Elayne's ordinary life takes a drastic turn when she discovers she is part of an ancient prophecy tied to the mythical kingdom of Elyssanar. Guided by Solaris, a unique companion with secrets of his own, Elayne embarks on a journey fraught with chal...
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I wasn't sure how long I slept, but when I awoke, the cabin was dim, bathed in the soft glow of the lights above us. Solaris was still there, his arm wrapped protectively around my shoulders. I moved slightly, trying not to wake him as I wasn't sure if he was asleep or not. He turned to look at me with a gentle smile.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, quietly, his voice soft so as to not break through the silence throughout the cabin.
"Better than I have in a long time," I admitted, my voice groggy. "Thank you."
He nodded, his eyes warm and understanding. "It's okay to rest. Heroes also need sleep," I chuckled at his term of hero and stretched slightly, trying to wake my stiff muscles.
I glanced out the window. The sky outside was a deep indigo, dotted with stars, and far below, the lights of Greece twinkled like a thousand tiny jewels.
We were almost there and the thought of it made my bones ache even more.
Solaris and I sat in silence as the plane began its descent. Eventually, I felt the hard impact as the wheels hit the runway and braced myself against the seat in front of me. The rush of the plane woke my limbs up and it felt like I was rushing on adrenaline.
As soon as the flight attendants gave the signal to disembark, Solaris and I quickly made our way to the exit, eager to avoid the rush of passengers crowding the aisles to retrieve their belongings.
Solaris carried the weapons, which, to my surprise, he had managed to get through security with a police badge. How he had obtained that badge remained a mystery that continued to nag at me.
Solaris got us a taxi to take us near the caves which was a relief rather than him stealing a car. It would have been a bad omen to already start breaking laws in a new country.
The ride there was a lot shorter than I thought. Apparently, according to the driver,the caves were located near a town called Rethymno.
He dropped us off at the edge of Rethymno, a town that felt like it had been plucked from another era. Solaris guided us through the heart of it, navigating the narrow cobblestone streets with an air of familiarity that made me wonder just how many places he had seen in his lifetime.
The town was a blend of Venetian and Ottoman influences, with weathered stone buildings draped in vibrant bougainvillea and narrow alleyways that twisted like a labyrinth. The smell of fresh bread and roasting meat wafted from local tavernas, mingling with the salty breeze from the nearby sea. As we walked, the sounds of the town enveloped us—lively chatter from outdoor cafes, the distant hum of scooters zipping through the streets, and the occasional burst of laughter from groups of tourists admiring the historical architecture.
