THE KINGLESS QUEENS

SEPARATED BY FATE

The world was dark, an endless void where time seemed to stretch on indefinitely. It felt like drifting through a sea of shadows, weightless and detached. Slowly, the darkness began to recede, replaced by faint glimpses of light. Each girl struggled to find their way, unaware that their paths were about to diverge in the most unexpected of ways.

Evelyn was the first to awaken. Her eyes fluttered open to the sight of twinkling stars in a deep, endless sky. She felt an otherworldly calm surround her, and as she sat up, she recognized the familiar glow of Lunaris. The ethereal forest stood before her, and the silver flowers swayed gently in the breeze. Confused, she called out, “Zayla? Charlotte?” But there was no response, only the soft murmur of the wind whispering through the leaves.

She stood, feeling a strange connection to the realm she was in—Lunaris, the land of dreams and the home of her deepest connection. Her purple crystal pulsed faintly, as if trying to guide her. “Why am I here?” Evelyn whispered to herself, anxiety seeping in as the realization dawned on her that she was completely alone.

Meanwhile, far away in another corner of Olympus, Zayla awoke to the sight of towering pillars and ancient scrolls floating in the air. The realm had a serene, almost sacred quality, as golden rays of light filtered through arched windows. “Zifzia,” she breathed, recognizing the realm of wisdom Orien had once spoken about. Her surroundings were adorned with symbols and runes, hinting at the knowledge that lay hidden within. Her crystal, once warm with Lunaris’ power, now shimmered with the golden hue of Zifzia, and she felt a tug at her very soul, as if the realm itself was calling her.

Elsewhere, Charlotte woke to the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft trickling of water. She found herself standing beside a rose-lined canal, the air thick with the scent of blooming flowers. The Rose Canals, she realized, the realm of nature. The stillness of the water mirrored her confusion. “Where is everyone?” she muttered, gripping her crystal tightly, feeling its energy pulse in rhythm with the world around her.

In a place far different from the tranquility of the canals, Nemo stood on scorched ground, surrounded by flickering flames. The heat was intense, but there was something empowering about it, like a force urging her forward. She knew instantly she was in the Wake Lands, the realm of fire. “The Wake Lands…” she said to herself, as if saying the name would make sense of the chaos around her. Her crystal, now blazing with red energy, felt almost alive in her hand.

In contrast, Zifrin found herself in a place that seemed to glow with an ethereal light. The gentle waves of a shimmering ocean caressed her feet, and the horizon stretched out endlessly. The Orchid Oceans, with their sense of purity and renewal, brought her a brief moment of peace. “How did I get here?” she wondered aloud, feeling the coolness of her crystal radiate in her palm.

Calia’s eyes opened to the sight of towering trees and a lush canopy. The Wish Woods. The realm of peace felt like a sanctuary, and yet she could feel the tension in her chest growing. She reached for her crystal, now glowing a soft pink, and felt its warmth steady her nerves. “Evelyn? Zifrin?” she called, but her voice was met only with silence.

Each girl was alone, standing in their respective realms, and all of them shared the same thought: Where were their friends?

It was in that moment that the voice of a woman soft kind of like the siren who tried to trap them but different  echoed through the air, reaching each of them in their separate realms. “You have ventured far and faced many challenges, but you have yet to truly understand the power of Olympus. Now, you must prove that your bonds are unbreakable, even when separated.”

The realization struck them like lightning—they had been split apart, each cast into a different realm, with only their crystals as a reminder of the journey they had shared. Doubts and fears threatened to overwhelm them, but the memory of their time together gave them strength.

In Lunaris, Evelyn steeled herself, knowing that she couldn’t afford to be paralyzed by fear. She held her crystal close, feeling the familiar connection with her friends. “We’ll find each other,” she vowed softly, a hint of determination creeping into her voice. “We always do.”

In Zifzia, Zayla took a deep breath, trying to focus amidst the overwhelming sense of solitude. She could feel Zifzia’s wisdom flowing into her, urging her to trust her instincts. “We’re not really alone,” she reminded herself. “We’re connected by our bonds.”

In the Wake Lands, Nemo tightened her grip on her crystal, drawing strength from its warmth. She knew the others were out there somewhere, facing their own challenges. “Hold on, guys,” she murmured, her eyes narrowing with resolve. “We’ll find a way back to each other.”

Zifrin, standing by the ocean’s edge, let the waves calm her racing heart. She could almost hear Zayla’s voice, encouraging her to stay strong. “This isn’t the end,” she said firmly. “It’s just another test.”

Charlotte, surrounded by the blooming roses, took a moment to inhale their scent, letting the memory of her friends’ laughter fill her mind. “We’ll get through this,” she whispered, feeling a renewed sense of hope.

Calia, deep within the Wish Woods, closed her eyes and listened to the gentle whispers of the trees. She could feel her friends’ presence, distant yet comforting. “We’ll be together again,” she said quietly, holding onto that thought like a lifeline.

Unbeknownst to them, the realms were watching, waiting to see if the girls could find their way back to each other and to the destiny that awaited them.

Each girl took a deep breath, preparing for the trials ahead. They were separated by fate, but their hearts remained united. And somewhere, hidden within the vast expanse of Olympus, their next challenge awaited.