Aethelindria's Legacy - Prologue (1)

Thousands of years ago, in a distant time that human memory can barely glimpse, the skies tore apart in a torrent of light and shadows. The earth trembled under the weight of unimaginable forces, and in that cosmic cataclysm, something extraordinary was born: a realm that did not belong to this world but existed on a plane between the tangible and the ethereal, where magic flowed like an endless river.

At the heart of this primordial event emerged Aethelindria, a being of immeasurable power, whose essence was both light and darkness, creation and balance. She was the forger of the world we know today, the weaver of mountains, oceans, and stars, who poured her magic into the void to give form to what once did not exist. Her breath was the first wind, her voice the first sound, and her will the first order amidst chaos.

In her infinite wisdom and love for the world she had created, Aethelindria decided to share her essence with two unique beings born from her own magic: her daughters, Eva and Hilara. Though they were opposites in many ways, they shared an unbreakable bond, nurtured by mutual affection and the respect that only those who have known each other since forever can possess.

As time flowed like an eternal river, Aethelindria watched as her daughters, Eva and Hilara, grew in wisdom and power. However, she noticed they needed companions and protectors who would share their love for the newly forged world. With a subtle wave of her hand, she scattered drops of her divine essence over forests, streams, mountains, and winds.

From each element sprang new life: small, radiant creatures full of energy and joy. They were magical beings whose existence was intertwined with nature itself. Each was assigned to a specific ecosystem of the mortal world: some guarded flowered meadows, others watched over crystalline rivers, some protected the depths of ancient forests, and still others ventured boldly into the snow-capped heights of the mountains.

These beings were playful and curious but also responsible. With their magic, they ensured that the natural balance was never disturbed. If a tree began to wither, they nourished it with stardust; if a river threatened to overflow, they calmed its waters with melodic songs. And though they usually remained hidden from mortal eyes, some humans—those with pure hearts and sensitive souls—managed to catch glimpses of them during moments of peace or celebration.

Those witnesses spoke of tiny figures dancing under the moonlight, leaving behind trails of silvery sparkles. Others recounted hearing soft laughter among the bushes or seeing floating lights on starry nights. From these experiences, myths and legends were born that endured for generations. Humans began to call them "fairies," names that varied by region: sprites, sylphs, nymphs, undines… But all agreed on one thing: they were guardians of nature, messengers of a magical realm that existed just beyond the visible.

For Eva and Hilara, the fairies were not merely companions or allies; they were living reflections of their own essences, extensions of their unique personalities. Though both sisters shared a deep love for these magical creatures, their different ways of connecting with them revealed distinct facets of who they were inside.

Eva was introspective and reserved, her mind always brimming with questions about the world around her. While others lost themselves in games or celebrations, she preferred to sit quietly beside a shimmering river or beneath the shade of an ancient tree, observing how life flowed around her. The fairies quickly noticed this quality in her and began approaching her timidly, intrigued by her contemplative nature.

The fairies drawn to Eva tended to be discreet and wise, keepers of the world’s oldest secrets. Among them were naiads of celestial libraries, small ethereal figures guarding fragments of forgotten knowledge; time fairies, whose wings seemed made of stardust, whispering stories of ages past.

On the other hand, Hilara embraced the fairies with boundless energy. To her, they were playmates, partners in mischief, and inexhaustible sources of fun. She led them in dizzying races through enchanted forests, organized festivals under the glow of the full moon, and competed with them in extravagant games that could only exist in a realm where magic flowed without limits. Hilara had a special talent for inspiring joy in those around her, and the fairies adored her free-spirited and carefree nature. Yet she was also protective: if any fairy felt sad or lost, Hilara was the first to comfort her, wrapping her in a warm embrace and singing melodies that seemed to spring directly from Aethelindria’s heart.

One day, while Aethelindria gazed at the horizon from atop an ethereal mountain that existed only on the threshold between worlds, she noticed something unsettling: her power, which had always been as vast and infinite as the universe itself, was beginning to wane. At first, it was a subtle change, barely perceptible, like the flicker of a star before it fades completely. But the more she observed, the clearer it became: her magic—the very force that had woven mountains, oceans, and stars—was diminishing.

At first, Aethelindria couldn’t believe it. How could this be possible? She was the creator of the world, the embodiment of balance between light and darkness, creation and destruction. Her existence seemed untouchable, unshakable. Yet with every step she took through the realm she had created, she felt her energy faltering, her hands trembling slightly when she extended her magic toward the fairies or the ecosystems they guarded. It was as though a part of her was slowly vanishing, evaporating like dew under the morning sun.

Amid her initial shock came a profound understanding. Though she had never anticipated it, she now saw clearly: everything with a beginning also has an end. Even she, whose essence seemed to transcend time and space, was not exempt from the laws she had established for the universe. Her power would not disappear entirely but would transform, dispersing into the world she had so deeply loved, becoming part of everything she had created.

With this realization came an unexpected peace. Aethelindria felt no fear or sadness, only a serene acceptance. She knew her legacy would live beyond her tangible existence, flowing in every breeze, every river, every star shining in the firmament. But there was something that gave her pause, something that made her heart falter for a moment: Eva and Hilara.

Her daughters were still young, full of potential but not yet fully prepared to face the challenges ahead. How could they understand the weight of their own mortality when they were just beginning to discover who they were? Aethelindria decided, then, to keep silent about her fate. She couldn’t let the knowledge of her inevitable departure hinder her daughters’ growth. There was still much to teach them, many lessons to share, and countless moments to live together.

For now, she would continue to be the protector, the guide, the mother who watched over the balance of the world. She would hide her weakening behind smiles and hugs, behind days filled with laughter and shared learning. And when the right moment came, when Eva and Hilara were mature enough to take on the legacy awaiting them, only then would she reveal the truth.