsteps coming towards me. My heart races with trepidation, fearing that something terrible has happened. The first to enter the kitchen is my sister, followed by my mom, both making a beeline for the table where they settle down and engage in a lively conversation.
“Nichole, are you prepared to embrace the role of Luna?” inquires mom with a sense of anticipation.
“Absolutely! I am thrilled to announce that I have discovered the most exquisite gown for the Luna ceremony,” Nichole exclaims with sheer excitement.
"I am eagerly looking forward to witnessing it," Mom exclaims, her face adorned with a radiant smile.
Meanwhile, I swiftly begin tidying up the aftermath of breakfast. In a rush, I quickly devour the small plate of food I had prepared for myself, making sure to finish it before my mom or sister catch sight of it. I grab a refreshing glass of water and once the kitchen is spotless, I make my way back to my room to gather my school supplies.
As I made my way towards the entrance, I slipped on my shoes and embarked on my journey to my inaugural day of high school. When I caught sight of the towering building, I paused for a moment, inhaling deeply to calm my nerves before stepping inside. Once indoors, I navigated through the hallways until I reached my assigned locker. Just as I shut the locker door, my attention was drawn to the sound of my sister's approaching footsteps.
Suddenly, Nichole bursts out, exclaiming, “Oh my goodness, the Plague has officially begun her high school journey today. Beware, everyone, and keep your distance unless you want to face the wrath of her curse.”
I let my head drop, and tears start pouring down my cheeks, and I can hear the crowd gasping in unison. The sound of people shuffling away from me echoes in my ears as I make my way towards my first class. I can't help but wonder why she can't just let me be and stop tormenting me. What have I done to deserve such intense hatred from her?
When I enter the classroom, my eyes immediately notice a single desk and chair, isolated from the rest of the class. Without hesitation, I make my way towards it, knowing instinctively that it is my designated spot. With a heavy sigh, I reach into my bag and retrieve my book and notebook, preparing myself for the upcoming class. Meanwhile, the other students begin to enter the room, eagerly finding their seats next to their friends, their laughter filling the air.
However, amidst their joyous chatter, a hushed whisper reaches my ears, causing a pang of unease. “Oh no, Sable, the plague, is in our class. Let's hope nothing bad happens to us,” Penny confides in her friends, their giggles following suit.
Trying to hold back my tears, I find myself on the receiving end of a cruel act as a pencil is hurled at my face, leaving a trail of blood on my cheek. The room falls silent as Steve from across the room shouts, “Get out, you disgusting creature! We don't want you here!”
As the teacher strides into the classroom, the atmosphere instantly shifts and the class commences. Amidst the flurry of activity, the syllabus is distributed to each student, but unfortunately, mine is carelessly crumpled into a tight ball before it even reaches my hands. Determined, I manage to retrieve it and meticulously smooth out the creases, all while the teacher continues to deliver a lengthy introduction to the course.
Just as the bell rings, signaling the end of the period, we all begin to make our way towards our next class. However, before I can make my escape, a sudden force slams me onto the ground, causing an intense surge of pain to shoot through my body. In the midst of my distress, Sally coldly utters, “Leave and never return. Your presence is nothing but a curse upon us.”
Suddenly, I hear a loud exclamation of “enough!” as a young boy approaches me and swiftly lifts me off the ground. It dawns on me that it's none other than Torin, the son of our alpha, and my heart starts racing even faster in response to his unexpected presence.
In the blink of an eye, my sister appears next to him and plants a kiss on his lips, intensifying my sadness as I come to terms with the fact that they are dating. This realization only deepens my despair, as it signifies that he will join the ranks of those who despise me. As he gently pats my shoulder, attempting to console me, I have him stand me on the ground out of his arms and flee from the school, sprinting towards the solace of the forest. The weight of the emotional anguish I've endured becomes unbearable, leaving me no choice but to seek refuge in the tranquility of nature. Today, I simply cannot bear any more pain.
I'm uncertain about the duration of my run, but suddenly, I find myself gasping for air and collapsing. It is at this very moment that I hear the enchanting voice of the moon goddess whispering to me, “Are you prepared? Your inner wolf is about to make its grand appearance.”
“I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you're saying. Are you implying that my wolf is approaching, even though I still have a couple of years left until I reach the age of eighteen?” I inquire, feeling perplexed and seeking clarification.
I remain seated, my gaze fixed on the sky, and find myself perplexed by the silence of the moon goddess. The absence of her voice only deepens my confusion, while simultaneously, I sense an inexplicable sensation stirring within me.
And so our kingdom continued to thrive, a testament to the power of love, unity, and resilience. The Marcus's spirit became a symbol of hope and guidance for generations to come, and the bond of our people grew stronger with each passing day.As the years went by, stories of our triumph over the ancient evil spread far and wide, inspiring other kingdoms to rise up against their own dark forces. Our kingdom became a hub of knowledge and wisdom, attracting scholars, artists, and warriors from across the land.King Edward continued to reign with grace and wisdom, passing on the torch of leadership to a new generation of rulers who carried on his legacy. And Elly, the dragon, remained a steadfast guardian of our land, her fiery breath a constant reminder of our past struggles and the importance of unity.In time, the ancient spirits that had once guided us on our journey became a permanent fixture in our kingdom, their presence felt in the rustling of the trees and the gentle whispers of
In the days that followed, we began the long process of reconstructing our lives and our land. King Edward led the way, his strength and resilience an inspiration to all who knew him. Our companions worked tirelessly, using their unique abilities to aid in the rebuilding efforts, while Elly's fire continued to be a symbol of the hope that our kingdom desperately needed.As we set forth on the path to rebuilding, we began to see the signs of healing and renewal all around us. Flowers bloomed where once there had been ruin, and the animals that had fled the darkness returned, their timid steps slowly giving way to curiosity and playfulness.Our people, too, began to find hope and solace in the child's spirit, the embodiment of all that we had fought so hard to protect. We gathered in the town square, singing songs of unity and sharing stories of our bravery, each voice adding to the crescendo of hope that filled the air.And though the journey was long and arduous, we knew that our sacr
King Edward fought valiantly, his sword slashing through the shadows as he pressed the attack. Yet, no matter how many times he struck, the ancient evil seemed to only grow stronger, its power unyielding in the face of our attempts to vanquish it.In that moment, it was as if the very fabric of time and space tore apart, revealing a glimpse of the future where our kingdom lay in ruins, consumed by the darkness we had failed to defeat. A sense of hopelessness washed over me, threatening to extinguish the spark of hope that had burned within me since we first set out on this journey.It was then that a voice rose above the chaos, a voice that seemed to reverberate through the very air itself. The guardian of the realm appeared before us, their presence bringing with it a sense of tranquility and serenity that seemed to cut through the shadows like a beacon of light."Listen to me," they commanded, their voice carrying the weight of centuries past. "You cannot defeat this evil by force a
As we ventured deeper into the heart of darkness, a sense of foreboding grew within me. The air was heavy with malevolence, and I could feel the ancient evil drawing closer, its presence sending shivers down my spine.King Edward gripped his sword tightly, his jaw set in determination as he led our party through the haunted forest. Elly circled above us, her eyes ablaze with fiery determination, ready to unleash her wrath upon any who dared threaten her charges.Our companions stayed close, their weapons at the ready as we navigated the twisting path before us. Each step brought us closer to the source of the darkness, and I could feel the weight of responsibility bearing down on my shoulders.But just as despair threatened to overtake me, a soft voice whispered inthe darkness, cutting through the oppressive silence like a beacon of hope. It was a melody so pure and haunting, resonating with a power that stirred something deep within my soul. My companions and I exchanged bewildered
As the contractions began to intensify, I felt a surge of strength and determination. I knew that I was not just bringing a new life into the world, but also a symbol of hope for the future. Our Marcus would be a testament to the strength and resilience of our kingdom, a living reminder of the sacrifices that had been made and the victories that had been won.In the moments before the birth, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I could feel the love and support of King Edward, our people, and the countless souls who had fought by my side in the battle against the darkness.And then, as the sun rose over the kingdom, I felt the first gentle push, and our Marcus was born.As soon as our newborn Marcus was placed in my arms, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude. Here was the product of our love, our strength, and our determination, the embodiment of all we had fought for and all we had achieved.King Edward felt the same way, his eyes shining with pride and love as he l
It has been years since I have seen my dragon Elly and me and King Edward are expecting our first child.As I sat in the courtyard, cradling my swelling belly, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had led us to this moment. I had fought countless battles, faced unimaginable darkness, and lost many dear to me, but now, as I looked down at the life growing within me, I felt a sense of hope and determination I had never known before.Elly, my beloved dragon, had been a constant companion throughout all our struggles. She had fought by my side, her scales gleaming in the moonlight as she breathed fire upon our enemies. Though we had been separated during the battle against the darkness, I knew that she was out there somewhere, watching over us from the skies.King Edward, too, had been a steady presence throughout our trials. His strength and wisdom had guided us through the darkest hours, and his unwavering love for me and our people had been a beacon for us all. Together, we