Bound By Fate

Chapter 2: The Goddess of Light

Freen stood by the grand window of her chamber, gazing out at the endless expanse of her father's kingdom. The soft glow of the Sora realm bathed everything in a warm, golden hue, but none of it brought comfort to her. She had grown tired of the view long ago. For as long as she could remember, the world outside her palace felt like a prison rather than the paradise it was meant to be.

She never left, not because she couldn't, but because every time she dared to step outside, the dark forces would come. They always did. Freen didn't enjoy violence; she despised it. Each encounter with the Kira realm drained her. Her heart was heavy with the memory of every soul she had to fight, every battle that stripped away a little more of her innocence. It wasn't in her nature to kill, but she did it for the sake of her people, for the safety of her kingdom.

But Freen wasn't alone in these struggles. By her side for centuries was her most trusted companion-Namorntara, or as she affectionately called her, Nam. Nam wasn't just a maid or a warrior; she was Freen's confidante, the only one who truly understood her. They shared a bond forged over countless years, a friendship that blurred the lines of servant and protector. Nam had been with Freen through the darkest days, when Freen's grandparents were lost, when her kingdom's very survival had been threatened.

As Nam entered the room, carrying the meal she had prepared for Freen, she tried, as always, to lighten the atmosphere. "No dark forces today, my goddess. It's been nearly a century since their last attack. Maybe they've finally given up?" Nam's voice was warm and soothing, but there was a hint of hope in her words. She had always wished for Freen to live freely, unburdened by the threat of darkness.

Freen didn't answer right away. Her gaze remained fixed on the horizon, her mind distant. When she finally turned to the food, she spoke softly, "I want something different. Not this again."

Nam felt the sting of being ignored, but she knew better than to take it personally. She could see the weariness in Freen's eyes, the sadness behind her smile. The goddess's radiant beauty, once as bright as the stars, now seemed dimmed by her loneliness. Freen's responsibilities, her duty to protect the magical syrup that had kept their world safe, had bound her to a life of isolation. Nam, more than anyone, understood how that isolation was slowly consuming her.

Still, Nam wasn't one to give up. She placed the tray down and gently moved closer to Freen. "I know you're tired, Freen. I know this life has been difficult for you, but it doesn't have to be this way. You can go out. The dark forces haven't appeared in so long. You could live, explore, maybe even find something-or someone-who makes you feel alive again." Nam's voice softened at the last words, her eyes glimmering with hope for her beloved friend.

Freen let out a small, sad laugh. "You're always trying to get me to leave the palace. But you know I can't. My place is here. I can't let the past repeat itself."

The mention of the past hung heavy in the room. Freen's grandparents had given their lives protecting the syrup, their immortal forms reduced to dust because of their sacrifice. The memory of their loss haunted Freen, a constant reminder of the weight she bore on her shoulders. She had inherited their duty, and now it was her burden to keep the Sora realm safe, to ensure that the Kira forces never gained the power they so desperately sought.

Nam watched as Freen's smile faded once more. She longed to see her goddess happy, to see her live a life full of love and laughter, like her brother, Heng. Heng had always been the light in Freen's life, the one who could coax a real smile out of her. He was free to roam, to make friends, and to enjoy the world as Freen never could. It wasn't fair, Nam thought, that Freen was confined by duty while others were free to live. She deserved more.

As Freen turned back to the window, something stirred deep within her-a shift in the air, an unsettling feeling that crept into her chest. But it wasn't the usual dark energy she had come to expect when enemies approached. This was different. Her heart began to race, a sensation she had never felt before, like a flicker of warmth spreading through her veins. She felt... drawn, almost as if something or someone had entered her world, calling to her.

Freen's hand instinctively moved to her chest as if trying to calm the sudden rush of emotion. Her eyes widened as she scanned the horizon again, searching for the source of this new presence. She couldn't explain it, but something was different. Someone was out there, and whoever it was, they were connected to her in a way she couldn't yet understand.

Nam noticed the change in Freen immediately. "What is it?" she asked, her tone laced with concern. "Do you sense something?"

Freen nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Someone... has entered Sora. But it's not a dark force. It feels... different."

Nam's eyes narrowed, her warrior instincts kicking in. She knew Freen's senses were sharper than anyone's, and if her goddess felt something, it was real. But for the first time in a long while, Freen didn't feel afraid. Instead, she felt... curious. And beneath that curiosity, a strange, unfamiliar warmth settled in her chest, something that felt suspiciously like the beginning of love.

But neither Freen nor Nam knew it yet. They had no idea that the person Freen sensed was the one destined to change everything.

The one who would turn her world upside down.

............