Behold the world of Celestia,
in search of the new protector and warrior of the Earth jewel!
If most people believe in the existence of supernatural entities, then it stands to reason that alternate worlds could also be included in this belief. Some phenomena remain hidden from our eyes, only to be perceived by those blessed with supernatural abilities.
Above or within our planet lies an alternate world known as Celestia, comprising four elemental realms arranged in descending order: Air - Cielo, Land - Terra, Water - Mari, and Fire - Pyra. The inhabitants of each realm resemble humans but possess immortality. Additionally, there are humans with beastly traits among them. Each realm is sustained by a powerful gem that provides eternal blessings, safeguarded by a warrior princess tasked with protecting it from enemies and potential destruction. Accompanying each princess is a male knight, who also serves as a guardian. The loss or absence of these gems could lead to devastation, extinction of the inhabitants, and the disruption of Celestia's balance. Ultimately, these gems are overseen by their God, Bathala, with his appointed Diwata, Maya, frequently taking charge on his behalf.
For a time, peace reigned in this alternate world until jealousy consumed Maya's rival, Lucia, who felt betrayed when Maya was chosen as Bathala's right hand. Driven by envy, Lucia summoned forbidden powers to control others, particularly the male knights. Through her manipulations, she sowed discord among the princesses, making them fall in love and distracting them from their duties. According to a longstanding law, any protector of the gems would be cursed if they defied their responsibilities. Tragically, this curse came to pass.
In a desperate bid to restore order, Maya waged war against Lucia. They engaged in an epic battle, unleashing their ultimate powers. However, it was too late for any resolution. Lucia managed to seize control of all the gems, leading to the impending destruction of the Celestial realms. Faced with this calamity, Maya resorted to her forbidden ability - the power to manipulate time - to freeze Celestia's annihilation. In a final, desperate act, she struck Lucia with her holy sword, ending her life. As Lucia fell, the gems she controlled were released, inadvertently severed by Maya's blow. In that critical moment, Maya quickly opened a portal to the mortal world, sending the gems away for safekeeping, preserving their power and the hope of Celestia's future.
Back in the recent time…
As the students settled into their classroom, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and curiosity while they waited for their teacher to arrive. Among them was Albert, a brilliant classmate known for his vivid storytelling. He had just finished recounting the Legend of Celestia, a tale that captivated the attention of many in the room.
"Wow, what a beautiful story," Maria exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with wonder. "What happens next?"
Albert leaned forward, his enthusiasm palpable. "Well, I believe this isn't just a legend. The world of Celestia is real. This isn't just a story! If you ask the elders, they would tell you the same…"
A few classmates exchanged glances, and one muttered, "Here comes the weirdo again... nah." Laughter rippled through the group, dismissing Albert's words as mere fantasy.
Despite the lively chatter around her, Teresa found herself lost in thought, her mind drifting back to the unbelievable events of the previous day. She struggled to focus on the lesson, her teacher's voice fading into the background as the images of the earthquake and the surreal experience on the rooftop replayed in her mind.
"Teresa!" The sharp call of her teacher broke through her daydream. The sudden attention made her cheeks flush with embarrassment as she realized she hadn't been paying attention.
"Please try to stay focused," the teacher admonished gently, but with an edge of disappointment. Teresa nodded, feeling a mix of shame and confusion. What had happened yesterday felt far too real to simply forget, yet she was stuck in a classroom, surrounded by laughter and chatter, as if nothing had changed at all.
As the lesson continued, Teresa couldn't shake the feeling that something profound had shifted within her, a realization that the boundaries between her world and the world of Celestia might be thinner than anyone could imagine.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in hues of red and orange, Teresa walked home alone, the warm glow casting long shadows on the pavement. The tranquil evening, however, was abruptly shattered when she sensed a presence lurking behind her.
Before she could turn around, a street thief dashed past her, snatching her bag with alarming speed. Teresa's heart raced as surprise transformed into determination; she sprinted after him, fueled by a sudden surge of adrenaline. To her astonishment, she found herself moving with an agility she had never possessed before, quickly overtaking the thief.
The thief, a man in his thirties clad in a loose white T-shirt and brown trousers, wore a cap that obscured most of his face. Yet, despite his swift movements, he couldn't help but smile as he watched Teresa gain ground. It was as if he had drawn a conclusion about her unexpected prowess.
As Teresa reached him, she shouted, "Hey! Give that back! It doesn't belong to you!"
"Amazing, girl!" he replied, clapping mockingly.
"Stop laughing! Just give me my bag back!" Teresa demanded, breathless.
The thief chuckled sarcastically. "Hehehehe. You!"
"Me? You've got to be mistaken! I'm not someone you can rob. Please, just return my bag; it doesn't even have any money!"
"Very nicely said," he taunted, holding her bag just out of reach. "But first, you need to fight me."
"What? I'm not into fighting! What's the point of this? I just want to go home!" Teresa insisted, frustration bubbling inside her.
"Let's see what you've got, then." He closed his fist and lunged at her with surprising force, landing a blow to her stomach that sent her crashing to the ground.
"Ouch!" she gasped, clutching her stomach. "I said I'm not into fighting! Please!"
"You can't go home without proving yourself," he said, tossing her bag back at her. "Here's your bag."
Slowly rising, Teresa retrieved her bag while holding her stomach, her eyes narrowed in anger. The thief removed his cap, revealing a face that was both charming and fierce, locking eyes with her.
"Loser!" he taunted. "In this world and in times of emergencies, one must learn to fight - or perhaps even kill. Your friends might mourn your death soon enough." He turned, beginning to walk away.
Driven by a surge of indignation, Teresa slammed her fist against the ground in frustration. In that moment, the same shiny black stone that had appeared during the tsunami incident materialized once again, illuminating her with a brilliant glow. The ground beneath her trembled, fractures spreading outward, causing the thief to halt and turn back, his eyes widening in surprise. Once again, a smile crept across his face.
"What did you just say? Weak?" Teresa panted, rage coursing through her veins.
"Oh dear," he replied, amusement lacing his tone. "What a beginning. You need more practice. But for now, keep up the good work."
He stepped closer to Teresa, and as she prepared to strike him again, he effortlessly caught her fist, sensing her growing power. But as he held her hand, Teresa felt a sudden weakness wash over her. The energy she had summoned slipped from her grasp, and she lost consciousness, her body crumpling to the ground.
Teresa stirred from her slumber, her mind foggy and disoriented. As her eyes fluttered open, she realized she was back in her room, the familiar walls surrounding her. A dull ache throbbed in her stomach and her hand, remnants of the earlier confrontation still lingering.
"Ummm... What? Where's that guy? Where am I?" she mumbled, confusion gripping her.
Just then, her mother entered the room, a concerned look on her face. "Oh, you're awake! Why didn't you come down for dinner? I called you many times! It's already 10 o'clock. Come on, let's eat. We are waiting for you."
"What?!" Teresa exclaimed, the events of the day flooding back to her. "What is happening? These things are crazy!"
As she sat up, she felt something cool and smooth pressed tightly in her palm. Curiosity piqued, she opened her hand to reveal a peculiar stone, its surface gleaming in the dim light of her room.
"What is this?" she pondered, turning it over in her palm. "A strange stone? Hmmm."
With a mix of intrigue and urgency, she placed the stone on her bedside table, its weighty presence now a part of her surroundings. She hurried down the stairs to join her family for dinner, her thoughts still swirling around the earlier encounter.
Unbeknownst to her, as she left the room, the stone began to glow softly, pulsating with an otherworldly light, as if it held secrets yet to be unveiled.
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