The celebration lasted long into the night and the kingdom wasn't filled with fear it was filled with hope.
Golden lanterns floated throughout the castle halls while musicians played celestial instruments that produced melodies unlike anything I had ever heard on Earth.
The entire royal palace glittered beneath the stars
Crystal chandeliers hung from towering ceilings silver banners decorated the walls.
Long tables overflowed with colorful foods from across the constellations.
Galaxy People filled the grand hall, laughing, dancing, and celebrating their victory..
And somehow... They were celebrating me and i still wasn't used to it everywhere I went, people smiled some bowed and others thanked me a few even asked to shake my hand.
It felt strange like before I was just Aurora bu today, I was apparently the princess who pushed back an army.
"You're doing the awkward smile again." I looked up Solen was standing nearby holding a glowing blue drink "What awkward smile?" i look at him "The one where you look like you're being held hostage." I rolled my eyes "I'm not used to being famous."
Lyra laughed from beside him "Trust me. You'll survive."
"Hopefully." Caelum appeared moments later carrying a plate stacked with glowing pastries.
"You should enjoy this." I raised an eyebrow "Why does that sound suspicious?"
"Because tomorrow we're leaving." The reminder immediately dampened my mood right... The journey wasn't over.
Celestra Dominion had only been the beginning three Star Hearts still remained three kingdoms still needed help and somewhere beyond the stars... Xorodor was watching.
The thought sent a chill down my spine the celebration continued around us.
For several hours, I managed to forget about the war forget about the darkness forget about being the heir to an entire galaxy.
For a little while...
I was just Aurora again laughing with friends enjoying the moment being normal then everything changed.
"Aurora." A soft voice spoke behind me i turned around.
A woman stood near one of the palace doors she wore a dark silver cloak that concealed most of her face.
Her long white hair flowed down her shoulders like moonlight smething about her felt familiar.
Yet I was certain I'd never seen her before she smiled gently "Would you walk with me for a moment?" I frowned slightly "Me?" She nodded "There is something you need to hear."
Curiosity immediately won i excused myself from the others and followed her out of the grand hall.
The sounds of celebration slowly faded behind us.
The woman led me through several corridors before eventually stepping onto one of the castle balconies.
The night air greeted us immediately
The stars stretched endlessly overhead
The floating city sparkled beneath the darkness
It was beautiful peaceful quiet... No one else was around the woman finally stopped walking.
Then she turned toward me for several moments, neither of us spoke i waited patiently finally, she smiled "You fought well today." I blinked "Thank you" Her expression softened.
"But the power you awakened yesterday..." She looked toward the stars "...was only the beginning." I look at my hand slightly
"What do you mean?" The woman folded her hands behind her back "The transformation you unlocked during the battle."
My eyes widened slightly "The blue hair?"
"The royal starlight form" I stared at her "You know about it?"
She smiled "I know many things." That answer wasn't suspicious at all not even a little the woman stepped closer.
"Aurora, the power you used against the Dark Galactians was not your full potential." The words immediately caught my attention "What?" She nodded" What you awakened was only the first stage."
A breeze swept across the balcony her white silky hair danced beneath the moonlight "The light you summoned was powerful." She paused "But compared to what lies ahead..."
Her expression darkened "It is only a fraction of your true strength." I stared at her silently the woman continued.
"Xorodor has spent centuries growing stronger." for the first time, I saw concern in her eyes "Even now, his power exceeds yours." The words hit harder than I expected a part of me already knew that i had barely survived my first battle.
Meanwhile, Xorodor was conquering entire kingdoms "But you possess something he fears." I frowned. "What?"
"Potential." The woman pointed toward my necklace.
"The blood of King Fullcrest flows through your veins." the star pendant glowed faintly "You have not yet unlocked even half of what you're capable of."
My chest tightened there was more?
More power?
More transformations?
More abilities?
The thought felt overwhelming the woman smiled knowingly "You still have much to learn." She turned toward the distant horizon "Your journey has only just begun."
I know that but for a moment, neither of us spoke then she added quietly "You will face challenges that seem impossible."
Her voice became serious "You will lose battles."
"You will make mistakes."
"You will question yourself."
I swallowed nervously the woman looked directly into my eyes.
"But anyone you will save..." Her gaze sharpened.
"...will help you grow stronger." Something about her words felt important almost like a warning.
Or a prophecy then her expression suddenly changed the warmth vanished replaced by something colder something more cautious "Aurora." I straightened slightly "Yes?" the woman hesitated then she spoke softly "Do not trust everyone." a chill ran down my spine "What?"
Her eyes drifted toward the stars.
"Not everyone who smiles at you is your ally." the night suddenly felt colder... "Someday..." She paused "...someone may betray you." My stomach tightened the image of my new friends immediately appeared in my mind.
Caelum...
Lyra..
Solen...
The people who had protected me the people traveling beside me surely she couldn't mean the woman gently placed a hand on my shoulder "Not everything is as it appears." I stared at her.
Confused, Uneasy "What are you trying to tell me?"
She smiled sadly "Only that the stars shine brightest before darkness arrives."
That absolutely did not answer my question the woman laughed softly then she squeezed my shoulder "Use your power wisely, Aurora." Her voice lowered "Because not everything that comes to you comes with good intentions."
Silence settled between us my thoughts raced who was she?
How did she know so much? Why did it feel like she knew things nobody else did? Before I could ask another question—
"AURORA!"
A familiar voice echoed through the corridor i turned immediately Lyra, Solen, and Caelum were running toward me.
"There you are," Lyra said "We've been looking everywhere." I blinked "Oh." Solen crossed his arms "What are you doing out here by yourself?"
I pointed behind me "I was talking to—" The words died in my throat the balcony was empty the woman was gone my heart skipped i looked around quickly nothing.
No footsteps... No movement... No white silky hair... No mysterious woman, just empty space "...What?"
Caelum frowned "Aurora?" I turned in a slow circle
the balcony remained completely deserted confusion flooded my face "She was right here."
"Who was?" Lyra asked.
"The woman."
"What woman?" I pointed toward the spot beside me.
"There was literally a woman standing there." The three guardians exchanged confused glances.
Solen raised an eyebrow "You've been spending too much time around magical artifacts."
"I'm serious!" Nobody looked convinced which honestly made the whole thing worse i looked around one last time nothing.
The woman had completely disappeared as if she'd never existed my confusion only deepened.
Finally, I sighed "Never mind." Caelum still looked concerned "Are you okay?"
"I think so." Think not know i think because honestly?
I wasn't entirely sure anymore and the woman's words continued echoing inside my mind.
Don't trust everyone someone may betray you the thought bothered me a lot but eventually I pushed it aside.
For now the others led me back toward the celebration, music once again filled the castle halls.
Laughter echoed from the grand ballroom life returned to normal at least temporarily i followed my friends inside.
Still confused, still wondering, still trying to understand what had just happened.
None of us notice the woman appeared again a small smile touched her lips then she whispered softly into the night
"finally..." The wind carried her words away moments later, her body dissolved into countless particles of silver light.
And vanished as if she had never been there at all...