The Sovereign's Curse

Xander woke up with a sharp intake of breath, his body stiff against the soft yet unyielding forest floor. His head throbbed, and as he pushed himself upright, he felt a damp chill seep through his clothes. The air was thick with the scent of wet earth and something sweeter, almost floral.

As his vision adjusted, he took in the towering trees around him—trees unlike any he'd seen before. Their trunks spiraled upwards, their bark smooth and glowing faintly with veins of golden light. The canopy above was dense, filtering sunlight into scattered beams that danced across the forest floor. Leaves shimmered as though dusted with starlight, rustling softly despite the stillness of the air.

Xander frowned, brushing off the moss that clung to his jacket. "Aeternis?" he called, his voice hoarse. He waited, the silence stretching uncomfortably. "Aeternis!" he tried again, louder this time.

No response.

He patted his pockets frantically, searching for the familiar sphere, but found nothing except his mother's journal. A cold knot of worry tightened in his chest. Aeternis was gone.

"Great," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "First I get dumped into a magical forest, and now my only guide decides to disappear. Perfect."

Determined not to panic, Xander began walking, his boots sinking into the spongy moss. The forest seemed alive in ways that unnerved him. Plants shifted slightly as he passed, their movements almost imperceptible, as though they were reacting to his presence. Small creatures with translucent wings zipped between the trees, their chirps echoing like tiny bells.

The further he walked, the more alien the world became. He passed a cluster of flowers that pulsed with light, their petals curling and uncurling in rhythm with an unseen force. A nearby tree exhaled a soft, misty breath as he approached, its bark quivering like muscle.

"This place is insane," Xander muttered, but a part of him couldn't help but marvel. He had spent much of his life surrounded by sterile luxury and advanced technology. This world, wild and untamed, was breathtaking in a way he couldn't quite put into words.

He kept moving, following the faint sound of rushing water. After what felt like hours, he finally emerged from the dense forest and onto the banks of a river.

The river was mesmerizing, its surface reflecting the vibrant colors of the sky above. Unlike any river he had ever seen, its waters shimmered as though infused with liquid gemstones. The current was gentle, and the air around it carried a cool, soothing energy.

Xander crouched by the water's edge, cupping his hands to drink. The liquid was crisp and refreshing, filling him with a strange sense of vitality. As he stood, he noticed something—tracks imprinted in the soft mud along the riverbank.

The tracks were human-like but broader, deeper, as though left by someone far heavier than any person he'd encountered. They led upstream, disappearing into the forest.

"Well, it's not like I have any better options," Xander said to himself. He adjusted his jacket and began following the trail.

Following the tracks after what felt like an hour, they eventually led him to a clearing, and beyond it, he saw smoke rising in thin columns. As he approached cautiously, a village came into view. It was small but bustling, with stone and timber houses arranged in uneven rows. The roofs were thatched, and the streets were packed dirt, worn smooth by years of foot traffic.

Villagers moved about their daily routines, tending to animals, repairing tools, and trading goods at an open market. The air was filled with the sounds of haggling, laughter, and the occasional bark of a dog.

As soon as Xander stepped into the open, however, the activity slowed. Heads turned, conversations halted, and the villagers stared at him with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.

Before Xander could decide how to approach the situation, a burly man with a weathered face and a scar running down his cheek strode toward him. The man carried a wooden staff, his posture tense.

"You," the man said, his voice gruff. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

Xander hesitated, searching for a believable answer. "I... I got lost," he said carefully. "I was traveling and ended up here by mistake."

The man's eyes narrowed. "Lost, huh? You don't look like anyone from around here. Where exactly are you from?"

Xander hesitated again, his mind racing. "I come from... far away," he said vaguely.

The man's grip on his staff tightened. "Far away, you say? You dress strange, talk strange. You're hiding something." He gestured toward a nearby villager. "Fetch the guards. Let's see what they think of this 'traveler.'"

"Wait," Xander started, raising his hands, "there's no need for that—"

"Actually, there isn't."

The voice that interrupted was smooth, confident, and feminine. Both Xander and the man turned to see a woman approaching.

She was stunning, almost unnervingly so. Her long, dark hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, catching the light like strands of silk. Her eyes were an arresting shade of silver, bright and piercing, as though they could see straight through a person. She wore a fitted tunic adorned with subtle embroidery and a cloak that swayed elegantly with her movements.

The burly man immediately softened. "Athena..." he said, his tone shifting to one of respect.

Athena smiled faintly. "Barlow, I appreciate your diligence, but this man is my guest. He got lost on his way to meet me."

Barlow blinked, clearly taken aback. "Your guest? I didn't realize... I—"

"It's quite alright," Athena said gently. "Now, if you'll excuse us, I'll make sure he's taken care of."

Barlow nodded, stepping aside with a slight bow.

Athena gestured for Xander to follow her, and as they walked through the village, Xander couldn't help but notice how people reacted to her presence. Heads turned, conversations hushed, and villagers either offered polite nods or quickly stepped out of her way.

"Who is this woman?" Xander thought, stealing glances at her as they walked. "Why would someone like her help me? She's clearly well-respected—look at how that man spoke to her. And this world... what even is this place? Where the hell is Aeternis?"

The village road wound between rows of modest homes and small shops. The buildings were crafted from timber and stone, with roofs that sloped steeply to protect against what Xander assumed was frequent rain. Lanterns hung from posts, their lights powered by softly glowing crystals that pulsed like steady heartbeats.

The air carried a mix of aromas—freshly baked bread, burning wood, and something herbal, almost medicinal. Market stalls lined the road, offering everything from fruits he didn't recognize to intricately woven fabrics. Children darted between the adults, laughing and playing, their clothes simple but clean.

Xander felt a pang of unease as curious eyes lingered on him. His clothes, his posture—everything about him screamed "outsider." He tugged his jacket tighter, trying to look less conspicuous.

"Keep walking," Athena said without turning, her voice calm but firm.

Xander swallowed his questions and did as she said, following her down the road. They soon stopped in front of a building that stood out from the others—not because it was grand, but because of its understated simplicity.

The structure was clean and newly built, its timber walls polished and free of the wear that marked many of the older homes. The roof was tiled, and a small garden lined the front with neatly trimmed bushes and bright, unfamiliar flowers. A stone path led to the front door, which bore an intricate carving of a sunburst.

Xander hesitated. "This... is where you live?"

Athena opened the door without answering, gesturing for him to step inside.

---

The Reveal

The interior was warm and inviting, with smooth wooden floors and a faint smell of lavender. The main room was modestly furnished—a sturdy table with chairs, a few shelves lined with books and trinkets, and a comfortable-looking couch near a small hearth.

Athena closed the door behind them, and for a moment, silence hung in the air. Xander shifted awkwardly, unsure how to address her.

Finally, he cleared his throat. "Look, I appreciate the help back there, but... who are you, really? And why would someone like you go out of your way for a complete stranger?"

Athena turned to face him, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I figured you'd need help. So I went ahead and made arrangements for you."

Xander blinked, confused. "Arrangements? You don't even know me. Why would you—"

She interrupted him, her smile widening into a playful smirk. "It's me, doofus."

Xander froze. "What?"

"Aeternis," she said, crossing her arms.

His jaw dropped. "You're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Xander stared at her, his gaze flicking over her features as though trying to reconcile what he was seeing with what he knew. "You're telling me that you're Aeternis? My Aeternis? The little sphere that spouted cryptic advice and told me to trust the process?"

"Wow, thanks for reducing me to a 'little sphere,'" she said, rolling her eyes. "But yes, it's me. Surprised?"

"Surprised doesn't even begin to cover it!" Xander said, still staring at her. "I didn't know you could... do this. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because it wasn't relevant until now," she said simply, brushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "This form is just more... practical for where we are."

"Practical?" Xander repeated. "You look like you just stepped out of a fairy tale. How is that practical?"

She smirked again. "You'd be surprised how far a pretty face can get you in this world."

Xander groaned, running a hand through his hair. "This is insane. You're a person now? What else are you hiding from me?"

"Plenty," she said lightly, walking over to the table and sitting down. "But you'll learn everything in time. For now, let's just focus on keeping you out of trouble."

"Trouble," Xander muttered, shaking his head. "Yeah, I'd say being dropped into an alien world qualifies as trouble."

Athena laughed softly. "Welcome to Virelia, Xander. You're going to need me more than ever here."

Xander's mind raced as he processed her words. "I didn't even know you could take a human form," he finally managed, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Athena leaned back slightly, watching him with amusement. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Xander."

He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "Okay, fine. But when we were walking through the village, people were staring at us. At you. They greeted you like they knew you—some even stepped out of your way. Who are you pretending to be?"

Athena tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Why does it matter?"

"Why does it—?" Xander threw up his hands, exasperated. "Because I don't know if you just impersonated someone important! If people think I'm connected to you, then that might mean—"

She cut him off with a soft chuckle. "Relax, Xander. You worry too much. Let's just say I borrowed a face that can get things done.."

"That's not an answer," he said, narrowing his eyes.

"It's the answer you're getting," she said cryptically, standing up and brushing imaginary dust off her dress. "And for the record, no one's missing me—not yet, anyway."

"Not yet?" Xander repeated, frowning. "You're seriously not going to explain?"

She gave him a knowing look. "The less you know, the better—for now."

Xander sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Great. Mysterious Aeternis strikes again. You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Immensely," she admitted with a grin.

As the silence settled, Xander couldn't help but replay the conversation with Ardyn, think about Elaine and how she's doing, more so... how is he going to fit in amongst this people.

How long was he going to stay here?

He got no answers, just quietness.

He took off his jacket and his mother's journal fell on the wooden floor.

He picked it up and opened the first page and there it was, The answers to all the questions he'd been looking for.