[Ravenna City, Capital of The Solari Empire]
A few months after the Celebrations in the Aquarian Kingdom.
Hemera's peaceful sleep was shattered by the piercing screech of an Archeleon eagle echoing through the palace.
Startled, after stretching her body she got out of bed and made her way to the bath. She entered the chamber as she stripped out of her nightgown, and slipped into the steaming hot water.
The soothing warm bath, her mind remained consumed by the looming academy exam.
If she passed this test, her father would grant her permission to enter the forbidden library and delve into its collection of rare books.
Hemera submerged herself in the soothing bath, her thoughts drifted away from the incoming test.
In that moment of peace, the vivid memory of her dream resurfaced, capturing her attention once more.
Closing her eyes, Hemera let her thoughts drift back to that dream. She found herself standing in a lush, verdant forest, the scent of pine and earth filling the air.
Sunlight streamed through the canopy above, casting shadows on the forest floor. The atmosphere was serene, yet tinged with a sense of impending doom.
In her dream, Hemera realized that she was not alone. A magnificent white dragon stood before her, its scales shimmering ethereally in the sunlight.
Its violet eyes were filled with wisdom and power, As she watched the dragon a colossal giant emerged from the depths of the forest.
Towering above the trees, it exuded an aura of darkness and malevolence. The giant's skin was ashen and rough, its eyes glowing with a fiery intensity.
It brandished a massive, jagged club, ready to strike. But the dragon quickly attacked first, it lunged at the giant and tackled it.
The two of them started fighting, claws slashed through the giant's tough skin as large fists pummeled the dragon's beautiful white scales.
The sheer intensity of the fight quickened her heartbeat, but she pushed aside the lingering thoughts and started washing her tanned body.
Emerging from a blissful hour-long bath, Hemera gently dried her skin and adorned herself in a stunning chiton, adorned with a captivating blend of gold and white.
Her attention then turned to her shoulder bag, which held her beloved collection of tomes and spellbooks.
Her father had given her a considerate present, a space shoulder bag after discovering her deep love for knowledge.
With this bag, she could now carry and protect her cherished books, allowing her the freedom to immerse herself in reading whenever she pleased.
Having meticulously arranged her attire, Hemera gracefully made her way to the vibrant dining hall, enticed by the tantalizing aroma of a delicious meal.
As she entered the room, the loving gazes of her mother and three older sisters warmly welcomed her, their eyes filled with affection and admiration.
Their eyes spoke volumes, shimmering with love before they started eating again as they finished speaking.
Approaching the table, Hemera sat down, her attention was captured by a plate brimming with her favorite food Souvlaki.
She started eating and savoring each bite as she indulged in the tender meat. It was at that moment when her mother, Agatha Helios spoke, breaking her concentration on the food.
"Hem, you have your academy test today, correct?" Her mother's voice resonated with a blend of concern and support.
Hemera looked up, meeting her mother's gaze.
Agatha had the same golden blonde hair as Hemera, coupled with beautiful green eyes that shimmered with wisdom and love.
She was a tall woman with an attractive figure, and she greatly admired her mother's dedication to maintaining her health through participation in various sports.
Hemera nodded her head as she spoke in an excited voice, ''Yeah Mata, it's the test we take every year to see how we are progressing in our studies.''
Before Agatha could reply, her sister Eudora asked a question to Hemera. "How is it that you have such a profound love for those ancient tomes and spellbooks, my dear Hem?"
Hemera gazed at Eudora, her sister with the same golden blonde hair and captivating golden eyes as her. However, her sister also possessed a curvaceous body just like their mother.
A smile graced Hemera's lips as she answered, her words brimming with passion.
"Eudora, these old tomes and books hold a wealth of knowledge about the past and they can teach us many things.''
With a gentle gesture, Hemera lifted her shoulder bag and retrieved a few aged books, showcasing their worn pages.
She continued, her voice filled with conviction.
"Take this book, for instance. It aided Pater in increasing the empire's crop yields. And this one contains countless recipes that have healed our people afflicted by devastating diseases, saving countless lives. Knowledge holds immense power, Eudora. If it can be used to help others, why should we not embrace it?"
Eudora gazed at her passionate younger sister and smiled affectionately. "There's no issue, Hemi. I was simply curious. I'm well aware of how much you've assisted Pater."
She took a sip of wine, then continued speaking.
"It's no surprise that people refer to you as The Wise Princess. It's truly admirable how deeply you cherish knowledge and pursue it with such passion."
With a blush gracing her cheeks, Hemera smiled warmly in response to her fourth sister's kind words.
Just as the pleasant atmosphere settled, Calliope, her eldest sister, and a mirror image of their mother began to speak.
"Has anyone here heard the whispers from the northwest? There are rumors of giants causing chaos by raiding caravans and small villages.''
She ate the food on her fork and continued.
"Even foreign adventurers have made bold claims of discovering an underground city infested with hundreds of these colossal beings."
Hemera's eyes widened as she listened to her elder sister's words, a sudden realization dawning upon her. It echoed the fragments of her dream.
She swiftly retrieved a weathered book from her collection, flipping through its ancient pages with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. Her mother and sisters gathered around, their eyes fixed on her.
Her mother asked a question in a concerned voice, ''What is it Hemi?''
Hemera didn't reply just read out a prophecy from a long-dead historian who was known as a madman.
"In the realm of Mediterra, a prophecy unfurls, Where giants emerge, chaos in their swirls. Empires and kingdoms, put to the test, Armies crumble, unrest manifests.
But from the shadows, a white dragon takes flight, With strength and valor, it enters the fight. Against the giants, its fury unleashed, Their reign of terror forever ceased.
In a majestic dance, the sun and moon align, Their love's radiance, in the darkness shines. Through celestial harmony, peace is restored, And happiness blooms, by their union adored.
Giants vanquished, their menace no more, Mediterra exults, its spirit soars. With the white dragon's triumph, a new era dawns, Where love and peace reign, erasing all thorns.
So heed this prophecy, let fate be your guide, For Mediterra's future, shining and wide. When giants fall, and the sun-moon entwine, The land shall prosper, as harmony aligns."
She finished reading the prophecy, leaving her mother and sisters confused. Lysandra, her sister, broke the silence and asked a question.
"What does it mean by the sun and moon dance? Is it some kind of celestial event, like a full moon?"
Their mother directed a question to Hemera. "Hemi, who wrote that book?"
Hemera looked at her mother, tucking the book away, her mind lost in thoughts about the dream she had.
"It's by Sophocles, Mother. Why do you ask?"
Agatha rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. "Oh, it's him. Don't worry girls he's known for his eccentric ramblings and wild ideas."
Hemera's sisters sighed in agreement as they all sat down. She finished her meal and prepared to leave, bidding farewell to her family.
"Mater, sisters, I must go to the academy now. The test is approaching. I'll see you later."
After bidding farewell to the ladies in the dining hall, Hemera ventured out of the palace, greeted by well-wishes from those she passed along the way.
As she walked down the streets, she marveled at the grand entrance of the academy. It stood before her like a magnificent castle, embellished with Greek-inspired architecture.
The campus itself presented a picturesque fusion of buildings, each exuding a distinctive aesthetic reminiscent of ancient Greece.
Flowers bloomed abundantly, lending a vibrant and enchanting atmosphere to the surroundings.
Continuing her journey, Hemera passed through the front gate, where the guards paid her due respect with a bow.
She navigated the corridors, her thoughts still consumed by the weight of the prophecy and the remnants of her dream.
Finally, she arrived at her classroom, where the teacher was already speaking. The sound brought her back to the present.
"We will be departing for the Nymphara Forest. The test will involve hunting creatures and gathering plants to test your current knowledge. Further details will be provided upon our arrival."
After the class ended, everyone exited the classroom and proceeded toward the carriages. They embarked on a journey to the Nymphara Forest, with time ticking away.
In the midst of their travel, a girl with captivating blue hair spoke to Hemera. "Hemera, would you like to join me, Evangeline, and two other girls for the test?" she asked.
Hemera's smile widened, and she nodded in agreement. "Certainly Eleni! I'm eager to see how the test unfolds."
[This is the end of Volume 1: A Journey Begins]
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