The moment Nyx and Lira stepped through the shimmering portal, they felt the world shift beneath their feet. It wasn't just the landscape—lush with emerald meadows and crystalline lakes nestled between glowing trees—but something in the very air pulsed with ancient magic. Time felt slower, the colors richer, and their senses heightened as if the realm itself was breathing with life.
Princess Elysera stood proudly before them, cloaked in a flowing tunic of starlight silver and violet. Her violet eyes gleamed. "Welcome to Aeloria—a secret realm where time folds gently. Ten days here equals mere moments outside."
Nyx blinked, glancing around in awe. Lira let out a low whistle. "So, this is where you train?"
"This is where I became who I am," Elysera said, voice both warm and commanding. "And now, you will as well."
The training began at dawn. The first lesson wasn't swordplay or sorcery—but balance.
On a suspended path woven from glowing vines, high above a lake that reflected the stars even under sunlight, Nyx wobbled dangerously. "This is insane! If I fall—"
"You'll land in stardust water," Elysera called from ahead, standing gracefully with a single foot. "But you'll bruise your pride more than your body."
Lira was slightly better, her arms stretched as she moved across the tightrope-like bridge. "I swear, if you make us walk this thing blindfolded tomorrow—"
"You'll thank me when a magic beast knocks the ground from beneath your feet."
By mid-morning, sweat glistened on their brows. Elysera led them into the sun-dappled woods, where creatures unlike anything they'd seen lurked.
A horned wolf with wings darted through the trees. A serpent with roses blooming from its spine slithered around their path.
"You'll learn to face them, but first—observe them," Elysera instructed, whispering. "They aren't all foes."
That evening, exhausted and covered in dirt and scratches, the trio returned to the crystalline springs.
The water was warm, fragrant with moon petals. Elysera undid her braid and let her hair fall like a waterfall of violet silk. Nyx and Lira did the same.
"You're both clumsy," Elysera teased, gently cupping water to Nyx's shoulder. "But you've potential."
Lira laughed. "We better. I almost got kissed by a vine viper today."
As the three eased into the pool, Elysera moved behind Nyx and began washing her hair. "Messy bun before training? Bad idea. Let's try a braid tomorrow."
"Oh? Becoming my stylist now?" Nyx smirked.
"Part of the royal service. Clean hair, clean strikes."
She lifted a strand and frowned. "This brown… it's not yours, is it?"
Nyx froze, then slowly grinned. "Got me. I dyed it back in my village. Wanted to seem older."
Elysera chuckled, dipping a hand into the water and rubbing through Nyx's scalp with gentle force. "Let's wash that lie away."
As she scrubbed, the coffee color faded, revealing Nyx's true shade: Moonlight Silver white, almost black.
Lira gasped. "It's beautiful!"
Nyx blushed, sinking deeper into the spring. "I didn't think anyone would like it."
"You should never hide something that precious," Elysera said, brushing her fingers over Nyx's temple. "No one can find this place. Here, be yourself."
That night, the three of them shared a fire. Hair drying, they experimented with styles—Lira tying Elysera's into twin braids, Nyx trying a side knot that ended in a tangly mess. Laughter filled the quiet woods.
The next days unfolded like a fever dream of growth and bonding.
Each morning, Elysera pushed them further—combat stances under waterfall pressure, enchantment focus while birds of lightning swooped over them, and dodging fireball hurling tree beasts.
Nyx learned to absorb energy from the terrain, channeling it into her limbs for swift movements.
Lira grew sharper with a blade—her strikes rhythmic, like dancing.
Elysera was a blur in motion, a queen and mentor. She parried magic with her palms and moved like a poem—graceful and devastating.
Afternoons were for beasts. One day, a herd of crystal-back stags charged across the horizon. Another, a dragon the size of a cottage circled above.
Nyx instinctively raised her arms, casting a shaky barrier. "It's going to fry us!"
"No," Elysera whispered, stepping forward. "Dragons in Aeloria feel emotion. Fear summons flame. Calm calls friendship."
With one hand raised and a calm chant, she brought the dragon down gently. Its warm breath brushed her hair.
Lira gasped. "You tamed it."
"No. I respected it."
Later, they rode the dragon across the skies. Lira screamed in exhilaration. Nyx cried from the rush. Elysera simply smiled.
Nights were for bathing, again.
The spring became their sanctuary. Some nights were silly—like the time Lira slipped on a smooth stone and pulled Nyx in with her, soaking them both.
"Oops," Lira giggled.
Nyx splashed her back. "Oops again."
Elysera watched, amused, before joining them, sighing. "Children."
"Hot auntie," Lira teased.
"Queen, actually."
One evening, as Elysera helped Nyx rinse, her hands grazed lightly, admiring. "You both are… exquisite."
"Looking won't hurt," Nyx replied, blushing.
"Touching either," Elysera teased. Her tone was velvet, but the moment passed with laughter.
They tied each other's hair into messy buns, elegant twists, or lazy loops. Every look felt like a crown.
They began to look more alike—bonded not by blood, but bathwater and bruises.
Near the tenth day, a new beast emerged—a phoenix serpent with feathers of flame and a cry like thunder.
It struck fast. Nyx and Lira moved in unison. Lira struck low, distracting. Nyx channeled frost and struck the tail.
But it wasn't enough. The serpent screamed and charged at Lira.
"NO!" Elysera shouted, thrusting her arm.
A blast of golden energy surrounded them. The phoenix screamed, twisted, and then… bowed.
"I think it respects us," Lira gasped.
"It respects you," Elysera said, stepping forward. "You didn't run. You protected each other."
The phoenix curled beside them, docile.
Nyx touched its feather. "So warm…"
Elysera nodded. "You're ready."
That night's bath was quiet.
Nyx tied Lira's hair into a loose braid. Elysera brushed out Nyx's newly revealed midnight locks.
Lira murmured, "I don't want to leave."
Elysera smiled softly. "Then don't. You have a place here. With me."
The night sky shimmered above them. Stars danced in the pool's reflection. They were no longer students. Not quite lovers. Something richer.
Nyx turned. "You've given us more than training."
Elysera leaned in. "You've given me more than peace."
They held hands beneath the surface. Not needing words.
And above them, the dragon circled once more—singing its silent approval.
[To Be Continued…]