"No one else, but Sorenzo's."

The Beginning of Everything

Outlantaina. A kingdom hidden in a realm untouched by human hands. The skies glowed in hues of silver and violet, with stars scattered like spilled gemstones. Yet, amid this beauty, chaos reigned.

Inside the royal palace, flames licked the walls, and the sound of clashing metal echoed through the corridors. The humans had discovered Outlantaina, and they brought ruin with them.

In a dimly lit royal chamber, a soft lullaby filled the air. A baby girl—Vyenna, barely seven months old—slept in a crib, oblivious to the destruction surrounding her. Her parents, King Arthur and Queen Saine, looked upon her with faces etched in heartbreak and fear.

Queen Saine's voice trembled. "We can't... we can't send her away, Arthur. She's our only child, our light... I can't bear the thought."

King Arthur, his expression pained yet resolute, placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know, Saine. But if she stays here, she won't survive. The humans—they've found us, and they won't stop until they've taken everything. Our people... our kingdom..." He paused, voice breaking. "Our Vyenna."

Saine clutched his arm, her tears silent but steady. "She's so young, Arthur. How will she survive alone in the human world?"

He shook his head. "We have no choice, my love. If she stays, they will find her. But if she leaves... she has a chance to live."

They both turned to their daughter, her small form peaceful in sleep, unaware of the sacrifice her parents were preparing to make. The sounds of battle grew louder as Outlantaina's defenses weakened.

Saine brushed a tear from her cheek. "Then... let her take a piece of us with her—a memory, something she can hold onto when we are gone."

Arthur pulled a small, shimmering amulet from his cloak, placing it beside Vyenna in her crib. "This will protect her. She may not remember us... but she will know, deep down, that she was loved. More than anything."

They leaned over her, each placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. As they whispered their goodbyes, a bright, blinding light enveloped the room. The spell surged around Vyenna, lifting her gently from the crib. In an instant, the light intensified, swallowing her and transporting her away from her home, her family, and the only world she'd known.

"Be safe, my little star," Queen Saine whispered, her voice breaking. "And forgive us."

In a flash, Vyenna was gone.

17 Years Later

Morning light filtered through the window of a suburban bedroom cluttered with posters, clothes, and scattered books. Vyenna, now appearing as a 17-year-old, was getting ready for school. Dressed in baggy jeans, an oversized hoodie, and a cap pulled low over her forehead, she gave herself a quick glance in the mirror, her reflection showing a hint of that same ethereal beauty she'd once been surrounded by.

She adjusted her cap, lost in thought until a knock on her door snapped her back to reality. Her non-biological brother, Eric, leaned against the doorframe, smirking.

"You ready yet, tomboy? I know you love making a grand entrance, but come on—I don't want to be late."

Vyenna rolled her eyes, smirking back. "Since when are you ever on time? You practically live on 'Eric Standard Time.'"

Eric chuckled. "Fair point. But this time's different. Not only am I your tutor, but you're finally gonna meet my girlfriend. Plus, my best friend's coming along. Figured it's time you meet the people I'm always talking about."

Vyenna shrugged, adjusting her cap. "Right... You sure she's not gonna think I'm some weird charity case or something?"

Eric nudged her playfully. "Don't be dramatic. Besides, I think you'll like them. They're chill—well, mostly. Just... be yourself, okay?"

At School

Vyenna and Eric leaned against a set of lockers, waiting in the crowded hallway. Vyenna looked around, taking in the bustling students with mild curiosity. She'd always felt out of place in human schools, though she could never explain why.

"Look, there they are!" Eric said, waving as a girl and a boy approached. Eric started forward, but the girl—Ariale—stopped in her tracks, narrowing her eyes at Vyenna.

Without warning, Ariale strode up to Vyenna, her eyes blazing. "So, you're the girl who's trying to steal my boyfriend?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Who do you think you are?"

Vyenna blinked, taken aback, but quickly regained her composure, her expression calm and slightly amused. Eric stepped between them, holding Ariale back.

"Ariale, stop! This is Vyenna—she's my sister. You remember, right? My adopted sister?"

Ariale froze, her anger melting into embarrassment. "Oh... right. I, uh... I forgot." She laughed awkwardly. "Sorry, I just thought—"

"You thought wrong," Vyenna interrupted with a smirk. "So maybe next time, think before jumping to conclusions, yeah?"

Carlos, Eric's best friend, stifled a laugh as Ariale looked away, clearly flustered. Eric sighed, rolling his eyes playfully. "Well, now that the introductions are... interestingly out of the way, shall we head to class?"

They laughed, the tension easing as they walked down the hallway together.

After Class

Eric, Ariale, and Carlos had their first class together, so Eric turned to Vyenna as they reached the classroom door. "Alright, Vy, just hang out here until our class is over. Once we're done, we'll start tutoring."

"Sure. Not like I've got anything else to do," she replied, giving a small shrug.

As they disappeared into class, the hallway fell silent, and Vyenna leaned back against the lockers. She noticed flyers plastered along the walls, announcing a welcoming ceremony for a CEO named Sorenzo La Aléjandro, who was visiting to unveil a new project. She ignored it, not really interested in some corporate giant.

Forty-five minutes later, the hallways were still quiet. A faint sound drifted toward her—muffled voices, tense and angry, coming from further down the hall. Curiosity sparked, and Vyenna pushed herself off the wall, following the voices.

The argument grew louder as she approached, but just as she rounded the corner, something else stole her attention. Through a set of towering windows, the campus grounds stretched before her. The sunlight bathed the trees and gardens in a warm glow, creating a scene of quiet beauty. It was simple, unlike Outlantaina, but something about it captivated her.

Distracted, she didn't notice the figure rounding the corner until she collided with him. She stumbled backward, her cap slipping off, and she fell to the ground. Blinking, she looked up, meeting a pair of intense, dark eyes.

The man who towered over her was strikingly handsome, with a chiseled jaw and an expression that teetered between irritation and intrigue. Beside him, a woman looked on with curiosity, as if sensing something unusual between them.

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to fall away, the air thickening around them. Vyenna felt an odd flutter in her chest, something unfamiliar yet electric. The man's eyes softened, his annoyance fading into something unreadable as he studied her, seeming captivated.

He extended a hand, his gaze never leaving hers. Hesitantly, she took it, feeling a strange warmth in his grip as he helped her up. Their fingers brushed, and a jolt passed through her, sharp and undeniable.

"Watch where you're going next time," he murmured, his voice low and smooth, carrying a hint of amusement. But even as he scolded her, his gaze lingered, as if he couldn't quite look away.

"Maybe you should watch where you're standing," she retorted, adjusting her cap with a defiant tilt.

A faint smirk tugged at his lips, his eyes sparking with intrigue. The woman beside him cleared her throat, and he finally broke his gaze, turning to leave. But as he walked away, someone nearby whispered his name, barely audible but enough to send a chill through her.

Sorenzo La Aléjandro.

She watched him go, her heart still racing. She knew little about him beyond what she'd read—some powerful CEO. But something in his gaze left her feeling unsettled, as if she'd just met someone who would change her life in ways she couldn't yet imagine.