The celebration continued long after the stars reached their highest point above Celestra Dominion music echoed through the palace halls and laughter filled every corner.
And somehow...
That hope was directed toward me i still wasn't used to it i mean like everywhere I walked, people smiled and some bowed respectfully others thanked me for protecting the Star Heart.
Every time it happened, I felt awkward because honestly?
I still felt like the same girl who had been worrying about school a few days ago now everyone treated me like some legendary princess.
It was weird like i tell you very weird...
As the celebration slowly came to an end, Cealum walked over to me and insisted on accompanying me to my room, knowing that I had no idea where it was myself
"I'll take you to your room" he said politely but i can still feel his coldness "uhmm sure" I followed him, and as we walked, I noticed him stealing glances at me every now and then that's when I spoke up "You keep looking at me. Don't tell me you have a crush on me?" I teased.
He turned to look at me "What's a crush?" I stared at him in confusion "A crush? You don't know what that is?" I asked "I didn't even know that word existed," he replied It was then that I realized we had grown up in completely different worlds.
"Uh... never mind. Don't think about it too much," I said awkwardly he didn't say anything and simply nodded.
Before I knew it, we had already arrived at the room he had been talking about.
"This is as far as I can take you. You should get some rest we're leaving tomorrow," he said.
I simply nodded and smiled.
Once I stepped inside the room, I smacked my forehead and groaned.
"Good grief, I just got here and I'm already flirting," I muttered to myself.
The moment the door closed behind me, silence filled the chamber and after a while, I found myself thinking about what the strange woman said eirlier at the balcony.
Moonlight spilled through the crystal windows the floating houses shimmered below.
Beautiful, peaceful, and at least safe yet despite everything... I couldn't stop thinking about her the mysterious woman and most of all... Her warning "Don't trust everyone." I sat on the edge of my bed the words echoed inside my mind.
Again and again and again "Someone may betray you." My fingers tightened around the silver necklace hanging from my neck who was she talking about?
Did she mean someone I hadn't met yet or someone already traveling beside me i immediately shook my head, no it couldn't be.
Lyra, Solen, and Caelum had protected me they risked their lives for me still... The warning refused to leave my thoughts
or maybe because i just met them...
I lay down beneath the soft blankets the stars beyond my window glowed gently my eyes slowly began to close.
But the last thing I heard before sleep claimed me was her voice "Don't trust everyone..." And eventually... I fell asleep.
____
"AURORAAAA!" i nearly fell out of bed my eyes flew open Lyra stood beside me smiling way too happily for someone awake this early.
"What happened?!" I shouted. Lyra laughed "We're leaving."
I groaned "Oh..." Then reality hit me leaving right! Suddenly I was wide awake.
I quickly got dressed and packed the few belongings but before leaving the palace, however, there was one person I needed to see.
Lady Seraphine.
The protector of Celestra Dominan i found her standing within one of the palace gardens golden flowers bloomed around her.
The morning sunlight made her silver hair shine beautifully when she noticed me approaching, she smiled warmly "Aurora." I stopped before her for a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I bowed my head "Thank you." Lady Seraphine blinked "For what?" she asked and i looked down "For protecting me and for giving me a place to belong." Her expression softened then she gently shook her head "No, Aurora." I looked up she stepped closer "If anyone should be grateful..." Her eyes sparkled "...it is me." I stared at her Lady Seraphine smiled "You protected this kingdom just like your father did once, the king of kings ." she saids "You saved our people."
"And you protected the Star Heart even though it's on my hands to protect it you still did it on your first time here." My chest tightened i still wasn't used to hearing things like that before I could respond, she gently placed both hands on my shoulders.
Then she leaned forward and kissed my forehead a warm light spread through my body it's a blessing for a brief moment, I felt tears gathering in my eyes i miss my mother. Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around her Lady Seraphine hugged me back "You'll always be welcome here." i nodded.
"Thank you."
A familiar voice interrupted us.
"Aurora!" I turned Lyra, Solen, and Caelum were waiting nearby it's time to go reluctantly, I stepped back. The three guardians respectfully bowed to Lady Seraphine she smiled and raised a hand.
"May the stars guide your journey." Then we left inside the castle
A short while later, we arrived at a massive open field outside the city and that's when my brain completely stopped working.
Because standing before us... Is the most beautiful creature I had ever seen a giant bird no i mean not just a bird but a Phoenix it's ts feathers shimmered with gold, silver, blue, and crimson flames.
Each movement caused starlight to scatter into the air its wings were enormous large enough to cover an entire castle several crystal seats rested upon its back my jaw nearly hit the ground.
"No way..." Solen smirked "Impressive, isn't it?"
"IMPRESSIVE?!" I pointed dramatically "THAT IS A PHOENIX."
Solen crossed his arms "yes it's a phoenix but we called it here a Celestial." I blinked "A what?" He smiled "Celestials it's Immortal beings of flame and light."
"Creatures reborn from the cosmic fires of dying stars and supernovas." He patted the creature's side "This is our transportation." I stared and stared and stared.
Back on Earth, Phoenixes were just myths stories, legends, and creatures that only existed in books yet here one stood before me alive breathing.
More beautiful than any story could ever describe i honestly thought I might cry from pure excitement as we climbed onto its back, I finally asked "So where exactly are we going?"
Caelum smirks coldy "The Temple of the Twelve Zodiac."
I frowned "The what?" i asked became what do you mean zodiac?! "The Temple of the Twelve Zodiac." I stared "woaah, but why?" Caelum's smile "You'll find out when we get there."
I narrowed my eyes Solen laughed Lyra nodded "We all do."
____
Moments later, the Celestial Phoenix launched into the sky and WOW nothing could have prepared me for that.
The moment its wings spread, a storm of starlight erupted behind us the force of takeoff made my heart race wind rushed through my hair Crystal Clouds disappeared beneath us.
We were soaring among the stars themselves and honestly?
It was the greatest thing I had ever experienced the journey continued for hours.
Then suddenly... The scenery changed i immediately forgot how to breathe the path leading toward the Temple of the Twelve Zodiac looked like something straight out of a dream.
Entire constellations floated beside us giant zodiac symbols rotated through space golden rivers of starlight flowed across the heavens and massive celestial gardens bloomed upon floating islands.
Silver dragons made from constellations glided through the skies a lion formed entirely of stars rested atop a floating mountain.
Twin moons orbited one another countless zodiac beasts wandered among the clouds.
Everything glowed, everything shimmered, everything looked magical "Wow..." That was all I could say because words weren't enough not even close and far ahead... A colossal temple slowly emerged from the stars.
The Temple of the Twelve Zodiac had finally appeared and waiting inside... Even more mysteries.