Beyond Worlds

Chapter One

"Sir... her soul has been lost for centuries. Her memory of our world is minimum, perhaps even nonexistent. Expecting her to remember anything is like expecting a newborn to be able to walk. She needs to grow and to accustom herself to our world again in order for us to get what we need out of her," the magician sounds to his Ruler.

He sits upon his foreboding throne, leaning forward so that his elbows rest on his knees. His stare does not waver from the magician, making the slender man second-guess his choice of words. The words that come from the King's mouth surprise him, "You are being honest with me. I thank you for that." The King leans back on his sturdy throne made of iron with pillows scattered around it in order to make it more comfortable. "She does not have much time left where she is. When it is her time to pass I will send my daughter to collect her soul."

The fire-eyed magician nods his head."When she arrives, she will be in quite a shock. I will do my best in order to calm her nerves."

The King's face softens for only a brief moment before it goes back to his usual stern and unnerving look, "You are dismissed."

XX

"Mama! I am back now," Anastasia's voice travels through the house and to the kitchen where her mother is currently preparing dinner. "Goodness, what deliciousness are you making? I can smell it from here." She laughs and skips gleefully to her mother's side in the kitchen.

With her free hand, her mother wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her close into an embrace and kissing her cheek softly. She continues to stir the stew that Anastasia had graciously given such high praise. "Hello, my love. I'm making your favorite. Homemade bread is in the oven currently, it shouldn't be much longer."

Anastasia moves from her mother's arm and shifts over to sit on a stool sitting across from where her mother is cooking. The smells are intoxicating, making her stomach growl and reminding her of how hungry she is.

Eyes shifting to her mother, Anastasia observes that she really hasn't changed much over the years. Still has long, beautiful red hair the color of a rose and stunning blue eyes. Light freckles dapple her pale face. She is shorter than her daughter with more curves.

"So, Ana how was work?" She inquires, breaking Ana's attention away from her observations.

Her daughter grins. Despite the job not paying the best in the world, she enjoys it quite a bit. She had only started working recently, ever since she graduated from high school. "Today was actually busier than usual, had a couple dozen people come through."

Ana's mother nods and looks thoughtfully down at the stew, "I am just glad you are out of school, that was no place for you."

"Mama, it was necessary for me to attend," Anastasia watches her mother's downward gaze with her mismatched eyes.

"I should have homeschooled you," she replies.

"You needed to work, we would have ended up out on the streets," she taps a fingernail on the counter, knowing where this conversation is leading to.

Eyes cast upward now at her daughter, she speaks, "No child should have to go through what you did. No child should have to face such cruelty from their peers as you did."

Anastasia sighs but gives her mother a sweet smile, "It is in the past, Mama. I am okay. I'm not around that anymore. You have to admit though... I am odd."

"Odd should not be treated as if it is a bad thing. It means that you are unique, special. You are your own person and different from everyone else. That should be praised not scorned."

The slender girl stands from her stool and walks to grab two bowls and spoons for herself and her mother. The timer goes off, indicating the bread is finished baking. Her mother turns the stove off quickly before stepping aside to let her daughter through. Ana pulls oven mittens out, slipping them onto her slim hands, pulling the oven door open. A rush of heat makes her turn her face away for a moment before she grabs hold of the pan and moves it onto a cutting board sitting upon the counter.